ELVIS COSTELLO The Delivery Man CD Advance Copy 13 Tracks 2004 
Elvis Costello continued his rich songwriting kick by releasing The Delivery Man in 2004. The Imposters return for this one and it finds Elvis delving more into blues and Americana territory. In a sense it feels a bit like the spiritual successor to King of America, just with more guitars and a more upbeat atmosphere. Originally it appears that Costello envisioned this as a concept album about a delivery man (apparently called Abel) who travels around and has a series of relationships and adventures. Ultimately the album is kind of split, with some of these songs following that storyline and others just being stand-alone songs. It's a bit disorienting but overall The Delivery Man delivers the goods.

"Button My Lip" kicks off the album in classic Costello style. It's biting and energetic, perfectly setting the tone for the rest of the album. "Needle Time", "The Name of This Thing Is Not Love" and the catchy "Monkey to Man" are all great rockers that have a loose and laid-back feeling. "Bedlam" just explodes from your speakers and it has Steve Nieve's fingerprints all over it, complete with swirling keyboards and organs done in a fashion that only he can pull off. The album's title track hints more at the story Costello must have originally created and it's a clever song to try and decipher. It also makes me wish his original concept had been seen to completion; it has endless potential.

The album also features some great ballads. "Country Darkness" was one of the first songs on the record to really grab my attention and years later it's still a favorite. "Either Side of the Same Town" and "Nothing Clings Like Ivy" are both solid bluesy numbers that give the album's flow a nice finishing touch.

However, it's the duets that really shine. "There's a Story in Your Voice" is a duet with Luecinda Williams that's both fun and about as close to country as the album gets. "Heart Shaped Bruise" features Emmylou Harris to amazing effect, while the closer "The Scarlet Tide" also features her gentle vocals as Elvis quietly sings and plays the ukulele. The album seems to find the perfect mix of ballads and rockers, although this will probably frustrate as many listeners as it pleases. This album took me a few listens to really get into but once it grabs you it works its magic.

This would be EC's final solo album for several years. From here he would dive back into the world of jazz and various collaborations, including writing his very own opera. The album itself is a bit inconsistent and does drag in places. However, the overall package is a solid mixture of rock, blues and Americana with a dash of country thrown in for good measure. If you're up for another good musical adventure then this isn't a bad journey to take.

CONDITION: NEW. Advance copy. Acetate type disc , issued without a front cover or insert.
Advance/ Acetate type discs , may not play in some CD players.These type of CDs are usually more suitable for collectors only.

TRACK LISTING:

1. Button My Lip
  2. Country Darkness
  3. There's A Story In Your Voice
  4. Either Side Of The Same Town
  5. Bedlam
  6. The Delivery Man
  7. Monkey To Man
  8. Nothing Clings Like Ivy
  9. The Name Of This Thing Is Not Love
  10. Heart Shaped Bruise
  11. Needle Time
  12. Judgement
  13. Scarlet Tide

JPHBX16-5Z-ELVISCOSTELLO-198

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