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The follow-up album for one of 1977's most promising new artists is a broadening of horizons for Elvis (an ex-computer programmer from England, given name: Declan Patrick McManus). More confident with his material, we even get a glimpse of his band. "Bruce Steve, and Pete," the back cover proudly proclaims. Maybe next time, we'll get last names...
Elvis is an angry young rocker, venting his rage through jukebox selections of agony, love gone wrong and — gasp! — "the hand that feeds me" — radio. "Radio Radio" is an open indictment of the fluff peddled by radio stations.
"The radio is in the hands of such a lot of fools trying to anesthesize the way that you feel." The attack is clear and the lyrics growl with fury.
His boasts on "Lip Service," ("That's all you'll ever get from me.") reveal more about Costello and his music than a couple of nonstop listens to both his albums. When he snarls about dragging his ex-lover down with him "Hand in Hand." the wrath he portrays is more than simple lashing out. Like a true lover, he is ready to die with the one who wronged him.
Elvis levels another shotgun-blast of ire at perennially popular females with "This Year's Girl." He sings in anguish because he knows she's just a fantasy that everyone wants a piece of, and next year, there will be another one.
The music on this album is a little looser than on My Aim is True, and the synthesizer is added with pleasing results. The production adds a little more flavor to the rather bland guitars of the first album. Elvis appears to be developing his skills slowly, step-by-step and the reward is more listenable music. The rapid-fire pace of the song increases the urgency of the subjects — there is more to these songs than just a cry in your beer.
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