New Musical Express, April 20, 2002

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NME

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When I Was Cruel

Elvis Costello

John Mulvey

Welcome return to rock 'n' roll
6 stars (out of 10) reviews6 stars (out of 10) reviews6 stars (out of 10) reviews6 stars (out of 10) reviews6 stars (out of 10) reviews6 stars (out of 10) reviews6 stars (out of 10) reviews6 stars (out of 10) reviews6 stars (out of 10) reviews6 stars (out of 10) reviews

Cantankerous rock stars are strongest when their music best reflects their characters. So it is with Costello. Through all his dalliances with opera, string quartets and Bacharach, Costello has obscured most of his bile with the trappings of high art. But as When I Was Cruel proves, he's much better at squeezing his considerable rants into the skinny format of rock 'n' roll.

It's no classic, but there are reassuringly unhealthy signs of life. The brilliant title track hooks up to a clanking rhythm loop and some discreet sampling without sounding like a tragic stab at fashion. "It was so much easier when I was cruel," he observes. Easier to like, for sure.

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New Musical Express, April 20, 2002


John Mulvey reviews When I Was Cruel.

Images

2002-04-20 New Musical Express clipping 01.jpg
Clipping.

Cover.
2002-04-20 New Musical Express cover.jpg

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