Costello's unmistakeable voice is at the heart of the album, with his lyrics as cutting as you might expect. Kinder Murder is as dark as songs get, and Clown Strike has the caustic wit Costello became known for. The guitar sound is sharp on the whole, and it is on the faster tracks that the album really comes to life. Pony St kicks things off remarkably well, more a gallop than a trot with a real sense of raucous energy, and Just About Glad has an almost singalong air to it. Sulky Girl is the pick for me though, with a classic ramshackle Costello air, and a slightly obscure narrative that is as peculiar as it is engaging.
There are weak points, with London's Brilliant Parade a slightly ponderous navel-gazing excuse to list areas of the capital, and 20% Amnesia trying a bit too hard to sound like it's just been thrown together. However, even these disappointments are at least trying to add a real sense of variety, and it is hard to criticise that too much.
The album did reach number 2 in the UK charts, so it shows how Costello still had a real fanbase in the mid-90s. There is a togetherness with the band which is to be expected, given the number of albums they'd worked on together, even after their fairly lengthy hiatus as a group. This was certainly a triumphant return, and I've found enough in it to enjoy repeated listens, and hope to do so in the future.
Chloe's album rating: 7
Chloe's favourite track: 7. Still Too Soon To Know
Olly's album rating: 7
Olly's favourite track: 9. Sulky Girl
Next week we have 841. Dig Me Out by Sleater Kinney.
No comments:
Post a Comment