Melody Maker, July 23, 1977: Difference between revisions
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"Less Than Zero" is a vivid reflection of Elvis' affection and empathy with Sixties' r&b; simultaneously, the song, delivered by the author with swaggering confidence over snarling guitars and crashing cymbal splashes, introduces, through its colourful evocation of suburban perversions and wry cynicism, the mordant, Ortonesque humour that characterises several of the songs included here. "Alison," by comparison, is a classically crafted pop song enhanced by stylish guitar inflections and Elvis' restrained vocal passion. The song also reflects Costello's other principal preoccupation as a writer: it's centred, like so many of the songs in this collection, around the termination of a relationship (a theme Elvis views, with authentic insight, from a variety of perspectives). | "Less Than Zero" is a vivid reflection of Elvis' affection and empathy with Sixties' r&b; simultaneously, the song, delivered by the author with swaggering confidence over snarling guitars and crashing cymbal splashes, introduces, through its colourful evocation of suburban perversions and wry cynicism, the mordant, Ortonesque humour that characterises several of the songs included here. "Alison," by comparison, is a classically crafted pop song enhanced by stylish guitar inflections and Elvis' restrained vocal passion. The song also reflects Costello's other principal preoccupation as a writer: it's centred, like so many of the songs in this collection, around the termination of a relationship (a theme Elvis views, with authentic insight, from a variety of perspectives). | ||
Elsewhere, Elvis deals more explicitly with the emotional violence that attends the disintegration of love affairs, and with the frustrations and occasional humiliations of early adolescent love and sexual encounters. The fierce "Miracle Man," for instance, has the song's protagonist admitting to his sexual inadequacy with an impassioned and convincing concern and painful | Elsewhere, Elvis deals more explicitly with the emotional violence that attends the disintegration of love affairs, and with the frustrations and occasional humiliations of early adolescent love and sexual encounters. The fierce "Miracle Man," for instance, has the song's protagonist admitting to his sexual inadequacy with an impassioned and convincing concern and painful authenticity. | ||
The theme of rejection is examined on the irresistible "(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes" (probably my favourite track on the album), but here the mood is more extrovert, with sparkling guitar chords crashing over vigorous piano, with Elvis providing one of the most exhilarating vocal performances on the entire record, with a vibrant back-up chorus supplying additional colour. This song's effervescence is challenged only by the magnificent "Mystery Dance," a perfectly realised homage to Fifties rock and roll with Elvis' vocal drenched in greasy echo, which presents a concise account of a guy's first sexual adventure and its disastrous development. | The theme of rejection is examined on the irresistible "(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes" (probably my favourite track on the album), but here the mood is more extrovert, with sparkling guitar chords crashing over vigorous piano, with Elvis providing one of the most exhilarating vocal performances on the entire record, with a vibrant back-up chorus supplying additional colour. This song's effervescence is challenged only by the magnificent "Mystery Dance," a perfectly realised homage to Fifties rock and roll with Elvis' vocal drenched in greasy echo, which presents a concise account of a guy's first sexual adventure and its disastrous development. | ||
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''Melody Maker'' reports on upcoming tour dates and previews the London debut of Elvis Costello & The Attractions, Tuesday, [[Concert 1977-07-26 London|July 26, 1977]], Dingwalls. | ''Melody Maker'' reports on upcoming tour dates and previews the London debut of Elvis Costello & The Attractions, Tuesday, [[Concert 1977-07-26 London|July 26, 1977]], Dingwalls. | ||
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Also includes parts 3 and [[:image:1977-07-23 Melody Maker advertisement | Also includes parts [[:image:1977-07-23 Melody Maker page 20 advertisement.jpg|3]] and [[:image:1977-07-23 Melody Maker page 21 advertisement.jpg|4]] of a six-part, three-publication ad campaign for ''My Aim Is True''. (Parts [[:image:1977-07-23 New Musical Express page 17 advertisement.jpg|1]] and [[:image:1977-07-23 New Musical Express page 16 advertisement.jpg|2]] ran in ''[[New Musical Express, July 23, 1977|NME]]''; 5 and [[:image:1977-07-23 Sounds pages 12-13 advertisement.jpg|6]] ran in ''[[Sounds, July 23, 1977|Sounds]]'') | ||
{{Bibliography images}} | {{Bibliography images}} | ||
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{{Bibliography text}} | {{Bibliography text}} | ||
[[image:1977-07-23 Melody Maker clipping | [[image:1977-07-23 Melody Maker page 05 clipping 01.jpg|125px|right]] | ||
Elvis Costello, the balladeer of the new wave whose debut album ''My Aim Is True'' is released this week on Stiff (see review on page 17) has formed a band and is [[:Category:1st Attractions Tour|touring]] through August and into September. | Elvis Costello, the balladeer of the new wave whose debut album ''My Aim Is True'' is released this week on Stiff (see review on page 17) has formed a band and is [[:Category:1st Attractions Tour|touring]] through August and into September. | ||
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'''Dingwalls Dance Hall, Camden Lock, London, Tuesday, July 26. Tickets: £1.50. Band onstage approximately 10.30 pm. | '''Dingwalls Dance Hall, Camden Lock, London, Tuesday, July 26. Tickets: £1.50. Band onstage approximately 10.30 pm. | ||
{{Bibliography text}} | {{Bibliography text}} | ||
[[image:1977-07-23 Melody Maker page 27 clipping 01.jpg|120px | [[image:1977-07-23 Melody Maker page 27 clipping 01.jpg|120px|right]] | ||
Elvis Costello's London debut with his recently formed band, the Attractions, looks like being the event of the week (okay, we admit we're prejudiced). El's only other gigs in London have been at the Nashville (supporting The Rumour) where he played [[Concert 1977-05-27 London|solo]]. He was commanding and compulsive listening then; with the kind of band he's put together now he should be quite stunning. As his debut album, ''My Aim Is True'', testifies, Elvis Costello is presently one of the hottest new talents on legs. | Elvis Costello's London debut with his recently formed band, the Attractions, looks like being the event of the week (okay, we admit we're prejudiced). El's only other gigs in London have been at the Nashville (supporting The Rumour) where he played [[Concert 1977-05-27 London|solo]]. He was commanding and compulsive listening then; with the kind of band he's put together now he should be quite stunning. As his debut album, ''My Aim Is True'', testifies, Elvis Costello is presently one of the hottest new talents on legs. | ||
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<small>Cover.</small><br> | <small>Cover and page scan.</small><br> | ||
[[image:1977-07-23 Melody Maker cover.jpg|x120px| | [[image:1977-07-23 Melody Maker cover.jpg|x120px]] | ||
[[image:1977-07-23 Melody Maker page 05.jpg|x120px|page 5]] | |||
{{Bibliography notes footer}} | {{Bibliography notes footer}} |
Revision as of 22:02, 27 August 2023
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