Melody Maker, April 14, 1984

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Melody Maker

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Imposter returns


Melody Maker

The last time Elvis Costello negotiated the MM switchboard, it was to let us know that he was on his way around to Berkshire House to personally deliver the test pressing of a song called "Pills And Soap" that he was rush-releasing under the pseudonym of The Imposter.

Almost a year later, Elvis was back on the line to the Maker. Last Thursday, he called to tell us that he was releasing a new Imposter single, "Peace In Our Time," a song he had premiered at his Hammersmith Odeon shows last December. We couldn't expect a personal call on this occasion, he teasingly apologised: that afternoon he was due to shoot a new video and finalise the details of his forthcoming solo tour of America.

"Anyway," he continued, "I don't think this time I have to explain the politics of the song, it speaks for itself really. It's just a song that I wanted out right now for reasons I think will be obvious when you hear it."

Produced by the Clanger/Winstanley team who were also responsible for Punch The Clock and due in the shops by Monday, April 15, "Peace In Our Time" continues the kind of political commentary that's always been apparent in Costello's writing, but which found its most explicit expression with "Shipbuilding" and "Pills And Soap." Originally performed as a solo number, this recorded version sets Elvis' yearning, resonant vocal against acoustic guitar. Steve Nieve's muted keyboards and a discreetly poignant brass arrangement.

Written in a style that purposefully recalls the manner of classic Sixties' protest songs, "Peace In Our Time" is full of biting, sardonic humour, cutting irony and heartfelt sentiment. Opening with a brilliant evocation of the 1938 Munich Agreement, it subsequently takes in the aftermath of the Falklands' fiasco, the invasion of Grenada, the wider threat of nuclear war ("...there's a light over the sea burning brighter than the sun / and a man sits alone in a bar and says, 'Oh, God, what have we done...'"), and the current build-up to the American presidential campaign ("...there's already one spaceman in the White House / what do you want another one for?"). The language is as direct as the melody, the chorus simply affecting: "...the bells take their toll once again in a victory chime", Costello sings, with a savage restraint, "and we can thank God that we've finally got peace in our time."

The B-side of "Peace In Our Time" is a solo acoustic version of Richard Thompson's bleak lament, "Withered And Died," which originally appeared on Richard and Linda Thompson's classic 1973 LP, I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight. It was produced by Costello and Colin Fairley, who co-produced "Pills And Soap." The single will appear on the Imposter label.

Meanwhile, Costello was due to fly to America on Monday (April 9) for a three week solo tour. "I still don't know what I'll be playing," he said "It's all a bit nerve-wracking really. I don't have anybody to ask, you know, but at least there'll be no arguments over what should be in the set. It'll be a change, anyway, and a challenge, which is the whole point of doing it."

After his solo tour, Costello meets up with the Attractions for tours of New Zealand and Australia, with as yet unconfirmed plans for British dates in the autumn.


Tags: Peace In Our TimeTen Bloody Marys & Ten How's Your FathersPills And SoapThe ImposterHammersmith Odeon1984 US Solo TourClanger/WinstanleyPunch The ClockShipbuildingPills And SoapSteve NieveRichard ThompsonWithered And DiedColin FairleyThe Attractions1984 Australia-New Zealand TourTaking LibertiesClean MoneyNo ActionRadio SweetheartThe BandBig TearsBlonde On BlondeMick JonesCrawling To The USADr. Luther's AssistantJust A MemoryMotel MatchesTiny StepsGetting Mighty CrowdedBlack And White WorldGhost TrainHoover FactoryMy Funny ValentineRadio, RadioWatching The DetectivesStranger In The House




1984-04-14 Melody Maker photo 01 ac.jpg1984-04-14 Melody Maker photo 02 er.jpg
Photos by Anton Corbijn and Ebet Roberts.

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Melody Maker, April 14, 1984


Melody Maker reports on the release of "Peace In Our Time."


Adam Sweeting reviews Ten Bloody Marys & Ten How's Your Fathers.

Images

1984-04-14 Melody Maker page 03 clipping.jpg1984-04-14 Melody Maker page 28 clipping.jpg
Photos by Anton Corbijn and Ebet Roberts.


His master's voice


Adam Sweeting

Elvis Costello
Ten Bloody Marys & Ten How's Your Fathers

Costello buffs will undoubtedly be familiar with this generously-stuffed collection of His Master's Voices from its previous existence on cassette. On the other hand, they may also have taken steps to annexe an America-only compilation called Taking Liberties, which is very similar to Ten Bloody etc.

Behind the rather long title you will find no less than 20 Elvis tracks previously unavailable on any of his UK album releases (crumbs, have to watch how you word these things). Some of it's filler, but a great deal of it is indispensable if you want to be a serious Costellobore.

Kicking off with the clenched hysteria of "Clean Money," which serves the same sort of function as "There's No Action" once did, Ten etc might well be termed Costello's Basement Tapes, all blueprints and tantalizing fragments. Indeed, the tuneful countryish lilt and curling pedal steel guitar of "Radio Sweetheart" could easily be a sly nod at The Band's "Katie's Been Gone." "Big Tears," meanwhile, is one of those grand-scale semi-ballads built on massively weighty chords and wheezing Blonde On Blonde organ. Mick Jones on lead guitar too, apparently, though someone has taken care to keep him well hidden.

If it might be said that Elvis could knock out stuff like "Crawling To The USA" or "Dr. Luther's Assistant" in a light doze, only a chimp could argue about the high quality of "Just A Memory" (gospel piano, wracked voice, shades of "Motel Matches"), or the modulating glories of "Tiny Steps." And "Getting Mighty Crowded," which stands proudly at the portals of Side Two, packs enough gritty R&B muscle to show any troublemakers the door.

Also on offer are a bunch of songs which feature Elvis at play in the studio, solo but multi-tracked. There's a version of "Black And White World" featuring rubber-band bass and curiously wobbly slide guitar, and "Ghost Train" uses the same sort of claustrophobic clutter to eerie effect. "Hoover Factory" is a left field tribute to the building of the same name, while El's sinister treatment of "My Funny Valentine" suggests the Boston Strangler after crooning lessons.

Plenty more, not least "Radio, Radio," "Watching The Detectives" and Costello's C&W prototype "Stranger In The House." Altogether, one of Costello's best albums, whether by accident or design. Fetch!


1984-04-14 Melody Maker cover.jpg
Cover.

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