This set is just short of perfect because it doggedly sticks to Nick’s compositions (no “Switchboard Susan” or “Indoor Fireworks,” regardless of how definitive his versions are), but still delivers the crackling goods.
Videos by American Songwriter
Label: YEP ROC
[Rating: 4.5 STARS]
This two- (or three- with a DVD) disc compilation from the legendary U.K. singer/songwriter/producer splits the difference between 1999’s hefty four-CD, rarities-filled box The Doings and 1989’s single platter Basher, now obsolete due to five subsequent Lowe releases. This set is just short of perfect because it doggedly sticks to Nick’s compositions (no “Switchboard Susan” or “Indoor Fireworks,” regardless of how definitive his versions are), but still delivers the crackling goods. Brit pub-punk-country rock was never better than when Lowe was in his prime, and even if some of your faves are missing, the inclusion of Lowe’s contributions to Brinsley Schwartz, Rockpile and Little Village makes up for them. The title references Lowe’s recent softer-crooning, somewhat retro-pop which closes out the chronologically compiled 49-track package. Spring for the more expensive DVD enhanced edition to get nine dated but charming ’80s-era videos, along with an hour- long 2007 concert that finds Lowe fronting a great band, revisiting and rearranging his older hits in a laid-back but delightfully urbane current style.
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