Rockland Journal-News, February 20, 1981: Difference between revisions
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On the face of it the 1978 ''Armed Forces'' Tour had more firepower. Costello himself was leaner and the music had more bite. With ''Get Happy'' and ''Trust'', Costello's anger has become less obvious, the music less terrifying. Elvis can still rock out savagely, as he did on "Radio, Radio," "Big Tears" and "What's So Funny About Pence, Love and Understanding," but while built earlier shows to a definite frenzy, this time around he kept putting the audience back in their seats with new and unfamiliar tunes. Those who went solely to dance were disappointed. Costello wanted everyone to listen. | On the face of it the 1978 ''Armed Forces'' Tour had more firepower. Costello himself was leaner and the music had more bite. With ''Get Happy'' and ''Trust'', Costello's anger has become less obvious, the music less terrifying. Elvis can still rock out savagely, as he did on "Radio, Radio," "Big Tears" and "What's So Funny About Pence, Love and Understanding," but while built earlier shows to a definite frenzy, this time around he kept putting the audience back in their seats with new and unfamiliar tunes. Those who went solely to dance were disappointed. Costello wanted everyone to listen. | ||
The Attractions have never gotten enough press. Steve Nieve's unbeatable on keyboards. Reaching from classical through carnival, Nieve keeps the audience appropriately off-balance on everything but the simpler rockers. On bass and drums, Pete and Bruce Thomas maintain the control so central to Costello's music without forgetting it's rock 'n' roll after all. Like Nieve, each also has his bag of intriguing fills. Martin Belmont, a guitarist borrowed from the Rumour filled out several times admirably. Costello himself soloed once at the Palladium and stretched out thrice at the Capitol, but generally restricted himself to a rhythm function. His vocals remain the focus. Like his lyrics, Costello's singing has increased in range dynamics He still puts out as much as ever. | The Attractions have never gotten enough press. Steve Nieve's unbeatable on keyboards. Reaching from classical through carnival, Nieve keeps the audience appropriately off-balance on everything but the simpler rockers. On bass and drums, Pete and Bruce Thomas maintain the control so central to Costello's music without forgetting it's rock 'n' roll after all. Like Nieve, each also has his bag of intriguing fills. Martin Belmont, a guitarist borrowed from the Rumour filled out several times admirably. Costello himself soloed once at the Palladium and stretched out thrice at the Capitol, but generally restricted himself to a rhythm function. His vocals remain the focus. Like his lyrics, Costello's singing has increased in range dynamics. He still puts out as much as ever. | ||
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Revision as of 02:50, 29 April 2018
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