What does it sound like?:
This is Costello doing what he does best, creating classic pop music filtered through the sixties with lyrics full of wounded characters, lost souls and unrequited love. At various points this album recalls Brutal Youth, Painted From Memory and Imperial Bedroom, which is no bad thing.
Kicking off with Under Lime, a great pop tune with the Imposters in full flow, Costello is suddenly back, not revisiting old glories but showing that his craft is intact, the gift for melody as sure as ever. Three songs here are collaborations with Burt Bacharach and while not quite up to the standards of Painted From Memory it’s great to hear the two of them together again.
But the real meat of the album is Costello’s own songs. Stripping Paper, Unwanted Number, Suspect My Tears and He’s Given Me things are all superb with Costello in fine voice. In fact, to my ears, there isn’t a duff track here. I’ve played this album more times in the last week than I have his last three in the past five years. It’s that good. The sound is full and rich, the songs as good as anything he’s ever written. Look past the abysmal cover art and discover the delights within.
I got the deluxe edition which comes with the four track “Regardez Maintenant” EP (see what he did there?). Costello shows off his French on Adieu Paris. The last two songs, The Final Mrs Curtain and You Shouldn’t Look At Me That Way are as good as anything on the album.
What does it all *mean*?
For those worried that Costello had given up the ghost, lost his mojo and his voice, Look Now is proof positive that he’s still at the top of his game. Yes he may miss a few of the top notes but this is his best album since Painted From Memory. If this does prove to be his last album (and given recent health scares who can say) it’s a hell of a way to go out.
Goes well with…
His entire back catalogue….
Release Date:
Might suit people who like…
Brill Building pop, Burt Bacharach and Elvis Costello….
You beat me to the review that I had been meaning to post. Fantastic album.The cowrite with Carole King Burnt sugar is so bitter is fantastic ,- it has a Steely Dan chorus and Miles Davis/Goo Evans horns coda. Unwanted number has a gorgeous Nieve piano melody and elsewhere Costellos voice is stronger than it has been in years. Davey Farraghers bass is slinky and guides many of the songs perfectly. I hope they tour the UK next year because I want to hear these songs in s live setting.
This album has met with excellent reviews from all quarters and I hope this compels him to continue producing albums of this quality. because the world with a happy Costello is a much better place.
I honestly didn’t think it would be this good. His last few have left me a bit cold, they have their moments but inconsistent is the word. Look Now is just up there with his best. Superb.
I’m glad to notice I’m not the only fan of Painted From Memory. Cheers Wheldrake!
But where is Barney Bubbles when we need him? That cover is just horrible.
I completely agree.
I look at that and wonder how long was taken over it, both to create the artwork and then to decide to use that picture. It is simply awful.
It’s by the mysterious “Eamon Singer” AKA EC himself. But why that pic I have no idea.
“…EC himself” – That doesn’t make it any better.
Dylan, Bowie, Macca – what makes them think being a good song & dance man allows them to force their hobby art on the public?
Good album though.
Emulating his heroes – Bob Dylan, Van Morrison. In quality of sleeves only, thankfully.
Barney Bubbles? Dead, I am afraid, these 35 years…..
Nice review. Will try it on Spotify. Heard a couple of tracks on Mastertapes and they didn’t yet make me overcome my aversion to anything Declan has done past mid 90s (ish).
Danny Baker gave it a big thumbs up on Twitter. I might even have a listen
EC has finally come back! It’s such a pleasure listening to these songs. Right now they enrich my life. That’s the only thing that matters.
Still too scared to listen
Go for it. A busy week means I’ve only managed to listen to it a few times but it is very good. I think I prefer National Ransom but that may change. If you liked Painted From Memory then this seems a natural progression. It seems odd that is so long since that album. I haven’t spotted a stand out track yet though.
Plenty of growers. As a starting point ‘Stripping Paper’ takes you back to an Accidents Will Happeny mood albeit from a man with slightly more time on his hands these days…
Thanks for the review – enough to pique the interest of this lapsed Elvisite.
Wonder what @Dogfacedboy thinks of it ?
I just went to his blog to see what he thinks and I see that he’s posted nothing since July.
I hope he’s OK.
Does anyone have any news?
Well even if he’s not supporting the album with a tour, he’s been doing the promo rounds and has been on more than one BBC television show. He certainly looked well (and claimed he was) on the one I saw.
Has new twitter handle MrDogFangedBoy posting and appears to be going to Ireland and soliciting record shop recommendations. Always a healthy sign for an AWer current or lapsed.
Actually may be same old handle. But he is about and has done some podcasts recent-ish which is a good thing.
Glad to hear he’s still knocking about. I miss his voice on here, even though he could sometimes be a tad abrasive. Along with EC, I’d be curious to know what he thinks of Chibbers’ version of Doctor Who so far..
A tad abrasive
Afterword tshirt
Agree with majority of the positive comments. IMHO this must be the best EC album since Painted From Memory, which is still my favourite (and the ’98 RFH gig with Burt B was stupendous). The echoes of that one and Imperial Bedroom are clear. Great return to form.
Wow! I really like this. Proper old school EC tunes again.