Dave Edmunds Twangin' CD

Twangin' was recorded as Rockpile was in the process of breaking up, and the record suffered as a result. Where the previous Rockpile collaborations were loose and rocking, Twangin' is tight and precise, as if Edmunds recorded it on his own. Only on "The Race Is On" does the record truly cut loose, and he's backed by the Stray Cats on that one. Still, there are a number of fine moments on the record, particularly in the pseudo-new wave pulse of John Hiatt's "Something Happens," the pub rock of Mickey Jupp's "You'll Never Get Me Up (In One of Those)," and the gorgeous Everly-esque "(I'm Gonna Start) Living Again if It Kills Me." The rest of the record is pleasant filler which could have used some of the old Rockpile spark. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Unknown Contributor Role: Stray Cats.

Personnel: Dave Edmunds (vocals, guitar, piano, keyboards); Billy Bremner (vocals, guitar); Nick Lowe (vocals, bass guitar); Mickey Gee (guitar, electric guitar); Chesterfield Kings (harp, harmonica); Terry Williams (drums).

Recording information: Eden Studios, London, England; Rockfield Studio.