The Convincer

When is iTunes going to give us Nick the Knife?

Many rockers never grow up. Nick Lowe grew up to become a crooner of amazingly suave, sad, funny tales that probably only his fellow adults could love or understand. You either get what he's on about here because you've been through it yourself, or you probably don't get it. For me, this album came at a time of a disastrous love affair, so it became my personal soundtrack for several painful and ridiculous months, and I've continued to love it since. Tracks 1, 2, 3 (my personal anthem at the time, and a spot-on description of my absurd situation), 5, 8 and 11 are both heartbreaking and hilarious. No one has ever captured how sad and yet stupid a lonely, broken heart can be as well as Nick did here. And no one except maybe Billie Holiday and Percy Sledge has ever made a ballad sound simultaneously so haunting and yet somehow strangely uplifting. A great, beautiful, funny, achingly bittersweet tour de force for the grownups.

This is great stuff. Nick Lowe is one of those guys who've had a few hits along the way, but never got real big. He has always been good, but he just seems to get better with age. Everything he does on this one is really, really good. I like his voice better now then his sound 20 years ago, and he was good then. You won't go wrong with any of these. Chuck Pekor

I'm only rating the song, "I'm a Mess." It's a great song of lament, and the perfect somg for times you're beating your self up and feeling bad. I love it, it's one of my top 25 songs of all time. Preview it and get what I mean.

Somehow or other he's successfully become (sound and appearance) a Charlie Rich with an edge. My only criticism is that the two "happy" songs -- She's Got Soul and Let's Stay in and Make Love -- sort of break the mood of an otherwise hard-edged blues album.

"The Convincer" is my favorite Nick Lowe album to date. Nick's voice is great and his lyrics are sharp and witty as ever. To me, this album could be the soundtrack at some swank nightclub in the 50's where everyone is dressed up and drinking martinis.

"The Convincer" is a long way from Nick Lowe's Rockpile/pub rock music, but I guess most of us do mellow with age. While I am still a bigtime fan of the old pub rock sound, I sure do like the newer, settled-down sound of the music in these twelve songs. Nick's "Convincer" has me convinced. This is a great download.

it is a shame there are not more reviews of this--for i assume it means that not many people have heard it or are buying it. simply put this record is stunning--in its quiet beauty. such a mature confident delivery. i have known about nick lowe for a long time. i liked his work but was never so taken aback as on this one,and the other 2 of the triligy(impossible bird,dig my mood) there was a great song by him on the little village album(fool who knows)as well. i grew up in the 70's and a lot of the laid back vibes of the era seem to be present in these songs--blending singer songwriter fare with country cross-over stuff--think charlie rich. the cover of poor side of town in my mind is brilliant.johnny rivers is cool but not this cool. also in an era of single downloads and shuffled playlists i find i want to put this one on and listen from front to back. no small feet. hope he continues to release top notch material

This is one of Nick's best. The songwriting is first rate, and the singing and playing is great. This album has alot of soul and heart. Give us another one like this Nick asap.

This is an awesome ,must have album. Sophisticated,poingnant and easy to listen to any time. You really should make the investment - its worth it and I`m convinced.