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If you get the impression Elvis Costello is trying to make hay off his partial namesake, forget it. He's no Presley impersonator.
What Costello does impersonate is musical styles, all kinds of stuff from '50s rock. He's a walking 1957 American Bandstand, with one glaring difference: While the music is of the relic variety, his words are current, harshly so. No cute schlock for Costello. He goes for the throat.
Costello is a rebellious sort, angry — even though one of his songs shouts out "I'm Not Angry."
Taken individually, Costello's songs are not overly impressive, and neither is his sometimes snarling singing. Collectively, though, he covers an amazing range. He goes from old style street rhythm and blues through bop into rockabilly up to a half-breed reggae and a contemporary ballad.
In the latter, "Alison," Costello sounds normal musically. There's a pleasant electric piano soothing us in the background. But he never drops the sharp cutting edge in his words as he sings to Alison: "I know this world is killing you," then goes on with bitter observations.
In a way, Costello is camp. That's only if you listen to the music. If you catch the lyrics, he's nihilistic.
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