Orange County Register, September 25, 1998: Difference between revisions
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<center> Ben Wener </center> | <center> Ben Wener </center> | ||
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So now he's done 12 songs with the King of Cool. And perhaps not surprisingly, it's one of the best albums he's ever made — a wrenching, heartbreaking song cycle that introduces our lovesick hero doubting himself "In the Darkest Place," falling out with his girl (again and again and again) and discovering that "This House is Empty Now" before moving on to something greater. (Though, ironically, he and this new flame are "Such Unlikely Lovers" they dance to a Steely Dan groove, not a "Say a Little Prayer" return). | So now he's done 12 songs with the King of Cool. And perhaps not surprisingly, it's one of the best albums he's ever made — a wrenching, heartbreaking song cycle that introduces our lovesick hero doubting himself "In the Darkest Place," falling out with his girl (again and again and again) and discovering that "This House is Empty Now" before moving on to something greater. (Though, ironically, he and this new flame are "Such Unlikely Lovers" they dance to a Steely Dan groove, not a "Say a Little Prayer" return). | ||
It's all bittersweetness and hopeful bliss with a touch of hyper-reality: "I'm not saying there will be violins," he sings, "but don't be surprised when they appear." (And then they do.) | It's all bittersweetness and hopeful bliss with a touch of hyper-reality: ''"I'm not saying there will be violins,"'' he sings, ''"but don't be surprised when they appear."'' (And then they do.) | ||
But that's only the first half. The rest is merely brilliant, and four of the remaining six tunes are among the most anguished he has recorded in years. Costello's character begs ("if you can't be my lover, be my thief"), then gets sarcastic over his problems ("The Long Division"). | But that's only the first half. The rest is merely brilliant, and four of the remaining six tunes are among the most anguished he has recorded in years. Costello's character begs (''"if you can't be my lover, be my thief"''), then gets sarcastic over his problems ("The Long Division"). | ||
And then it gets truly melodramatic: The title track (with strings courtesy of Johnny Mandel) is sorrow worthy of Ol' Blue Eyes singing for only the lonely. "The Sweetest Punch" has some of the best zingers Costello has penned in ages. "What's Her Name Today?" is a male confession that reverberates with generations of dissatisfaction, and the previously released "God Give Me Strength," the most Bacharach-esque number amid an hour of them, is the sort of pain Costello used to call tears before bedtime. "I might as well wipe her from my memory," he decides. | And then it gets truly melodramatic: The title track (with strings courtesy of Johnny Mandel) is sorrow worthy of Ol' Blue Eyes singing for only the lonely. "The Sweetest Punch" has some of the best zingers Costello has penned in ages. "What's Her Name Today?" is a male confession that reverberates with generations of dissatisfaction, and the previously released "God Give Me Strength," the most Bacharach-esque number amid an hour of them, is the sort of pain Costello used to call tears before bedtime. ''"I might as well wipe her from my memory,"'' he decides. | ||
Sound heavy? Yeah, it is. It's also marvelously warm and lush, with Bacharach composing for and conducting a 24-piece pop orchestra in deliciously old-fashioned ways, while a trio of female backing vocalists adds soulfulness where Costello has none. | Sound heavy? Yeah, it is. It's also marvelously warm and lush, with Bacharach composing for and conducting a 24-piece pop orchestra in deliciously old-fashioned ways, while a trio of female backing vocalists adds soulfulness where Costello has none. | ||
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'''You might enjoy if you like: Costello & Bacharach's "God Give Me Strength," any of Bacharach's more melodramatic moments, old Dionne Warwick | '''You might enjoy if you like: Costello & Bacharach's "God Give Me Strength," any of Bacharach's more melodramatic moments, old Dionne Warwick. | ||
{{Bibliography notes header}} | {{Bibliography notes header}} | ||
{{Bibliography notes}} | {{Bibliography notes}} | ||
{{Bibliography next | |||
|prev = Orange County Register, December 6, 1996 | |||
|next = Orange County Register, October 22, 1998 | |||
}} | |||
'''Orange County Register, September 25, 1998 | '''Orange County Register, September 25, 1998 | ||
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Latest revision as of 21:17, 29 October 2021
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