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In the last one year, Elvis Costello has emerged from obscurity to become a superstar.
One of the least photogenic of rock artistes, he has been compared with Graham Parker, Bruce Springsteen, Van Morrison and even Bob Dylan — and not without reason.
But Elvis' second album (his first was not released here) at once puts the issue to rest: he is NOT a carbon copy of any or all of them.
Rather, he is in a world of his own, away ahead of most of them. Elvis' songwriting for instance, makes Graham Parker look like a school kid dabbling in verse.
His sneering, spitting vocals unfurls Springsteen's immaturity. Morrison and Dylan? Well, the duo are in their own planes.
Elvis is very confident, mature, and has his sights set straight on target, that being to conquer the rock world. The playing by his group, The Attractions, is crisp, precise and economical.
Of the 12 tracks "Pump It Up" is Dylanesque, "This Year's Girl" and "The Beat" should whet your appetite for more, "Little Triggers" is a soulful ballad, "I Don't Want To Go To Chelsea" is urgent and "Living In Paradise" confirms Elvis' talent.
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