The Disney Abattoir

“Tokyo Storm Warning” pairs a nihilistic sci-fi vision of a near-future apocalypse with a driving cacophony from the Attractions and Elvis Costello himself on guitar. 

At six and a half minutes long, it’s something of a miracle that the tune never drags, mostly because of the herculean efforts of the band, who refuse to allow a simple chord structure and stream-of-consciousness lyrics to get in the way of their calculated abandon. There’s a whopping seven verses broken up by a much shorter chorus, and every verse introduces a new riff or fill from organ, guitar, drums or bass. The Attractions are unflagging and EC matches their energy with a grinding electric guitar riff that rides beneath Steve Nieve’s keyboards and artfully dodges Bruce Thomas’ bass line. 

It’s honestly hard to imagine that “Tokyo Storm Warning” would stand up to close lyrical analysis. As hard as I try to concentrate on the words, on a story being told or a theme being explored, my mind just tunes out; the lyrics wash over me like an acid bath. It has a feel simliar to Dylan’s “Subterranean Homesick Blues,” songs that are less about the details of what’s said and more about the mood. It is, as the kids might say, a big vibe. 

If it’s about anything, “Tokyo Storm Warning” is about defiance in the face of mutually assured destruction. “We’re only living this instant,” EC sings, and whether we’re on a sandy beach or stuck between the Disney abattoir and the chemical refinery, it rings true.