Chicago’s prettiest rat-tail nest of American roots music Yep Roc slides out two more in its lovely Nick Lowe reissues series — this time a couple of full-lengths released in the late 80s / early 90s that at the time were considered modest affairs. Listening now, they confirm that Lowe was one of the most effortless songwriters and impeccable entertainers to have come out of the late 20th century “semi-popular rock” scene.”
The just-released Pinker and Prouder than Previous (1988) and Party of One (1990) are full of dabs of every giddy genre you can think of, from shimmering Buddy Holly-style rockabilly to bopping sing-along novelty tunes to cynical sing-alongs. Lowe’s musical ability evokes a spirit tapping into a 50s-style “human jukebox” of fun and friendly showmanship. The lyrics are often humorous but not gauche, filled with clever puns and occasionally slightly cruel quips, almost all having to do with the follies of love. The production on these gems is a bit slick to be considered skiffle or busking material, but the styles remind one of Bob Dylan’s own flirtation with song mill American song-craft.
Originally, Lowe had bust on the original British punk/New Wave scene out of years nearly-making it with the legendary pub rock band Brinsley Schwarz, which gave the world (and Elvis Costello) the earnestly ambivalent anthem “(What’s So Funny ‘bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding.” He first came to my attention as EC’s producer, the first several LPs of which he helmed — but then the breakout hit “Cruel to Be Kind” from his second album Labour of Lust was all over Top 40 radio on this side of the Atlantic. A song we never got tired of hearing, and enabled for the acerbic, invigorating first two LPs to find a happily devoted fan-base in the States.
The following albums – Nick the Knife, The Abominable Showman, Nick Lowe and His Cowboy Outfit, The Rose of England, Pinker and Prouder Than Previous, and Party of One – are all now available from Yep Roc, which is great, because I kinda abandoned Lowe after the first couple. I’d received Nick the Knife when it was released in 1982, and felt let down. The songs were gentler in their sarcasm, the imagery not as vicious or horny as on the first two’s “Marie Provost,” “Little Hitler,” and “Crackin’ Up.”
I’d made a mistake. Seeing him live at Seattle’s Bumbershoot a few years back, I saw that his presence filled the entire festival with a Sinatra-like grace and power, and then start hunting out his more recent Yep Roc releases, reminding me that Lowe is wonderful, subversively enjoyable company even if he’s not turning up the punk wit.
These reissues span the years 1982 through 1990, and easily convince one of the “remarkable second wind” (New York Times) that has kept genuine music fans and astute critics paying attention. Dynamic straight-ahead emotional rockers like “Big, Big Love” and “I Don’t Know Why You Keep Me On” are balanced by the gentle nudge-nudge wink-wink of “Big Hair” and the sweet-ass classic here, “All Men Are Liars,” with its immortal lyrics: “Do you remember Rick Astley? He had a big fat hit that was ghastly / He said, I’m never gonna give you up or let you down’ / Well, I’m here to tell you that Rick’s a clown.”
Pinker and Prouder than Previous and Party of One are guaranteed to satisfy your playful power pop needs, with the added charm of aging well without showing their age and (on the latter) giving up some ace bonus tracks. You need to see Nick Lowe live sooner than later, and you should own all of these, if you really want to hear how timeless, humble pop songs can be quiet masterpieces.
