Joe Jackson continues his flirtation with "serious" music, which began with Will Power, released in 1987.
However, Jackson has not lost all of his pop sensibilities.
There are a few moments on Heaven & Hell when the listener gets a hint of Jackson's pop expertise.
This album utilizes both pop and classical musicians, including Suzanne Vega, Jane Siberry, Brad Roberts, Joe Askew, Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, Kenny Aronoff, and Dawn Upshaw.
The theme of this album is the "seven deadly sins," with a composition dedicated to each.
For diehard Jackson fans, this release may be heaven; but to casual fans, it will feel more like purgatory.