Now that
Nick Lowe
has reached his third EP of new material recorded with
Los Straitjackets
, it only stands to reason that the musicians have found the same groove in the studio as they do on-stage. Certainly,
Lay It on Me
feels casual in a way
Tokyo Bay
and
Love Starvation
do not. Some of that could be due to the EP concluding with a cover of
Shocking Blue
's "Venus" performed by
and featuring
Lowe
behind the production board for the first time in a quarter-century. As fun as it is, "Venus" feels like the definition of a B-side -- a trifle tucked away on a flip side -- but the other three songs also display a knowing familiarity between the leader and the band, and since these tracks consist of two new originals and a sung cover of
Brenda Lee
's oldie "Here Comes That Feeling," the rewards are greater. "Here Comes That Feeling" cracked the U.K. Top Ten in 1962 (it barely registered in the U.S.) and its sophisticated shuffle does provide a touchstone for the two
originals. Certainly, with its high-toned strut, "Don't Be Nice to Me" suggests pre-
Beatles
pop, and while there are some lingering Brill Building mannerisms on "Lay It on Me," the guitars of
chime and ring in a fashion patented in the mid-'60s. To their credit, the music sounds lively and relaxed -- rolling without rocking -- and it's an ideal match for
's wry, relaxed performance. He seems at home with
, playing sophisticated pop for people with their hearts stuck in yesterday. It's a combination that's a bit hard to resist. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine