Digging through my storage unit Thursday night, I stumbled across by old cassette versions of "Blaze of Glory" and "Will Power" by Joe Jackson: two collections by the same artist, yet so utterfly different.  Jackson can shine in countless genres, and in almost every case his music bleeds honesty and emotion, but in both upfront and subtle ways.

"Rain" is his new collection, the first studio album by Jackson since the awesome "Volume 4" of 2003 which reunited the original quartet which burst on the scene with "Look Sharp" and singles like "Is She Really Going Out With Him."  As anyone familiar with his music would expect, "Volume 4" was both a brief nostalgic look at those early days and a complete departure.  Granted, it did include Jackson's first true piece of nostalgia ("A Little Bit Stupid"), but the best tracks were those like "Chrome" or "Awkward Age" which combined the tightness of the band with the eclectic energy JAckson usually contains.

"Rain" reduces that quartet to his old trio, Graham Maby on bass and Dave Houghton on drums.  But the music is full, emotive, and as good as anything Jackson has ever written.  Whether rocking through power songs like "King Pleasure Time" or gliding along in melodies like "Rush Across the Road", this disc captures the maturity of the aging artist while proving his wit and insight is as sharp as ever.  Impossible to accurately classify, I suppose you could put the album in "Adult Contemporary." 

A deluxe version includes a bonus DVD of live performances, interviews, and other extras.  I'm enjoying the music so much that I haven't gotten to that yet...much in the same way it took me over a month to take "Volume 4" out of my CD player in 2003 to enjoy the bonus live CD my copy came with.

Joe Jackson is supporting this album with a world tour in select cities.  Like in 2003, the music will be easily translated to the live setting.  I've already got my ticket for the April show here in Dallas.  If the band is coming through your area, do yourself a favor and get yourself a seat.  And in the meantime, give "Rain" a spin, along with "Volume 4" if you missed that release.  Great stuff.