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On King of America, Elvis Costello has changed his appearance and his band's name, apparently to fit his new social outlook.
The bearded Mr. Costello is now head man for "The Costello Show, featuring Elvis Costello and the Confederates." And their quasi-concept album, an unfocused diatribe against America, is more pretentious than enlightening.
To be sure, the album has a lot of bright moments musically, mostly due to co-producer T Bone Burnett. But this brooding, baleful Elvis Costello doesn't compare to the wry pop-socialist we first discovered on vintage albums such as My Aim Is True and Armed Forces.
In fact, he sounds more misanthropic than satirical. Listen to the band's cover of the Animal's classic "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood." The original pleads for sympathy; Mr. Costello's Latin-rhythm version is just plain malicious.
Mr. Costello is a fine lyricist, but this bitter attack lacks his usual profundity.
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