Stagelife, February 1978: Difference between revisions
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Like it or not, you'd better watch out 'cause talent will out — which is exactly why you're hearing so much about Elvis Costello these days. He's not a punk rocker and, no, he has nothing to do with the New Wave either. To paraphrase Henry Fonda in Young Mr. Lincoln, he's just plain Elvis Costello — a young man whose principle interest just happens to be subtle revenge and frustration. | Like it or not, you'd better watch out 'cause talent will out — which is exactly why you're hearing so much about Elvis Costello these days. He's not a punk rocker and, no, he has nothing to do with the New Wave either. To paraphrase Henry Fonda in Young Mr. Lincoln, he's just plain Elvis Costello — a young man whose principle interest just happens to be subtle revenge and frustration. | ||
First and foremost, E.C. is a writer with a mordant sense of humour and it's to his credit that he's managed to package his talents within such a commercially acceptable lyrical format as the songs on My Aim Is True demonstrate — without nary a sign of compromise on the part of the artist. | First and foremost, E.C. is a writer with a mordant sense of humour and it's to his credit that he's managed to package his talents within such a commercially acceptable lyrical format as the songs on ''My Aim Is True'' demonstrate — without nary a sign of compromise on the part of the artist. | ||
On "(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes" Elvis sings, ''"I said I'm so happy I could die. She said, 'Drop Dead' then left with another guy."'' Earlier, on "Watching The Detectives," he observes, ''"You snatch a tune and you match your cigarette... she pulls the eyes out with a face like a magnet... I don't know how much more of this I can take... She's filing her nails while they're dragging the lake...."'' Clearly, not since "Baby's On Fire" and "Driving Me backwards" have such | On "(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes" Elvis sings, ''"I said I'm so happy I could die. She said, 'Drop Dead' then left with another guy."'' Earlier, on "Watching The Detectives," he observes, ''"You snatch a tune and you match your cigarette... she pulls the eyes out with a face like a magnet... I don't know how much more of this I can take... She's filing her nails while they're dragging the lake...."'' Clearly, not since "Baby's On Fire" and "Driving Me backwards" have such ''Psycho''sentiments been vinyl inlaid. | ||
It's not all bizarro, though: "Mystery Dance," a one minute and thirty-five second metaphor for a first time sexual initiation out and out 1950 rocks with the same kind of urgency that punctuated his ''Saturday Night Live'' performances. | It's not all bizarro, though: "Mystery Dance," a one minute and thirty-five second metaphor for a first time sexual initiation out and out 1950 rocks with the same kind of urgency that punctuated his ''Saturday Night Live'' performances. | ||
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Elvis Costello, former computer programmer (figures) has, at 22, produced a debut album that, flawed as it is, cannot be ignored. Beneath the production of Nick Lowe there lies a seething dissatisfaction — almost hatred — of what Costello sees around him. Unlike many contemporary writers, however, Costello doesn't used his angst to alienate the listener but, rather, to form a common bond. | Elvis Costello, former computer programmer (figures) has, at 22, produced a debut album that, flawed as it is, cannot be ignored. Beneath the production of Nick Lowe there lies a seething dissatisfaction — almost hatred — of what Costello sees around him. Unlike many contemporary writers, however, Costello doesn't used his angst to alienate the listener but, rather, to form a common bond. | ||
If you don't believe me, look no further than My Aim Is True's first track, the emblematic "Welcome To The Working Week." Not only is it a superb introduction to the nine-to-five working class atmosphere of Costello's world, but it's an immense comfort to know that, at 6:45 on a Monday morning, there's a record one can put on and hear, ''"Welcome to the working week, I know it don't thrill you, I hope it don't kill you."'' | If you don't believe me, look no further than <i>My Aim Is True</i>'s first track, the emblematic "Welcome To The Working Week." Not only is it a superb introduction to the nine-to-five working class atmosphere of Costello's world, but it's an immense comfort to know that, at 6:45 on a Monday morning, there's a record one can put on and hear, ''"Welcome to the working week, I know it don't thrill you, I hope it don't kill you."'' | ||
Elvis has been there and back and this is his story. If you don't want to hear it, go screw off — Elvis doesn't need you anyway. However, if you're prepared to listen, you'll be rewarded — in all probability with a vision of yourself. | Elvis has been there and back and this is his story. If you don't want to hear it, go screw off — Elvis doesn't need you anyway. However, if you're prepared to listen, you'll be rewarded — in all probability with a vision of yourself. |
Revision as of 05:33, 26 August 2016
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