Elvis Costello Brutal Youth

3 Stars - Good - "...yet another avalanche of wordplay and woodshedding, of lyrics rushing into each other and instruments vying for musical space...."
"...For those alienated by his C&W and classical forays, this is a reminder of the black-hearted virtuoisty they fell for in the forst place." - Rating: A-
"...[Elvis] alone can answer whether it was the return of the Attractions which got his bark biting again, or simply their proximity. Either way, it reminds us why we loved him in the first place and he still hates us in return...."
"...this is an emotional whirlwind, a disciplined stab at perfection of form, a jaded howl of unabated anguish and a bloody good beat record...."
Village Voice (2/28/95) - Ranked #31 in the Village Voice's 1994 Pazz & Jop Critics Poll.
Stereo Review (7/94, p.77) - "...he refines and clarifies his art by focusing sharply on what he does best--boring through the thicket of human interactions with lacerating wit and a musical attack to match...From start to finish, BRUTAL YOUTH reveals an artist fully in control....This Elvis, I'm pleased to note, has not left the building..."
Audio Magazine (6/94, p.91) - "...a long hoped-for return to form..."
"...a return to Mr. Costello's earliest, rawest method of record making....Brutal Youth consists of skillful, enjoyable songs...what increases their worth is the slashing interplay between his vocal performances and the blasting noise of the Attractions..."