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Elvis and the Imposters continue their winning streak with The Boy Named If, probably – in my opinion – his finest album in over twenty years. In fact, this record bears plenty of hallmarks of Elvis' classic era; plenty of passionately spat sardonic ire and able to stand shoulder to shoulder with his eighties greats, such as Imperial Bedroom and Blood And Chocolate. No, this is not hyperbole – as much as I loved Hello Clockface and Look Now (both excellent albums in their own right), The Boy Named If is the album many fans, myself included, have been waiting for him to make for many years. The Imposters are also on fine, ferocious form, relishing the opportunity to add their own brand of musical fire to a great collection of compositions. This is an album packed full of energy, intelligence and creativity and, quite honestly, I don't think I've loved an album of Costello's so much since 1994's Brutal Youth or perhaps 2002's When I Was Cruel. Many have come close, but this one has truly connected. The catchy tracks are plentiful (The Difference, What If I Can't Give You Anything But Love?, Magnificent Hurt), loud, brazen rock numbers (Farewell OK and The Death Of Magic Thinking) and there is also a trademark yearning, tender ballad to temper the record's madness: the gorgeous Paint The Red Rose Blue.
The highlights are plentiful, but my personal favourites are the immense title track, the early Attractions-aping Mistook Me For A Friend, the powerful ballad featuring Nicole Atkins, My Most Beautiful Mistake, and The Man You Love To Hate, which has the vaudeville feel of Spike/Mighty Like A Rose-era Elvis. Perhaps the most striking characteristic of The Boy Named If is the lack of any really ordinary or duff tracks; normally there are a couple of songs I enjoy a lot less than others, but this is an album I can listen to from start to finish with nothing other than sheer enjoyment and admiration. This is an absolute must buy/listen to for long-time Costello fans, but also would be one I'd recommend to those who have yet to explore the work of Elvis, Steve, Pete and Davey and it's not often you can say that about a new release from an artist who has been making music for coming up to half a century. A Boy Called If is an immensely enjoyable, rich record brimming with confidence and artistry; not only is it one of the best albums of 2022, it's one of the best album of Elvis Costello's illustrious career.
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