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Lion Reviews Joan Jones

Joan Jones -- Starlite Criminal
1998

In Starlite Criminal Joan Jones writes songs that help her reflect about her relationships, and help her move on. Her music is witty and fun to listen to, even if the subject matter is about her difficult relationships, breaking up, and moving on. The quality of the music on this CD is professional. I don't sense any of her band members trying to upstage the lyricist. Perhaps the best synthesis of band and vocal is on "Wide Eyed Devil", where the drums, bass guitar, lead guitar, piano, synthesizer, and Joan's voice bring harmony where there might have been chaos.

Her music is lively and upbeat when she sings about distant pain. In "Everyday Down", she sings:

     She said
     I don't know what it is that gives
     I only know everyday is downhill from here
     I'm gonna get
     I'm gonna want
     I'm gonna be where i want to be

In another upbeat song, she sings

     What is it that you want
     What is it that you need
     I'm capable of anything when it comes to you and me
     And you know
     It never really has to be so hard
     I want to go on and on with you

Her writing embraces irony, bringing together painful thoughts and with hopeful rhythms. In "Forgetful", she sounds like a woman who has already moved on, as she sings, "Everyday I become more forgetful / And yet somehow with everyday / I'll remember just how I feel."

For me, the strongest tracks are "Come B45", "Everyday Down", "Starlite Criminal", "Forgetful", "Wide Eyed Devil", "Party" and "The Lonely On". I realize that listing 7 songs as the "strongest" may seem a bit insincere, but the CD is well produced and she writes catchy lyrics that I enjoy. I recommend this CD if you enjoy introspection, pop, and someone who has fun making music.