And His Cowboy Outfit

Nick Lowe and His Cowboy Outfit marks a turn towards a more rootsy persona for our hero. Anchored by the international number one Half a Boy and Half a Man, the album introduces a tex-mex/roller-rink organ sound, although the lineup of Bobby Irwin, Paul Carrack, Martin Belmont and Lowe is essentially unchanged. Newly discovered Johnny Horton covers Honky Tonk Hardwood Floor and Walk on By (included here as bonus tracks) show that there may have been a more twangy intention to the record-- but as it is full on rockers like Maureen and Mickey Jupps Youll Never Get Me Up (in One of Those) rub shoulders with pop like Dusty Springfields Breakaway and Nicks own L. A. F. S. (featuring the TKO Horns who had recently punched up arranger Elvis Costellos own Everyday I Write the Book).