Similar Albums:
- Artist: Nick Lowe
- Rating:
- Release Date: 1979
- Total Time: 32:40
- Genre: Rock
Review
Jesus of Cool was a jukebox, spinning out a series of perfectly crafted -- and decidedly quirky and subversive -- pop singles. In contrast, Nick Lowe's second album, Labour of Lust, is the work of a bar band, in this case Rockpile, playing the hell out of the same type of songs. Naturally, the result is a more coherent sound that may be a little less freewheelingly eclectic, but it is no less brilliant. Recorded simultaneously with Dave Edmunds' Repeat When Necessary, Labour of Lust benefits from the muscular support of Rockpile, who make Lowe's songs crackle with vitality. Working primarily in the roots rock vein of Brinsley Schwarz but energizing his traditionalist tendencies with strong pop melodies, a sense of humor, and an edgy new wave sensibility, Lowe comes up with one of his best sets of songs. Not only is his only hit, the propulsively hook-laden "Cruel to Be Kind," here, but so are the rampaging outsider anthem "Born Fighter," the tongue-in-cheek, Chuck Berry-style "Love So Fine," the wonderful pure pop of "Dose of You," the haunting "Endless Grey Ribbon," the druggy "Big Kick, Plain Scrap!," and the terrific "Cracking Up," as well as his definitive version of Mickey Jupp's "Switchboard Susan." It's an exceptional collection of inventive pop songs, delivered with vigor and energy, making it one of the great records of the new wave. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music GuideTracks
| Track Title | Composers | Performers | Time |
| Cruel to Be Kind (Lyrics) | Ian Gomm, Nick Lowe | Nick Lowe | (3:31) |
| Cracking Up | Nick Lowe | Nick Lowe | (2:59) |
| Big Kick, Plain Scrap! | Nick Lowe | Nick Lowe | (2:28) |
| Born Fighter | Nick Lowe | Nick Lowe | (3:09) |
| You Make Me | Nick Lowe | Nick Lowe | (1:53) |
| Skin Deep | Nick Lowe | Nick Lowe | (3:16) |
| Switchboard Susan | Mickey Jupp | Nick Lowe | (3:50) |
| Endless Grey Ribbon | Nick Lowe | Nick Lowe | (3:17) |
| Without Love | Nick Lowe | Nick Lowe | (2:29) |
| Dose of You | Nick Lowe | Nick Lowe | (3:21) |
| Love So Fine | Nick Lowe | Nick Lowe | (3:52) |
