My Top 20 albums from 1979 n0 7

I’m The Man Joe Jackson 1979
Tracklist
On Your Radio 4:00
Geraldine And John 3:14
Kinda Kute 3:30
It's Different For Girls 3:42
I'm The Man 3:56
The Band Wore Blue Shirts 5:05
Don't Wanna Be Like That 3:41
Amateur Hour 4:03
Get That Girl 3:02
Friday 3:33
AllMusic Review by Mike DeGagne

Despite Jackson's anxious demeanor and shaky pop/rock presence, I'm the Man holds together quite well as his second attempt. Reaching number 12 in the U.K. and a respectable number 22 in the U.S., the album managed to net him a number five hit in his homeland with the insightful "It's Different for Girls," which revealed Jackson's adeptness at philosophizing and his perception of examining the sexes, a trait which would follow him throughout his career. While this song represents his skill at crafting an effective ballad, the frantic "I'm the Man" showcases Jackson at his most frenzied, as a freight train's worth of lyrics pile haphazardly into one another alongside a wonderfully hysteric rhythm. Not only does the track show off Jackson's free-range ability, but his sense of humor arises once again, following in the footsteps of Look Sharp!'s "Is She Really Going Out With Him." Jackson's new wave tendencies are toned down for I'm the Man, but that doesn't restrain his talent, as songs like "Kinda Kute," "Amateur Hour," and "Geraldine and John" make for catchy side servings of attractive pop. It wasn't until Jackson's next album, Beat Crazy, that he began to expand his musical latitudes into reggae, soul, and later on into jazz and other styles. I'm the Man exposes Jackson in his early stages, but it's evident that his wit and peculiar brand of pop charm is already building up its strength.

'm The Man (1979)
Continuing the no-frills approach of the debut ("On The Radio"), but there are problems on multiple fronts. The gender relations numbers aern't intriguing (the vacuous "It's Different For Girls"). The social statements are often vague or trivial ("The Band Wore Blue Shirts," probing the angst of the bar musician with the same acumen as Billy Joel's "Piano Man"). Except for the frisky "Friday" and the title track, a clever if snide look at consumer culture, nothing's as memorable as anything on the first record - "Kinda Kute" and "Amateur Hour" are downright dull. Still, there's a fair amount of engaging speedy rock with reggae overtones ("Don't Wanna Be Like That"; the lazily melodic "Geraldine And John"), and the taut arrangements are a continual source of joy.