A by-the-numbers release

Rose of England is perhaps Nick Lowe's weakest album, despite the fairly good reviews it has received. From about 1980-1990, Lowe's records became increasingly directionless; although the material was up to his high standards, the production and arrangements were either overly forced or merely haphazard--Lowe living up to his "Basher" image. With Rose of England, however, he sounds as if he has regained his purpose. The songs are bright and tuneful, and the Cowboy Outfit are nearly as energetic and poised as Rockpile. The problem is that the songs are just not worth the effort. This is an album almost entirely made up of filler, and much of it not very interesting filler. Only the introspective "Rose of England" (itself one of Lowe's finest, and perhaps his best-observed, songs), Hiatt's "She Don't Love Nobody," and Costello's "Indoor Fireworks" are worth attention. The rest of the album is entertaining, but immediately forgettable, fluff. (Ironically, his next album, Pinker and Prouder than Previous, received unanimously savage reviews, but contains far more consistent material.) Maybe it all has to do with who your pals are. In the Seventies, Lowe had the company of Brinsley Schwarz, Dave Edmunds and the rest of Rockpile, Elvis Costello, Graham Parker.... In the mid-late Eighties, he was reduced to the likes of Paul Carrack, Huey Lewis, and John Hiatt, and his music reflected the sad fact. Regardless, Rose of England is an album Lowe fans have already, and newcomers are invited to pass over.

Great Disc - Overlooked

So the "Rose of England" isn't Rockpile? So what? This is a really terrific album. It features mostly songs by Nick but also John Hiatt's "She Don't Love Nobody" as well. I like the song he does with Huey Lewis and the News "I Love The Bride (When She Used To Rock and Roll". But beware if you're an HLN fan, because the rest of the album doesn't sound like that song. My favorite track is the title cut "The Rose of England". The Cowboy Oufit is a great group, with and without Huey Lewis and the News. I can't imagine why it's not out on CD anymore.

Top o' the line

If you're in a country kinda mood, you can do worse than turn to the Godfather of Punk, Popmeister Extraordinaire, Nick Lowe. I'm biased - I love this guy. This was the first NL recording I bought, and I've never looked back. It contains old classics (I Knew the Bride), new classics (John Hiatt's She Don't Love Nobody), the weird (Bobo Skediddle Daddle) and the wonderful (Long Walk Back). Still in his Cowboy Outfit mode, this is a more mature offering, more balanced, more thoughtful. All of which is offset by the everybody-skate loopiness of Darlin' Angel Eyes. You work it out.