Nick Lowe - The Convincer

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Music reviews of The Convincer

Music Review: I'm not quite convinced
Rating: 3 Stars

Bird is an embrace of all things country. Songs like "True Love Travels on a Gravel Road" and "Trail of Tears" fit so comfortably into his own self-penned barrage of what could be classified as honky tonk lite, the entire thing could almost be disguised as Americana if he weren't himself a Brit. With "12-Step Program (To Quit You Babe)" he wears his wit on his sleeve as is his trademark, keeping songs short, light and entirely too good to be considered pop. And "I Live on a Battlefield" should be embarrassed at just how much rockabilly-gospel-soul energy it spills all over the place. Overall, a true explosion of energy and unbridled enthusiasm.

When Dig My Mood landed just four years later, however, we got handed a completely new Lowe: one that's still smiling despite having been broken and cheated. As a singer completely in control of his twang, he turns it down so far, it almost completely shuts itself off. Interspersing tales of lost faith and lovers with wee rays of sunshine, it's a bit like taking a spin on a revolving door. His falsetto is entirely heartbreaking on "Faithless Lover," yet "Failed Christian" houses just enough anger to be a half-spoken Johnny Cash number. It's only with this endeavor listeners discover just how damned good he sounds from the gutter (but nevertheless donning a pressed suit). This is what Chris Isaak will sound like if he sticks around this long. Someday it might be called his crooner album, but, try as he might, he'll never be one. Never quite smooth enough, it's the ease he knocks off future country standards like "Man That I've Become" that should allow, no, force him to keep one foot aimed in that direction. He's best when down on his luck. Even better when he's outright vindictive about it. And the 12 songs here are testament of that.

Not surprisingly, The Convincer puts Lowe at a crossroads. Faced with the decision, he sees fit to soak up any country influences he once had and toss it by the wayside before recording. It's so promising from the get-go too, dropping the torchy "Homewrecker" of an opener. It's the send-off to top them all with delectable lyrics such as:
You look like you could take candy from a baby
I've seen you do it, homewrecker
No one can wreck a home better than you can
I should know cause I'm a homeless man.
It could have very easily been an outtake from Mood.

However, the rest is a grab bag of sorts. While his writing never wavers, and his joy still evident, he's spending time on the foolish side of love's hill-and being mostly nice about it. Set an organ and some backup singers behind his overproduced vocals and one might as well start checking the room for the accompanying Lawrence Welk bubbles. Really.

Clear examples of this abound. "Lately I've Let Things Slide," "Only A Fool Breaks His Own Heart" or even "Cupid Must Be Angry" stray towards the blander side of things, proving a smoother delivery isn't always a better one. It's the slowest album he's put out in years. Granted his hair seems a bit whiter since the last go-round, but there's life in the old man yet, as evidenced on "Has She Got A Friend?" With guitars so jumpy they nearly stray into early `50s Elvis gutbucket territory, the twang-o-meter gets turned up briefly here. If you can get over the age factor-the subject wondering if the new love of his buddy's life has got a friend to pass off-it's the fastest, strongest jaunt on The Convincer. And "Indian Queens" is nearly a beautiful example of classic storytelling packaged neatly in a song.

The verdict is out then, Mr. Lowe. Take a few more drags on that cigarette you're smoking on the cover, invite the Cowboy Outfit once more and shake things back up a little.

Description of The Convincer

Alternative Rock CDs

• Music > Styles
• Pop
• Rock