Elvis Costello & The Attractions "Blood & Chocolate" (1986)

2015 Remaster

Blood & Chocolate

release date: Sep. 15, 1986

format: vinyl (X FIEND 80) / digital (2015 remaster)

[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,98]

producer: Nick Lowe and Colin Fairley

label: F-Beat Records / Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab - nationality: England, UK

Tracklist: 1. "Uncomplicated" (live) - 2. "I Hope You're Happy Now" (4,5 / 5) - 3. "Tokyo Storm Warning" - 4. "Home Is Anywhere You Hang Your Head" - 5. "I Want You" (4 / 5) (studio session) - 6. "Honey Are You Straight or Are You Blind?" - 7. "Blue Chair" - 8. "Battered Old Bird" - 9. "Crimes of Paris" (4 / 5) - 10. "Poor Napoleon" - 11. "Next Time Round" (4,5 / 5)

11th studio album by Elvis Costello and his second fine studio album in the same year. King of America (Feb. '86) was Costello's quiet solo singer / songwriter clone of country folk and acoustic ballads, which stands as yet another fine accomplishment by one of Britain's strongest songwriters, and then he rocks away with The Attractions on this one fuelled with energy and great songs.

Costello had already established himself as a bit of an artistic chameleon - you would always be a bit curious of what style he would dig into next. His first albums were all energetic new wave-oriented albums, but then he went on to make ballads, singer / songwriter material and country-fused songs. And then he made more sophisticated pop / rock songs in a pop soul-style - he did just what he wanted, regardless his fans.

With this, he sort steps back for a while, but also, he doesn't really. Yes, there are many new wave elements on this, but it feels more like s new combo than a step back to what he did. Here, he combines the energy of new wave with his more 'serious' singer / songwriter contributions, and then the production sound both leaves room for the roughness as well as the more polished and softer sides. I recall my initial thoughts about it as generally positive, but with a slight unfulfilled sensation that it could be more in terms with his earlier material. His musical progress was so fast that it was hard to follow. Fans wanted the angry and sharp Costello but he was so much more, and it has taken me decades to understand his tremendous repertoire.

The album is enlisted in "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die".

This is truly one of his finest moments, and it may just turn out as one of his artistic cornerstones.

The 2015 remaster is released by Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab.

[ allmusic.com, Q Magazine, Uncut 4 / 5, Rolling Stone 4,5 / 5, Blender 5 / 5 stars ]