However, once you get past the rather obvious bluegrass and country influences, this is still ultimately an Elvis Costello record — which means that it comes down to the songs. And there are some really great ones here.
On "My All Time Doll," Costello proves he's lost none of his gift for sharp wordplay in lines like "you're my all time doll/you're all I adore/I'd swear to it now/but I already swore." Costello bites off lyrics like these with near the same playful spite as anything he's recorded with the Attractions, while the countrified backing manages to make it sound as funky as, well, as funky as mandolins and such get, I guess.
"Hidden Shame" takes on a near hoedown feel with its dobros and fiddles, as Costello turns in another killer lyric in the chorus about a "hidden shame, shame, shame" where he can't break away from "the torture and misery, must it be by secret for eternity."
Lyrically speaking anyway, Elvis is still king throughout Secret, Profane & Sugarcane.
"Sulphur To Sugarcane" is the real standout here, though. Against a beat that is really more like a hillbilly shuffle set to a countrified backdrop of — yep, you guessed it — fiddles and dobros, Costello rattles off a hilarious series of lines about ravaging women in various U.S. cities. Sample lyrics include "the women in Poughkeepsie take their clothes off when they're tipsy," "Up in Syracuse, I was falsely accused, but I'm not here to hurt you, I'm here to steal your virtue," and my personal favorite, "In Worcester, Massachusetts, they just love my sauce."
When Elvis takes this show out on the road this summer, I can see that one being not only a crowd-pleaser, but depending upon the city and the venue, a sure-fire campfire sing-along song. This is just great stuff — unless of course, you happen to be one of the unfortunate women in those cities.
I guess the closest thing I could compare this to is Springsteen's Seeger Sessions record. Once you get over the initial shock of the odd arrangements — not to mention all those damn fiddles and what-not — this is a very decent Elvis Costello album that occasionally — if not quite as often as I'd like — approaches greatness.
Secret, Profane & Sugarcane arrives in stores this Tuesday, June 2.
Article comments
1 - tink
A fan since his Stiff days, EC is one of the few artists I've remained loyal to over the years no matter what.
Thanks for the reminder that is will be out next week!
2 - Glen Boyd
Thanks Tinkie. I think you'll enjoy it too -- although again,its kind of an acquired taste.
-Glen
3 - El Bicho
All Costello is an acquired taste. That's part of his appeal. Will have to give this a listen
4 - MarkSaleski
totally disagree on Almost Blue. love that record. will have to check this one out too, i thinks.
5 - Tom Johnson
I don't know. For whatever reason, I'm feeling absolutely no interest in this one. My interest deflated when I saw that Pete Thomas wasn't on board. Seems a dumb thing to be disappointed about when Elvis is the main show, but Elvis' crooning lately has had me cringing, and I still have yet to warm up to Momofuku even. Elvis and I have apparently hit a rough patch.
6 - MarkSaleski
admit it tom, you haven't listened to anything new since college.
7 - Glen Boyd
Go grab yourself an MP3 of "Sulphur To Sugarcane" Tom. If that one doesn't get you the way it got me, then yeah, you'd probably best be served by moving on.
-Glen
8 - Tom Johnson
You know me, I'm still pluggin' away with my Ratt collection. ;-)
I have to admit, I gave a good listen to clips this weekend and felt much warmer toward this than I have previously. I'll probably be picking this up in the next couple of days, but if I don't like it, I'll be coming after you guys for pushing it on me.
9 - MJ Ludwick
Elvis Costello is IMHO one of the greatest sognwriters of our time. I have been a loyal listener since I was 17 and his first Album came out. Since then he has gotten better with age.