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Despite dwindling popularity Elvis Costello has proved the most gifted songwriter in pop music for several years, building an ever improving catalogue of quality songs.
Last year's Imperial Bedroom was without doubt his masterpiece to date — full of mind-teasing lyrics and subtle musical twists and the follow-up was almost bound to be an anti-climax.
Punch The Clock does not quite match its predecessor's brilliance but it still has few rivals among this year's crop of LPs and it just might prove more commercial.
Not once dance track on Imperial Bedroom, but here elaborate orchestration is discarded in favour of swinging brass provided by an ex-Dexy's horn section.
Using this brass, numbers like "Let Them All Talk," "The Greatest Thing," and "TKO (Boxing Day)" have an instant foot-tapping appeal.
There are quieter and more melodic moments such as the beautiful Falklands commentary "Shipbuilding" — originally sung by Robert Wyatt — to which a mournful Chet Baker trumpet solo is added, and the elegant love concept "Everyday I Write The Book."
Costello even employs Beatles-style backing harmonies to add an extra dimension to "The Element Within Her" and "King Of Thieves."
Most of the lyrics provide further evidence that Costello has mellowed his view of human failure, but he does reserve two bitter attacks — one on the news media in the start "Pills and Soap" and the other on prejudice and hypocrisy in the brassy "The World and His Wife."
Altogether another intriguing collection of Costello songs — full of wit and creativity but with a slightly more commercial edge that ought to give him some of the popular acclaim he genuinely deserves.
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