This Year's Model

classic Costello

Certainly the better of the Elvis Costello albums. Some of the songs are catchy and fun, I’ve just realized that it’s not my cup of tea.

Food for thought, is this the inspiration behind pop punk?

Alt for masse costello her

Rating: 7/10 Best songs: The beat

My first Elvis Costello album.. he be kinda snarky. The music sounds ahead of it's time.

Elvis Costello's debut album, My Aim Is True was a landmark album created at the beginning of the punk explosion in England and launched Costello's career to what it is today. The follow-up, This Year's Model, had a similar sound and though it wasn't necessarily punk, the attitude was still there. The contributions from his band, The Attractions (which shouldn't be understated) who brought the energy up with a more new wave sound with a whole record of hyped up, catchy and smart intelligent songs that made This Year's Model an improvement (yes, it's possible) from the strong debut. Even today, when I think of my favourite Costello album, with songs like, Pump It Up, Radio Radio and No Action, it still holds up today as the quintessential Elvis album.

catchy tunes, sounds more modern than 1978. I like his voice too, the whole thing feels like an unknown 90s band that someone unearthed in a time capsule. It feels pretty generic if you ignore when it came out, so maybe it was a transitional album for that time period that inspired a bunch of people,don't know. But from this point in time it's not likely blowing anyone away.

all killer, kind of hard to believe how accomplished this record is

Weezer for my dad! Favorite track: Pump It Up

my opinion of elvis costello has gotten worse since i found out he was british Favorite Track: Chelsea 3.5-4/5

# 18: Pump It Up! Nice beats, good vibes

Pretty cool rock album. Sounds quite 90ish for an album of 1978 ! I enjoyed it as well, nothing to crazy either but nice overall. Favorite Songs : You Belong to Me, (I don't Want to Go), Lipstick Vogue Rating 3.5 / 5

Easy to listen to but personally nothing to remember. I think it is an old album and potentially a game changer in the genre / subgenre but I am not really into it. I still liked listening to it. VERY LIGHT 2.5/5.

An album I’ve listened to plenty times and will listen to plenty times to come

Absolute classic love it from start to finish

I’m pretty sure that I’ve only hear Oliver’s Army by Elvis Costello. I like that song, yo I’m not sure I’ve heard anything else and I guess I’ve never really sought other music out. My stinky other half said that Pump It Up is his biggest song, but I’m pretty sure I’ve not heard that. I don’t recognise the name or her badly sung version of it. Songs I already knew: Pump It Up Favourites: Pump It Up, Hand In Hand, Radio Radio So it turns out that I recognised Pump It Up, or at least sections of it. Anyway, I really enjoyed this album. Highlights were the keys and the bass guitar, which weren’t particular sound and central, but were complex enough to make my ears prick up which being simple enough to not overcomplicate it. I really Like Elvis’ voice - it’s ever so slightly whiny, but somehow it works well without sounding annoying. It’s hard to explain why his voice is so good, but I enjoyed it a lot. Overall, I truly don’t have anything bad to say about this album. It was fantastic.

Do you wanna come with me...and buy this album??? I need this...

I'm not a big fan, but he does write some kinda good tunes. Just not my thing. Also, Escape Club stole Pump It Up.

not a fan of his voice :(

Hand in Hand - 4 Rest of the songs - Meh (2-3)

Thought there was only one Elvis. This album was decent. Dunno why I got some RHCP vibes off it.

Weird winking and wild ❤️

really liked this much more than expected! definitely feels like an album my mum would like. there were a couple songs i enjoyed less and one i skipped upon second listen, but overall i’m impressed for a genre i don’t necessarily consider myself a fan of

I just love Elvis Costello’s voice and style.

Didn’t know Damian Barrett was moonlighting as a new wave rocker as well as being an AFL media puppet, pretending to be a journalist. Also, ‘This Year’s Model’ is better than ‘Armed Forces’.

New wave. Animado. Venga, un 4.

High 2, fairly fun listen overall, however most songs sounded really similar, and kind of gave me like movie soundtrack vibes. actually quite likes beats, and pump it up isn't horrible either. not bad at all, just not what I'm into. another thing to note is that this album sounds much more recent than it is, so its influence is recognizable

rock n' roll for smarty pants white kids So, yeah,

Love the early Elvis Costello and this album is probably my favorite or at least the one I listen to the most. It has the fun of 50's rock but sounds new and fresh. Just great.

It’s crazy how prolific Elvis Costello was and how high the quality of his records were in the early years. Yet another excellent record mixing pop hooks, his brilliant lyrics, inimitable vocals, and punk influence on the edges.

I love this album. Just a classic.

People think that Costello has too many albums on this list, and that might be true. But his first three albums are all deserving and should be on the list. This is an easy 5 star.

Wow, I actively dislike his singing voice.

Heard it before?: Yes Enjoy it?: yeah, it’s probably one of the only of his I do like, very nice backing to the tracks and cool effects Favourite song: Track 3 - The Beat

Ugh. Just no. This is a bad album, and should not be on any list of good albums. 1/5

4.3 - Dimery has tried his damndest to expand my Costello appreciation and I’ve suffered through many of his fussier later works than I care to recall. For me, these two first albums of his encapsulate most of the upbeat new wave pop of his that I enjoy. So many excellent songs brimming with energy and just enough emotional depth, including “No Action”, “Pump it Up”, “Lip Service”, “Little Triggers.” I may still slightly prefer “My Aim Is True.”

Too gen x

Love this!

The best of his I’ve heard on this list so far.

ass

Muy buen disco. Me gustó, es novedoso. La primera parte del disco es tremendo, después se pincha un poco y se vuelve repetitivo. Si pienso con el cerebro es un 3, pero el corazón y la piel me aconsejan ponerle el 4.

Pretty good songs I guess but they are combined w/ terrible synth sounds. Doesn’t hold a candle to My Aim is True. The Beat is a 10/10 song.

Fucking love it

I've grown to love this album more and more over the years. I think this listen I found new things to appreciate. The walking bass on I Don't Want to Go to Chelsea, the frantic double time drums on Lipstick Vogue, the keys on Radio Radio. Elvis has such great song writing, tight beats with a lot of depth.

I only knew one song on the album. But maybe that was a good thing. I liked it!

Some pretty cool parts to this album.

If someone could let the the developer know that there should be a .5 star option, that would be great.

While this list has too much Elvis Costello I thought this album was generally enjoyable. Pump It Up is a classic. I get tired of his voice but musically this fairly decent.

The third best Elvis behind: Elvis Presley and Elvis Stoyko

Not really my style. Some decent tracks but his vocals are annoying and the music didn't really work for me.

BIG FUN

never heard any music by him exept she when I rewatch notting hill for the millionth time. i liked this music, it sounds good but a bit too dated. didn't like his pretentious voice, he didn't sound like that in she so the only reference I had was that. don't know if he sounds like that on every album...

Kinda sounds a bit too much like the Beatles, it sounds ok. Not something I'll come back too.

I loved that so so much

Little bit power pop, little bit punk. Can very much get on board with this.

I ALREADY RATED THIS YOU IDIOTS

Fantastic stuff, great album, 5 stars.

мало слышала Костелло, но тут после альбома чё-то не вдохновлена

The songs are pretty good, but I think there are too many

I think I've come to the conclusion that j don't like his voice. Some very fun sounds here but yeah the voice was definitely getting to me a bit

Top 10 Albums of all Time PREFS : TOUT MOINS PREF : RIEN

It’s brilliant. Concept, music, lyrics, cover image for the album. I know a lot of people feel Elvis Costello is over represented on this list, and maybe he is, but I just love his whole schtick and I’ll take it any way I can get it. I love the brazen oddball-ity of him, I love the witty turns of phrase in his lyrics, I even love his strangely cloying and affected but endearing vocals. And this is peak Costello. If you need to zero in on his most accomplished moments, this would be the high watermark of his career. This and My Aim is True are perfect summations of him as an artist and creative entity. Love love love. Fuck yeah.

This is one of my favorite albums of all time. I got really into this album in college, it has such a consistent tightly wound sound, and overflowing with energy. The Attractions go hard throughout the entire affair, but maybe the best exemplified on “Lipstick Vogue”. Costello’s lyrics are visceral and biting.

in 1978, elvis costello traveled through time to read my 2022 review of his debut album. thank goodness he did, because he made this album with more energy and it's considerably better. costello definitely found more of his sound on this year's model. obviously he's new wave through and through, but there's something that nails his signature sound here. i suspect it's the keyboards! the almost throwaway lyric of "those disco synthesizers" from "this year's girl," the second track, seems to encompass the entire album. but also, really, the higher energy goes a long, long way. "pump it up" is obviously the most fun song on the album, and the other songs benefit from it but are also able to carry the high energy well. 3.5

You know, not only do I hear the birth of new wave in this music, which Elvis Costello and this album are definitely known for, but I hear what was no doubt a huge influence to the early 2000s singer-songwriter and indie rock movements. In parts, this sounds not unlike listening to something like Vampire Weekend. This was definitely better than the previous Costello album I had. In just one year and one album's time, he took a huge leap in style. But I'm still not a firm Costello believer; ultimately, I thought this was just okay-good. There are many more albums of his to go, though, so we will see.

Didn't grab me but good background noise.

this is an objectively great album, tuneful and well-crafted, i only want to listen to 'pump it up' repeatedly though

After hearing My Aim is True and now This Year's Model... I don't see much value in listening to Costello's music at this point. There a couple tracks here I can enjoy but most of what's here has me frustrated. Whether it's the outdated themes of male angst that I have seen handled with more depth and less misogynistic undertones in music released after and even before this album. The back end of the record at least introduces a handful of tracks with more interesting song structure and direction. Night Rally actually is written very well, though the chorus at the end features another one of Costello's frankly annoying performances. Radio, Radio is probably my favorite off the album.

Meh

Not bad for Elvis Costello, better than a lot of the other albums

Fun album, but wouldn't listen to it again. Get a little tired of Costellos voice

I know it was on but I also don't recall it being incredible while also not being bothered by it to much.

It's upbeat, nice music but the voice of Costello gets a bit tiring

"The Beat" is a favorite of mine. For the rest of the album... I guess it's good but it doesn't quite stick

I don't know what it is, but there's sometime about Elvis Costello's vocal delivery that I just don't connect with. On paper he should be the kind of artist I'm really in to, but I just can't get there. It's like he's making up the words as he goes along and just can't stop shoving more words into the rhyme scheme.

I have no memory of listening to Elvis Costello previously, I honestly don't even know what genre I expected but this feels more modern sounding than 1978. I'd probably guess that it's from the 90s or something instead of the 70s. I was not expecting to enjoy this album as much I did.

One of the more visually-striking albums of the 1st New Wave wave, you get notes of The Kinks, CCR, Springsteen, and The Specials. It sneers at everyone and everything, so I can’t call it misogynistic as much as misanthropic. I love it.

upbeat, a bit grungy, rocking out in a mellow way

Ok, there may be too much Elvis Costello on this list. This is another album that really deserves to be on here. Angry bloke, pop perfection

4/5. This album grew on me the more I listened to it. The songs are super catchy and it feels a lot like punk without coming off as entitled from a white dude. Plus the instrumentation is really clean and well produced.

Classic

Boring

Addictive riffs.

This is our fifth Elvis Costello and my opinion is exactly the same for each one. There are a few Costello tracks that are really, really, really good. But I couldn't care less about the vast majority of his work. Let's hope this was the final Costello album on the list.

I legitimately had a hard time not turning this off. First song that wasn't horrible was (I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea. Alright I had this on random. Maybe it just played the worst songs first. The Beat wasn't so bad.

Not another Elvis Costello album. He's so boring and it lacks something. I don't know exactly what it is but if this was food it would be flavourless.

Favorite songs: “Pump It Up”, “(I Don’t Want To Go To) Chelsea”. I got distracted from this one a few times. The songs I liked the most were the ones I already knew. It was alright, but I don’t have much to say about it.

I cannot connect with Costello's voice -- too nasally.

Fun and enjoyable! Pump it up is a great one.

I enjoyed it but it all sounds so similar. Just ok for me.

Radio-friendly rock/pop meets fledgling New Wave. The songs are OK(ish), but nothing to make me come back to this album. The possible exception is (I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea, which was fun. But really, the early Elvis Costello probably just isn't for me. 2.5/5

Dude really doesn't like women, does he.

Better than I expected. Way more pop than expected also.

Довольно-таки неплохой альбом, который повлиял на такое жанр, как "нью вейв", но по первым впечатлениям я пока не очень понимаю, нравится ли мне это, или нет, поэтому ставлю 3/5. Прости, Элвис Костелло :(

Superb! Musically catchy as hell, lyrically nasty as hell. My favourite Elvis Costello and Attractions LP. Fast paced anti-love songs - only slightly slows for Little Triggers. Love, love love.

First Elvis Costello album I’ve really liked

Fantastic pop rock. This blows away Imperial Bedroom, which came up earlier on this list. Almost every song is great. I have and will continue to keep coming back to this from time to time. 1 - bad 2 - average 3 - good 4 - great 5 - outstanding

Bijna 4

Meh. A song or 2 that is liked, I suppose. But meh. 2.5 rounded down

Pretty solid as far as the 1230656 Costello albums on this list go. I'd honestly probably dig him if it weren't for the fact that the authors of this book clearly have a hard on for him to a ridiculous degree.

A voice somewhere between that of a punk and a crooner which just doesn't really work for anything but Chelsea, at least on this album. I respect the guy since he wrote Chet Baker's Almost Blue which requires some talent but this is just slightly embarrassing.

Based album. This was some real music about feelings and vibes in the 70s. I love “pump it up” and “radio radio”.

Outstanding album. The new wave and punk elements here make this even more appealing to me than most other Elvis Costello projects, which I tend to enjoy anyway. The combination of the vocals and instrumentals works perfectly. Favorite track: Radio, Radio

I'm just not an Elvis Costello fan! His lyrics are clever but his style and delivery do nothing for me. It's not that it's bad, it's just not my thing.

gostei do álbum, um pop rock animado, tal qual seu nome me lembrou o estilo musical do Elvis. assim como todos os outros álbuns ouvidos, não vai entrar pra minha playlist, mas foi uma experiência legal.

Acho que as minhas reviews vão começar a ficar repetitivas, visto que o meu sentimento por diversos desses álbuns estão muito parecidos. Mais um álbum que eu definitivamente poderia ter morrido sem escutar. Não é ruim mas é longe de ser essencial - Nada se destacou ou me conquistou para virar um fã do artista/banda. Um álbum mais pop rock fácil de escutar e sólido em todos os aspectos mas nada que eu colocaria em uma lista de 1001 álbuns para se ouvir. Particularmente, não gostei muito da voz dele, parece de alguém que está levemente gripado.

It's alright, just that it didn't leave a lasting impression

Not happy to be seeing another Costello on this list. Not happy that this is our Monday album. At least it's out of the way already... It's all up from here!

Well this was NOT a good start to the week. After slagging off EC not two days earlier at a party, I was punished yet another album is did not like from him. Jaunty and irritating. Same old

Eugh. I thought this was better than some of the other Elvis Costello we've had but still don't like him. Why is he on here so much!

I understand why it's a good album. And I'm glad I listened to it, just not quite my cup of tea.

This is a really great album. I've listened to it before but really enjoyed it even more this time around. I listened to it a couple of times throughout the day. Standout Tracks: This Year's Girl, Pump It Up, Little Triggers, You Belong To Me, Lip Service, Night Rally, Big Tears, Radio Radio

Exactly what you’d expect

I really didn't find it that engaging. Perhaps it sounded more exciting at the time, but most of the songs didn't carry much weight. I preferred My Aim Is True

Kinda irritating.

5 The soundtrack of the 80's dorm room.

Still sounds great.

Jumpin

Not really for me

It's alright. It's definitely better than the other Elvis Costello album I had. The songs in general are at least quite musical and have something about them. 'Pump it Up' is probably the stand out.

nose q les pasa a los ingleses con este chabon, ya tocó otro disco antes que le puse un 3 por lastima mas q otra cosa, el irlandes ese falopa que le puse un 1 tambien tenia canciones producidas por el, y este disco no me gusta nada tampoco. Es como q no esta nada mal lo instrumental, pero no encuentro otras palabras para describir su música que no sean "es muy boluda", a veces, si bien dije que lo instrumental está bueno, parece una cancion del Crash Team Racing para play 1, media en joda para que quede mejor el jueguito... me da esos vibes

haga lo que haga no logro procesar a elvis costello

rock n roll

Not as good as some of his other stuff. I like the grooves, but the organ kind of ruins it for me, it's this silly presence that messes up what could otherwise be a heavy hitting rock thing.

There's a nasty streak to EC that endlessly delights me. He's such an eloquent, overeducated, cynical little punk - and I love him for it. So much venom flowing through these tight little songs. He brings an angry, almost punk energy to sophisticated pop song craft (rather than the other way around). The band has a furious precision to their playing and they seem to hold nothing back. Full force from start to finish, even on the slower numbers. It's like a perfectly balanced pint of beer: full bodied and rich without being too heavy, a hint of sweetness, and just the right amount of bitterness to make it interesting.

After just having Costello's first album 2 days ago, going right into this is a lot. This album feels completely full-throttle manic energy, it honesty kinda wears me out listening to it. Pump It Up is clearly the standout track. I think with Elvis Costello I've figured out why I can't get into it: an extremely verbose lyrics per song. To be reductive, it's just too many words for my tastes and I latch onto nothing. Maybe the amount of lyrics on a lot of the songs wouldn't turn me off but I find his voice kind of grating as well. Sounds so forced to me, but that could be his natural cadence as well, so who knows.

Still sounds surprisingly good. It’s aged well.

For an album I hear an awful lot about, and see on the internet as a staple to some people, I was left pretty disappointed with this one. It had it's moments, but mostly felt like a representation of the time and not much more. It wasn't at all bad, just a little outdated in presentation. Especially vocally. My favourite song was probably "(I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea. Personal Enjoyment - 6.5 Songwriting - 8 Lyrics - 7 Originality - 8 Production Value -10 Artwork - 10 Overall - 7.7

Ik heb echt precies niks met Elvis Costello. Geprobeerd te luisteren tijdens werk voor stage, maar zijn stem in mijn oren bezorgt mij kippenvel (en nee niet the good kind).

Niet voor mij

Echt onluisterbaar. Besef deze man staat er zes keer in

I don't know what it is about this guy that just seems so boring and unimpressive to me. Every song just puts me to sleep and I can barely understand what he's saying to begin with. 4/10

A good listen

Solid sounds, did not sound like what I would typically associate with the 70s. The ones I really liked I really did, where as the others were whatever and weren't noticeable when I was listening to it in the back.

It is hard to my finger on exactly what I don't like about Elvis Costello. It isn't visceral; I don't hate this album. I like the energy, the drums, the guitars, the flow of the vocals. The bass when it gets going is fabulous (eg Lipstick Vogue) but somehow it all feels joyless, cold. Even without listening too closely to the lyrics the cynicism comes through. Pump It Up is as energetic and hooky as a song can be, but it isn't buoyant, it doesn't soar. Does all music have to be cheerful? No, of course not. Sad music can be nice, angry music can be just what you need sometimes. This isn't either of those, either. I struggle to think of when in my life I would be reaching for music with this particular vibe. TL;DR It's good but I don't like it very much.

ok...

I really like Elvis Costello’s vibe and voice.

Really really good

I don’t enjoy this. Can hear the influences and all that but meh

I think this author just hid a bunch of Elvis Costello albums in this list because either: 1) He is trolling us; or 2) He is a huge fan of this Costello and needed some ploy to get the world to listen to him against their will. That being said, this album is certainly better than his other albums.

Elvis Costello is one of those artists I listen to quite infrequently and wonder every time I do why I don't listen to him more. I've enjoyed damn near everything of his I've ever heard, yet I've never owned any of his albums on LP or CD (digitally the only one I've ever owned is the one with The Roots, because The Roots.) This is a cover-to-cover banger through and through. Infusing power pop with a solid dose of new wave, punk rock and whip-smart lyrics makes for a timeless ass-rocker here.

This is the literal foundation for indie bands in the 2010s and no one can convince me otherwise. Love this album front to back and it's so apparent how influential it was on music to come. Also, I'll never be over Costello's pure sexy vibes.

- First time listening to an Elvis Costello album - Thought it was very good, sounded like it could've come out anytime between 60s and 90s - Fav songs: (I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea, Lip Service, Pump it Up

No Action - A good intro for the album. Sets up the mood of the entire album The Beat - Funky bass! Probably funny lyrics - didn't pay attention that much Pump It Up - Wait a minute, this one has a pretty funky bassline too! Little Triggers - My fav so far. I listened to the remaining songs on the background. Did not really pay attention by I listen enough to know that I will revisit Elvis Costello again. 3.6/5

Enjoyed this one a little.

I liked it

This was great. Kind of dragged a little bit at the end but man oh man what an A Side. Need to get more into Costello because each album I listen to I feel like I’m seeing more and more how influential he was on artists I like. High 4.

Probably Elvis Costello’s best album that I’ve hear so far but I also haven’t found one that’s that great in general. This is a bit more enjoyable as it has a soft rock style with good instrumentals. I do find his singing pics to be the hardest thing to like about him. May revisit but doubtful. 5.8/10

9/10 Elvis “The King” Costello

Fun catchy poppy post-punky.

Un début d'album plus consistant que la deuxième, mais ça reste très sympa et très bien foutu.

"Don't act like you're above me, just look at your shoes." There are some doozies in This Year's Model, but for some reason that line stood out to me today. My other favorite one is "Sometimes, I think that love is just a tumor/You've got to cut it out." I think the lyrics encompass what some people don’t like about Elvis Costello. The songs are biting, mean spirited at times even. Sometimes he speaks in innuendo and ironies, and you can't immediately tell if he’s smitten or embittered (or both). That's what makes these songs so great. There's a built-in prickliness and tension both lyrically and musically that is so compelling to hear. Costello's confrontational, yet emotionally expressive vocals pull you right in and keep you interested from front to back. And the band complements that tension beautifully, shifting readily from jaunty to frantic as each song requires. This is a crisply moving whirlwind of an album, with half the songs clocking in under 3 minutes. This is all underpinned with a pop sensibility and ear for songcraft that few other artists can touch. When I play this album, which I do quite a bit, I never listen to it just once. It's one of those albums I can have on all day and not get tired of it. Costello has a really deep catalogue and it's full of gems. But for my money, the work he did with Attractions is his best work. This Year's Model is their masterpiece. Fave Songs (All songs, from most to least favorite, including extra tracks): (I Don't Want to Go to) Chelsea; Pump It Up; Radio, Radio; Little Triggers; Big Tears; Lipstick Vogue; The Beat; No Action; This Year's Girl; Living in Paradise; You Belong to Me; Lip Service; Night Rally; Hand in Hand

I only almost hated myself for listening to this album. I might even enjoy Pump it Up or Living in Paradise if I heard it on its own in public.

This is the fifth Elvis Costello album that I've reviewed as part of this project and I still have one to go. Let me just tell you: the fact that I have to listen to another one of these fills me with sadness. Anyway, this review will be much like the other reviews that I've written for Mr. Costello. He's a hack. He's made all of his money on being a cut-rate, pseudo-nostalgic imitation of great artists from the past. He sells this fauxstalgia to middle-class white America and they eat it up because he also talks about sex which makes him just edgy enough that they are able to feel a little less vanilla. But the lyrics are banal when they're not outright stupid and Costello's performances are lackluster at best. The only redeeming thing about this album is that The Attractions are actually really great musicians. They're holding this whole thing up by sheer force of talent even as Costello's hackery chops away the supports. I almost gave it a 3 just because the backing band was solid. But they weren't enough to save the album from such an overrated blowhard.

One of the better albums of his, but please, no more costello now

Fine to listen to, nothing amazing

Great album. Really east listening. No bad tracks

Decent, few bits that hooked me although overall not really something I like too much

Pump it Up and Chelsea are bangers but the rest just went on a bit I thought.

There's an hour of my life I'll never get back. Pure drivel of samey flat toned whining. The only track I could tolerate was Pump it Up, but that was only because I knew it better when Ozzy band Rogue Traders sampled it on their track Voodoo Child.

An OK album, nothing stand-out. Reminds me a bit if Boomtown Rats. Probably wouldn't put it on again myself.

Two days in a row, a famous, well regarded artist that I've never heard. I mean I thought it was fine, probably not going back for a repeat listen soon but i'll check out some other Elvis Costello stuff.

The wiki page calls him "The encyclopedia of pop", which I think is accurate. Lots of different elements pulled in for a fun mix

Slightly prefer My Aim is True, but this is great.

Great album, really enjoy Elvis Costello's voice and delivery. Absolutely favourite song from this is 'The Beat' Saved tracks: This Year's Girl, The Beat, You Belong To Me, Hand In Hand, Living In Paradise

Varsin mukava levy. Sopi pyöräilyyn ja videopelin taustamusiikiksi. Lienee pakko tutustua paremmin tähän vähemmän tunnettuun Elvisiin kun jo pari levyä on mennyt mukisematta sisään.

Iha ok, mut ei mun makuun

Nothing very inspired lyrically or vocally, some decent music hiding underneath here and there but still nothing to write home about. No great songs imo. 2.4

If I'm being honest, I find Elvis Costello to be so cool with one of the most unique voices, a great personality, and fascinating lyrics. But besides Allison, Watching the Detectives, and Veronica, he doesn't really have any songs I enjoy actually listening to. Conceptually I'm a fan, but in practice not really.

Lotsa music coming out of this one, but it all sounds roughly the same. Elvis Costello is like the Tony Danza of music. Execs keep him around because people don't hate him and he can economically produce entertainment to make some coin. Brits have no use for Tony Danza and I've got nothing for this album.

“This Year’s Model” spans the full Elvis Costello spectrum. “Pump It Up” is about as good as Costello gets, and “(I Don’t Want to Go To) Chelsea” is the kind of Costello that there is way too much of on the list. I’m finally done with Costello.

Compared to the abysmal Blood And Chocolate that we already heard, This Year’s Model pleasantly reveals that Elvis Costello did have stimulating music worth listening to at one point. I guess he ran out of good ideas in the 8 years, and 9 albums, in between. The aspect that sticks out to me the most is how prominent the bass guitar is throughout the album. I notice it the most, then the keyboard, with the guitar playing a mostly lick filling role. I’m glad for the US version they removed (I Don’t Want To Go To) Chelsea and added Radio, Radio. This does raise the issue of what is an album to me. Clearly there is no one version of this, and many other, albums, which breaks a construct I previously held prior to the 1001 album journey. Multiple versions aren’t bad necessarily, but they do render the album experience less universal. This also makes me think of how albums are typically more Frankenstein productions rather than a band playing songs together from start to finish, another construct I used to hold. I like that Elvis Costello and The Attractions recorded most of these songs “live” with minimal overdubs. That approach is more authentic. The Frankenstein albums result in a more refined, enhanced version of the artist’s and producer’s vision; however, they don’t represent the music a band can produce “live”. It’s kind of like airbrushing photos for a magazine. It’s an artificially produced version of reality made to induce a certain experience in the consumer. The authenticity of the imperfections is better to me. Back to this album, I like it and I’m glad I now know that Elvis Costello doesn’t totally suck.

Great album

Don't get on with his voice and music is basic

Nothing too special. Worth to listen once.

Man I LOVE Costello's singing, and the instrumentation on "Living in Paradise" and "The Beat" is great. "Lipstick Vogue" has insane energy, one of my favorite songs of his.

I’ve heard of Elvis Costello before but couldn’t name a song. This is good and seems like a precursor to most of the early 2000s bands. Lenny Kravitz seems to pull most of his inspiration from here as well.

This voice annoys me but some of the songs are quite nice . 3 stars

Great!

All too similar

One of the most brilliant songwriters! Elvis Costello's second album and arguably his finest achievement. Great catchy pop songs with punk influences. Costello is a great wordsmith and he features a great band to really his lyrics into remarkable songs. Key tracks: No Action, This Year's Girl, The Beat, Pump It Up, Little Triggers, You Belong To Me, (I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea, Living In Paradise, Lip Service, Lipstick Vogue, Radio, Radio. 8 out of 10

vituttaa tuon naama. ''sanantoisto poppia'' heh... on tässä vähän enemmän kuitenkin, vaikka ei paljoa... kuulostaa paskapunkin rokkihuoran jumputuksen esi isältä... 1978... melkeen siitä ansaitsee ykkösen mutta on tarpeeksi hyvän kuuloista että noh jos nostetaan kahteen huoh... the beat

* 3/7. Thought the instrumentation was good. The synth bopped and the bass lines were crunchy. Couldn’t really get over the quality of Costello’s voice though. Not a huge fan of that whiney sort of tone and diction — half the time I couldn’t understand what he was saying — so his lyrics were somewhat lost to me. Still, a few tracks had me bompin and honestly it wasn’t a bad album to black out and walk to. Don’t think I’ll be coming back to this one though.

I was a huge fan of My Aim is True when it was released in 1977. This album, released less than a year later, upped the ante considerably. The same great songwriting and clever word play was present, but the use of The Attractions as his backing band added an edge which was not present on the first album. The twangy guitar was largely replaced by Steve Nieve's keyboards. Add to that tracks like Pump It Up which seem to spring forth from the drum and bass playing. Elvis Costello sounds angry throughout in the best possible way. He has attempted many styles through his long career, but this album may be the best he ever made. Magnificent.

No sophomore slump here. Enough classics to almost make this one a greatest hits records. One of his very best albums.

Excellent from start to finish. My favorites are The Beat, (I don’t want to) Go to Chelsea, and Little Triggers. It still sounds modern while retaining the same base in 50s and 60s rock found in the debut album, which if on here will be getting a 5 from me too.

Couldn’t get into it

OK - nothing special apart from the tracks I knew anyway

December 23 2022 HL: "Radio Radio", "Lipstick Vogue", "No Action", "Pump It Up" Could complain again about the excess of EC&tA here, but I enjoyed this one pretty much all the way through. Was reading about this album’s debt to the Rolling Stones, ca. Aftermath era. It has both the infectious riffs/choruses, as well as lyrics that make you go “Man, Costello\Jagger kinda sounds like an asshole here!” The driving punk tempo energizes the tracks without getting obnoxious.

Pete Thomas is one of the greatest drummers I have ever heard

This was an enjoyable album with the conventional Three Good Tracks from artists who want albums to be an unobtrusive vessel for singles. However, I do think Costello writes songs quite cheaply and packs in some half-baked musings alongside some solid singer-songwriter pop. I find his American accent grating though and find it hard to pierce the surface level to find any depth.

LP

I like elvis costello! he is one of my biggest happy surprises from this whole project. This one wasnt my favorite, but it made a fun conversation at work yesterday.

Probablement l'album j'ai le plus aimé de lui

Skipped most.

This and “My Aim Is True” are two of the great rock albums of all time.

Zbyt zmanierowany wokal udający Bowiego

This is how all pop should sound ;)

A variety pack of awesome late 70s music. Great all around, makes me want to check out more costello even if he's grossly over represented on this list

It must be tough when the other Elvis in music is so much better.

Motivacional, me gustó

This was okay. I can see why people like Elvis Costello and how he made important contributions to the world of music, but this album didn't do much for me personally. I didn't hate it and wouldn't mind having it on in the background but I would never actively listen to it.

One of the best LPs of its time. There's not a bad track on this.

Best (and most famous song): Pump It Up. Decent album, probably wouldn't listen to it again.

Siendo el segundo álbum de Elvis Costello, es el primero de la mano de su banda The Attractions. Nos presenta un pop recargado de energía, con elementos rockeros. Instrumentación distorcionada, sintetización, guitarras rítmicas, baterías cargadas y una voz que nunca desentona. Teniendo idas y venidas el pasar del álbum, cual marea, te va llevando sin ningún sobresalto. Todas las canciones tienen una continuidad genial entre sí. Con sus temas más soft y sus otros más recargados y movidos, hacen que sea entretenido en sus casi 40 minutos de duración. Es una joya histórica, ya que fue elegido cómo mejor álbum de su año de salida y ha quedado inmortalizado en las listas de mejores álbumes de la historia en su género.

Good

Very good album, in the vein of Tom Petty with a bit more new wave.

One of Elvis's best albums, before he got older and turned to the bad.

The sound of this album is exactly what I think of when I think of dad rock. Not that it was bad, pump it up was good, but a lot of it just made me instinctively roll my eyes.

This album is ahead of its time.

am not a fan of his voice

I recently discovered I liked Elvis Costello, so this was very enjoyable.

Not for me

63/100: This album, and more generally Elvis Costello's entire discography thus far, makes me question my music taste, and not in a good way. I like 70's rock. It's probably the type of music I listen to most often. But this is pretty awful and so was the other album of his I reviewed earlier. His music sounds like it was written after closely analyzing polling data on what people want their music to sound like. It's just so generic and entirely unexciting. It actually makes me angry. This dude just straight up sucks, I do not enjoy his music.

Sanantoisto poppia

One of his best. 3.5

plz stop w the elvis

Kinda punky, mostly enjoyable

New wave. Animado. Venga, un 4.

Muy bueno.

I get it, you like Elvis Costello, but choose one album. They all sound the same.

Some days I would give this a 4, some day a 2. 3 it is. I don't know how I feel about Elvis Costello, it is mood based.

Interesting album. Felt like it had influence from every decade, like I couldn't pin it down in time. Nice sound, but man the lead sounds really dorky. Points for sounding ahead of their time at times though.

Went through a big Elvis Costello phase about 10 years ago. I never actually heard this album whole way through though- more rock than some of his other stuff. Love the energy on this record especially on tunes like Lipstick Vogue. Radio Radio is great. The attractions were a great band -Bruce Thomas is actually one of my favorite rock bass players his lines always add so much to the tunes.

This album was cool, I’ve kind of slept on Elvis Costello. The bass playing is pretty sick on this

This was fine. No song really got me going. Really well done though.

I really like Elvis Costello more and more as time goes on.

What a fantastic album, really liked a lot of this. Melodic, fun, bouncy, plenty of nods to rock and pop heritage.

I don't know why, but the keyboards bothered me the first time I listened to this. It shouldn't really, it's not like they went out of their way to have them be intrusive. I think it's really more on "Radio Radio" than anything else, and that being the final statement, the last song, that's where it digs in. I never really liked that organ sound for that song, and I'm not sure why. But besides that minor quibble (and it's really minor; it doesn't make it unlistenable. I just think it's a little overpowering on the song.), Elvis always gives interesting songs. Such a raw, young EC compared to what we know now. Really enjoyed it, only knew the one song from before. Going back and forth between a strong 4 and a 5. Right now, I'm sitting on a 4. Multiple listens may make it a 5.

Another solid Elvis Costello album; I'm starting to figure out how good he is. Still, I wasn't completely blown away like I was with his debut album. I even went back to the other one to see why I liked it so much. Maybe they're pretty equal and both are worth a 4; I'm not sure this is a 5. I really liked side one, especially the 4-song sequence from No Action to Pump it Up. Side two wasn't as good, but still plenty of energetic fun and great lyrics. I know Chelsea is a big favorite (it's solid) but the track I liked best on side two was Living in Paradise (or maybe Lip Service). I still don't know how to characterize his sound (rockabilly punk?) but I think that's a good thing. It's one-of-a-kind and good.

Really digging Elvis Costello. I enjoyed this album a lot but I'm giving it a 4 rather than a 5 because most of the songs aren't sticking with me (except for Pump It Up, which is a major ear worm). But I definitely want to listen more and dig deeper into his catalog. Good stuff. Favorite tracks - Pump It Up (I knew this song previously but didn't know it was Elvis Costello. Excellent song - really fun), No Action (great start to the album), This Year's Girl (Love the start of the song - I notice a lot of similarity to the Cars, who were contemporaries), Little Triggers (nice laid back tune - I really like his singing style), I Don't Want to Go to Chelsea (this one caught my attention every time I listened even when not paying close attention. Cool track).

Nothing whiz bang but a solid enough listen

I enjoyed this quite a bit. The bass lines were awesome and I found myself just grooving while working. I will admit, I wasn't listening that attentively but it was enjoyable to have on while working.

Good bass lines through this album. I found myself bored by the same sound over and over though

The Attractions are amazing, groovy base and drum lines, very fun to listen to. 5 stars. Elvis was fine; odd singing style and very repetetive at times. 3 stars. Averaged out to 4.

Song aspects I really liked, like the band, but some songs were too repetitive and his voice didn't always work for me. Overall pretty good.

Original and groovy

Love this punk!

Ça me plaît bien. On dirait que j'avais plus d'attentes. Par deux fois, j'arrive à la fin de l'album sans m'en rendre compte.

Identifying Elvis Costello

It's absolutely insane that this relatively mediocre man has nearly 1% of all the albums on this list. That being said, this is easily his best album. If any of his albums deserve to be here, it's this one. The whole thing is pretty light and breezy with some good riffs throughout. Just what ya want in a rock n roll.

It's not bad, not my style, I can see the appeal though.

Elvis Costello has had a very varied and eclectic career with many highs, but goddamn if there ain’t a strong argument for this being his best album.

Possibly Costello's best album

This is my 246th album I must hear before I die, and already the 5th Elvis Costello one. Entire genres seem to have been overlooked thus far, but at this rate I'm guessing Costello's entire repertoire has made it onto the list. Now, this might need some culling because not all of them really have the importance or musical need to be there, but at least keep this one on the list. This might just be Elvis Costello's best. Costello, who proves again he's a sort of mix between Graucho Marx and Woody Allen creates razor-sharp songs with rhythm, with a vibe and a sneer here and there. And that sneering clever anger in his lyrics is where his voice lends itself really well for. It's an album that still sounds fresh, even though it's over 40 years old.

First listen

Declan stendur ávallt fyrir sínu. Ég velti því fyrir mér hvort það sé nokkurt listafólk annað sem hefur haldið nánast sama sándi gegnum áratugalangan feril sinn.

I can appreciate this as a precursor to new-wave, but it's not something that blows me away. Not a huge fan of his vocal style. An album saved by The Attractions.

Although there are a lot (maybe too many) Costello albums on the list, this one should certainly on it with Chelsea and Pump it up

Elvis Costello isn't really my thing but this album was okay. Probably one of those "had to be there" things. I appreciate the songwriting and the use of different instruments, specifically the keyboards on certain tracks. Not bad.

Not my thing

Yea is good

Rob Schneider is… a carrot

boring

Didn’t really know what to expect here. (I expect that to be a theme in general here.) Kind of feels like proto-punk almost. I’m a little surprised by the swagger in the vocals. I’m not crazy about the organs, but the songs were mostly pretty slick. Standouts: No Action, Pump It Up, Little Triggers, You Belong to Me

Mixed bag - intrigued to listen to other Costello now though.

Love, love, love this. Fun, bouncy music with cutting lyrics. And that organ!

This is better than the other Costello albums on here. I'm still not a fan, but I'm beginning to understand why people like him.

elvis costello - this years model (1978) notes - this albums production has held up super well, sounds great - everything is very clear, direct, punchy - elvis costello has a very specific vocal delivery that i actually enjoyed - short and sweet songs! fav - the beat - i really like the organ in the verses - and the distorted vocals sound really good over this song least fav - little triggers - not a fan of the repeating lyrics or instrumental 4.5/5

Ah, Elvis Costello, my old nemesis. After Blood and Chocolate, I had hoped we’d never meet again. I see that this record finds you more tolerable and a bit more concise. Still, I find you off putting and I’m not quite sure why.

Elvis Costello kills. Apparently a lot of people have commented on this album as an influence on the punk genre which was still just starting in the late 70s. I can definitely see; the band is on adrenaline throughout the entire album. Elvis Costello's voice slightly annoys me at times, but his music is good enough to overlook it.

Idk why i hate this

This album came out in 1978 at the advent of new wave which is where I would mostly place this album. It clearly takes a lot from punk but has a great sense of melody that smooths it out a bit. The lyrics focus on disillusion and center in voyeuristic objects giving added significance to the cover art. This album was hugely influential on new wave music and ranks among Costello’s best.

Great listen.

Really good, poppy but punky but groovy. I REALLY need to get better headphones

5/10 Highlights: Jacqueline Michael Come on home

elvis chante comme une tantouze contrariée

I want an album where The Attractions are the backing band for almost any other singer on the planet. Best track: Pump It Up

Great set of tunes, punky/spikey music, great lyrics. This was Costello at his peak.

It's about what you want from a pop album. Fun, upbeat, and catchy. While it does have a pretty unique sound, it does get a bit samey. There were moments where I couldn't tell where one song ended and another began, which can be good if that's the goal (on something like Abbey Road) but that doesn't seem to be the case here.

i don't get the appeal

Unremarkable

Klinkt veel moderner dan het jaar waar het vandaan komt. Niet heel pakkend voor de rest vond ik.

3.5/5. Best Elvis Costello album I've listened to so far. It's kind of fun, light and enjoyable.

Percebi como um pop bem feito com pegada punk, às vezes ska.

Good music. I like it. Pump it up.

Chelsea a classic all in all but my favourites are more his melancholic songs, i Want you, Shipbuilding e.g.

I've only ever listened to My Aim Is True, which is a great album. This just feels like an even better album. From what I read, My Aim Is True was solely Elvis Costello. When the Attractions entered the picture, it really changed the game of what Elvis Costello could create. This had me go down the rabbit hole of reading about Backing Bands, and it totally makes sense how the backing band can open up opportunities for the otherwise solo artist.

Quite a few excellent songs on here. No self-indulgent noodling or overproduction.

Bon disc del moment, amb un grau d'originalitat i creativitat notable, però lluny de les millors obres del període; un artista molt sobrevalorat, tenint a més en compte que aquest és un dels seus millors treballs

Dva puta prošo album, dobar je, sviđa mi se, lako ga je slušat, ritmičan je i feel good nekako i catchy. Taman jedna četvorka ide.

good elvis

Not my flavor

It's fine, but nothing special

Voici ce que j'en ai déjà dit: "Oh, le changement de band fait du bien ici. La production est aussi bien meilleure que sur My Aim Is True. Par contre le Remaster de 2021 en MQA sur Tidal est à éviter. La version originale est bien meilleure, beaucoup plus dynamique. On a donc enfin un Elvis Costello qui vaut la peine d'être entendu. Le petit côté punk rock me plait beaucoup plus. On a aussi plus l'impression d'un tout cohérent sur cet album. Pièces préférées: (I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea, Pump It Up, Lipstick Vogue, The Beat."

Rockie album but you feel it's not the standard seventies rock album. What makes it quite interessting. Still not one of the greatest album for me.

The more talented Elvis.

Good song writing. Fun and upbeat. A little grating or annoying to listen to for long stretches

The Beat rules! I don't want to go to Chelsea is classic. Great album overall but not sure I can listen to the whole album at once. Would love to hear any of these songs in mixes though.

I will always give a listen to something new (to me) from Elvis Costello & The Attractions. I usually like at least some of the tracks, even if the whole album doesn't get on my list for a full re-listen. This Year's Model felt more consistent than some of Elvis Costello's other albums. Every track on This Year's Model was at least okay, and most were potential tracks to come back to for a re-listen. I knew the singles "Pump I Up" (my favorite track) and "(I Don't Want to Go to) Chelsea", but "Lip Service" and "No Action" were tracks that I added to my personal play-list. I could come back to this album for a re-listen.

Nice. Mods revival Elvis Costello here

Iconic and super cool, this album epitomises a whole genre. Tracks are mainly upbeat RnR pop with a smattering of slower tracks that later characterised Elvis's songwriting. Intelligent lyrics and inspired keyboard from Nieve.

3.2⭐️

A really great album. Could listen to this quite a few times over.

This is stellar. Amazing how tight and smart this music is. There's also an underlying bite or anger in the way lyrics are delivered that increase the energy. Also impressed at how varied the song approaches are. Radio Radio is drop dead awesome, but songs like Living in Paradise and Chelsea just show how interesting the songs can be.

It's alright, energetic enough, pacey. Did not set my world alight.

a mood.. a vibe.. a feeling..

I enjoyed this album quite a bit. After the first few songs, I thought I'd get tired of Costello's voice and the energetic cynical lyrics. And while I was not huge on the second through fifth songs, I found the latter half of the album grabbed my attention much more. This isn't my favorite representation of New Wave, but I look forward to hearing more from Costello and other artists like this. (3.5 leaning towards 4 stars)

Fresh, dynamic, urgent and no track over 4 minutes. Mr Costello is on fine form supported by a great backing group. Some memorable songs - Lip Service, Chelsea, Radio, Pump it Up. Superb