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Considering his attacks upon greed and status-seeking in his songs, it seems Insulting to suggest that Elvis Costello thirsts after the American hit record that has thus far eluded him. Yet Trust reflects such a desire.
With a string of brilliant albums to his credit, Costello has set the highest standards in rock songwriting and performing. Some viewed him as just another bileful New Waver when he first appeared, but it's become clear that he's actually a staunch musical traditionalist, drawing upon influences as diverse as Sixties psychedelia and
Hank Williams barroom balladry to create his sound. In tandem with the versatile, flashy Attractions, he's released records of unusual wit, ingenuity and emotional punch.
Trust doesn't indicate that Costello has lost his touch. But for the moment, he isn't growing or progressing. Its chief flaw is that much of what it contains has been done before, and generally better, on his earlier LPs.
Costello's lyrical preoccupations are the same as ever — sexual paranoia, shallow trendiness and the spectre of government control. His special brand of militant alienation lacks its usual bite, however — "Lovers Walk," "Pretty Words" and "New Lace Sleeves" rely too heavily on his now-familiar songwriting formulas. At times, his verbal tricks (puns, strange juxtapositions) are enough to carry him through a lyric, but too often the ideas play out.
His country entry for this album, "Different Finger," fails to offer anything different from his past compositions in this vein, Trust's showcased number, "From a Whisper to a Scream," is indicative of the LP's shortcomings. Though Costello and co-vocalist Glenn Tilbrook labor mightily, they can't elevate this song above the mediocre.
Those are the notable duds — there are also some successes here. "White Knuckles" boasts a galloping arrangement and frantic singing in the manner
of EC's "Oliver's Army." "Strict Time," an amusing look at prudery, bounces to a zesty Latin tempo. And "Shot With His Own Gun" is one of Costello's best ballads to date, touching in its portrait of a desensitized gigolo.
Still, the overall impression Trust leaves is less than satisfyingly. For the moment, Costello is treading water artistically, even if this LP may be his commercial breakthrough.
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