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Elvis Costello is at it again, refusing to ape his past successes like other Eivises we could name. He's gone and recorded a new album as different from the others as the others were from every lukewarm disc which trounced them in the charts. I hope that Elvis finally gets his due this time around; God knows he deserves it.
Trust fades in and out like a documentary dissection of the semi-intelligent life of the denizens of Clubland, the metaphoric land of bars and bedrooms in which most of the fourteen songs take place. It's a world of social diseases and sudden cruelty, and the residents are by turns victims or victimizers. Elvis has no sympathy for them or their situation... or you: "Have you ever been had / in Clubland?" he asks mockingly in the first song.
It may not sound like a tempting concept, but Elvis and the Attractions give enough verve and appeal to their music to make it interesting. There isn't a dead track on the whole L.P. A quick listen to, say, "From a Whisper to a Scream" or "Luxembourg," will give you an idea of the excitement this album contains.
Costello loves contrast, and uses it for maximum effect here. A nifty piano part sets off the sardonic lyrics of "You'll Never Be A Man," a snide put down of somebody who will never be a man. (listen to the way Elvis sings "face full of tears and a chemical shake"; his rapier has never been sharper.) On the other hand, the cheerful ramble of "White Knuckles" lessens the horror of lyrics like "Didn't mean to hit her but she didn't quit laughin."
If I were trying to convince you to buy Trust, I would have to play some of the songs. All of the fourteen are superior, but some are catchier than most, and they are these:
— "Luxembourg," a kickass rocker which also puts down the old punks who find themselves echoed in the new punks. (Elvis excels himself with his descriptions: "Butter wouldn't melt on your clothes, you talk in a yawn... never listen to a thing you've heard...")
— "From A Whisper To A scream," Elvis' duet with Glenn Tilbrook. An interesting conversation, and a wonderful one: their joint "Hey!" at the end of the chorus is amazing.
— "Shot With His Own Gun," one of the oddest songs ever recorded. Three minutes twenty-nine of slow, sad piano, detailing a shattered relationship much like the one in "Accidents Will Happen' ' (from the Armed Forces L.P.). Very effective.
— Finally, "Big Sister's Clothes," in which Elvis mourns the innocence lost in vile Clubland. The music is muted, lyrics biting. A chilling guitar dissonance begins and closes the piece. Elvis drops the uncaring mask and sings with so much restrained emotion, it's frightening.
Trust is perfect. In these post-Lennon times, it's nice to see that someone still cares about perfection. Let's put Elvis Costello on the charts.
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