Nick Lowe - The Old Magic

Nick Lowe's 2007 album titled At My Age pretty much sums up the no-sweat attitude of the songwriter who says he spent his early years busily "not fitting into three successive movements: pub rock, punk and new wave" while skillfully taking in aspects of each. This is, after all, the first artist signed to the legendary Stiff label in the mid-70's. But that was then, and this, as they say, is now. The title of his new September 13 album The Old Magic (Yep Roc) also gives a hint at what's inside via the telling title: the comfortable yet elegant songwriting that taps deep into the roots-n'-retro lounge/pop music mood. "I didn't want to become one of those thinning-haired, jowly old geezers who still does the same shtick they did when they were young, slim and beautiful,"  says Lowe. "That's revolting and rather tragic."

From classic country strains to the musical equivalent of tin-pan-alley soft-shoe to the rich soulful undertones of vintage, low-watt R+B, Lowe's new songs -- and a handful of covers -- fit like a pair of well-worn slippers. Backed by his favorite studio players and guests including Ron Sexsmith, Paul Carrack and Jimmie Vaughan, Lowe's warm baritone envelops tracks like the nostalgic slow dance "The Poisoned Rose" or sweet cabaret-torched tones of "Stoplight Roses", unabashedly mellow and crooning tunes for someone nicknamed The Basher decades ago. With Lowe's Magic touch, even an uptempo shuffle like "Restless Feeling" has an almost 50's-styled Nat King Cole swing to it. Q: ****, Uncut: ****, SPIN: 8/10.

Nick Lowe - "I Read A Lot" (from The Old Magic)

Nick Lowe - "Checkout Time" (from The Old Magic)

Photo Credit: Dan Burn Forti