Elvis Costello is a rock legend. He has continued to explore new genres since the late ‘70s, when he first grabbed America’s attention as a last-minute replacement for the Sex Pistols on Saturday Night Live. Starting as a leader in the New Wave movement, he explored soul, pop, and jazz, with varying degrees of success. Across his long career, he has produced solo albums, duets, and multiple bands. He hasn’t been afraid to cross boundaries in music, and listeners never know exactly what to expect, which was obvious in the mixed critical reception of his last album Secret, Profane, and Sugarcane.
So when you start listening to Elvis Costello’s National Ransom, you might find yourself wondering why you’re listening to country. Fiddles and the twang of banjos are all over this album. But as with the rest of Costello’s discography, there’s always layers to consider. Decoding the lyrics reveals a strong populist message, hidden behind Costello’s crooning wordplay—after all, Costello did once declare himself the “Rock and Roll’s Scrabble champion.”
The opening track, “National Ransom,” starts the album off at a quick pace, with jangling guitars and a bouncy bass line that recall his magnum opus, My Aim is True. Other tracks continue to combine Costello’s roots with a strong bluegrass influence, especially “I Lost You.” After five banjo based songs, however, Costello shifts gears. “You Hung the Moon,” a gentle ballad, sounds more appropriate for a couple’s wedding dance than a barnyard hoe-down. Driven by a slow piano and softly sung lyrics, it is probably the most romantic song on the album. Costello blends National Ransom’s contrasting elements nicely in the closing track, “A Voice in the Dark,” a sort of rollicking love song for everyone who feels alone.
On National Ransom, Costello strives to create something cohesive and melodic, but the road there is a disjointed one. His talent is unquestionable, but exploring genres willy-nilly puts him at risk: he’s a rookie at the new sound, albeit a very naturally skilled one. The album has some marvelous songs, but National Ransom lacks the unity it needs to be truly successful. Costello has found another niche that he has the potential to conquer, but this record doesn’t quite do it.
Voice’s Choices: “National Ransom,” “You Hung the Moon,” “A Voice in the Dark”
