In 1977 and again in '78, Elvis Costello released what are still two of the finest LPs to come out of rock or pop. My Aim Is True and This Year's Model are classics. However, beginning with Armed Forces, a certain malaise began to set in. Somehow he didn't seem as sure or as potent. His cockiness and arrogance, refreshing in the '70s, somehow no longer seemed necessary, particularly in light of the fact that his music began to lack the edge that had put him on the map. "Oliver's Army" and "Pump It Up" had nothing in common.
By the time of Imperial Bedroom and Punch the Clock it was obvious that Costello was either an artist in decline or serious confusion. He appeared to be thinking too much and working too hard to communicate. Other than the occasionally clever pun all that got across was strife and, certainly by Goodbye Cruel World, total boredom. The arrogance remained ("By the time they discover what I'm doing in the states I'm already two years beyond that.") adding stupidity to somnambulism.
Some part of this experience is recounted and commented upon in King of America: "It was a fine idea at the time / Now it's a brilliant mistake / I was a fine idea at the time / Now I'm a brilliant mistake" ("Brilliant Mistake"). Thus begins what is Elvis Costello's latest and perhaps finest LP since Trust. Part woeful reverie, part reaffirmation of the person he used to be before he changed his name (Declan MacManus) and in some measure wants to return to.
Side one of KOA is without a doubt the most listenable music to be released thus far this year. It's meld of acoustic guitars against sparse instrumentation (on several tunes we hear a trio of Elvis Presley alumni — James Burton on lead guitar, Jerry Scheff on bass, Ron Tutt on drums), E.C.'s bleedingly passionate vocals and T Bone Burnett's perfect production make this a set of songs you can literally listen to for hours on end and be continually entertained.
"Lovable" is an angry song that concedes it's over between the singer and somebody, though E.C. has so much fun singing the chorus, all we hear is joy. "Our Little Angel" finds Costello finally having written (and recorded) a country classic. Maybe not so much structurally, as this tune also contains purely Costellonian (?) melodies, but the feel and sound of the tune, aided no doubt by the Elvis Presley trio, is rarely duplicated today. "Glitter Gulch," again aided by the E.P. trio, sounds like Emmylou Harris' Hot Band and shades of Bob Dylan: "I'd rather be an outlaw than an in-law to you."
Next to "Brilliant Mistake," "Indoor Fireworks" is the best ballad here. It's the LP in microcosm, confessional and vulnerable without pretense or apology. Elvis is getting very good at this: "It's time to tell the truth / These things have to be faced... I'll build a bonfire of my dreams and burn a broken effigy of me and you."
Throughout side one Declan takes Elvis to task ("He thought he was the King of America") but forgives him in the end: "If they had a King of Fools then I could wear that crown / And you can all die laughing, because I'll wear it proudly" ("I'll Wear It Proudly").
There's not enough space to note every tune, though side two's "American Without Tears" is another strong standout, as is "Jack of All Parades" and one or two others.
Regardless of what name he finally ends up with, this guy is gonna be around for a long time. Buy this record and find out why.
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