Continuing a countdown of my favorite albums of 1996…
#6 – All This Useless Beauty – Elvis Costello
It’s a testament to the genius of Elvis Costello that this album, one I’m probably rank in the bottom half of his discography, is easily one of the best releases of its year.
All This Useless Beauty started as a project compiling Costello’s recordings of songs he’d written for other artists. About half of its final tracklist fits that description, including songs written for the likes of ‘Til Tuesday, Johnny Cash, Roger McGuinn, and June Tabor.
It’s not easy to determine which songs were meant for others, as Costello delivers both those and the new tracks with his usual unique flair. It’s fun to track down the versions that were recorded by others, such as opening song ‘The Other End of the Telescope,’ which appeared on ‘Til Tuesday’s final album, Everything’s Different Now.
Roger McGuinn’s take on ‘You Bowed Down‘ is an interesting listen, one that demonstrates why Costello’s brand of vitriol is best coming out of his own mouth.
That’s the case with everything on this album. Costello is a peerless songwriter, but he’s just as gifted a performer. And nothing is quite as rewarding as hearing him chew into his own remarkable lyrics. All This Useless Beauty is an effective reminder of that.
I arose and Marigold lay down with Curious Iris
Cherry gave to Victor her prudence and her virus
For the sake of purity, I can recall the time and place
Between wisdom and murder, she gave up her immaculate face
[Chorus]
My poor belated chastity fell foul of grown up games
With false and lovely modesty I can recall the names I’ll miss
In the particle of me that cares for this
I betrayed those little atoms with a kiss
[Verse 2]
Patience has her virtue still but every grace must have its price
I, through some felicity, may spin a tale of constant vice
I took my better nature out, drowned it in the babbling stream
Took the blossom of my youth and blew it all to smithereens
[Chorus]
My poor belated chastity fell foul of grown up games
With false and lovely modesty I can recall the names I’ll miss
In the particle of me that cares for this
I betrayed those little atoms with a kiss
[Verse 3]
And if you still don’t like my song then you can just go to Hell
I don’t care if I’m right or wrong or if my typewriter can spell
But I cannot promise you I’ve said goodbye to childish things
There’s still some pretty insults left and such sport in threatening
[Chorus]
My poor belated chastity fell foul of grown up games
With false and lovely modesty, I can recall the names I’ll miss
In the particle of me that cares for this
I betrayed those little atoms with a kiss
[Outro]
And for the sake of clarity they are “Faith”, “Hope”, and “Charity”
In the particle of me that cares for this
I betrayed those little atoms with a kiss
Meet Me In Montauk 