Fool
by Joe Jackson
User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 9 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 2 out of 9
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  1. SonicField
    Feb 6, 2019
    1
    Foolishness. This record is a mash without direction other than trying to recapitulate his yesteryear. Probably such because he hasn’t had any successful works since the 80s. Songs like Fabulously Absolute and Dark Cloud are almost unlistenable. The studio production is cold and over polished carrying an unnatural sounding glitter of stiff grooves embellished with cliche guitar riffs.Foolishness. This record is a mash without direction other than trying to recapitulate his yesteryear. Probably such because he hasn’t had any successful works since the 80s. Songs like Fabulously Absolute and Dark Cloud are almost unlistenable. The studio production is cold and over polished carrying an unnatural sounding glitter of stiff grooves embellished with cliche guitar riffs. Lyrically, its cheesy prose trying to be a smart ass, a rebel without a cause with a bank account. Sad, this collection of grabs just doesn’t sound sincere as earlier works, even Rain or his cute try with Ellington compositions.… Expand

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Blurt Magazine
    Apr 11, 2019
    60
    There are some songs that sound like they were last minute add-ons (“Alchemy” is so plodding you can almost watch time stand still), but taken as a whole, Fool still finds Jackson playing some of the best pop music out there, immune to fads and current trends.
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  2. AllMusic
    Mar 22, 2019
    70
    Ultimately, Fool isn't as satisfying as Jackson's more straightforward work of the '80s, but if this sometime suffers from too much ambition, Jackson clearly is good enough to come close to what he's aiming for, and in the moments where he connects, it's a truly impressive piece of work.
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  3. Paste Magazine
    Jan 30, 2019
    76
    You have to make a dedicated effort to give it a couple of listens; no song immediately jumps out. But like a delicious meal, it’s worth chewing over slowly, savoring what each song brings to the palate, and each listen brings out something new. By the third spin, it will be like an old friend has joined you at dinner.
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