Nick Lowe - Labour of Lust
by Lisa Torem
published: 20 / 3 / 2011
Label:
Select Label
Format: N/A
intro
Lisa Torem reflects upon English singer-songwriter Nick Lowe's 1979 second solo album, 'Labour of Lust', which has recently been re-released
Rockpile had finished touring in 1978 and it was time to head into the studio. It’s easy to see why this band, featuring Nick Lowe, became such s sought after opening act, after hearing this reissue originally produced in 1979. The band consisted of Dave Edmunds (rhythm and solo guitar), Billy Bremner (rhythm and solo guitar), Terry Williams (drums), and Lowe as primary songwriter, bassist and vocalist. The album immediately begins full-throttle with the pop ballad, which was originally Nick’s songwriting contribution to his previous band, Brinsley-Schwarz. Seasoned Lowe afficionados know this pop soliloquy by heart; its simple, but contagious chord progression and ironic lyrics make ‘Cruel to Be Kind’ an instant crowd pleaser, though it was A & R executive at Columbia Record’s, Greg Geller, who predicted the song’s hit potential.Lowe, at first, had considered the tune a bit “old fashioned”, but anyone who has seen the British producer/performer/writer, as of late, knows that by the first two chords, contemporary audiences are standing and singing along. 'Labour of Lust' is a fine mix of pure, unadulterated romance, witty wordplay and danceable rock/rhythm and blues. Add a dash of blues-harp by Huey Lewis on ‘Born Fighter’ and Elvis Costello singing backing vocals on ‘America Squirm’ and you get the picture. Overall, the honest songwriting floods the most sterile heart with emotion. ‘You Make Me’ is as unpolished a love song as one can imagine, for example, and, theirin lies the subtle beauty. ‘Without Love’ was structurally solid enough to be covered by Lowe’s former father-in-law. Johnny Cash; Lowe had once been married to Carlene Carter. ‘Cracking Up’ comes alive through convincing metaphor. The solitary cover,‘Switchboard Susan’, was written by Mickey Jupp, although the uncanny alliteration and clever rhyme schemes fit in quite comfortably with the other crisp performances. 'Labour of Lust' is a bright, unpretentious collection, a great starting point for any future Lowe fans as well as those mighty nostalgic for the veteran pub rocker.
Track Listing:-
Band Links:-
http://nicklowe.com/https://twitter.com/itsoktolikenick
https://www.facebook.com/nickloweofficial
Picture Gallery:-
live reviews |
16 Toneladas, Valencia, 5/10/2022 |
Philamonjaro finds power pop pioneer Nick Lowe on energetic, crowd pleasing form in front of a devoted audience in Valencia. |
Old Town School, Chicago, 10/10/2010 |
bandcamp
soundcloud
reviews |
Quality Street (2013) |
Surprising but unnecessary collection of covers on early Christmas album from Nick Lowe |
The Old Magic (2011) |
most viewed articles
current edition
Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies - Sala Apolo, Barcelona, 29/11/2023 and La Paqui, Madrid, 30/11/2023Anthony Phillips - Interview
Difford and Tilbrook - Difford and Tilbrook
Rain Parade - Interview
Oldfield Youth Club - Interview
Autumn 1904 - Interview
Shaw's Trailer Park - Interview
Cafe No. 9, Sheffield and Grass Roots Venues - Comment
Pete Berwick - ‘Too Wild to Tame’: The story of the Boyzz:
Chris Hludzik - Vinyl Stories
previous editions
Microdisney - The Clock Comes Down the StairsHeavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EP
World Party - Interview
Michael Lindsay Hogg - Interview
Ain't That Always The Way - Alan Horne After The Sound of Young Scotland 2
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Dwina Gibb - Interview
World Party - Interview with Karl Wallinger
Barrie Barlow - Interview
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
most viewed reviews
current edition
Marika Hackman - Big SighSerious Sam Barrett - A Drop of the Morning Dew
Rod Stewart and Jools Holland - Swing Fever
Loves - True Love: The Most of The Loves
Ian M Bailey - We Live in Strange Times
Paul McCartney and Wings - Band on the Run
Autumn 1904 - Tales of Innocence
Roberta Flack - Lost Takes
Banter - Heroes
Posey Hill - No Clear Place to Fall
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart