|
Style: Warm country and R&B; compare to mellow Elvis Costello, Graham Parker, Ron Sexsmith
Top tracks: "Stoplight Roses," "I Read a Lot," "House for Sale"
Has there ever been a greater example of a rock musician aging gracefully? On The Old Magic, the former New Waver and Elvis Costello producer returns to the same fertile crossroads of country, soul, and easygoing R&B that have made his last few records such unqualified charmers—and he brings some of his very best songs, to boot. One of Lowe's more melancholy works, Magic includes a trio of standout ballads ("Stoplight Roses," "House for Sale, "I Read a Lot") that link failed relationships to the narrator's own shortcomings; their heartbreak is tempered only slightly by Lowe's characteristic wry wit. "Checkout Time," meanwhile, takes the soul-searching in a different direction, as the singer wonders how those failings will affect his outcome come Judgment Day.
Copyright © 2011 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.
Annual & Monthly subscriptions available.
- Print & Digital Issues of CT magazine
- Complete access to every article on ChristianityToday.com
- Unlimited access to 65+ years of CT’s online archives
- Member-only special issues
- Learn more
Read These Next
- TrendingAmerican Christians Should Stand with Israel under AttackWhile we pray for peace, we need moral clarity about this war.
- From the MagazineFractured Are the PeacemakersA Christian reconciliation group in Israel and Palestine warned that war would come. Now the war threatens their relevance.العربيةFrançais
- Editor's PickDied: Mandisa, ‘Overcomer’ Singer and American Idol StarThe Grammy-winning artist was found dead at her home in Nashville at age 47.