Secret, Profane & Sugarcane

Band/Artist: Elvis Costello
Label: Hear Records
Website: www.elviscostello.com

Elvis and all his folk

You can never be quite sure which style Elvis Costello is going to hit you with when he releases an album. Most of the time you know it is going to be more rockin' if the Imposters get some album credit so it shouldn't surprise you too much to hear that Secret, Profane & Sugarcane goes a different route - folk. That is right - Costello has teamed up again with T Bone Burnett and quickly cranked out this batch of rambling tunes over a three day session, which not only recruits Americana icon Jim Lauderdale to help out, collaborates with Loretta Lynn and has Emmylou Harris harmonize on "The Crooked Line".

The overall result are some engaging tracks that simply highlight Costello's talented vocal pipes and basically secures that at some point he could sing the telephone book and it would work. That being said - Secret, Profane & Sugarcane plays out about 60/40 when you talk about memorable tracks and easily as it is not his worst album it also won't be regarded as his best.

Elvis Costello is an icon who will go down as a top-notch singer/songwriter and creative individual that is not afraid of any genre including country - what do you think will be next? I am hoping for some heavy metal because it will still be entertaining!

Christopher Anthony

For more of Christopher Anthony's music reviews, check out The Fire Note

To see a clip for 'From Sulphur to Sugarcane' by Elvis Costello, click the play button below

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