Rock and Roll Music

Compiled by Elvis Costello himself with songs that represent him at his most aggressive, Rock and Roll Music is a testament to the man’s originality and his sometimes overlooked gift for performance. He has always been credited as a songwriter, but hearing these brilliant compositions slotted together like this points up the tight-knit telepathy of his backing group, the Attractions, and Costello’s own brilliant way with vocal inflection and pure bile. Costello throws in some obvious hits, Nick Lowe’s “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding,” “Pump It Up,” and “(I Don’t Want to Go to) Chelsea,” and some clear cut rockers, “No Action,” “Lipstick Vogue” and a live version of “Mystery Dance.” But this being Costello, some oddball favorites close to his own heart add dimension with “King Horse,” “Big Tears,” and “Baby’s Got a Brand New Hairdo.” A demo version of “Welcome to the Working Week” and a slightly modified version of “Honey Are you Straight or Are You Blind” are the given rarities. And while “Girls Talk” isn’t exactly one of Costello’s defined rockers, it is among the best songs he’s written.