Nick Lowe – The Convincer

My copy is clean. What a great album for any time of day.

Alright, let's talk Nick Lowe's "The Convincer," a record that is not just an album, it's a subtle masterpiece. This is Lowe at his understated best, delivering songs with a craftsmanship that's both sly and tender.

First off, the guy's a genius at blending genres. "The Convincer" is like a masterclass in musical fusion - part country, part pop, part soul, all seamlessly woven together with Lowe's wry lyrical touch. It's the kind of album that sneaks up on you. You think it's just a collection of cool, laid-back tunes, but then you listen to the words, the melodies, the way the music just kind of swings, and it hits you - this is art.

And let's talk about that voice. Lowe has this way of singing that's like he's telling you a secret, a mix of confidence and vulnerability that's rare in music today. Every song feels personal, like he's singing just to you. It's intimate without being overbearing, like a conversation with an old friend over a couple of beers.

The standouts? "Homewrecker" and "Lately I've Let Things Slide" are classics in their own right, showcasing Lowe's talent for storytelling and melody. And "Indian Queens" - man, that song alone is worth the price of the record. It's got this haunting, melancholic vibe that stays with you long after the song's over.

Production-wise, "The Convincer" is a gem. It's got this warm, analog feel that's perfect for Lowe's style. It's like the guy knows exactly how to make every instrument, every note count. There's no overproduction here, just pure, unadulterated musicality.

In the end, "The Convincer" is one of those albums that reaffirms your faith in music. It's not flashy, it's not trying to be the next big thing. It's just a damn good record, the kind you keep coming back to, the kind that gets better with every listen. In a world of disposable music, Nick Lowe offers something lasting, something real. And for that, "The Convincer" gets my highest recommendation. It is a star that burns brighter than five stars allow.

Cheap cheap presentation for one of the greatest albums in my collection. I have the original CD and jumped at the chance of having a vinyl copy.
As others have already pointed out, the mastering is excellent, but the first two songs are plagued by an annoying whoosh on the right channel.
The inner sleeves... could they have been any worse? The cheapest of the cheap.
And of course they didn't even bother with printing the back cover with the titles for the 45rpm... Way to go, Yep Roc!

Have the same surface noise, side A. Prominent scratchy sound that eventually fades after first couple of songs. Other than that sounds good. Did a thorough cleaning (ultrasonic) that didn't change anything. Under my little USB microscope the grooves look super clean, so a pressing problem it seems.

Such a good album. Nice to have this timely re-introduction for all of us who seek pop mastery. Superb, even more so with 20 years of wisdom to propel this gem. (5 stars)

Annoying baked in surface noise on the album but the 7” sounds great. I’ll be flogging this version (keeping the 7”) and sticking to my original LP, which sounds much better.

Anyone else care to comment on the quality of the pressing?

The mastering sounds great. Unfortunately consistent subdominant surface noise, even after a thorough cleaning. Other than that, the vinyl looks beautiful. Lays flat. Clean and shiny. I dropped a one minute sound sample on my Instagram if interested. Look for @ designerjohnson

Very nice sounding reissue, and it’s great to have the bonus 45. Because it’s Yep-Roc, they have to deprive you of something on their vinyl releases: In this case, some photos from the CD package are not replicated. No great loss, but still…