Elvis Costello
Blood And Chocolate

Published in September 1986, just a few months after the excellent "King Of America," "Blood And Chocolate" is erroneously considered a minor work in the catalog of the English musician. In "King Of America," Costello, assisted by T-Bone Burnett in production, explored the classic territories of American country-rock and Tex-Mex tradition, recording with Presley's old band (James Burton, Jerry Scheff, Ron Tutt). In "Blood And Chocolate," he unexpectedly decides to reconnect with his roots by calling Nick Lowe to the console and entrusting the instruments to the Attractions. The result offers an album with an aggressive sound that closely resembles the concert style of the Attractions.
The uncertainties of the previous album, the disappointing and gloomy "Goodbye Cruel World," are erased right from the first furious track, the hard-driving "Uncomplicated" that runs unbridled throughout its duration. The general sound of the album brings back the memory of "This Year's Model," and thus the dizzying "Next Time Round" and the radiant pop of "Crimes Of Paris" are ennobled by the precise contributions of the Attractions, always ready to meet the musical needs of their leader.
If the introduction of the melancholic "Poor Napoleon" is a veiled homage to Phil Spector, "Tokyo Storm Warning", the first single from the album, hits the listener with intensity for six long minutes with a torrential rock in the style of the old "Pump It Up." As in all Costello's albums, there are gems that make a career worthwhile. If "I Hope You're Happy Now" has a pleasant sixties flavor that makes it nostalgic at times, "Blue Chair" is a wonderful and sparkling pop song in the McCartney style, originating from the "King Of America" sessions, rich in quality and much loved by fans. A special mention goes to the poignant "I Want You", one of Costello's most intense tracks. It is a painful and intimate ballad performed with fiery emotion by its author, excellently supported by the band. A classic that evokes the darker side of passion.
Despite being far from the urgency of the first three albums, the lively pop-soul of "Get Happy!" and the great pop classicism of "Imperial Bedroom", "Blood And Chocolate" is nonetheless a valuable album made interesting by the presence of a series of great Costellian classics. Furthermore, it is the last recorded with the Attractions, who will cross paths with their leader again only in 1994 with the decent "Brutal Youth." "Blood And Chocolate" as a whole remains a non-essential but important work for understanding the artistic and human evolution of a truly unique character.