LA Weekly, 1996-08-22

PICK OF THE WEEK -- ELVIS COSTELLO AND THE ATTRACTIONS

Even for those who *aren't* Elvis Costello geeks, there are a few good
reasons to attend this week's two shows at Universal.  The first is that
Costello's touring with the Attractions--drummer Pete Thomas, bassist
Bruce Thomas and keyboard player Steve Nieve.  They are absolutely some of
the best musicians in the business, the kind of knock-your-socks-off combo
that can fill the Amphitheater to the top with divine sound, and your
organism with the wonder of life.  On his last pass through town, Costello
brought along only Nieve, and since the Attractions are an on-again
off-again proposition, you need to catch 'em while you can.  The second
reason is that Costello's current album, All This Useless Beauty, is his
best in years, packing at long last the vitality conspicuously absent from
the handful that came before it.  The third and most important reason to
attend the concerts--both, if you can--is that Elvis Costello is God.