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Don't laugh. This man's for real. And with a little luck, he just could become one large size rock and roll.
Costello, a 22-year-old former computer programmer, may resemble an even wimpier reincarnation of Freddie (as in "and the Dreamers"), but he has taken his home country of England by musical firestorm lately.
And the songs on this wonderful debut album won't chill that reception a bit. Imagine rockabilly meeting the Beatles with a side order of Van Morrison and you have an idea of what Elvis Costello is about.
Bouncy pop ballads are mixed with straight-ahead rockers, and the result is 13 songs with a lot of hit-single potential. "Mystery Dance," a nervous evocation of sexual ignorance and innocence, is the album's masterpiece and a solid rocker. But a pop gem like "Alison" and a bar band rocker like "Blame It on Cain" aren't far behind.
Best of all, Elvis Costello hates the music business. It's the music he loves, not the seeking of the posh pop star life. Say hello to a fresh rock and roll breeze.
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