Eau Claire Leader-Telegram, November 2, 1986

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Blood & Chocolate

Elvis Costello and the Attractions

Chris DuPre

This time, Declan Patrick MacManus returns to the scene of the crime, linking up after a long absence with Nick Lowe, who produced the first Costello albums, working with the Attractions and singing about the pain of modern romance.

Either Costello, or MacManus, or Napoleon Dynamite (as he calls himself in the liner notes) has a great memory, a vivid imagination or he gets his heart stomped on a whole lot. You can almost feel the bruises.

The album's sound, especially on the first side, explores new frontiers. "Uncomplicated," the opening tune, uses a deep, hazy buzz with thick guitars and organ washes for Costello's upfront vocals, which have never sounded more driven.

The centerpiece, "I Want You," is a dirgelike blow-by-blow account of a lover being confronted when her affair comes to light, and the intensity of the Beatles-influenced song is unsettling.

Elsewhere lie a not-unusual gang of Costello characters: Mr. Misery, "Poor Napoleon" and a "Battered Old Bird." About the only note of uplift — this is speaking very relatively — is "Next Time 'Round," about someone finally putting a failed romance to rest.

Costello has appeal, particularly for those who appreciate his songwriting skills, his use of language, and the way he makes pain real, and Blood & Chocolate plays to his strengths. But it would be a pity if, as it seems now, Costello's talent only reaches its greatest flowering when he vents his spleen.


Tags: Blood & ChocolateThe AttractionsNick LoweUncomplicatedI Want YouHome Is Anywhere You Hang Your HeadPoor NapoleonBattered Old BirdNext Time 'RoundThe BeatlesDeclan MacManusNapoleon Dynamite

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Leader-Telegram, November 2, 1986


Chris DuPre reviews Blood & Chocolate.

Images

1986-11-02 Eau Claire Leader-Telegram page 3H clipping composite.jpg
Clipping composite.

Page scan and clipping.
1986-11-02 Eau Claire Leader-Telegram page 3H.jpg 1986-11-02 Eau Claire Leader-Telegram page 3H clipping 01.jpg

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