Still Lustful After All These Years
5 Out of 5 Stars
Nick Lowe's second brilliant solo album was a less quirky but more solidly written album than his "Jesus Of Cool (aka Pure Pop for Now People)". Lowe also upped the dynamic by bringing his Rockpile pals onboard. Where "Cool" was a delightful album on almost every front, Lowe was a one man band on that go around. Having Dave Edmunds, Terry Williams and Billy Bremmer in the studio made for better chemistry and that made all the difference.
"Labour" also has Lowe's two biggest singles, including his lone American hit, "Cruel To Be Kind." Coming off as muscular Motown with guitars, "Cruel To Be Kind" jangles along as the doot-doot chorus makes for great sing-along. The one song Lowe didn't write, "Switchboard Susan," is a chuckler of the best grade, making all sorts of telephone man jokes like "when I'm with you girl, I get an extension...and I don't mean Alexander Graham Bell's invention." With Lowe's naturally Beatle-esque vocal abilities, he gets away with such silliness, including "Dose Of You."
As meticulous as Lowe is with production, "Labour's" new remaster is terrific. Edmunds' guitar now crackles on "Born Fighter" and "Switchboard Susan." Both the odd tracks between the US and UK version are present, along with an extra B-Side ("Basing Street"). From the stateside version, "American Squirm," and from the English, "Endless Grey Ribbon." "Squirm" is also unusual in that it features Elvis Costello, and The Attractions' Pete Thomas. Huey Lewis (a pal of Lowe's before forming The News) blows a mean harmonica on "Born Fighter."
Finally, Will Birch from fellow 80's popsters The Records and now a biographer contributes a good essay and interview with Lowe. "Labour Of Lust" sounds so grand and brings back memories of just how great Lowe is as a solo artist that I'm now hoping for more of his 80's albums start showing up. Especially "The Abominable Showman" and "His Cowboy Outfit."
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