Brash and cynical, Elvis Costello (ne Declan McManus) led the 'new wave' explosion, a poppier younger brother of the the punk movement, coupling controversial social messages with vibrant and engaging music. Costello debuted in 1977 and throughout his 30-year career both as a solo artist and with the Attractions (and various other backing bands), Costello has covered every genre from punk to folk, Tin Pan Alley to reggae, country to pop. His earlier works are the most widely adulated, but his latest works have earned him his fair share of critical respect. Though he no longer carries the same sardonic energy, Costello continues to find success both through his past legacy and his new musical experiments.
