Look for Costello, The Roots to cut loose at Brooklyn Bowl

From left, English singer-songwriter Elvis Costello poses for a portrait with drummer Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson of "The Roots," in promotion of their upcoming album "Wise Up Ghost," Tuesday, May 21, 2013, in New York. (Photo by Dan Hallman/Invision/AP)

The lugubrious, molasses grooves move forth like syrup on sandpaper.

This is what The Roots bring Elvis Costello: a steady hand, a deliberate pace, anchoring the venerable singer-songwriter’s free-range musings in floodwater-deep funk.

It sounds good on paper, and only slightly less so on “Wise Up Ghost,” the 2013 album the two cut together.

At times the record feels like an exercise in form, a little too carefully manicured.

You wait for them to cut loose, in places.

That shouldn’t be an issue live, though, where The Roots may as well be splitting instead of clutching instruments, such is the energy released.

Contact reporter Jason Bracelin at jbracelin@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0476. Follow on Twitter @JasonBracelin.