Melody Maker, October 4, 1980: Difference between revisions
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With an awful bass sound, and a graduate with honour from the Dave Clark School of Drumming, Stray Cats tried too hard to generate excitement. They struck me as too derivative, pale imitators rather than innovators. | With an awful bass sound, and a graduate with honour from the Dave Clark School of Drumming, Stray Cats tried too hard to generate excitement. They struck me as too derivative, pale imitators rather than innovators. | ||
Two hundred thousand | Two hundred thousand quid for a deal? Stroll on! | ||
Costello stamped on in a red bomber jacket and baggy khaki trousers and went straight into "Shot With His Own Gun," accompanied only by Steve Naive's rippling piano, a strong, passionate new song and one that sounded like a worthy addition to his impressive roster. Then on came the rest of the Attractions and for the next 75 minutes and | Costello stamped on in a red bomber jacket and baggy khaki trousers and went straight into "Shot With His Own Gun," accompanied only by Steve Naive's rippling piano, a strong, passionate new song and one that sounded like a worthy addition to his impressive roster. Then on came the rest of the Attractions and for the next 75 minutes and 18 or so songs they never let up. | ||
It was obviously not going to be an excuse for Costello to revel in former glories and rest on his laurels. New songs vied for prominence amidst the old favourites. "Luxembourg" and "The Beat" got the place moving like a Glasgow hogmanay. A new song, "From A Whisper To A Scream" came complete with a riff at relentless as a headache, while Costello crouched on his knees and pounded through the song. | It was obviously not going to be an excuse for Costello to revel in former glories and rest on his laurels. New songs vied for prominence amidst the old favourites. "Luxembourg" and "The Beat" got the place moving like a Glasgow hogmanay. A new song, "From A Whisper To A Scream" came complete with a riff at relentless as a headache, while Costello crouched on his knees and pounded through the song. | ||
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The sound balance was pretty dreadful, the rhythm section all but drowning out the rest, and the vocals were virtually inaudible. But despite that, the Attractions were superlative, notably drummer Pete Thomas, who played with a verve which elevated the drummers role by sheer unerring ability. | The sound balance was pretty dreadful, the rhythm section all but drowning out the rest, and the vocals were virtually inaudible. But despite that, the Attractions were superlative, notably drummer Pete Thomas, who played with a verve which elevated the drummers role by sheer unerring ability. | ||
Potent and brooding, thriving on the energy both in front and behind him, Costello tore through new songs — "Lovers Walk," "You'll Never Be A Man" and "Clubland" — all intimidating in their intensity. Then there was the steady stream of old | Potent and brooding, thriving on the energy both in front and behind him, Costello tore through new songs — "Lovers Walk," "You'll Never Be A Man" and "Clubland" — all intimidating in their intensity. Then there was the steady stream of old favourites, all performed with a blistering earnestness only breaking the pace with a sensitive "Alison." | ||
"Temptation," "I Don't Want To Go To Chelsea," a spellbinding "Green Shirt," with Thomas' staccato | "Temptation," "I Don't Want To Go To Chelsea," a spellbinding "Green Shirt," with Thomas' staccato drum crashing out like machine guns, "Big Tears," the marvellous "Less Than Zero," "Watching The Detectives," "Accidents Will Happen," "You Belong To Me" were all brilliantly delivered. | ||
Two encores followed, hammering versions of "Oliver's Army" and "I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down" (a copy of which backed with "Girls Talk" on 2-Tone was dished out free at the door). A scorching "Pump It Up," with more searchlights than the Blitz brought the proceedings to a triumphant close. | Two encores followed, hammering versions of "Oliver's Army" and "I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down" (a copy of which backed with "Girls Talk" on 2-Tone was dished out free at the door). A scorching "Pump It Up," with more searchlights than the Blitz brought the proceedings to a triumphant close. |
Revision as of 07:30, 9 December 2020
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