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The past few years, our dear Elvis has been playing well with others – opera singer Anne Sofie Von Otter, ‘60s pop composer Burt Bacharach (1998’s Painted From Memory is much more of a sound salvation for the office than any of those bullshit “listen while you work” radio stations), and various other collaborations.
Now he’s released his first proper solo record since 1994’s Brutal Youth, and just about everyone is hailing it as his Return To Rock. Costello himself told Bravo’s “Musicians” series that he wanted to make a “21st century big-band record.” The torch-song aspects are there – “When I Was Cruel No. 2” sounds as if Joao Gilberto dropped in on one of Costello and Bacharach’s sessions. “15 Petals” and “Tart” also have that jazzy, loungy feel. “Alibi” is also mellow, but it’s one of the most deliciously cruel love/hate songs in a while, in fact, the only real rawk songs are opening track “45” and “Tear Off Your Own Head (It’s A Doll Revolution)” and “Daddy Can I Turn This?”
Of course, since he hasn’t released a “real” record in eight years, it’s a bit on the long side. My beef with Costello is that he buries some true musical gems amongst some unremarkable tracks. Hell, even Mighty Like A Rose has its moments of brilliance. Trim the fat, and this is up there with Blood And Chocolate, Trust, or most of the man’s early output. (825 Eighth Ave., NY. NY. 10019)
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