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From the Vault...
09/20/2020
#1743 |
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info
Elvis Costello
"Brutal Youth"
© Warner Bros. Records
Year of Release: 1994
Rating:
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track listing
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Pony St.
Kinder Murder
13 Steps Lead Down
This Is Hell
Clown Strike
You Tripped At Every Step
Still Too Soon To Know
20% Amnesia
Sulky Girl
London's Brilliant Parade
My Science Fiction Twin
Rocking Horse Road
Just About Glad
All The Rage
Favourite Hour
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Elvis Costello
"Brutal Youth"
This week, Elvis Costello returns, with an "Elvis Costello" (solo) album. Most of his best well-known songs were with The Attractions. For those who remember
those well-known songs by them, Brutal Youth, released in 1994, brings back the style of Elvis' early years, and a bit more. There is the punkish/early
sound of his early years, and with a touch of jazz, which he would incorporate in his later albums from the beginning.
Bringing back the past Elvis Costello sounds has the two opening tracks, "Pony St." and "Kinder Murder." But the real test of his early works
is "13 Steps Lead Down" which could have been one of the songs from his debut album, My Aim Is True (credited as "Elvis Costello").
Of course, there are tunes that are not as strong, and "This Is Hell" (despite the title), is one of those. But this track doesn't take the album down.
The next track, is upbeat and bouncy, and a very good track, "Clown Strike." The album then takes a different turn (and a good one), with "You Tripped
At Every Step." It's almost-jazz/almost-classical (the piano did this), brings a mellow sound. And Costello has always done well with jazz-oriented songs,
making them his own. The next track is also mellow, "Still Soon To Know." (All good.)
In his early years, Punk/New Wave was in its start, and some may have categorize Elvis' beginnings as either Rock and/or Punk. "20% Amnesia" has the
punk'ish rock. Yet there is "Sulky Girl," and this tune is just smooooooooothhh Elvis rock. And for those who always remembered Costello's music from his
humble beginnings to his well-known years, "London's Brilliant Parade" brings back that period, the typical Elvis sound. The same can be said from his
Attractions hits, such as "Pump It Up" on "My Science Fiction Twin."
For the rock and roll fan, I couldn't help comparing the next track, "Rocking Horse Road" to Bob Dylan's "Like A Rolling Stone." A great rock
tune for Costello. "Just About Glad" is another travel to Costello's early years, and speaking of, there's something nostalgic about "All The Rage."
I can't reall explain it; it's just has a nostalgic tone. Ending the album is "Favourite Hour," a return to mellow, almost-jazz, only Costello can do.
Brutal Youth is a fantastic, "if you're familiar with Elvis Costello's previous works, you'll enjoy this album." It's a look back on songs that could
fit with previous releases, and more the most part, his earliest releases. Brutal Youth is one of many excellent albums. His earlier albums maybe better
than this one, but it's easy to add this album to that list.
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