Momofuku

Additional Momofuku Information

The absence of much advance notice or information might seem a little strange and perverse but the record was made so quickly that I didn't even tell myself about it for a couple weeks.

So, what can I tell you about "Momofuku"?

Well, obviously the title is a tribute to Momofuku Ando, the inventor of the Cup Noodle. Like so many things in this world of wonders, all we had to do to make this record was add water.

Now, I understand that there is also a fancy eatery in New York City that has made the same connection with Ando-San. So, just in case anybody is inclined to mistake our record for something edible, we've added a disclaimer to the record jacket. I like saying, "record jacket" again.

This record actually came about because of an invitation I received from Jenny Lewis to sing on her upcoming record. Davey Faragher had been playing bass on some of the sessions, so it didn't seem like too much of a stretch to call Pete Thomas to complete the Imposters' rhythm section.

Jason Lader not only recorded and mixed the record; he also managed to document the sessions with his camera.

Every record has its own method. This was the one for these songs.

What Customers Say About Momofuku:

Spielberg getting the worst of this comparision - he's still turning out quality work): He was never recognized or appreciated by the "establishment" when he did his best work and, now that he's getting some kudos, he's just running from award dinner to tv appearance to recording session, cashing in on his newfound admittance to "What's Shakin' on the Hill". Elvis, by his own admission, did not spend a lot of time on this collection of recordings. Certainly explains this snooze-fest. Elvis, at this point, seems a bit like the Stephen Spielberg of alt rock music (with Mr. Since then, it's been like listening to Shatner read Robert Frost. As a life-long fan, I find that very insulting, by the way.

He needs to take a page out of Nick's playbook and only release something after it's been groomed and nurtured, not sprayed with liquid fertilizer and shrink-wrapped while the stench is still wafting out of the studio. So what else is new. Yep, that's a nod to his good friend Nick Lowe's latest release. Unless he's trying to groom new fans, those who prefer absinthe to caffeine. In fact, this is the kind of thing that he's taken others for task for over the years. Elvis peaked with Spike, slipped a notch with Mighty Like A Rose and then flipped us off with what coulda been with When I Was Cruel.

You can hear the talent in there but the delivery is just unlistenable.

Many of the tracks sound like leftovers from "Brutal Youth," although "Mr. With Momofuku, Elvis serves up a bland, thin broth brimming with leftovers.Okay, I'm a lifelong fan who has spent thousands on Elvis albums, concert tickets, and associated travel. I'm wondering if you are just sick of it all, or if you are simply getting lazy. This album lacks the discipline that comes from this practice - it just sort of meanders through the sounds of albums past. But not a worthy effort for this artist. Like when you stumbled over some lyrics at a concert a couple years ago because your mind was clearly elsewhere.

This is a syrupy, auto-pilot, rhyming dictionary track that serves no purpose. Sorry Elvis. Feathers" clearly bears the fingerprints of "Spike" and Paul McCartney's influence.Perhaps "My Three Sons" ruptured the trust developed over the years. going through the motions. One of the things I've always enjoyed about Elvis' music is the "integrity of the album" - broadly speaking each album had its own sound, its own comprehensive style, and sometimes an overarching theme. The twins are too young to be amused by its banality and Matt is probably embarrassed as he envisions his father singing this in 15 years in some backwater casino with his keyboard on "lounge" setting.Listenable, certainly.

Two disappointed stars.

If you still have a turntable, or if you've just bought one (it happens), I highly recommend the vinyl version. I'm not an Elvis fan who loves everything he does. You'll enjoy the high-quality fidelity and the ineffable feel of capturing this music in the right medium. Once again, however, he's collaborated with the right people and come up with something that's as excellent as anything he's ever produced. The songs and the performances are great. If you're completely unfamiliar with Elvis Costello's music, I would recommend this record anyway. It's modern and classic at the same time; it's just a great record.

I even enjoyed "Goodbye Cruel World". .I found this to be rather a boring album, as though he phoned it in. And I appreciated, if I didn't really care for, "The Juliet Letters" (which, I know, isn't purely a Costello album). Or, as the title suggests, he simply added water to his noodles. Before you dismiss this review, let me state that I am a HUGE Elvis Costello fan and have been, all through his ups and downs. But I expect more from Costello. As far as these songs go, they are rather disposable.

This is where I disagree I felt this album was so-so with a couple of great songs mixed in with a few not so good. I read other reviews and have to question all the 5 star ratings. I see reviews that compare the album to Blood and Choclate which deserves a 5 star rating, MOMOFUKU is no Blood and Choclate. A rating system is to give comparison between albums. If everyone rates MOMOFUKU a 5 star they are essentially saying this album is a classic and as good as it gets. This is a good album and true fans will enjoy it but to say that it is a throw back to classic Elvis is not accurate. It is unlikely EC will ever make another album that compares to his earlier stuff, he is growing as an artist and deserves to try different avenues.