{"product_id":"punch-the-clock-lp","title":"Punch the Clock [LP]","description":"Perhaps frustrated by the lack of commercial success Imperial Bedroom encountered, Elvis Costello enlisted British hitmakers Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley to produce its follow-up, Punch the Clock. The difference between the two records is immediately noticeable. Punch the Clock has a slick, glossy surface, complete with layered synthesizers, horns, studio effects, and the backup vocals of Afrodiziak. The approach isn't necessarily a misguided one, since Costello is as much a pop musician as he is a singer\/songwriter and many of the best moments on the record -- \"Everyday I Write the Book,\" \"Let Them All Talk\" -- work well as shiny pop singles. However, the problem with Punch the Clock is that Costello is entering a fallow songwriting period; it is his least consistent set of original songs to date. The best moments, the antiwar ballad \"Shipbuilding\" and the eerie pseudo-rap \"Pills and Soap,\" are as articulate and effective as any of his past work, but frequently Costello falls short of meeting his standards, particularly when he's trying to write a song in the style of his older songs. Nevertheless, the sheen of the Langer and Winstanley production makes Punch the Clock a pleasurable listen. Costello's uneven writing means that only portions of the album are memorable. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine","brand":"InnerSleeve","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42400436650149,"sku":"602547331151","price":32.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/6007\/1077\/files\/891da0965c19b0b1c7b66cca02373fbc.jpg?v=1777727409","url":"https:\/\/www.innersleeve.com\/products\/punch-the-clock-lp","provider":"InnerSleeve","version":"1.0","type":"link"}