Maclean's, August 6, 1984

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Genius in transition

Elvis Costello and The Attractions / Goodbye Cruel World

Nicholas Jennings

Elvis Costello is an artist in transition. Last year on his acclaimed album, Punch the Clock, the once unruly new wave musician moved confidently into the melodic side of pop music. Then, on his recent solo U.S. tour he displayed a growing fondness for crooning piano-style ballads. Goodbye Cruel World, his 10th album in seven years, is a charming but uneven collection which shows that Costello is still wondering which way to jump. Never has Costello sounded so comfortable with his own voice as on the romantic ballad "I Wanna Be Loved," which he sings convincingly "I guess I'm a victim of loneliness / But why should this be my destiny?" "Peace In Our Time" expresses his political passion with irony: a stately waltz lulls the listener into a disturbing history lesson about hypocritical governments professing to want peace. But most of Costello's messages are more cryptic, and the music at times seems too dense. While becoming increasingly at ease with eclectic musical styles, Costello remains an unsettled genius.


Tags: Goodbye Cruel WorldThe AttractionsPunch The ClockI Wanna Be LovedPeace In Our Time1984 US Solo Tour

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Maclean's, August 6, 1984


Nicholas Jennings reviews Goodbye Cruel World.

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1984-08-06 Macleans page 47 clipping 01.jpg
Clipping.

Page scan.
1984-08-06 Macleans page 47.jpg

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