52nd Street
Remember, remember "52nd Street" for this may be the last album that Billy Joel will ever be praised for; that and the last album he plays a piano on.
Starting off with the rock anthem "Big Shot", the album shows promise despite falling to rock trends... It's bold, it's brass, it's lyrics may not be the best but musically it sounds good. Then it transfers to "Honesty" which take notice, are the end of the road for Billy Joel's piano playing skills; it's slow, methodical pace is a good musical backdrop for a night on the town and Joel uses his voice but the lyrics are only a slight step up from the previous song.
You'll notice a theme here. Good musical backdrops, good voice, bad lyrics. There's also a jazz theme throughout which makes it stand out from the crowd; Billy Joel was going for sort of a broadway theme here, one that would later be mastered by Barry Manilow in 1989 with "Showstoppers". It's a thing that takes music back to it's roots yet he doesn't do it deep enough. "Half a Mile Away" is enjoyable yet it doesn't have substance and even the ballads of the album lack that certain heart. I commend him for playing his own instruments but what's happening here?
The reason you should pick up the album is for the 4 songs compiled together into one super block. "My Life", "Rosalinda's Eyes", "Zanzibar" and "Siletto". These contain the best possible variation of amazing musical compositions, unexpected twists, bold sounds and unique instrumentation; even the lyrics are good here if not for the fact that he uses his voice well here. All four songs have addictive qualities that instantly draw you in and will not let you go. In fact if 52nd Street was an EP than it would be considered a classic rather than a number one album. This kind of stuff motivates you, influences you, makes you feel more than what you are and that is the power of music.
Besides those 4 songs, there's nothing much here for you. This is more of the beginning of the end for Joel's talent than anything resembling art or even a pop masterpiece; Joel should of never embraced Rock sensibilities, in fact he should of remained where he was. The piano player's answer to Bruce Springsteen/Albert Hammond.
3/5
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