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As a responsible reviewer (which I undoubtedly am...) you the dear reader had better know my views on Elvis Costello from the very outset. It seems that most people love him or hate him — I love him. I think he is probably the most talented artist to emerge in the last ten years; he has an excellent and distinctive voice, a classy backing band (the Attractions featuring keyboards, bass and drums) and is hideously underrated. Due possibly to lack of Radio 1 airtime, his last three singles have flopped and, although the critics love him, commercially Trust is a crucial album for him and the lads.
So Trust arrives and yours truly is aware that he is in great danger of gushing his way through two or three pages of slush. After hearing the album several times I can say that it is excellent, but what follows is an attempt at an objective and rational review.
"Clubland" is the opening track and the last (and already flopped) single. Built on a syncopated rhythm and featuring some superb sleazy "Casablanca-ish" choppy piano runs, it is catchy and well-crafted. Immediately the listener is aware that Elvis' voice is stronger than ever before (whoever says he can't sing after listening to this album should be forced to listen to Rod Stewart) and that the production from Nick Lowe is crisp, clear and immaculately clean.
"Lovers Walk" follows and like two other tracks, "Luxembourg" and "Fish 'n' Chip Paper," it is fast, rhythmic and thunderous and seems to take more than a passing resemblance to Adam and the Ants. In the cases of "Lovers Walk" and "Luxembourg" in particular, the mix is so overpowering that the needle melts and not a word that Elvis sings can be deciphered — a rare moment indeed.
"You'll Never Be a Man" demonstrates how important lyrics are on any Elvis offering. He has the ability to be so cutting, so sarcastic and at the same time loading his verses with ticklish puns. This track has one of the weakest tunes on the album but survives by its image-ridden lyrics such as "Are you so superior / Are you in such pain / Are you made out of porcelain...?"
Along with "Clubland," "Pretty Words" and "Strict Time" are the highlights of the first side (there are seven songs on each side!). "Pretty Words" cruises along on a walking bassline through such lines as "Surprise, surprise / More like a booby trap than a booby prize." The chorus sounds like it is sung in an enormous aircraft hanger with such great passion that it grabs the listener by the heart. He manages to sound so angry and disgusted by insincerity — a theme that crops up more than once. "Strict Time" is primarily tuneful and short, repetitive and instantly memorable with the Attractions murmuring "strict time" in the background(!)
"Watch Your Step," side one's closer, is traditional sinister Elvis and sounds as though he's almost creeping out of the record player to warn us all of violence and drunken mis-used authority. The needle lifts at half time and your reviewer, sweating and shaking, turns the record over, lights another cigarette and continues.
This is where I'm liable to get out of control. Side two contains three tracks as good or better than anything Elvis has ever written including the first track "New Lace Sleeves," "Shot With His Own Gun" and "Big Sister's Clothes." "New Lace Sleeves" in particular has your ever-loving reviewer rolling on the floor in ecstasy.
Melody Maker compared his singing here with Frank Sinatra! The tune is exquisite, and the backing is beautiful. "Shot With His Own Gun" is Elvis like you've never heard him before. He almost croons, backed by a powerful grand piano arrangement that lends the song an air of great majesty. God knows what it is about but it is superbly executed and shows the great variety of Costello's talents (smarm smarm). Apparently, it's comparable to Schubert Lieder.
"Big Sister's Clothes" is the last track on the album and is replete with dark, weird sound effects and some superb punchlines: "She's got eyes like saucers / Oh you'd think she's a dish..." / "It's easier to say 'I love you' than 'yours sincerely' I suppose / All little sisters like to try on big sister's clothes." The beat is danceable, the words frightening and all that Elvis is good at comes together for this two-minute epic.
Two other tracks deserve a mention: "From A Whisper To A Scream " is a great little mover, would be a good choice for a single and features Glenn Tilbrook of Squeeze almost outshining Elvis in the vocal department. Finally, "Different Finger" is Elvis goes country! It is noticeable in that it demonstrates the variety of styles he is capable of, now more than ever before. On "Different Finger" you can almost imagine Dolly Parton shaking her booties in harmony with the Big E!
Trust is an accessible, clever and important album from an artist who is still getting better, still learning and still experimenting with new ideas. I love it. Now all that is to be seen is whether anyone else agrees with me.
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