Jesus of Cool

Nick Lowe's JESUS OF COOL is one of the great albums of the 70's and one of the best examples of the "pub rock" sound that developed in England as A cousin to punk. Pub rock was more of a throwback to superior musicianship and lyrics that focused more on being clever than confrontational and Lowe captures the joys of the sound perfectly on this recording. Kicking off with the fierce drone of "Music for Money" every song here is a keeper, from "I Love The Sound of Breaking Glass," with it's pretty piano flourishes camouflaging the anarchy in the lyrics to the comic horror of "Marie Provost" and the silent star's final scene.(which involved "her hungry little dachshunds") I usually don't comment on the extras as they are often sheer padding, but if you bought Nick Lowe's American release known as PURE POP FOR NOW PEOPLE you'll be glad to know "Roller Show" with its hilarious sing-along chorus is here as is "They called it Rock" Dave Edmonds's preferred version of "Shake and Pop."(I have to agree with Dave on this one) Other highlights include the original "Cruel to be Kind" and the sarcastic "I Love My Label" which could probably be covered by any one in the industry with their tongues firmly planted in cheeks. The packaging is excellent as well, a true rarity for CD's, with good liner notes by Will Birch and many great pictures. It's nice to see someone get a reissue right, and JESUS OF COOL is deserving of special treatment.

This album rocks from cover to cover. I think it is Nick's best release. I was disappointed to find out that Norman Watt Roy of the Blockheads did most of the bass work, but I love him too. Nick grabs every hook in the book, and puts his own signature on them. It took me awhile to realize it, but "36 Inches High", with its quircky organ riff is priceless. This release includes a lot of nuggets that were only available on other releases previously, so I would recommend it over the US release, called "Pure Pop for Now People". Cool cover with a montage of Nick as various different rockers as well.

When I first heard So it Goes on the Bay Area's KSAN, I was hooked. I had my sister visiting London, get me the single and the LP. Nick Lowe rules.

I bought this to replace a cassette that I had made from the original vinyl LP and from vinyl 45s. Often collections of this type have a lot of filler that would best be left off. Not so here. If anything, I wish they had added one or two more B-sides from that period. This is great album packaged up to make a great collection. The result is a very enjoyable listen.

This is the original UK version, released in US as "Pure Pop for Now People," with a few differences in songs. It also has quite a bit in bonus recordings. The old title is appropriate, due to Lowe's influence on the punk scene-this recording feels light and happy even when dealing with the worst humans can offer. I much prefer its feel to the sad, always-down music that followed the punk era. We need more Rock messiahs like Nick Lowe.