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Elvis Costello has to be one of the few original, seasoned Rock 'n' Roll artists still around, He started out in the business in 1977 when disco was peaking, and yet he was able to put his debut album, My Aim Is True, into the Top 10. Now, three years later, Elvis has released his fifth American LP, called Taking Liberties, and the record just reinforces the fact that Elvis is one of the most versatile performers in the music world today.
This LP differs from Costello's others in that it is comprised mainly of songs that have previously been released in England. A "best of the rest" LP. But instead of being bland like most such compilations, this album is fresh and contains all the aspects of Elvis' career, from his punk days to his Rhythm & Blues leanings to his dabbling in country music. It's an album that truly showcases the artist.
The album has 20 cuts on it — more than most K-Tel samplers — and it is great from beginning to end. The two best numbers are "Getting Mighty Crowded," which shows Elvis at his rocking best, and "(I Don't Wanna Go To) Chelsea."
What's interesting to note is how heavily Elvis is influenced by Early '60's Merseybeat like The Animals and early Who, and artists like Bob Dylan. This '60's styling shows up on a lot of songs,such as "Chelsea," "Crawling To The USA," "Tiny Steps," and "Big Ten's." All of these songs contain catchy pop melodies and all have radio potential.
Elvis also delves into the '60's Soul/Motown sound with cuts like "Dr. Luther's Assistant," "Wednesday Week," "Ghost Train," and "Radio Sweetheart." These heavy R&B influences could qualify Costello as a new James Brown. It demonstrates how successful artists can be when they try something new.
Elvis ' country music experiments surface in "Stranger In The House." The song is fair but it's still a little flat; there are some lemons on this LP: "Girls' Talk," "Just A Memory," and "My Funny Valentine" are all very poor.
After Led Zeppelin calls it quits, after Queen bites the dust, after the rest of the Sex Pistols and The Clash fade away, Elvis will probably still be around writing great songs and recording memorable albums. Taking Liberties stands as one of the better records released this year. The music is fresh, the tunes are interesting, and they switch in one's mind all through the day. Elvis' vocals and original musical stylings remain unparalleled. Taking Liberties is definitely worth searching for at the Jigger Shop.
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