|
You might think you have the measure of Elvis Costello by now: this is the 31st record of his career, and the sixth decade in which he has released one.
Still, you probably wouldn't have foreseen his latest opening with an Arabic-tinged instrumental, "Revolution #49," over the top of which he delivers dramatic spoken word: "Love is the one thing we can save."
It sets the tone for the rest of Hey Clockface. Recorded at solo sessions in Helsinki and more collaborative ones in Paris, it is unquestionably one of the singer-songwriter's more eclectic efforts.
There are flashes of the jagged punk of old, particularly on the spiky No Flag, but elsewhere, Costello finds room for gentle acoustic reflection ("They're Not Laughing at Me Now"), noir-ish jazz ("I Do"), gospel-blues fusion ("We Are All Cowards Now") and even funk rock ("Hetty O'Hara Confidential").
Not everything comes off, but what a thrill to see him on such ambitious form after all these years.
| 
