Fantastic. 16 new Elvis Costello songs, Christmas has come early! For those coming to this CD from a recent "Later...with Jools Holland" appearance will probably want to know if all the songs on here are accoustic guitar based. Well, err...no. But are they all of the same high quality? Undoubtedly yes.
Elvis has been prolific the past three years. Momofuku was an excellent rock album - followed by a subdued and meandering record last year entitled Secrets Profane & Sugarcane. This new album has much in common with the last but the quality control is much higher. The production is a little less stifling than the last album and the slower songs are given much more room to breathe. And those songs - I'd say some of his very best pepper this album. Jimmie Standing In The Rain, Slow Drag With Josephine, Church Underground, Dr Watson I Presume, Bullets For The New Born King, You Hung The Moon - these are all magnificent songs demanding repeated playing. Some of the more up-tempo songs don't have quite the magic, or is it that they don't suit the personnel? Perhaps they should be saved for Imposters recordings in future (if we get any more of those).
Anyway this is a marvellous CD so lets give a big welcome back to one of the most talented men in rock music. Now how about a proper tour?