NICK LOWE > Jesus of Cool: 30th Anniversary Edition

This reissue of Nick Lowe’s first solo album (1978, released in the U.S. as Pure Pop for Now People)-a detour from production work with Elvis Costello and others-captures the emergence of a British master-talent to be reckoned among the region’s finest pop songwriters.Label: YEP ROC
[RATING: 4]

This reissue of Nick Lowe’s first solo album (1978, released in the U.S. as Pure Pop for Now People)-a detour from production work with Elvis Costello and others-captures the emergence of a British master-talent to be reckoned among the region’s finest pop songwriters. As adept at crafting traditional country music (he migrated to Nashville in the late-80s and produced an enviable body of work there) as with Beatles-inspired, melodic treats, Lowe has-since this debut-managed a way to balance and integrate all of his musical fancies into his own writing. For those looking to get started on Mr. Lowe’s work, Jesus of Cool is a good choice, but Labour of Lust (1979) is still the one-and-only early masterpiece. It’s out-of-print at present but might come up on Yep Roc’s reissue schedule in the near future. As for latter-day albums, 2001’s The Convincer is unbeatable-a true career benchmark.