Album Info
| Artist: | Elvis Costello And The Attractions |
| Album: | Blood & Chocolate |
| Released: | Europe, 30 Oct 2015 |
Tracklist:
| A1 | Uncomplicated | |
| A2 | I Hope You're Happy Now | |
| A3 | Tokyo Storm Warning | |
| A4 | Home Is Anywhere You Hang Your Head | |
| Instruments [Balgo, Kanoj, Klingovaroj] - Napoleon Dynamite | ||
| A5 | I Want You | |
| Acoustic Guitar [Acoustika Guitaro] - Nick Lowe | ||
| B1 | Honey Are You Straight Or Are You Blind? | |
| Acoustic Guitar [Acoustika Guitaro] - Nick Lowe | ||
| Organ [Vox Kontinenta] - Napoleon Dynamite | ||
| B2 | Blue Chair | |
| Acoustic Guitar [Acoustika Guitaro] - Nick Lowe | ||
| B3 | Battered Old Bird | |
| Harmonium [Harmoniumo] - Napoleon Dynamite, Steve Nieve | ||
| B4 | Crimes Of Paris | |
| Vocals [Voca] - Cait O'Riordan | ||
| B5 | Poor Napoleon | |
| Backing Vocals [Parolis Voco] - Cait O'Riordan | ||
| Bass, Tambourine [Helpa Baso, Tamburino] - Napoleon Dynamite | ||
| B6 | Next Time Around | |
| Acoustic Guitar [Acoustika Guitaro] - Nick Lowe |
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Description
Elvis Costello and The Attractions' album Blood & Chocolate, released in September 1986, stands as a testament to the raw, unfiltered energy that defined much of Costello's work during the 1980s. This record, his eleventh studio album and the second released in the same year following King of America, showcases a return to the more aggressive and biting sound that characterised his earlier collaborations with The Attractions, contrasting with the more acoustic and introspective tone of its predecessor.
Produced by Nick Lowe, who had worked with Costello on several of his most iconic albums, Blood & Chocolate captures a sense of urgency and tension. The recording sessions were reportedly fraught with interpersonal conflicts, particularly between Costello and bassist Bruce Thomas, yet this tension seems to have fuelled the album's intensity. The production style is deliberately raw, with a live-in-the-studio feel that amplifies the emotional weight of the songs.
The album opens with "Uncomplicated", a track that immediately sets the tone with its pounding rhythm and snarling vocals. It's a song that feels almost primal in its simplicity, yet it's undeniably effective in drawing the listener into the album's world. This is followed by "I Hope You're Happy Now", a sharp and sardonic track that showcases Costello's knack for blending wit with emotional depth.
One of the standout tracks is "I Want You", a haunting and obsessive ballad that stretches over six minutes. The song's minimalist arrangement and Costello's anguished delivery make it one of the most emotionally intense moments in his discography. It's a track that lingers long after the album has finished, a testament to its power.
Another highlight is "Tokyo Storm Warning", a sprawling, surreal narrative that combines vivid imagery with a driving beat. The song's lyrics are dense and layered, inviting repeated listens to fully unpack their meaning. "Blue Chair" offers a more upbeat, pop-inflected moment, showcasing the versatility of Costello and The Attractions.
Blood & Chocolate received critical acclaim upon its release, with many praising its return to the edgier sound of Costello's earlier work. While it didn't achieve the commercial success of some of his previous albums, it has since been recognised as a classic, often cited as one of his best works. The album's raw energy and emotional honesty resonate just as strongly today as they did in 1986.
In many ways, Blood & Chocolate feels like a culmination of everything that makes Elvis Costello such a compelling artist. It's an album that doesn't shy away from exploring the darker corners of human emotion, yet it does so with a sense of wit and intelligence that elevates it beyond mere angst. For fans of Costello, or anyone looking to explore his work, this album is an essential listen.
