Armed Forces

The Good: We know we will be able to defend ourselves! The Bad: There's no defense against Elvis... The Ugly: Realizing there's nothing attractive to be found... Jangly pop... oh oh oh... I don't know... Elvis C rubs me the wrong me. My buddy is a massive fan and I know that I rated his album "this year's model" with a 4*... Since then, I don't believe I've reached 3* So, stop threatening with your armed forces... 2*

Nice

Refusing to listen to more Elvis Costello. Not the album previously, not now, not EVER

Still a good album.

I love Elvis Costello and this had lots of the hits and some fun ones I didn’t know.

I don’t dislike Elvis Costello, I like some of his stuff, but I really question why this is my third album of his on this list. He ain’t THAT good.

I actually like Costello and this is one of his better albums

Excellent Album! 4.2

nahhh that nword was way too smooth

Jag gillade honom bättre både iden punkigare ochn poppigare perioden. Den här plattan sitter fast mittemellan. Men Oliver's Army är en fantastisk låt med en fantastisk text! En fyra med tvekan

I've wanted to listen to Elvis Costello for a long while, but never got around to it. This will be my first impression of them, so I hope it's a positive one! 01. Accidents Will Happen A pretty cool song! Cool concept, and executed gracefully! 02. Senior Service A pretty funny song. Especially the pre-chorus lol. 03. Oliver's Army An important song, as the topics is discusses is super important, especially at the time... but it just kind of sounds fine lol. The n-word caught me off guard big time. 04. Big Boys I like it, but I don't know why. Interesting lyrics. 05. Green Shirt Super interesting song. Ahead-of-time instrumental, and great lyrics. 06. Party Girl Really cool lyrics, and beautiful instrumentation. 07. Goon Squad Some incredible lyrics mixed with some fantastic instrumentation. Favorite so far. 08. Busy Bodies Just really sick. Once again, great lyrics. 09. Sunday's Best Absolutely kick-ass. Beautiful lyrics. I feel like a broken record here! 10. Moods For Moderns Probably my least favorite so far. Weakest lyrics, and the weakest instrumental. 11. Chemistry Class Not as cool as the rest. Was good, just not great. 12. Two Little Hitlers A cool closer, but not as strong as the middle portion. Still love it. Is really badass, especially for 1979!

Can’t really get into this lad. Low 3

Solid early Costello album

I really like Elvis Costello's approach to songwriting. He is instantly recognisable and adds something very different to the mix. The first half of this album is sensational, offering up a series of huge, uplifting, multi-dimensional pop songs. Towards the end it suffers some heat loss with less commanding songs in the same style, rounding out Armed Forces into an enjoyable overall release.

And a low 3 for this Elvis Costello, it's good and well made but not my thing

Meh

I didn't mind this album. I'm not sure that I will come back to it, but it was quite good.

First one! And I hate to disappoint, but i already love this album. Costello at his best ricochets between tight pop songwriting and sharp mod-punk sneering. It's a duality that makes his later diversity of styles no surprise. But consider the earnest, catchy shimmer of Accidents Will Happen starting Side A and the more paranoid Goon Squad heading off Side B. Consider how Costello's voice carries through more gently on the former, while the entire force of his oft-nasal delivery comes out in the more acerbic latter track. And then consider Oliver's Army. Oliver's Army is, musically, impeccable. It's triumphal and tuneful and singalong (well, 99.9%), it's layered, it's a lot in a very little package. It's the foundation of the album in many ways, a very British anti-war song if ever there was one, and conceptually it threads wartime anxiety with wartime propaganda. It's not surprising anymore, but lots of this could be written the exact same way now (the narrator stating “London is full of Arabs” neatly parrots the talking points of the most racist Brits of today, for example). All of this is wrapped in those joyful keys, to the point where on the first listen you sort of only grok it because “I would rather be anywhere else but here today”. And then you get into the political intrigue, the snark against Churchill, the now crashingly loud racial epithet, shot off in the casual dehumanization of war. It's no surprise Elvis won't perform it straight any longer, but the original document chose the word precisely because of its power, precisely because it showcases how easily war can make one numb, can make one willing to kill innocents. Just one more death, they're not like us anyway. It's dark, and Costello doesn't shy away from the dark. I think “Two Little Hitlers” is particularly apt looking at, say, the US bungling of Iran, or the US kowtowing to Russia, or the US normalizing friendships with North Korea, or or or. And the theme infiltrates where you might not expect. “Green Shirt,” a song that feels like adolescent bile over a woman leading one on (which certainly is an emotion we see often enough), is more aptly associated with men abusing power, with militaristic paranoia (that rat-a-tat drum is a clue). It's so understated and seething that certainly the contempt cannot be missed either way. It's not to say there's not anything less deep (“Chemistry Class” seems to mine a more shallow infatuated vein, but even then you can't really ignore the use of “the final solution”) but Armed Forces has precious few songs (all smartly crafted, regardless) dealing exclusively with the interpersonal and not with a particularly dark pall over England. That it ends with a song so perfect as Peace Love and Understanding that wasn't even written by him in the first place? Maybe it's necessary for a cynical album to have someone else be the clear-eyed one to put a bow on it with a hopeful, if angry, pop song about how the titular trio are important, serious… where is that harmony? It's surprisingly earnest, which might again be why Nick Lowe was the better man to compose it than our nerdy angry mod. But it ends up with just enough hope that peace, love, and understanding are not yet gone, despite the wicked world, the downheartedness, the wanting to cry. It's the sort of album that almost makes you understand why someone would get deep enough to load 6 whole albums onto this Playlist. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

7/10 Oliver's Army and What's So Funny are excellent, the rest is ok - could imagine it growing on me

A well recorded album of shit music is still a recorded album of shit music

Are also full of people who burn crosses.

I oni su mi kjut, izgleda da ovo tjedan više tolerancije ili su samo drugi albumi toliko loši da su mi ovakvi osvježenje. 2/5, 4/10

Good

Zalig! Altijd een plezier om naar te luisteren. Een van mij favorieten

Niet zo mijn ding

I really like some of the songs of Elvis Costello. But the rest I don't think is special.

++: Senior Service, Oliver's Army, Big Boys, Goon Squad, Moods for Moderns, Two Little Hitlers +: Accidents Will Happen, Party Girl, Busy Bodies, Sunday's Best +-: Green Shirt, Chemistry Class 8,2/10

i dont really like how he said the n-word??? plus its just been a lot of him in the last couple days

This shit is goofy. His voice is annoying af and a lot of times the instrumentals sound like circus music, which I guess would explain the elephants on the cover (honestly a cool looking cover tbh). Definitely wouldn't listen to this again though. 1.5/5

There’s a lot of fun in this album and a lot of interesting melodies.

Swear Costello has like 4 or 5 albums on this list, i mean this was a real fun one but does he warrant that many placements?? This is for sure one of his better ones and deserves a good rating, but please no more after this (except for this years model because i havent had it yet.) Standouts are Senior Service, Party Girl, Goon Squad and Moods for Moderns.

Helt ok album. Inget som sticker ut och inget jag kommer fortsätta sätta igång själv.

Not bad =) i can see me growing to like it, but it was not enough to gain a place in the replay list

I like it excepting the first track and the n word drop on track 3…but also somewhat just another late 70s Brit band. 3.

Costello: Chapter 3 (The Elephants Strike Back) Okay. I liked this more than the last two of his albums I listened to. The slur in Oliver’s Army was quite interesting but the first handful of songs were great. It does droop down a bit closer to the end, but it doesn’t droop enough to make me not like it. I give this 4 stars.

Some good songs. Some crap. Pretty much sums up my indifference towards the music of this guy.

Fucking legend right here.

I am finally done with all the albums is this guy. I gave most of them 2 stars, but I think this is musically the best album. So 2,5 stars it is.

Big Boys

Perhaps his best album? My Aim Is True was a great debut, but this solidified his place as an acerbic thorn in the side of british politics. He never lets the sermonising get in the way of a good song, and you're halfway into the album before you find anything remotely approaching a filler song. For shame that he had to alter the words of Oliver's Army because the snowflakes were too stupid to understand what he was talking about.

Well THAT was both what I expected and was disappointing. It sure isn't his better album (2.5 stars).

You know how in mathematics, they have, like, $1 million dollar prizes for anybody who can solve these unsolvable equations? They should have one of those for anyone who can explain why Elvis Costello is a thing. I made it to “all it takes is one itchy trigger, one more widow, one less white nigger.” That’s enough Elvis Costello for me, thanks.

Oh, the other Elvis... I like his music. This album is OK. If you don't love Elvis Costello, this album is gonna suck for you.

Armed Forces was my initial introduction to Costello. It is a fine record with some great moments. There is little doubt that Costello has been hugely influential in the development of modern music and this album is particularly important because it is the first time Costello found the signature sound that would carry through the albus that followed. There are lots of reasons why an album could belong on this list and unlike many others here, I think these are perfectly legitimate reasons.

Costello gets a lot of stick in these reviews! He is definitely overrepresented in the book but this is one of his better albums for me along with This Year's Model. I like the political lyrics and the music bounces along with a pleasing rhythm for the most part. The singles are catchy and the closing track is a highlight too

This didn't annoy me as much as the rest of Elvis Costello's catalogue that takes up a generous portion of the total albums.

I used to be so paranoid that I was inadvertently plagiarizing, that I’d write complicated, never-ending chord progressions, surprising meter changes, acrobatic vocals. Eventually, I realized that this originality came at the cost of quality. Elvis Costello, simply put, as too many ideas, as if he’s afraid that someone might catch onto his referential writing and accuse him of being derivative. Just exhausting to listen to. “Pick me” energy.

i liked this album

I am not so eager about the Costello thing, but I did enjoy listening to this record.

More Elvis Costello, more faux depth masquerading as something that thinks it's much more musically important than it is. Boring at best, grating at worst. Uninspired and lacking

2.2/5 - Off the bat, repulsive voice. Furthermore, a random slur drop in the third song was completely uncalled for (although it did make me stop what I was doing and search up the lyrics to confirm my hearing). Upon finishing the album, voice still as horrible as when it all started, and lyrics retaining similar calibre.

For an Elvis Costello album, this is one of the better ones. I still can’t get over how he’s one of the best represented artists on this lists, and a contemporary with arguably a better output (Tom Petty) has two albums.

I have to be in a particular mood for Elvis Costello but I respect it.

WOAHWOAHWOAHWOAHWOAH

Day982 - it hasn’t happened yet but i could see myself really diving into elvis costello’s catalogue after this project is done

Not fond of Elvis Costellos voice, but I enjoyed the album quite a bit. It is not a record I will re-listen for fun though. Olivers Army was a trip down memory lane, haven’t heard that song in ages

Very much preferable to that other Elvis.

I hadn't given Elvis Costello much time before. But he's gone 2 for 2 so far on this journey. Singles are great and there is something about him I like although I have a feeling he'll do 3 or 4 albums in this period I enjoy and then he'll never make another song I ever listen to again. Definitely give this another go.

I like Elvis. I like his voice, his writing, and his music - good stuff.

About 17 years ago I met up with my buddy and his Mom who was accompanied by her Partner whom I had never met. Anyways, we met up at the Hard Rock Cafe for some drinks. My buddy and his Mom had tickets for Elvis Costello down the street at Massey Hall that night. My buddy's Mom's partner at one point excused himself, I assumed he was off to the washroom. Turns out he grabbed a pair of tickets so that we could also go to the show... It was absolutely a nice gesture but I had very little interest in seeing Elvis Costello. Also, I didn't really know this guy that well and it's not like we got seats anywhere near my friend. I thanked him for the kind gesture and joined him for the show. It was obvious he wasn't super into the set either, we would exchange tight lipped smiles and nods after a song every so often. I recall it being a very long set as well, it was a decent show I suppose but it was just so long and it wore me out. Anyways, all that is to say that I find Elvis Costello to be just ok and this album is just ok, just like the other 4 or 5 albums I've listened to thru this project were just ok or in the case of Brutal Youth, kinda bad. At this point it feels like Elvis Costello is being imposed upon me and I'm kinda over it. I hope this is the last Costello installment of the project and we can simply part ways from here. I really do hope this is goodbye for us Elvis. 2 stars

This one is fire. A literal musical stampede.

Ok

Falta um pouco de sal

I'm so glad this list forced me to listen to multiple hours of Elvis Costello's "music", just to prove that he made a career writing the same song over and over again. This album is just white noise in music form, nothing stood out (besides that one word), nothing was memorable, I don't even remember if these songs had choruses. Mid 2.

Yeah I mean I know this guy was a new wave innovator but I'm not so sure if this album was deserved of this list. I mean i know at the end i get to submit an album myself, I don't know if that album makes it on the list after regardless. But i think this one should be taken off. I think for Costello you need strictly the debut and the one after. Anything beyond is just diluting.

Parece música de publicidad de supermercado o algo así.... No me gustó

Hej folket, här är mina åsikter om Armed Forces av Elvis Costello & The Attractions: Det var inte så bra och jag gillade det inte så mycket. Därav får det 4,5/10

JAG FUCKING HATAR DETTA ALBUM. HATAR HANS RÖST OCH TYP ALLA MELODIER. JAG VILL KNTE ENS GE DETTA ALBUM EN RIKTIG CHANS OCH BARA LYSSNA PÅ NÄSTA.

When his schtick works it works but sometimes it incredibly annoying. This record felt over produced, chaotic and annoying.

Oliver’s army, accidents, and what’s so funny are both catchy but this is the album where Elvis became a little too impressed with himself

Still cant call myself a fan of Elvis Costello, but you cant deny Peace Love and Understanding is a hit. Moods For Moderns is also some good funk

Enough already. 1/5

I just can't really get into Elvis Costello. His music is fine (though overrepresented on this list), it just doesn't really make an impact on me.

Meh...

Not my cup of tea, after hearing the full album with no stops and no repeats.

A good listen and another decent EC album. That said, he’s somewhat over-represented in this list.

Standouts (What's so Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding?

had a few tracks I quite enjoyed, I felt it had likely influenced the early 90s era of weezef pretty heavily.

A little forgettable at times but generally I enjoyed the album. I was unable to find the original UK tracklist on streaming so listened to US rerelease. Bonus mark for the amazing cover of What's so Funny 'bout Peace, Love and Understanding to finish.

What a run of albums for Elvis

I just don't get Elvis Costello. It's like someone told him to improvise a new Beatles song while filling every verse with as many words as possible. Then they put 7 albums of it on this list.

Good early album from Dec

is really different compared to this Year's model. not that it doesn't sound like Elvis Costello, but that it sounds more poppy, more less aggresive than that album. that said, i didn't liked it that much: there are fun songs, but some of them get to sound like circus music. weird

I can't really put my finger on it but there's SOMETHING that makes it a bit off, like it's really close to being really good but not quite there. It has some political messaging, some lyrics that aged poorly, and lots of nonsensical pop-y-ness. To me it sounds a lot like Lemon Demon. They were allegedly both inspired by They Might Be Giants. All in all pretty mid/okay album.

Contrary to what listeners believe on the 1001 subreddit, I love the shit ton of Elvis Costello on this list. And I love this album!

A few flashes of good stuff here and there but for the most part, I just found it a bit tedious?

I am a sometimes fan of Elvis Costello. But I always have to be in the right mood for the right album. I think it worked out today, as this one really worked for me. The songs I knew I still enjoyed very much, and the ones I didn't were mostly good too. Musically, of his earlier albums, this one sounds the best and I think that helps. He was certainly aware of the impact some of his lyrics would have, and the sarcasm (and meanness) was also on full display. I won't play Oliver's Army if I'm around anyone else, but I think it's a great song. As are Green Shirt, Accidents Will Happen, and of course (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding.

I really disliked this one. His voice, the type of songs… I had to skip through most songs.

I don’t know what I expected from an album called Armed Forces but I really can’t stand military glorification. His voice is also annoying and the slur isn’t helping

Punk meets pop rock, with one of the more unique vocalists I've heard. At times Costello's voice is whiny, but the music more than makes up for it. Despite the serious content in the lyrics, the instrumentation is fun and bright for the most part. "Oliver's Army" was particularly dissonant, the music not matching the lyrics at all. As for the slur in the lyrics, I think a lot of people forget to listen to music and think of the social and cultural landscape the music was written in. I'd just remind people to actually analyze the lyrics and not default to immediate outrage. My favorite song on this album is "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding." I can see why this album is on this list.

Not my favorite from Declan. The UK based themes go right over my head. My bad.

No.

Can't say I enjoyed this one.

I guess it’s fine. We didn’t need more Elvis Costello in here, and it doesn’t improve on or worsen from his other albums. Good voice, good playing, but in one ear and out the other.

Upgraded ever so slightly from vitriol to indifference as this album mostly washed over me in a wave. But is it really an improvement? If nothing else this is the third (out of 6) Elvis Costello album I’ve gotten now and I’m not even thirty percent through this list. On the other that means he has three more lying in wait, more of him singing through his nose and no matter how good his lyricism (I do think it decent) the garish noises he makes with his mouth are still my barrier to entry and interest.

not really me but not bad

Not my favorite Elvis record but still a classic

Hva er poenget liksom??

A weak three because I don't like Costello's voice and the songs are largely carried by the occasionally interesting lyrics. All in all very mediocre.

Meh. Why so many Elvis Costello albums on this list. Peace love is great but not enough. 2/5