Armed Forces

Solid 4/5 album with a few 5/5 songs on it. Interesting to see how much of a magpie Elvis Costello is: "Two Little Hitlers" quotes "Rebel Rebel" and "Party Girl" quotes "You Never Give Me Your Money"

This was pretty good! More in line with his first two albums than the underwhelming Imperial Bedroom and just fantastic songwriting all round

This is our 2nd Elvis Costello record on the list, and I still fail to see the greatness with him. I am fairly certain that this is a "me" thing, because I can't really point out any obvious issues more than that it is very mundane and doesn't move me at all - the chord progressions are just not interesting at all. I think I've heard 'Oliver's Army' before, which seems to be the high point of the album. But even then it's quite weak. The best thing about this album is the cover art, which I think is quite telling. I don't think it quite drops into 1 star rating territory, that feels a bit too harsh, even though I sincerely hope there's no more Elvis Costello on this list.

I have come to the conclusion after all the Elivs Costello albums on this list that I do not like Elvis Costello. I find his singing whiny and I honestly can't see the appeal. Something about it just rubs me the wrong way. This album was the worst Costello album of the lot (so far?).

2.5

He did one great album - his first. It was downhill from there as his massive ego slowly consumed him.

4/5 music, 7/5 album art

first listen decent

Drullugóð plata. Kann að meta þetta betur og betur með hverju árinu sem líður.

Controversial opinion warning - overrated album from an overrated artist

Some nice tracks but his mid tempo nasal delivery can be a bit samey

Costello and the Attractions are always a good bet for enjoyable music.

This album is quite tolerable for being Elvis Costello, but the credit here will go to The Attractions for that. There is nothing remarkable about this album for this listener, but to retain a good mood after a listen says enough.

Pure garbage. The more I listen to it the more I hate his voice.

Once again a thoroughly decent album that somehow ended up on a list of the best albums ever. Also he drops a hard R which uhhhhh I get the context but Iunno about that one still...

Meh

Som bem tri, agradável

One of my favorites! Have it on vinyl. Love the music, lyrics, vocals — crooning, biting. Some of my favorite bass playing of all time. Love the drums too, very dynamic. The overall mix is so great, The Attractions really shine. Good hooks all around, too!

Honestly disappointing compared to some of his other works. It’s just okay and that’s not a compliment.

slurs caught me off guard, otherwise okay album

Have already heard this album. Solid 3/5.

Boring

I love this album - have it on vinyl. Basically what the 1 star and 2 star reviews said about it, I think the opposite

disliked his voice:/ music was very inspired by beatles and such but wasn’t really it

New wave. Me estoy dando cuenta de que me gusta Elvis Costello. Un 4.

Oliver's Army. Pero no le doy un 4. Venga, sí!

7,8/10

Contains the singles "Accidents Will Happen" and "Oliver's Army", but the rest of the album isn't bad either.

Not bad. I know he's rather overrepresented on this list but this list but I like several of his tunes despite never loving his voice. (Joni Mitchell Syndrone) Decent but I don't like him.

Good, but not for me

Some interesting songwriting but musically seemed very similar song to song

The album cover was the best part of this album. It wasn't bad but can someone please explain to me how this was something I needed to hear?

Nothing about Elvis Costello impresses me. He’s fine and at times I’m surprised that he’s not from the 90s. But it’s just not anything I’d ever listen to voluntarily.

Fantastic album. Accidents Will Happen, Green Shirt, and the US bonus track of Peace, Love and Understanding are all classics. I've listened to this album 100s of times, and it's the first time I noticed the "Rebel Rebel" riff in Two Little Hitlers.

Third Costello album on our marathon, this has two songs I actually know! The obvious ones, obviously. Liked it, and noted I’ve picked up, perhaps by osmosis, my comrade’s inability to wholeheartedly embrace Costello’s records. Puzzled, as the songs are all at the very least fine. Maybe it’s his voice, which might be too much of a great thing: vocal similarity flattens the record. A couple of songs where he toned down the near-sarcastic delivery stood out.

The genesis of my Elvis Costello experience: teenager hears Oliver's Army on the radio (they used to play this on the radio, without any bleeps!), hooked in by the piano flourishes goes and gets this album out from the local library (on cassette!), is really excited by the first track but then swiftly learns the universal lesson: (say it with me) - The Good Bits Are On Girls, Girls, Girls. Rounded up, as the good bits on this are pretty great

Didn't know those guys until now, they are not really my cup of tea. I don't have any song that struck with me. It's not bad, but nothing was mindblowing.

Elvis Costello would have benefited if he didn't have to compete with Bruce Springsteen. He is constantly trying to one up the Boss and seems to come up short. You have to feel for the guy. I could not get through this album. Just uneventful and lacking genuine emotion.

You could make a best of Elvis Costello record and it would be one of my favorite albums. But his regular albums have to much filler besides the couple of great songs. Nothing bad, but just not that great. Favorite song: Accidents will happen.

Okay, let's be real here. I like the Cos, I've already been on record a few times for this project saying so. He's a quirky oddball weirdo who puts together lyrically campy and musically intricate songs that I can vibe with. BUT, it's getting to be overkill with his record inclusions now. My Aim Is True, This Year's Model, and Brutal Youth are really all the Costello this list needs. Anything else is just list-maker bias/overkill. He doesn't really offer anything too different or nuanced with each outing, just more of his same schtick. To be clear, it's a schtick I like very much. But I do think this spot could have been opened up for another artist easily enough.

Not listened to the full album before, obviously I know the "hits" on this one. It's a good album

The music is good. Elvis' voice is excellent. But, when its over I have no desire to listen again. Its just not compelling.

This is a distinct step forward in musicality from "My Aim is True." Definitely leans a bit more into the pop sound but still has all of the sharpness and interesting styles you want from Elvis Costello. The Attractions add a lot of depth to the record, as does the increased level of production.

Pretty sure they remastered this album only to get rid of the slur in the most popular song. Also lost my respect because they missed the opportunity to rhyme “class” with “ass” in Chemistry Class (Rhymed “class” with “mind” instead. Weak.). But I still kinda liked it.

C Accidents Will Happen - 3 Senior Service - 2 Oliver’s Army - 2 Big Boys - 2 Green Shirt - 3 Party Girl - 4 Goon Squad - 2 Busy Bodies - 2 Sunday’s Best - 2 Moods For Moderns - 2 Chemistry Class - 3 Two Little Hitlers - 3 (What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love, And Understanding - 3 Elvis Costello, you're another favorite for this generator, but not for me. You're like a poor man's Neil Young. I don't know if you guys realize, but this is our fourth Costello album because he produced The Specials and Rum Sodomy & the Lash. Four more to go...

heard better heard worse

BL: second Costello album I’ve got. Will see how I find this one AL: didn’t like this as much as blood or chocolate. Had some very strong high points but a lot of it felt very same-y, I know Costello’s main appeal is his songwriting, which is on point here as always, but this didn’t do as much for me. FT: “senior service”, “Oliver’s army”, “goon squad” 3/5

2.5/5. Hmm, this is not what I thought it would be. I enjoyed "This Year's Model" more than this, and I was not huge about that album. There is just something about Elvis Costello that does not sit right with me. Sometimes I like his songs, other times I don't. I guess this one was fine.

Always interesting. Loved the hits, but also quirky tunes like “Moods for Moderns.”

A nice listen, sounds great for being 40! But nothing jaw dropping.

I'm a big fan of Costello's work whether the old stuff or the new. His third album is a typical example of the brazen, smart new wave style. While the line of style is clear, the themes are wide and so this album has much for everyone. Definitely a listen that gets you going in the morning. 'Moods for Moderns' is my favourite track.

The author of this list really likes Elvis Costello as this is the third or forth of his albums featured on here. I like Elvis’ uniqueness and weird but his music isn’t really my thing. I don’t mind it but it’s not my favorite.

I don’t dislike it at all but the way he sings does make it hard to love

This was a bit better than I expected. I heard one or two EC albums in the past and thought they were so-so. This one had some decent stuff. On first listen, "Accidents Will Happen" and "Goon Squad" were standouts. I really liked the basslines. However, this is not an album to throw on at a party, with some questionable lyrics if taken out of context. "white n*gger," "darkies," "final solution," and "Two Little Hitlers."

no idea how this record its influential and how this man is still making so many records. One of lifes greatest mysteries 1

Only very few songs somewhere in the middle drag the crazy high level of songwriting down a notch. Elvis is a storyteller whose band is holding the perfect frame for all miniatures. 4.1

When I think of Elvis Costello music I love and why I love it, this is it. Hits mixed with totally listenable lesser know songs. Musicality that is never dull, yet never imposing. Pop rock, that never forgets to rock. Unmistakable vocals. Smart lyrics. Great album from great artist.

Not sure what is the big deal with Elvis Costello. He’s basically a smug, insufferable version of Bruce Springsteen, without the working class earnestness. The whiny vocals grate after a while. Good drum work on the album though.

I like Elvis. His stuff pretty easy to have on and chill

Probably my fave Elvis

It was listed as experimental rock, something experiments fail as this one certainly didn't hot the mark, my brain just shut off most of the time as vocally it was just grating.

Genres: New wave, post-punk Formed: London, England in 1977? Run time: 13 songs, 39 min, 55 sec The third studio album by Elvis Costello, and his second album with the Attractions. The general theme of the album seems to be “us” and “them”, the “working man” and the “establishment”. Costello has an amazing ability to narrate the struggles we encounter in life. His songs are full of metaphors, some less obvious than others. The least popular song has 480k plays, whilst the most popular song is track 3, “Oliver’s Army” with over 40M plays on Spotify. Listen Again?: No. I’ll possibly explore a “Best Of…” My Rating: ***

Great EC album from his classic period. Check out his list of "500 Must-Have Albums" on Vanity Fair.

Sounded okay, but no real stand-outs, apart from maybe the single Oliver's Army, and Costello's voice got a bit irritating after a while.

Very convincing record, pleasant to listen to.

Another ICONIC album cover supporting an album that is just ok. I've made no secret that the only Costello I'm a fan of is Lou. This album doesn't change my opinion at all, but this was a more bearable one than some from the past. I can't say much more than that since I didn't connect to this one at all. Minus that AMAZING album cover.

Yet another from he who I consider to be the wrong Elvis. There's maybe the slightest bit of novelty to his music that makes one album interesting, but having to hear 3-4 (not sure how many it's been by now) is a chore. Super whiny vocals, pretty bland pop-rock music, it almost feels AI generated. I looked back through and this is our fifth from him, please God make it stop, when will it end? I've given 3 stars to a couple, 3.5 to one, so this is definitely on the lower end. Might just be fatigue but damn, we've been on a streak of duds lately. P.S. - read some reviews and realized he very plainly uses the N word on this album, and it's on one of the tracks I picked as my favorites! Huge oof, pretty telling that I didn't notice it because the music is so boring that I tuned out every word he says. But what the hell, man. I'm sure people whine about not judging by today's standards or whatever, but just like Lennon with his godawful track title, he's not stupid, he knows what the word means. Why else would he clarify that, in this context, it's a "white" one? Because he knows it's a slur directed at Black people. And he chose to include it. You mean to tell me that a seemingly intelligent man in 1979 didn't realize that the N word was offensive? Bruh-itish moment. My assessment before today was that Elvis Costello is a whiny nerd, but today, he becomes something much worse: cringe. Favorite tracks: Oliver's Army (melodically one of my favorites on here but YIKES), Green Shirt. Album art: It's truly a shame because I think this is an all-timer for album covers. Such a cool picture, both majestic and menacing. Elephants are rad, this album isn't. It should be some sort of crime to make your album cover really cool when your music is dorky and dumb. 1.5/5

Definitely not what I expected from the cover. But I like this album a lot. Good sht.

3+/5

always known accidents will happen but never delved much into the rest of costello's discog. overall the album is really good! its quite glamourous and has lovely singing

‘Accidents Will Happen’, ‘Senior Service’, ‘Green Shirt’, ‘Party Girl’ are my favourite songs on the album and reinforce that the first half of the album is stronger than the second. ‘Mood’s For Moderns’ is the pick of side 2. ‘Sunday’s Best’ grates. Good overall, and better than I was expecting.

Senior Service is groovy :) Oliver's Army is familiar, but I had never looked at the lyrics - We need to stop fighting! Goon Squad is a good song - upbeat, more "rough", more punky :) more along my style OOH SUNDAY'S BEST IS SUPER COOL - very unexpected in this album but very welcome! circusy in a way. This album isn't particularly *my* album but overall I thought it was alright. It definitely had its highlights, but I don't know if I'll go out of my way to listen to the songs I haven't favorited again. 4/5

Not a fan

I thoroughly enjoyed this!

Elvis Costello wrote some good songs. Nowhere near as many as he or his diminished fan base will tell you. But mostly he’s a ‘not quite as talented as he thinks bore’. I suspect the stampeding elephants are meant to represent the power and strength of the music. To me it’s more like the dull thudding headache you get after wilfully exposing yourself to the ponderous pointless meanderings of the Costello oeuvre. David Lee Roth got it right - the reason rock critics love Elvis Costello is because he looks like most rock critics. Oliver’s army remains one of the greatest songs ever. There’s a couple on earlier albums - I don’t want to go to Chelsea and Veronica Watching the detectives is ok. The rest are at best twee. At worst forgettable mediocrity. Anyone can write one great song. Talent comes in at 4 or 5. The British new wave gave us compelling, unforgettable acts. Off the top of my head - the pretenders, the police, the cure, Lloyd Cole, Ian dury, the stranglers, the Irish boomtown rats, the list goes on. The wrong Elvis doesn’t make the cut. He was spoiled by the terrific Attractions, second only to the blockheads as a unit, but sadly with Costello, a band who were professional turd polishers.

Whitney minstrel noise for old men. I was there already when I was 21. Love this shit. Inexplicable - he just has a groove and way with words and non stories...

I bookend this with This Year's Model, these are his Rubber Soul and Revolver. Armed Forces is a brilliant ensemble piece with The Attractions as well as being a song writing tour de force on his part. As you can see cyber world I'm a huge fan. So let us deal with white nigger up front so that we can properly appraise this fabulous record. A lot happened while he was touring in 77/78, Pump it Up written on the backstairs of a venue etc. As a Liverpool lad with Catholic roots he knows the world of sectarianism, the patois etc. Touring NI in 78 and observing those young British army lads being told to live in no man's land, risk their lives and keep the order would have been quite shocking. And so, a brilliant meditation on the consequences of British imperialism and the metaphor of Cromwell's 1649 invasion is married to a delightful, hooky pop song. As McCartney said about criticism of Mull of Kintyre, you try and write a bagpipe song! Here in his late 70's song writing frenzy he pulls off what so many have tried to do and failed; a great pop song with meaning about something other than love. The sheer stupidity of the 21st century that makes his use of a Unionist slur offensive is just incomprehensible. Ditto Lennon's Woman is the Nigger of the World, sorry sports fans but all of this is just the artist at work and to couch the use of that term in its original context as a racial epithet in intent is not only absurd but dangerous, really, really dangerous. And if you struggle with that, if you want your books, songs, films, paintings to all reflect your current sensibilities, then draw the curtains and turn the power off. Damn fine song Oliver's Army, leave it alone. This is the second album with the Attractions and the hard touring has paid off in spades with a brilliant performance by all three sidemen, from memory in amongst all this they recorded their own album. What leaps out in this era is EC's astonishing lyric writing, the word play, the use of imagery and symbolism is sustained throughout, smart young women on light blue screens, not knowing where to begin as love doesn't wait forever., only so many fish in the sea that rise up in the sweat and smoke. Thinking about Hal David/Chris Difford, EC could have just made his name as a lyricist and found a musical partner, but no he's also a writer of great tunes, fabulous melodies and the hookiest of hooks. And he's covering a lot of themes, working in a smoke filled 70's offices, little Britain racism, the rise of fascism, even the ubiquitous Bebe Buell gets a guernsey in Party Girl. Here's the ultimate meditation on the sudden impact of fame, "they can't touch me now...starts like fascination, ends up like a trance. EC has discovered that the woman he once desired from afar are now in his orbit, give you anything, anything but time. He returns to the same theme with Two Little Hitlers, "dial me a valentine she’s a smooth operator it’s all so calculated, she’s got a calculator, she’s my soft touch typewriter, and I’m the great dictator.." A brilliant record, go and do yourself a favour.

His 3rd album & one of his best. Produced by one of Britain’s great pop producers, Nick Lowe, it jumps out at you from the opening bars of Accidents Will Happen, & like the rest of Costello’s early albums, it just moves at speed. He’s always been a wordy songwriter & these tracks are certainly choc-full of lyrics. And he can write a great lyric - I love some of his rhymes - this is a particular fave verse from Sunday’s Best : Don't look now under the bed An arm, a leg and a severed head Read about the private lives The songs of praise, the readers' wives Listen to the decent people Though you treat them just like sheep Put them all in boots and khaki Blame it all upon the darkies There’s theft all over the album - the one I like most is the repeated riff from The Beatles’ I Want You(She’s So Heavy) on Party Girl, but there’s the Abba-style piano Steve Nieve plays on Oliver’s Army, and the music- hall feel of Sunday’s Best, written for & in the style of Ian Dury. I think reviewer David Quantick summarised it best : Armed Forces has all the piss and vinegar and spleen of its predecessor, This Year’s Model, but disguised as fizzy pop and cartoons. I love the record.

I love this album. So smart, so melodic, such great production. The songs are varied, each with its own identity, great playing, whip-smart lyrics, great melodies, inventive and tight playing. Beatle-esque in places, this album was great leap forward, and showed much more of the breadth of what E.C. could achieve. I could listen to this album over and over without getting bored. The singles are classics (although I have increasing discomfort with the use of the n-word in Oliver's Army. I gather E.C. feels similarly.)

Pop rock album with new wave and post-punk influences. Musically many of the songs are too poppy for my taste and for some reason Costello's voice doesn't fit with the songs. Lyrically it is heavier than the more commercial music. Overall it is a listenable record but it won't be an album that I'll relisten soon.

Slap bang in the middle of his golden run of pretty flawless albums, and not just two monster singles though this is true, every track is brilliantly composed and the Attractions really find their feet as one of the best ever backing bands.

Not as good as This Year’s Model

Hard to rate too many versions

Some really strong tracks here; Big Boys, Green Shirt, and Chemistry Class being the standouts. But, there are too many that just fade into the background to give this album more than 4 stars.

The angry young man softens up and even admits defeat, perhaps — not every relationship works, not everything is peachy. A masterpiece guided by the deft hand of the singular Nick Lowe, who knows enough to get out of the way. I like this better without “Peace, Love and Understanding” at the end (as Brits originally heard it), but maybe that’s just my dour mood. We all need a little faint optimism now and then.

Catchy tunes, decent songs, but just can't get behind Elvis Costello, he's a goof

Good! Oliver's Army is my favourite track.

Very good

It’s a good album but I just don’t enjoy Costello.

Too easy-going for me...

The best of Elvis Costello's albums, it is dripping with irony and social commentary. It's also just fun to listen to. By this point, Costello had figured out the formula and refined his songwriting and music. It's just a great listen. After this point, Costello starts to take himself too seriously. This is the high point of New Wave Costello before he becomes "I Don't Know What I'm Doing Anymore" Costello followed by "I'm a Serious Musician Who Like Torch Songs, Jazz, and Classical" Costello. If you can only own one Elvis Costello album, this is the one, if only for Accidents Will Happen, Oliver's Army, and (What's So Funny About) Peace Love and Understanding.

Oliver's Army. Pero no le doy un 4. Venga, sí!

Two years after My Aim is True, Armed Forces started to reveal the path that would lead to Brutal Youth some 15 years later. Some small misses here but overall a great album.

Weirdly forward-sounding and backward-looking at the same time.

Finally an Elivs Costello album I really enjoyed, great sounding album added to my permanent rotation and deserves its place on this list.

Don't really get on with Costello's voice - few stand out tunes here though "Accident's will happen" starts the album out well with a big promise which doesn't quite materialise, however Oliver's Army is good and maintains energy throughout.

The instrumentation is close to Elton John-ish, Costello's vocal edge fitting the crooked love theme just right. Sonically balanced and lyrically cohesive in the narrowest of ranges.

See my other reviews, but the TL;DR is: 3 good songs, 5 mediocre songs, 5 bad songs, just like every Elvis Costello album.

ELVIS COSTELLO SAYS THE N WORD

Shocking at this point - really well produced. I get the whole anti war thing but sometimes the lyrics were a little weird but I like that he said the n word 4 stars

Lyric focused albums never really hit for me, not a fan of the vocals. Whole album blurred together to me, was fun to listen to but don’t think I’ll come back to it

Not as bad as the other I've had so far, but still crap

I'm getting a little tired of the Elvis Costello albums. They're not awful, but they just aren't doing much for me. It's like a bland piece of white bread. Yeah, I'll eat it, but it isn't special.

Several years ago, I asked for 'This Year's Model' for Christmas, which I mostly wanted for "Pump It Up." I did wind up receiving it, but I can't remember if I ever listened to the whole album, so this was probably my first time listening to an entire Elvis Costello album. I enjoy a lot of late seventies and early eighties new wave, and this album was no exception to that. I really enjoyed the groovy bass lines and the energetic keyboard riffs, and I like Elvis Costello's vocals too (my wife hates his voice, and when I told her I listened to this album today, she immediately launched into her Elvis Costello impersonation/mockery). I wasn't super into the lyrics here, but I'd say that "Green Shirt," "Good Squad," and "Sunday's Best" (despite its... interesting word choice) were my favorite songs here. I enjoyed this album, but I think I'd rather listen to The Cars' debut instead.

I have to admit I've never really got Elvis Costello. The musicianship is great. The songs are well-crafted. I don't hate any of them. I really enjoyed the singles, which I was already familiar with. In the end though I found it starting to get samey; the same songwriting tricks being employed over and over and, I'm sorry but, I find his voice really annoying after a while. Is that a real accent or a put on? I enjoyed listening to the album but it's not making into my regular rotation. I expect there'll be more Costello on this list. Maybe I'll discover one which will help me understand why he's so loved.

Costello killin it

Just a straight up pleasant listen from a really accomplished performer but not something I'll listen to again or remember. And that's fine sometimes, just maybe not in a book reviewing the best of all time.

Listened to this twice, both times I stopped noticing it about halfway through. There's nothing that's memorable (either good or bad), just straight down the line rocky pop with a vague military theme. 3/5, straight down the line, like the album.

It was ok, not super interesting but not insultingly bad

This is pretty alright. Nothing really jumps out as super great, but not extremely boring or bad. Another 3/5

Okay album, didn't particularly enjoy any of the songs

Likes: Vocal attitude/tone, lyrics that pop out are provocative, arrangements are fun Dislikes: Execution of the arrangements feels so sterile and anemic it comes across closer to circus music than rock and roll. Almost on the verge of parody Overall, this was a slog to get through. If this is an all-timer, it’s because it combines the all time worst qualities of McCartney’s granny music with Springsteen’s overwrought exposition. It takes the worst things of the best artists and puts it together, and it does not work for me at all. Almost couldn’t finish it.

Great album all songs are good to great great sense of melody

My second attempt at Elvis Costello and The Band and I'm now 100% sure I won't need another try, I have made up my mind about them. Alternative music with a rock'n'roll feeling about it, usually upbeat and taking you straight to a dance floor. The lyrics don't match up with instruments, being about political and humanitarian themes. But it all doesn't matter in the end, because one thing I can't stand on this album (and any other album by them) is Elvis Costello's vocal. He has such a weird voice that it always make me too conscious and I can't focus on the song at all. He has original style for sure, but unfortunately, I'm not able to appreciate it. 3 stars for good effort, that much I can admit.

Combining an annoying singing voice with a track listing of entirely forgettable songs that all bleed into one another is not exactly the best approach to an album, I have to say.

didn't mind this, but I am not a fan of Costello's voice - or tone. All feels a bit sneery to me. The band seem quite competent, but nothing here jumped out at me. I was doing other things while this played, but it all just sounded like an Elvis Costello album to me. Which is good if you like that sort of thing, I guess.

There's a high bar set with the singles. The rest of the album fails to catch up. Nick Lowe's production is superb and holds it all together. I wasn't expecting Peace, Love and Understanding at the end - a highlight.

Pop, maybe with some rock leanings

I can appreciate Elvis Costello, but I just can't get into him. I've tried. I give up.

Fun album—it’s cheeky and just a little political. Stick around for “What’s so funny (about peace, love, and understanding)”

With his unique voice and interesting musical composition, it is not hard to get into the groove of Elvis’ music. The jostling flow and cornucopia of instrumental interjections do tend to make the music hard to vibe to. To me it is intended for intent listening and not for moving your body to. I always begin to think the songs or going to break into melodic chorus and tie everything together, but it never quite gets there for me. Intriguing and distinctive, but not my choice for spinning.

Generic rock that sounds surprisingly modern.

The singers voice is awful and the mix is whack - everything is just mush. On Oliver’s Army he just drops the n word lmao. There’s moments in songs I like but then I’m pulled out by either a change to the instrumental, the vocals or lyrics. I thought party girl and goon squad was pretty good tho. The carnival clown theme on Sunday best is very fitting to this album. Fav Tracks: Party Girl, Goon Squad Worst Track: Accidents Will Happen 3/10

Tracks: 3 killer, 10 filler (23%) Highlights: Accidents Will Happen, Oliver’s Army, (What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding

Fantastic record.

Two Little Hitlers, Hyvä nimi ja ihan hyvä biisi. Muuten ihan ok

Listened Before? No Honestly kind of sounds like listening to the same, almost-obnoxious song on repeat for 40 minutes. It would be fine as background music I guess, except for the slurs… Added to Library? No

Was okay, couldn't understand a word he was saying though

Interesting, sort of post-punk rock. Good melodies, some of the bass lines were excellent. I enjoyed the last track the most, some of the middle songs were decent as well. Overall it wasn't bad

I've always heard of Elvis Costello but never sat and listened to him before. While a good portion of this album didn't speak to me directly, I could easily picture how different his music must have felt at the time. His voice is full of swagger and confidence, so much that I wondered where it came from. His backing band perfectly balanced the front man, keeping up without overstepping. I was a little uncomfortable with the unexpected slur, I know it was a different time but still...I'd be interested to know if Costello has commented on it since then.

Two great albums in two days in a row? What are the chances? But it finally happened... after a phenomenal album yesterday, here comes this pearl to listen to. Here in Brazil Elvis Costello, unfortunately, is a relatively unknown talent (as far as I know), and listening to this album was a surprise and a great discovery.

Dropping the n word caught me off guard but with that aside this album was fun listen. I plan on coming back maybe sometime

For me Elvis Costello is not one of the heroes of the post punk era, like his voice and some of the songs like Oliver's Army, but for me e.g. the Jam or Joe Jackson are much better.

declan mcmanus, international art thief

Not my bag

Nice album, weird cover.

I've been known to be indifferent to Elvis Costello, but to tell the truth, I've never really gave him a chance, so I am looking forward to today's listen. I have my reservations, however, because upon reading up on this record, it turns out he made it in the "new wave" style which was very popular at the time. I have been known to hate new wave, so we will see how this goes. Apparently Elvis Costello is obsessed with dismemberment, because in at least 3 songs on this album, he mentions beheadings, or chopping people up. Also, in the song Oliver's Army, Costello drops an N-Word, which caught me off guard given the fact that he is a white nerd from the UK. Most of the lyrics, as can he said for most of New wave, were mostly nonsensical. The songs that actually had a clear message instead of incomprehensible ramblings were the ones I liked more (there weren't many). The last song on the record, (What's so Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding, was my favourite on the album. It sounded more like classic Costello, had a clear message, and followed a normal song structure, unlike almost everything else here. Overall, as suspected, not my favourite. I won't revisit ever again. The music wasn't bad, I just really hate new wave. Elvis gets props for the sheer magnitude of his influence on modern music though. Favourite songs: "(What's so Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding" , Oliver's Army, Goon Squad, Senior Service, Party Girl Least favourite songs: Big Boys, Green Shirt 2/5

Not bad, doubt I’ll listen to it again though

Not a fan really.

I saw Elvis Costello live once and hated it - but surprised myself by enjoying this album. Upbeat, non offensive music. Quite jolly. Can't grumble.

Incredibly annoying, can’t put my finger on it.

Apart from Olivers Army and Accidents Will Happen, this was entirely new to me. Good album and a couple of real gems in there. One or two sound dated and would skip onfuture listens. Particularly liked Busy Bodies and Chemistry Class. Will definitely go back to this album.

Stop. I don’t like this band. Stop forcing me to listen to them. Why are there so many of their albums on here???????

Green Shirt is killer. Everything feels so right in the pocket and Elvis has this iconic singing style. The snare on Sunday's Best is like a gunshot.

It’s alright

Started listening to this, and I was wondering why this album was on the list. Then I saw the last song on the album and I knew why. "Peace, Love and Understanding" is perhaps Elvis Costello's greatest song. So it's not easy for the rest of the album to hold up to that. I think the first few songs do okay, but "PL&U" is... just at another level. It kinda detracts from the other songs in that way; they just can't compete. "Smoke On The Water" does that for Deep Purple's album "Machine Head". A really good example for me is Blue Oyster Cult's "Don't Fear The Reaper". Everything else on that album "Agents of Fortune" is just... meh. But "Reaper" blows everything else out of the water on the album. Where was I? Oh yeah, Elvis Costello. So "Peace, Love & Understanding" makes the other songs sound worse, it's like an outlier it brings up the rest of the album, but you don't really want to hear the other songs, you just want to hear that one song. Doesn't bode well for the rest of the album.

Not sure this one deserved to be on the 1,001 list. It's a decent listen, but it's just not as good as his first two albums. Side One highlights were the two singles Accidents Will Happen and Oliver's Army (Senior Service and Big Boys also solid). Side Two was a bit rough around the edges. Goon Squad (as an opener) tries too hard and the vocal / musical combination was a little off, despite some good lyrics. Sunday's Best and Moods for Moderns were not good, although Busy Bodies and Chemistry Class were not bad. Two Little Hitlers is a nice piece of Costello lyrical creativity. So, solid side one, middling side two. Peace, Love, and Understanding (a great song) doesn't count because it's a single that someone decided to throw on the American album release (surely to drive up sales). If this was the only Elvis Costello album I ever heard, I probably wouldn't go looking for more.

I generally liked this album, but definitely liked "This Year's Model" much more. Some of the tracks and singing made me think of XTC (not a bad thing). I don't know how much I'd seek this album out again, though, and that makes it a 3 in my book. Tracks that caught my ear: Accidents Will Happen (really like the outro), Busy Bodies, Moods for Moderns, and What's So Funny Bout Peace Love and Understanding.

Never been a fan of Elvis Costello. His voice is very fatiguing and his playful pop approach to punk rock seems insincere at best.

I never quite dug Elvis Costello. 2/5, but my opinion isn’t really important

Well, that wasn't as bad as I was expecting my second Costello album, with me originally thinking one was enough, but this still wasn't anything special. I mean, don't get me wrong, it's alright, or it wouldn't be getting three stars, but I really don't see what some see in this album. Just was boring most of the time and a lot of the good bits were a bit covered up. Only saving grace is it feels a bit more like its own thing, where I can see where someone may start to say "I like Costello because of this!", but not totally for me. Would rate lower, but I'm feeling nice, I guess. Very low three stars.

Credo sia il terzo che ascolto e non mi sembra meriti tutti questi riconoscimenti, pur non essendo malvagio

2/2- Driving to school

I don't like his voice

✌️♥️🤔

Meh. It’s just ok. I would likely turn the station to something else if this album was playing.

Todo tan esquemático que, por más que pueda formar parte de un concepto, se vuelve agotador.

Muuy melodico, me gusta mucho como queda el piano en canciones como Oliver's Army. Noto cosas de Bowie y especialmente de Phil Collins cuando canta el chabon, lo cual es curioso porque el pelado cantando aparece mucho despues. Capaz Phil tiene cosas de este?????? Idk Por otra parte, hay canciones como Green shirt o Party Girl q me hacen dar ganas de dormir. All in all, "no esta mal!!!" aaH y me encanta la tapa del disco 6/10

Cool. Lots of Nazi references tho?

Disco normalito, bastante empalagoso y típico. Nada destacable.

Tuve que averiguar que género era, para mi sonaba solo a algo de los 80s tipo Phill Collins. Ni fu ni fa pero safa algunos temas

очень прикольненько, сразу слышно что англичане тк звучит как Боуи немногого, короче nice

4.5

Loved this. I think this is an easy 5 stars, along with Costello’s two albums before this. Only knew a few songs, but it’s amazing all the notable different influences that got pulled into this while still feeling utterly Elvis Costello.

3.75

LOVE Elvis Costello. Never listened to an entire album though, so this is a great opportunity.

Other than two hit tracks on this album, it's pretty flat and samey, rearrangements of a basic formula of their sound.

Some great singles on this and the rest is decent. Oliver's Army is the best song, natch.

Never really been a fan of Elvis Costello. Listened to the 24 bit remastered version on Qobuz and had a great sound. Enjoyed the music just his voice is not for me.

If this is the kind of thing you like, it's good. For me, mall music. I would probably actually like some of these songs if they had different (punk-ier) music. Is Busy Bodies supposed to be satire with it's holier-than-thou not-like-the-other-girls stance? Also, unexpected use of the n-word, so that has aged poorly.

Very Elvis Costello

actually a really fun album!! went in with low expectations but enjoyed a lot of the songs

Good album. Steve Nieve steals a lot of the focus on this one with some chirping organ and ABBA-esque fills.

Pretty samey, whiny and dull. The second album I have had which has a white guy using the N word. That's automatically a point off in my book - even if he has since renounced the use of the word.

great new wave album and pop album in general. the melodies and production are all really fun and the lyrics (aside from the use of the n-word) are good as well. i can also hear a lot of artists who i feel have been influenced by elvis costello in this, including talking heads, the boomtown rats, and neil cicierega. i highly recommend this album for anyone who hasn't checked out elvis costello's music yet.

Elvis Costello was one of those artists that I'd experienced piecemeal until starting this exercise. I knew "Alison" and "Watching the Detectives" and a handful of others (including his infamous 1977 audible on SNL, when he broke into "Radio Radio" after being explicitly told not to play it), but that was about it. In other words, I knew him well enough to respect him, but that's about as far as it went. I was excited when his "Blood & Chocolate" album cropped up a while back, and, unsurprisingly, I enjoyed it thoroughly. This is better, a solid enjoy-it-from-start-to-finish album. He's a great lyricist (often tackling serious issues, yet keeping the songs from feeling like lectures), and the album's got a rich, full sound (I especially enjoyed Bruce Thomas on the bass and Steve Nieve on keyboards). As with "Blood & Chocolate," I ended up listening to this album twice, just to get a better feel for the album as a whole and to suss out the songs I particularly enjoyed (including—but not limited to—"Senior Service," "Oliver's Army," and "Two Little Hitlers"). It's clear that Costello's thoroughly up my alley, and I look forward to more of his albums appearing on this list. This isn't quite a 5, but let's call it 4.5.

I'm a fan of Elvis Costello, so it was nice to see this on the list.

Can't pass up a chance to listen to an Elvis Costello album. Most of these songs are ones I rarely if eve listen to minus a few classics, but still a good listen as far as I'm concerned.

Blei sur av å hørra på da

Not my cup of tea.

Once again, talented artists, i’m just not their audience

3.5

I did like one song. I wish I could listen to just an instrumental version of this album because that part slaps.

Not Costellos best effort but a good one nonetheless. There’s a lot of same sounding songs but when Elvis shines here is in the micro moments. The ones that see past the bombast of the overall project.

Such an interesting voice. Costello always manages to write interesting melodies. Oliver's Army is a fascinating standout. As was Peace Love and Understanding, the two songs I'd heard off the album. The overall tambre and his voice bring the album down a star for me, but still a great listen.

Not a big Elvis Costello fan. And this album did not help change that.

Never heard of this artist before. I enjoyed the album nevertheless

Are you sure these are the 1001 albums I need to hear before I die?

I don’t know what I’m missing with Elvis’ music. It all sounds so basic and just not interesting. This one in particular was usually catchy while it was on but just left nothing memorable afterwards. It all just feels very formulaic to me. 4/10

niet afgeluisterd, twifjelachtige tekst ook ???

ik vond zijn stem zodanig irritant dat ik dit niet heb geluisterd, en van wat ik hoorde echt boring, niks bijzonders aan lmao

Fantastic album. The first few albums from Costello are ALL classics!

perfect for a laid back picnic on a march afternoon!

It's Elvis Costello...

Nope. Couldn't finish this album. Really a pop album of it's time and I can't relate to it.

Ik vind de muziek van deze Elvis altijd wel aanstekelijk. Moeilijk te zeggen waarom precies, maar het klinkt allemaal lekker losjes en funky, en met dat maffe direct herkenbare stemgeluid. Ik zou deze vaker kunnen draaien.

Maak je dan toch een pop-album, doe het dan zo. Tijdloos. Het album biedt een continue kwaliteit (m.u.v. Goon Squad). En keer op keer denk je: 'Hé, lekker deuntje'.

Ik ben niet zo'n grote fan van Elvis Costello, geen idee waarom. De muziek is niet per se slecht, maar ik heb altijd de neiging om het uit te zetten. Misschien is het zijn zeikerige stem ofzo. In combinatie met de overdreven aangezette muziek. Ik kan er moeilijk naar luisteren.

The songs are ok, but Elvis his voice is really annoying to listen to.

This guy knows how to write a song.

There are some Elvis costello songs I like but they aren't on this album, listened to it and was mostly waiting for it to be over

To many mediocre and annoying songs to enjoy

Elvis Costello has a great overal sound. Not many songs stand out too much but as a whole it was a really enjoyable album

Bland but it got some high points. Not my cup of tea as I prefer my rock without so much pop in it.

I'll admit that Elvis Costello has written some great songs, but overall his sound just doesn't jive with me. This album hasn't offered me any new insights. The two songs I love are still alive, but the rest of the album grates at me. Since I understand that I have a personal distaste and this album does seem thoughtful and well made, (What's so funny 'bout) a three star rating?

Oliver’s Army is so nostalgic for me, because my dad played it all the time when I was a kid. Still a bop. Really enjoy the rest of the album too - quite a few Bowie and ABBA vibes scattered throughout which I love.

How is this album from 1979?! Costello is so timeless, just like Springsteen. It's a sound that is big, fun, iconic, and always now. It's a shame that Oliver's Army became about the use of the "N-Word" rather than anything else. The word is used in a derogatory way against a British private, as it was apparently used in the 17th century. The song is actually a pretty biting attack on racism and war, but it's so poppy, people don't know what to do with it. Songs continue to push these themes as the album builds. Another good example of how the art of the album has basically died nowadays. I mean, what's so funny about peace, love, and understanding anyway, right? This album is a blast to listen to. Lots of fun melodies. Lyrically, there's a ton to digest as well. Song and substance on full display here.

3/5

Was pleasantly surprised by this album. While the lyrics aren't my favorite (especially because of the slur), most of the songs were really good. Like the lyrics, the vocals aren't what attracted me the most, but the instrumentals are so fun. The bass lines remind me of Queen. Fave track(s): Senior Service, Party Girl, Goon Squad

Absolutely loved this album, even if there were a few rough patches I'll probably skip on future listenings the highs definitely make up for the few slightly low moments. Top tracks: Green Shirt, Goon Squad, Moods for Moderns, and Two Little Hitlers.

The shitty Elvis

I've heard a bit about Elvis Costello, but not much of their stuff - didn't even realise he was in a band. Throughout the album, the theme of political effects on human relationships was quite prominent and not hard to mistake. Their overall sound does sound quite modern for the time it was released, however coupled with the themes the lyrical content feels slightly dated. Best: Oliver's Army Worst: Chemistry Class 2.5 stars

I thought the first few songs were a bit boring and I was worried I'd like this less than the Elvis Costello album I reviewed. But, after those songs, the album picks up. My favourite songs were Busy Bodies and Sunday's Best.

Very groovy, never really listened to new wave rock. Head bobber

gen x soundtrack, why does he say the n word? this sucked. Best song: accidents will happen

Still not crazy about this guy's vibe. The loosy goosy nerd thing just doesn't quite land for me. This is the second Costello album I've gotten, and I think I liked the other one a little better. It's not terrible though, the more I replay it, it grows on me a bit

I definitely enjoyed listening to some of these tunes, but there were also moments or complete tracks that felt a little too... plastic? overdone? circus-y? Some of that definitely had to do with Costello's unique voice, which didn't always sound great to me.

24th November 2022 Listened in the morning while working from home. F45 and ru Paul final in the evening. Loved it, political songwriting that doesn’t shove it in your face. Amazing musician.

was okay,

Hmm I've never heard of this guy before, but listening I through this I wasn't particularly impressed. Every song sounds very similar to the first one. His singing voice is nothing special either. Saved tracks: "Senior Service", "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding"

I like this pretty well, and already knew some of the songs. Interesting backstory on this that I wasn't aware of.

I don’t love every song on this album, but I remember when it first came out and being very excited by how new and different it sounded. Accidents Will happen, Oliver’s Army and What’s so funny, ‘bout peace, Love and understanding are absolute classics. No matter that the latter is a cover. It also doesn’t matter that the others don’t stand out to me as much. I would rate Blood and Chocolate and Spike above this album but it’s great listening and I still remember so many of the words. He’s also from my neck of the woods, so I feel more of a connection.

Liked the early stuff from Elvis Costello. Still do :-)

3.5/5

One of his best

The third of Elvis Costello's debut trilogy of albums. Like 'My Aim Is True' (1977) and 'This Year's Model' (1978), this is a collection of instantly likeable and catchy guitar pop songs. A slight law of diminishing returns from the previous two records and tails off after a strong start, but very good overall. Rating: 3.5/5 Playlist track: Accidents Will Happen Date listened: 17/11/22

Sort of enjoyable but wasn’t super into it

Really nice and enjoyable album. Would definitely listen again. Was very thrown off when he said the n word though

Great feel good music

3.5 - I skimmed through the reviews and was excited for another “My Aim is True” caliber record but after putting this record on repeat all weekend, I feel very ambivalent about it. Costello’s technical proficiency as a songwriter is clear. The song architecture is consistently intricate with plenty of interesting guitar riffs. At times there are interesting turns of phrase, as on “Sunday’s Best.” But I find most of the songs overly complex in a show-offy sort of way. And there’s a nervous pacing to the whole thing - each song presents a slew of ideas at a frantic pace (see “Moods for Moderns”). Standouts: “Green Shirt”, “Party Girl.”

It has become quite a meme this fact that Costello has so many entries in these books. But I try to not let that colour my views on this particular album. What strikes me most is the consistency of the song writing.

I said it before, and I'll say it again - Elvis Costello is a cool cat. This isn't my favorite album of his, but - top to bottom - solid stuff.

Elvis can't do anything wrong, it's perfection. the N-word should bother me but it doesn't. The mention of the term darkies should too as well as that one of the songs are called "Two Little Hitters", but it doesn't every song is just perfect that all those problematic terms feel like afterthoughts.

Pos-punk divertido.

A vintage release from a top-class artist, this speaks to his considerable strengths, starting with his sheer originality. Throughout all the various reinvention attempts (both subtle and bold), one always knows it’s him. That can lead to a little sameness but the quality of tracks and professionalism of craft are uniformly high, here as on other records. "Party Girl" is a personal fave. "What's So Funny" a reminder of Nick Lowe's glaring and egregious omission from this esteemed index.

New wave. Me estoy dando cuenta de que me gusta Elvis Costello. Un 4.

I don't get it

not bad at all

Honestly I was not looking forward to this album. I didnt like the last solo Elvis Costello album we had on here. This album was wayyyy different than the other. I'm shocked this one only came out 2 years after. Olivers army was a great song. The last song was also really good. All of these songs were solid but I really didnt know where any of them were going. Elvis has a very interesting voice. Good album 6/10

it’s fine

Original and groovy

This album is pretty good, I think the songs were enjoyable. The n-word being thrown out in one of the songs completely caught me off guard. Product of it's time and all that, but still felt weird. But besides that, I think the songs are decently catchy. Favorite song: Two Little Hitlers (feels weird putting a song with this title as my favorite) Worst song: Oliver's Army (purely for the n-word)

this dude has a truly gargantuan career. he's seriously been making tunes since the 60s, and released a single as recently as last year. good album, fun rock n roll. probably won't come back to it

Musically, I was into this. I could even dig Costello's voice at times, which is an accomplishment! But lyrically? Eh...throwing around slurs has not been, is not, and will never be, cool.

Decent enough, I guess, but I'll not be going back to it. Probably too "of its time" - particularly Squeeze took the style and made it better.

Lettvekter

I was not prepare for that opening, ear bleeding not a way to start. Dem bass and drums are really the highlight of this album.

Just kinda is.

Classic. But the language.

Really fun album. A classic, full of witty lyrics, nothing that hasn't been said before really.

6/10 Parecen las canciones que aparecerian como transición en las peliculas de disney channel

Hits galore

Amazing infusion of New Wave sounds with The Attraction's classic touches. Insightful lyrics about world politics, imperialism, life, love. Catchy melodies. What's not to love about this classic?

Name a better lyricist than Elvis Costello. Pro-tip: you can't. The way he blends interpersonal strife with world politics is on great display here as evidenced by the title of the record. New wave music brought new sounds but this album does not depart from The Attractions sound: chirpy keyboard, muscular bass, and tight, anxious drums.

Clever lyrics, and... Not much else to write home about. I don't really like his voice. I might've really liked this in 2002, but it's not really doing that much for me now. 🤷

Nothing to really dislike, kind of generic pop album. Ali Express David Bowie.

Maybe there's a tad too many albums by Declan on here? I count seven. There's some good tracks but does he straddle so many genres to qualify? I remember this one and liked the hits. He seemed to define intelligent New Wave cool that I was a bit too young to understand.

Guess I hadn't listened to much Costello before. It was good but not what I expected. A little heavier in the rock side that what my perception of Costello was

Its Elvis Costello. Great job at the same album I heard before

This is probably one of Elvis Costello's more accessible albums. Released a year after 'This Year's Model,' this album sees Costello playing a more pop like New Wave that features a more complex chord structure and better developed melodies. At points, the music is almost anthemic in what sounds like a precursor to Britpop. Costello's lyrics are more politically charged but are less angry than his previous two releases. As always, Costello is a wordsmith, and employs double entendre and wordplay.

Kinda monotone after a while but gun vibes.

Something about this guy doesn't sit right

An enjoyable album, nothing too special here but still got its moments

I've listened to a few of Elvis Costello's albums and they all sound... the same? Not particularly fond of his voice which I know he can't do anything about, but his music all kind of sounds the same. Not great, but also doesn't make me want to raise the volume, either. 6/10.

Heard it before?: No Enjoy it?: No, it’s not necessarily bad, I just find it meh. Maybe too soon to say but I just don’t get Elvis Costello and I find his style of singing quite weird Favourite song: Track 7 - Goon Squad

Kinda a weird dude

This album is full of musical texture and political themes. While easily discounted as the musical musings of an angry, young man, the album’s songs are actually quite prescient, sharp, funny, and compelling. Standout songs are Accidents Will Happen and Busy Bodies.

I was surprised at how much I liked this. Never liked his voice, but his craft at songwriting makes up for it the more you listen

Some great pop rock songs, but a bit too bland for me.

50/100: Very forgettable album. There’s not a single song that stands out on this album. This is probably what’s played in purgatory. I don’t have much to say for this one besides that I’m incredibly unimpressed.

4/13, 31%

Zeikerig, hipster

🤷🏽‍♀️🤷🏽‍♀️ mm meh

Not for me. I'm not really a fan of any of this, there's just nothing grabbing me at all. Oliver's Army is pretty good, but that's about it.

good

I've always admired Costello's craft as a songwriter. His arrangements are often unconventional, his gift for creating vocal and instrumental melodies is exceptional, and he's got an edge to his lyrics that gets your attention, even if I don't always know what he's getting at. I've never listened to this album in its entirety, though I was familiar with a lot of it. I didn't love every song, "Senior Service" as the second track seemed like a misstep after the haunting last minute of "Accidents Will Happen," but this is a really strong album. Despite Costello's range as a vocalist and gift for melody, he does have a vocal tone that tends to wear on me after 30 minutes or so, but that didn't detract from my enjoying this album (more than once) today.

It was nice to listen to this again as the last time i listened all the way through was back in college. This used to get a lot of spins back in the day and I was surprised how many of the lyrics I still remember. Having said that, I've never loved this one as much as This Year's Model or Get Happy. The hits are still great and I really dug Green Shirt and the last three songs. But I found the other tunes a little boring, and in general, the arrangements aren't quite as thrilling as those other two albums. The Attractions are an amazing band, but their talents are pushed to the background on this one, which isn't always a bad thing, but I missed the energy they brought to those other two albums. Hard to know how to rate something like this one. Do I give it 3 stars as an EC album or 4 stars compared to some of these other records? I guess I'll go 4.

Peace Love Understanding

per sunku klausyt sory maikl

This was alright. I’ve never listened to Elvis Costello before so I was eager to get in my car and start listening. It felt somewhat repetitive to me but I didn’t hate it. I just can’t see myself listening to it again. Not a big fan of his voice. The only standout track for me was "Moods for Moderns," and I think that’s because it reminded me of Talking Heads.

Not his best period, but a great songwriter

New wave, 1979. The songs on this record are quite impressive in every aspect and the tracklist absolutely on point. Also every song is relevant on the whole LP so there aren't fillers. This is arguably one of the most mature and most complete projects by Costello and in conclusion one of his greatest albums.

Meh.

Mid. Also, why is marnz using racial slurs

Really liked this album a lot. Good variety between the tracks. Favorite track: Moods for Moderns

Really enjoyable listen, great individual songs and also flows so well as a whole. Fav song: Busy Bodies

This website should be renamed to "1001 Elvis Costello albums (and also a few other albums)", given this is the 5th album of his I'm served with here. And frankly, I don't think Costello is so good as to merit such recognition. As for the particular album at hand (aka, #5): It's yet another uninspiring, rather mundane, and badly aged album. Just like the previous 4! I'm sure there's a reason for Costello being so highly regarded, here and elsewhere, but I still fail to detect it even in this 5th attempt.

Yeah idk about this one

I cannot listen to this right now.

Not my style

Oliver’s Army

This is what The Atlantic has to say about the American tour that followed this record: "Live recordings included in the box set give a good sense of what an Armed Forces–era Attractions concert was like: Every song seems about 15 percent faster and 30 percent more punk than the album version. To an unsympathetic listener, Costello can sound twee in studio, especially surrounded by Nieve’s filigrees. These tapes show that the concerts were rougher affairs." Man, oh man, I wish Elvis Costello had used a producer who could understand the point of making these very formated songs rock HARDER than they do here, just like the live versions. You can't believe Nick Lowe produced the Damned debut when you're listening to *Armed Forces*. Don't get me wrong: the Attractions were a great backing band for Costello, and all of the songs are at least interesting. "Accidents Will Happen", " Senior Service" or "Goon Squad" all have amazing chord progressions and lively performances going for them ("Oliver's Army" is a more famous cut, admittedly, but its rococo piano flourishes are quite annoying and predictable in comparison). I also understand that what Costello fans like about this record is the contrast between the mellow sounds (even poppier than the ones of the previous LP "This Year's Model") and the snarling lyrics... But if you start listening to Costello fans, they'll tell you that seven or eight of his most cheesy-sounding records deserve to be on this list anyway (and I think Dimery listened, unfortunately--if he is not one of those guys himself). So maybe we should all remain cautious here... Besides, and this is something that already rubbed me the wrong way for *This Year's Model* (as smartly-written as its lyrics were--just like the ones here, generally speaking), I think there is something deeply flawed in the borderline-incel energy Costello displays in some of his lyrics. That strange congruence between takes on personal relationships and political references is indeed very awkward stuff (that congruence can be mostly found on "Chemistry Class" and "Two Little Hitlers"--the latter clearly inspired by another tune with a very close title written by producer Nick Lowe for his own *Jesus Of Cool*). Here I disagree with The Atlantic, whose writer sees those lyrics as prophetic genius. Nah, it's not. They just prove Costello was way over his head and didn't really know what he was talking about, and this whether it's about the personal and the political. When you're only equating love and dysfunctional romantic relationships with the dynamics of fascism or unmitigated capitalism, I think you're missing many important points about all of those things... And in any case, it shows how lost and cynical you are as a person. Therefore, I'm not surprised Costello then somewhat ruined said American tour with those awful drunken racist "jokes" about James Brown and Ray Charles, ones that went from private to public to everyone's outrage (thanks to Stephen Stills and his entourage--by the way, check out Ray Charles' high class reaction to the news, the man just saved Costello's sorry ass, and this without pandering to his slurs either). The question is: was Costello's passing confusion such a big surprise after all? In a way, it could already be sensed in some of *Armed Forces*' lyrics. Maybe that "new wave Bob Dylan" thing hurled at the British singer thing made him lost all sense of perspective and restraint... What really matters is that Costello apologized for the racist slurs right away and said there was no excuse or cohesive explanation for them. Astonishingly, he had played a Rock Against Racism concert right before the tour--so he *really* looked stupid, to boot. I guess he was lucky that this incident occured during pre-internet times, otherwise *more* than the tour and his charts ascent in the US would have been compromised. Costello now seems to consider the whole situation as a case of hubris, a case of ambition-going-dead-wrong. He says that he had it coming somehow, and that the setback such a public revelation triggered was actually beneficial to him in the end, both as a person and an artist. But one can sense this strange "hubris" of his was already doing weird things in this particular record, both musically and lyrically speaking. And for one, *I* could sense it before I even knew about this particular incident. It's like an elephant in the room, clearly. Number of albums left to review or just listen to: 826 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory: 95 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 44 (see explanation below) Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more important): 37 Note to myself -- I remember giving a harsh 2/5 grade on *This Year's Model*. Or was it a 3? In any case, I've taken some time to reconsider the overall artistic and mostly *musical* intents of this other Costello record, and I get them a little better now, in spite of my early reservations (some of whom I still agree with). So I can bump up that grade to a 3 or a 4 now, and include the album in my own list of potential contenders. Costello is weird in many ways to me. My personal experience of his songs is that they are *always* slow growers, even if a lot of them are worth it in the end. That's why I'm gonna stay cautious with *Armed Forces* too. I still think the man's whole career is a little overrated. But I can be reasonable, contrary to some of his most hardcore fans... Sorry for the long rant. At the end of the day, *Armed Forces* is still a pretty good record. But I found the contextual story around it, related to Costello's hubris, quite fascinating. It's that sort of rock and roll you want pass on to the next generations, which is why I wanted to share my thoughts on it with you, kiddies... Number of records left to review or just listen to: 920 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 42 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 20 (including this one) Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine: 19⭐

Costello Album No. 3 for me, every one I’ve liked more than the last. I have a soft spot for albums that indulge in other styles, and there’s a little punk, prog, maybe early synth-pop stirred into this one. Maybe it’s just his voice I’m not the biggest fan of HL: Oliver’s Army, Goon Squad, Accidents…

I just had Randy Neuman surprising me with a certain slur and now Elvis Costello. Does one word ruin an otherwise good song? I mean yeah, kind of. Does it ruin the whole album? No I don't suppose so. I have never listened to an Elvis Costello album all the way through and now I get the hype; I enjoyed it more than I thought I would.

Musicalement c'est bon, et la production est très bonne. Je pense que mon principal problème avec Costello est son chant, soit dans la voix ou son style de mélodie, mais je ne vois pas comment certains trouvent sa musique unique, ça sonne très rock safe à mon oreille.

10/10 super fun no complaints

I had and disliked Brutal Youth early on. This is something different, and stands up well despite some questionable language from my costello at times...Pretty great album

Oliver's Army is a top top tune. Enjoyed the album

A well-crafted pop album, good production, expertly composed, but somehow, the whole thing feels.. toothless. Lyrics are interesting, but need an annotated companion to decipher. Won't be coming back to this one.