Old School

Old School
Edmonton Sun - Alberta, Canada
... A lot of snobs say Billy Joel is the worst singer-songwriter in history thanks to his success and since-dissolved supermodel marriage. ...

THE STRANGER (1977)

Billy Joel

Columbia

5 out of 5

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Isn't that the worst album cover?

Seriously, man - imagine the photo shoot: "OK, Billy, can you look at that mask on the pillow just a little sadder? Maybe we need some boxing gloves in there or something." Subtle.

Still, it's a fine album, wedged between punchy tunes like Movin' Out or Only the Good Die Young and the love-happy Just the Way You Are and my karaoke favourite, She's Always a Woman.

A lot of snobs say Billy Joel is the worst singer-songwriter in history thanks to his success and since-dissolved supermodel marriage. Joel is certainly guilty of being both maudlin and literal, and his voice can annoy some. And We Didn't Start the Fire just might be the worst song ever written.

But I like Joel's heart, so the rest of you can cram it, lame album cover or no.