New Music: Elvis Costello and the Attractions, Kacey Musgraves, Ashley Monroe

A trio of eagerly-awaited releases are reviewed this week.

Artist: Elvis Costello

Title: Spanish Model (UMe)

You might like if you enjoy: Elvis Costello, Juanes, Nina Diaz

Tell me more: Elvis Costello and the Attractions' 1978 masterwork This Year's Model has been revisited via the newly-released Spanish Model, an ambitious project where 19 artists representing 10 different nations and territories were recruited to add their lead vocals to the original instrumental tracks recorded by Costello, keyboardist Steve Nieve, bassist Bruce Thomas and drummer Pete Thomas. Costello worked with longtime collaborator producer Sebastian Krys to assemble the cast of Latin rock and pop artists who complete the new album. Things kick off with the hard-charging power pop-styled "No Action" featuring singer Nina Diaz; the version includes an extended ending where Thomas is really working his drum kit. The reggae-flavored "(Yo No Quiero Ir A) Chelsea ((I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea)" featuring Raquel Sofia & Fuego, the soulful piano-anchored "Detonantes (Little Triggers)" and animated "Tu Eres Para Mi (You Belong To Me)" featuring Puerto Rican singer Luis Fonsi are other early standouts on the collection. American-born Chilean singer Francisca Valenzuela and Enjambre lead singer Luis Humberto Navejas joining forces for a duet on the tuneful "Hand In Hand," the playful "Viviendo en el Paraiso (Living In Paradise)" featuring Mexican pop duo Jesse & Joy and driving "Lipstick Vogue" with Columbian band Morat are welcome standouts on the last part of Spanish Model. My favorite cut on the disc is "Pump It Up," featuring celebrated Colombian hero Juanes; the remastering on the original instrumental tracks is incredible with the power of the song palpable with every measure of its hard-stomping groove. Information: ElvisCostello.com.

Artist: Kacey Musgraves

Title: Star-Crossed (MCA Nashville/Interscope)

You might like if you enjoy: Kacey Musgraves, Ashley Monroe, Alison Krauss

Tell me more: Acclaimed singer-songwriter Kacey Musgraves is back with Star-Crossed, her first studio album since 2018's "Golden Hour." The highly-anticipated 15-track return displays continued growth for the Texas songstress, who explores the world around her with literate precision and musical depth. The confessional "Good Wife," shimmering electronica-tinged uptempo forays "Cherry Blossom," "Star-Crossed" and "What Doesn't Kill Me," probing "Hookup Scene" and infectious "Justified" are among the poignant original tracks on the disc. Even when visiting oft-covered themes — the breezy "Simple Times" and inviting "Keep Lookin' Up" come to mind — Musgraves infuses enough authenticity, spirit and originality to make Star-Crossed a strong listen across its entire run. Although Musgraves' country roots are often hard to hear on Star-Crossed, her well-aimed musical instincts and messages of empowerment will likely appeal to listeners who have enjoyed all of her acclaimed past efforts. Information: KaceyMusgraves.com.

Artist: Ashley Monroe

Title: The Covers (Ashley Monroe)

You might like if you enjoy: Kacey Musgraves, Pistol Annies, Miranda Lambert

Tell me more: Earlier this summer country music songstress Ashley Monroe revealed she had been diagnosed with a rare cancer (Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia); the 34-year-old artist started chemotherapy on July 14. Now the celebrated singer-songwriter has released The Covers, a five-song EP where nuanced takes on five classic songs that are obvious favorites of the singer. The performances are uniformly tender and moving. Sparse readings of Extreme's "More Than Words" and The Police's "Every Breath I Take" are especially stirring, focusing on the lyrics of the songs. Even Bryan Adams' "[Everything I Do] I Do it For You" that was overwrought on the original 1991 version is deeply affecting via Monroe's reworking on The Covers. The beautiful take on Boudleaux Bryant's "Love Hurts" masterfully melds the vocals of Monroe with those of Ruston Kelly; it is a performance that echoes the romantic pathos of the 1973 recording featuring Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris (included on Parsons' 1974 posthumously-released classic Grievous Angel). Information: AshleyMonroe.com. 

Robert Kinsler

Masters Showcased on Outstanding Collections

Whether you are a fan of classic or modern rock, singer-songwriter excellence, power pop or even popular songs of the 18th and 19th centuries, there are new releases that excite.

Artist: Elvis Costello & The Imposters
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.

Artist: Echo & the Bunnymen
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.

Artist: Tom Petty
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.

Artists: Linda Thompson, Teddy Thompson, Colin Firth, Martha Wainwright, Jools Holland, more
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.

Artist: Ken Sharp
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