Nick the Knife

Following the dissolution of Rockpile, Nick Lowe recorded Nick the Knife with the group's guitarist, Billy Bremner, and drummer, Terry Williams, accentuating the real reason behind the band's split -- the difference between Dave Edmunds' rigid roots rock and Lowe's carefree, funny revisionism. Nick the Knife may work in the conventions of classic rock & roll and pop, but it never sounds enslaved to his roots -- any record with a song as infectiously ridiculous as "Ba Doom" can't take itself too seriously, and that's the charm of the album. While the songs aren't as consistently strong as those on Labour of Lust, Lowe contributes a handful of classics, including "Heart," "Stick It Where the Sun Don't Shine," "Too Many Teardrops," "Burning," "Queen of Sheba," "Couldn't Love You (Any More Than I Do)," and the silly "Zulu Kiss." And even in its weakest moments, Nick the Knife has a sunny, relaxed charm that makes the album a thoroughly enjoyable listen. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine