Jesus of Cool

Nick Lowe's JESUS OF COOL is one of the great albums of the 70's and one of the best examples of the "pub rock" sound that developed in England as A cousin to punk. Pub rock was more of a throwback to superior musicianship and lyrics that focused more on being clever than confrontational and Lowe captures the joys of the sound perfectly on this recording. Kicking off with the fierce drone of "Music for Money" every song here is a keeper, from "I Love The Sound of Breaking Glass," with it's pretty piano flourishes camouflaging the anarchy in the lyrics to the comic horror of "Marie Provost" and the silent star's final scene.(which involved "her hungry little dachshunds") I usually don't comment on the extras as they are often sheer padding, but if you bought Nick Lowe's American release known as PURE POP FOR NOW PEOPLE you'll be glad to know "Roller Show" with its hilarious sing-along chorus is here as is "They called it Rock" Dave Edmonds's preferred version of "Shake and Pop."(I have to agree with Dave on this one) Other highlights include the original "Cruel to be Kind" and the sarcastic "I Love My Label" which could probably be covered by any one in the industry with their tongues firmly planted in cheeks. The packaging is excellent as well, a true rarity for CD's, with good liner notes by Will Birch and many great pictures. It's nice to see someone get a reissue right, and JESUS OF COOL is deserving of special treatment.

This album rocks from cover to cover. I think it is Nick's best release. I was disappointed to find out that Norman Watt Roy of the Blockheads did most of the bass work, but I love him too. Nick grabs every hook in the book, and puts his own signature on them. It took me awhile to realize it, but "36 Inches High", with its quircky organ riff is priceless. This release includes a lot of nuggets that were only available on other releases previously, so I would recommend it over the US release, called "Pure Pop for Now People". Cool cover with a montage of Nick as various different rockers as well.

When I first heard So it Goes on the Bay Area's KSAN, I was hooked. I had my sister visiting London, get me the single and the LP. Nick Lowe rules.

I bought this to replace a cassette that I had made from the original vinyl LP and from vinyl 45s. Often collections of this type have a lot of filler that would best be left off. Not so here. If anything, I wish they had added one or two more B-sides from that period. This is great album packaged up to make a great collection. The result is a very enjoyable listen.

This is the original UK version, released in US as "Pure Pop for Now People," with a few differences in songs. It also has quite a bit in bonus recordings. The old title is appropriate, due to Lowe's influence on the punk scene-this recording feels light and happy even when dealing with the worst humans can offer. I much prefer its feel to the sad, always-down music that followed the punk era. We need more Rock messiahs like Nick Lowe.

This was one of the best albums of its era, if you missed out but love Elvis Costello, I'd say you'd like this one. Not all the rock of the Nixon-Ford years stood the test of time, but this one still makes for a good listen in the 21st Century, because, well, you know, "they call it rock!"

Wow - what can you say? Aside from the blatant blasphemey in the title and the way the disc liner folds out (where were the zealots when this came out?), you got Nick Lowe at the height of songwriting and singing career (his role as a producer for myriad other artists is another story in of itself). Some of the best songs he's written, some of coolest melodies and singing with real emotion ranging from sarcastic twit, just because he can be, to a man with a hole in his heart, it's one of the best collections Lowe has ever put together. As much as I like the "smoothness" that permeates his latest release ("At My Age"), this is Nick in his prime and you shouldn't miss it.

Nick Lowe's merit to and appreciation by the music industry is long overdue and this 30th anniversary release of his debut album (initially released in the US as "Pure Pop for the Now People") hopefully will set the record straight once and for all.

"Jesus of Cool" (21 tracks, 64 min.) brings the original album (11 tracks) with tons of B-sides and other rarities. As to the original album, it amazingly still sounds as fresh as it did 30 years ago. Check out "I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass", which was a hit single back in the day, and I remember buying it as a single. I hadn't heard this in many many years, and it still sounds as great. Other highlights include "So It Goes" (released as single in the US). with a clear legacy to Steely Dan's "Reeling In the Years", the reggae-flavored "No Reason" (reminding me of Elvis Costello, who was on the same label at that time), and the last track "Heart of the City", a rousing live track, featuring David Edmonds on guitar.

As to the 10 bonus tracks, they are a treasure find. Check out the short instrumental (and B-side) "Check That Rat", the tongue-in-cheek "I Love My Label" (recorded for a label compilation), the irreverent "Born a Woman" (from a UK-only released EP), "Rollers Show" (a UK-only single) and the last track, a romping "I Don't Want the Night to End" (another B-side), just beautiful. This reissue come with insightful liner notes and great pictures from back in the day. In all, a terrific reissue and a must for anyone who want to know what the UK music scene felt like 30 years ago. Highly recommended!

There are five or six records that define "new wave" in the late 1970's and this is one of them. Nick Lowe is a genius and this record proves it. He wrote a pop classic about the Bay City Rollers, rocked hard with "They called it RocK" yet still had time to write classics such as "So it Goes" and "I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass". Remember, there would be no Elvis Costello with Nick, so if you like this period in rock, buy this CD. I guarantee you will not regret it.

I had never heard of Nick Lowe until I saw a five-star link for this reissue on the corner of the main site for allmusic.com. The title "Jesus of Cool" intrigued me, and the review did so even further. It was described as a masterpiece of pop, a genre I've always been a huge fan of, from the Beatles' pop to Weezer's pop to the Shins' pop to the Format's pop. I ordered the CD from Amazon, and sure enough, it has fast become one of my all-time favorites. Let met do a track-by-track review now.
"Music for Money": This is a wicked opener, loud, head-thumpy, and instantly catchy.
9/10
"I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass": This is the one of the best songs on the record - the singing is a little more laid back than in most of the other tracks, but it is entirely beneficial to the song.
10/10
"Little Hitler": This is one of the catchiest songs, and among the most disturbed, as the title suggest.
9/10
"Shake and Pop": This is another song in the vein of the opener - a cynical, hilarious take on the record industry. Nick Lowe always has the last laugh with these songs.
10/10
"Tonight": The only slow song on the album, this is a gorgeous ballad that won't leave your head.
9/10
"So it Goes": One of the singles, this is a highlight of the disc.
10/10
"No Reason": Nick Lowe sings with a voice similar to "Tonight," but since the song isn't a ballad, it comes off as very haunting (and I mean that in a good way).
8/10
"36 Inches High": This is the most irregular song on the record. It is a hazy sort of song that you almost drown out until hours after listening to it you find it gets completely under your skin.
10/10
"Marie Provost": The album's centerpiece, if not undesputed highlight. It is a funny, and true, track about an actress from the silent film era (whose actual name was Mary Prevost) who met a depressing end dying alone in her house and then being chewed at by her dogs before days later she was discovered.
10/10
"Nutted by Reality": This song features an alternately rough pop and bouncy style, and it works great, making it a real treasure.
9/10
"Heart of the City (Live)": Though a studio version of this song exists (and can be found amongs the bonus songs on this release and was included in place of this version on the American release of "Jesus of Cool"), it's the live version that's really killer. With insanely awesome drums and an evil energy, it all makes for a great closing track.
10/10
BONUS MATERIAL:
The ten bonus tracks include the three tracks from the American release of this record, which was retitled "Pure Pop for Now People," that were different from those on the original UK release. Only one of those songs, "Rollers Show," cannot be found in any form on the actual CD. The other two are the aforementioned studio version of "Heart of the City," as well as "They Called it Rock," a slightly altered (for the worse, though it's still a good song) version of "Shake and Pop." Other tracks include an early version of "Cruel to Be Kind," his sole big hit in America, and "Shake that Rat," "Endless Sleep," and "Born a Woman," songs from his first EP, Bowi, which also included "Marie Provost" and was released a year before this album.
BONUS MATERIAL SO FAR ADDRESSED:
8/10
There is one more bonus track truly worth mentioning here, and I shall now address it:
"I Love My Label": I cannot fathom why this song was cut from the record, except that maybe his label was unwilling to release it. It is a perfect mix of the embittered musician from tracks like "Music for Money" and "Shake and Pop" with the brilliant, simple pop sound of tracks like "Little Hitler" and "I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass." It has the funniest lyrics of any song here and is perhaps even the catchiest.
10/10
For any fan of pop music, this CD is a must-buy, especially since it comes incredibly cheap from Amazon considering it contains ten bonus tracks.

He's been cool forever .I had a radio program at SCN (U.S. Military) in Panama. I think "I made an American squirm" by Nick was the first song I played . This was on vinyl on "Labour of Lust" a great album.If you can find it. issued in 1995 . He is a wizard."Dig MY Mood" is awesome as well.

Simply put, one of the finest pop albums ever made. Wonderful that it's available again (I paid $80 for a used copy about a year ago, and I don't regret it one bit! I still play my vinyl copy, too.).

Don't hesitate to buy this gem!

I prefer the American title "Pure Pop for Now People", and the original running order, especially opening with "So it Goes," however, this version of "Jesus of Cool" comes with bonus tracks! I already own most of those tracks on old import 45's, but it's great to get them digital. If you don't own this album, then you are officially not a "Now Person". Get it! (Dave Edmunds reference).

If one reads up on the other 5 star reviews of this perfect pop package, they all have the same glee and sense of discovery. I'd add that in 1978 when the US version was released, I was a DJ at the edge of cable/pirate broadcasting. Most played Springteen Supertramp Segar, the Ramones and good god almighty what was considered HIP at the time.
I liked the way Nick straddled the perfect '60's British pop on American thoroughbred Beach Boy's racehorse/car in a record 2 minutes 30 seconds.
This was NEW!EXCITING and so true. He produced Elvis Costello's first/best records, had a subversive
top 40 hit, "Cruel to be Kind", was a part of Rockpile with Dave Edmunds, married Johnny Cash's step daughter, and continued throughout the 80's 90's to explore and produce great music....

"Jesus of Cool" is now finally available in CD, in it's historical glory, all tracks beat and shiney like well worn tires that tear everyone else off the line.

Until his later solo records... " The Impossible Bird" ," The Deceiver", "At This Age" , when Nick Lowe has proven himself to be the best interpreter of modern saloon music, the best Frank Sinatra since..Frank.

My infatuation with Nick Lowe's own recordings began and ended with this debut album. I still think this is pop/rock perfection, and would recommend it to anyone. But when his second album "Labour of Lust" paled by comparison, I found I quickly lost interest in him.

For me, the real Lowe legacy is the inspired work he elicited from others. He produced the first 3 Graham Parker albums: "Howlin' Wind", "Heat Treatment", and "Stick To Me" - which were all fantastic. After that he went on to produce the first 5 Elvis Costello records. Though Costello imitated Parker a little too much to suit me (especially in the early going) - there's no denying that they're classic albums.

Lowe continued to shine best on other people's records - most notably those of Dave Edmunds. Singing and playing with the backing band Rockpile on such exciting and fun albums as "Get It", "Tracks On Wax 4", and "Repeat When Necessary" must have been a blast for him. Edmunds was never shown to better effect. Regrettably, by the time Rockpile finally put out their own album ("Seconds of Pleasure"), the fizz had gone out of the band. The songs weren't up to par for such a great group, and it remains a lackluster effort. There's plenty of people who want to believe it's a classic, but don't listen to them!

After the demise of Rockpile, it seemed Lowe's time had passed. Though he continued to put out many records over the years, it's not unfair to say they largely escaped notice. That would change with "The Impossible Bird" in 1994. Subsequent releases have been more successful (well, sort of), culminating in the well-reviewed "At My Age" (2007). I haven't heard these "comeback" albums, but intend to get "At My Age" just to see what he's up to. Reviewers say he's re-invented himself as a weary balladeer with semi-country and r&b backing. Guess I'll just have to try it out.
Lowe's said "I don't like my older (smart-aleck) songs as much as others do." I guess he's in a mellower mood these days. Luckily, you don't have to be. Buy this CD and have a ton of fun!

This is an amazing power pop album by a real music fan. I couldn't ask for a more immaculate disc.

Nick Lowe's debut album Jesus Of Cool (titled Pure Pop For Now People in The US) is one of the true underappreciated gems in music history. Released in 1978, this 30th anniversary edition provides not only the UK tracks, but the US tracks as well as songs released on his Bowi EP (a classic Lowe tongue-in-cheek joke at David Bowie who released his Low album in 1977) and b-sides. The songs do sound like they are from a different era and that's not a bad thing. They still crackle and sparkle and have an immediate freshness and vibrancy. "So It Goes" is a masterpiece. It is three minutes of simple yet sophisticated pop music that rivals anything Brian Wilson every recorded. "I Love The Sound Of Breaking Glass" has a hypnotic, pulsating beat and "Heart Of The City" dips back into the sound of his pub rock days. "Marie Provost" is a whimsical ditty about a former movie star who ended up becoming puppy chow which Mr. Lowe based on a story he read in the paper. "They Call It Rock" is slap in the face of the music industry that is just as timely today with all the disposable music out there. "I Love My Label" is another snarky look at the music industry and "Rollers Show" is a shimmering tune that slyly mocks the Bay City Rollers and their fans. "Tonight" is the lone ballad that has a lush and beautiful orchestration. The packaging of the album is first rate including both the UK & US album covers, a section with the single and EP covers and a fabulous booklet with some great photos and promo items from the era such as a Jesus Of Cool tie. The case itself opens up into a cross with Mr. Lowe as "the messiah" with a guitar. If you are a fan of smart, well-crafted rock music, then Jesus Of Cool needs to be in your collection.

Quite possibly one of the best New Wave records that the fewest people have heard, Nick Lowe's solo debut is simply a perfect album. Even the Americanized version, "Pure Pop For Now People," couldn't torpedo Lowe's originality, nor mask the fact that he all but defined the way the 80's British Invasion sounded. Think of the production work he did with Elvis Costello, Graham Parker, The Damned, The Pretenders...etc etc....

So why the Hell is Nick not in the Rock and Roll hall of Fame?

This 30'th Anniversary of The Jesus Of Cool could be looked upon as a "for your consideration" type of gambit. Lowe had incredible players at his disposal, from Rockpile cohort Dave Edmonds to members of The Attractions, The Rumour and The Blockheads, it was like a Stiff Records All Stars came together for a power pop perfect storm. As such, these songs all delivered. From the singles "I Love The Sound Of Breaking Glass" to (on the US Version) the goofy tribute to The Bay City Rollers ("Rollers Show"), there isn't a false note or a wasted lick to be found. Oddball humor runs wild ("Nutted By Reality") to solid pub-rock ("Heart of The City").

Then there is the classic "Marie Provist." How can you not love a chorus that goes
"She was a winner that became a doggie's dinner.
She never meant that much to me.
Whoa, oh poor Marie."

The heart of this all is Lowe's wickedly keen pop sense. Every song has a hook and a distinct sound. Like the multi-personality Nick Lowes adorning the cover (and both the British and US covers are used for this deluxe version), Lowe could dance chameleon-like between genres. He toyed with 70's soul and Bo Diddley beats. If there wasn't a song here to hook you, you weren't paying attention.

Which was the fate of this album in 1978. It was critically acclaimed but only sold modestly in the states. It was even out of print for the past few years, making this re-issue all the more valuable. The remastering is terrific, and the extra packaging is done with the respect due to the work. There's a good essay from Will Birch (Edmunds and Lowe opened for....Bad Company?!?) plus a complete (for the first time) rundown of musicians' credits. All in all, a great and respectful release from an artist that defined a decade and a genre. Could the deluxe version of "Labour of Lust" and a thorough Lowe anthology be far behind?

See also:
From Small Things: The Best of Dave Edmunds
Seconds of Pleasure
This Year's Model

Was working in a record store (remember those) in '78 when this came out.
Snagged a promo vinyl copy and wore it out. Have been waiting quite a while for it to be re-released. This is a great version. 21 songs plus a free download for 2 more inside. Since I was used to the track listing for Pure Pop for Now People and not Jesus of Cool (UK version), I burned it with the original track listing for PPFNP. The bonus tracks are nice, there are some real pop gems on here. Standouts are:

Music for Money
So It Goes
I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass
Heart of the City
They Called It Rock
No Reason

He's basically making fun of Bay City Roller fans on Rollers Show but it's still one of my favorites on here. So catchy you'll find it stuck in your head. If you like excellent pop music with stellar playing and sly wit you need look no further. This is a bonafide classic.

I had this vinyl lp back in the day (not too mention various import 45s for non-lp b sides, etc). Of course, my version was the Pure Pop For Now People in the U.S. This is a classic release by a great, influential artist and includes all the various extra tracks found on EPs, 45s, etc. Nick Lowe performs in numerous styles and does everything well. He was and is a great pop songwriter and producer. This is a must own for anyone who loves pop music. Additionally, this man was one of the most important people to the beginning of the punk/new wave movement as house producer at Stiff records and helping create all of Elvis Costello's first several classics. I pray that all his CDs are released and given the respect they deserve.

Back in print for the 30th anniversary of its original release, this 1978 solo debut still shows itself to be the greatest album in Lowe's catalog. Marking a glorious new phase in his career, Lowe had already made the transition from the pub rock of Brinsley Schwarz to the punkier and new wavier sounds of the artists he produced for Stiff Records. Lowe's songwriting had also started to show the twists and sparks that he'd bring to Stiff, as he recorded a pair of singles aimed at breaking his contract with United Artists: The Tartan Horde's ""Rollers Show" and The Disco Brothers' "Let's Go to the Disco" b/w "Everybody Dance."

Once free of UA, Lowe signed with Stiff where he served as a house producer (most notably for The Damned and Elvis Costello) and released the label's very first single, "So it Goes" b/w "Heart of the City," both of which turned up on this debut LP. A follow-up EP (titled "Bowi," in retaliation for Bowie's album "Low") included a cover of Sandy Posey's "Born a Woman" (with the gender-specific lyrics ironically intact), the surf-inspired bass-heavy instrumental "Shake That Rat," the chirpy and morose "Marie Provost," and the hypnotically lethargic death-watch "Endless Sleep." Of the four, only "Marie Provost" returned for the album (the other three tracks are here as bonuses). His next single was a letter-perfect cover of Tony Orlando's Brill Building era "Halfway to Paradise" b/w "I Don't Want the Night to End," again, both included here.

Lowe contributed to the Stiffs Live album and then jumped ship to Radar where he released the single "I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass" b/w "They Called it Rock" (the former carried over to the album, the latter included here as a bonus) and finally, his debut album. Though five of the twelve tracks had already been released on singles and EPs, their general rarity kept them fresh to album buyers. The six new songs included terrific Lowe compositions, and letter-perfect backing from a multitude of players that included members of the eventual Rockpile. Leading off is the beat-heavy "Music Money" in which Lowe lays out the antithesis of his new found musical freedom. The strummed acoustic guitars and walled backing vocals of "Little Hitler" show how fluidly Lowe could craft a studio sound that at both celebrated and ironically commented on pop music. "Tonight" features similar acoustics and harmonies, but in service of a gorgeous love song.

The straight-ahead rocker "Shake and Pop" shared a melody with "They Called it Rock," providing two sides of the Lowe/Edmunds equation; the former was included on the UK album, the latter on the US, and both included here. The organ and reggae beat of "No Reason" suggests Costello and the Attractions, and the upbeat soul of "Nutted By Reality" might point to The Jackson 5 if it didn't open with the lyric "Well I heard they castrated Castro, I heard they cut off everything he had." That's Lowe in a nutshell: an oddball lyric about Castro's demise set to a sunny light funk beat that changes key and segues seamlessly into a bouncy, dream-like travelogue with a terrific baritone guitar solo. And it makes complete sense when you hear it. Lowe's cover of Jim Ford's "36 Inches High" (again featuring Attractions-like organ figures) is slow enough to seem like he's deconstructing and examining the lyrics as he sings.

The pre-album tracks are just as good, and match as tightly as jigsaw pieces with the new tunes. The demise of the faded silent film star "Marie Provost" shows how easily Lowe could match a jingly tune to a grisly story, crafting lyrical hooks that belie the dark theme. "I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass" essays the destruction of a dressing room with propulsive bass and staccato piano figures, and a live rendition of "Heart of the City" shows just how deadly Rockpile was as a stage unit.

The U.S. release of the album, retitled "Pure Pop for Now People" so as not to offend America's delicate sensibilities, made a few track substitutions and changed the running order. Dropped were "Shake and Pop" and the live version of "Heart of the City," to be replaced by "They Called it Rock" and the shorter studio version of "Heart of the City." Also included on the U.S. version was "Rollers Show." This CD follows the original UK running order; you can recreate the U.S. version as 6, 2, 5, 9, 20, 18, 14, 7, 3, 10, 8, 1. Remastering was performed by the veteran Vic Anesini.

Yep Roc's packaging goes the extra mile with a double digipack (one side holds the CD, the other a 16-page booklet) that features both the U.S. and UK covers, a cross-shaped Lowe foldout, new liner notes by Will Birch and extensive photos of many original Lowe artifacts such singles and EPs sleeves and record labels. There's even a mock-up of the rumored "Wireless World" album title, using session photos not included on either of the original packages. Detailed session info provides recording dates, studio locales and personnel that reveals for the first time how Lowe utlized members of Brinsley Schwarz, Rockpile, The Rumour, The Attractions and others on his solo works.

This deluxe reissue is a must-have for pop music fans -- those who own the original CD issue would do well to upgrade. Even fanatics who have the original CD and the odds 'n' sods "Wilderness Years" collection will enjoy the artwork, liner notes and sessionography. Great job Yep Roc, now can you please get "Labour of Lust" back in print?! [©2008 redtunictroll at hotmail dot com]