Nick Lowe is best known for producing Elvis Costello’s early albums, and for writing a song—“(What’s So Funny ’Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding”—that many of us have always attributed to Costello. But Lowe was a fine performer in his own right: His group Brinsley Schwarz was one of the first great pub-rock bands. And Lowe’s new studio album—his first in ten years—is a wonderful return to form.
A country-tinged song called “Checkout Time” wouldn’t be out of place on one of Merle Haggard’s better albums. “The Poisoned Rose” is a pitch-perfect Elvis Costello cover. And “I Read a Lot” could be read as a sly reply to Costello’s “Almost Blue.” There are 11 songs in all, and every one is a pure and simple pleasure.
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