Elvis Costello - when i was cruel
2002/ 1:03:02 Minutes / 15 Tracks / Studio
Release Date: April 23, 2002 - Island
Produced by: The Imposter
Website: www.elviscostello.com

Reviewed by Matt Rowe on May 5, 2002

When Elvis Costello burst into music with his classic "My Aim is True", we were treated, for those who remember/know, with perhaps one of the most exciting and durable debuts ever recorded. Interestingly, it was recorded in just a few days, an incredible feat in any genre, and still powerful enough to reward the listener with all the angst his music could muster. Consequently, "My Aim is True" gave way to a number of equally wonderful albums, all better than the one that preceded it....which was an amazing feat all by itself given the perfection of the debut.

The incredibly successful string of rock albums gave way to Elvis' many forays into various styles of music, all interesting and remarkable in their offerings and uniqueness. Needless to say, Elvis Costello was an amazing persona who provided the world with a startling tapestry of work, woven over time and one that can hang in any music hall today. But there were questions. Could he reproduce his genius yet once again and give the world another of his rock gems? Did he still possess the ability to communicate his frustrations and irritability to his original audience in his original style?

Well, you only need one listen to this great CD to discover the answers to those questions. And to lay to rest any question one might have in his ability to create the type of music that paid his rent to begin with. Not only did he produce an enduring gem...again but he has added to his already burgeoning, and varied, catalogue, a beautifully constructed rock album incorporating all of the styles that he has learned over the years.

And just what did we get? A CD with 15 tunes, many of them 'single' material. These songs take advantage of Elvis' vast development as an artist of many talents which make 'when i was cruel' a highly accomplished work. The CD starts off with "45", a reference to age and style, to antiquity and remembrance. This track is so good that it could have come off of any of his earlier sessions including "My Aim is True". But then you get to "Spooky Girlfriend", "Tear off Your Own Head" and you have songs in the same vein but they're more refined, a little more produced. There are monstrous rockers like "Daddy, Can I Turn This?" and "dust 2..."There are jazz influenced pieces like "tart" and "15 petals" . In short, a varied collection of tunes.

The thing that we're ultimately talking about is an accomplished work seamlessly merged in the fabric of that tapestry I mentioned earlier. This CD has songs that show the maturity of Elvis Costello, the savvy accumulated over the years of his many works. And we're the lucky beneficiaries of that training.

So, should you purchase this CD? Well, if you are an Elvis Costello fan, there is no question. If you are new to Elvis and have an open mind, you bet!! If you love genre crossing rock songs, you're gonna be happy. But there are going to be people who just don't get Elvis. If those people could not enjoy any of Elvis' first four releases then, leave this one alone. But I can assure you this, if you love music for music's sake then you will be in love with this release. I wish that I had the time to go song by song. I certainly had my favourites.

The deliriously enchanting "soul for hire" and the superb "alibi" are part of what makes this CD a winner. Great packaging with included lyrics, always a wise inclusion for any artist and detailed liner notes. Get it!! Oooh oooh oooh oooh!!

"I see every human kind and still the truth is distant......"

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