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Elvis Costello sounds bitter and cynical, and he's almost convincing. But it's all just a clever act. For all his searing, nihilistic lyrics, Costello is probably laughing up his sleeve.
At any rate, his This Year's Model is entertaining — if you're the sort who likes to kick dogs, spit on the sidewalk or boo Debby Boone.
Costello sets his biting commentaries amid a backdrop of early era rock, a deliberate contrast. As one of his lines says, "I'll do anything to confuse the enemy."
Who is "the enemy"? Probably anybody whose name is not Elvis Costello.
Along the way, Costello states the obvious — "I don't want to be a goodie goodie" — and gets down to specifics in each song.
Costello is so obtuse that in "Radio, Radio" he steamrollers top 40 radio, then explains: "I want to bite the hand that feeds me."
Some people may take Costello seriously, but his venom is so extreme that he comes across as comical — albeit dark comedy. The ultimate would be if This Year's Model were named comedy album of the year.
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