by Mark Seliger
Elvis Costello’s talent was obvious the moment the bespectacled London lad released “My Aim is True” in 1977. His witty observations and barbs about failed relationships and the pitfalls of everyday work made the LP a hit, and showcased a lyrical intelligence that would position Costello to become a giant — one of the most admired songwriters of the rock era.
On the road with The Imposters, his backing band since the early 2000s, Costello tours with access to a songbook of amazing depth and versatility. Musically, he’s shown little fear of experimentation. But he was never a demolition man when it came to crossing genre boundaries. With The Attractions as his formidable first backing band, Costello deployed reggae, punk, rockabilly or balladry in doses to energize early instant classics such as “Alison” and “Watching the Detectives.” He saved the sabotage for the subjects of certain songs — like the music industry gatekeepers of “Radio, Radio.”
“Pump It Up,” from 1978, found Costello just as confident with the kind thumping anthem you might shout along to in a sports stadium if you didn’t mind the caustic lyric. His affection for classic ska and soul shined through on the 1980 LP “Get Happy!!” A facility for baroque pop and art rock, and an introspective turn in his writing, elevated two more essential LPs: 1982’s “Imperial Bedroom” and 1983’s “Punch the Clock.”
Costello’s talents also led to partnerships with icons such as Paul McCartney and Brill Building pop laureate Burt Bacharach. The latter collaboration got its due with a two-CD retrospective set released, by chance, a month after Bacharach’s death in February of 2023.
If you’ve gained the respect of the pub rockers you came up with and the songwriting legends whose company you’ve joined, you’ve done things right. Costello’s influence on younger generations is freely acknowledged. Art-rock titan Thom Yorke called him “my all-time hero” and indie-rock insurgent Liz Phair might have said it best: “Elvis Costello writes novels in three minutes.”
Elvis Costello & The Imposters with opener Charlie Sexton play 8pm Friday, January 12 at the Fillmore Miami Beach at Jackie Gleason Theater. elviscostello.com ~ Olivia Feldman
