I saw Elvis Costello in a swimming-pool in LA once. He looked like San Francisco. That this is the first thought that hurtles to mind on receiving his new single says much about the way that he can't really transfix like he used to. The Brutal Youth album had everything lined up in the right places, neatly packed itself with the right tunes, the best words, the promise of a nostalgia that never was. And songs like this sounded great until about 30 seconds after they were over. Do we expect too much? Does he give too little? Is there anyone out there who gives a flying fuck? Answers on a postcard to anywhere but here.