ELVIS COSTELLO & THE IMPOSTERS
THE DELIVERY MAN
Lost Highway
(4 stars)
Much has been made of Elvis Costello’s habit of
chasing his muse down all kinds of musical side
streets. From archly smart new wave to country, to
classical, to his sumptuous collaboration with Burt
Bacharach, he’s built a substantial body of varied
work, in the process infuriating people who want him
to remain in a postpunk rut. Maybe they’re reluctant
to accept that he’s just a talented guy. The Delivery
Man doesn’t disappoint on that score as he reassembles
the Imposters — essentially The Attractions without
Bruce Thomas — and rediscovers the sandpapered howl of
86’s Blood and Chocolate and the outstanding
songwriting of King of America. Second only to
Costello’s lyrical barbs is keyboardist Steve Nieve.
He plays like he used to on the classic Costello
albums of the late 70s and the terrific Bedlam belongs
to him as he freaks out on a theremin and a Wurlitzer.
A ragged Lucinda Williams is great on the dirty
country jam of There’s a Story in Your Voice and
Emmylou Harris appears on three country laments.
Alan Corr