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The most consistently distinctive and prolific songwriter of the late 1970's and throughout the 1980's has been Elvis Costello. Though he has been suffering from a credibility problem of late, his new release Spike is sure to win back his already ardent following, as well as convert new ears to his own brand of artsy, poetic pop. Spike is arguably the best album of his career and his finest without a doubt since 1982's Imperial Bedroom.
On his last two albums, Costello used his actual name (Declan McManus) and a rather offbeat pseudonym (Napoleon Dynamite) trying to prove to the world that he was not Elvis Costello. Fortunately, he has come to terms with his Costelloness and is as good as he has ever been. Spike leads off with "...This town...," a cleverly arranged piece about the pitfalls of entrepreneurship on which Roger McGuinn's guitar adds a subtle yet sweet touch. "Let Him Dangle" and "Deep Dark Truthful Mirror" follow, and both are right on the mark lyrically and instrumentally, the latter rendering the services of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, who show up on two other tracks as well.
Costello's well publicized songwriting partnership with Paul McCartney also proves to be effective as indicated by their two smart contributions "Veronica" and "Pads, Paws, and Claws." It will be interesting to see if the McCartney/McManus team fare as well on McCartney's upcoming new album. Costello also collaborates with his new wife, Cait O'Riordan, on the album's lushest and loveliest selection "Baby Plays Around."
Other notable songs include "God's Comic," the funky "Chewing Gum," and the album's strongest cut "Tramp the Dirt Down," which deals with England and her questionable politics. Costello even takes a hard jab at Margaret Thatcher. After 12 years in the pop record industry, he has managed to keep his talent and integrity intact despite minimal commercial success, and that is nice and rare to see in this day.
Though the absence of his virtuoso back-up band, The Attractions, is unfortunate, Spike features a stellar line-up of musicians that include Paul McCartney, T-Bone Burnett (who also co-produces the album), Allen Toussaint, Mitchell Froom, Mark Ribot, Steve Wickham, Jim Keltner, and Benmont Tench to name just a few. Each arrangement is truly tasteful and appropriate. Costello's voice and guitar work are among his best recorded work to date. It's just very satisfying to see as valuable an artist as Elvis Costello continually come back from transitional periods in such grand fashion as he has in the past, and has once again with Spike. Those of you not familiar with the words and music of Elvis Costello should become so. He is one of the few real talents of our time, and deserves a much broader audience than he has. Give him and Spike a listen.
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