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Elvis isn't Elvis any more (Elvis Costello, that is) but Declan Patrick Aloysius MacManus' purported last album as Elvis Costello is an excellent offering of a variety of styles from the versatile singer and songwriter. The album includes country, blues, folk, rock and pop, not to mention combinations of some of these.
Although the opening guitar strains of "Brilliant Mistake" make you think at first that Costello is going to burst into "They say the neon lights are bright on Broadway..." the song with haunting lyrics such as "He thought he was the King of America where they pour Coca-Cola just like vintage wine" actually is one of the best rock pop songs heard in some time.
He's splendid on the standard, "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood," the only tune on the album with the exception of "Eisenhower Blues" that wasn't written by Costello. He was co-writer on "Lovable," but all the rest were solely done by Elvis Costello.
Costello's affection for country music can be heard on such tunes as "Glitter Gulch" and "American Without Tears," the first single on the album. The latter features Canadian accordion player Jo-El Sonnier.
Lending his guitar talents on "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" and "Eisenhower Blues" is J. Henry "T Bone" Burnett, co-producer of the album with Costello and Larry Kalman Hirsch.
Mickey Curry, who was in Memphis recently performing on Good Question's album recorded at Sounds Unreel, is the featured drummer on "Jack of All Parades" and "Brilliant Mistake." Curry is the drummer for Daryl Hall and John Oates.
It can be said for the last time that Elvis Costello has a winner with King of America. And we can look forward to what Declan MacManus has up his next record sleeve.
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