Brit Nick Lowe was one of the most beloved, talented, and versatile figures of the punk/new wave explosion of the late-’70s. Oddly, he really wasn’t punk or new wave, but an artist who emerged during that scene in the wake of the pub rock, post-’60s scene in England as a member of Brinsley Schwarz (with Schwarz, Ian Gomm, Billy Rankin, and Bob Andrews).
Lowe was a roots rocker at heart who occasionally dipped his toe into psychedelia, but was most at home with pure pop, even naming the American version of his solo debut album Pure Pop For Now People, released in 1978. Lowe was also and still is an accomplished record producer, most notably for Elvis Costello and The Pretenders. He was part of the group Rockpile (with Dave Edmunds, Billy Bremner, and Terry Williams) while simultaneously producing and releasing solo albums. Later he would be in another supergroup, Little Village (with John Hiatt, Ry Cooder, and Jim Keltner). He is also a prolific songwriter.
Lowe’s last solo album was The Old Magic released in 2011. He released a holiday album, Quality Street: A Seasonal Selection for All the Family, in 2013. That resume barely scratches the surface and doesn’t even mention the other singles, EPs, live albums, and contributions he’s made to other people’s work and appearances on a plethora of tribute albums. Indoor Safari is his second with Los Straightjackets, the mysterious, Tennessee-based instrumental band, after their debut together Walkabout in 2020. It’s filled with the kind of rootsy simplicity and charm we’ve come to expect from Lowe.
The album starts off with “Went to a Party,” the one track that most emphasizes the style of Lowe’s backing band here. The rest of the album has a sound that combines many influences and nods to late- ’50s/early ’60s American pop, country and rock ‘n’ roll styles. While there aren’t songs with the harmonies of the Everly Brothers or the big sound and distinct vocals of Roy Orbison, Lowe clearly has made an album in the vein of those artists.
It’s the way country and pop became rock ‘n’ roll that Lowe seems after here. There’s also a distinctive, although subtle, rockabilly feel. The album does not really have many melancholy moments, but is instead infused with Lowe’s unique charms as a musical artist and a bright, upbeat fun feel. While his voice is only a bit of a craggy reminder of his salad days, it’s still endearing and perfectly suited to the material.
Moving past the late ’50s/early ’60s American sound, Lowe quotes a line from “Please Please Me” from The Beatles on “Blue On Blue.” The unmistakable Lowe humor is laced throughout, but particularly sharp on “Don’t Be Nice to Me.” Lowe wrote or co-wrote all the songs except “A Quiet Place,” a Garnet Mims song, and “Raincoat in the River.” “Raincoat in the River,” a cover of a Rick Nelson song, like the Orbison and Everlys’ influence, reflects Lowe’s approach on this album.
The cover of the album is a piece of art unto itself, as it recalls the revved up late-’50s/early-’60s exotica and rockabilly pinup vibe, with an edgy twist, that complements the music and is another reason the vinyl album edition is a must.
Nick Lowe’s Indoor Safari is pure joy for music people.
GRADED ON A CURVE:
B+
