The least superficial review I've read so far: Elvis Costello and The Imposters Show Their Fangs on Fiery Return to Form The Boy Named If
First-play reaction: I love it. It doesn’t sound like what the reviewers described, however. Not to me. Except for the part about it being excellent. It’s not all fiery. It’s not really a “return to form.” Can’t wait to get the vinyl in my hands tomorrow. Well, later today.
The last time I saw him, this singing out of time completely ruined the concert for me. He did it on every song. Stop it, Elvis; it's not clever.
Just streamed the whole album. It's rocking and melodic in equal measure, and the chap sounds energized and inspired throughout. Makes me appreciate his talent anew actually. Peak level Costello in my book.
I doubt fwiw, its intentional. It may be more trying to strike a precarious balance between the kind of tempos the songs require in a Rock context and the kind of style of singing he is most capable of delivering? It may also be something physical i.e. not being a young man in age anymore plus health. Over the years he has also become more of a 'crooner' - he always had some form of natural vibrato to his singing, but it didn't really affect his timing all that much, but add in more formal voice training, pitch exercises, and unless you do all that at a Rock kind of tempo, your voice is likely going to get 'heavier' and 'thicker' and while your timbre or tone will be more musical, it can come at a price such as 'elasticity' and speed. In some ways, its like 'bulking up' vs. 'trimming down'... And if one is carrying any extra physical challenges plus some age, then it's going to be even more of a challenge to sing on time and sound good doing so.
Not sure if any professional reviews are referring to this as a return to form, but if so that's pretty dumb. It's another strong EC album, but I've found all his records beginning with When I Was Cruel are interchangeable. You could take any song off any of them and stick them on a different album and it wouldn't make any difference. That's not a knock - I would give all his records including this new one 4 stars.
This is a really strong album. Up there with When I Was Cruel and The Delivery Man among his output over the last 20 years.
The last 20 years have seen the biggest gap in terms of my enjoyment of his album output, from ones in my top 10 i.e When I Was Cruel, The Delivery Man & Look Now. To some that are right of the bottom for me like Wise Up Ghost. Mostly though they fall mid-way in my list of his albums. I've heard the 3 singles & liked them so i'm hoping the release is nearer or even in my top 10....I never thought any new release of his was gonna crack my top 10 & the along came Look Now which i love, so you never know ! Waiting for the vinyl to drop to a sensible price....sick of paying £30 + then seeing it a few months later at half that price ! My ranking of his LP's since 2002 that i own: ( Haven't heard The Boy Named If yet ) 1 -3 are top 10, 4 -7 mid table & 8 -10 near the bottom for me. 1. When I Was Cruel 2. Look Now 3. The Delivery Man 4. Momofuko 5. National Ransom 6. Hey Clockface 7. River In Reverse 8. Secret, Profane & Sugarcane 9. North 10. Wise Up Ghost
I’m hearing little flashes of sounds that remind me of Get Happy!!, Imperial Bedroom, Trust, Spike, Brutal Youth and This Year’s Model. I’ll bet others will pop out, too.
Really? "Button My Lip" could be on North? "That's Not the Part of Him You're Leaving" could be on Wise Up Ghost? "Broken Promise Land" could be on Secret, Profane & Sugarcane?
Obviously North and Secret are genre productions, but if you take away those two, yes, even the songs on Wise Up Ghost sound interchangeable. Again, not a criticism, just the way I hear him.
Wise Up Ghost is 10!? This confirms my belief that the album is severely underrated by EC fans. I listened to it the other day and it’s among his best of the last 20 years for sure.
Just listened on Tidal and this album isn’t tired or meandering like so many older artists’ albums. There’s energy and great performances from both EC and the band, well done! I’m excited to hear feedback about the vinyl sound quality.
I take all your points, but if he can sing rock numbers in time in the studio I don't see why he couldn't when playing live.
I need to play Wise Up Ghost a little more often. That show EC and The Roots played in NYC was great.
I don't like it, but I don't really like the Roots. And I love funk, I just don't think they're a good funk band.
Thanks. It is usually easier to do a specific vocal for a specific song in a controlled environement. Hence why it is easier to accomplish in the studio. Even though he records quickly, he can still rehearse the song a number of times to get it just right imo.