Almost certainly picked up in an HMV sale within a year of release, I think it's fair to say that this isn't viewed as one of Costello's landmark albums, and it rarely gets a listen these days. So let's have a listen, and see what we've been missing by hiding this upstairs.
I often wonder, especially with artists of some longevity like Costello, are their earlier albums really so much better than later ones? Or is it that us long term fans buy the early ones when we're young and skint, and having invested, played them to death, and become completely familiar with them. Ten years later, we buy the new one, and if it doesn't grab us quickly, we return back to the earlier stuff, so it never gets the listening it might deserve?
But I'm not sure this is an example of an undiscovered piece of gold. And from memory, judging by the absence of these songs on the 'Wheel Of Fortune" when we saw Costello about ten years ago, nor does he.
It's becoming a cliché here, but there's nothing bad on this album, no stinkers, and it's recognisably Elvis and the Attractions, but there aren't the bangers that make you sit up and take notice. There are a lot of decent songs; Kinder Murder is an early toe tapper, and 13 Steps Lead Down is a great song, and there's a little oasis of light in the middle where 20% Amnesia is followed by the impressive Sulky Girl and London's Brilliant Parade. Among the final tracks, Just About Glad is bright and cheery, but there's a lot of ordinary.
Classic Rock magazine have ranked Costello's albums, and this comes in at 17 out of 29 (and there's a couple ranked below it, that I'll argue with). That seems about right.
3* - just about three stars, not a Costello classic, but still enough to enjoy
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