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Brutal Youth
Elvis Costello
Paul Robicheau
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Elvis Costello ably returns to old strengths after a mixed outing with the classical Brodsky Quartet. He's backed by his original band the Attractions — with Nick Lowe playing some bass. Lowe's earthy riffs punch up "My Science Fiction Twin" and "Pony St.," which revives Costello's vintage sound, down to drummer Pete Thomas' rim-shot rolls. Perhaps Lowe, who produced Costello's raging late '70s classics, should have done that here as well, to spell the murky Mitchell Froom. But Costello's melodic sense bursts through, and his literary wit shines in the light-headed "This is Hell" and visually detailed "London's Brilliant Parade." His voice is rough around the edges in the Beatle-esque romp "20% Amnesia" (with a veiled jab at President Reagan), and his crooning a tad awkward in "Still Too Soon To Know." But "Sulky Girl" flows, and "All the Rage" snags the hummable hook "Say goodbye. Baby, can't you act your age?" In Costello's case, youth hasn't disappeared along with his rage.
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