The Zimmermann Note

Elvis Costello has been all over the map music-wise. He has tackled just about every music genre and been prolific in the process. The words just roll off his lips.

Elvis has been in my life for a good 20+ years and through all his works, whether it was his early debut works, his clashes with various genres of music whether it was country, bluegrass or classical, Blood and Chocolate was always the most deeply emotional album that seemed to truly pull out Costello’s soul. A song like “Uncomplicated” is written for Costello’s voice and you feel the pain in Costello’s voice in “I Want You”.

Costello has that voice that nasally voice that is either reveled or reviled by music listeners. I think that often that when Costello is direct and tries to get his point across he is at his best. Songs like Radio, Radio and Allison from earlier albums point to his strengths. While ‘Blood and Chocolate’ does not contain many of his so-called hits, the personal nature of the songs bring both the alkaline of blood and the sweetness of Chocolate to your lips and yet still darker than some of his previous albums.

There is a sense of urgency on the album which might be related to the manner at which the band recorded the album, done in a single room at high volume.

But there is something deeper in this album. You just cannot write shit situations in your life and put some fancy production values on top and release it. There is a back to basics approach with this album but also in “R.E.M. Talk” a feeling that this is Elvis and The Attractions, “Fables of the Reconstruction”, an album made under strife and that strife creating something very personal.

Elvis has made a host load of albums and there are several which are more note-worthy among critics (Armed Forces, This Years Model, My Aim Is True) but this is the album that I keep on coming back to. I would still say for the Elvis Costello novice to get “Armed Forces” first but if you want something special, this is the one to get.