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Costello surprised many people with his first album, My Aim Is True. Its rough edges, eclectic and imaginative songwriting and its hot pace combined for a striking effort.
Apparently in an effort to capitalize on the ex-computer programmer's talents, Columbia has released a second album within months of the success of the first. If he can do it once, he can do it again right away, Columbia seems to have thought.
But he hasn't, not really. The material is similar, the style is identical, and therein lies the rub. Costello hasn't had time to develop, only to repeat himself. And he does so without startling the listener as he did the first time around.
The band no longer sounds straight out of high school. They're in college now, a little tighter, a little more predictable.
And Elvis himself, who has been touring energetically since the release of My Aim is True, sounds just a bit enervated. Perhaps as a reflection of his experiences on the road, he sings, "Everybody's going through the motions. Lip service is all you'll get from me." Taken out of context, the line reflects the dilemma of a young artist trapped on the assembly line of rock commerce.
Elvis remains an enigmatic figure throughout This Year's Model. The rallying cry which echoes through his work, however, is that of the fellow who can't make a connection with the always obscure object of his desire. In the best tune on the record, "No Action," Elvis rails out at an unwilling partner.
It's not that he can't get any satisfaction, as Mick Jagger used to complain; Elvis can't even get to first base.
Costello is a talented man. If Columbia Records doesn't suck him dry, he could emerge from the heap and be his own kind of hero.
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