Roseanne
Cash and Loretta Lynn co-wrote a couple of songs with Elvis Costello on Momofuku, but Costello’s new album isn’t
Americana or
alt country. If anything, it explores another foundational influence for one of
Britain’s
great songwriters of the past 30 years: ’60s rock. Although there are specific
echoes of The Kinks and ? and The Mysterians, the inspiration is usually more
generalized, coming through in the na-na-na refrains, soaring choruses, pumping
organ and harshly distorted guitar riffs. Momofuku
recalls that splendid time for rock ’n’ roll, even as Costello dips his lyrics
in the acid of his disdain for the lies and foolishness of the postmodern
world.