11.07.2018
ELVIS COSTELLO JUST COULDN’T PULL HIMSELF AWAY FROM THE N.J. STAGE
NJ.com: Russ DeSantis: November 8th 2018
Elvis Costello’s latest tour, in support of a widely acclaimed new album released last month by the songwriting icon, requires two modes of consumption from its audience.
The first is more familiar, albeit infrequent in this particular roadshow: the get-up-and-clap exuberance Costello has conjured from his fans since the late ’70s and again harnessed Tuesday night in Asbury Park — his first time playing the city since 2002. The Paramount Theatre crowd was on its feet and bopping to foregone post-punk staples “This Year’s Girl” (which opened the set), “(The Angels Want To Wear My) Red Shoes,” and “High Fidelity,” among a few others.
But this performance was ultimately defined by a second, more dominant tone, one of higher concept and deeper melancholy. Despite his possession of enough classic, Attractions-era material to fill a week’s-worth of setlists, Costello gave his new record, called “Look Now,” its due place in the Jersey Shore spotlight, running through 10 of the 12 new tracks that ranged from slow-burning chamber pop to moodier soul.