Elvis Costello & The Imposters "The Delivery Man" (Lost Highway)
By Tim Den
Tuesday. Dec 14, 12:50 AM
Hallelujah, it's a miracle!

A new “rock” album from Elvis Costello these days causes me more unease than anticipation, what with the taste of that complete shitbomb When I Was Cruel still fresh in my mouth. Flashbacks of torturous one-riffed songs, lobotomized melodic ideas, and self-indulgent running times gave me cold sweats in the middle of the night just imagining what horrors awaited in The Delivery Man, the first album to feature his “new” band (basically The Attractions with a different bassist/backup vocalist), The Imposters. Am I in for another round of crying myself to sleep? Is the world in for another legend to further deteriorate his reputation?

As opener “Button My Lip” sauntered its worthless, flatlined ass around for almost five minutes, it seemed that – indeed – Costello fans were getting yet another shafting of their lifetime. But then, behold! “Country Darkness” gently soothed our wounds with dignified laments and cruel observations, resuscitating our last ray of hope. “There’s a Story in Your Voice” and “Either Side of the Same Town” both added to the phoenix of expectation in our hearts, as soulful hooks, chiming chords, and scenic twists and turns strengthened our belief in the impossible. Can this really be happening? A rocking and touching album from Costello in 2004?

Aside from a few minor deflations (the uneventful “Bedlam,” Lucinda Williams’ warbled vocals on “There’s a Story in Your Voice,” the lopsided vocal meter of the title track’s verses), yes: it really is happening. The Delivery Man is everything When I Was Cruel failed at, marrying the essence of rock ‘n’ roll (blues, country, gospel, r&b) with classic Costello sensibilities to create a warm, substantial album. Not surprisingly, the most compelling entries are the slow ones (“Nothing Clings Like Ivy,” “Heart Shaped Bruise”), proving that the tenderness of North was not a fluke. The man has become an absolute master at balladry after years of being angry and rebellious. Who knew?

Closing with a delicately exquisite duet with Emmylou Harris (“The Scarlet Tide”), The Delivery Man has certainly brought its package of seasoned songcraft to this Costello-worshipping house once devoid of optimism. I applaud and shed tears of joy.
www.elviscostello.com
www.losthighwayrecords.com

Tim Den

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