Nick Lowe - Jesus of Cool
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Free Music Notes for Jesus of Cool
Free Music Review: An Astounding, Timeless Record
Hit: 5 Stars
I had never heard of Nick Lowe until I saw a five-star link for this reissue on the corner of the main site for allmusic.com. The title "Jesus of Cool" intrigued me, and the review did so even further. It was described as a masterpiece of pop, a genre I've always been a huge fan of, from the Beatles' pop to Weezer's pop to the Shins' pop to the Format's pop. I ordered the CD from Amazon, and sure enough, it has fast become one of my all-time favorites. Let met do a track-by-track review now.
"Music for Money": This is a wicked opener, loud, head-thumpy, and instantly catchy.
9/10
"I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass": This is the one of the best songs on the record - the singing is a little more laid back than in most of the other tracks, but it is entirely beneficial to the song.
10/10
"Little Hitler": This is one of the catchiest songs, and among the most disturbed, as the title suggest.
9/10
"Shake and Pop": This is another song in the vein of the opener - a cynical, hilarious take on the record industry. Nick Lowe always has the last laugh with these songs.
10/10
"Tonight": The only slow song on the album, this is a gorgeous ballad that won't leave your head.
9/10
"So it Goes": One of the singles, this is a highlight of the disc.
10/10
"No Reason": Nick Lowe sings with a voice similar to "Tonight," but since the song isn't a ballad, it comes off as very haunting (and I mean that in a good way).
8/10
"36 Inches High": This is the most irregular song on the record. It is a hazy sort of song that you almost drown out until hours after listening to it you find it gets completely under your skin.
10/10
"Marie Provost": The album's centerpiece, if not undesputed highlight. It is a funny, and true, track about an actress from the silent film era (whose actual name was Mary Prevost) who met a depressing end dying alone in her house and then being chewed at by her dogs before days later she was discovered.
10/10
"Nutted by Reality": This song features an alternately rough pop and bouncy style, and it works great, making it a real treasure.
9/10
"Heart of the City (Live)": Though a studio version of this song exists (and can be found amongs the bonus songs on this release and was included in place of this version on the American release of "Jesus of Cool"), it's the live version that's really killer. With insanely awesome drums and an evil energy, it all makes for a great closing track.
10/10
BONUS MATERIAL:
The ten bonus tracks include the three tracks from the American release of this record, which was retitled "Pure Pop for Now People," that were different from those on the original UK release. Only one of those songs, "Rollers Show," cannot be found in any form on the actual CD. The other two are the aforementioned studio version of "Heart of the City," as well as "They Called it Rock," a slightly altered (for the worse, though it's still a good song) version of "Shake and Pop." Other tracks include an early version of "Cruel to Be Kind," his sole big hit in America, and "Shake that Rat," "Endless Sleep," and "Born a Woman," songs from his first EP, Bowi, which also included "Marie Provost" and was released a year before this album.
BONUS MATERIAL SO FAR ADDRESSED:
8/10
There is one more bonus track truly worth mentioning here, and I shall now address it:
"I Love My Label": I cannot fathom why this song was cut from the record, except that maybe his label was unwilling to release it. It is a perfect mix of the embittered musician from tracks like "Music for Money" and "Shake and Pop" with the brilliant, simple pop sound of tracks like "Little Hitler" and "I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass." It has the funniest lyrics of any song here and is perhaps even the catchiest.
10/10
For any fan of pop music, this CD is a must-buy, especially since it comes incredibly cheap from Amazon considering it contains ten bonus tracks.
Free Music Review: Best Song Ever About Being Eaten By Your Dog
Hit: 5 Stars
Quite possibly one of the best New Wave records that the fewest people have heard, Nick Lowe's solo debut is simply a perfect album. Even the Americanized version, "Pure Pop For Now People," couldn't torpedo Lowe's originality, nor mask the fact that he all but defined the way the 80's British Invasion sounded. Think of the production work he did with Elvis Costello, Graham Parker, The Damned, The Pretenders...etc etc....
So why the Hell is Nick not in the Rock and Roll hall of Fame?
This 30'th Anniversary of The Jesus Of Cool could be looked upon as a "for your consideration" type of gambit. Lowe had incredible players at his disposal, from Rockpile cohort Dave Edmunds to members of The Attractions, The Rumour and The Blockheads, it was like a Stiff Records All Stars came together for a power pop perfect storm. As such, these songs all delivered. From the singles "I Love The Sound Of Breaking Glass" to (on the US Version) the goofy tribute to The Bay City Rollers ("Rollers Show"), there isn't a false note or a wasted lick to be found. Oddball humor runs wild ("Nutted By Reality") to solid pub-rock ("Heart of The City").
Then there is the classic "Marie Provist." How can you not love a chorus that goes
"She was a winner that became a doggie's dinner.
She never meant that much to me.
Whoa, oh poor Marie."
The heart of this all is Lowe's wickedly keen pop sense. Every song has a hook and a distinct sound. Like the multi-personality Nick Lowes adorning the cover (and both the British and US covers are used for this deluxe version), Lowe could dance chameleon-like between genres. He toyed with 70's soul and Bo Diddley beats. If there wasn't a song here to hook you, you weren't paying attention.
Which was the fate of this album in 1978. It was critically acclaimed but only sold modestly in the states. It was even out of print for the past few years, making this re-issue all the more valuable. The remastering is terrific, and the extra packaging is done with the respect due to the work. There's a good essay from Will Birch (Edmunds and Lowe opened for....Bad Company?!?) plus a complete (for the first time) rundown of musicians' credits. All in all, a great and respectful release from an artist that defined a decade and a genre. Could the deluxe version of "Labour of Lust" and a thorough Lowe anthology be far behind?
See also:
From Small Things: The Best of Dave Edmunds
Seconds of Pleasure
This Year's Model
Free Music Review: The savior of rock at 30 (includes a coupon for two free downloads good until 2/19/09)
Hit: 5 Stars
It was too cool to be a big hit in the U.S. when it was first released but it's time has come. Nick Lowe never achieved the worldwide audience of Elvis Costello (must of been the glasses..mental note: Nick, wear Buddy Holly glasses)but "Jesus of Cool" certainly deserved it. Re-released by Yeproc this year, the album comes complete with 10 bonus tracks. For those Lowe fans who purchased "The Doings" (Nick's boxed set of album tracks and rarities released in 1999 on Demon), you'll find most of this album as well as a healthy dose of the bonus tracks on it as well. There are, however, five tracks here NOT on the boxed set AND through Feb. 19, 2009 you can get two free downloads (at 192kbps)that don't appear on the album nor do they appear on the boxed set. The two tracks may be trifles compared to the album itself but they are worthwhile for hardcore Lowe fans. "Truth Drug" and "Keep It Out of Sight" are short, punchy and terrific.
The tracks included are from the original UK, US release (where it was retitled and where tracks were juggled about with some of the other songs on this release. You also get the "Bowi" album--so titled because David Bowie titled HIS album released around this time "Low". In a punny turn about we got Lowe's melodic EP with a witty title).
In this world of over loud CDs with no dynamic range that hit you like a brickwall, "Jesus of Cool" sounds pretty good. It's been remastered by Vic Anesini and features much of the original artwork enhanced with a booklet that includes a booklet with credits for each song and a short essay.
The album comes in a fold out sleeve creating (naturally given the title) a cross. My only complaint--that there isn't a plastic sleeve inside to protect the album from wear and tear (something that was also an issue for the Robyn Hitchcock re-releases for me as well). It's worth paying an extra buck or two to protect the CD. No doubt the thought was that CDs are tougher than vinyl (they are somewhat)but I prefer to protect my music. It's a minor criticism on a generally terrific package.
Remember, Jesus is still cool and, yep, he saved rock 'n' roll. Bet you didn't know that part. If the "Jesus of Cool" has returned does this mean it's the end of the world? Nope, just the celebration of some great music from an artist in top form. So much for being a "washed up veteran of the Beat group wars", Nick always aimed high with his quality songs even as he remained Lowe.
Free Music Review: Good Pop Craftsman, But A Great Producer
Hit: 5 Stars
My infatuation with Nick Lowe's own recordings began and ended with this debut album. I still think this is pop/rock perfection, and would recommend it to anyone. But when his second album "Labour of Lust" paled by comparison, I found I quickly lost interest in him.
For me, the real Lowe legacy is the inspired work he elicited from others. He produced the first 3 Graham Parker albums: "Howlin' Wind", "Heat Treatment", and "Stick To Me" - which were all fantastic. After that he went on to produce the first 5 Elvis Costello records. Though Costello imitated Parker a little too much to suit me (especially in the early going) - there's no denying that they're classic albums.
Lowe continued to shine best on other people's records - most notably those of Dave Edmunds. Singing and playing with the backing band Rockpile on such exciting and fun albums as "Get It", "Tracks On Wax 4", and "Repeat When Necessary" must have been a blast for him. Edmunds was never shown to better effect. Regrettably, by the time Rockpile finally put out their own album ("Seconds of Pleasure"), the fizz had gone out of the band. The songs weren't up to par for such a great group, and it remains a lackluster effort. There's plenty of people who want to believe it's a classic, but don't listen to them!
After the demise of Rockpile, it seemed Lowe's time had passed. Though he continued to put out many records over the years, it's not unfair to say they largely escaped notice. That would change with "The Impossible Bird" in 1994. Subsequent releases have been more successful (well, sort of), culminating in the well-reviewed "At My Age" (2007). I haven't heard these "comeback" albums, but intend to get "At My Age" just to see what he's up to. Reviewers say he's re-invented himself as a weary balladeer with semi-country and r&b backing. Guess I'll just have to try it out.
Lowe's said "I don't like my older (smart-aleck) songs as much as others do." I guess he's in a mellower mood these days. Luckily, you don't have to be. Buy this CD and have a ton of fun!
Free Music Review: Pure Pop Sensation
Hit: 5 Stars
Nick Lowe's debut album Jesus Of Cool (titled Pure Pop For Now People in The US) is one of the true underappreciated gems in music history. Released in 1978, this 30th anniversary edition provides not only the UK tracks, but the US tracks as well as songs released on his Bowi EP (a classic Lowe tongue-in-cheek joke at David Bowie who released his Low album in 1977) and b-sides. The songs do sound like they are from a different era and that's not a bad thing. They still crackle and sparkle and have an immediate freshness and vibrancy. "So It Goes" is a masterpiece. It is three minutes of simple yet sophisticated pop music that rivals anything Brian Wilson every recorded. "I Love The Sound Of Breaking Glass" has a hypnotic, pulsating beat and "Heart Of The City" dips back into the sound of his pub rock days. "Marie Provost" is a whimsical ditty about a former movie star who ended up becoming puppy chow which Mr. Lowe based on a story he read in the paper. "They Call It Rock" is slap in the face of the music industry that is just as timely today with all the disposable music out there. "I Love My Label" is another snarky look at the music industry and "Rollers Show" is a shimmering tune that slyly mocks the Bay City Rollers and their fans. "Tonight" is the lone ballad that has a lush and beautiful orchestration. The packaging of the album is first rate including both the UK & US album covers, a section with the single and EP covers and a fabulous booklet with some great photos and promo items from the era such as a Jesus Of Cool tie. The case itself opens up into a cross with Mr. Lowe as "the messiah" with a guitar. If you are a fan of smart, well-crafted rock music, then Jesus Of Cool needs to be in your collection.