King of America cover

King of America

Released

There have been so many different Elvis Costellos over the course of his long and storied career that it’s hard to know where to begin. King of America could be seen as a companion of sorts to Almost Blue, his other country album — though where that one explored the sound of 1960s and 1970s Nashville, King of America ranges further afield with explorations of blues, torch songs, and acoustic rock. He’s accompanied by true country-rock royalty, including several of his namesake’s old bandmembers, but achieves transcendence when he reunites briefly with the Attractions on the hair-raisingly perfect “Suit of Lights.” This is a curious but ultimately deeply rewarding album.

Rick Anderson

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