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Elvis Costello has produced some of the most interesting and varied music of the past five or six years since he sprang into the spotlight with the My Aim Is True album.
After switching to country and western for his last L.P. (and I can't think of anyone else capable of changing styles so completely and successfully) he returns to the old Elvis for Imperial Bedroom (F-Beat).
It's the usual collection of distinctive tunes, with all Costello's clever lyrics and puns which are reproduced on the inner sleeve albeit in an almost incomprehensible form.
The producer is Geoff Emerick, the first time he has worked with Costello, and between them they have produced a blend that shows the very fine Attractions at their best and the orchestrations arranged by keyboard player Steve Nieve.
In fact the use of an orchestra is probably the best indication of where Costello's thoughts lie at the moment, making a stark contrast to the pedal steel guitar of the last L.P. and the tight, soul sound of Get Happy.
The last single "You Little Fool" is included, as is the current 12-inch offering "Man Out of Time," which starts off like a Joy Division track and then slips into a very innocuous tune that I'm sure Costello could write with his eyes closed.
The lack of a hit single is a major problem at the moment with the album selling well enough, but lacking the boost a hit 45 would give it — his latest single is the fourth to be released since "Good Year for the Roses."
"Almost Blue" and "...And in Every Home" are as strong as anything he has done and the other material doesn't slip below his own very high standards, but the singles are definitely suspect.
If you like Elvis Costello you will undoubtedly like this album; it is a worthy successor to Trust and a nice contrast to Almost Blue. As an added bonus he's due in Manchester in mid-September.
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