Elvis Costello was quickly developing into one of rock’s best songwriters when his second album dropped in 1978. This taut mix of accelerating melodies and wry, narrative-driven lyrics is supported by a punchy musical foundation from his then-new backing trio The Attractions. Droll themes veer from neo-Nazi stupidity (“Night Rally”) to romantic ennui (“No Action”) to condemnations of commercialized airwaves (“Radio Radio”), and the soulfully tender “Little Triggers” defines heartbreak like Burt Bacharach. Pub-rock legend Nick Lowe provides just enough production polish to slightly smooth jagged punk edges.