Customer Reviews: Read 32 more reviews...
 ABSO-MOMOFUKULY May 6, 2008
K. H. Orton (New York, NY USA)
27 out of 28 found this review helpful
Even if he spat in a bucket, there are some EC fans out there who will always proclaim "he's done it again!"
Dedicated fan that I am, the past 20+ years have revealed an aim more haphazard than true. But its been quite a spell since EC rolled up his sleeves & got his fingers dirty with some good old fashioned Rock & Roll. Which is why Momofuku is so refreshing. Recorded in a couple of weeks last Feburary the intention was to release this first & foremost on vinyl. Sides I & II & all. A big middle finger to shallow download culture. Kudos Elvis.
No Place To Hide is a strong kick off & its almost as if The Attractions have reunited after 10 years---sans Bruce Thomas ofcourse. The lyric, "whatever I said, it was never behind your back" pretty much sums up what must be Costello's most straightforward album in years. American Gangster Time keeps the ball up in the air propelled by Steve Neive's pulsing organ. Its great to hear him blow off some steam for a change---rather than being regulated to tickling the pretty ivories.
Turpentine, Stella Hurt & Go Away all have the same caucaphonous intensity missing since Blood & Chocolate. Elsewhere Harry Worth touches on Tropicana territory while, the quirky charms of Mr. Feathers can't help but bring Sgt. Pepper's to mind.
To these ears, Drum & Bone comes off like a spliced up mix of Complicated Shadows & Monkey To A Man. Catchy as it is, My Three Sons has to be one of the most unapologetically sentimental ballads Costello has penned to date. And where lyrically Flutter & Wow may not quite live up to its title & melody, the likes of Song With Rose & My Name Is Eve are top notch.
So is this Costello's best since Blood & Chocolate? Brutal Youth? Useless Beauty? When I Was Cruel? For my money the answer is Cruel and I know I'll be coming back to this more than I have to the likes of Delivery Man.
In print,Costello has of late bemoaned the point of ever recording again. Lucky for fans, he's never been one to listen to his own press.
 If you really must, just get the MP3 version May 7, 2008
Dignan (Detroit)
25 out of 48 found this review helpful
Talk about lazy. There was a time when Elvis would put out something like this as a bonus disc on a remastered version of a REAL album. These songs are half-cooked and pedestrian. Some may say there's an authenticity that comes only with first takes, muffed starts, and tentative vocals. But this is no masterpiece unadorned and overflowing with naked emotion and song craft. It's just a sad, dull representation of former glory.
Note to CD buyers: This packaging is a joke. No lyrics, tiny pictures, and 2 point text on the flimsiest digipak. Its almost as though you are penalized for paying $15 for the thing.
 Elvis 2008 -- meets Elvis 1978. April 25, 2008
A Fan (Chicago)
19 out of 20 found this review helpful
In a way, Elvis answers the fan question "why can't he make albums like he used to?" In typical Elvis fashion, he does (a nostalgic vinyl release with classic early-Attractions organ and rhythm tracks) and he doesn't (there's a lot of the dabbling Elvis interspersed among the tracks -- country, soul, even a bit of Tropicalia). Standouts are "Pardon Me Madam, My Name is Eve," a jilted spouse's plea to the other woman, as well as the opening/closing tracks "No Hiding Place" and "Go Away." As with any of the great Elvis albums, that list will likely change for me over time. Jenny Lewis adds vocals and harmonies that round out the tracks nicely. For the older fans referenced above, there are enough hummable bits and "classic" moments that stand up to much-repeated play. As with any of the "better" Costello albums, it took two or three plays before I could connect with the "vibe" of the record, but I suspect this will stay in heavy rotation with me for many weeks.
5 days later: True to my expectations I now cannot get "American Gangster Time" out of my head. Steve Nieve's almost percussive organ turns a great tune into an outstanding one.
vinyl sounds amazing April 22, 2008
DJ Wilbur (Manhasset, NY USA)
13 out of 19 found this review helpful
in this day of lousy sounding cd's, what a treat to hear an amazing piece of vinyl. The vinyl is quiet, the music is spectacular, the best Costello in years and the mastering on the vinyl is superb....
A Nice Return May 7, 2008
john hubner (Warsaw, IN)
10 out of 10 found this review helpful
After several years of starts and stops, slight flirtations with the old, punchy guitar songs, Mr. Costello and his Imposters have created something worthy of their legacy. Momofuku is a return to the guitar/bass/organ/drum sound of the early Attractions days, albeit a slightly more pedestrian version. They're not 27 year old punks anymore. They're members of AARP!!! But then again, I'm not as young as I used to be. "No Hiding Place" is a great start to this album, full of punchy guitars and great backing vocals throughout. Costello sounds like he's enjoying himself. "American Ganster Time" keeps things going nicely, and Steve Nieve's organ sounds like it was pulled right from "This Year's Model"...and that's a good thing...other highlights are "Turpentine", "Harry Worth", "Drum and Bone"(and yes, it does have the "Monkey to Man" sound going), "Song With Rose", and the beautiful "My Three Sons". I haven't been all that crazy about his work as of late. Not that it's bad, and what he did with Allen Toussaint was very well done, but I've been waiting for a rock album from Elvis Costello for a long time. "When I Was Cruel" had it's moments, but felt kind of cold to me..."Momofuku" has that warm analog sound..the sound of musicians in a room playing together, enjoying what they do...may not be perfect, but it's a welcome return to the angsty days of yesteryear!! If you're an Elvis Costello fan, I recommend Momofuku!!
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