NICK LOWE

Nick The Knife/The Abominable Showman 7/10, 5/10

Nick Lowe’s ’80s were, by his own admission, hit and miss, and the reissues of his third and fourth solo albums tell the tale in microcosm. Recorded following the demise of Rockpile – though Billy Bremner and Terry Williams pitch in – Nick The Knife (1982) barrels along with simple, good-rocking charm. Highlights include the easy skank of “Heart”, the pulsing Peter Gunn twang of “Stick It Where The Sun Don’t Shine”, and the crisp, strutting “Too Many Teardrops”, written and sung with Lowe’s then-wife, Carlene Carter. Though not nearly as bad as its title, The Abominable Showman (1983) bears less fruit. It finds Lowe hedging his bets, one foot in espadrilles, the other in cowboy boots, while the slick production hampers fine songs such as “Raging Eyes” and “Mess Around With Love”. Other near misses include “Wish You Were Here”, a sleek soul duet with Paul Carrack, while “How Do You Talk To An Angel” signals his later reinvention as an urbane crooner. Spearheading the digital release of Lowe’s entire ’80s output, this pair alone are also available on CD and vinyl. Extras: 5/10 A handful of demos and live recordings.