Elvis Costello's Momofuku Is All About Cup O' Soup, Jenny Lewis
A ways back we mentioned Elvis Costello was releasing his new album Momofuku as a vinyl LP and that a unique "digital download code" comes with the package. Turns out, a couple weeks later, there'll also be a CD. Now, in a bountiful update rightfully titled "ABSO-MOMOFUKU-LY" at his website, Mr. Costello lets us in on all sorts of interesting news about the collection. (Before that, though, can you spot the Jenny Lewisses in the EC collage?) OK, via ElvisCostello.com:
By now, some of you may have heard rumour of an album called Momofuku and wonder what this record is...Well, the real version is pressed on two pieces of black plastic with a hole in the middle. You may prefer other, more portable, less scratchable, editions that will soon become available for your convenience but this is how it sounds the best: with a needle in a groove, the way the Supreme Being intended it to be...
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.Ever since I hid ten copies of 30:10, - solo home recordings of re-written songs - in the jewel boxes of the "Best Of" collection released in the Spring of '07 and then waited in vain for one of them to surface, I'd realized that it was time to do things differently...
I don't think many people believed that 30:10 really existed but if anyone reading this has one in their possession, they had better claim their special prize right away because we will be posting the songs on this site very soon and the offer will expire...
So, what can I tell you about Momofuku?
Number One, on Page One of daft interview questions is, "Why is it called 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.
It was Jenny's idea for Pete play alongside his daughter, Tennessee, who plays drums in The Like and the line-up was completed by Ms. Lewis' beau, Johnathan Rice on guitar and vocals and their pal, "Farmer" Dave Scher on pedal steel and vocals with Jason Lader manning the controls.
So, I went down to Los Angeles for the day and we cut a couple of versions of a song Rice had written for Jenny's record plus two songs of mine, one of which I wrote on the eve of the session. Some rock and roll music is better if you don't think too hard on it.
In the absence of a full-time keyboard player, "Farmer" Dave and I split the organ duties, on an old Acetone. I especially liked the vocal harmonies that Jenny, Rice, Davey and "Farmer" Dave cooked up for "Drum & Bone".
Ms. Lewis sang the entire harmony part of "Go Away" in the vocal booth with me, while the band played in the studio, lead by Rice's guitar part and the drumming of Thomas, Peré et Fille. That was Take Two. Then we went home...
I'd been telling people that I was done with recording and believed it myself. This record date reminded me that it wasn't making music in the studio that made me miserable but the nonsense that predictably follows in what we laughingly call the "music business". So I decided to change it and my mind. That's what I do.
We booked Sound City Studio in Van Nuys for six days of February and cut the eight new songs that I had written in the weeks following Jenny's January session.
We also recorded "Song With Rose", the lyrics of which I wrote with Rosanne Cash and "Pardon Me, Madam, My Name Is Eve" a title that was given to me by Loretta Lynn, while we were writing some songs together, late last year. I had first played these two songs an autumnal tour, opening up for Bob Dylan, although I think they sound a little different now.
I called Steve Nieve in from Paris and asked our friend, David Hildalgo to add little guitar to "Flutter & Wow". He also played viola and then added Hildalguera to "My Three Sons".
Tennessee Thomas played alongside her Dad for two more cuts, including "Stella Hurt" - which is a true story - but then she had to leave for the mixing of The Like's great new album. Look out for that, sometime soon.
The Imposters and I recorded a number of songs as a quartet, including "American Gangster Time", "Mr. Feathers" and "Pardon Me, Madam, My Name Is Eve" and "Harry Worth" which is not actually about the beloved English television funnyman but a true story nonetheless.
Jenny, Rice, "Farmer" Dave and their pal, the guitarist, Jonathan Wilson came back in for a couple more days and to add their voices to the new songs. We had a ball making up the parts for the vocal "supergroup" to which everyone contributed.
The live band for "Turpentine" and "Song For Rose" got up to nonet. That was a fine old noise.
For those who like to know these things, we recorded exclusively to tape, completing and mixing each song before moving on to the next. The entire record took a week to record and mix.
The music has been pressed on four sides of vinyl for volume and clarity although the album was originally sequenced with six tracks a-side.
Jason Lader not only recorded and mixed the record; he also managed to document the sessions with his camera.
Coco Shinomiya put these shots together in a gatefold sleeve design, so you have something to hold in your hands while listening to the music, especially if you don't currently have a sweetheart or swell of your own.
Every record has its own method. This was the one for these songs.
Thank you for sharing, Elvis. What's this 30:10? Has anyone ever seen it? If so, up immediately!
Momofuku is available now via Lost Highway. The CD version is available 5/6, also via Lost Highway.
Posted at 6:38 PM
Tags: Elvis Costello | Jenny Lewis
elvis and jenny. need not say more.
Score = 0
The album is pretty solid. 2 of the 4 sides are just plain amazing.
Score = 1
I can't wait to get ahold of this album.
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What happened to this blog? WEAK!
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Since I haven't seen it posted elsewhere, and it may prove relevant to those interested in this record, the digital download that comes with the album isn't available until May 1st.
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COME ON! WTF? Elvis Costellos? My dad likes that stuff! This is an indie blog for the scene kids and we WILL LEAVE if you dont stop with the old man dad rock shit. quit it. maybe u need younger writers? I will tots intern for you for like $100 a week. hit me at my email
Score = -20
learn yr history, twat.
Score = 3
I really hope you're joking. For your sake.
Score = 4
Ah, the innocence of youth! If it weren't for the likes of Elvis Costello, David Bowie, Brian Eno and so so so so sooooo many others that I really don't have the time or patience to mention, there would be NO Indie "scene" and we would all be listening to chamber music and/or bland mush, but thankfully we don't HAVE to listen to Britney, Rhianna, Bros. or The communards (but then you probably don't know who they are... so all this is really wasted on you).
Salutations from a passionate 26 y/o from Spain with, thankfully, enough musical background to appreciate and enjoy many different types of music
Score = 6
Oh, no. Don't leave. That would be... terrible. Who would tell us how everything except your favorite band sucks if you mirror-kissing scenesters (bonus points for a multiple-Cribs reference?) left? And FYI, no phrase can make you seem more of a douchenozzle than describing yourself as one of "the scene kids."
EC is an OG of what has become indie music. He'll always have a place on good music blogs.
Score = 1
first, "costelloS"? really? i thought people that LIKED music read this blog. its good to see that people that like music still write this blog. put on a Dylan/Costello/Amos Lee show last fall, and the dude's still got it. He sounded amazing. Stole the show.
Score = 2
Looking forward to checking this album out on vinyl. It'll be interesting giving the record a spin without having heard a single note. How... quaint. I also look forward to seeing Costello live when he opens for the Police in May.
Oh, and anyone who thinks Costello is "dad music" has obviously never heard "This Year's Model." That album is great. Like "all-time" great.
Score = 1
what a guy. can't wait for the record!
Score = 1
while i can appreciate the hipster elitist boosterism and excitement regarding the formats of the Momofuku release, it should be pointed out that there WILL be a cd release, as well. i thought this misunderstanding was already clarified, but maybe not. and, at the risk of taking focus off of "once again," i don't even care about this release (My Aim Is True and This Year's Model were the only essential releases i ever heard), just thought fans might want to be aware.
Score = -2
if the only "essential" elvis costello releases out there are his first two, completely overdiscussed albums, i must be treading the wrong path. it looks like you need to do your research, too.
Score = 2
This release campaign smells a bit of fear & greed. If they release the album on vinyl only for a few weeks, the rabid fans will pony up $17.98 for the record instead of a 9.99 CD/download or grab a leak after May 6. (full disclosure: I am one of those gullible rabid fans)
Costello's salesman shtick is a little thin - THIS album has to be heard on vinyl? How about the albums he's put out over the last 31 years - those, we're told, would now best be heard on their 6th or 7th Deluxe Edition CD incarnation, even though many of them were of course originally issued on vinyl.
That said, I now have a copy of the vinyl in my hands and cannot wait to play it.
Score = -3
I've loved EC since I was a grade-schooler listening to my sister's old cassette tapes, but, like Mike said, the one thing that bugs me about his career is the endless re-re-releases and re-re-repackaging of his 500-song catalog. I mean, if any musician deserves to be filthy rich, I'll say it's him, but it is a bit...ohhhhhh, let's say, distasteful to see a re-release of a fourth greatest hits package (with new EC liner notes!! sold exclusively on vinyl!! with 3 new outtakes!! and an undiscoved demo of a filler track from Goodbye Cruel World!!).
Score = 0
I agree that this is an underhand way of making us buy the same music twice but they've been doing it for years which is why singles always appear before albums (and then the singles are on the album too!!!!)
However, I am still going to get both of these formats when they are released, in what has become the second class citizenry of the UK. I will also buy the re-releases in years to come.
Help me. I know I'm being conned but I can't stop.
P.S. I know that Elvis hates us Brits these days but our money is just as good as anyone else's. Surely a simultaneous release would have been fairer to the UK based fans? I'm chomping at the bit.
This is clearly why the digital download isn't available until May 1st after the album has had a run in the UK shops.
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the one thing I'll say is that if he recorded it analog, and mastered it analog, and pressed it directly to vinyl this is the fist opportunity to hear recorded music that hasn't been digitized in any way in a long time. if you think that there's a true difference between analog and digital sound you should check out the vinyl and see if you can notice a difference.
Score = 2
hell yes. thank you for being the only one to glorify analog. there is still hope.
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