Asif Khan Inc.

Secret, Profane & Sugarcane – Elvis Costello

To enjoy certain things in life, you need what is best called an acquired taste. The brand of music which Elvis Costello has made in a career spanning three decades could be slotted in much the same way. Largely instrumental in the rise to prominence of New Wave punk music, the past decade has seen him adopting a mellower stance. The eclectic play with words steeped in erudition, which made him the thinking man’s poster boy, however still stands strong. “Secret, Profane & Sugarcane” is filled with strong bluegrass and country folk influences. Much of the credit for this deservedly goes to T Bone Burnett, who garnered acclaim (and a Grammy) for this work on the Page-Krauss collaboration “Raising Sand”. This is specially visible when you listen to “Sulphur to Sugarcane” set against fiddles and dobros, and wayward ways with women. Similar is the treatment given to “My All Time Doll”; its just a bit funkier in its beat, but lyrically much more biting. Working with Loretta Lynn has resulted in the waltz like “I Felt the Chill”, while for most of the rest he has kept safe by trying out tested wonders like Johnny Cash’s “Hidden Shame” in his own style. As for taste, we’d say you rather acquire one if you wish to savor this one.