<\/a><\/p>\n

If Elvis Costello had a reclusive older brother, it would be Nick Lowe<\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 Among music nerds, Nick Lowe is not exactly an obscure name.\u00a0 However, I\u2019d say he\u2019s one of the most painfully overlooked songwriters of the past few decades.\u00a0 Within England\u2019s mid \u201870s-\u201880s New Wave scene, I can\u2019t think of anyone who had more fingers in so many pies.<\/p>\n

Lowe\u2019s relationship to Elvis Costello was vital in their early days together.\u00a0 As well as playing live with Costello and as on his records, Lowe produced Costello\u2019s first five studio albums.\u00a0 I believe it was the record sleeve of Trust<\/i> that jested: \u201c*Nick Lowe not to blame for this one.\u201d Lowe was in fact \u201cto blame\u201d and it\u2019s a great fault to bear.\u00a0 He also wrote :(What\u2019s So Funny \u2018Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding?: while a member of Brinsley Schwarz (1969-75).\u00a0 This emotive ballad has been constantly mis-credited to Costello, and while I doubt Lowe loses sleep over it (his royalty checks know who wrote it) it\u2019s a shame so few recognize Lowe as the savant he is.<\/p>\n

Lowe also had a long-standing musical relationship with English New Wave vet Dave Edmunds.\u00a0 Edmunds and Lowe co-wrote albums worth of songs while remaining solo acts.\u00a0 The second they congealed their talents formally under the name Rockpile, they released one album, and broke up.<\/p>\n

Additionally, and this is my favorite Lowe factoid, he was an invisible hand in lifting English punk to the level it is now.\u00a0 The man produced not only The Damned\u2019s first single \u201cNew Rose,\u201d but their entire debut album, Damned Damned Damned<\/em>. You want more?\u00a0 He also married June Carter-Cash\u2019s daughter from her first marriage and was close friends with the Carter-Cash family, chilling, playing, and recording with Johnny Cash on a regular basis.<\/p>\n

Despite this tome of accomplishments, Nick Lowe has only had two songs in the Top 10 of the UK Singles Chart (\u201cI Love The Sound of Breaking Glass,\u201d and \u201cMilk and Alcohol\u201d which was performed by Dr. Feelgood).\u00a0 \u201cCruel To Be Kind\u201d was Nick Lowe\u2019s only composition to ever make the US Top 40. Cruel indeed.<\/p>\n

My interest in Nick Lowe extends from the fact that my dad has most of his albums on vinyl.\u00a0 I grew up listening to them.\u00a0 Yet whenever my dad has a selection of albums by the same person, he always seems to be missing their first release.\u00a0 Therefore it\u2019s my duty to go to record stores, find it, and then hold it above his head.\u00a0 My dad has almost EVERY early Elvis Costello album, yet he doesn\u2019t <\/i>have My Aim Is True; <\/i>but I<\/i> do.\u00a0 The same went for Nick Lowe.\u00a0 He has every album, but no Jesus Of Cool<\/i>, Lowe\u2019s debut solo album released in \u201978.\u00a0 So I was thrilled when digging through a dusty basement in Greenpoint a few years ago and finding an original UK release of it.\u00a0 For ONE DOLLAR, Dad.<\/p>\n

The record is a pop-opus.\u00a0 It\u2019s also the catchiest F-U to the music industry ever written.\u00a0 Track one, \u201cMusic For Money,\u201d is a heavy-hitting rock anti-anthem.\u00a0 The lyrics pointedly and humorously compare the sycophantic nature of the record industry to that of prostitution:<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Music for money\/\/<\/b>Busking for bucks\/\/<\/b>Greeedin’ for greenies\/\/<\/b>Singing for sucks<\/p>\n

Music for money\/\/<\/b>Isn’t it queer\/\/<\/b>Handsome promotion\/\/<\/b>No – here<\/p>\n

Music for money\/\/<\/b>Bleeding for bucks\/\/<\/b>Quippin’ for rabble\/\/<\/b>Fakin’ for fucks\u2028<\/b><\/p>\n

Muzak<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The next two songs, \u201cI Love The Sound Of Breaking Glass\u201d and \u201cLittle Hitler\u201d are milestones in acerbic pop.\u00a0 Nick Lowe, much like Elvis Costello, Morrissey, and Bob Dylan, is an absolute master of making you smile at an insult.\u00a0 That is to say, lyrically his songs are biting and sardonic, but they\u2019re the catchiest, smoothest, and most sweetly produced pop songs you\u2019ve ever heard.\u00a0 Naturally, Lowe produced the album.<\/p>\n

The record\u2019s scope is also impressive.\u00a0 Each track is fully equipped with minimalist texture and perfect harmonies, but the songs range from silly pop hits, to sincere ballads, to eerie compositions.\u00a0 One of my favorites is 36\u201d High, which sounds like no other Nick Lowe song.\u00a0 It\u2019s a strange, bass-heavy, lo-fi, synth teasing homage to guilt and loss that proves Lowe\u2019s dexterity and genius as a songwriter.\u00a0 There\u2019s also a song on the album entitled \u201cNutted By Reality.\u201d I could write an article on the greatness of that alone.<\/p>\n

Visually the record is just as brilliant as it is audibly.\u00a0 The cover depicts Lowe dressed as archetypes from six distinct genres of music\u2026everything from folk-hippie to early metal head.\u00a0 The record is sub-titled \u201cPure Pop For Now People,\u201d but the letters of the title are hidden in the corners of each photograph.\u00a0 The record\u2019s hind-side displays three tacky glass swans, floating on water with sprigs of foliage and carnations.\u00a0 Even the record sleeve has tedious inside jokes emblazoned upon it, my favorite being a graph of \u201cThe Artiste At Work\u201d which plots Lowe\u2019s commercial success over his career.\u00a0 The amount of thought that went into every aspect of this record is downright mind-blowing.<\/p>\n

If you haven\u2019t heard this album, give it a listen.\u00a0 If you hadn\u2019t heard of Nick Lowe, now you have.<\/p>\n

Tracklist:<\/p>\n

Side One:<\/p>\n

01: Music For Money<\/p>\n

02: I Love The Sound Of Breaking Glass<\/p>\n

03: Little Hitler<\/p>\n

04: Shake And Pop<\/p>\n

05: So It Goes<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Side Two:<\/p>\n

01: So It Goes<\/p>\n

02: No Reason<\/p>\n

03: 36\u201d High<\/p>\n

04: Marie Provost<\/p>\n

05: Nutted By Reality<\/p>\n

06: Heart Of The City<\/p>\n