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The year is 1977, yours truly is mid-way through the first semester of my first year of college in beautiful Utica, New York. WOUR has a 96 cent concert at Four Acres in Marcy. After getting past the infamous Mr. C the place was packed. No one really knew what to expect. In those days there was no MTV, although CNY would be one of the first to get a dose. Hey, 96 cents at the door was a good deal, even in 1977, that was reason enough to go. This particular show stared a Buddy Holly look-a-like by the name of Elvis Costello. The show was anything but your standard ‘50s rock and by the end of the night all patrons were dancing on the tables. I went back to my dorm room that night and ripped down my Lynyrd Skynyrd poster ‘cause I knew that rock and roll would never be the same. Up until this point protest and anger were expressed in much calmer music. Neil Young had not yet cranked up his guitar full blast and Aerosmith was as good as it got for a metal band. Central New York would be a tad slow to catch on but in less then three years full blown punk would make its way upstate. Welcome To The Working Week pulses for the reality known as life. With a cynicism for the middle class this song has some great high hat beats and, as with all these tunes, some great lyrics. All these songs could be made at home today, but it would take a musical genius to give the songs the feeling on this album. Miracle Man, Sneaky Feelings, Pay It Back, and No Dancing sing of the dissatisfaction and complexities of love. Of note on this work to is Nick Lowe, another darling of period. I’M NOT ANGRY is a perfect prelude to what would give Costello his marvelous signature sarcasm. Most popular on here were Alison and (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes. These two songs alone are particularly cleaver and give us a glimpse into the makings of a great songwriter. Less Than Zero is a song for which Costello get little credit. Its catchy and wry but, caught on quick as a trendy cliché. Subsequent attempts at the songs sentiment never rang as true as the original. WATCHING THE DETECTIVES is a sardonic and subtle wink to film noir and the stylishness of the past. You have probably heard every song on the CD, which would explain why Rhino decided to give you a second CD of new songs to review for yourself. The extra disk on the 2002 re-issue give some new twists on old favorites and introduces adaptations you may know about. I leave you to make you own conclusions. Elvis Costello was one of the few artists of this time who has been able to come back over and over re-writing himself slightly each time. This first album was an introduction to a great talent, followed immediately by This Year's Model, which gave us even more hardcore Elvis. Costello’s glasses alone started a fashion trend that would last for years to come. Its no wonder that he would later work with other great lyricists to hone his craft. Those two early works give an incredible glimpse into an era. Wittier than pure punk, far less angry, yet keeping to the hard edges was what has kept this a classic work. . You can check out the older, wiser, and more sophisticated Elvis at his official site. |
Regressive Music Review