| features in: Album Chart of 1981 ● Album Chart of the Decade: 1980s |
The optimism of 1980’s “Get Happy” gives way to cynicism just 1 year later on “Trust”, the songs on the album dealing with political disenchantment of a personal and universal nature. Trusty ever-present Nick Lowe handles production duties once again, each release finding new levels of musical sophistication. “New Lace Sleeves” is the album’s killer classic, as Costello sketches an opening verse about the morning after a late-night hook-up, culminating in the knowing one-liner “Good manners and bad breath will get you nowhere.” The excellent “Shot With His Own Gun” is another highlight which packs a one-two punch with Costello’s vocals and Nieve’s piano - “On your marks, man, ready, set, Let’s get loaded and forget”. In interview he later commented “This was easily the most drug-influenced record of my career… it was completed close to a self-induced nervous collapse on a diet of rough 'scrumpy' cider, gin and tonic, various powders … and, in the final hours, Seconal and Johnnie Walker Black Label.” Interestingly, he'd be candid in talking about influences by other contemporary artists. As Wikipedia tells; “Clubland” incorporated the guitar style of The Police, “You’ll Never Be A Man” borrowed from The Pretenders, “White Knuckles” was modelled on XTC records, “Fish ’n’ Chip Paper” was an homage to Squeeze, whilst “Big Sister’s Clothes” had a bassline based on work by The Clash. No big singles from this one (“Clubland” made #60) but the album placed in the UK Top 10 for the fourth consecutive time.
The Jukebox Rebel
26–Mar–2006
| Tracklist |
| A1 | [03:42]  Elvis Costello and The Attractions - Clubland (Declan MacManus) New Wave |
| A2 | [02:17]  Elvis Costello and The Attractions - Lover’s Walk (Declan MacManus) New Wave |
| A3 | [02:56]  Elvis Costello and The Attractions - You’ll Never Be A Man (Declan MacManus) Cerebral Pop |
| A4 | [03:11]  Elvis Costello and The Attractions - Pretty Words (Declan MacManus) New Wave |
| A5 | [02:40]  Elvis Costello and The Attractions - Strict Time (Declan MacManus) New Wave |
| A6 | [02:26]  Elvis Costello and The Attractions - Luxembourg (Declan MacManus) Rock n Roll / Rockabilly |
| A7 | [02:57]  Elvis Costello and The Attractions - Watch Your Step (Declan MacManus) New Wave |
| B1 | [03:45]  Elvis Costello and The Attractions - New Lace Sleeves (Declan MacManus) New Wave |
| B2 | [02:54]  Elvis Costello and The Attractions - From A Whisper To A Scream (Declan MacManus) Cerebral Pop |
| B3 | [01:58]  Elvis Costello and The Attractions - Different Finger (Declan MacManus) Country |
| B4 | [03:47]  Elvis Costello and The Attractions - White Knuckles (Declan MacManus) New Wave |
| B5 | [03:30]  Elvis Costello and The Attractions - Shot With His Own Gun (Declan MacManus) Songwriter |
| B6 | [02:55]  Elvis Costello and The Attractions - Fish ‘n’ Chip Paper (Declan MacManus) New Wave |
| B7 | [02:11]  Elvis Costello and The Attractions - Big Sister’s Clothes (Declan MacManus) Songwriter |
