ARTIST: Joe Jackson 
TITLE: Beat Crazy
YEAR RELEASED: 1980
CHART ACTION: #41 US, #42 UK
SINGLES: Mad at You, Bat Crazy, One to One
OTHER SONGS YOU MAY KNOW: Someone Up There, Biology
LINEUP: Joe Jackson, Graham Maby, Gary Sanford, David Houghton
WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT: A somewhat mixed album from Jackson – the last from his classic band for many years. Sequencing is a big problem here.
SOME WORDS, PHRASES AND CLAUSES ABOUT THIS RECORD: There’s some great songs on this album. “One to One” is a classic Joe Jackson piano ballad, “Biology” hearkens back to the origins of the band with some interesting production, and Jackson’s band handles reggae beats well with “In Every Dream Home (A Nightmare)”.
The main issue here is sequencing. There’s some weaker songs here, and they stand out thanks to their placement. Also, opening with “Beat Crazy” instead of “One to One” (which to me sounded like a classic album opener for Jackson) is off-putting to my ears. “Mad at You” is great, but then goes on for about 30-45 seconds too long.
The album shows the bands versatility, and Jackson’s knack for songwriting in many genres and styles, but it seems more of a tossed together collection than a cohesive unit – even with the songs blending into each other.
NOTES & MINUTIAE: It was credited to the Joe Jackson Band, which would break up after the European tour for the album.
IS THERE A DELUXE VERSION: No
GRADE: B-: If it was sequenced properly, it would probably be a B or B+.
