Goodbye Cruel World [Digipak] [Limited] (CD - 1984)

Elvis Costello & The Attractions: Elvis Costello (vocals, guitar, anvil); Steve Nieve (keyboards, synthesizer); Bruce Thomas (bass); Pete Thomas (drums).

Additional personnel: Nick Lowe, Daryl Hall, Green (vocals); Gary Barnacle (saxophone, electric saxophone); Jim Paterson (trombone); Luis Jardim (percussion); Maurice Worm.

Producers: Clive Langer, Alan Winstanley, Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, Bassman.

Principally recorded at Sarm West Studios, London, England in 1984. Originally released on Columbia (39429). Includes liner notes by Elvis Costello.

Elvis Costello & the Attractions: Gary Barnacle (electric saxophone); Jimmy Paterson (trombone); Bruce Thomas (bass guitar); Pete Thomas (drum); Luis Jardin (percussion); Maurice Worm (unknown instrument).

Personnel: Elvis Costello (guitar).

Additional personnel: Daryl Hall (vocals); Green Gartside (background vocals).

During the making of Goodbye Cruel World, Elvis Costello was undergoing a multitude of personal problems, including a divorce, that resulted in a number of poor production decisions and ill-conceived, unformed songs. Like Punch the Clock, Goodbye Cruel World was produced by Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley, the top British hitmakers of the '80s. Consequently, most of the record suffers from a stiff, synthesized production that instantly dates the record. In some cases -- like the duet with Daryl Hall, "The Only Flame in Town," and the cover of the lost Hi R&B gem "I Wanna Be Loved" -- the songs benefit from the shiny, streamlined production but it obscures the merits of the finest songs on the album. "Room with No Number," "The Comedians," "Sour Milk-Cow Blues," and "Peace in Our Time" all cry out for a simple, stripped-down presentation, but they're weighted down with stylized sounds and trendy synthesizers; however, once the sound of the album settles in, the strength of these songs is apparent. The remainder of Goodbye Cruel World isn't as memorable, primarily because Costello's uninspired vocals and the Attractions' muted performances fail to make the weaker songs musically compelling. [This Japanese release includes bonus material.] ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Don't believe the hype. Critics (and Costello himself) generally regard this as Elvis' worst album, but that's far from true. For one thing, it's hard to dispute the overblown MIGHTY LIKE A ROSE's claim to said title. For another, there are too many damn good songs to permit GOODBYE CRUEL WORLD to be overlooked. There may be a lack of focus in the production and arrangements, but any album that opens with the pop-soul artistry of "The Only Flame in Town" and closes with the stirring anthem "Peace In Our Time" has plenty going for it. In between, there's media satire ("Worthless Thing"), classic Costello neurosis ("Inch by Inch") and effective R&B reverence ("I Wanna Be Loved"). Not a good starting point for neophytes, but recommended to true EC fans. minimize