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It wouldn't be hard to misplace this album with Costello's earlier, angry young nerd records 'This Years Model' and 'My Aim Is True', for it is equally as itchy as his early efforts, but with his ever growing intelligence as a songwriter becoming more and more prominent it wouldn't be hard to call this 'easily the best Elvis Costello album' - particularly on first listen.
Opening with the superb 'Pony Street' and continuing the bitterness throughout all 15 songs this is splendidly basic compared to many of Costello's later works, and how it works so well. This is the album Costello fans everywhere had been waiting for, the strain on '20% Amnesia' is classic Elvis, 'You tripped at every step' is almost has heartbreaking as 1978's 'Alison', 'Kinder Murder' is just frightening... I could go on but you get the message - this is an undiscovered masterpiece, everybody should have a copy.
With all of the Attractions, Costello's original line up, playing in some form or another on the recording, and with the inspirational Nick Lowe also appearing, you can't possibly imagine a new-wave album as a good as this. There is a few though, but Costello wrote them all, but don't let that put you off this album that's just a credit to his genius. I strongly recommend this album to anybody looking to get into Elvis Costello, infact, I strongly recommend this album to anybody.
I bought this for £2 from a 2nd hand shop for no good reason other than it was cheap. Very well worth buying this album. I've had it for five years and it's back in the cd player on repeat. There are at least four stand out tracks on this album that would be career highs for a lot of other artists. I'm not going to quote lyrics out of context as they might lose some Elvis magic. He & the band mix outstanding musicianship with top drawer tunes & scythingly insightful words. Bliss!
Whilst Brutal Youth does not quite have the consistency of Costello's very best recordings, at its best it features a brilliantly compelling mix of rockier songs and ballads, as well as being peppered with some typically witty, caustic and dark lyrics courtesy of Mr MacManus. In the former up-tempo category we have the disturbing tale of rape and murder in the ironically titled Kinder Murder, featuring an appropriately sneering vocal and some searing guitar from Costello; similarly, 13 Steps Lead Down is another vibrant and dark tale of abuse, with some brilliantly dissonant guitar to play us out (sound-wise, this could easily have been a deleted cut from My Aim Is True); 20% Amnesia is a rocking, vibrant and lyrical gem, with its nihilistic tale of misplaced and unattained global ambitions, whilst My Science Fiction Twin, is another disturbing tale of modern day illusions (and fifty foot women) and to boot has a brilliantly infectious beat.... Read more ›
All Elvis fans need to know is that it is his usual excellence, blending fine off-beat melodies, sardonic lyrics and a mixture of orchestral arrangements and 'hard' rock. If I ever got to meet Elvis, I would ask him one question: "Can you never find any joy in the world?"
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