Once again, Linda Ronstadt defies my expectations. The opening line odds of this one making the blue bin at -191/+181 but I have to say, this is a keeper. It's hard for me to exactly explain why. These are all covers of new wave songs (three by Elvis Costello!), a genre in which Ronstadt didn't exactly make her name. She is a pleasant, but not outstanding singer, so I'm rarely riveted by her vocal performances. Her backing band is professional, but they never tear the listener a new asshole (bad analogy?). But what she does have is an unerring sense of tastefulness, both in choice of songs to cover, and then in performing them. The songs aren't flashy, but they aren't generic either. It would be easy to fall back upon commercial tropes, but even if her band doesn't rip it up, they still play with spirit. So I found the first side enjoyable all the way through, and if the second side drops off a bit, so be it.
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