Rose Of England

The Rose of England continues with a slightly more contemporary feel. John Hiatt's "She Don't Love Nobody" is a sturdy pop single, while "I Knew the Bride (When She Used to Rock and Roll)"-a song Lowe wrote in the '70s and was popularized by fellow Rockpile member Dave Edmunds-is given a modern kick in the pants, produced by Huey Lewis and featuring Huey's band the News. Granted, from a production standpoint it basically sounds like a Huey Lewis and the News song, but the quality of the songwriting is miles past "The Heart of Rock and Roll". The Rose of England isn't necessarily a record company's bid for Lowe to top the pop charts, though. "Seven Nights to Rock" is a lively, caffeinated rockabilly cover that feels like a timeless whirl through a more carefree time, and there isn't a synthesizer or over processed drum sound in sight.