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So, Paul McCartney wrote songs for Elvis Costello's latest album. And Elvis Costello wrote songs for Paul McCartney's latest album.
How did that work? Read on.
Elvis Costello's Spike is a varied album — with some good and some bad.
It's up to the listener to figure it all out. That's usually the case with a Costello album.
The best cut is "Veronica," co-written by Costello and McCartney. That's no big surprise, but "Veronica" is just what you'd hope from such a partnership: an intelligent song with a great pop arrangement.
The other Elvis-Paul song, "Pads, Paws and Claws," is a good rockabilly tune — but doesn't quite get there,
Other good cuts:
"...This Town..." with Roger McGuinn on guitar and McCartney on bass, "Tramp the Dirt Down," "God's Comic" and "Baby Plays Around."
Some that don't work are:
"Chewing Gum" and "Satellite."
Oh well, you could do worse.
Paul McCartney's Flowers in the Dirt is one of his best albums in years — but it still makes you wish the Beatles were still together.
The latest album's first single "My Brave Face," co-written by Costello, grows on you. I didn't give it much hope at first, but I like it better and better every time I hear it.
It even sounds a bit like that band McCartney was in before he joined Wings.
Other good songs:
"This One," "We Got Married," "Rough Ride," "You Want Her Too" (a duet with Costello that is sort of a follow-up to "The Girl Is Mine" with Michael Jackson) and "Distractions."
Songs that don't quite work include: "Motor of Love," "How Many People" and "Don't Be Careless Love."
But, for my money, the best song on the whole album is "Put It There," a great, great, great song.
Paul is not dead.
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