AUTHENTIC BRITROCK

Dury made observant, witty and intelligent music that was authentic British rock and pop with a strong dance undertone. Reasons To Be Cheerful and Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick both have insistent hooks and a funky dance rhythm, delivered in half-spoken cockney accent. The amusing Razzle In My Pocket is a humorous tale about a stolen library book similarly performed in a spoken vocal style. What A Waste and Wake Up And Make Love are delicious pop songs. The old-style rock 'n roll song Sweet Gene Vincent is a magnificent tour de force with a subdued poetic introduction leading up to soaring vocals and killer hook. The bouncy Sex & Drugs & Rock `n Roll and lilting I Wanna Be Straight are sweeping and witty comments on the music scene. Common As Muck has funny literary references. The arrangements are impressive too, especially the expert use of piano and sax to give the songs that well rounded feeling of perfection. Jukebox Dury is an album of absolutely priceless music that impresses with its variety, melodic beauty and intelligence.