Painted From Memory

As promised, this long-awaited full-length collaboration bears the hallmarks of Bacharach's classic 1960s work with the likes of Dionne Warwick--full-force melodies, traditional pop instrumentation, clever and occasionally pained lyrics. Painted from Memory finds Costello and Bacharach revelling in their gifts on a dozen tracks that range from concise under-three-minute gems ("I Still Have That Other Girl", which sounds like the great lost Chuck Jackson single) to sprawling art songs ("Toledo", the pair's Grace of My Heart contribution "God Give Me Strength"). On the latter Costello meets his match in a co-writer who knows when to let the excesses flow and when to stem the tide; his occasionally straining vocals only add to the album's heightened effect. The result is some instant classics that stand head and shoulders above much of Costello's 1990s work. --Rickey Wright

1. In The Darkest Place - 4:19
2. Toledo - 4:36
3. I Still Have That Other Girl - 2:48
4. This House Is Empty Now - 5:10
5. Tears At The Birthday Party - 4:38
6. Such Unlikely Lovers - 3:26
7. My Thief - 4:21
8. The Long Division - 4:15
9. Painted From Memory - 4:14
10. The Sweetest Punch - 4:11
11. What's Her Name Today? - 4:11
12. God Give Me Strength - 6:10