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Perhaps frustrated by the lack of commercial success Imperial Bedroom encountered, Elvis Costello enlisted British hitmakers Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley to produce its follow-up, Punch the Clock. The difference between the two records is immediately noticeable. Punch the Clock has a slick, glossy surface, complete with layered synthesizers, horns, studio effects, and the backup vocals of Afrodiziak. The approach isn't necessarily a misguided one, since Costello is as much a pop musician as he is a singer/songwriter and many of the best moments on the record -- "Everyday I Write the Book," "Let Them All Talk" -- work well as shiny pop singles. However, the problem with Punch the Clock is that Costello is entering a fallow songwriting period; it is his least consistent set of original songs to date. The best moments, the antiwar ballad "Shipbuilding" and the eerie pseudo-rap "Pills and Soap," are as articulate and effective as any of his past work, but frequently Costello falls short of meeting his standards, particularly when he's trying to write a song in the style of his older songs. Nevertheless, the sheen of the Langer and Winstanley production makes Punch the Clock a pleasurable listen. Costello's uneven writing means that only portions of the album are memorable.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
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David Bedford, String Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - CLIVE LANGER, Producer - Pete Thomas, Cymbals, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Claudia Fontaine, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Alan Winstanley, Producer - Jeff Blythe, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Paterson, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Nieve, Organ, Hammond Organ, Piano, Synclavier, Unknown, Other, AssociatedPerformer - ELVIS COSTELLO, Guitar, Vocals, Synclavier, Unknown, Other, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - COLIN FAIRLEY, Producer, Assistant Producer - Gavin Greenaway, Producer, Assistant Producer - Bruce Thomas, Electric Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Caron Wheeler, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Morris Pert, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Russell, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist - Paul Speare, Flute, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Plews, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1983 Elvis Costello
David Bedford, String Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - CLIVE LANGER, Producer - Pete Thomas, Cymbals, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Claudia Fontaine, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Alan Winstanley, Producer - Jeff Blythe, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Paterson, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Nieve, Organ, Hammond Organ, Piano, Synclavier, Unknown, Other, AssociatedPerformer - ELVIS COSTELLO, Guitar, Vocals, Synclavier, Unknown, Other, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - COLIN FAIRLEY, Producer, Assistant Producer - Gavin Greenaway, Producer, Assistant Producer - Bruce Thomas, Electric Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Caron Wheeler, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Morris Pert, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Russell, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist - Paul Speare, Flute, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Plews, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1983 Elvis Costello
David Bedford, String Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - CLIVE LANGER, Producer - Pete Thomas, Cymbals, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Claudia Fontaine, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Alan Winstanley, Producer - Jeff Blythe, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Paterson, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Nieve, Organ, Hammond Organ, Piano, Synclavier, Unknown, Other, AssociatedPerformer - ELVIS COSTELLO, Guitar, Vocals, Synclavier, Unknown, Other, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - COLIN FAIRLEY, Producer, Assistant Producer - Gavin Greenaway, Producer, Assistant Producer - Bruce Thomas, Electric Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Caron Wheeler, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Morris Pert, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Russell, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist - Paul Speare, Flute, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Plews, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1983 Elvis Costello
David Bedford, String Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - CLIVE LANGER, Producer - Pete Thomas, Cymbals, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Claudia Fontaine, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Alan Winstanley, Producer - Jeff Blythe, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Paterson, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Nieve, Organ, Hammond Organ, Piano, Synclavier, Unknown, Other, AssociatedPerformer - ELVIS COSTELLO, Guitar, Vocals, Synclavier, Unknown, Other, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - COLIN FAIRLEY, Producer, Assistant Producer - Gavin Greenaway, Producer, Assistant Producer - Bruce Thomas, Electric Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Caron Wheeler, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Morris Pert, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Russell, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist - Paul Speare, Flute, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Plews, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1983 Elvis Costello
David Bedford, String Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - CLIVE LANGER, Producer - Pete Thomas, Cymbals, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Claudia Fontaine, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Alan Winstanley, Producer - Jeff Blythe, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Paterson, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Nieve, Organ, Hammond Organ, Piano, Synclavier, Unknown, Other, AssociatedPerformer - ELVIS COSTELLO, Guitar, Vocals, Synclavier, Unknown, Other, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - COLIN FAIRLEY, Producer, Assistant Producer - Gavin Greenaway, Producer, Assistant Producer - Bruce Thomas, Electric Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Caron Wheeler, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Morris Pert, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Russell, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist - Paul Speare, Flute, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Plews, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1983 Elvis Costello
David Bedford, String Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - CLIVE LANGER, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Pete Thomas, Cymbals, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Claudia Fontaine, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Chet Baker, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Alan Winstanley, Producer - Jeff Blythe, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Paterson, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Nieve, Organ, Hammond Organ, Piano, Synclavier, Unknown, Other, AssociatedPerformer - ELVIS COSTELLO, Guitar, Vocals, Synclavier, Unknown, Other, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - COLIN FAIRLEY, Producer, Assistant Producer - Gavin Greenaway, Producer, Assistant Producer - Bruce Thomas, Electric Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Caron Wheeler, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Morris Pert, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Russell, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist - Paul Speare, Flute, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Plews, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Alan Wistanley, Producer
℗ 1983 Elvis Costello
David Bedford, String Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - CLIVE LANGER, Producer - Pete Thomas, Cymbals, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Claudia Fontaine, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Alan Winstanley, Producer - Jeff Blythe, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Paterson, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Nieve, Organ, Hammond Organ, Piano, Synclavier, Unknown, Other, AssociatedPerformer - ELVIS COSTELLO, Guitar, Vocals, Synclavier, Unknown, Other, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - COLIN FAIRLEY, Producer, Assistant Producer - Gavin Greenaway, Producer, Assistant Producer - Bruce Thomas, Electric Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Caron Wheeler, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Morris Pert, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Russell, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist - Paul Speare, Flute, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Plews, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1983 Elvis Costello
David Bedford, String Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - CLIVE LANGER, Producer - Pete Thomas, Cymbals, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Claudia Fontaine, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Alan Winstanley, Producer - Jeff Blythe, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Paterson, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Nieve, Organ, Hammond Organ, Piano, Synclavier, Unknown, Other, AssociatedPerformer - ELVIS COSTELLO, Guitar, Vocals, Synclavier, Unknown, Other, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - COLIN FAIRLEY, Producer, Assistant Producer - Gavin Greenaway, Producer, Assistant Producer - Bruce Thomas, Electric Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Caron Wheeler, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Morris Pert, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Russell, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist - Paul Speare, Flute, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Plews, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1983 Elvis Costello
David Bedford, String Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - CLIVE LANGER, Producer - Pete Thomas, Cymbals, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Claudia Fontaine, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Alan Winstanley, Producer - Jeff Blythe, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Paterson, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Nieve, Organ, Hammond Organ, Piano, Synclavier, Unknown, Other, AssociatedPerformer - ELVIS COSTELLO, Guitar, Vocals, Synclavier, Unknown, Other, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - COLIN FAIRLEY, Producer, Assistant Producer - Gavin Greenaway, Producer, Assistant Producer - Bruce Thomas, Electric Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Caron Wheeler, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Morris Pert, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Russell, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist - Paul Speare, Flute, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Plews, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1983 Elvis Costello
David Bedford, String Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - CLIVE LANGER, Producer - Pete Thomas, Cymbals, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Claudia Fontaine, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Alan Winstanley, Producer - Jeff Blythe, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Paterson, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Nieve, Organ, Hammond Organ, Piano, Synclavier, Unknown, Other, AssociatedPerformer - ELVIS COSTELLO, Guitar, Vocals, Synclavier, Unknown, Other, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - COLIN FAIRLEY, Producer, Assistant Producer - Gavin Greenaway, Producer, Assistant Producer - Bruce Thomas, Electric Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Caron Wheeler, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Morris Pert, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Russell, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist - Paul Speare, Flute, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Plews, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1983 Elvis Costello
David Bedford, String Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - CLIVE LANGER, Producer - Pete Thomas, Cymbals, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Claudia Fontaine, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Alan Winstanley, Producer - Jeff Blythe, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Paterson, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Nieve, Organ, Hammond Organ, Piano, Synclavier, Unknown, Other, AssociatedPerformer - ELVIS COSTELLO, Guitar, Vocals, Synclavier, Unknown, Other, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - COLIN FAIRLEY, Producer, Assistant Producer - Gavin Greenaway, Producer, Assistant Producer - Bruce Thomas, Electric Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Caron Wheeler, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Morris Pert, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Russell, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist - Paul Speare, Flute, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Plews, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1983 Elvis Costello
David Bedford, String Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - CLIVE LANGER, Producer - Pete Thomas, Cymbals, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Claudia Fontaine, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Alan Winstanley, Producer - Jeff Blythe, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Paterson, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Nieve, Organ, Hammond Organ, Piano, Synclavier, Unknown, Other, AssociatedPerformer - ELVIS COSTELLO, Guitar, Vocals, Synclavier, Unknown, Other, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - COLIN FAIRLEY, Producer, Assistant Producer - Gavin Greenaway, Producer, Assistant Producer - Bruce Thomas, Electric Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Caron Wheeler, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Morris Pert, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Russell, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist - Paul Speare, Flute, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Plews, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1983 Elvis Costello
David Bedford, String Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - CLIVE LANGER, Producer - Pete Thomas, Cymbals, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Claudia Fontaine, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Alan Winstanley, Producer - Jeff Blythe, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Paterson, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Nieve, Organ, Hammond Organ, Piano, Synclavier, Unknown, Other, AssociatedPerformer - ELVIS COSTELLO, Guitar, Vocals, Synclavier, Unknown, Other, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - COLIN FAIRLEY, Producer, Assistant Producer - Gavin Greenaway, Producer, Assistant Producer - Bruce Thomas, Electric Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Caron Wheeler, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Morris Pert, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Russell, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist - Paul Speare, Flute, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Plews, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Stuart Robson, Flugelhorn, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1983 Elvis Costello
Album review
Perhaps frustrated by the lack of commercial success Imperial Bedroom encountered, Elvis Costello enlisted British hitmakers Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley to produce its follow-up, Punch the Clock. The difference between the two records is immediately noticeable. Punch the Clock has a slick, glossy surface, complete with layered synthesizers, horns, studio effects, and the backup vocals of Afrodiziak. The approach isn't necessarily a misguided one, since Costello is as much a pop musician as he is a singer/songwriter and many of the best moments on the record -- "Everyday I Write the Book," "Let Them All Talk" -- work well as shiny pop singles. However, the problem with Punch the Clock is that Costello is entering a fallow songwriting period; it is his least consistent set of original songs to date. The best moments, the antiwar ballad "Shipbuilding" and the eerie pseudo-rap "Pills and Soap," are as articulate and effective as any of his past work, but frequently Costello falls short of meeting his standards, particularly when he's trying to write a song in the style of his older songs. Nevertheless, the sheen of the Langer and Winstanley production makes Punch the Clock a pleasurable listen. Costello's uneven writing means that only portions of the album are memorable.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 13 track(s)
- Total length: 00:45:26
- Main artists: Elvis Costello
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: UMe - Elvis Costello
- Genre: Pop/Rock Rock
© 2015 Elvis Costello ℗ 1983 Elvis Costello
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