SUNY Oswego Oswegonian, September 23, 1982

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Imperial Bedroom

Elvis Costello & The Attractions

Scott Widom

Elvis Costello has cranked out albums at a runner's pace ever since he crashed the music scene back in 1977 with My Aim is True.

Less than a year later Elvis added three talented musicians: Steve Nieve, Pete Thomas, and Bruce Thomas. who he called The Attractions. Thus, Elvis Costello and the Attractions were born.

After Costello's twenty track album. Get Happy!, he expanded through different musical genres. While on tour with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, he released a country album, Almost Blue, with Squeeze and long time friend Nick Lowe.

All these factors have been used in the creation of yet another success, Imperial Bedroom.

Imperial Bedroom starts off with "Beyond Belief." The lyrics are strong, and his voice is overpowering. Drummer Pete Thomas shows a lot of rhythm as he pounds out the beat on the skins. Keyboard specialist Steve Nieve is at top form in this song, as well as everyone that follows.

In "Shabby Doll" Elvis combines with the hacking vocal genius of the Attractions, creating a high energy pop sound.

"The Lone Honeymoon" puts you right at center stage in The Caesar's Palace ballroom. Thomas's melodic heat makes us think we are listening to Elvis doing a night club number. This feeling returns with "Almost Blue," also on side one.

"Man out of Time," the single from the album, can he labeled as the best track on this album. The Attractions accent their own specialties, building a "Wall of sound" effect reminiscent of early Phil Spector.

Costello just couldn't leave it alone. On "...and in Every Home," the last track, they combine the intelligence of Elvis lyric's and the Attractions musical ability, along with the imaginative orchestrations of Steve Nieve.

"The Loved One's" kicks off side two with an up tempo melodic piece, which features saucy keyboards by Nieve and harmonic back up vocals by the Attractions. On the third cut, "Kid About it," the band's country music influence comes across.

What's Next? "Boy with a Problem" the only song not written by Costello was penned by Squeeze's rhythm guitarist Chris Difford. This music is comparable to Squeeze's "Good Bye Girl."

"Pidgin English," an ingenious song orchestrated by Nieve, also contains a guitar solo by Costello. The hacking harmonies once again stand out.

The ending song "Town Cryer" features horns, strings, and keyboards all mixed together while creating an ear pleasing blend.

Costello's eight albums in the past five years has shown that he has asserted himself as one of music's most prolific writer's and vocalists. This album has shown the maturity of Costello, and the ability to combine his past experiences which makes Imperial Bedroom his best album to date.

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The Oswegonian, September 23, 1982


Scott Widom reviews Imperial Bedroom.

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1982-09-23 SUNY Oswego Oswegonian page 07 clipping 01.jpg
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1982-09-23 SUNY Oswego Oswegonian page 07.jpg
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