From the UK: Costello and 'Coldplay' evaluated
Date 3/29/2001 12:00 AM | Topic: Arts & CultureThe Very Best of Elvis Costello and the AttractionsElvis Costello and the Attractions
Greatest hits albums have the difficult task of trying to put an artist's greatest moments into one collection. The Very Best of Elvis Costello and the Attractions focuses on their 1977-1985 relationship, merely skimming the highlights of Elvis Costello's career, a career over 30 years and over 20 albums long.
Costello penned songs punctuated by the socially-charged punk aggression that characterized England's mid to late 70s music scene. However, creativity and eloquence takes Costello's music further than Johnny Rotten's spit. Each track in The Very Best of. . . . tells even those unfamiliar with Costello's music why.
Appropriately, the album begins with the ballad "Alison," released from Costello's critically acclaimed debut album, My Aim is True. From the same album, "Watching the Detectives" drops 50s rock-influenced guitar riffs over a reggae beat making a song about domestic violence both lyrically insightful and musically danceable.
Xylophone, synthesizer, hand percussion, bass and guitar combinations such as those seen in "Everyday I Write the Book" illustrate the impossibility of type-casting Costello's music. Though there are moments such as "Watch Your Step" where the percussion rhythm drones, the overall instrument experimentation and clever blend of styles are ultimately impressive.
Finally, Costello's vocals are distinct, cool and assertive. Great vocal moments happen in "Beyond Belief" where he rises to a head voice and slides to a rich bass in a matter of measures. Overall, The Very Best of Elvis Costello and the Attractions is a pleasant taste of what Costello has to offer. Any further exploration into his music depends on the listener's subsequent curiosity and, considering the volume, their economic health.
Parachutes
Coldplay
The latest fresh-faced import band from the UK is 'Coldplay.' After a couple modest but encouraging EP releases, their first major label release Parachutes catapulted off the success of the first single "Yellow." Though the single generated a "Yellow" fever, the album as a whole does little to raise the temperature.
Lead vocalist Chris Martin delivers a showcase of his vocal range in the track "Shiver," while Guy Berryman provides subtle penetration on bass. From lead guitarist Johnny Buckland's energetic introduction to the battery of Will Champion's percussion, each musician contributes intriguing sounds, making "Shiver" the most interesting track next to "Yellow."
To generalize, songs like "Sparks," "We Never Change" and "High Speed" are characterized by simplistic acoustic. Electronics spill over these chords, creating a cosmic calm, but the originality seen in "Shiver" and "Yellow" is not reproduced.
The overall impact of the album is mediocre. It is too somber and the songs blend into one another, denying the tracks any notable individuality. The incorporation of piano in a number of tracks adds splashes of color to the otherwise color blind canvas.
Perhaps additional experience and the increased publicity will inspire 'Coldplay' to experiment with sound and lyrics, provided over exposure does not trap them into one sound.
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Amy Domaszek
Chips Staff Writer
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