This Year's Model

This was a cool record, solid follow up to my aim is true. I can see how a lot of rock derived from this in the 80s.

One of those guys who, no matter how hard I try, I can never get into. Even having given this a considered listen, I still haven't experienced a eureka moment. Still, 'Pump It Up' is a banger

“This Year’s Model” by Elvis Costello & The Attractions (1978) Now here’s some music with a real message: Clever, well-informed anger, with compositional features to match. Costello gets it. He puts the rock in rock & roll (and, of course, ‘rolling’ into it plenty of obscene innuendo). I hope serious listeners of the 21st century will not be misled by his dismissive and sarcastic denunciations of everything that brings power and pleasure to the definers (owners) of culture. Beneath his neo-prophetic blast is a mind seeking the good, the true, and the beautiful. He pisses off all the right people with extreme prejudice. Musically, Costello is fond of the compositional device of ‘bending’ classic rock & roll sonic tropes toward the irrational. It’s more sophisticated than mere mockery. It reflects a redemptive abandonment of mid-60s popular culture’s self inflicted illusion of hopefulness. It’s a musical expression of the reason why a question mark is curvy and an exclamation point is straight. Now, Costello’s voice is so-so, and he overuses cocky stylings to compensate (It would be interesting to hear Henry Rollins cover Costello tunes). But his band, The Attractions, is great, and his own guitar work is more than competent. Given the 1978 date of this album, I think it can be seen as a precursor to intelligent punk and grunge. This album is definitely worth a listen, and probably worth some thoughtful reflection. Unless you’re already familiar with the Book of Jeremiah. 4/5

While the album does feel a bit ahead of its time, maybe just because Elvis' voice is very iconic, the album felt very middle of the road. Whether it came out in 78 or 21 I'd feel the same way about it. Perfectly alright in which case it makes no sense to be on this list.

Lo volvería escuchar

Meh

Still Elvis Costello, still pretty good. I think I liked it a tad less than the other one but not very significantly. 8

Similar to Kill the Young. Most songs sound too same and too up-beat

Pump It Up, all time classic. Elvis sneers his way through a jumpy collection of keyboard-flavored punky tracks. I can appreciate cynicism as much as the next guy! 6/10

Le tengo cariño como personaje aunque nunca he sido muy fan de su música. En este disco está su mayor éxito en escuchas de Spotify que es "Pump it up" que no me ha gustado especialmente, prefiero: "You belong to me" y "Living in paradise". Un disco normalito en mi opinión.

Not my style or voice, sounds hectic

C’est vraiment pas mon style. Je ne suis pas certain d’aimer ca . 3.25*

This must be the inspiration for a lot of 90s alt stuff

I wasn't super-thrilled about yet another EC&TA album in less than one week, so I did not listen. Next, please

Second album from the second Elvis. I definitely liked this one more than the first. I still find his voice to be a little strange and whiny, but there were more engaging songs on this album. Also, I may have heard "Pump It Up" before, that riff sounded very familiar. Overall, still not a fan of Mr. Costello but this album was alright to me. I will say it sounds a few years ahead of its time--I would've guessed this came out in the '80s. Favorite tracks: The Beat, Pump It Up, Lipstick Vogue. Album art: It's a pretty good picture, but he honestly looks like a hipster version of Mr. Bean. Also the color and centering of him in the cover reminds me of that Al Green greatest hits album. 3/5

A solid, early new wave record with some surprising instrumentation. STANDOUTS: -The Beat -Pump It Up -Hand in Hand -(I Don’t Want to Go to) Chelsea -Lip Service -Living in Paradise -Lipstick Vogue -Radio, Radio

I liked it

Very nice

I don’t personally like this one as much as My Aim Is True, but still - it’s Elvis Costello at the peak of his powers and it’s great.

Finally been getting into Elvis recently and I like this one a lot. The guitar tone is so great to my ears. Jazzmasters for everyone!

Just fine.

Yeah, not bad. Bit of a mixed bag. Nothing transcendental, but listenable enough.

Not for me

tosi hyvä! tykkään! This year's girl oli The Deuce sarjassa ja on ihan huippu ja koko levy on pitkälti samaa settiä

Great melodies! Still iffy on Costello’s voice though.

THIS IS GOOOD

Wow, this hit the ground running. And I definitely hear the 80s in this so far. I like this one. It’s something I wouldn’t mind hearing on the radio, but I don’t like it enough to actually buy it or search out more.

Easy listening

Good background and gettin' things done music

This was far better than I expected. It felt like this could have been released today.

Love this album! All of it! Favorites: No Action Pump it up The Beat You Belong to me Living in Paradise Radio Radio

Theres some real early signs of punk rock here, and according to the internet that is exactly what it is. My mum has always gone on about Elvis Costello and I just assumed he was some buddy holly type that wouldn't be up my street; however this was a surprise winner for me. I really enjoyed the guitar, synth and punky voice, plus I never knew "Pump It Up" was such an early song, it sounds like something from the 1990/2000s

3

Eh not feeling it

Go

not very memorable

I always forget that I like Elvis Costello. Peppy and fun, nerdy yet also dumb. Pump It Up is one of my fave pop songs I think?

This album is wild. Another one I'd only heard the singles from. You might as well classify this as a 1977 record, but I'd really love to play this blind for someone and ask them what year it was recorded. Amidst the elders of the British Invasion, California rock, disco, prog and punk, Elvis decides to just do his own mashup of 60s R&B, vintage Stones, reggae and punk without a hint of The Beatles (consider ELO at the time). But you can still hear the crooner in him that would lead to the Bacharach collab. Quite a flex not to open with "Pump It Up," which has a hint of the MC5. Elvis seems to have a lot in common with Springsteen tonally and lyrically, see "Lip Service." "Chelsea" has that nice reggae groove the Police would use to great effect. Then "Lipstick Vogue" tosses in a Motorhead beat before closing triumphantly on "Radio, Radio." Incredible. The SNL ban is laughable, of course, in hindsight.

The vocals reminded me too much of Joe Jackson, but pump it up was a vibe

Now this is a 3 star album. Lots of beach vibes and good vibes in general

Kind of a meh album. Instrumentation can be interesting, the vocalist's voice is a little annoying. HOWEVER the drum solo in Lipstick Vogue is great

7

Very good.

Eh, this just didn’t do anything for me.

Alright, lyrics super heavy on sex. Decent melodies - catchier as you listen to it several times

2.5

Sinänsä potentiaalisesti tarttuvat melodiat mutta vähän vaisuksi jää ja muutaman kuuntelun jälkeenkään ei mikään biisi palaudu mieleen. 70-luvun lopulla julkaistiin aika paljon merkittävämpiäkin levyjä samassa genressä.

Gar nicht mal so gut. Eines der 5 Lieblingsalben von Robert Smith, lese ich im Wikipedia-Artikel. Kein Wunder, dass ich The Cure ebenso bedeutungslos finde wie dieses Machwerk. Ein ganz und gar überflüssiges Album. Bitte nie wieder.

I think I finally get him now! He's a punk!

Everything is just OK in this album. Nothing really bad. Cool bass in this one. Everything is just... ok

Pretty good! Wasn't sure how to classify it.

Not for me.

Idk, just wasn't anything that caught my ear in a good or bad way.

Is this the original prep music?

Absolutely amazing start to finish

I like the vibe but a little basic for my taste

Nice collection of songs. Lots of energy, solid hooks, some great musicianship.

Not my cup o' tea.

Aight

3,5

meh

I like this, usually find his voice annoying, but it's not too affected on this record. Some good, fun tunes.

Sounds like what Pop Punk is obvs inspired by. The guy knows how to play his voice’s character to create these very cheeky niche love lines that feel oddly endearing. Every single song just gets better and better. forsure a classic and the only elvis i’ll prolly ever acknowledge

Not bad but not really my jam either. Happy dad-adjacent rock

This album was excellent. Not a single bad song on the record and I honestly liked how it made me feel.

The stride is hit in track four when the production switches to something vampy enough to blend with Costello's vocal affect. This is exemplary of the punk side of new wave, with a few references to other genres: I caught country and hard rock on a not-too-careful listen. The attitude is sneering, which is appropriate for the year and genre (I think new wave now is best melancholy). If there's any lack, it's in the relative simplicity of the arrangements. Melodies are spread out nicely across the band: Neither bass nor keyboard nor voice dominates the record.