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Who is Delcan Patrick Aloysius MacManus?
Elvis Costello. By any other name Elvis, can't pack the musical punch he used to.
On his newest release, King of America, Costello pens his songs under his legal name, MacManus. Although King of America has several strong and original tracks, for the most part, "the Costello Show", as he chooses to call himself and his band, is sadly dissapointing.
The best songs on the album include "Brilliant Mistake," "Lovable" and "I'll Wear it Proudly," as well as "Eisenhower Blues" and "Poisoned Rose." .
Rolicking music and harmonies combined with Costello's sharp satirical eye, help make "Brilliant Mistake" one of the best tracks on King of America.
"Brilliant Mistake" is about a man disillusioned with success. Costello's biting sarcasm is as sharp as ever in this tune, even seeming to border on being nasty:
She said that she was working for the ABC News
It was as much of the alphabet as she knew how to use
Her perfume was unspeakable
It lingered in the air
Like her artificial laughter
Her mementos of affairs.
Despite the slightly inane lyrics, "Lovable," a toe-tapping, rockabilly tune is the bouncy sort of song that seems to stay in your head. The music itself is what makes "Lovable" so likable.
"Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood," a Costello remake of the classic Animals song,' is the first single and video to be released from King of America. Although the song is currently receiving airplay, like most remakes, it does not compare to the original.
Costello seems to lack Eric Burdon's passion, and instead of coming across as misunderstood, he sounds Pompous.
This is not totally his fault, since "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" is not written for Costello's sharp-edged voice. The dragging slowness of the music only exaggerates the problem.
"I'll Wear it Proudly" is reminiscent of Costello's earlier album, Imperial Bedroom. The lyrics to this song about love seem more optimistic than usual for Costello.
They spotlight his talent at capturing a scene or emotion with a sharp quality that cuts like a broken piece of glass:
But in shameless moments
You made more of me than just a mess
And a handful of eagerness
Says "What do you suggest?"
Costello really seems to be enjoying himself on "Eisenhower Blues." The song includes searing backup music by T-Bone Burnett, among other talented friends.
The remaining 10 tracks on King of America are a let down when compared to some of his earlier works. Costello seems to be veering more than ever towards a country sound in his music. This is particularly evident in "Glitter Gulch" and "The Big Light."
Costello's choice of backup musicians seem up to the task as does his unusual cracking voice. Sadly these songs, along with several others on King of America, lack substance and are even sappily sentimental at times.
Costello, once known as the "angry young man" of the music world, seems to have lost that hard edge which enabled him to write such classic tunes as "Peace, Love and Understanding," "Lip Service," "Allison" and "Watching the Detectives."
Elvis, or MacManus, does not seem to be trying as hard anymore. The title — King of America — he has chosen for himself does not fit. He seems to say it best in "Brilliant Mistakes":
I was a fine idea at the time
Now I'm just a brilliant mistake.
Let's hope this king wises up.
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