Oberlin Review, May 28, 1993: Difference between revisions
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Wendy James, the former lead singer of Transvision Vamp, was having trouble recording her solo album, so she wrote a letter to Elvis Costello asking for advice on what to do. The mighty one responded by sending her a tape of songs he had rejected for his own efforts. She promptly recorded all of them. The result is a wildly uneven, but often fascinating record, by a singer whose talents may never reach full maturity. | Wendy James, the former lead singer of Transvision Vamp, was having trouble recording her solo album, so she wrote a letter to Elvis Costello asking for advice on what to do. The mighty one responded by sending her a tape of songs he had rejected for his own efforts. She promptly recorded all of them. The result is a wildly uneven, but often fascinating record, by a singer whose talents may never reach full maturity. | ||
Of course as one should expect from Costello-penned album, lyrical genius abounds. While it's not quite the same without his patented sneer, lines like ''"She danced like an ambulance / Talked like a cartoon mouse / She took off her clothes and it brought down the house,"'' bear that caustic Costello stamp. | Of course as one should expect from a Costello-penned album, lyrical genius abounds. While it's not quite the same without his patented sneer, lines like ''"She danced like an ambulance / Talked like a cartoon mouse / She took off her clothes and it brought down the house,"'' bear that caustic Costello stamp. | ||
James' vocal technique is interesting, but not always pleasant. She is capable of some grand vocal florishes and some wonderful nastiness on songs like "We Despise You." Often, though, she sounds like a little girl lost in a grownup's world. At times she adds to the material; other times she seems to treat complex themes superficially. | James' vocal technique is interesting, but not always pleasant. She is capable of some grand vocal florishes and some wonderful nastiness on songs like "We Despise You." Often, though, she sounds like a little girl lost in a grownup's world. At times she adds to the material; other times she seems to treat complex themes superficially. |
Latest revision as of 08:52, 26 December 2018
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