When I first heard Nick Lowe & His Cowboy Outfit's "I Knew The Bride (When She Used To Rock 'N' Roll)," I just had to get it! I rushed out and picked up the 45 single, and played it over and over. Then, out of curiosity, (like everyone else was, back in the days of 45 rpm records), flipped the single over and listened to the B-side, an instrumental track, entitled "Long Walk Back".
Man! Was I amazed! Both songs were from the 1985 release, The Rose Of England. Years later, I was lucky to find a vinyl copy of the album at a local flea market (for what was it? $2.50?) So, when looking for it on CD, it wasn't available. But, thanks to AB-CD, I was able to find it on CD for only 10 bucks. I did notice that there was a Greatest Hits CD of Lowe's, but much to my disappointment, "Long Walk Back" was not included. Having this CD, I can easily push the repeat button on the CD player for both of these songs.
Well, in listening to this album, I found out that some songs
kind of sound alike. The album as a whole matches each song, but
after listening to "I Knew The Bride" and "Long Walk Back," I
expected a lot more.
"Darlin' Angel Eyes" starts the album out on a good note; it's a nice bouncy tune to get things going. "She Don't Love Nobody" is another great tune. So far, so good.
"7 Nights To Rock" is a fast-paced boogie-woogie tune, but after awhile, it gets kind of tiring. In fact, some of the other tunes, "Lucky Dog," "(Hope To God) I'm Right" and "Everyone" all start sounding alike, in one way or another.
"Long Walk Back" was next; now we're back on track. This song is the main reason why I have this CD instead of getting the Greatest Hits compilation. It reminds me of the 60s great guitar instrumental sound; I would have to compare the style of this song to the great guitarist Duane Eddy. I JUST LOVE THIS SONG!
The title track, "The Rose Of England," is next, and as this hot-potata, as the lyric says, doesn't really agree with me. This track is just oksy.
"I Knew The Bride (When She Used To Rock 'N' Roll)" was next. This song is great, and it features Huey Lewis & The News on background vocals. This song was also produced by Lewis. Originally written by Nick Lowe, Dave Edmunds recorded his own version in the 70s; and in comparing the two, Lowe's version truly stands out as the better one.
Things get a little mellow with the Elvis Costello-penned tune "Indoor Fireworks". Elvis featured this song on his King Of America album. As the song starts, you can easily tell that this song is definitely written by Costello (if you're familiar with him), without even looking at the notes to see who wrote each song.
"I Can Be The One You Love" is another mellow tune. It makes you want to pick up your two index fingers and imagine you're playing the drums, as your head bounces back and forth slowly to the beat. Pretty cool.
Lastly, "Bo Bo Skediddle" is a down-and-dirty boogie woogie number, that makes you feel like you're a bad little boy or girl. A good way to end the album.
Each song on the album makes your head bop up and down, or mostly sideways in some instances. All of the songs match the concept of the album. Even though the title has the word "rose" in it; in the end, it doesn't smell like one. Sweet as it may smell, this album isn't that bad, it just feels that after you've heard the songs you really like, you kind of expect the rest of the album to be more of the same.