After 2009's very country bluesy and folky offering in Secret, Profane And Sugarcane, this album still remained in slightly the same vein, but there are differences. There is more rock on here, more full bass and drums, less country guitar, banjo and fiddle.
Having more of an upbeat, fuller sound to some of the material, I much prefer this to its predecessor. National Ransom is a real throwback to the glory days of The Attractions - packed full of thumping drums, swirling, parping organ, a general frenetic beat and Costello hammering out the cards and lyrics. The mood goes all 1930s jazzy with the stand up bass lament Jimmie Standing In The Rain, one of those evocative numbers Costello does so well. Stations Of The Cross is a muscular, slow and dignified rock ballad, with solid bass and drums and an impassioned vocal. A Slow Drag With Josephine sees Costello go back to the 1920s with a number that is almost a parlour song in its vocal style. Musically, it is given some modern enhancements, with a full, rumbling bass as well as some traditional banjo and jaunty whistling.
Five Small Words is a pounding return to bluesy rock. There certainly wasn't anything like this on the previous album. It raises the tempo and feel of the album, something the last album failed to do. There is a catchy Cajun influence underpinning this track. Similarly, the strong, powerful Church Underground would not have found a place on the last album. You Hung The Moon is back to the 1940s with a slow torch-style song.
Bullets For The New-Born King is another slow, reflective ballad, this time in an acoustic folk style. I Lost You is a catchy, mid-paced country rocker, again showing that there are lots of changes of pace and style here. Dr. Watson, I Presume is a Celtic-influenced folk number with touches of Americana country rock. One Bell Ringing is an atmospheric, Paul Weller-influenced slow song, with some delicious deep clarinet on it at one point.
The Spell You Cast is back to Attractions-style rock, with that Radio, Radio organ sound. That's Not The Part Of Him You're Leaving is a slow country lament. My Lovely Jezebel is a lively, bassy and bluesy rocker, a bit like the material on 2004's The Delivery Man. All These Strangers returns to the slow, mournful ballad style.
The closer, A Voice In The Dark, is a beautiful piece of 1920s-style jazz that would have sat nicely on Bryan Ferry's As Time Goes By. It is a delightful piece of melodic, catchy fun to end what is an innovative and adventurous album.
Elvis Costello is a bit of an acquired taste, particularly his later work, I guess you have to like him in the first place. If you do and you are prepared to travel with him through different styles you will like it. If you prefer the old new wave days, then there are plenty of compilations that will suit better.
