Elvis Costello and the Attractions "Imperial Bedroom" (1982)
Costello was up to the grand total of 6 albums in 5 years, including raw
rock n roll with a punk energy, a country album and an album of
keyboard-heavy pop.
With the Beatles' engineer Geoff Emerick on board as producer, Elvis and
co set down a platter of lush pop here, with arrangements ranging from
smokey jazz blues to full-on Sgt Peppers-esque bouncy baroque pop. Sonically, the
band throws in everything from backwards guitars to horn sections.
As with previous Costello albums, I keep thinking that his prolific
output is going to offer up a few duds, or at least 'middle of the road'
fare... if it is, it's yet to show up, because this is a great album!
