North Review: Time Out London
Elvis , it would seem , is in love. With marriage to
second wife ( ex-Pogue Cait) now behind him , the not
at all pompous high priest of pop is currently head
over heels with jazz singer Diana Krall. So, from
opener `You Left Me In The Dark` to closer `I`m In The
Mood Again` , this is a poetically versed collection
of emotionally bared songs gradually charting his
uplift in mood from hurt to hope , pain to bliss ,
`last hurrah` to `first bouquet`.
But be warned , it`s one of his `serious`albums .
Hence the Kronos Quartet and varied featured soloists.
Yes , `North` might involve new lyrical themes and
different musical drapes , but we`ve been here before.
To cut to the nub , Costello`s voice simply works best
when snapping and rasping and buried in brutal
imbroglio. Here , however , he does that oversinging
thing again - all epic , aching, soncerity and dubious
, jarring vibrato. It`s uncomfortable to listen to
and painful to endure. Of course , everything is
washed in the finest silken sounds : Steve Nieve`s
sensitive piano , the gently melodramatic strings , a
light wash of brush on drums and tenderly muted
trumpet. But always , always , there is that foghorn
bellow. Anyone tempted to purchase , should be
redirected towards classic Sinatra albums like `Songs
For Swinin` Lovers`, `In The Wee Small Hours` , `Only
The Lonely` or `Come Fly With Me`. They`re somewhat
cheaper and infinitely better. Already got them? Good.
Now rest assured , you don`t need this.
Ross Fortune.
(Submitted by John Foyle)