On his fourth album, Elvis Costello blends his patented pop sense and stinging wit with heady American soul and R&B influences—from the stirring Stax/Volt vibes of “Clowntime is Over” to punchy Motown on “High Fidelity”. He covers Sam & Dave's heart-melter “I Can't Stand Up for Falling Down” with enough intensity to make it his own. Even when Costello tackles ska on “The Imposter”, he sounds less like a genre tourist than a man amped up on passion and love for the traditions and histories of soul music.