To be critical, not every song on the record is a classic. I could do without about half a dozen of the fifteen songs. By my estimates, that leaves us with a kick-ass nine song album of about 42 minutes, with some listenable but less than essential bonuses.

An obvious sign that you're dealing with someone who doesn't get it comes when they speak hopefully of Elvis "getting back to his roots." This Year's Model is a great album. If you want to hear it, it is readily available on CD. I listen to it fairly often. Elvis already made that record, so there is no need for him to try to make another one like it. That is exactly NOT what Elvis has ever been about.

Most of even the best musicians of the rock era have a worthy artistic era of five to ten years tops. Yet twenty five years into his career, Elvis has put out if not his best album [tough competition, that] then certainly one worthy of his name. Paul Simon is the only other name that comes to mind as an equal in creative longevity. Like Simon, Elvis has had an exceptionally sharp self-understanding. They both have been well balanced between pushing the envelope for new styles and sounds while keeping at all times in touch with their original passions.

There are many choices for album of the year. Eminem is riding the zeitgeist, and he has several outstanding songs. I fear that ignorant Grammy voters will jump at the tuneless contrived heroics of Springsteen's fecal 9-11 exploitation album.

If, however, you value actual SONGS more than some kind of "social relevance" then Elvis is your man.