Sound Off

Elvis Costello And The Imposters — "Momofuku" — (Lost Highway)

It is always interesting to take a listen when an artist puts out an album that is described as having a sound that reinvents said musician. The results can be good or bad, but they are rarely boring. Elvis Costello has reinvented himself so many times over the years, that it really is pointless to try and peg the guy to a single sound.

On "Momofuku" it seems that Costello has done it again, popping into the studio with the likes of Jonathan Rice, David Hildalgo and Jenny Lewis. The crew emerged just a few days later with a completed album.

The results are even more surprising than the brevity of the recording session. While Costello has put out some truly interesting music in the last 20 years ("Spike," "The Juliet Letters," "Painted From Memory"), this is the first release that recaptures the excitement of hearing Costello's 1977 debut, "My Aim Is True." One listen to tracks such as "No Hiding Place," "Harry Worth" and "Stella Hurt," and the wickedly good memories of Costello and his Attractions will come flooding back.

The best song by far is "American Gangster Time," which sounds like it has been sitting in a time capsule for the last 30 years, just waiting for the right moment.

Ladies and gentlemen, that moment is now. Not every single track works flawlessly, but there is an amazing amount of good music here.

If Costello's classic sound makes you smile, then most of what is on "Momofuku" will give you perma-grin. (A-)

Download These: "American Gangster Time," "No Hiding Place," "Stella Hurt"

Old 97's — "Blame It On Gravity" — (New West)

It has been four long years since we have heard anything new from the Texas alt-country quartet Old 97's.

Indeed, many fans figured that when lead singer Rhett Miller released a solo album, it meant the end of the band.

Nothing doing.

The drought ends with "Blame It On Gravity," an album that delivers the sort of melodies and tongue-in-cheek pensiveness that has populated past Old 97's releases. Yet at the same time, the recording inexplicably falls short of what fans were probably expecting after waiting almost half a decade.

There is plenty of good music on the CD, including tracks such as "No Baby I," "Dance With Me" and "Ride."

The weird thing, however, is that the album starts at mediocre to above average, and then improves vastly. The CD's last two tracks, "Color of a Lonely Heart is Blue" and "The One," are actually the best songs on the CD.

The reverse order of musical goodness shouldn't halt diehard Old 97's fans from picking up the new album. I will be interested to see how much time goes by before Miller, Murry Hammond, Ken Bethea and Philip Peeples record a follow-up.

Whatever the case, "Blame It On Gravity" will keep fans occupied until that next CD drops. (B-)

Download These: "The One," "Color of a Lonely Heart is Blue," "Dance With Me"

Love Psychedelico — "This Is Love Psychedelico" — (HackTone)

A friend of mine handed this CD to me a couple of weeks ago during the Mark Olsen show at the now-defunct Map Room.

"Take a listen," she said, adding, "They're from Japan."

I immediately pictured the likes of Shonen Knife and Cibo Matto, but when I listened to the CD I was absolutely floored. Love Psychedelico, or "Delico," as the band is called by its fans, is made up of Japanese musicians that have obviously grown up listening to a lot of Western-produced rock music.

The band members are already stars in Japan, and have released several well-received CDs, including a debut titled "Greatest Hits."

If you want to buy "Greatest Hits" online here in the United States, then be prepared to shell out more than $40 for a new copy. HackTone Records apparently saw the need for a more affordable option, and so the label had the band compile some of its favorite tracks on a single CD that is sure to charm any listener.

Hearing Delico for the first time is much the same as meeting a member of the opposite sex for the first time, and then learning that your potential new love interest is not only attractive, but also smart to boot.

Songs such as "Your Song," "Unchained" and "Lady Madonna" (not a Beatles cover) show that not only can singer Kumi warble like Sheryl Crow and Veruca Salt's Louise Post, but that the rest of the band members are committed to rocking out.

Just look up Love Psychedelico on YouTube and prepare to be dazzled.

The YouTube video for "Standing Bird (Live)" is stupendous, while the album version is completely hypnotic, and remains my favorite track on the CD. "This Is Love Psychedelico" is simply good music from an unexpected source, and when the band finally does tour the U.S. again, it will hopefully lead to further fame.

In the meantime, grab a copy of "This Is Love Psychedelico" and prepare for the Japanese invasion. (A)

Download These: "Standing Bird," "Your Song," "Unchained"