New Elvis Costello

Posted by: Mike Hanson on 01 May 2002

My wife is such a thoughtful girl! She knows how much I enjoy music, and would like to buy an occasional CD for me. However, she knows that I'm a picky sod, and most of the things she's given to me in the past have been politely accepted, and then not played after the first spin. Alternatively, it's something that I'll really like, but I already own it. As would be expected, this leaves her quite frustrated.

Well, I picked her up at the subway station yesterday, and she had a big smile on her face. She says she's got a surprise for me. It's a CD that I'll love, and there's no chance that I have it already. Elvis Costello's new album (When I was Cruel) was released yesterday (here in Toronto). I didn't even know that there was a new one coming out.

I must admit that I felt a bit of trepidation. I enjoy most of Costello's work, but there are definitely a few of his outings that leave me cold. The more raucous the music, the higher the chance that I'll dislike it. I looked down at the CD, and the sticker on the front trumpeted, "The first 'loud' album since 1994". Oh dear!

It turns out my fears were unfounded. Although the album does often go into Costello's early "rock" mode, it's often cooly introspective. The greatest thing: all of the songs have a real hook to them. His albums are often saddled with uninspired tracks, and I was happy to discover the trend didn't continue this time.

The arrangements are varied and fresh, with great musicianship exhibited in all of them. Sonically, it's a bit over-compressed, which harkens back to his early work. However, this doesn't really detract from the overall experience.

If you're an Elvis Costello fan (or not), this is a good album that you should strongly consider adding to your collection!

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

Posted on: 01 May 2002 by redeye

Hello Mike

To give the rest of us a pointer on this care to tell us what your previous faves by EC are??

redeye

Posted on: 01 May 2002 by Lo Fi Si

I'm going to have agree with Mike on this one

. Got it (on vinyl) on Saturday. While probably not a "classic" in the same way as his first two (and best IMHO). It is damn fine album, well work getting if you thought some of his later collaborations rather lost the plot.

Simon

Posted on: 01 May 2002 by Chris Brandon

Elvis Costello was on the Jonathan Ross tv show over here in the uk a couple of weeks ago.(Along with Sir Cliff Richard....but lets not go there....)

He did a couple of bits of accoustic music (literally just him and an accoustic guitar) - It was Damn Good !

Then he did a couple with his backing band,I kinda lost interest.

Does anyone know of an album of his which is just accoustic ?

Regards

Chris

Posted on: 01 May 2002 by Steve Catterall

I don't think there are any studio albums of him doing acoustic stuff. He has done quite a lot of live work without a band. He did a solo tour around 1985 from which there are a number of good bootlegs available. He also toured quite a bit with just Steve Nieve during the 90s ... again there are a number of good bootlegs and at least 1 official release (I have a set of 5 CD singles each with 3/4 songs from a different venue).

I agree with your summary of his Jonathan Ross appearance. I think the stuff with the band was from the new album, and combined with other tracks I've heard I can't say I was that impressed. I guess it is a sort of return to the 'classic' sound, but to me everything I've heard just sounds like a pale immitation of prime Elvis.

Fave Elvis = Imperial Bedroom

Posted on: 01 May 2002 by Mike Hanson

redeye said:

quote:
To give the rest of us a pointer on this care to tell us what your previous faves by EC are??

My favourites are Punch the Clock and The Juliet Letters, but I don't know whether that will help. I've got another half dozen of his albums, which I like in varying in degrees.

To generalize, I prefer music that is intelligent, with a hook, and preferably not too "noisy". If it's too simple, or with nothing to latch onto, or it's too caustic, then I'm probably not into it. This eliminates most pop, most punk, and most modern classical.

Vuk said:

quote:
Thanks for reminding me of *THE* most over-rated pop musician of all time

Someone once called you a "whinger", Vuk. They were right. Eventually you'll realize that it's not your duty to decide what's "good enough" for the rest of the world. Until that day, scowl on, Vuk, scowl on!

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

Posted on: 01 May 2002 by Andrew Randle

quote:
Someone once called you a "whinger", Vuk. They were right. Eventually you'll realize that it's not your duty to decide what's "good enough" for the rest of the world. Until that day, scowl on, Vuk, scowl on!

Don't worry Mike, Vuk has been suffering from P.M.T. lately.... or rather: Post-Mana Trauma

Andrew

Andrew Randle
Currently in the "Linn Binn"

Posted on: 01 May 2002 by Mike Hanson

What are you saying, Andrew?!? Has Vuk decided to throw in the towel and switch to Lovan?

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

Posted on: 01 May 2002 by Andrew Randle

Oh I just remembered you've been Mana-ed too. Now watch out for that "full-moon hairy-palmed Mana-Effect".

Andrew

Andrew Randle
Currently in the "Linn Binn"

[This message was edited by Andrew Randle on WEDNESDAY 01 May 2002 at 17:25.]

Posted on: 01 May 2002 by Rico

I was most disturbed to find Elvis Costello (surely E.C. can only refer to Eric Clapton?) on the final episode of 3rd Rock. Does this mean most of his new stuff will be tosh by association (much as I have enjoyed the odd episode of 3rd rock in the past)?

I think the best Elvis Costello performance I've witnessed was in fact given by John Hiatt, IIRC.

PS - I do like his music, really!

Rico - SM/Mullet Audio

Posted on: 02 May 2002 by richard goldsmith

I agree with Vuk on this one. I wish EC would just get the f*** out of our lives really. He's had his day. Nerdy clever trousers with glasses, but nothing redeeming musically. Ironically, my favourite EC albums are the ones he now seems to dismiss, such as Goodbye Cruel World and Punch the Clock. King of America was OK too. But really, those "witty" double entendre lyrics, hanging around Bacharach, string quartets, silly hat, etc etc. All we need now is a duet with Kylie (has he done that one yet?).

This so-called "pop" music that has no resemblance to anything popular. Gimmee a break. And that so-called soul influenced shite with the organ..."Get Happy"....No, Get Outta here...

Posted on: 03 May 2002 by Chris Metcalfe

That is an amazing coincidence, because my girlfriend did exactly the same 2 weeks ago!! I've been on a CD amnesty since Xmas, haven't bought one (from a shop at least, I get a few freebies via work) in 2002, because I've got 600 and thought I ought to rein it in a bit. She knew I wanted this one and appeared with it on the Friday night. I think it's well up to his better work (though my favourite LP remains Punch the Clock, then This Year's Model). Great band sound.

Posted on: 04 May 2002 by Andrew Randle

quote:
surely E.C. can only refer to Eric Clapton?

Now, Eric Clapton! Anyone who thinks that random noodles played on a guitar in a cheesey manner is welcome to him.

Andrew

Andrew Randle
Currently in the "Linn Binn"

Posted on: 04 May 2002 by Mike Hanson

quote:
I've got 600 and thought I ought to rein it in a bit.

I'm trying to do the same, although I've got about twice as many CDs (and a few hundred LPs, just for kicks). I must have bought 200 CDs last year alone, which was a little silly. This year so far, I've probably purchased about 30. I try to get them at used shops as much as possible. The fact that I'm not living right downtown anymore makes it easier, as I'm not always walking by record shops. Not living on this forum helps too.

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

Posted on: 04 May 2002 by Mike Hanson

quote:
Now, Eric Clapton! Anyone who thinks that random noodles played on a guitar in a cheesey manner is welcome to him.

I've never really been interested in Clapton's work, and don't own one single album of his. (I might not even have an album with him as a session musician either.)

It's not the first time that a "classic" artist is unrepresented in my music collection. I still don't have any Bob Dylan or Neil Young. This is really surprising, as I'm such a fan of Joni Mitchell (who's often lumped in with the two of them).

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

Posted on: 22 May 2002 by Andrew L. Weekes

quote:
All we need now is a duet with Kylie (has he done that one yet?)

You should listen to 'Murder Ballads' by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. His duet with Kylie was rather good I thought

.

Also bought the new Elvis Costello and was equally concerned about it's 'loud' promotion.

I think it's excellent though, and has survived long past the first listen.

Andy.

Posted on: 22 May 2002 by connon price

Well, I asked him to. It's my fault. I thought he might be bored signing his autograph so I asked him to scratch it with my bank card what just purchased the thing. "scratch it?" he asked? He was a good sport about it. I saw him at an in-store performance where he played about 7 songs from his new album. Just him and a drum machine of some kind. Great to see someone in a less polished performance. Sounded like shit though. Had to plug my ears a few times, but it's funny what one will put up with in live settings.

I really like the new album. I'm a pretty fair Costello fan and appreciate or love just about everything he has done. I saw him on his tour with steve nieve and I thought it was brilliant. His final encore was a (at least commercially) obscure song from Spike (or was it Mighty Like a Rose? Some fan..) that he sang a cappella and without pa from the edge of the stage in a 5000 seat venue. Sounded amazing. not bad for a "pop star".

Connon

Posted on: 23 May 2002 by Bosh

Ive stacks of Neil Young but no Joni and feel I'm missing out

Can you recommend some JM to give me a taster (eg Live/Hits sort of thing) and other discs that represent her best output

Thanks

Posted on: 23 May 2002 by Dave J

Hi Bosh,

As you are probably aware there are a whole load of Joni Mitchell albums and there was an earlier thread discussing their relative merits. There are a couple of greatest hits albums 'Hits' and 'Misses' both from 1996, the former perhaps being the better of the two.

For a more alluring entry into her music however, I'd recommend 'Hejira', which, for me, is still her most haunting work to date.

Whichever album you start with, you're in for a treat - I envy your 'discovery' of her music.

Cheers

Dave