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No matter what your age or musical acumen, you can probably recall or hum an Elvis Costello tune — and hearing the tracks “Alison,” “Everyday I Write the Book,” and “(What’s So Funny ’Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding” can transport you to a different time in your life.
Although Costello has teamed up with many talented performers during his 30-year career (Bill Frisell, Burt Bacharach, Allen Toussaint), it is his collaborations with his own bands — the Imposters and their forerunners, the Attractions — that have always seemed to bring out his best work. So we’re thrilled that Costello taps the Imposters for his excellent new release, Momofuku. The title is a tribute to Momofuku “Mr. Noodle” Ando, the inventor of the world’s first instant noodles — perhaps a wink and nod to the fact that the record was recorded in about a week.
The resulting 12 tracks are a splendid old-school tapestry of R&B, new wave, and make-you-bounce rock and roll. Costello has put out one of the most intricate and fresh-sounding records of the year.
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