Cheap Party of One (Music) (Nick Lowe) Price

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Customer Reviews of Party of One

He's got the sound I like
This album was a major return to form for Nick Lowe and caused a personal revival of interest in his work. Hard to believe that it came out ten years ago, or that he's done so little of interest since. Easily his best album since Labour of Lust (ELEVAN years earlier---time to start feeling old). His wit and sense of fun are on full display here, along with crystal clear production and crackling arrangements. "Gai-Gin Man" and "All Men Are Liars" are the standouts for me, but every track is good, even the bluesy ballad "What's Shakin' On the Hill" which offers a nice change of pace. Only Nick Lowe could make goofy throwaway tunes like "Shting-Shtang", "Refrigerator White", and "Honey Gun" work so damn well. There's some sort of pop-rock epiphany here, but you can't put it into words, you've just got to listen to the album...and smile.

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His best since "Labour of Lust"
I've been a Nick Lowe fan since I borrowed a friend's copy of "Labour of Lust" back in 1987. That landmark album, along with Nick's association with Elvis Costello, have helped plant him firmly as one of my favorite singer/songwriter/producers. It's a terrible shame that he hasn't received nearly the credit he deserves for his abundant talents.

I recently picked up "Party of One" at a discount bin for [price]! Definitely one of my all-time greatest CD steals. This is a fantastic disc. There are so many great, fun, hilarious, infectious tunes on this disc. "You Got the Look I Like." "Gai-Gin Man." "Who Was That Man." "Jumbo Ark." And of course, one of Nick's funniest tunes, "All Men Are Liars" (That song contains one of his most infamous lines -- "Do you remember Rick Astley? He had a big fat hit, it was ghastly"). He practically invented tongue-in-cheek. Who else could write a song called "Shting-Shtang?" Or "You Stabbed Me In The Front?"

The songs have a distinct rockabilly feel, aided in no small part by the musical talents of Dave Edmunds and session ace Jim Keltner, among others. The emphasis here is on fun with a capital "F." This is a great place for people to discover the wonder of Nick Lowe, truly one of rock's most overlooked songwriters. You should also check out the excellent "Labour of Lust." If you really want to go all out, get the 1999 box set "The Doings," but his single-disc anthology "Basher" is great too.

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Just an OK ¿Party¿
This party could use a few more crowd-pleasers. While there are a few of your better Lowe tunes, like the self centered "Gai-Gin Man," the unknown victim of "Who was That Man," and the fair warning of "All Men Are Liars (and boy, does Rick Astley take a hit on this one)," this is not Lowe's best work. The quality material is watered down by weaker numbers like the sappy "What's Shakin' On The Hill," or the sheer silliness of "Shting-Shtang" and "Honeygun," which, while catchy, have no real staying power other than through the repetitiveness of their choruses. Not a totally satisfying go for this clever artist, but worth having for the good stuff.