Customer Reviews

Trust (Bonus CD) (Dlx)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Very few have sung the praises of Trust and for three simple reason; it had no breakthrough hit singles, lacked the sparkle of the new (like his first two releases)and lacked the exposure of his first three albums. It's also quite probably his best album. There's a mixture of the old and the new here; some of the material dates from before My Aim Is True so it echoes some of his earlier material in theme and approach while the newer stuff hints at a lyrical depth only fleetingly glimpsed on his best albums.

At the time of its release Trust was seen as something of a comedown; it was merely another Elvis Costello album with Nick Lowe at the helm. It lacked the sparkle of Costello's brighter, poppier melodies but the music had a depth and sophistication that clearly showed that EC was still a work in progress. From the opening number Clubland with its brilliant piano flourishes courtesy of Steve Nieve to the brutal From a Whisper to a Scream with Glenn Tilbrook's warm tenor dueting with EC, Trust provided a glimpse into EC's current state of mind. It would be superceded by the brilliant Pet Sounds/Pepper homage Imperial Bedroom but never surpassed. Yes, EC would continue to develop as a songwriter with the next album but this was EC distilled down to his very essence; quirky, powerful, catchy songwriting with the bite of a doberman.

This remastered expanded edition on Rhino (for those that are interested the Universal release uses the same mastering just lacking the bonus disc)has extensive liner notes, lyrics and some gems that didn't appear on the generous Rykodisc version released nearly a decade ago. The sound quality is spiffier sounding with deeper, richer sound but its still essentially the same album. Here EC elected to do as he did with the previous reissues; present the original album without any bonus tracks to mar the flow of the album and then a second disc with all the bonus tracks packaged together. It works. Trust should be, first and foremost, presented in its original format. Unlikely later releases (notably the weak, overproduced and glossy sounding Goodbye Cruel World and Punch The Clock).

The second disc is augmented with 8 bonus tracks consisting of alternate versions of material that appears on the main album. While the differences aren't always huge, the performances and the power packed into each make them worthwhile additions. The final track consists of the original piano demo for The Long Honeymoon (from Imperial Bedroom). It's interesting to contrast the simplicity of this demo to the final, elaborate version that made it to the EC/Geoff Emerick produced version.

While none of these alternate versions/early demos are relevations, they add a fresh feeling and a new appreciation for EC's craftmanship. Yes, he's an inspired, frequently brilliant artist but one that also is enamored with the craft necessary to make the music work. It's the last glimpse we'll get of the fire driven angst of EC until Blood and Chocolate. It's also the next to last album in a string of unbroken brilliantly realized classic albums.

"Trust" broke form with earlier Elvis Costello albums in a major way. For the first time, Elvis shifted focus from the brute force of his music to presenting himself more as a vocalist. Where he would often just bellow the songs out (think "Goon Squad" or most of "Get Happy"), on "Trust" he began to explore his range. A fair amount of this might have to do with the liner notes continual references to EC's increased drinking problems, but probably more to his budding relationship with Chris Difford of Squeeze. That friendship led to one of the album's highlights when Difford's bandmate Glenn Tillbrook joined EC on "From A Whisper To A Scream." (Squeeze got the favor returned when Elvis co-produced "East Side Story" and added his voice to the classic "Tempted.")

Elvis was also in the middle of something of a writer's draught, which meant that he polished up a few older tunes from his pre-Aim days, and left a couple of songs sounding less than stellar. "You'll Never Be A Man," "Luxembourg" and "Big Sister's Clothes" were the first times I'd ever felt that the songs on an Elvis album were filler (hence the 4 star rating). Not like it mattered, because along with "New Lace Sleeves" and "From A Whisper to a Scream," there was the magnificent "Shot With His Own Gun," a stunning piano ballad. That particular song upped the ante for Elvis the writer, as well as being perfectly realized as a vocalist. (It could also be viewed as a precursor to "Imperial Bedroom's" "The Long Honeymoon" and "Almost Blue.")

Like many of Elvis' albums, "Trust" has aged delightfully. While many may have dismissed it upon release as EC mellowing out, it was actually the maturation point where Elvis the "Angry Young Man" became the classic tunesmith that would carry into the soon to come "Imperial Bedroom."

It would be difficult to choose among several great albums Elvis Costello recorded betweem 1977 and 1986 but TRUST could very well be the best. It was the first album to showcase Elvis's wide-ranging musical interests and far-reaching songwriting talent. It also contains perhaps the best performance on an album by the Attractions. Of the original 14 tracks, there isn't a single clunker but stand-outs are Lover's Walk, Strict Time, New Lace Sleeves and Fish 'n' Chips Paper. This album is a "must have" for any Elvis Costello fan. Between 1976 and 1980 Elvis Costello wrote and recorded 5 albums: "My Aim is True", "This Year's Model", "Armed Forces", "Get Happy!!!" and "Trust". He's made many great records since then but these albums mark the watershed period of his career. There are very few artists that can put together a single album as great as any of these and he created all 5 in a period of 4 years. Elvis is truly extraordinary. He could have retired after making Trust and he'd still be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I'd give it 12 stars if I could.

As some of the other reviewers have pointed out, its incredibly hard to really pick a "best" EC album between '77 and '86 simply because the man just made some remarkably amazing music. Whats interesting to note about this record is that it followed "Taking Liberties"/"Ten Bloody Marys.." (a collection of b-sides) and "Get Happy!" (an homage to soul). So is this really Costello's fourth album? Theres no denying, its musically closer to the first three releases and by god its really damn good. Theres a few tracks I'm not so hot on like "Shot with his own gun" but the rest is gold. The lyrical maturity shows on tracks like "You'll never be a man", and "Sad about girls" is one the best songs ever left off an album. Listen to this album, weep with joy.

Elvis at perhaps his finest. I just panned When I Was Cruel, and had to write this paean to Trust, just to assuage my guilt. If you've never heard this, buy it. Elvis never put so many great words into such taut songs. New Lace Sleeves, Strict Time, too many brilliant songs to name. The Attractions also deserve kudos for their stellar work here. Very little of this isn't worth hearing over and over. Among the best albums ever made...insert your own encomium here.

When I was 17 and first got this album I was disappointed that there was a lack of anger and caffeine energy as in his previous albums, I just listened to "Fish and Chip Paper", "Watch Your Step" and "Clubland" over and over again ignoring the rest of the cuts. But 20+ years later as an adult all the stuff just sounds great. Like a great novel there's a certain amount of living that is required to be able to understand the beauty of the art. What sticks out for me now is "You'll Never be a Man", - the instrumental backup of the lyrical gymnastics and piano solo sends me into a melancholly daydream every time.

Declan's finest album IMHO. If I were stranded on a deserted island with ten albums, this would make the list.

Not every EC album has aged as well as this one. The songs here aren't as well-known as those on his first four albums, which helps. Also, Nick Lowe's production is brilliant, perfectly complimenting the songs without overshadowing them. Compared to his next few albums, which were occasionally lost in the production (worst being, of course, Goodbye Cruel World). Note to Costello completists: don't ditch your earlier Rykodisc pressing of this; the version of "Seconds of Pleasure" on that one is not on this (and differs from the versions of "Seconds" on the Punch the Clock and Imperial Bedroom reissues).

'Trust' is, without a doubt, Elvis Costello's most original record; it's also his strongest. One day the critics will wise up, until then, it's our little secret. Buy this.

Somewhat overlooked in the early portion of Elvis's career is this rather unique collection of songs. No classics here, but solid overall. 'Strict Time', 'Lover's Walk' and 'From a Whisper...' are favorites.