Elvis Costello & the Imposters - Momofuku
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Free Music Notes for Momofuku
Free Music Review: A fun listen from Elvis
Hit: 4 Stars
I've spent about a week with the new Elvis CD and have gone from the initial thought that I wasted my money to really liking it.
The negatives: The CD was written and recorded very quickly and is fairly unpolished. It sounds a little like Elvis B-sides or demo recordings. The CD also doesn't have that song or two that sound like obvious singles and make you want to play them on repeat.
The positives: The set has a kind of loose and fun feel to it. As good as some of Elvis' recent rock CDs have been (The Delivery Man, When I was Cruel), they seem self-consciously arty compared to this new release. He jumps all over the map stylistically on this new release and at times recalls songs from Blood and Chocolate, Imperial Bedroom, Brutal Youth.
I find this is a great CD for the car because of its ever-changing nature. It's tough to get bored with this one.
Free Music Review: Not Bad For A Limited, Primitive Man
Hit: 5 Stars
Momofuku is undoubtedly the best effort by Mr Costello in years, and already one of my favorites of the year. Things start off with the knockout 1-2 punch of "No Hiding Place" and "American Gangster Time". Both show that age hasn't mellowed his angry and cynical side, but its a righteous anger against those who can "say anything you want to in your fetching cloak of anonymity" (see several below)or want to use and abuse their power. "Harry Worth", "Flutter and Wow", and "My Three Sons" are more sudbued but still powerful as he admonishes the troubled couple that "there are not many moments that capture your breath", or sings simple songs of love and fatherhood. Another standout is "Stella Hurt" based on a true story (Google Teddy Grace) of an obscure jazz musician--perhaps a commentary on the music industry's attitude towards artists. She is forgotten until an old record is found "abandoned in an attic, Stella is silent as the grave until a needle drags her through the static". "Pardon me Madam, My Name Is Eve" is a cautionary tale for the "other woman", as the jilted Eve remembers her time before being expelled from the garden. Throughout he is able to walk the difficult balance of maintaining his trademark sound, while expanding and varying things enough that it does not seem like just another record to make a buck or satisfy a contract. Indeed, everything is done with passion and commitment that comes through even in the digital age. My favorite by a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year (Sorry, Madonna).Free Music Review: Oodles Of Noodles
Hit: 4 Stars
There seems to be a trend going on lately. Old friends make music, enter studio, bang out an album in a matter of days. Album is really good. See Mudcrutch, Consolers Of The Lonely and now Elvis Costello's "Momofuku." The phrase came from the man who invented the instant noodle; Costello claims all they had to do to make the record was to "just add water."
The result is EC's first really rocking album since When I Was Cruel, complete with Attractions-style organ and relentless banging rock songs. While there is no possible way "Momofuku" would ever measure up to This Year's Model, it really is the closest Elvis could come to 1978 in 2008. Comparisons to Brutal Youth are probably more apt. There's an immediacy to these songs that has been lacking for some time, and hookfests like "American Gangster Time" or "Stella Hurt" sink in after just a few listens. The overall sound of the album is a bit rougher than usual, and some of the songs sound like underdeveloped runthroughs (like "No Hiding Place," which is still a killer opening gambit).
It's also interesting to note that Elvis approached this as an album, releasing it ahead of the download or CD in a vynyl version. The CD case is little more than a miniaturized album sleeve (and a bit disappointing, no booklet, lyrics, etc) with shrunken pictures and a "Side One/Side Two" track listing. After his forays into country (The Delivery Man's tracks with Emmylou Harris), somber soul The River in Reverse, and even the Jazz rewrites on My Flame Burns Blue, it's nice to hear him letting it rip with a couple guitars and a Wurlitzer. I'm still listening to the grand kiss-off of "Go Away" and loving those Jenny Lewis harmonies. I hope she pulls a few EC tunes for her next album.
Free Music Review: Stellar Costello album has it all!
Hit: 5 Stars
Every one of Costello's albums has its charms; he's incapable of putting out anything sub-par. However, Momofuku is his strongest band album in a while due to, in part, the Imposters playing at the top of their game, a strong clutch of songs and Costello's refusal to second-guess himself. It's all a natural, heartfelt affair which rocks, rolls and swings as any great rock and roll album should. All nostalgia aside, this album not only harkens back to his best work with the Attractions but also surpasses it! It may be heresy to say that to those who have EC and the guys trapped in that 1978 box (or 1982 box) but Momofuku really is a superlative effort. Free Music Review: It's ELVIS again!
Hit: 5 Stars
I've been an Elvis fan for so long that he never ceases to amaze me, playing rock and country, incredible duets with unlikely partners, with what seems like total ease and comfort. Here, with an all-star cast, he blasts out tunes with the energy that has characterized so much of his work, with great songwriting and vocals to boot. Listen to it over several times, songs like "Harry Worth" will stick in your head and make you realize this ain't no washed up rocker, this is Elvis Costello. For old and new fans alike.