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Elvis Costello kept the songs short and sweet but the performance lengthy and interesting as he and the reformed Attractions tore through nearly 30 new and classic tunes during his two hour-plus Amphitheatre set recently.
Initially one of the leading purveyors of the new wave movement when he burst upon the scene with My Aim Is True, Costello, nearing 40, has abandoned much of the anger and cynicism that marked his early recordings.
Reuniting with his trio, the Attractions, for the first time since the late Eighties, both on the current tour and on his new Warner Bros. release, Brutal Youth, Costello revealed the multifaceted talent that has earned him plaudits as one of this generation's finest singer-songwriters.
While the newest songs from Brutal Youth lack the overall uniqueness and originality of his older catalog, Costello makes up for what he's lost in zip and edginess with a more-than-ever defined sense of songwriting craft, particularly as he mines more of a pure pop vein than ever.
It's not that the new music isn't played with aggressiveness and panache, but as Costello and company tore through earlier tunes like "No Action," "Mystery Train" and, of course, "Alison" and "Watching The Detectives," there was just no comparison between his classic, howling, early work and the more generic tone of Brutal Youth's songs.
Nonetheless, it was great to see Costello and the Attractions back together. Bruce Thomas on throbbing bass and drummer Pete Thomas' relentless attack, along with ace keyboardist Steve Nieve, continue as perfect foils for Costello, who is also an excellent guitarist. The quartet's playing was tight, intense and for those adoring, dance happy fans twirling in the aisles, imminently visceral.
Costello himself, while not saying much to the sold-out throng, sang in a voice that sounds richer and fuller than at any time during his long career, particularly during those moments when the band quieted down and he sang alone with only his acoustic guitar as accompaniment.
Costello closed with an ironic "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding" and a rousing version of "Pump It Up" that was a fitting end to an ultimately satisfying evening.
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