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Costello still sounds good for new generation
Louise Whall
Elvis Costello
Brutal Youth
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Brutal Youth welcomes a new generation to Elvis Costello and the Attractions, one of the premiere English pop punk bands of the late '70s and early '80s.
Hearing "13 Steps Lead Down" for the first time on the Planet, it was hard to tell whether this was the long-awaited new stuff with the Attractions or an oldie that you couldn't quite place. It's still that good 15 years later.
Brutal Youth evokes Imperial Bedroom more than most anything later like Spike or especially Mighty Like a Rose. Lyrically, it's perhaps denser than ever, while drawing on longtime Elvis themes of soured love and social rage. And in a bit of defiance that shouldn't surprise — no lyrics in the CD notes. But his dichotomy still resonates Elvis' pure. Wild Turkey-smooth voice backed with sparse "old wave" pop singing "This Is Hell" or "Sulky Girl."
So, OK, it's great that Elvis sought out deeper enrichment with his forays in different bands and with the Brodsky Quartet's complicated Juliet Letters. He rarely felt stale as an artist even when it wasn't a fare rave. His latest, though, is a must-hear for anyone who remembers what first made them think of Costello when someone mentioned Elvis. And for anyone else interested in new quality artistry that harkens back to its '70s roots. It wasn't just about the Brady Bunch.
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Clipping.
Page scan.
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