NICK LOWE
The Convincer (Yep Roc)
Reviewed by John Sekerka

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There really should be no need for convincing. After cutting a delicious path through the British new wave scene along with Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe, like his compatriot, has settled down for some serious music writing. And while Costello has cozied up to everyone from Paul McCartney to Burt Bacharach, Lowe has chosen a path and kept to it. A little bit country (who wouldn't be when Johnny Cash sits in on family dinners?) and a little bit pop, Lowe is making lovely, sombre, narrative music like, well, Burt Bacharach used to. Only Lowe adds his special cynical wit to the proceedings. The sound is very much mid- sixties, mainstream pop. Material that valiantly fought the onslaught of rock and roll, but succumbed in the end. Material that Glenn Campbell would use, that kinda stuff. Though all the songs seem oddly familiar on The Convincer, there is but a couple of covers, and only the old Johnny Rivers tune "Poor Side of Town" that saw any chart action. Johnny could have easily been crooning "Cupid Must Be Angry," "I'm a Mess" or "Homewrecker;" all crystal clear classics for any age.

© 2001 - John Sekerka