Typical Mid-Life Transition Elvis Costello

Review Score: (6/10)
Great moments exist on this CD and a few failures. This CD is typical of Costello. Also, it is typical of his fans to disagree where the music is great and where the music is weak. Costello's "Pouring Water On A Drowning Man" is, in this fan's opinion, one of his greatest moments of recorded music. On the other hand, his version of the Kink's "Days" is amazingly misguided. I have a friend who says the exact opposite. You judge for yourself. "Hidden Charms," "Strange," "Remove This Doubt," and "Leave My Kitten Alone" are, as with most Elvis Costello's songs, wonderfully sung with feeling and charm. "The Very Thought of You," is a standout moment in which Declan MacManus's voice is so perfectly matched with the music, that it is a wonder how he did it. The rest, with the excepection of "Pouring Water" is dispensible. Still, an uplifting and unique record where Elvis Costello actually sounds as if he is enjoying himself. The liner notes are insightful and full of well chosen words. Not your typical Attractions record, but typical of Costello as he goes through his mid-life transitions and tries to redirect and rediscover himself. Such a task is not always easy and often times, failures may exist. In the redirection, when Costello hits the mark, he is right on target.

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