Melody Maker, October 21, 1989: Difference between revisions
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Just another Costello compilation? I should coco. At first glance, this might look like an extravagant exercise in gaining more mileage out of the crafty bugger's extensive back catalogue. The preposterously titled ''Girls + £ + Girls = $ & Girls'' comes in three formats. Forty seven songs on the CD, 51 on the cassette, 31 on the record — 65 different songs in total. | Just another Costello compilation? I should coco. At first glance, this might look like an extravagant exercise in gaining more mileage out of the crafty bugger's extensive back catalogue. The preposterously titled ''Girls + £ + Girls = $ & Girls'' comes in three formats. Forty seven songs on the CD, 51 on the cassette, 31 on the record — 65 different songs in total. | ||
But that's not all. As Costello points out in the accompanying notes, these songs have been arranged in four parts so as to try and tell a number of different stories. He leaves the listener to make what they will of each section. "The deciding factor in making these choices," he writes, "is contained in the obscure arithmetic of the title, although I must caution against taking it too seriously, unless you are considering a career in the legal profession." | But that's not all. As Costello points out in the accompanying [[Girls Girls Girls (1989) liner notes|notes]], these songs have been arranged in four parts so as to try and tell a number of different stories. He leaves the listener to make what they will of each section. "The deciding factor in making these choices," he writes, "is contained in the obscure arithmetic of the title, although I must caution against taking it too seriously, unless you are considering a career in the legal profession." | ||
Confused? You will be. Everyone's first question should be, "Is the old rascal taking the piss?" This, of course, is highly possible. Costello has, over the years, been evasive and even openly hostile to the critical dissection of his work and the bluff generalizing that goes with it. On the connections within his sprawling song tapestry, Costello has remained cagey. Wisdom teeth have been more easily drawn. Those intrepid music hacks who have attempted to pothole through his huge body of work have emerged looking pretty damn foolish. David Gouldstone's recent inept study of Elvis's lyrics (''Costello: A Man Out Of Time''), should serve as a deterrent to any foolhardy archaeologist. | Confused? You will be. Everyone's first question should be, "Is the old rascal taking the piss?" This, of course, is highly possible. Costello has, over the years, been evasive and even openly hostile to the critical dissection of his work and the bluff generalizing that goes with it. On the connections within his sprawling song tapestry, Costello has remained cagey. Wisdom teeth have been more easily drawn. Those intrepid music hacks who have attempted to pothole through his huge body of work have emerged looking pretty damn foolish. David Gouldstone's recent inept study of Elvis's lyrics (''Costello: A Man Out Of Time''), should serve as a deterrent to any foolhardy archaeologist. |
Revision as of 22:58, 29 October 2017
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