SPS@aquila.gc.cuny.edu (Scott Schnackenberg) (06/14/91)
Elvis Costello - "Mighty Like a Rose" This one gets out of the gate with Elvis spitting more vitriol than he ever has without the Attractions behind him to supply the punch (though Attraction Bassist Bruce Thomas is likely the target of some of the barbs in 'How To Be Dumb'). 'The Other Side of Summer' gets things started by turning the Beach Boys on their head, 'Hurry Down Doomsday (The Bugs Are Taking Over)' finds Elvis goofily forecasting the apocalypse over gonzo discordant guitar, and 'How To Be Dumb' slings arrows in all directions. But while Elvis may be feeling a bit cranky, he can still extol the virtues of life to a suicidal young lady in the lushly melodic and wonderfully sung 'All Grown Up'. Alas, the winning streak comes to a grinding halt with the fussily arranged and lyrically obtuse 'Invasion Hit Parade' -- this one would be right at home on 'Goodbye Cruel World' (which in my opinion is easily the lowpoint of Elvis' career... and yes I'm including 'Almost Blue'). This song is notable, though, for including Elvis' dad (Ross MacManus) on trumpet. The heights of the first four songs are not reached again until the two McCartney collaborations. 'So Like Candy' is deliciously mournful and will take its place near the top of the vast Costello catalogue. On the revved up 'Playboy to a Man', Elvis displays a range of vocal styles, finishing up with a high pitched screech. 'Sweet Pear', an ode to wife Cait, unveils the most (perhaps the only?) moving guitar solo that Elvis has ever recorded. 'Pear' is paired with 'Broken', a slow dirge written by Cait that is not quite as effective as 'Baby Plays Around' (her contribution to Elvis' previous disc 'Spike'). Like 'Spike', this effort is an eclectic mix featuring some of Costello's best work. I might rate 4 or 5 of his previous discs higher overall, but that is hardly a putdown given the consistently high level of the previous output from the prolific D. P. A. Macmanus. Rating: 9 on the 10 point scale ____ Scott Schnackenberg sps@aquila.gc.cuny.edu