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Tracks on Wax 4

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Edmunds had already found success twice by the time of this first full collaboration with the backing band that would be known as Rockpile. He'd first come on the scene with the blues-rock band Love Sculpture, and later as a solo artist with his debut album "Rockpile" and its hit-single cover of Smiley Lewis' "I Hear You Knockin'." His follow-up "Subtle as a Flying Mallet" produced two UK hits, but it was his blossoming relationship with Nick Lowe (who he'd befriended while producing the last LP of Lowe's band, Brinsley Schwarz) that would chart his future success. The two worked together on Edmunds next solo album, "Get It," and Lowe joined Edmunds touring band - also named "Rockpile."

This album is the first full LP by Rockpile (Edmunds, Lowe, Billy Bremner and Terry Williams), and everything that marks this foursome for greatness is here. Edmunds rock 'n' roll roots mesh perfectly with the loopier pub rock of Lowe's songs. The band, gigging constantly, is as tight as a drum. Their future efforts, including Lowe's "Labour of Lust," Edmunds "Repeat When Necessary" and the band's own "Seconds of Pleasure" would all bear the same hallmarks, but this first assemblage is the most vital.

Edmunds lends superb rockabilly and blues stylings to the Lowe originals "Never Been in Love" and "Television," and the two exercise intricate Everly-styled harmonies on their own "What Looks Best on You." Edmunds' "A.1 on the Jukebox" is a fine two-step country-rocker, and the co-write "Deborah" is Nick Lowe styled power-pop at its best. Covers of Chuck Berry's "It's My Own Business," the obscure 1964 Dean and Jean B-side "Thread Your Needle," and a trio of songs by writers Billy Murray and N. Brown round out the album perfectly. [©2005 hyperbolium dot com]

Except for his hard-core fans (of which I include myself), most people will only remember Dave Edmunds for his 1971 Top 10 cover of Smiley Lewis' "I Hear You Knockin'." But for more than three decades, Edmunds has made a career of being one of the music world's finest roots rockers.

By the late-Seventies guitarist Edmunds and basist Nick Lowe appeared on each other's solo albums along with second guitarist Billy Bremner and drummer Terry Williams. [They would record only one album under the moniker Rockpile--1980's SECONDS OF PLEASURE.] But for all intents and purposes, this 1978 album is a Rockpile album, and it is one of Edmund's best.

Highlights include rockers like "Trouble Boys" and "Deborah" as well as songs like "Never Been in Love," which evokes the harmonies of the Everly Brothers (an obvious influnce on Edmunds and Lowe, who cut an EP of Everly covers as a bonus disc on the original release of SECONDS OF PLEASURE).

If you're a fan of rock 'n' roll from a two guitar-bass-drum band, you'll fall in love with this album. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Tracks on Wax 4 is the first official Rockpile collaboration and its hard-driving, unified sounds make it one of Dave Edmunds' very best records. Like Get It, Tracks on Wax 4 relies primarily on originals and contemporary pub rock songs, leaving behind the classic oldies; the older songs on the record are obscurities like Chuck Berry's "It's My Own Business" and Jan & Dean's "Thread Your Needle." Built on such fine songs as the rockabilly tinged "Trouble Boys," the Everly-esque "Never Been in Love," "Television," "Readers Wives," and "Deborah," Tracks on Wax 4 is a tight, snappy rock & roll record that is only slightly derailed by a version of Nick Lowe's classic "Heart of the City," where Lowe's original vocal is stripped away and replaced by a new take by Edmunds. Only then does the record recall Edmunds' perfectionist nature. - Stephen Thomas Erlewine, AMG

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Tracks on Wax 4 hardens and intensifies Edmunds' attack, fully freeing him from the negative aspects of his nostalgic leanings. Give credit for that to the formation of Rockpile, a hard-working band composed of Edmunds, Nick Lowe on bass, guitarist Billy Bremner and drummer Terry Williams; over the following few years, Rockpile recorded both Lowe and Edmunds solo albums, then cut one under the group name before splintering. On Tracks on Wax 4, they drive Edmunds to new heights of rock'n'roll glory. -- Jon Young/Ira Robbins/Harold DeMuir, Trouser Press

Dave Edmunds is joined by his Rockpile mates (Nick Lowe, Terry Williams, and Billy Bremmer)in complete for this one, Their playing is tight and hard from start to finish. The release includes the usual selection of tunes, a few Nick Lowe songs, some Chuck Berry, and a wonderful tune called "Deborah". The disk kicks off with the rocker, "Trouble Boys" and cute ditty about a fellow who surprisingly makes friends with some local toughs. The version of "Heart of the City" is recorded live with a special guest. I definitely recommend this one.

It is one of the great ironies that Rockpile released all their best material and performances on albums credited to Edmunds or Nick Lowe (and sometimes others) due to contractual issues and record company jealousy. In fact, Rockpile only really released one album as Rockpile, and it was pretty much an afterthought. I'd even like to think that The Traveling Wilburys came about because a bunch of musicians looked around and said, "You know what would be fun? Let's make like Rockpile!"

With that said, let's get to the meat of things. This is, without a doubt, Rockpile's finest effort. Lowe's "Pure Pop for Now People" and "Tracks on Wax 4" make a pair of beautiful bookends. Don't own one without the other.

One of my favorites is "What Would Look Best On You", which is just shy of being outright Country parody. (I'm sure that the guys serenaded Carlene Carter with this when she and Lowe were dating. I've always wondered what it was like for Johnny Cash to come downstairs to breakfast, after Lowe married Carter, and find Nick Lowe at his breakfast table. He must have loved June Carter Cash a lot.) Even if you own the Edmunds Anthology, you are still missing a couple essential songs that appear on this album.

Ansolutely hot "Tracks".

Edmunds had already found success twice by the time of this first full collaboration with the backing band that would be known as Rockpile. He'd first come on the scene with the blues-rock band Love Sculpture, and later as a solo artist with his debut album "Rockpile" and its hit-single cover of Smiley Lewis' "I Hear You Knockin'." His follow-up "Subtle as a Flying Mallet" produced two UK hits, but it was his blossoming relationship with Nick Lowe (who he'd befriended while producing the last LP of Lowe's band, Brinsley Schwarz) that would chart his future success. The two worked together on Edmunds next solo album, "Get It," and Lowe joined Edmunds touring band - also named "Rockpile."

This album is the first full LP by Rockpile (Edmunds, Lowe, Billy Bremner and Terry Williams), and everything that marks this foursome for greatness is here. Edmunds rock 'n' roll roots mesh perfectly with the loopier pub rock of Lowe's songs. The band, gigging constantly, is as tight as a drum. Their future efforts, including Lowe's "Labour of Lust," Edmunds "Repeat When Necessary" and the band's own "Seconds of Pleasure" would all bear the same hallmarks, but this first assemblage is the most vital.

Edmunds lends superb rockabilly and blues stylings to the Lowe originals "Never Been in Love" and "Television," and the two exercise intricate Everly-styled harmonies on their own "What Looks Best on You." Edmunds' "A.1 on the Jukebox" is a fine two-step country-rocker, and the co-write "Deborah" is Nick Lowe styled power-pop at its best. Covers of Chuck Berry's "It's My Own Business," the obscure 1964 Dean and Jean B-side "Thread Your Needle," and a trio of songs by writers Billy Murray and N. Brown round out the album perfectly.

Swan Song's 1991 CD reissue doesn't stand-up favorably to the original vinyl, sounding flat and unengaging. It's listenable, not least for the great material and performances, but it's time to apply some updated digital technology to the original masters! [©2005 hyperbolium dot com]

Great to have this one rereleased. Rockpile rules!