Posted on April 25, 2010 - by Mark Zonda

Now something rare: Nick Lowe Labout of lust

Right here right now, on this time of my life, I’m listening a lot of Nick Lowe. I mean… A LOT! I’m quite addicted actually. Blame on me for never having cared about this magnificent and talented artist being the quintessence of the gist of classical Brit-Pop with a good vitaminic sprout of good ol’ rock’n'roll reminding me so much of best George Harrison classics and a bit of The Attractions for the jazzy sound of so many tracks and of course for being the producer of some of the finest Costello works (that’s right, “”(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding” was written by Nick).

Being such a smart ass and goldfinger producer and never attempting to have one real solo success with the exception of the US hit “Cruel to be kind” and “I Knew the Bride (When She Used to Rock ‘n’ Roll)” it virtually makes him the UK response to E.L.O.’s Jeff Lynne. Still that doesn’t mean his works are brilliant masterpieces! His second album, “Labour of Lust” (Radar/Columbia, 1979) is a real gem with amazing ironic pop classics.

The album, both American and Brit version, has an amazing start for sure: “Cruel to be king”, with a little help from Ian Robert Gomm, one of the fingest rhythm guitarist ever. Very close to “Blow Away”, “Crackerbox Palace”, “Here comes the Moon”, melody, vocals, choirs and acoustic guitars, even Nick voice, can’t avoid to elevete this song to one of my fav tunes ever! Not only the lyrics caught my attention for embodying   this quite unique point of view of mine (“Yes” it’s not always the answer), also the video drives me mad, especially for showing how lucky Nick was to marry such a pretty gal. Carlene Carter was no other than the stepdaughter of Johnny Cash. “American Squirm” goes on the same direction, and the metamorphosis on Beatles Georgy seems more than ever complete, with the happy addiction of some E.L.O. effect in the bridge and Elvis Costello on back vocals who can ask for more!

“Born fighter” is en plein more Costellian than ever, while guitars are really close to early Chirs Rea (Such as “Hang on a sweet thing”). A good rocky’n'rolly one. “Big Kick, Plain Scrap” shows us how Nick Lowe can be so wonderful, being head of Elvis Costello productions at least of three years (before “Lover’s Walk”)

The album closes with the happy ballad “Love so fine”, a rock piece with Cardiff’s buddies from Nick’s band Rockpile.

If you see that album passing by a place called “Record Store”, be sure not to miss it even if you’re gonna dislike it. “Labour of Lust” is out of print, and it has become a rarity. Year after year Nick Lowe’s ol’ fashioned Brit sense of humour is becoming really hard to get.

Nick Lowe – “American Squirm”

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