Phases and Stages

Almost You: The Songs of Elvis Costello

If London-born Declan MacManus -- aka Elvis Costello -- could take lyrics from Hank Williams, Merle Haggard, and the Flying Burrito Brothers and come up with something more than a gimmick, maybe the masterminds behind Almost You should be lauded for their Austintatious attempt to return the favor. But this collection of Elvis covers dressed down as post-punk Americana, despite the inclusion of hometown heroes Fastball, Grand Champeen, and the Damnations, doesn't quite make the cut as this year's model. The good news is that Elvis is still on the road peddling a little honky-tonk alongside his latest and greatest hits (as witnessed at the Backyard in October), but that doesn't provide much cover for the artists on this release. Which is not to say that the disc is a total waste: Elvis dropped his country-fried Almost Blue in 1981, following the unremarkable Trust and just ahead of his near-masterpiece Imperial Bedroom. In turn, there are also moments of redemption found on Almost You, which spans the Elvis catalogue. Kevin Russell of the Gourds wrings every last down-home tear out of "Indoor Fireworks," New York-based alt.country hopefuls Hem find the broken lullaby inside "(The Angels Want to Wear My) Red Shoes," and gothic bluegrass locals Okkervil River turn "Riot Act" into an operatic Appalachian horror. Still, dyed-in-the-wool Costello fans will find the rest of the album a snooze-or-miss affair, serving to remind us that the King of America isn't just a better songwriter than most, he's a much better singer, too.