Rice University Thresher, November 13, 1981

From The Elvis Costello Wiki
Jump to navigationJump to search
... Bibliography ...
727677787980818283
848586878889909192
939495969798990001
020304050607080910
111213141516171819
202122232425 26 27 28


Rice University Thresher

Texas publications

Newspapers

University publications

Magazines and alt. weeklies


US publications by state
  • ALAKARAZCA
  • COCTDCDEFL
  • GAHI   IA      ID      IL
  • IN   KSKYLA   MA
  • MDME   MIMNMO
  • MSMTNC  ND  NE
  • NHNJNMNVNY
  • OHOKORPARI
  • SCSDTNTXUT
  • VAVTWAWIWY

-

Almost Blue

Elvis Costello

Bill Bonner

As you may have anticipated from reading your favorite rock magazine, Elvis Costello has recorded an album of country songs. While Costello shows respect for his sources in his execution of the material (as opposed to using it as a creatively lazy way of refusing to conform, as Joe Jackson did with swing music on Jumpin' Jive), is efforts are always musically successful.

The thing that is most noticeable when you listen to the album is the use of traditional Nashville styles of country music rather than those of the Austin-based outlaws, or of the California country-rock groups. The songs consist mainly of honky-tonk ballads like those by George Jones and Merle Haggard. The arrangement and production are also done in a traditional manner — the album was recorded in CBS's Nashville Studio 1 — with pedal steel guitar and echo spread liberally throughout the album.

The musicianship of both the Attractions and the studio players is competent. The weakest part of the album appears to be Costello's vocals; while earnest, his throaty voice is not well suited to this type of material. Admittedly, this effect may be unconsciously enhanced by hearing someone who has written such bitterly ironic songs doing material that shows such a great deal of vulnerability.

Costello probably enjoyed making this album very much, and several of the songs are relatively pleasant to listen to. However, this type of indulgence among artists who are supposed to represent the forefront of whatever progressive mentality remains in rock does not bode well, and the rock audience cannot reasonably be expected to subsidize it. One can only hope that Costello will soon return to challenging his listeners, and that the next Talking Heads album will not consist entirely of Cole Porter songs.

-

The Rice Thresher, November 13, 1981


Bill Bonner reviews Almost Blue.

Images

1981-11-13 Rice University Thresher page 08 clipping 01.jpg
Clipping.


Page scan.
1981-11-13 Rice University Thresher page 08.jpg

-



Back to top

External links