Whether you know him as Howard Coward, Napoleon Dynamite, or the
Emotional Toothpaste, and are familiar with his work with the
Attractions, the Confederates, or the Imposters, Elvis Costello's career
has always been about reinvention and his vast catalogue of over 30
studio albums since 1977 is a testament to his prolificacy. However,
this book focuses on his most acclaimed and accessible work, recorded
mostly with The Attractions (Steve Nieve, Pete Thomas, and Bruce Thomas)
between 1977 and 1986, though some other high-profile friends - Nick
Lowe, Billy Sherrill, and T-Bone Burnett, among others - show up along
the way. From his modest solo beginnings as a pub rocker with attitude
on My Aim Is True to his cacophonous epitaph to The Attractions on Blood
and Chocolate, this book follows a hectic and, at times, baffling career
trajectory that often steamrolled commercial fame and fortune in favour
of artistic freedom and expression. Elvis Costello and The Attractions -
On Track explores every album, every song, and every non-album B-side or
contemporary cast-off from their all-too-brief whirlwind decade of
existence.