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Elvis Costello goes country? You better believe it. Elvis and the band have produced an album which is all country and western music, right down to the pedal steel guitars and violins. As a country album, Almost Blue does hold up because it is faithful to the style of music played. However, as a Elvis Costello album, it is disappointment because it lacks two elements that have been present on every other Elvis record, originality and fun.
Unlike past records, Elvis Costello has opted totally for covering other songwriters' country material. Hank Williams, Charlie Rich and George find songs of theirs on this album. While Elvis Costello has covered other artists' songs, he has never done a whole album's worth. Because of this, the style of lyrics Elvis usually sings is not present. There is no wordplay of biting overtones to the songs that can be linked to Elvis's performance. It's the equivalent to Squeeze doing an album of the Clash's material.
Because Elvis is not reflected personally with any of the songs, that fun style of lyric is missing as well. The Attractions play reservedly throughout the record and, because of it, the album suffers. It is hard enough to bring life into a country music song because of the lyrics sung. It is worse when the band feels that way also.
There are bright moments on Almost Blue. The band does perform some rockabilly tunes and some of the music is pleasant. Overall though, the album is a disappointment. It would have been better if Elvis Costello wrote his own interpretations of country music. Instead, what is here is nothing more than a "country greatest hits record."
Feature cuts: "Why Don't You Love Me (Like You Used to Do?," "A Good Year for the Roses," "Sittin' and Thinkin'," "Too Far Gone" and "Success."
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