"North," Elvis Costello says, is the way he's headed, as opposed to "goin' south." The slightly oblique references are to his personal life and the breakup of his marriage to former Pogues bassist Cait O'Riordan, followed by his engagement to jazz vocalist Diana Krall. With its jazz-based melodies and arrangements, this new cycle of 11 quiet songs chronicling the journey from romantic disappointment to buoyant hope is one of the singer-songwriter's subtler albums.
Costello frames his plaintive vocals against the spare piano of longtime collaborator Steve Nieve, with occasional string or horn ensemble backing. Veteran jazz saxophonist Lee Konitz solos on the lost-love lament "Someone Took the Words Away," and Lew Soloff adds his mellow fluegelhorn on several numbers. At times, the backing ranges from the Brodsky String Quartet to a 48-piece orchestra, but the mood is always stately and controlled. Even during the second half of the album, when Costello's mood turns giddy from thinking of his new love on "Let Me Tell You About Her," the melody and pace maintain the restraint.
There are a few miniature gems, including the album's fulcrum song "Fallen," where Costello's fortunes begin looking up, and the hopeful ballads "Still" and "Let Me Tell You About Her." Costello stays lyrically subdued and even earnest in both his "no one's fault" regret and the humorously self-effacing bliss that follows. Closing with the quietly optimistic, sensual and emotionally alive "I'm in the Mood Again," you kind of hope it all lasts.
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