Music review: Elvis Costello – 鈥楾he Boy Named If鈥�
It all started back in 1977 with 13 gritty tracks of punk passion from a nerdy-looking English musician resembling Buddy Holly.
鈥淢y Aim Is True鈥� was infectious, witty, cynical and empowering as a vigorous expression of youthful angst. With his dynamic debut, Elvis Costello became one of the voices for a new generation eager to find a place to fit in as part of a turbulent and confusing world.
Forty-five years later, Costello is still up to his old tricks with the release of his 32nd studio album. Recorded remotely with the Imposters, 鈥淭he Boy Named If鈥� finds Costello dishing out another 13 tracks that spotlight his lyrical wit and keen observations about navigating life鈥檚 unexpected turns.
鈥淚鈥檓 a lucky so and so/A fortunate stiff,鈥� announces Costello on the title track as if to prove the more things change, the more they stay the same.
For the new material, 67-year-old Costello crafts a musical collection that focuses on the awkward period when we have to put aside childish ways in an effort to prepare for more mature endeavors.
鈥淔arewell, OK鈥� opens the set as a rousing split-up number that rings of disappointment and frustration as Costello robustly declares, 鈥淚 thought you鈥檇 change/And get a little humble/You strike your strange disposition like a drummer hits a cymbal.鈥�
鈥淢y Most Beautiful Mistake鈥� features a guest appearance by Nicole Atkins. It鈥檚 a common tale about a struggling waitress with bigger ambitions being charmed by a customer offering fame and fortune. Ultimately, it鈥檚 a risky cat-and-mouse game that is sure to end badly for everyone involved.
Being a huge fan of Costello鈥檚 1998 collaboration with Burt Bacharach on 鈥淧ainted from Memory,鈥� the piano-led 鈥淧aint the Red Rose Blue鈥� depicts the same simplistic vulnerability about a disappointing relationship. It showcases Costello鈥檚 heartfelt vocals with him softy singing, 鈥淭he words that came to him/Both the lies and the threats/They arrived all too easily.鈥�
From the whimsical charm of 鈥淧enelope Halfpenny鈥� to the menacing tone of 鈥淢agnificent Hurt鈥� to the tender crooning offered on 鈥淢r. Crescent,鈥� Costello demonstrates that his aim is still indeed true after all these years.