Elvis Costello Thread
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I don't know if anyone has ever done this before, but I'm going to do a review of Elvis' entire catalogue. I have seen this done on other forums and thought it looked pretty fun to do. So in the next few days I will get familiar with My Aim Is True again and then post a song by song review on here. Then move from their. Some albums I have the Rhino bonus disc, so I will review key tracks from the ones I have. Feel free to chime in on the album I'm reviewing at the time and share views about the album. One more thing, I have nearly all of Costello's albums, except a few collaborations. If you have them and would like to do a guest review, send me a PM about the album and when you will post it. Here is the list: Goodbye Cruel World The Juliet Letters Painted From Memory North The River in Reverse Hope there is enough interest and fans to make this work!
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Alright here is my first installment in what could be a long span of review's in Elvis Costello's catalogue of music. So lets start where it all began! My Aim is True Released in 1977 on Stiff Records, Elvis' debut album was record with the backing band Clover in Pathway Studios. The record was recording during "sick" days Elvis took off from where he worked. Produced by Nick Lowe Welcome to the Working Week: Now that your picture's in the paper being rhythmically admired/and you can have anyone that you could ever desired/all you gotta tell me is why! why! why!. I don't think there could have been a more perfect song to kick of his debut record. Wonderful sound and lyrics. 8/10 **Miracle Man:**The whole tone of the album is taken down a bit, but not too much. This song portrays some of his angry lyrics that he was famous for in his first three albums. This song comes to mind a lot when you just can't get that one girl. 8/10 **No Dancing:**This song is perfect example of what I don't find to interesting in this album. The lyrics are pretty good, but the whole sound of it is lacking something. Maybe it's just that it sound's to similar to "I'll Get You". But there's something missing. 6/10 [**Blame it on Cain:**Here you'll find something lacking in other Costello albums, some fine guitar work. Though I don't think it mixes well with EC's more basic playing style. The lyrics sound somewhat of a continuation of 'Taxman'. Once upon a time, I had a little money/Government burglars took it long. Unfortunately a song we can all relate to. 9/10 **Alison:**Alright, here it is. The song everyone knows, the only song I ever hear on the radio by him, the one that the drunk guy's are yelling at all his concert's like it's the only song they came for. Elvis's first classic song. It must be the gentle guitars and the singable lines that make it a hit. Because t it makes me wonder how Elvis made a song with some creepy lyrics a hit. Radio, Radio indeed. 10/10 **Sneaky Feelings:**Another song I consider filler. Sounds a lot like 'Pay it Back', and neither are great songs. 6/10 (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes: Wonderful lead guitar and lyrics. Telling a story of a man whose sex life is getting a little out of hand. Relying on literary elements make this one Costello's best lyrics. 9/10 **Less than Zero:**As an American I have no idea what the lyrics mean. About some Oswald guy. I'm sure if was British, these might be fantastic lyrics, but I'll never know. 10/10 **Mystery Dance:**It sounds here like Elvis is wants to sound like that other bloke called Elvis. The sounds of the furious guitars and frustrating lyrics place this song somewhere in the '50's. By the lyrics of this album you get the idea that Elvis isn't doing so well with the ladies. This one's no exception. 8/10 **Pay It Back:**More filler, nothing much to say. Pretty average, with what sounds like the same lead guitar has 'Sneaky Feelings' 6/10 **I'm Not Angry:**Here's the first really angry sounding song on the album IMO. Rushing guitars and furious vocals make this one of the best songs on the album. 9/10 Waiting for the End of The World:_Dear Lord I sincerely hope you're coming/'cause you really started something._I imagine Elvis sitting on a train onlooking at some cheap news reporter, furiously writing this song, looking up every once in a while to stare at the sky and point a finger at Heaven. My favorite song on the album. 10/10 [Watching the Detectives: The next classic on the album. The only other song that I hear on the radio. But rightfully so. Probaly the best lyrics on the album complemented by a reggae style beat. 10/10 Before I wrote this review, I am ashamed to say I didn't know a lot of the songs well enough to write a good review. I spent all of today and yesterday listening trying to get to know the songs well enough. But I still feel the same way when I first heard it. A little to much of the same melodies all around. Elvis still hasn't found is way vocally yet, and the biggest thing is that there is no Atrractions. I all these songs are a lot better live with the Attractions. IMO the best backing band ever. Deemed has a classic by many, usually the people with only his first three records, but this an average album compared to the great things he had in store down the line. 7/10
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That was tiring Look for This Year's Model next week. If anyone is reading this.
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I have to say to give My Aim Is True anything less than 9/10 is extremely harsh. It is pretty commonly ranked in the top 100 albums of all time. I love just about all of EC's albums (actually have them all), and this is my favorite. To each his own I guess. I love your EC enthusiasm. One of the few truly brilliant songwriters, up there for me with McCartney, Dylan, and Finn.
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My biggest gripe with the album is that there's no Attractions. When these songs were performed live on the El Mocambo and and Hollywood High discs they had great punch and really filled a missing void in all the songs. With that said I still think it's a classic and one of the better debut albums by anybody. I seem to not favor a lot of albums that a lot of fans like (My Aim is True, Spike, Brutal Youth), and like more albums that not a lot of fans generally like (Trust, Mighty Like a Rose, All This Useless Beauty).
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AbbeyRoadCrosser:
My biggest gripe with the album is that there's no Attractions. When these songs were performed live on the El Mocambo and and Hollywood High discs they had great punch and really filled a missing void in all the songs. With that said I still think it's a classic and one of the better debut albums by anybody. I seem to not favor a lot of albums that a lot of fans like (My Aim is True, Spike, Brutal Youth), and like more albums that not a lot of fans generally like (Trust, Mighty Like a Rose, All This Useless Beauty).
I absolutely love All This Useless Beauty. One of my favorite albums of the 90s.
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i'm listening a lot to this song lately and i think this video is asweome!
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That's the wrong Elvis...
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Thats impressive, he would have been 6 at that point. What ability.
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cfergoid:
That's the wrong Elvis...
oops sorry ops:
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cfergoid:
That's the wrong Elvis...
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Maybe I should change the title to the Declan MacManus Thread
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Alright moving right along. I kinda forgot I was doing this album review thing, but I just received the Rhino edition of This Year's Model and it reminded me of this so...here we go. This Year's Model Recorded in late 1977 and released in 1978 with his brand new backing band The Attractions consisting of Steve Nieve on keyboards, Pete Thomas on drums and Bruce Thomas on bass guitar. This Year's Model is a pulsing new wave that basically defines E.C.'s sound. Whenever you ask anyone about Elvis they immediately think of Pump it Up and Radio Radio, thumping new wave songs. **No Action:**Once again we hear Elvis' voice open up the album just before the music coming. But instead of a single chord, a bashing sound comes through the speakers giving edge to Costello's lyrics. 9/10 **This Year's Girl:**Hear you really get hear the power of Nieve's contribution to the band. A steady circus like organ throughout the song against Costello's rage against fashion. Very fine song 8/10 **The Beat:**Wonderful bass line by Bruce Thomas here, shame about it all, though I guess I should save that for later albums. 9/10 **Pump It Up:**Once again Bruce Thomas shines, so essential that I had to learn to play it on guitar 'cause the song just wasn't the same without it. The catchiest song by far on the album. On Christmas I was able to get my whole family, who only knows Presley, to hum the chorus. Career highlight for sure. 10/10 **Little Triggers:**The ballad on the album, the songs fine on it's own but in the context of the album doesn't work really. Lyrically it fits in fine with the whole theme, makes me think of a few girls I know, but musically, doesn't fit. 7/10 **You Belong to Me:**Very short song, but says a lot in the timeframe. Nothing to spectacular though, works better in a live setting. 6/10 **Hand in Hand:**Don't know why, but this song doesn't do a whole lot for me. 5/10 **(I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea:**This is were I was signed in has a Costellohalic. Opening drums, bass comes in and a little bit of lead guitar...perfection, not really a way to describe it. Just have to listen to it. **Lip Service:**Like the lyrics ('lip service is all you'll ever get from me'), but musically doesn't do a whole lot for me. Though I heard an acoustic cover of this that I really like. 6/10 **Living in Paradise:**Very well written song all around, very good guitar line and great word play in the lyrics. Some of my favorite lyrics. 'I call you Betty Felon 'cause you are a pretty villain And I think that I should tell them that you'd make a pretty killing 'Cause meanwhile up in heaven they are waiting at the gate Saying, "We always knew you'd make it, didn't think you'd come this late" And now it's much too dangerous to stop what you've begun When everyone in paradise carries a gun' 10/10 **Lipstick Vogue:**Balls to the wall track, relying on Pete Thomas' vicious drum line and Costello's bitter lyrics ('sometimes I almost feel/just like a human being) 10/10 **Night Rally:**The real closing track for the record, nice build up in the verse to the chorus. 9/10 **Radio, Radio:**I want to say this is my favorite song on the album, mainly after seeing the SNL performance. I think the performance tells all for the song, cause I really don't have a lot more to write about. 10/10 [Key Bonus Tracks **Big Tears:**The only real outtake from the album featuring Mick Jones on guitar. Very good track, probaly should have made it somewhere on the album. **Crawling to the U.S.A:**Not really an outtake, wasn't recorded till after Armed Forces but the sound and the lyrics fit very well here. Overall: 9/10 Very good album, not great, but defiantly essential Elvis.
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this is for abbeyroadcrossover costello covering penny lane
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herc:
this is for abbeyroadcrossover costello covering penny lane
Wonderful performance, looking for Elvis to play Please Please Me at the Wiltern next week.
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Saw him Friday here in Portland Oregon..Spinning Songbook and all ...he sang Please Please Me and A Chuck Barry song ..had 2nd Row ... IT WAS AMAZING!!!!!!!
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wingsdgm:
Saw him Friday here in Portland Oregon..Spinning Songbook and all ...he sang Please Please Me and A Chuck Barry song ..had 2nd Row ... IT WAS AMAZING!!!!!!!
I was about to ask you how it was. I followed the setlist on twitter. So cool that he played Just A Memory and Please Please Me (Saw a video and thought he did it very well). That segue with Lipstick Vouge, Beyond Belief, and Chelsea worked really well also. Can't wait till Tuesday when I get to see him at the Wiltern. I'll be up in Mezzaine, but I'm still excited. Holding out for the Numbers jackpot that just showed up on the wheel. 13 Steps Lead Down and Five Small Words would be really cool.
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I forgot how great Just A Memory was ...He was just alone w/Steve playing Piano... His Voice was SO GREAT..
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He also did Talking in the Dark in same way right? Just him and Steve?
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Yes .....that was the 11th or 12th Time I've seen...One of the Best..