Nick Lowe - The Impossible Bird (1994)

Nick Lowe is an underappreciated wonder of good songwriting. He shares some history, style, and range with Elvis Costello. If you are unsure who Nick Lowe is you have probably heard his 1979 hit "Cruel to be Kind", though maybe not. His earlier work tended to be of a rock-and-roll sort of variety. His work since the 90s has taken a turn more toward country, roots, americana music styles (whereas the previously mentioned Elvis Costello took a more jazz oriented turn with his album North and some pop songwriter/crooner stuff in his albums with Burt Bacharach).

On "The Impossible Bird" Lowe finds himself straddling country, singer/songwriter, and folk musical terrain. Though there is still some hints of the rock singer to be found. The album starts off with the midtempo song "Soulful Wind", which is enjoyable if not his most memorable. "The Beast In Me" is a wonderful, slow, kind of dark song where the lyrics and melody really shine. Next up is my favorite song on the album: a cover of "True Love Travels On a Gravel Road" by Fazier and Owens (but usually known as performed by Elvis or maybe Percy Sledge). Lowe says of the song (in an interview with Billboard magazine in 1995),

"I first heard 'True Love Travels on a Gravel Road' on a compilation record that accompanied Peter Guralnick's book Sweet Soul Music. I love the title, I love those sort of gospely words, and it has a lovely tune. Percy Sledge's version is kind of jaunty, where mine is a little more downbeat. .. I love that thing where R & B meets country..."

I apparently love that thing as well ebcause his version is just stellar, especially the outro as it just cruises along with the melody that has been developed throughout while little vocal adlibs accompany.

A number of songs on teh album fall into 'too country for me' territory - particularly some of the upbeat numbers. The ballads tend to shine here. However, "I Live on a Battlefield" is an upbeat number that for most will be the peak of the album.

If you have not heard Nick Lowe, I think this is a decent place to start (unless you are particularly drawn to that classic rock-and-roll sound... in which case try out "Jesus of COol" or "Labor of Lust"). It showcases a mature songwriter far enough into his career to just follow his interests and make some great music without needing to bow to current trends.

Standout track(s):

True Love Travels on a Gravel Road

I Live on a Battlefield

14 Days

Links:

This came out in 1994 so there is no bandcamp or anything. I'm sure you'll be able to find it if you look around a bit.