Editorial Review:

Product Description:
2008 marks the 30th anniversary of Nick Lowe's seminal 1978 album Jesus of Cool. The album, released in the U.S. as Pure Pop for Now People, marks the beginning of one of the most storied and influential solo careers in pop music and marks the true emergence of a songwriting monolith. The album is a literal compendium of 25 years of pop music history. Here, the sweet melodies of pre-Beatles pop, the energy of the British Invasion, the excess of glam and elements of ska and new wave don t blend but stand side by side on the field of battle, each one willing to lay down his life for the other. Jesus is the crossroads where pop music and pop culture collide, self-aware for the first time, fusing into a white hot chunk of rock n roll energy.
Here, on this 30th anniversary edition of the album, the original and U.S. versions of the album are combined to include all material ever available on either release. In addition, seven bonus cuts are included making this the definitive version of this undisputed pop masterpiece.

Amazon.com:
If you have a dog-eared copy of Nick Lowe’s Pure Pop for Now People, here is your chance to revitalize. That 1978 record, an ingenious and melodic pop gem, is really the Americanized version of Jesus of Cool, Lowe’s European debut, released the year after his departure from pub-rockers Brinsley Schwarz. This 30th-anniversary edition combines the original Jesus, extra songs that appeared on Pure Pop, and seven bonus tracks (including the original version of Lowe’s most successful single, 'Cruel to Be Kind'). The collection is without an Achilles heel, from 'I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass,' with its Bo Diddley riff, on through Lowe’s experimentation with pre-Beatles pop ('Little Hitler'), glam rock ('So It Goes'), new-wave rock ('Shake and Pop'), and even disco ('Nutted by Reality,' a jocular salute to Fidel Castro). The morbidly funny 'Marie Provost,' a power-pop tale of the tragic silent-film actress, ranks with the best in Lowe's stash and serves as the anchor for the record, which features guest players Dave Edmunds, Billy Bremner, and the Attractions. --Scott Holter









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Disc 1:

1. Music for Money
2. I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass
3. Little Hitler
4. Shake and Pop
5. Tonight
6. So It Goes
7. No Reason
8. 36 Inches High - Nick Lowe, Ford, J.
9. Marie Provost
10. Nutted by Reality
11. Heart of the City
12. Shake That Rat
13. I Love My Label
14. They Called It Rock
15. Born a Woman - Nick Lowe, Sharp, M.
16. Endless Sleep
17. Halfway to Paradise - Nick Lowe, Goffin, G.
18. Rollers Show - Nick Lowe, Lowe, Nick AKA T. M
19. Cruel to Be Kind
20. Heart of the City
21. I Don't Want the Night to End

Rating: - The Best Pub Rock has to offer

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.

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Rating: - Nick's Best Release
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.

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Rating: - Nick Lowe is the greatest
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.

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Rating: - Great clever fun
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.

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Rating: - British Punk Reinvasion
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.