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Punch The Clock
Elvis Costello & the Attractions
Carl Davila
Imperial Bedroom, Elvis Costello's 1982 offering, was a brilliant album. Shifting restlessly between pop charm and melancholy menace, the band sounded alive with new ideas.
So, what happened? Why does Punch the Clock sound so flat and out of gear?
Sure, some of the hooks are tasty enough. And Costello fans will enjoy most of side one. But here Costello, master of the pop song, retreats behind his formulas, drowning out emotions with cute riffs.
Even Steve Nieve's clever keyboards cannot mask the wooden arrangements, excessive horn play and general lack of freshness of Punch the Clock.
There are highlights. The song "Shipbuilding" is great and "Let Them All Talk" and "The Greatest Thing" are pretty good. But let's hope for a little more punch next time around.
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