Customer Reviews

Trust

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

 

 

Trust was the point where Elvis started using the piano to expand on his musical ideas, and Steve Nieve was the right person to do it for him.

Trust often gets overlooked, perhaps because at the time it wasn't a popular hit (during a period when Elvis did have popular hits), but also because his next album of originals would be "Imperial Bedroom" where the piano really took over.

But Trust has tighter songs, and it rocks so much harder than "IB", in much the same way that makes me consider the Beatles' "Revolver" to be a slightly better album than "Sergeant Pepper".

If you are an Elvis Costello fan, this album is essential.

this is truly a "transitional" album. both the young, snotty elvis and the middle-aged, bitter elvis can be heard in these intricate, claustrophobic songs. elvis sounds like he's not entirely in control of his unruly band or his thorny, difficult songs here, and he doesn't really seem to care. the end result is rewarding, but only for the previously committed. trust me....

Trust indeed catches Elvis in a period of transition. He seems to be growing away from the thumping pop hooks to more sophisticated, although somber, material. I believe he delivers in both areas, popping and rocking on great tracks like "Strict Time" (give it a listen above), "From a Whisper to a Scream" (with Squeeze's Glenn Tillbrook) and "Fish and Chip Paper"- whilst toning it down to great effect on "Watch Your Step" and "Big Sister's Clothes". I don't think his vocals have ever sounded this good. If you are someone who is trying to figure out what Elvis is all about, I would suggest this album. It may not have all the hits, but catches him at the first fork in his career road. I highly recommend it. I have every one of Elvis's CDs and this remains my favorite.

This is one of the best albums in history - buy it!

There are not many albums that are almost exclusivly on base piano and drums.

What can I say? Out of 14 songs, 11 are flawlessly crafted pop songs crammed with hooks and astoundingly clever lyrics, many of them in radically different styles, all played and sung with consumate skill and conviction. The rest of the songs are merely very good. It blows my mind that anyone could fail to list this album among Costello's best.

One may say that this album is the first Costello made without his original, and indeed brilliant, punch. But that would be to underestimate his ability to make extraordinary music with the use of balladery and moods.

"Trust" is my all-time favourite album; eclectic and surprising, but never without the fine melody, and always with a lyrical finesse to it.

"Luxembourg" and "From a whisper to a scream" makes you even happier and frenetic than "Get Happy!!" did, and "Shot by his own gun" or the beautiful "New Lace Sleeves" reveals the real composer inside the Pope of Pop.

Recommended!!

"Trust" represents the pinnacle of Costello's songwriting talents as well as the versatility and arranging prowess of The Attractions. While "Imperial Bedroom" garners many of these same kudos and "Get Happy" gets the overall nod from other factions of Elvis fans, it is here on this record where we are treated to the most consistent balance between future experimentation and the immediate punch of his earliest works.

Before diving head-first into the pop grandeur of IMPERIAL BEDROOM, Costello uses TRUST as a stepping stone of sorts, augmenting his earlier sound with more sophisticated song structures (downright weird at times) and showing that he's not afraid to take chances musically or lyrically. Gone altogether is Nieve's Vox keyboard, and the total conversion over to the piano gives the album a very distinct sound right away, with the first track "Clubland" (Costello fans should search high and low for a recording of Nieve and Costello's "beatbox" version from their live shows in the late-90's). That being said, the album as a whole does not feel cohesive and while there are excellent peaks, there are also significant valleys. "Whisper to a Scream" is pretty weak, as is "Luxembourg". Although several reviewers here love the latter, it sounds very contrived and forced to my ears; but then again, I've never really been a fan of that sort of psuedo-50's "rockin", reverb revival material. If I want to hear the Johnny Burnette Trio, I'll go listen to it.

But the peaks make it worth the purchase. Give it time to grow on you. Songs that sounded somewhat bland the first time through ended up being some of my favorite Costello cuts ever, songs such as "White Knuckles", "Big Sister's Clothes" and "Strict Time". By far the best and most imaginative is "You'll Never Be a Man", with its terse two line verses and ungodly long chorus. In fact, I think this may hold the record for the longest pop chorus, although Tori Amos' recent "Amber Waves" comes close to dethroning it. Overall, not a starting point if you're unfamiliar with Costello's work but definitely mandatory for those with an interest.

I saw Elvis Costello about the time of this album, he put on a show well over 2.5 hours that was absolutly amazing. Talk Talk was even the warm up to a small crowd under 2,000, man what a great night! I have purchased numerous Costello albums, cassettes over the years all gone now, and have purchased a lot of his comilation CD's. I need to get Trust back on CD because this is just such a great CD and there are a lot of great tunes not on the compilation's. You can tell it's great because no one is selling there's on amazon! LOL

This was the 2nd EC record I ever bought, after Get Happy. In the intervening 20 years, I forgot about it, preferring Get Happy or Imperial Bedroom, or wandering into the earlier stuff.

When I came back to "Trust" I was struck by what a magnificent voice EC brings to it. It's got all of the energy associated with the first 3 records, AND the musical inventiveness that made Imperial Bedroom a standout. The strength of that voice! 'Shot with his own gun' sends a chill up my spine!

The sparkle of the piano and clarity of the vocals make almost every track worthwhile. Listen to "Clubland" and wish that pop music sounded like this NOW.

Bottom line:If you're into Elvis at all, this is an overlooked gem and worth the price. Plus: the cover has the most beautiful photo to appear on an EC record. You shoulda seen it poster size!!!! Stunning.