No one said Costello was easy to figure out and his first new work in nearly three years doesn't make it any easier. The 15 tracks on Spike (named for Spike Jones) dabble in Celtic folk ("Any King's Shilling," "Tramp the Door Down," recorded with the Chieftains and the Waterboys), elegant ballads ("Satellite") and New Orleans horns (the churning "Deep Dark Truthful Mirror"). Thankfully, Costello's voice and vision hold it together, so that even his stabs at funk ("Chewing Gum") and a cliche-ridden love ballad ("Baby Plays Around") sound convincing. That's not to omit "Let Him Dangle," a chilling tale of murder and capital punishment set to jagged guitars and a strangulated vocal ("It won't make it even / It won't bring me back"), and the surrealistic, vibes-rooted "God's Comic." Fans of the old Elvis, meanwhile, will be relieved by the cushy Attractions-style pop of "Veronica" and "Coal-Train Robberies." Backup cast includes Chrissie Hynde, Paul McCartney, ex-Byrd Roger McGuinn and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band. There's a lot to digest on this heavily produced and very theatrical album, but give it the time it deserves.
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