Spike

by

Elvis Costello

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First, some context: Although I was familiar with a few (but not many) of Elvis's previous singles, "Spike" is the first of his records that I bought, and has consequently become my comparison benchmark for the rest of his catalog. Prior to this record, I had a vague assumption that I didn't care for Elvis Costello, so winning me over was job one. But after hearing "Veronica" on the radio, seeing a televised acoustic performance of "Let Him Dangle" and going to a play that employed "God's Comic" as an opening mood-setter, I took the chance. And what a payoff!

It has always mystified me that the same sonic disparity that critics had decided marked "Imperial Bedroom" as a great record was largely considered a liability on this record. The arrangements here always seem to support the songs well; giving an understated, folk-protest feel to the acerbic anti-Thatcher diatribe "Tramp The Dirt Down"; bluesy piano for the superb "Deep Dark Truthful Mirror"; spare, nervous bursts of noise on "Pads, Paws & Claws" (one of two songs co-written with Paul McCartney on the record); or the all-out studio gloss of "Satellite" and the aforementioned "Veronica." It never feels as if a horn section was added superfluously, or an orchestra was thrown in simply because he had the budget for it. The songwriting is top-notch, and the arrangements are judiciously eclectic.

My only real criticism of the proper album is rather nit-picky: it's so long that the last three songs have always felt like some sort of extended post-script. The songs are fine when I listen to them, but they've never sunk into my subconscious the way the rest of the album has.

As for this bonus disc with this new Rhino reissue, it gives an interesting insight into the album that could've been. Only five of the seventeen songs on the disc are not represented on the first disc. Consisting almost entirely of guitar-and-voice demos, these tracks highlight how strong the songs are, and that Elvis did not have to resort to studio indulgences to prop up weak material. In fact, if you were one of those who thought of "Spike" as too scattered, you may prefer these stripped versions to some of the final takes. Elvis's liner notes in the expanded booklet make for interesting reading, too. Rhino once again earns my vote as the vanguard label for high-quality reissues.

In short, "Spike" is an excellent album that, in my opinion, stands toe-to-toe with his most critically acclaimed work.