Record review: Elvis Costello and The Imposters, "Momofuku"
4 stars
The prolific Elvis Costello is back with yet another album, bringing together The Imposters and some guests to make “Momofuku,” a record named for the inventor of instant noodles.
That title’s a nod to the way in which the album was put together. Inspired by his fast-paced work on Jenny Lewis’ forthcoming album, Costello wrote a bunch of songs, got the band (two-thirds of his classic Attractions) together, invited Lewis and some her collaborators and recorded the thing in a couple of weeks.
Even though Costello can be heard cueing the musicians at times and a couple of songs end abruptly, “Momofuku” isn’t a slapdash affair.
Instead, it’s kind of a tour through Costello’s career with songs like “American Gangster Time,” recalling his early period with Steve Nieve’s Vox organ setting the pace while much of the rest of the record recalls his mid-period Warner Bros. peak.
If you’re a Costello fan, you’ll get that reference. If not, we’re talking some pretty sophisticated pop with just enough rock ’n’ roll to keep things lively. Plus, Lewis is all over the place with gorgeous backing vocals.
There’s genre-hopping here too, highlighted by the samba of “Harry Worth” and the romantic ballad of “Flutter and Wow.” And Elvis gets genuinely sentimental, singing about and to his boys on “My Three Sons.”
But the rest of the album is full of the same mix of biting humor and poignant observation we’ve come to expect from Costello. He’s not quite as vicious as he was back in the ’70s, but he can still turn a musical phrase better than almost any other songwriter.
And, like all Costello records, “Momofuku” gets ever richer on repeat listening. Give me a few more weeks and this could be a five star record.
“Momofuku” was released on CD on Tuesday. But it’s already been out a couple of weeks on vinyl — hence the constant album reference. And I’d highly recommend the vinyl version, a high-quality pressing that puts just three songs on each side of the double album, allowing for the best possible sound. And it comes with a digital download — the best of both worlds.
Costello will be back at Omaha’s Qwest Center next week for the second time in a year, as he and The Imposters open for The Police Wednesday night. His solo set opening for Bob Dylan a few months ago was brilliant. Word is, Costello and company are delivering fiery sets in front of The Police and drawing strongly from “Momofuku.”
The prolific Elvis Costello is back with yet another album, bringing together The Imposters and some guests to make “Momofuku,” a record named for the inventor of instant noodles.
That title’s a nod to the way in which the album was put together. Inspired by his fast-paced work on Jenny Lewis’ forthcoming album, Costello wrote a bunch of songs, got the band (two-thirds of his classic Attractions) together, invited Lewis and some her collaborators and recorded the thing in a couple of weeks.
Even though Costello can be heard cueing the musicians at times and a couple of songs end abruptly, “Momofuku” isn’t a slapdash affair.
Instead, it’s kind of a tour through Costello’s career with songs like “American Gangster Time,” recalling his early period with Steve Nieve’s Vox organ setting the pace while much of the rest of the record recalls his mid-period Warner Bros. peak.
If you’re a Costello fan, you’ll get that reference. If not, we’re talking some pretty sophisticated pop with just enough rock ’n’ roll to keep things lively. Plus, Lewis is all over the place with gorgeous backing vocals.
There’s genre-hopping here too, highlighted by the samba of “Harry Worth” and the romantic ballad of “Flutter and Wow.” And Elvis gets genuinely sentimental, singing about and to his boys on “My Three Sons.”
But the rest of the album is full of the same mix of biting humor and poignant observation we’ve come to expect from Costello. He’s not quite as vicious as he was back in the ’70s, but he can still turn a musical phrase better than almost any other songwriter.
And, like all Costello records, “Momofuku” gets ever richer on repeat listening. Give me a few more weeks and this could be a five star record.
“Momofuku” was released on CD on Tuesday. But it’s already been out a couple of weeks on vinyl — hence the constant album reference. And I’d highly recommend the vinyl version, a high-quality pressing that puts just three songs on each side of the double album, allowing for the best possible sound. And it comes with a digital download — the best of both worlds.
Costello will be back at Omaha’s Qwest Center next week for the second time in a year, as he and The Imposters open for The Police Wednesday night. His solo set opening for Bob Dylan a few months ago was brilliant. Word is, Costello and company are delivering fiery sets in front of The Police and drawing strongly from “Momofuku.”
Copyright © 2002-2008 Lincoln Journal Star. All rights reserved.