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Elvis Costello has so many culties at this point that no matter what he did for his twelfth album people would buy it. Sort of like Bruce or Madonna. Side One — Elvis Costello eating breakfast. Side Two — Elvis playing the spoons while watching Wheel of Fortune?
Well, luckily, whether you decide to purchase King of America based on the past performance of the artist or on the merits of this album, you won't be disappointed.
The track to watch for is a remake of "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" done by the Animals and lastly by Santa Esmeralda in the early 70s. A great mellowish pop standard.
Elvis has taken to using his real name now, which is Declan Patrick Aloysius MacManus (on the tip of America's tongue).
T Bone Burnett (who worked with Costello last year in a band called The Coward Brothers) produces and plays on most of the cuts.
"Glitter Gulch" and "Little Palaces," along with a few other songs have a right powerful C&W overtone like Elvis' Almost Blue LP. "Brilliant Mistake" and "I'll Wear it Proudly" are two of the best songs.
Quite listenable. Guittaring, singing, lyrics: all top notch. A very ironic album title considering Costello's relative U.S. obscurity.
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