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A few months ago, those present at the National Stadium witnessed the startling new phase in the development of the career of one Elvis Costello, in particular the addition to his sound of a vibrant horn section.
There are those few who are still blissfully ignorant of the talents of Costello as a songwriter and performer. In fact, he is the most creative and relevant songwriter in production at the present moment.
Thus, we fortunates who saw Costello in Dublin were granted a sneak preview of the man's latest blockbuster Punch the Clock (F-Beat). Not since the extraordinary potency of Get Happy has Costello been in such exuberant form.
Punch the Clock with the addition of the fabulous TKO Horns is a marvellous tonic following the more sombre message of last year's Imperial Bedroom set.
At times exhilarating, charming and inspiring, the new album, auspiciously produced by the team of Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley, sees Costello in an unusually generous and forgiving frame of mind. His attack on the most repugnant aspects of modern society have an almost cheerful element in them.
The TKO Horns add a lot of life and colour to the sound, but the Attractions are not to be outdone, with sterling performances from Steve Nieve on keyboards, Bruce Thomas on bass and Pete Thomas on drums.
All 13 trucks are superbly woven together, with Costello's voice moving almost effortlessly from one to another in direct sympathy. There are too many outstanding tracks to mention, but particularly memorable are "Let Them All Talk," "Everyday I Write The Book," "Charm School" and "The World And His Wife."
Punch the Clock is presently heading towards the top of the charts in Britain, and no wonder, for it leaves most of the other new releases floundering pitifully in its wake. I recommend it unreservedly.
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