Title: Look Now (Concord Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Elvis Costello's "Imperial Bedroom," Joe Jackson, Burt Bacharach
Tell me more: Who knew Elvis Costello & The Imposters would be back and release one of the best albums of 2018? The proof comes via the glorious Look Now, Costello's first new album in five years (Wise Up Ghost, a collaboration with the Roots, was released in September 2013). Look Now most closely recalls Costello's 1982 Geoff Emerick-produced gem Imperial Bedroom and his masterful baroque pop collaboration with Burt Bacharach, 1998's Painted from Memory. Indeed, Bacharach has co-written and added his piano talents on several tracks on "Look Now," including the stirring title track and the poignant "Photographs Can Lie" (the latter featuring some of Costello's most affecting vocals in memory); elsewhere there are echoes of Memphis soul (the rousing "Burnt Sugar is So Bitter," a song he co-wrote with Carole King back in the '90s), Springsteen "Burn to Run"-era rock ("Unwanted Number") and even Philadelphia soul ("Suspect My Tears"). "Look Now" is co-produced by Costello and five-time Grammy winner Sebastian Krys. The stellar collection also proves to be an outstanding celebration of The Imposters (Steve Nieve, drummer Pete Thomas and bassist Davey Faragher). Elvis Costello & The Imposters are going on tour in support of the release of Look Now; you can catch them at the Anaheim House of Blues on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018. Information: ElvisCostello.com.
Title: The Stars, The Oceans & The Moon (BMG)
You might like if you enjoy: The Church, Echo & the Bunnymen
Tell me more: On their latest full-length album The Stars, The Oceans & The Moon English rockers Echo & the Bunnymen revisit and reinterpret more than a dozen of the band's most beloved songs. "The Stars, The Oceans & The Moon" comes as the band celebrates its 40th anniversary. Formed in Liverpool, England in 1978, the band is fronted by founding members Ian McCulloch (vocals, rhythm guitar) and Will Sergeant (lead guitar), Among the outstanding tracks featured on the set are the scintillating "Bring On the Dancing Horses," buoyant "Bedbugs & Ballyhoo," propulsive "The Cutter" and a haunting decidedly-sparse take on "The Killing Moon." While the versions on the new disc don't supplant the original versions, they do bring out fresh elements that make for essential listening for fans of the groundbreaking British band. New tracks that make their debut include the mystical rocker "The Somnambulist" and reflective "How Far?" Information: bunnymen.com.
Title: An American Treasure (Reprise Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Mudcrutch
Tell me more: Filled with previously-unreleased studio songs, live cuts and spellbinding alternate takes of beloved favorites taken from throughout his career, the aptly-titled An American Treasure' captures the singular sound that Tom Petty carved out over forty-plus years. The four-disc set is broken down by decade with cuts from the 1970s, '80s, '90s and 2000s featured. Things kick off with the Byrds-flavored "Surrender," recorded by Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers in 1976. Listening to the track is to be instantly transported back to the exuberance of the ensemble's early days. Live performances of "Listen To Her Heart" (from April 1977), and "Anything That's Rock 'n' Roll and "Breakdown" (from a November 1977 set) also capture that spirit. The power of this collection thrills with each cut, and across the expansive set. The soulful "Lost in Your Eyes" (from 1975), power pop-meets-psychedelic album track "You and I Will Meet Again (1991), lush "Crawling Back To You (1994) and a live version of "Southern Accents" are among the super cuts on this 63-track collection. My favorite track is the previously-unreleased melodic rocker "Gainesville," an autobiographical track recorded in early 1998. Information: TomPetty.com.
Title: My Mother Doesn't Know I'm On The Stage (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: Theater music of the 18th and 19th centuries, the Sherman Brothers
Tell me more: Over the years this writer has always enjoyed the experience of being introduced to musical styles developed from far-off places around the world as well as musical styles showcasing other times. That is especially true when the songs are as fun, literate and well performed as on Linda Thompson's My Mother Doesn't Know I'm On The Stage. Featuring Linda Thompson – who went by the name Linda Peters during the late '60s/early '70s British folk-rock scene – the collection is bolstered by a diverse and far-flung group of singers and musicians who bring the past to sonic life in 2018. There are a wide range of terrific songs on the set including the triumphant "I Might Learn to Love Him Later On (Tra-la-la-la)" featuring Linda Thompson, the wistful "London Heart" (sung by James Walbourne), the pensive "GoodBye Dolly Gray" (featuring Thompson) and the dramatic "My Mother Doesn't Know I'm On The Stage" (sung by Colin Firth). The melancholy of "Brother, Can You Spare A Dime?" (featuring Teddy Thompson) defies the ages with its timeless arc. All artists are donating all royalties earned by the album to the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC). "My Mother Doesn't Know I'm On The Stage" is a wonderful and inspired collection. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.
Title: Beauty in the Backseat
You might like if you enjoy: Matthew Sweet, Jeremy, Shoes
Tell me more: Ken Sharp's fifth LP Beauty in the Backseat mixes up things in all the right ways, unabashed in terms of being forcefully melodic while fused with a heavy dose of Philly soul. Lead-off track "Rock Show" is a splendid mix of soulful gospels, power pop tunefulness, fuzzy guitar textures adorned with a great solo from KISS guitarist Ace Frehley. The driving melodic rocker "Mona Lisa Smile" is pure ear candy. Other sonic delights include the intoxicating "No One Seems to Stay Together Anymore," lovely "Closer" and racing "24 Hours a Day." Sharp is joined by another one of his heroes when Rock and Roll Hall of Famer John Oates guests on "Philly Kind of Night." Sharp also pays tribute to several other musical heroes courtesy of the ambitious baroque pop "The Day That David Bowie" died and joyful "I Wanna Be David Cassidy." Information: Ken-Sharp.com.
Robert Kinsler
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