Elvis Costello

In celebration of its 30th anniversary – and to scrape a few more bucks out of fans’ wallets – Costello’s second and arguably most cohesive album gets its third “deluxe” reissue. By now, anyone even remotely interested has a copy, along with the associated bonus tracks, some of which – “Big Tears,” “Crawling to the USA,” “Tiny Steps” – are as great as those originally heard on the 12-track vinyl record. But the second disc’s previously unreleased 1978 concert is almost reason to spring for it again. Costello and his Attractions machine-gun through 17 tunes – nine from the album – in a take-no-prisoners furnace blast that lasts about an hour. It’s a breathless ride, and the remastered sound puts you center stage as Costello filters his melodic instincts through punk’s passion for a set that’s as revelatory and intense today as it was 30 years ago. 4 stars.