Review of North
The Observer, 2003-09-14
- Kitty Empire

 

There`s a harsh school of thought that reckons Costello is at his best when dispensing barbs. Indeed his last album, When I Was Cruel, was hailed as his best for some years. It featured rock songs, as opposed to the excursions into classical music and love-ins with Burt Bacharach, the other pastimes Costello's been up to since he was important. Now, he`s fallen in love with Canadian jazz singer Diana Krall. North, then, is one of these latter type of records: a sophisticated clutch of string and piano laden songs about relationships waning and waxing. It is austere and grown up - not bad things in themselves. But for all the considerable craft and feeling here, you can`t help but roll your eyes, much like Costello's friends on 'Let me Tell You About Her', the album`s nadir.