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I don't care if Elvis Costello changes his name back to Declan McManus, as he did recently. If he continues putting out albums as good as King of America, he can call himself what he wants.
The songs on this album have been peeking out from between the seams of Costello's music for years. Tuneful, honest, and intensely mature, they fulfill the promise of Imperial Bedroom and reflect the experience of his recent solo acoustic tour.
Songs like "Brilliant Mistake," "Our Little Angel," "Jack of all Parades" and "Sleep of the Just" are among the best he has ever written. Throw-away tunes like "Lovable" and "The Big Light" recall the energy of his early albums. His cover version of the Animals' "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" is brilliantly scary.
In addition, T-Bone Burnett's honest, low-key production goes a long way toward erasing the memory of Clive Langer's unbearable overproduction on Punch the Clock and Goodbye Cruel World.
The Attractions, Costello's band, are noticeably absent, They are featured on only one song, "Suit of Lights," and obviously play second fiddle to Elvis' soulful crooning. While this does give Costello a chance to concentrate on his songs and musicianship, and prevents him from hiding behind the Attractions' quirky arrangements as he occasionally did in the past, it would be nice to see the band back for his next album. In any case, Costello does the best singing of his career.
The sidemen for this album are partly responsible for this success. The Confederates (Elvis Presley's old backing band) and the collection of studio musicians Burnett gathered on King of America provide a wonderful studio sound. Their country-swing flavour contrasts nicely with Costello's folksy English sensibility and provides some ironic depth to these transatlantic tunes.
Best of all, Costello, a.k.a. McManus, has grown up. His humanity transcends the pop sensibility and offers a singer/ songwriter who is not about to be outgrown.
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