Nick Lowe-- Dig My Mood

(Rounder / Upstart 38)

Nick Lowe's always been something of an underdog.

Throughout his solo career (and as a member of pub-rock legends Brinsley Schwartz and the equally well-remembered Rockpile before working under his own name in late '70's), he's been overshadowed by his friend and contemporary, Elvis Costello.

And although Elvis one of the five or so best pop songwriters of the last twenty years has certainly deserved his notoriety, that's not to diminish the accomplishments of Lowe, who produced or co-produced some of Elvis' most lasting efforts. As a solo artist, Lowe has steadily, sometimes haphazardly, mapped out a Pure Pop For Now People ('77) and Labour of Lust ('79) are two of the better albums of their respective years (and that's saying something); Nick The Knife ('82) and Pinker and Prouder than Previous ('87) aren't far behind those. The latter LP even has the distinction of being in one Rock "Guide" as one of the best records of the '80's, and in yet another as one of the "worst records of all time." You know Nick was doing something right.

And now this a near perfect set of late-night torch songs. And if the Grammys were ever given to people who won't hit the Billboard Top 200 with a bullet, this would be a contender for honors next Spring.

At times coming off like Chet baker, at other times like Charlie Rich (and even Johnny Cash), Nick Lowe mostly sounds like Nick Lowe, in a quiet, reflective frame of mind. Consider the mood dug.

-Brian Greene