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Elvis Costello's versatility pops up once again
Eddy Allman
Elvis Costello / Punch The Clock
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What's this? Elvis Costello as a big band swing orchestra leader who takes turns singing like Daryl Hall, Paul McCartney, Billy Joel and Bobby Vinton? Well, not exactly, but Punch the Clock will more than likely give pause to anyone's Who dared to dismiss Costello as a one-dimensional new wave artist — as if his recent experiment with country music wasn't proof enough that he can adapt any style he chooses and make it work.
Actually, Punch the Clock merely toys with stylistic tricks — backed by a horn section and strings, his "Let Them All Talk" does an implied bow to Tommy Dorsey cum Blood, Sweat & Tears, while the opening chords of "Everyday I Write the Book" recalls the white soul flavor of Hall & Oates' definitive Abandoned Luncheonette.
Mostly though, Costello's songs are deceptively simple and straight-forward rock tales from a sharp, if sometimes befuddled wit who observes in "Mouth Almighty": "This town belongs to you and your tricks of confidence / all the pavements for miles around are littered with your footprints / now every girl I get close to seems to be wearing your perfume / and the clock strikes the letters of your name both midnight and noon."
Essential Costello, once again.
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Clipping.
Page scan.
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