Atlanta Journal-Constitution, July 17, 1982: Difference between revisions
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British New Wave rock king Elvis Costello may not have enjoyed a tremendous amount of commercial success last fall with his album of Nashville country standards, but that sabbatical from rock seems to have had a lasting impact on him as a performer. | British New Wave rock king Elvis Costello may not have enjoyed a tremendous amount of commercial success last fall with his album of Nashville country standards, but that sabbatical from rock seems to have had a lasting impact on him as a performer. | ||
As a result, Costello and his band The Attractions have come up with their most musically appealing album | As a result, Costello and his band The Attractions have come up with their most musically appealing album in the new release ''Imperial Bedroom'' (Columbia FC 38157). | ||
Where before Costello charged through songs at a breakneck pace that left the lyrics often unintelligible and the New Wave rock arrangements sounding monotonously similar, the 15 tunes on the new album benefit from a more varied and reflective approach. | Where before Costello charged through songs at a breakneck pace that left the lyrics often unintelligible and the New Wave rock arrangements sounding monotonously similar, the 15 tunes on the new album benefit from a more varied and reflective approach. | ||
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His cynicism has been tempered slightly by a more pronounced romanticism (perhaps part of the country influence), but his clever and incisive wordplay remains intact. My favorite line, from the song "Town Cryer," has the put-upon singer declaring ''"I'm a little down with a lifetime to go."'' | His cynicism has been tempered slightly by a more pronounced romanticism (perhaps part of the country influence), but his clever and incisive wordplay remains intact. My favorite line, from the song "Town Cryer," has the put-upon singer declaring ''"I'm a little down with a lifetime to go."'' | ||
Costello has matured as a songwriter in another respect, too. His melodies are more consistent and more consistently appealing. They're also a far cry from what you might expect a New Wave rocker to turn out. "Almost Blue" (not | Costello has matured as a songwriter in another respect, too. His melodies are more consistent and more consistently appealing. They're also a far cry from what you might expect a New Wave rocker to turn out. "Almost Blue" (not included on the album of the same name) is a straightforward torch song reminiscent of the kind of ballads popular in the '30s and '40s, "...And In Every Home" comes off as a British Music Hall number complete with a very Beatlesque orchestral backing and "The Long Honeymoon" brings to mind a continental movie theme with its Parisian-flavored accordion backing. | ||
Still, the best song on the album — the moderate rocker "Shabby Doll" — comes closer to Costello's typically tough sound. His braying lead vocal is backed by ominous-sounding bass and guitar and a staccato piano riff that adds an almost oriental touch. | Still, the best song on the album — the moderate rocker "Shabby Doll" — comes closer to Costello's typically tough sound. His braying lead vocal is backed by ominous-sounding bass and guitar and a staccato piano riff that adds an almost oriental touch. |
Revision as of 07:48, 16 April 2018
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