CJM, 1998-09-29
ELVIS COSTELLO WITH BURT BACHARACH
Painted From Memory
Mercury

Out: September 29
File under: Make it E-Z on yourself
R.I.Y.L.: The Juliet Letters, Bacharach solo LPs, Mike Flowers Pop

Although they're a generation apart in the history books, Elvis Costello
never concealed his fondness for Burt Bacharach, covering "I Just Don't
Know What To Do With Myself" early in his career.  Perhaps if they'd
collaborated then, Painted From Memory might deliver on the formidable
promise of "God Give Me Strength," their first joint effort (from the movie
Grace Of My Heart).  But the specter of that girl group period exercise
looms too large over this full-length.  Many of these tunes feel like hasty
refurbishments of Bacharach's best with Dionne Warwick and lyricist Hal
David; the new "This House Is Empty Now" and the old "A House Is Not A
Home" are very close neighbors.  Compounding frustration, distinctive
nuances are consistently swamped by syrupy orchestral swells.
Unconventional harmonies and time changes seem in short supply; when they
do come, Costello doesn't pack the requisite subtlety of a Dionne or Dusty
to navigate them effortlessly.  Only on "Toledo," which mates a wry lyric
with a complicated melody that only seems carefree, does the duo truly rise
to the occasion.  Like its creators, Painted From Memory boasts familiar
charms packaged in something a little too soft around the middle.