ELVIS COSTELLO and ANNE SOFIE VON OTTER “For the Stars” () Universal Classics
For many rock stars, success is followed by a life sentence of repetition – as they replay and redo the thing that made them famous. Elvis Costello is the exception.
On his stunningly beautiful “For the Stars” – a collaboration with Swedish mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie von Otter – Costello is a million miles away from his youthful musings as the king of the New Wave. So if you’re looking for “Get Happy II,” this ain’t it.
On “For the Stars,” Costello provided the canvas for von Otter’s golden voice with simple piano arrangements, stark production and his own distinctive voice – as part of the background.
Here, he relies on von Otter to make the musical points – letting her magnificent instrument do what his can’t.
Since this isn’t the kind of pop you’d expect from Elvis, the 18 songs of “For the Stars” require repeated listens for a full appreciation.
But the best things in life often don’t come easy. And once you reset your ear to this effort – which features songs by Costello, Brian Wilson, Tom Waits, John Lennon, Paul McCartney and Ruben Blades – you realize the depth of emotion that this opera singer and pop icon reached together.
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SPACEHOG “The Hogyssey” () Artemis Records
On this, their third effort, the Brit rockers Spacehog turn in a concept album they say is loosely based on Arthur C. Clarke’s classic space epic, “200l: A Space Odyssey.” If you’ve read the book or seen the movie, you’ll find this a stretch.
That said, as a basic rock disc, “The Hogyssey” occasionally grunts with authority – and it’s upbeat to boot.
Spacehog has a knack for making moody, atmospheric music. On this disc that’s most apparent on “Dancing on My Own,” a wacky song that soars with lovely slide guitar work and tin-can vocals.
Even so, this disc – while not exactly hogwash – is a galaxy away from being the band’s finest work.
*
SHAVER “The Earth Rolls On” () New West Records
Shaver was a father/son band that played honky-tonk, Southern rock, country and the kind of gospel that petitioned the Lord for mercy.
But asking and getting are two different things.
The band died on Dec. 31, 2000, when Eddy, 37, overdosed on heroin, leaving his dad, Billy Joe – an already grieving widower – to cry for his son, too.
“The Earth Rolls On” (completed before the New Year’s Eve tragedy) is their third and final album, a powerful statement about life – how fragile it is and how it should be savored. In light of Eddy’s death, it’s particularly poignant.
The relationship between this father and son was as turbulent as it was loving. That union is explored on “You’re Too Much for Me,” “Star in My Heart” and “Blood is Thicker Than Water.”
Although those numbers are touching in the light of Eddy’s death, this 14-song collection is hardly maudlin. There’s a sizzling blues rocker called “Sail of My Soul,” some electric newgrass in “New York City Girl” and a pretty twanger titled “Restless Wind.”
As raw as the production is, there’s no doubt this is music from the heart.