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The early propaganda claimed Momofuku would be a vinyl-only release. Which seemed too odd to be true. And it was. Then it was vinyl/digital only. Also untrue. Now it's vinyl/digital/CD. Not named for the New York noodle cafe of the same name but for the Cup of Noodles inventor, Momofuku is 12 speedily cut, footloose tracks featuring great guests including Jenny Lewis, Johnathan Rice and David Hidalgo.
The hectic pace can be heard in the wax — "Stella Hurt" features a heavy, fuzzed-out riff; "Mr. Feathers" has the ramshackle feel of Tom Waits' woodshed experiments; and "Go Away" is crackling, finger snappin' pop. But everything on the record feels deliberate, which is kind of a shame.
Near-adult contemporary cuts like "Pardon Me, Madam, My Name is Eve" could stand to be sped up. Good thing Costello knows how to write a hook. For the group at its loosest and loudest, download: "Turpentine."
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