ELVIS COSTELLO
Mighty Like a Rose (Rhino)
Reviewed by Holly Day

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Well, now I know why I really haven't paid much attention to Elvis Costello since the '80s. This double CD (containing the original tracks from 1991's Mighty Like a Rose and a second CD of demos, acoustic versions, and live tracks of the same songs from the original record) is so poppy and sappy that it might as well be Billy Joel singing these songs. The whole thing makes me sad and very nostalgic for the angry and vibrant young man that used to front The Attractions. The best track on here, of course, is the sad and lonely and beautiful "So Like Candy," which almost warrants buying the whole record - however, I just can't own records that I only like one song off of anymore, or I'd have to move my family into a storage facility and get rid of all my furniture just to make room.

© 2003 - Holly Day