release date: Jan. 23, 1981
format: vinyl / digital (2015 remaster)
[album rate: 4,5 / 5] [4,33]
producer: Nick Lowe with Roger Bechirian
label: F-Beat Records - nationality: England, UK
Track highlights: 1. "Clubland" (5 / 5) (better sound) (live) - 2. "Lover's Walk" - 3. "You'll Never Be a Man" - 4. "Pretty Words" - 5. "Strict Time" (4,5 / 5) - 6. "Luxembourg" - 7. "Watch Your Step" (4,5 / 5) - 8. "New Lace Sleeves" (4,5 / 5) - 9. "From a Whisper to a Scream" (4,5 / 5) - 10. "Different Finger" - 11. "White Knuckles" - 12. "Shot With His Own Gun" (4,5 / 5) - 13. "Fish 'n' Chip Paper" - 14. "Big Sister's Clothes" (5 / 5)
5th studio album by Costello and his third consecutive release with The Attractions is like his previous four albums produced by Nick Lowe. The album is also his fifth studio album in just four years, which at the time made him renowned for his pace as a songwriter having so far 'only' released his own original material.
Stylistically, this is - I feel - more in family with Armed Forces than the predecessor with a stress under singer / songwriter. It's a fine conglomerate of all his strengths: strong lyrics, great hooks, power pop, energetic new wave and heavy ballads. "Clubland" is like no other song with its calm, its soul, AND its sheer energy!
The album has always been one of my favourite Costello albums, and I simply don't understand how it was seen as inferior to his first four. Perhaps critics just needed a break from praising yet another Costello album 'cause how was it even possible to release quality songs again and again?! Anyway, I cannot leave a single track out when highlighting the best tracks. "Luxembourg" is perhaps the weakest track here, but speaking of 'weak' when that would be a damn fine song on most other artists' albums. Critics still liked the album, although, it has been rated in even more positive terms retrospectively.
The 2015 remaster is released by Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab.
Highly recommendable.
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| 2015 remaster |
