Elvis Costello & The Imposters “The Boy Named If”
I was ready to count Elvis out after the mess that was Hey Clockface and Spanish Model– and thankfully I was wrong. This is a man with a mission, and with The Imposters, he delivers the goods. He looks back on his youth, as the title is really “The Boy Named If (And Other Children’s Stories)” and he sounds great here on the opener “Farwell, OK.” with a big call back to his early sound from the late ’70s. You will hear many callbacks to past works, and that’s part of the fun.
The tortured autobiographical title track is both melodic and biting emotion works over the haunting arrangements. Lots of highlights; “The Difference,” “Paint the Red Rose Blue,” “Magnificent Hurt,” and “Mistook Me For A Friend,” which references his big hit “Pump It Up.” Great storytelling, with jazz, funk, blues bits sprinkled all over. Many songs here require study and repeat listens to get the full story. I never put Costello in the power-pop category as an artist, but he’s had some really catchy hits in the past and this album relights that fuse. What a great comeback (IMO) and brilliant return to form.
Tom Curless “Person of Interest”
Tom Curless approaches this album differently, without supporting players and everything done himself (except the sweet mixing by Nick Bertling.) Starting with a very Foo Fighters-like “Scare Tactics” its full of crunch and angst, but things lighten up with the wonderful “Street Kids” a grooving power-pop melody full of overlapping harmonies.
The influences here are varied as “Something for Nothing” has Genesis meets The Police vibe, and the chorus is both catchy and inspiring. “Silent Partner” has a little David Gilmour, and there are plenty of great songs here; “Soar High,” “Call Time,” and “Take My Hand.” Curless always has a unique point of view and a knack for earworms, and this album has enough here to make it highly recommended.
