Top tracks — play these first
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Music for Money Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass — This track stands out for its infectious chorus and sharp lyrics that humorously address disillusionment with fame and success. It captures Lowe's knack for blending catchy hooks with biting social commentary.
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Marie Provost — A darkly humorous tale inspired by a real-life actress, this song showcases Lowe’s storytelling ability while combining pop sensibility with a subversive edge. Its quirky narrative and catchy melody make it memorable.
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So It Goes — With its laid-back groove and poignant lyrics about acceptance and resignation, this track reflects Lowe's skill in crafting relatable themes through simple yet effective melodies. It's a standout example of his lyrical depth.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Nick Lowe's debut showcases sharp songwriting and polished production, marking a significant shift in his career.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a brisk tempo and maintains a lively pace through the first half, before slowing down slightly in the latter tracks.
- Several songs feature prominent hooks and clever lyrical wordplay, often juxtaposing upbeat melodies with sardonic themes.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- sharp wit and playful irony
- steady pacing for active listening
- catchy melodies for sing-alongs
- short tracks for quick enjoyment
- vibrant energy for upbeat moments
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of slow, reflective music
- prefer lengthy, immersive compositions
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album marked Nick Lowe's solo debut and established his reputation in new wave.
- Themes
- disillusionment with fame· dark humor in storytelling· suburban resignation
- Career context
- Released in 1978, Jesus of Cool marked Nick Lowe's debut solo album after his work with the band Brinsley Schwarz. This album represented a pivotal moment in his career as he transitioned from the pub rock scene to a more polished sound that would influence the burgeoning power pop movement.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Elvis Costello· Graham Parker· Joe Jackson
Tracklist
- 1 Music for Money Start here 2:09
- 2 I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass 3:13
- 3 Little Hitler 3:02
- 4 Shake and Pop 3:21
- 5 Tonight 3:59
- 6 So It Goes 2:32
- 7 No Reason 3:32
- 8 36 Inches High 2:58
- 9 Marie Provost 2:49
- 10 Nutted by Reality 2:50
- 11 Heart of the City 4:10
- 12 They Called It Rock 3:11
- 13 Rollers Show 3:31
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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