Style Council: The Cost Of Loving (Polydor)
Len Brown, New Musical Express, 7 February 1987
LISTEN TO the wordly-wise Cappuccino Kid: "...this affair of the heart, once it began, dispelled all the bitterness I felt at the world, and gave me a reason and even...a key to life itself".
Of course I'm taking this out of context, daredevil that I am, from self-analytical scribblings that make Morrissey sound like Russ Abbott. Nevertheless the tongue-in-cheek musings before a rushing river, under a "blue sky dome" romantically and relevantly introduce the dominant theme of The Cost Of Loving. You got it...lurve.
This is The Style Council's fourth LP (counting that live thingy), in which Weller takes us through the pains, pleasures and pressures of romance in '87. Naturally The Cost... consists of two 12-inchers designed to make you twiddle those tootsies; 33rpm long players being things of the past like duffle coats, platform soles and democracy. If you forked out three quid for the 'It Didn't Matter' 12 inch (with instrumental flip side) you'll be choked off to find it here again; Valentine Brothers remix and mega chart placing aside, the single's a pedestrian affair, hardly in the past master class of 'Speak Like A Child' of 'Ever Changing Moods'. In fact, the main thing that concerns me about The Cost Of Loving in the distinct lack of pace, of variety of tempo throughout.
Okay, so it's largely devoted to love, but at least four of the nine tracks here seem to labour like unsurprising mainstream soul releases. 'Heavens Above' and a cover of Anita Baker's 'Angel' find Paul and Dee C, duetting, swapping verses, crooning through the chorus; "I found a real dream baby when I found you/You're so strong but tender too", Dee tells Paul, while the band pours on syrup as if they're Aretha & Katy Kissoon. 'Walking The Night' is a slight improvement; dealing with insecurity and broken hearts; it's less clichéd and repetitive.
Admittedly I'm judging this against Weller's past, exceptionally high standards, particularly the unforgettable 'Long Hot Summer'. But frankly these shuffle'n'smooch late-niters don't come close to my favourite 'Shop' songs, such as 'Stones Throw Away' or 'Boy Who Cried Wolf'. 'Fairy Tales', an anti-Tory fable without hollow rhetoric, moves closer to the lovable old Council but sadly slips away into P & Dee's "Ohh"ing and "Shalala"ing while the horn section runs amok. In fact of the pure Style Council songs here only the title track is uplifting and acts positively like their best and at last combo-head Talbot's allowed to get his tin-pop organ into gear.
Which leaves 'Right To Go' and 'A Woman's Story', two tracks that stand separate, almost incongruous, within this format. The latter – sung by Dee C. Lee over solo guitar (shades of Ripperton's 'Lovin' You') – is the most soulful sensitive and hopeful Weller songs here; a sad mother's lullaby to her child, it contrasts with what's gone before. Then there's the Weller/White/Dynamic Three "register to vote" rap, buzzing with more energy and humour than the rest of 'The Cost of Loving' put together. Phibes, TK and Jazzy J are rappers who rise above McGonagal rhymes and ditch the clichés of dicks, dolls and dimes; powerful stuff and, to The Style Council's credit, a great break for the Hip Hop Alliance trio.
Although I refute the muttering that Weller even making Jam has always been strictly a singles man, three out or nine for The Cost Of Loving isn't great going by any standards. Maybe the Cappuccino Kid's crossing over to an audience more to his liking, deliberately leaving 'Money-Go-Round'ers like me behind; maybe his sleeve-note observation that "the love of another, be it friend or lover, rises above all considerations" signifies a mellower approach to life. Whatever the explanation The Cost... is far too lovey-dovey for these lugs.
© Len Brown, 1987