This latest waxing from England's king of rock 'n' roll not only unites him with the Attractions, but also with Nick Lowe, whose creative production made Costello's 1977 debut so artistically startling.
And even for fans who've followed Elvis through his rock 'n' roll, rockabilly, blues and country periods, this record may still provide a start.
A spare album throughout, Blood & Chocolate begins with the Dadaist "Uncomplicated," whose insistent drumbeats and lyrical contradictions both grate on the nerves and hypnotize.
Other side one songs amuse and repel at the same time. The outcast protagonist of "Home Is Anywhere You Hang Your Head," for example, lives his pathetic life to the guitar sound of psychedelic Beatles. Sings Elvis of the man named Mr. Misery, "He's contemplating murder again. He must be in love."
"I Want You" has a pleading refrain, alternating with verses that try to reason with a woman who's slipping away.
Side two of Blood & Chocolate is a catalog of haunting sounds and meanings. "Battered Old Bird" has piano straight out of Lennon's primal scream period, set over barely heard harmonium. The song is a telling set of anecdotes about a frightened man-child.
There's more, too, but not enough column inches to describe it all. Suffice to say, this is one of the few albums this year with power in every cut.
The simple message is that Elvis's army is here to stay. The rest is in the grooves.
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