THE LAST WORD: Elvis Costello seems to...

THE LAST WORD: Elvis Costello seems to be doing his best to distance himself from Wendy James’ upcoming album, “Now Ain’t the Time for Your Tears,” even though he wrote all the songs on the former Transvision Vamp singer’s solo debut.

Costello told the English magazine Q that the songs for James were merely tossed off carelessly in one weekend. And, more pointedly, Costello told Vanity Fair, after noting that he has termed his 1990 album “Spike” his “first comedy album,” that he views the James release, due April 27, as his “second comedy album.”

James, says a spokeswoman, is trying not to take Costello’s discouraging words to heart. “She’s proud of the record and will let the music do the talking.”