The US magazine Ultimate Classic Rock has dedicated an in-depth analysis to Joe Jackson, publishing a ranking of his albums “from worst to best”, with the aim of highlighting the evolution of an artist who has never stopped reinventing himself. “Throughout his career Joe Jackson has done everything to deny the label that fans and critics had attached to him at the beginning in an attempt to pigeonhole him – underlines Michael Gallucci in the introduction – Initially compared, together with Elvis Costello, Graham Parker and other protagonists of the time, to Angry Young Men emerging from the new wave scene born out of late 1970s pub rock, Jackson soon overturned all expectations, constantly changing style from one album to the next. As this ranking demonstrates, his discography is a continuous crossing of genres. After his first two albums of brilliant new wave-influenced pub rock, Jackson embarked on a musical quest that would become the hallmark of his career. From big band swing to metropolitan jazz, from concept albums to forays into classical music, he quickly abandoned his initial definitions. Inspired as much by the places he lived as by the music that surrounded him, Jackson put a strong personal stamp on all his albums, even when they weren't overtly autobiographical.” According to Ultimate Classic Rock, there is a common thread that unites the debut “Look Sharp!” (1979), the masterpiece “Night And Day” (1982) and “Hope And Fury” (2026), even if it is not always evident on the surface. The ranking – the magazine further specifies – does not include the soundtracks “Mike's Murder” and “Tucker”, published in the 1980s”.
The real issue that UCR runs into, however, is the failure to include the fundamental “Big World” from 1986, perhaps because it was mistaken for a live album due to its recording method. A serious mistake that we hope was caused only by this type of misunderstanding.
Here is the ranking of Joe Jackson's best studio albums according to Ultimate Classic Rock magazine (here is the complete report).
20. Night Music (1994)
19. Will Power (1987)
18. Heaven & Hell (1997)
17. The Duke (2012)
16. Night And Day II (2000)
15. Symphony No. 1 (1999)
14.Rain (2008)
13. Volume 4 (2003)
12. Blaze Of Glory (1989)
11. Fool (2019)
10. Hope And Fury (2026)
9. Laughter & Lust (1991)
8. Fast Forward (2015)
7. Beat Crazy (1980)
6. Mr. Joe Jackson Presents Max Champion In What A Racket! (2023)
5. Joe Jackson's Jumpin' Jive (1981)
4. Body And Soul (1984)
3. I'm The Man (1979)
2. Look Sharp! (1979)
1. Night And Day (1982)
Daniel D`Amico for SANREMO.FM
