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Review of When I Was Cruel
Virgin.net, 2002-05-01
- James Lamb

 

Elvis Costello
When I Was Cruel
Label: Mercury
Released: 15/04/02
Virgin.net verdict: 4/5

The most talented Elvis ever to grace popular music - damn, if only he had looks and sexual charisma - is back with his first solo album in seven years. What Declan McManus has never lacked though is "a look" - sweaty and speccy - coupled with a sneering vocal charisma. Elvis may not be able to sing, in the classical sense, but boy can he sting.
Reunited with Pete Thomas and Steve Nieve from the Attractions, When I Was Cruel is all New Wave melody infused with contemporary sampling and re-mixing. As with all value for money artists like Costello - there are 16 tracks - it's a mixed bag, but its finest moments showcase his best recording since 1986's Blood & Chocolate.

The title track has a Latin feel, and subverts lines from Abba's Dancing Queen - not the only time he's used Sweden's finest for inspiration, though probably the first time since the clanking piano sound of Oliver's Army. It's a fine effort - Costello at his best: oblique lyrically, direct emotionally. More bile is spat on the scary Alibi that sees a return to the psychotic mode that powered I Want You on Blood & Chocolate.

Sonically there's experimentation. Episode of Blonde features a pounding drum machine, distorted guitar and jazzy horns - give it a miss, otherwise its annoying messiness will put you off the rest of a fine album. That said, the use of melodica on Soul For Hire gives it an eerie feel, while the looping of Italian singer Mina on the aforementioned title track, is a hypnotic stroke of genius.

Unlike his contemporaries like Weller, Costello is still trying for something different while remaining instantly familiar. Don't let the title fool you - he's still got an edge.

James Lamb

 
         
 

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