Elvis Costello
and the Imposters – The Delivery Man
By Zane Ewton
Elvis Costello is an artist who has reached
the point where he can do whatever he wants without the need to worry about
record sales or fashionable music videos. He has recorded over 20
albums, is an accomplished composer who just released his first classical
album, and is certifiably a music icon.
But with The Delivery Man, Costello
has written an old fashioned rock and roll record, steeped in country,
blues and soul. Don’t let the term “old fashioned” fool you though,
this is a new, fresh sounding album. The Delivery Man is a mixture
of rough and shiny elements; it might also be the best album Costello has
done in years.
Emmylou Harris shares vocals with Costello
on a few songs and also provides backup on a few others. Both Costello
and Harris have great voices that work well with each other. The
musicianship is top notch. Costello’s backing band, The Imposters,
includes Steve Nieve, Davey Faragher, Pete Thomas and John McPhee.
What makes The Delivery Man a great
album is how strong the songs are. They sound focused and have been cared
for. Costello started The Delivery Man as a concept album
but by rearranging the track order and omitting songs the original narrative
is nowhere to be found. While the story is dismantled the songs are
still cohesive; remaining as vivid as a good movie.
For this man to be born in Liverpool, England
he writes some of the most convincing country songs. These are real
country songs. Not like what you hear on the radio today. Costello
is fantastic at writing intelligent, thoughtful lyrics that never seem
forced or misplaced. The Delivery Man appears to be put together
effortlessly, each song an extension of talent and love for music.
The Delivery Man is a thoroughly
enjoyable album. Many artists who have reached the age that Costello
is at either try too hard or don’t try at all. But Elvis Costello
continues to do exactly what he has wants to do. When the results
are as satisfying as The Delivery Man it is hard to argue with his
intentions.
CD Info
Elvis
Costello and the Imposters – The Delivery Man
Label: Lost
Highway Records
Rating: 
Tracks (according to
CD Universe):
Button My Lip
Country Darkness
There's A Story In Your Voice
Either Side Of The Same Town
Bedlam
Delivery Man, The
Monkey To Man
Nothing Clings Like Ivy
Name Of This Thing Is Not Love, The
Heart Shaped Bruise
Needle Time
Judgement, The
Scarlet Tide, The |
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