Symphony No.1

Joe Jackson's first symphony can't really be called classical at all; if it had come out 20 years earlier, it would quite obviously have been filed under "Prog." Sadly, even Jackson's longtime fans might have trouble with this disc. There's not a single pop hook to be found in its 45 minutes. Instead, we get four movements of rock-like instrumentals representing the different stages of life. With plenty of synths, electric guitar, and keyboards, the work allows the musician and his ensemble (featuring, among others, trumpeter Terence Blanchard and guitarist Steve Vai) to mix jazz fusion, world-music rhythms, and--of course--rock instrumentals. Grandiose in concept--but devoid of any real message (or even memorable passages)--it fails miserably. The fourth movement at least sounds like a peppy New Age composition, but it hardly saves this weak effort. The symphony form has endured for centuries, but it's safe to say people will remember Jackson for "Is She Really Going Out with Him?" instead of Symphony No. 1. Better luck with No. 2, Joe. --Jason Verlinde