Fact #64977

I’ve always had a love/hate relationship with Costello’s music. I could never deny his formidable songwriting skills, but frequently couldn’t deal with what seemed to me like a huge chip on his shoulder. The years have mellowed him and this album in particular is a delight, probably because it was recorded in three days with a hot Nashville crew headed by T Bone Burnett. It’s unusually sparky, vital and spontaneous, a perfect setting to make Costello’s wobbly voice seem natural and organic. Happily, the songs too are well worth hearing.
Johnny Black (review first appeared in Hi Fi News)