trust

Elvis Costello was persuaded to come out of his early retirement to answer the question, "Who are the trusted?" His fifth album in as many years is an eclectic mix of rhythm & blues, jazz, soul, country, rockabilly, and tin pan alley. The cynical tone sprang from dissatisfaction with his marriage and the results of the recent elections. Elvis wanted to combine the melody of 'Armed Forces' with the rhythm of 'Get Happy!!'; but he refused to follow the formula that made the former a hit. 'Trust' is a triumph that shows Costello broadening his musical palate into more sophisticated musical forms.

"From a personal point of view, this was easily the most drug-influenced record of my career. I say this without any sober piety or in order to glory in it with indulgent hindsight but because it is true. It was completed close to a self-induced nervous collapse on a diet of rough “scrumpy” cider, gin and tonic, various powders, only one of which was “Andrews’ Liver Salts”, and, in the final hours, Seconal and Johnnie Walker Black Label. The barely coherent ramblings of my addled brain were gradually beaten into some shape by the relentless re-working of melodies and lyrical fragments, many of which pre-dated my professional career. The radical shift from the innocence of those early drafts of the cynical and jagged texts contained in the final record is only balanced by one or two precisely constructed compositions, most notably, “Shot With His Own Gun" — the first result of having bought a Bechstein baby grand piano in early 1980...  The poise and calm of several of the cuts belies the wild mood swings and the violent hangover through which most of this music was recorded. “New Lace Sleeves", in particular, is among the finest of The Attractions’ ensemble performances. That the song itself is mostly concerned with the tension between passion and the emotionally suppressing influence of “being civilized” is an irony that we can all enjoy with twenty years or more of hindsight."

The sessions for 'Trust' were produced by Nick Lowe, in association with Roger Bechirian  and featured Elvis Costello on vocals and guitar; plus all instruments on "Big Sister's Clothes";  with The Attractions:  Steve Nieve on piano and organ, Bruce Thomas on bass, and Pete Thomas on drums.  "From A Whisper To A Scream" features  Glenn Tilbrook on vocals  and  Martin Belmont on guitar.    'Trust'   went to number seventy one in Australia, twenty-eight in Norway and the US, seventeen in New Zealand, nine in the UK, and eight in Sweden.    

http://www.elviscostello.com/

'Clubland'

"With a handful of backhanders and a bevy of beauty

You're going off limits
Going off duty
Going off the rails
Going off with booty"

'From A Whisper To A Scream'

'Watch Your Step'

"Bye

I send you all my regards

You're so tough

You're so hard

Listen to the hammers falling in the breaker's yard"

'New Lace Sleeves'

"The teacher never told you anything but white lies

But you never see the lies
And you believe
Oh you know you have been captured
You feel so civilized"

'Luxembourg'

"You look like a lover but you're only a tourist"

 'Trust' 

full album:

All songs written by Elvis Costello

Side 1
1. Clubland  3:42
2. Lovers Walk  2:15
3. You'll Never Be A Man 2:54
4. Pretty Words  3:10
5. Strict Time  2:39
6. Luxembourg  2:25
7. Watch Your Step  2:57

Side 2
8. New Lace Sleeves  3:44
9. From A Whisper To A Scream  2:52
10. Different Finger  1:56
11. White Knuckles  3:46
12. Shot With His Own Gun  3:29
13. Fish 'N' Chip Paper  2:53
14. Big Sister's Clothes  2:09