Lowe Country

Lowe Country: The Songs of Nick Lowe

So many variables determine whether a tribute disc succeeds; the artist honored, the acts and songs chosen. On local imprint Fiesta Red, Lowe Country assembles a healthy dose of neo-Americana types covering UK pub rocker turned crooner Nick Lowe. Unfortunately, more often than not, the results are "genericana," disposable alt.country that's interchangeable with a dozen similar acts. Amanda Shires merits applause on her own, but her rearrangement of "I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass" removes the pop bounce it deserves for a tremulous dirge that just sounds wrong. Austinite Colin Gilmore invoking lonesome Buddy Holly on "You Make Me," and Chatham County Line's stomping bluegrass adaptation of "Heart of the City" are memorable, while Ron Sexsmith's "Where's My Everything?" mirrors Lowe's profound longing the best. A portion of proceeds from the disc benefit victims of the Bastrop wildfires, but while Lowe Country tries, it rarely satisfies.