As any loyal Popdose reader with a lingering affection for British power pop surely knows, the name of this column is cribbed from Nick Lowe’s 1978 album Jesus of Cool, which just last week was re-released on CD Stateside with its intended title. (Its initial U.S. release, in hugely bastardized form, was titled Pure Pop for Now People.) I bring this up not because I want to talk about Nick Lowe, but because his onetime wife and protege, Carlene Carter, this week has returned from a lengthy absence with a wonderful new album titled Stronger. As a huge fan of both artists — and as someone who should be, but for some reason isn’t, contractually obligated to mention Mr. Lowe as frequently as possible — I couldn’t let this confluence of events go uncelebrated.

Nearly 20 years ago, Carter was among the few artists lucky enough to release her best work during VH1’s brief love affair with country music — and that simultaneous, glorious period when women dominated the genre. As a result, her hits “I Fell in Love” and “Every Little Thing” were everywhere, even managing to break free of the TNN/CMT/”This is VH1 Country” ghetto and earn some prime-time pop airplay. I couldn’t have been happier. (more…)