Declan McManus was best known to his new wave following as that inventive, romantic and somewhat controversial songwriter who went under the name of Elvis Costello. When embarking on the adventure of analysis of one of his many albums, one must first have to assess which one of his vast album contribution to the British music industry is the best.
Perhaps one of the most inspiring and creative of his career was the 1981 release of the album Trust. On and off with The Attractions throughout his early years, this album didnt cut the same grade as his previous three albums (two with the band, and one solo) which all swiped the top ten on the backside with a surprise smack. Even though this album will forever ride on the successful wave of Armed Forces (January 1979), Get Happy, (February 1980) and This Years Model (March 1978) it will still be remembered for being a vast improvement to his debut album My Aim Is True (July 1977) which, although it featured single atte mpts, Alison and Mystery Dance, it wasnt enough to convince the general buying public that this bespectacled, geeky, ex computer operator was to be the next best thing to the first Elvis.
Trust, as one would expect contains a surprise at every turn. From the middle of the road, poetic Club land, to the dance hall, sweatiness of Luxemburg and Lovers Walk, this album not only denotes a certain point in culture history but a turning point in the art of appreciating the new wave sound. Arguably, the King of new wave, one would also consider the title of inventor. This young man with a lot to say about love, love lost, unemployment and social change under the then Thatcher government, managed to entrance all walks of life into his fanatic clutches. Mums devoted themselves as second generation new wavies when, in this album, the thoughtful, pensive side of Costello melts into the ears of any middle aged mother through certain tracks as Watch Your Step, and Youll Never Be A Man. Her teenage sons will be pounding up and down on the bedroom floor in drainpipes and tank tops to the thundering beats of From A Whisper To A Scream, which, incidentally is the only single released from the album, but even more surprising, it failed to even break into the charts. It is in this track that you will notice the unmistakeable, high, croaky voice of the lead man, Glenn Tilbrook, from Squeeze. It was Squeezes 1981 album, East Side Story, that Costello co produced.
The whole concept of Trust, seemed, however to be somewhat experimental compared to albums to that date. The sullen, piano based Shot With His Own Gun, shows that Costello had certainly perfected the art of lyrically writing a song with depth, feeling and a moral tale, yet, musically, his tracks seemed to side out of control through too many minor keys. When the balance was correct, the effect of Costellos work could be stunning in the sense that the audible quality would make one sit bolt upright. On reflection of this album, one can also see why there were some people who couldnt really stand him. However, if you could distance yourself from sometimes, the flat, mixed backing, such lines as yesterdays news is tomorrows fish and chip paper.. would go forever undiscovered.
Certainly, these titles one flicks though are enough, on their own to wet the appetite. Such tracks as Big Sisters Clothes, can conjure so much up in the imagination of the dullest of minds. Yet, one has to listen to this album, rather than bop to it. One thing that new wave had been, initially was music that was predominately flat in lyric and meaningless. The very thing that had sold new wave to the discerning public was its electrifying beat and jangly guitar. No actually instruments ever stood out, and the lead vocals were never that incredible. For example, Debbie Harry of Blondie, couldnt really sing, but she was a visual impact and attractive enough to sell her grou ps style of new wave to millions all over the world. Costello, on the other hand didnt have impact of the same nature. He was slight in build, with great, enormous glasses on his face and a quiff of wild dark hair, still, he had an ability to create his own poetic moments of genius though angelic notes through his words and soft strokes of guitar chords that left the listener on a cliff edge, captured by the very word he was stretching out rather than how good his guitar playing was.
It is these little touches of drifting soulful edges of his work that we find in abundance throughout this album. A complete mixed bag of little stories about everything heart breakingly true. Even a little country mood flutters in and out briefly though the drunken bars of Different Finger. To grab and old, sickening clich here, theres something for everyone. (Yuk!)
In true vomiting style, anything inspired by Costello is worth owning. Everything that he touched turned to Co stello Gold. His mark can still be seen through all types of music even today. As well as producing and co writing for his fellow bands in his hay day, hes strong influence on alternative poetic sounds have slipped through the drains of music studios even now. That unmistakeable whine of heart melting suicide delicately framed with a piano one day and end -of -pier organs the next. This exquisite soul searching technique of song writing sits in surreal fashion against the tackiness of a suit that looks cheap and a set to match. Even on looking at that picture on the back sleeve of the vinyl LP, one would put money on the fact that those flowers sitting on top of the piano were plastic
However budget this record may seem on the outside, the quality of simply song composition within is far from it. What this album, and even more so, the man, Costello himself represents quite beautifully is a collaboration of all the things that we can associate withfish and chips dr enched in vinegar, cheap perfume and lipstick, workingmans clubs thick with cigarette smoke, snogs along a darkened alleyway and Saturday night local club acts.
Its that association that draws us to such artists as Elvis Costello, and never lets go
Tracks include;
Club Land
Lovers Walk
Youll Never Be A Man
Pretty Words
Strict Time
Luxemburg
Watch Your Step
New Lace Sleeves
From A Whisper To A Scream
Different Finger
White Knuckles
Shot With His Own Gun
Fishn Chip Paper
Big Sisters Clothes.
All songs written by Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello - vocals and guitar
Steve Nieve - keyboards
Bruce Thomas - bass and vocals
Pete Thomas - drums
Special guests; Glenn Tilbrook and Martin Belmont (guitar)
F Beat Records 1981
sam1942 2006
Published on Ciao and dooyoo.
www.generationsounds.co.uk
I am a freelance writer specializing in music album reviews, old and new. I am currently working for various consumer websites and also in the process of developing into a broader field of review writing.
Author:: Michelle Duffy
Keywords:: new wave, Pop, Elvis Costello, album review
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