This Year's Model

Wow I hate this. Feels like getting hit on by an ugly guy at the bar.

Who is this record for? Definitely not me. Which is fine. But this record seems like it is made for people who are now 55-70 years old. This record does not hold up. It's definitely not timeless. Nothing in here sticks. It's boring. Come to think of it, I don't know a single Elvis Costello fan in present day. Maybe Diana Krall... Because she's his wife. But shes probably tired of his whacky-ness.

You know after 3 albums I think I am starting to like Elvis Castello… just fucking kidding I hate this shit. The musicians are talented and some of the background music is good but man does this fuckin guys tongue hanging out of his mouth borderline saying racist words and derogatory descriptions piss me off. 1/10

Elvis Costello & The Attractions – This Year's Model (1978) On Day 124, I experienced a decent LP that absolutely comes together as a cohesive masterpiece. Elvis Costello's vocal delivery is a bit weird, it honestly sounds like he caught a sinus infection or a cold, but regardless of that quirk, the performance is great. The biggest takeaway here is his supporting band; The Attractions absolutely cooked on this project and did their thing from start to finish. Even with my critiques of his vocal tone, Elvis perfectly compliments the high-level production, making everything fit together seamlessly. The tracklist is remarkably consistent. My standouts include the immediate punch of the opener "No Action," "This Year's Girl," and "The Beat." The momentum stays hot through the mid-section with "Little Triggers" and "Hand In Hand," and carries all the way to the back half with "Living In Paradise." It is a fantastic, tightly wound body of work that earns a definitive 5/5.

It took 137 albums, but I finally got an Elvis Costello record - immediately after my first Elvis Presley album. I love this album, at one point in my life it would have been my all time favorite. Times have changed and now it’s not even my favorite Elvis Costello album. That honor currently goes to King Of America. This Year’s Model starts with a frantic No Action which sets the tone and tears through 14 tracks leading up to one of the best closing tracks of all time: Radio, Radio. In an era when disco was everywhere, Elvis was King. 5 stars

Excellent album with hit after hit. Costello at his peak.

This is my favorite Elvis Costello album and potentially my favorite New Wave album. I enjoy the anger and bitterness in the songwriting while still having so much pop appeal. The version I'm listening to has Big Tears and Radio, Radio which add to the already strong album. 10/10

Really love this album - the lyrics, the songs and the band are all excellent. This early run of 4 albums (TYM is #2 in that sequence) is well worth investigation, but This Year's Model is the one that I'd listen to first over all the others.

Fantabulous. The gold standard for New Wave-power pop-just plain kick ass rock n roll

I feel like there's not enough Elvis Costello on this list... Just kidding. Actually, this is the only Costello album that speaks to me, but man, does it speak to me. Nearly every song is a banger.

Elvis!!!

База

The way Elvis Costello combines Punk Rock with New Wave is really cool! A quintessential album from the late 70's. Elvis Costello's music is some of the greatest and most underrated. Really good!

Me encantó el ritmo

Like the feel of this fun rock and roll album. Reminiscent of the late 50s, early 60s. Shocked when I first heard the organ in Pump It Up (It was used as a sample for Rogue Traders - Voodoo Child.) Enjoyed the organ sound and the easy listening, upbeat pop. Can see the influence it had on the Two Tone movement and future indie bands. 5/5

Second EC album that’s come through. Another great one with big hits and generally excellent eclectic stuff all through with all his usual lyrical fun

Elvis Costello rules.

Elvis Costello has been growing on me; I feel like the generator is actively trying to make me a fan. I first had his debut, My Aim is True, generated early on before joining a group and I was indifferent to it; I didn't like it, but I didn't dislike it. Almost a year later, the generator decided I should hear it again and I absolutely loved it this time around. Since then, I've put it on a few times, but I've yet to explore the rest of his catalogue. Now, the generator is giving me his second album, This Years Model, and it has a lot of the same elements that I really enjoyed in My Aim is True. It's rock and roll with a lot of pop sensibility, but this time around it feels like there's more of a rough edge, he's really spitting more of his lyrics, and there are more influences pulled in throughout the album. (I Don't Want to Go to) Chelsea and Lipstick Vogue are all around great songs and I've actually heard Pump It Up so many times, but I don't know why. I am curious to see if I feel the same about Elvis Costello after 4 more of his albums are generated. While I have loved both this and My Aim Is True, I fail to see how he could possibly deserve 6 albums on the list.

Costello’s best and one of the great albums both of its time and of the punk / new wave genre. The songs are diverse and yet unified, with the pounding musicality of the Attractions enhancing every moment of the record. It’s an extraordinary listen, combining sarcasm and spit with deep skill, unlike any other group of musicians working at that time )though there weee certainly other great bands). An all-timer.

Superb. New wave’s darling is more than a flash in the pan, but an enduring rock icon. This sophomore effort dazzles with stunning word play and rockin’ style.

This is easily my favorite Elvis Costello album that I've heard, his voice and lyrics are at their peak throughout the tracklisting here: biting, scathing, sarcastic, and sincere, usually all within the same song. The Attractions prove themselves to all be experts at their instruments, with so many of my favorite musical moments on any album being found on here. Endlessly relistenable and interesting, and one of the best albums to come out of the new wave movement.

No me acordaba que existía Elvis Costello. Me arrepiento no haberme puesto a escucharlo después de ver su disco en 'Días de Vinilo'. Muy bueno, también pensaba que era más viejo pero es del 77/78, ya con el New Wave. Muy entretenido.

Classic must-own for anyone with ears.

Day843 - this has been probably my favorite elvis costello album yet.

Love, love, love this album. One of those albums you could play at any time and it would be the perfect time to play it!

some reason i've always loved this album, just like Iggy Pop. I had a moment in my teenage years where this just did something for me.

!!!

Unified in sound and themes. Dude's a masterful lyricist and a lot of the attractions stuff goes hard, maybe this hardest.

I will not include the bonus tracks from the 2021 remaster in this review. Ahh, yes, the first album with Elvis Costello's backing band, The Attractions. If there were ever a Costello record that I was most looking forward to, it would be the one featuring the hit "Pump It Up", the very first of his tracks I heard on the soundtrack for Rock Band 2. With that said, how does This Year's Model hold up? I will be honest, this is the first Costello record on my album journey that I immediately fell in love with. From the get-go with "No Action", this album boasted hooks for days. It's clear that Elvis & the Attractions took inspiration from their favorite 60s artists, while also embracing new wave elements and even a bit of punk energy in the instrumental compositions. Steve Nieve's bright keyboard playing helped accentuate Elvis's tasteful guitar licks, bolstered by an impeccable rhythm section from Bruce and Pete Thomas. It certainly helped that Nick Lowe did a stellar production job, making every note pop with such crisp quality. Along the way, Elvis wrung out some strikingly visual and nervously riddled lyrics. From describing his faltering relationship as cold and distant over the phone on "No Action", to the dark, abusive nature of the fashion and media industries on "This Year's Girl" and "(I Don't Want to Go to) Chelsea", to the uncertainties in adolescence and early manhood explored on "The Beat", to the full-on sexual frustration on "Pump It Up", "Little Triggers", and "Lip Service", to the anecdote of two lovers going straight to hell together on "Hand in Hand", to the soul-crushing corruption of self on "Living in Paradise", Elvis managed to infuse these tales of vicious disillusion with some delightfully spiteful wit and double entendres. Probably the hardest-hitting track comes at the very end with "Night Rally", where Elvis calls out fascism and other such movements that goad people to target and dehumanize those who are different or don't follow along. The abrupt ending sent chills down my spine. I don't have much to say, cause This Year's Model is an astounding record, not only cementing Elvis Costello as an ingenious singer-songwriter, but also establishing one of the most noteworthy backing bands in rock history.

this will be another perfect album. i should listen to TYM at least once a year. perhaps i will remember to do so after this. there just is not a bad song on this beast of an album. p.s. the 2021 deluxe version is chock full of great demos, outtakes, and live trax. very worth hearing if you've only heard the original

A classic. The consistency in songwriting here is unreal

Another amazing record from Elvis Costello. He has such a great, unique sound. Part Buddy Holly, part Bruce Springsteen, all rock and roll. He can also be quite tongue in cheek, which is always a plus in my book when done right. Or course here, it is.

Elvis Costello's second album lives up to the promise of his first album. Every song on here is a banger. A perfect mix of new wave and punk rock. At least, the attitude of punk rock.

A cradle of genius. Every song is a treasure! No matter what mood you’re in it will be lifted by this masterpiece

I listened to it more than once!

The better Elvis

4.5

I’ve loved this album since it was released in 1978. You can zoom in or out on this album. If you zoom in, you find quite a confusing mix of emotional insecurity, detached observation, social commentary (including on contemporary media themes) and even some politics. If you zoom out, without getting too hung up on specific meanings, you hear the massively invigorating effect of Elvis Costello having added The Attractions as his backing band - collectively, they are simply brilliant - and song upon song full of lyrics that are snappy, articulate, clever and sometimes funny. The songs from this album that were hits at the time, such as Pump It Up (an all-time rock classic) and (I Don’t Want To Go To) Chelsea, are extremely well known and deservedly so. But there’s much pleasure to be had from lower-profile songs such as Little Triggers and Night Rally. Certainly there’s more vulnerability in this set of songs than many allowed at the time. For all the sneering, male-voice bravado, you get the distinct impression of a young man who was excited and emboldened as a newly-minted rock star, whilst simultaneously uncertain of his status in that world and, in any event, more than a little disgusted by the shallowness of what he found around him and the consequent effects on his own and others’ behaviour. This album has been hugely influential, recognised as a bridge between punk rock and new wave. It still sounds great today.

This is a great album. Good songwriting, original, influential. Rounding up to a 5 to rebalance all the unnecessary 1s.

One of my absolute favorites of all time. Favorite songs are "Pump it Up" and "This Year's Girl".

A+

The Attractions hit the ground running on this one.

Ah yes, 1001 Elvis Costello Albums to Listen to Before You Die ft. an indescribable amount of Britpop. Look, I don't mind Elvis Costello - but there is no fucking need for SIX Elvis Costello albums on here, they almost all sound the same. It's fucking ridiculous. All you needed to include on here was this, Armed Forces, and MAYBE My Aim is True. There's no other reason to include the rest of his shit. I didn't even know he had so many albums until I started doing 1001. Anyways, complaint aside. Yes, this is good. I'm sick to death of Elvis Costello really but the first four run of songs on this album is incredibly good. Pump It Up is probably his best song apart from the one on Armed Forces where he just HAS to say the n word. I'd say this is his best album for sure. I wonder if things worked out differently and I'd been given this album before the other 9000 Elvis Costello albums would I have given this a 5? Hm. Probably. There really isn't any skips on this. FINE, I'll give it a 5.

This is a classic. The Attractions give the album a focus missing from the first album.

The first three Elvis Costello albums is arguably the best three album run period. Reading reviews I’ve learned people hate Elvis Costello. Which is stupid. How can you hear the drum on Lipstick Vogue and give this album a 1, it’s worth a star on its own. I love this album, it’s probably the best of the three.

(This is a review of the U.S. version on Columbia) As good as "My Aim Is True" was, it in no way prepared listeners for the unleashed power of Elvis Costello joined by musicians who sound wired into an unholy mixture of garage rock sneer, "Aftermath"-worthy disdain and punk's dystopian rage. Elvis never recorded anything nearly as rocking which may be for the best. Only the Clash were making music as tough as this in 1978.

One of the best, if not the best, of their albums. Radio Radio and I Don’t Want to go to Chelsea are the highlights, but there’s plenty of other great tracks on here.

You can hear how ahead of its time it was,smart, gritty, high-energy, and still incredibly fun to listen to

Outstanding second album. So many great songs. One of my favorites

I actually really liked this despite never hearing about him before

Banger from start to finish. One-time top five favorite for me.

Top 5!

This was truly an amazing album. There was a variety of styles, including punk rock, new wave, and power pop. There was also not a single bad song on the album itself. I’m surprised Elvis Costello has so many albums on this list, but I don’t mind that after this one!

Pump it up is timeless

I love Elvis Costello and he is in top form on this album. Three absolute bangers and the lesser known songs are good too. I added “Radio, Radio” to my Generator playlist.

pop punk rock but make it 70s. 10/10 would recommend🔥

I can't get it out of ny head that he looks like a stunning butch woman... Oh yeah the album was great too, absolute new wave masterpiece

Super solid, perhaps the tightest of those early Attractions records.

-very 70s vibe, with the synth and the particular style of singing. -i’d describe the sound as quite punchy and quirky, but pleasant on the ears, with some great vocals and bass. -this is music that is very much my type and i enjoyed this album a lot, i will be returning to it definitely.

Had never listens before

Nowt up with it!

My Aim is True came out the year before, I didn't like his voice for a while but the frantic angry rock n roll throwback announced some new mad energy. This Year's Model in 1978 was the start of the 80's for me, I love every song on it, Pump it Up to Radio Radio. I bought nearly all of his next 10 albums, not all of them great but all interesting. My favorite lyricist next to Joni Mitchell.

This is a five-star listen for me. I've always loved Elvis Costello.

didnt remember this poppy delight.

Awesome! Loved it front to back, nothing fancy just great songs all the way through. Like a nerdy Springsteen. A bit samey but the songs are short enough and up tempo enough that I didn't get bored, can't really fault it, should have listened to him a loooong time ago

Perfection.

💯💯

Loved this. Never listened to full album. Iconic songs I knew and a little that were new to me.

Classic

I’ve loved this record for about 25 years now. There’s a fair few Elvis Costello records that I like a lot, but this one I love. 5/5

My fave Elvis record. Attractions are such a great band - now with more methamphetamine! Tight songs, great performances.

What a delight.

Album 131 already, and somehow we’re still largely Beatles-, Stones-, and Zeppelin-free. Bowie has barely shown up, while The Who and Metallica are nearly done, and Elvis Costello is here for the fourth time. Of his six appearances, I already decided Brutal Youth was one too many. My Aim Is True and Imperial Bedroom earned respect rather than excitement. This one is different. This is a genuinely great album. In just over half an hour, Costello fully earns his reputation as a songwriter. This record is an uninterrupted run of sharp, near-perfect pop songs—pop songs, yes, and deliberately so. For me, this is the archetype of new wave. Not The Cars, and certainly not Culture Club, whatever Wikipedia may claim. This is punk energy filtered through musical intelligence: still edgy, still lean, but with melody, structure, and craft punk never really cared about. These are songs built around vocal hooks rather than brute force, instantly memorable without being disposable. That doesn’t make it “pop music” in the pejorative sense—just pop songwriting of the highest order. Like the Beatles, which is clearly one of the reference points, even if Costello himself cited the Stones around Aftermath as a major influence. You can hear both. The other great strength of the album is the band. This is the first appearance of The Attractions, and while bassist Bruce Thomas and drummer Pete Thomas are excellent, it’s keyboardist Steve Nieve who really elevates the material. His organ lines are everywhere, and they’re glorious—playful, elegant, and absolutely essential to the album’s identity. This is also what truly separates the record from the punk explosion that had already burned itself out by 1978. There’s hardly a weak moment here. “This Year’s Girl,” “The Beat,” the gloriously slinky “Pump It Up,” “(I Don’t Want to Go to) Chelsea,” “Lip Service”—it’s hit after hit. Even “Radio, Radio,” which I accidentally heard via the remaster bonus tracks, fits seamlessly into the aesthetic. So: is it a 10? Probably not. It lacks just that last bit of friction or challenge that would push it into the absolute top tier. But a 9 feels slightly stingy too—especially given how lukewarm I’ve been about Costello elsewhere. Let’s say this: 36 (or 42) minutes of pure musical pleasure. And today, I’m feeling generous.

3 great hits on this album surrounded by other top tunes , just love the Costello sound and song writing and is easy on the ears

Raw, urgent, and hectic, this is Costello at his finest. The production, performances, and songwriting are all drum tight and sharp. No wasted notes, nothing that isn’t vital to the experience. Power-pop perfection with nervy edges. Love it!

Man, what a masterpiece. Every track breathtaking even after all these years. I refuse to believe there is a finer album anywhere. Well OK, it depends on your viewpoint I guess. But it's the album that transformed me from awkward teenager to, well, awkward teenager. And boy did it leave a lifelong impression on my psyche. And while we're here, can we hear it for The Attractions please. Top musicians, at the absolute top of their game. No, don't ask me to apologise. I won't ask you to forgive me.

Loved albums. Songs and themes vocals and instrumentals

So good. Every song is excellent. Fun fact: when I worked the control room at the AK sometimes I would play “Radio, Radio” while handing out radios to the floor guards.

Ummmmm perfect album alert. First record with the attractions and he is at his sharpest. Every song is so catchy and the arrangements are perfect. Love love love love love this album

My defining memory of this album is listening to it on the way home after the first time I asked a girl out (and got turned down). With that in mind and an extra decade of thinking about the lyrics, I gotta say this album doesn't really beat the misogyny allegations? But as a woman, I'll still always love this album anyway for at least three things: 1) Being my introduction to less straight-forward rock music, 2) Steve Nieve's amazing keyboard playing, 3) Giving a name to an episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Awesome. Vibrant, grooving, catchy. And most of all, fun.

my favorite

Elvis Costello is my new favorite artist. Amazing all through, verbally yelled with excitement when I don’t want to go to Chelsea started. He’s so good. How did I ignore him for this long. I listened a couple times today, I think Elvis is just in rotation forever now.

Costello strikes again. He must've been a songwriting machine in these early years. This is another great record to listen to in it's whole or you can cherry pick a single or two. I'm feeling a soft 5/5, I was a little more into My Aim is True, but I have a feeling that's just because it's more familiar than a lot of these songs. Also who is playing bass on this record, that dude is really good. soft 5/5

“Perfectly balancing the raw energy of My Aim Is True with the more elegant pop songwriting that would come to characterize much of his later work, This Year's Model is not only Costello's best work, but one of the most distinctively brilliant albums ever to be released.” —-Matt Lemay, Pitchfork https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/1615-this-years-model/

somehow this is also a 5 it's a bit on the pop side but upbeat enough compared to what i was expecting that i like it lol

Looks and sounds 20 years more modern

Gracias Elvis Costello porque sin ti no habría muchos de los grupos post hardcore de hoy en día

There's only one Elvis. I can listen to (almost) anything by Elvis Costello at any time of the day or night. I love his voice, his songwriting and wordplay, those tunes - the whole lot. And I love his work with the Attractions even more - that distinctive keyboard sound and, more than anything else, Bruce Thomas' extraordinary bass playing... Yep, this album's a belter. Released at the tail-end of punk's peak, it bursts with an urgent, melodic, punchy energy that I just don't think anyone else came close to. What a great record.

Off the cuff remark: I don't honestly know why but Elvis Costello has, almost passed me by. When I listened to This Year's Model this time (possibly first time all the way through?) I kind of regret that. It is fantastic guitar pop, just as it should be. I also had to listen again. Standout track: I'm going to ignore the big ones, though Pump It Up and Chlesea are gems. I was less famliar with Hand in Hand, for example, and I love it. Revisit?: Definitely, I feel I have under appreciated this album in particular. Sorry, Elvis has come back into the building...

Not a perfect album but album has a lot of meaning to me and I think all but one or two tracks are absolutely top shelf.

Absolutely unmatched in the charisma and catchiness department - his best.

Don’t tell high school me but I love Elvis Costello.

For me 1978's "This Year's Model" is unequivocally a five-star album. Elvis Costello's vocals may not be to everyone's taste but they are very distinctive. "This Year's Model" immediately showcases this, kicking off with the wonderful a cappella opening of "No Action" before The Attractions join the fray. This album marks The Attractions' first outing with Costello, and they are simply a superb band, musically tight and extremely talented. The rhythm section of Pete Thomas (drums) and Bruce Thomas (bass), coupled with the musicality of Steve Nieve (keyboards), adds a crucial, dynamic "certain something" to the overall sound. This synergy is a clear step up from the band (Clover) that backed Costello on his excellent debut, "My Aim Is True". The improved vocal harmonies also significantly enhance the album's quality and overall experience. Producer Nick Lowe delivers a mix that is crystal clear and holds up perfectly all these years later. "This Year's Model" is a quite wonderful album, one that has been a constant in my life, in one form or another, since its initial 1978 release. The original track listing flows effortlessly. While the casually acquainted might point to the hit single "(I Don't Want to Go to) Chelsea" as a highlight, there are many gems here. The absence of "Radio, Radio" from the original UK release is a minor footnote, as its inclusion on later versions only makes an outstanding album even better. If forced to pick a single track, the urgent, punky "Pump It Up" has long been my favourite Elvis Costello song. For reviewers and new listeners wondering why Elvis Costello belongs on any '1001 Albums' list, the answer lies in his excellent run of consecutive classics from 1977 to 1980: "My Aim Is True", "This Year's Model", "Armed Forces", and "Get Happy!!". This foundation was followed by essential works like "Imperial Bedroom", "King of America", and "Blood & Chocolate". Beyond the sheer quality of his work, Costello has been a huge influence on the music scene for approaching 50 years. He now commands a large and varied body of music, but for newcomers, I would suggest starting with those initial four albums. Side one 1. "No Action"  (5/5) 2. "This Year's Girl" (5/5) 3. "The Beat" (5/5) 4. "Pump It Up" (5/5) 5. "Little Triggers"  (5/5) 6. "You Belong to Me"  (5/5) Side two 1. "Hand in Hand" (5/5) 2. "(I Don't Want to Go to) Chelsea" (5/5) 3. "Lip Service" (5/5) 4. "Living in Paradise" (5/5) 5. "Lipstick Vogue" (5/5) 6. "Night Rally" (5/5) 7. "Radio, Radio" (5/5) Total - 65 Average - 5.00 142/1001 72/142 albums reviewed were new to me.

Frankly I love this album.

This Year's Model est le premier album que j'ai connu de Elvis Costello. Je l'aime beaucoup et ça reste celui que j'aime le plus. De My Aim is True à Imperial Bedroom ça vole haut.

Sa voix me fait penser à Eliott Smith. Dans le style Iggy Pop (Lust for Life). Je réalise que j'adore l'ethos du pop punk, j'écoutais Dookie hier et je me disais que ça peut paraître pas sérieux comme musique, c'est pas revendicateur comme du hardcore punk. Mais je pense que j'aime quand ma musique a un côté poético-ludique justement.

I liked it! I haven't listened to a lot of Elvis Costello but I enjoyed this, particularly 'Living in Paradise'

Silver lake

Costello's most diverse and somehow best album

What an absolute delight to listen to! My prior experience with Elvis Costello was with some of his more popular hits - Alison off his debut album, and Pump It Up from this follow-up. Thought those are excellent songs in their own right, two songs simply can't give a complete picture of what an artist as varied as Costello has to offer. Listening through this album started to fill in that picture. I loved how Costello blended influences and ideas so seamlessly. He incorporates punk, blues and reggae, along with vocal stylings that seem to be drawn from Springsteen and Dylan, all while cohering wonderfully into a greater whole. Somehow, especially given the lyrical content of many of the songs, Costello is able to blend the punk sensibility with music that sounds almost infectiously happy at certain points. There are certain points of outright experimentation with production, but these moments are tasteful and don't distract from the larger picture of music that does not rely too heavily on studio effects. The Attractions - particularly the bass and drums - take center stage on many of the tracks, creating a driving energy that propels the listener through the album. While Costello's guitar feels relatively muted in the mix on most tracks, his vocals and clever lyrics shine throughout. Costello addresses the personal, societal and political with biting sarcasm throughout the album, but these messages were leavened by wordplay and double entendres laced in. It seemed that Costello's vocals were quite influenced by Dylan, but he came off more snarky than sneering. This album is eclectic, clearly influential, and above all entertaining. I'll likely have it in heavy rotation for the next few weeks and I look forward to exploring more of Costello's work.

This is when Elvis started to intermix the strife of intrapersonal relationships and political themes.

This is good stuff

I'm definately not mad we got another Elvis Costello. I liked this album MUCH better than Armed Forces, and I liked Armes Forces alot. This album is bit edgier and Elvis's voice feels like it's got bit extra punch and snark. Radio Radio of course is the highlight of the album, great song and iconic SNL moment. Love the vibe of this album, I'll be digging through the racks for a copy.

Classic album. Acerbic songwriting and unlike the previous album My Aim Is True, now backed by the Attractions. A highlight apart from the songs themselves is Bruce Thomas’ bass playing.

An angry, eloquent punk-pop tunesmith with a hell of a band to drive the bangers. Favorite track: Radio, Radio (which also contains the best lyric: "And the radio is in the hands of such a lot of fools trying to anesthetize the way that you feel"). Honorable mention: Lipstick Vogue (madman drummer), Pump It Up.

So elvis is literally one of the best songwriters of our time.The problem with him is that he basically wrote too many songs.And they all just kind of sound, not the same, but they just get mushed together.This, however, is this magnimopus?And it came early enough to where nobody was sick of him.And it's got all of his greatest hits.Basically, sands may be five or six other songs

I actually just listened to this album last week after getting Armed Forces, one of my other favorite Costello albums. Loved this album for years!

This Year's Model: an angry, eloquent punk-pop tunesmith with a hell of a band to drive the bangers. Favorite track: Radio, Radio (which also contains the best lyric: "And the radio is in the hands of such a lot of fools trying to anesthetize the way that you feel"). Honorable mention: Lipstick Vogue (madman drummer), Pump It Up.

"This Year's Model" is the second studio album by English singer-songwriter and guitarist Elvis Costello. New wave, power pop, punk rock, pop rock and garage rock are the Wiki-listed genres. Yeah, they're all there. Costello's debut album was backed by California country rock band Clover. For this album, he formed the Attractions which would become his permanent band and included Steve Nieve (keyboards), Bruce Thomas (bass) and Pete Thomas (drums). The songs are drawn from the Rolling Stones, Beatles and Kinks with the lyrics addressing but not limited to mass control and failing relationships. Commercially, the album reached #4 in the UK and #30 in the US and was critically very well-received with praise of strong songwriting and considered one of his best. "No Action" opens the album. Drums and a swirling guitar. A chorus of "No Action" with the backing vocals in a song about the regret of a failed relationship. I'm always a sucker for a song that threatens to break out and never quite does. In "This Year's Model," the girl may be in style this year but probably not next year...a comp for men's thoughts on women. Idiosyncratic beats and bass. More swirling instrument sounds: this time, keyboards. A pumping keyboard melody anchors "The Beat." A great bass line. Costello going on about manhood when the song explodes with a chorus and then slows down. Repeat. Always the airy keys. New wave indeed! The drum beat, bass and guitar slashes open "Pump It Up." A bouncy beat and melody. Forceful vocals as Costello describes the all important night club members and their actions at their highfalutin night club. A ska beat begins "(I Don't Want to Go to) Chelsea." That quick guitar riff. The scooting bass. A droning organ. Another attack on fashionable society and comments on last year's model. Costello doesn't hold back on the closer "Night Rally" as he compares corporations hypnotizing their employees to nationalistic movements in his country....and 47 years later. An appropriate marching band-type sound. The song just ends abruptly. Obviously, not an optimistic outlook by Costello. The first thing that grabs your attention on this album is that the band just rocks. There's something to be said for constantly playing live and coming into the studio with fully realized songs. Add great mixing, production and top-notch musicianship and you have a great album. The songs may take a base Stones, Beatles or Kinks sound and add a ska reggae or punk style but in the end, it is their original sound. The keyboard sound (along with Blondie at the time) defines the keyboard-led 80's new wave. There's glass-half-filled lyrics and then there's glass-never-existed-Elvis Costello lyrics. He makes the negative side of life and observations an art form. This is an album that hasn't aged a bit, a must listen and my favorite Elvis Costello album.

5-star songs (except Lip Service and Night Rally which is thematically brilliant) that I can sing along with even the ones that aren't 5-stars...incredible album... Costello is such a snark and he's even aged well... "...You think they're so dumb, you think they're so funny Wait until they've got you running to the Night rally, night rally, night rally..." America, wake up!

Phew! Finished the gauntlet of six Elvis Costello albums! And the last two (this and My Aim Is True) were the best. Pump It Up is probably my favorite Elvis Costello song.

More Elvis Costello! I love the backing band on this one. It just feels so much fuller than the last album I listened to by him. Makes me want to dance and drink a can of pop and not care about anything happening in my life. As any good pop/rock album should. I am discovering that I am simply an Elvis Costello fan. Sounds like the default music that exists in my brain. I think we'd be friends.

Already loved the hits but had never listened to the full album. Even better than expected.

I like the vibes!

This is a great album! I love the nervy/nerdy energy of early Costello. Such tight playing, too. I kind of backed myself in a corner giving Electric Warrior 5 stars, so here we go.

His best album for sure

I’ve listened to this album more than almost any album ever made, and I still find new things to love about it. The perfect combination of punk’s energy with 60’s rock n roll and one of music’s greatest lyricists on display. Who else would be able to use “anaesthetize” in a song?

I like this album a lot, but it set me up for disappointment thinking that he would put out at least one other great album. Not the case. Oh well, this is still great.

Well.. yes.Each song gets better and better. Wish I had spent more time with him in the 80s

Elvis Costello is a LEGEND and ALWAYS will be a LEGEND

Pretty fire album

Banger.

It's a little too swinging for me. And I like swing.

Loved this. Parts sound like a reggae ska mix with the eccentricity of Steely Dan. Heavy bass and drums. Love his voice. Unique all around style.

If you have room for only one racist on this list, then this should be your guy.

9/10 There are some artists that I should have listened to earlier, I didn't because I thought I would be more interesting if I skipped what many people thought to be great, I was wrong. Elvis Costello has just joined that list...

Awesome !!!

Great album

vier bis fünf

Maybe delete the other Elvis Costello and just have this one on there

One of my all time favorite albums, brilliant!!!

Amazing disc…listened to it 1,000 times and it never gets old!

One of the top 10 rock albums of all time.

This slapped

Brilliant

Very good album. Not as appealing as My Aim is True bc the organ can get a bit whiney, but more variety and great listen

I fucking loved this album. Just so easy to vibe with. Probably not all the way to a 5, but above a 4. Maybe.

I LOVE this album!!!!

The sound of repressed feelings and male angst; one of England's finest songwriter in the middle of his creative peak. Need I say more?

Great album. An enjoyable listening experience.

fantastic album, very good work

Wow. Surprised that I’ve never heard Costello (or at least this album) really talked about as an influence on Vampire Weekend. Can hear a link to later-era Old 97s, too. What a find. Favorites: “This Year’s Girl”; “(I Don’t Want to Go to) Chelsea”; “Living in Paradise”; “Radio Radio”

Great music that stands the test of time.

Não sabia nada sobre Elvis Costello. Lembro que, algum tempo atrás, quando peguei o livro 1001 álbuns em uma biblioteca, eu estava pesquisando a respeito da lista, e me lembro de ver muita gente reclamando sobre a representação exacerbada desse artista na lista. Então isso era tudo que eu sabia sobre Costello, que ele aparecia muito na lista de 1001 álbuns, e que muita gente estava infeliz com isso. Imagine minha surpresa quando comecei a ouvir o disco e percebi que deleite que ele era. A voz dele é divertida, e a banda mantém um Groove fantástico, bateirista e baixista incríveis. Ao final da terceira faixa, eu fui ver a data de lançamento do disco, pensando "Ah essa pegada New Wave não me engana! Deve ser de '85, por aí!". Fiquei incrédulo com o que vi.1978?! Esse disco é então, um puta de um pioneiro, e muito a frente de seu tempo! Não sei se mais pra frente aqui no projeto vou me cansar do Costello, mas hoje, por enquanto, ele me impressionou muito. Adorei seu trabalho e espero ansiosamente ver que mais que ele fez. 5/5

I went to Chicago when I was 12 years old with my family. I had a gold Sony Discman and we went to Borders at some point. I bought Weezer’s Green album and this one. Not really sure why I picked it up. This was pre-internet and I vaguely knew the story of Costello’s performance on SNL and the legacy of Radio Radio. Since then, this album has always been a core for me. Costello coming into his angsty nerd own. A KILLER backing band that steals the show on most of the tracks. Not to mention Costello’s slick lyrical turns coming from an acid tongue. He pulls it all off without being trite. Killer album all around!

I always return to the first three Elvis Costello records, perhaps because the local library had a copy of My Aim is True. As an adolescent I would tend to explore a new (to me) artist by listening to their most recent albums or whatever was in the Upper Hudson Library Catalog. I don't think that "This Year's Model" was available via inter-library loan, but when Rhino Records reissued Costello's catalog as double disc CDs I immediately bought My Aim Is True through Armed Forces. This Year's Model was a solid continuation of the accessible punk attitude of My Aim is True, without the abrasiveness of God Save The Queen. Every song is vital.

Elvis Costello didn’t invent sardonic pop (it was Dylan, right?) but he did alchemize it into something that was too punk to be a Randy Newman-esque singer/songwriter take on it, and too singer/songwriter complex to be Clash-esque punk. He’s the more literate version of both and although at least two other albums are most frequently cited as his masterpieces (My Aim is True and Blood & Chocolate), This Year’s Model is the one where he really provides that thesis. You can’t have a record collection without it.

I like his stuff/this genre generally, but this album has a bunch of his best tracks: "Radio Radio," "Pump It Up," "(I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea," "This Year's Model." A tryhard nerd icon.

Finally got an Elvis Costello album! I don't even think this is his best work but man it's still pretty much perfect. The rhythm section sounds good, the organ sounds good, and the lyrics/singing convey a sense of contempt and frustration that I don't think you usually get in pop music. He's good at capturing unpleasant conflicted emotions (and at suggesting connections between personal relationships and larger societal malaise) whereas most pop music still thinks that 'authentic' means ham-fisted and unsubtle. (I think he gets an underserved reputation as an angry young man, or as the epitome of 70s/80s Britain, but these tunes are universal. There’s a great 2021 reworking of this album, Spanish Model, with Latin American artists, many of them women. It still works great. We’re all messy like this.)

This is an album I already know and love, so I really tried to handle this listen with fresh ears. But the thing is, I still remember the first time I heard This Year's Model, back in my early 20s, because it blew me away. I went through like two years where I only listened to Elvis Costello as a result of this album and Get Happy!! (which is inexplicably not one of the six Costello albums on this list). It's like his music is perfectly tuned to my tastes. I didn't know music from this era could be so fun and fresh and distinctive. I love his voice, his lyrics, his melodies. Yeah, first listen or 500th, this one is an easy 5.

I liked this album. Great stuff

Produced by the magnificent Nick Lowe this album is like a close sibling to Lowe’s Jesus of Cool. Peppy, clever, and poppy.

I listened to the 2021 remaster with 14 tracks. Lively! Catchy! There's a little punk rock energy in there with the power pop, it's right up my alley. Any time the end of a 14-track album catches me by surprise, you know I was enjoying the listening experience. Great album. Adding to my library.

Loved it, hearing a lot of proto punk that must've been a big influence

Liked this much more than the first time i heard it. Maybe im just in a good mood or maybe it spoke to me. Only track i found out of place was Night Rally. five!

Excellent. Little filler, great lyrics and banging rhythms

This is really good. Does Elvis Costello need 6 albums on this list? Maybe not, but This Year's Model is the one that deserves a place the most Recruiting a new band makes a big difference and gives this album much more of a new wave type sound than his debut. It's less guitar focused and feels bouncier and fun than some of his other work. I especially like the keyboards on a lot of these songs, really cool

Love listening to Elvis Costello. This album was the sound of the 80’s before the 80’s arrived. So good.

This album is full of bangers. I forgot how much I love Elvis Costello.

The other two Elvis Costello albums I've had thus far ("Blood and Chocolate" and "Imperial Bedroom") were really disappointingly and unfortunately underwhelming. I really, really wanted to love them both but there wasn't enough really wowing me. But this is a different beast. This was incredible. The music aside for a minute, the sheer attitude that oozes throughout this album makes it fun from the start. Sometimes he's tender, sometimes he's snotty, sometimes he's being a jerk but no matter what it's a fun time. Punk and New Wave share a lineage and some of the same traits. But they are distinct genres, without a doubt. But when they come close together, when a band or artist can overlap elements of both such that the result is a hard New Wave sound that is still soft enough for most, that's the sweet spot. Talking Heads nailed that on their first album. But Costello completely masters that delicate balance here. Sure, sometimes the songs sound a little samey (upbeat, organ/keyboard riff, witty lyrics from Costello, etc.), but there's enough variety both within and without that mold that it doesn't matter. Hell, there were elements of singer-songwriter, reggae, punk, new wave, rock, and honestly even some ska here. Wonderfully done. Did I know half the time what he was singing about? No, not really. Sometimes that was because he was hard to understand, and sometimes that was because the words didn't necessarily make immediate sense. I don't care. The music was all I needed. This is an easy five stars. What a fantastic album. This is what I wanted from him all along, and I'm so glad to have been able to listen to it. Wow. Standout Tracks: No Action, This Year's Girl, Pump It Up, You Belong to Me, (I Don't Want to Go to) Chelsea, Living in Paradise, Lipsitck Vogue, Radio, Radio

Well, I've reached the third Elvis Costello album of the project. I feel like this would be a pretty good place to leave off for the guy, especially considering that (spoilers for later in the review) this is the best album of his that I've listened to yet. Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on how you feel), I've only listened to half of the albums the guy has on this list. There are still 3 more of these I have to listen to. Look. I've really enjoyed all of the albums I've heard, but 6 albums is insane. Whatever. What I will say is that This Year's Model is not to blame for this. If there's one Costello album that earns its spot on this list entirely, it's This Year's Model. This was his first album with the Attractions, and it's excellent. Speaking of the Attractions, the instrumental sound is probably my favorite part of the album. Stuff like the basslines and general style really appeal to me. This Year's Model is a very tight album. This album doesn't have time to mess around. It has a goal with its music and it achieves that in a blazing fast 35 minutes. Costello's singing is basically the same as it is on the other albums of his around this time, which isn't a bad thing. The songwriting is quite interesting. There's a considerable bite to this album that makes it stand out in comparison to other albums of the time. Some people have criticized this album's lyrics, calling the album misogynistic. However, while there's certainly a level of frustration behind the lyrics, I definitely think there's a level of self-awareness behind this album that makes me feel that this criticism is a bit overblown. Songs like "This Year's Girl" seem to be fairly critical of men who are misogynistic, which is a label that I would not put on Elvis Costello himself. Overall, This Year's Model is an album that, for many reasons, feels like an album that one should definitely listen to before dying. Though it has its roots in classic 60s bands like The Rolling Stones and The Who, the album also feels considerably more modern than 1978. This album has aged considerably well as far as its presentation is concerned. I don't know if I could call it a total masterpiece, but I would say that it is probably Elvis Costello's magnum opus. This is an album with no fluff whatsoever. This Year's Model rocks. Low 5/5.

super nice vibe! I should listen to this more

One of my favorite albums. Great songs, production by Nick Lowe, and Bruce Thomas' bass lines are wonderfully melodic and buoyant.

since first hearing blood and chocolate via This Project it has grown on me to become a minor but memorable all-time fave....the chemistry between being emotionally unlistenable with a level of musical rawness thats just super comforting and inviting for me is unmatched by anything else ive ever heard. apply the same rubric to this record would probably lead to unnecessary disappointment, as its Fun Bouncy Music Undercutting The Worst Guy Youve Ever Met dynamic is a bit less personally vital lol. but i cant begrudge anyone who thinks the songwriting is even better...it bops, it bangs, sometimes it even Swings which is often sorely neglected by these quirky white boy rock music singer-songwriters. even the pastichey retro stylings feel of a piece with the misogynist character portraits, thats the 1950s baby! almost certainly one of the most fun records ever made lol

I’ll straight up say it: this album fucks. This is the quintessential Elvis Costello sound with those bassy guitar tones and nasally vocals and it all works so well. It has a few bigger tunes like Pump it Up, (I Don’t Want to Go to) Chelsea, and on the US Version: Radio Radio, but I think my favorite is Lip Service. Fantastic record all the way through and unless we get to Armed Forces, I don’t have to deduct any points for slurs. 5 stars for a slur free album.

Fantastic

Most excellent

Probably the second best Elvis Costello record IMO, but this is the album where the Attractions are a settled formed band that will be with Elvis through some of his best work and still tour with him.

Great listen

great

Brendon Urie of 70s

Saw the other reviews hating on this so went in expecting to hate it but I actually really enjoyed it, fun listen

I'm old. So I remember this album from when it first came out. And Elvis is one of my all-time faves. I understand you younguns might not appreciate how truly influential this album is, but his songwriting married punk, new wave and power pop. And he still got better! 5 Stars.

Amazing New wave album.

He rhymes like a rapper: 'Those disco synthesizers / And those daily tranquilizers / Those body building prizes / Those bedroom alibis'; 'We're all going on a summer holiday / Vigilante's coming out to follow me / Heard somebody said they're out to collar me / Anybody wanna swallow me.' He has the courage for half-rhymes, internal rhymes, multisyllabic rhymes, like 'cheek to be' and 'weaken these' ('Little Triggers'), 'silent' and 'hydrant' ('You Belong to Me'), 'cuddle,' 'waddle,' and 'model' ('Chelsea'), and these bangers: 'movements,' 'amusements,' 'choosy,' 'above me,' 'shoes' ('Lip Service'). This is to say nothing of the music, which is authentic pop that tenders a punky dynamism (check out rhythm section on 'Lipstick Vogue'). And the best: 'I wanna bite the hand that feeds me / I wanna bite that hand so badly.' So yeah, I couldn't say enough. This is superb.

Pretty good album. Talked with Albert about it too. Idk if kf i should rate 4 or 5 stars.

This Year’s Model is a standout album and remains a pivotal work in Costello’s career. The influence its had on pop and rock music cannot be understated, so feel free to recommend it to just about anyone with two working ears. Except my two-year-old daughter. She didn’t want anything to do with it and much preferred “Old MacDonald Had a Farm” on the car ride home.

I had no clue who Elvis Costello was when I found this album digging in my early 20s. As collectors are want to do, the cover immediately spoke to me so I bought it, an instinct that never fails to deliver interesting music — and evidence of the integral relationship between visuals and sound in contemporary popular music. The now iconic sleeve art was designed by Barney Bubbles, the influential resident designer at Stiff records who helped pioneer artistic-driven album artwork through his work in the independent music coming out of England during the mid to late 70s. I hauled my records home that day, threw This Year’s Model on first and was so taken by its sound. It sparked a longtime love for label mates Elvis Costello and Nick Lowe, who produced the entire album and whose debut Jesus of Cool came out the same month in 1978, another record I adore. Over the next couple of years I filled my collection with many of Costello and Lowe’s early works, and they remain some of my all time favs. These two bespectacled british guys exuded a coolness I had never encountered before. They were close collaborators, and they both cultivated a distinctive blend of two burgeoning styles of the time, punk and new wave. Other notable UK bands working in the same vein included The Clash, the Buzzcocks, The Jam, Siouxsie and the Banshees, The English Beat, and The Specials to name a few, the last of which Costello produced their debut, and whose release was only a few months after this record. Sheesh so many “The”s lol, and so many great bands coming on the scene! That period from 1976-1980 was such an energetic moment in rock and pop music, from which those two genres punk and new wave were sprouting from. In America bands like Devo, Talking Heads, and Blondie were channeling similar energy, and on the international stage Fela’s afrobeat and Marley’s reggae were huge influences on this scene’s sound. One key aspect of was the importance of powerful rhythm sections paired with catchy riffs and songwriting, and Costello’s mastery of both aspects is on full display. The trio backing Costello, The Attractions, also played a huge part in the record’s sound, sonically and literally the driving force behind Costello’s songwriting. What’s so striking about the instrumentation is how de-prioritized the guitar is in the arrangements and mixes, and just how good they are. “(I Don’t Want To Go To) Chelsea” is easily my favorite song on this record, and it’s a perfect example of what incredible musicians they are. They are regarded as one of the best backing rhythm sections of all time — the music speaks for itself. Pete Thomas’ drumming is so iconic and technically perfect, and Bruce and Steve’s bass and keys, respectively, are locked into such pleasing grooves the entire time. The keyboards are also stylistically distinct: the constant organ throughout is arguably one of the most recognizable parts of this record, always funky and insistent and sounding so much like electronic synths, at times even resembling yet-invented video game sounds, as heard on “Living in Paradise”. And of course Costello’s vocals are so energetic and insistent — iconic. Elvis Costello is such a singular voice. The hallmark of great artists is their ability to rise above trends and styles. His influences are clearly on display, but he merges and synthesizes them into something greater, something all his own. He straddles the precarious line between mainstream success and artistic authenticity with such style and grace. What a legend!

Another awesome Elvis Costello album.

How the dub gave I been missing this

A classic of New Wave, This Year's Model is packed with some of Costello's most oconic and subversive songs. Pump It Up, (I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea, and the especially rebellious Radio Radio. The latter song caused a stir on Saturday Night Live when Costello was told not to play it, ironically an indictment of broadcast censorship, but did so anyway. This Year's Model catches Costello and New Wave in general, at it's true height - just before it all went corporate - when it was still on message. Musically, his later album Armed Forces may have been better, but it was also much more polished, the antithesis of the Punk/New Wave DIY ethos. This Year's Model is a snapshot of a rare moment when music and social conscienceness melded into the perfect synthesis of both.

Loved. Classic Elvis

As some wise guy once said, "Razor sharp slices of neo-garage rock, fueled on amphetamine and Aftermath, quick-witted and tight—and an object lesson that the New Wave could compete on the old school’s field." (This is the second album I've been dealt in a row where I've been cited as a source on Wikipedia. Spooky.)

Classic Elvis!

Desde que vi que era el disco que traía Pump it up, una de mis canciones favoritas ever, me emocioné. Y resultó genial que descubrí al menos 4 canciones más que me encantaron también, y el resto del disco no está lejos. Me encanta Costello, escuché el disco dos veces seguidas y me dejó con muchas ganas de echarle una repasada a toda su carrera. El tipo hace música genial.

Costello es especial, deambula entre el pop, rock, jazz y vertientes niveles que no desafinan para nada. Poseedor de una voz tan natural engarza en sus arreglos y melodías su genial y personal toque. Siempre me gustó y mi nota es 5

Hard to believe Elvis Costello followed up his excellent debut with a possibly better album. Or maybe not, but it’s extremely good nonetheless.

What I really like about this album, beyond the energy and recording quality, is how each member is giving it their all and work tightly together as a single unit.

Great getting ready to go out album for some reason

I have been enlightened. If My Aim Is True was Elvis Costello’s Blue Album then this would be his Pinkerton, and not just because I think he and Rivers Cuomo look kinda similar. This is a really great album. It combines pop-rock, reggae, new-wave, R&B, and many more styles. You can hear the style of The Smiths and The Police in some of these songs. The lyrics are hard hitting as expected.

No filler, all killer!

Loved it

Lively and well put together , excellent bass 4.6

My favorite Elvis Costello album. More cohesive sounding than the first one. No skippers on this one!

Fan Tas Tic. The drive and excitement. The angst. Elvis loves music, and if you don't love this, you don't love music.

Such a fun record. Looks ahead to Spoon (sounds like Britt Daniel's raspy howl on "The Beat") and back to The Rolling Stones ("You Belong To Me" recalls "The Last Time"). Fully sixteen tracks, but it rolls by and you turn it over again.

Guter alter Brit-Pop. I Love it.

I love Elvis Costello and this is probably my favourite album full of gems. Pump It Up is a banger.

DNA everywhere. One of those albums you can hear in tons of modern pop, indie, and rock. Interesting rhythms. Catchy melodies. Soulful singing. It's easy to see how this album is such a strong influence.

God, what a great album!

What a banger from Elvis and company, solid from start to finish. The mix didn't age as well as the songs on it, sometimes sounding a little mid focused or over compressed, but that doesn't detract from the quality performances across the whole album. The issues in the mix actually do help to highlight just how awesome the bass lines are in every song bringing the instrument almost in front of the vocals at times. Check out "No Action", "This Year's Girl", "Pump It Up", "(I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea", "Little Triggers", "Lipstick Vogue" and "Radio, Radio"

These early Elvis Costello albums are great fun, lots of energy, love the sound.

Excellent

Great

What a fun album. Radio Radio right at the end is spectacular and Elvis' voice is mesmerizing throughout. Great style, timeless.

Costello’s best album, full stop, and it’s largely thanks to the Attractions. They’re a phenomenal backing band—tight, precise, and woven impeccably with Costello’s vocals.

This guy was at the beginning of a creative explosion to where for many years he was practically farting out absolutely devastating tunes all day long. They are pretty much all very negative, desperate and cynical. Pissed at the world, pissed at himself, pissed at his ex (current and future), often all at the same time and all told incredibly cleverly, like a modern Cole Porter. I think this is the first album with The Attractions, Elvis's amazing backing band for an incredible run of perhaps half a dozen albums over the next 6-7 years, all produced by Nick Lowe, a legend in his own right. This run of records stands out as one of the truly great musical accomplishments of the twentieth century, in my opinion. I mean that seriously. Maybe I am forgetting someone but I would say maybe only the Beatles and Miles Davis had such a consistently fertile and productive period. Sounds like very few if any overdubs on this. Very straightforward production and arrangements. Just a basic capture of a sick band playing kick ass tunes like their lives depended on it. You can hear their youth in how far on top of the beat every song feels. I bet if they re-recorded this today every song would be 10 beats a minute slower. Lipstick Vogue is a young player's tune, for example. You don't hear midlife people writing or performing such fast, high energy and emotionally desperate songs. I think this is EC's second album? His songwriting has really tightened up here. He sounds like you don't want to piss him off or else you will be permanently eviscerated on wax in a cleverly biting way. But no one hates themselves as much as Elvis hates himself. He's the GOAT of cynical self-loathing. I dont want to kiss you I don't want to touch. And while we're at it, I don't wanna go to Chelsea, either! This record could have been named (almost Seussically) All The Things I Don't Want To Do. And I'm here for all of it. All the buttons of my overcoat They have fallen off one by one You wouldn't even like me if you'd never had a drink You wouldn't even like me if you never stopped to think Standing in the shadow, turning wives to widows Don't you know, big tears mean nothing You can count them as they fall Big tears mean nothing When you're lying in your coffin Tell me who's been taken in Tell me, who's been taken in Tell me, who, me or yous been taken in Tell me, tell me, tell me

What a great album, he redefined gritty yet refined pop. so many excellent songs on the album. Everything sounds tight. You get some hints of the coming sophistication his following efforts will contain.

Elvis prototypical angry young man record, he practically spits some of these songs. He was considered "punk" by some when he came on the scene that was based more on the attitude than the music. Top 3 EC record for me

I've always liked Elvis Costello. His music covers a spectrum of genres - rock, pop, punk, new wave, country, etc. I like his songwriting, his distinctive voice and his delivery always adds another interesting element to the music. This album is among his best if not THE best. It makes me want to dig out his CDs.

What genre does Elvis Costello go under??

Early Elvis Costello is my thing. Great new wavy - power poppy - punk-adjacent tracks that do not leave your brain. Love it!

That’s how you do inventive pop music. Flawless listen.

This is my second Elvis Costello album and I like this one even more than Imperial Ballroom. This is a really great album and I'm excited to see what other Elvis Costello albums will sound like. I have always listened to Costello's greatest hits but the songs are felt somewhat disconnected for me, though I did enjoy some of the tracks. It's better to hear Costello's albums, because it feels more cohesive to me and this album is no exception. Really great album with songs that clock in between 3 and 3.5 minutes. The organ and keyboards really stand out on this album, which I did not expect. Great surprise to me that I enjoy this album so much.

One of my favorite Elvis albums.

Fantastic!

I think it's easy to say this is Elvis Costello's best album. Every song is a banger. The drumming in particular is great and I love the keyboard. Costello also has his catchiest tunes here. Love this album, almost makes me "get" the whole Elvis Costello thing

When I first hit play I thought YouTube Music had somehow managed to cue up the wrong album. Then I heard Elvis' unmistakable voice and realised it's that rare beast: an upbeat Costello LP. I really like this. Maybe I should make an effort to listen to more of his stuff. I do tend to enjoy what I hear generally from him.

Great songs excellent recording amazing album five stars

the greatness of elvis costello on full display. although it is not my favorite album of his, it's pretty damn near the top. from front to back, it's oozing with cool. snide, clever attitude is dripping from this thing. the production is great, the now-iconic sound of the organ on this one holds up quite well. elvis' lyrics and songwriting are top notch and fun, sometimes with a bitter underside. just a great album overall.

Luego de un debut glorioso con "My Aim is True", Elvis Costello forma a "The Attractions" para la grabación de este LP. La decisión no pudo haber sido más acertada, ya que desde este disco en adelante, el británico llegaría a componer una seguidilla de discos que no se pueden considerar más que lo mejor que el género del "Power Pop" puede entregar. Un poco de New Wave, un poco de Punk, un poco de Pop, Costello te entrega eso y mucho más, con letras inteligentes y sarcásticas. Entiendo que algunas personas no entiendan el atractivo de este disco o de la discografía de MacManus, pero esta pieza musical definitivamente pertenece a esta lista. Un real indispensable del catálogo musical occidental.

Good stuff

Pump it up!

If his first album was a tribute to all of the music that influenced him, this second album would be the one that went on to influence so many other artists. You can hear The Replacements, Cocteau Twins, The Pixies and Smashing Pumpkins. It’s stupid how far this album reached.

What a killer album. Costello's acerbic lyrics and melodies are second to none. The Attractions are slayers-- the drums drive hard, bass lines are some of the best ever and the keyboards bring a frantic but poppy sound. It's pop, punk, new wave? It's all of those and more. Just great. 4.9 - deduction for non-album singles (and who else would do something so baller on SNL)

I really liked this one. Felt like a modern day indie album, as relevant today as ever.

Elvis Costello is a bit hit or miss for me, but I thoroughly enjoyed this album. It's an interesting musical bridge, where you can hear the influence of earlier British rock along with the sounds that would influence later punk and new wave bands in the 80s. Strong songwriting combined with great energy made this real treat.

I have owned a few of his records (My Ain is True, Armed Forces, Imperial Bedroom) and bought a best of (Girls, girls girls) but never heard this one all the way through although it has one of my all time favorite song of his: I dont want to go to Chelsea. Amazing how his sound matured from the debut album to this album. Great album.

Elvis Costello is genius.

He’s so cool. I don’t get it at first, but eventually it clicks and I just fall in love. I get why he’s divisive but I love him

This album is full of little triggers that really enhance the sound

One of the best albums of the 70s!!!

Loved record one of his best.

Oh yeah, I’ll go 5 here. Great album, with monsters from tip to tail. I got into this a bit late in the game, but some good friends dialed me in about 15 years after the release, and I’ve never turned back. This album always picks me up, reminds me of good times with those same good friends.

In my country Elvis was not played too much. The crappy radio stations robbed me of some wonderful music. This album is great from start to finish. Easy listening, no filler song. Elvis is much more than I was taught. Learned this a few years ago and hope everyone can listen to his music

This album was perfection.

I don't have a lot to comment on this. Mostly I listen to these while working so a rating and elaboration is secondary. This is a bopper, okay?

I used to work with hippies in a natural food store and this was THE ONLY album we could agree on, so I've listened to it a lot... just not in many years. And I'm about to change that because this is simply incredible. Tough to pigeonhole into any specific sound; it's not really post-punk, it's not new wave, it's rooted in rock and roll, and has crazy pop hooks that still don't overly polish the teeth of this release. Not a bad track on here.

Elvis Costello made emo/pop-punk albums before those genre labels existed. As a grown-up emo/pop-punk girly, I am the target audience for Elvis Costello. Great record with only a couple missteps, big fan!! *EDIT*: This generator did me a huge favor by giving me This Year's Model early on, because I've learned (like all of us doing this challenge will eventually) that Costello has diminishing returns. I wanted to revisit this to make sure that I'm still on board, and yeah, I really am. Maybe even more now that I know how the rest of his discography with The Attractions plays out. I think my only critique is that this is a long/exhausting listen for one sitting, but I also think this record works best when you extract the songs instead of playing them as a single album front-to-back. Still, I'm a sucker for this vibe, and this is the time where Elvis Costello *really* gets it right, with almost no flaws whatsoever. (Re-rated from 4/5 to 5/5 on June 2nd, 2025)

My favorite EC album. His first with The Attractions. Great bass & drums from Bruce and Pete Thomas (no relation) and Steve Nieve’s nagging Farfisa organ driving the whole thing. And Elvis’ songs considerably up the ante from the first album. These are really angry songs of failed relationships and (mostly) personal betrayals, delivered with piss and vinegar combined with tongue-in-cheek. Lip service, indeed.

I'm not mad, you're mad! I'm just bitterly seething and telling anyone who'll listen I don't even care. His best album by miles. Great combo of 60s pop song writing and new wave sounds, of swirly organ and funky synth. The bass parts are so good, really the load-bearing element here, carrying the groove and ripping lines all over the neck. He'd be way more popular if he'd quit here instead of sticking around being an incredibly boring VH1-style loser for 4 decades

I was on the fence about 4 stars or 5 until I got to Radio Radio.

This Years Model is Mr. Costello's answer to the question "do you think you could fit two albums worth of ideas into one?" To which he appears to have answered intensely in the affirmative. I would say my enjoyment begins here and ends here. Its an invigorating blast of rock and roll pastiche with a punkish flair that just rips. 14 songs in 42 minutes, and not a wasted note to be found. Even the more relaxed waltzy Little Triggers feels anxious, angsty, and frankly very horny! I guess what Im saying is I really like everything Im hearing: Excellent melodic sense and vocal delivery, truly furious drumming, and plenty of musicality--But...and it's not a big one, but I just want a place for my ears to REST. Am I old? Is this album too develish and spritely for my ailing bones? I'm tempted to look up the inevitable 'reverbed and slowed' playlist on youtube to test my theory. But I mean, final word? There really isnt a missed step or false start here...and for the amount of ground this sucker covers, that is REALLY impressive. Its certainly not wanting for guts!

This album still sounds as fresh as it did back in the late '70s.

Loved it

Elvis is generally awesome

Elvis Costello & the Attractions - This Years Model Costello's second album and the first with his backing band, The Attractions. It's filled with pure energy that grabs you from the first song and it doesn't really slow down. Highly recommend 5/5

All time great and I love the cover too

All killer

Loved this. Art dork energy explosion

An outstanding album by one of my favorite artists. His second album, first with the Attractions and includes two of his bigger hits, Pump It Up and Radio, Radio.

perfect album

Forgot how fantastic this album was and how it was such a refreshing take on music. Great launch for Elvis.

own

Wow, what a great album! Love the sharp lyrics and pop!

Enjoyed this album a lot. Very upbeat!

I love this album. It has some of the energy and attitude of punk but without the music or over simplicity and sloppiness. Great from start to finish.

Better than the first one

The writing, musicianship, production, and the context of its era make this a flawless album, 5 stars. EC’s voice, yea get over it, I don’t like it either, but look past it; and befits here.

Crisp pop album. Did not sound like it was made in the 70s. Unapologetic lyrics hidden in radio friendly sound. 5/5

Love Elvis Costellos sound. Could listen to him at great length while driving or just going through the day. Easy to listen to!

So good! Costello's songwriting is razor sharp with barbs and melancholy but the real star is drummer Pete Thomas with fills to burn and beats that are intricate and precise.

So so good. I wish i would have discovered this when it came out.

This album made me think we need a second rating system where I rate myself on how dumb it was of me to stop listening to this on repeat 20 years ago. It’s astounding that this came out in the 70’s. It’s so fresh even now. It’s almost magic how Elvis Costello combines soulful but edgy, impeccably punctuated vocals to layered, leveled up but super listenable composition. Leave this on repeat for 20 years. You won’t regret it.

großartig

Thoroughly enjoyed this! I love Elvis Costello’s voice.

Baller ass album. Originally given this by my uncle John to check out. Loved it. Wonderful blend of rock and soft punk for a nerd like me.

Elvis Costello's sophomore album, "This Year's Model," released in 1978 with The Attractions, stands as a pivotal work in the punk and new wave movements. With its razor-sharp lyrics, energetic music, and innovative production, the album has left an indelible mark on the music landscape. In this in-depth review, we'll delve into the various aspects of the album, including lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, while also considering its strengths and weaknesses. Lyrics (Pros): Costello's lyrics on "This Year's Model" are a tour de force, characterized by biting wit, acerbic commentary, and a keen observational eye. The album's opening track, "No Action," immediately sets the tone with its self-aware lyrics, exploring the themes of romantic frustration and disillusionment. Throughout the album, Costello's wordplay and clever turns of phrase showcase a level of lyrical craftsmanship that is both impressive and engaging. Tracks like "Pump It Up" and "Radio, Radio" demonstrate Costello's ability to address broader social and political issues within the confines of a pop song. His lyrics often blur the lines between personal and political, creating a sense of urgency and relevance that resonates even today. Lyrics (Cons): While the majority of the lyrics on "This Year's Model" are exceptional, some may argue that Costello's verbosity occasionally borders on the cryptic. This deliberate ambiguity may alienate listeners who prefer more straightforward storytelling. Additionally, his rapid-fire delivery can make it challenging for some listeners to fully grasp the depth of his lyrical content upon initial listens. Music (Pros): The music on "This Year's Model" is a dynamic fusion of punk, new wave, and power pop, showcasing The Attractions' tight musicianship. The album's high-energy tempo, exemplified by tracks like "Lipstick Vogue" and "Pump It Up," reflects the urgency and rebellious spirit of the punk movement. The Attractions' proficiency with their instruments, coupled with Costello's distinctive vocal delivery, creates a sound that is both distinctive and influential. The incorporation of diverse musical elements, such as the reggae-infused rhythm on "Lipstick Vogue" and the Motown-inspired groove on "You Belong to Me," showcases Costello's willingness to experiment within the confines of the new wave genre. The result is a musical tapestry that defies easy categorization. Music (Cons): Some listeners may find the production choices, particularly the compressed and raw sound, to be polarizing. While this production style aligns with the punk ethos, it might be a deterrent for those accustomed to more polished recordings. Additionally, the intense pace of the album may be overwhelming for some, with few moments of respite or introspection. Production (Pros): Nick Lowe's production on "This Year's Model" is both edgy and innovative. The decision to record the album quickly and with minimal overdubs captures the raw energy and spontaneity of Costello and The Attractions' live performances. The intentional lack of studio gloss adds authenticity to the record, aligning it with the DIY ethos of the punk movement. The use of unconventional studio techniques, such as the deliberate distortion on "Pump It Up," contributes to the album's distinctive sound. The production successfully marries the urgency of punk with the melodic sensibilities of new wave, creating a sonic landscape that is as influential as it is memorable. Production (Cons): For listeners who prefer a cleaner, more polished production style, the raw and unrefined sound of "This Year's Model" may be a drawback. The intentionally chaotic mix may obscure some of the subtleties in the arrangements, potentially diminishing the overall listening experience for those who prioritize production clarity. Themes: "This Year's Model" explores themes of love, lust, disillusionment, and societal critique. Costello's lyrics often dissect the complexities of human relationships, with a sharp focus on the darker, more turbulent aspects. Tracks like "Hand in Hand" and "Little Triggers" delve into the intricacies of romantic entanglements, revealing a keen understanding of the human condition. Simultaneously, Costello's lyrics take on a sociopolitical dimension, as evidenced by the commentary on media and consumer culture in "Radio, Radio." The album as a whole reflects the tumultuous social and political climate of the late 1970s, making it a snapshot of its time. Influence: "This Year's Model" has had a lasting impact on the punk and new wave genres, influencing subsequent generations of musicians. The album's fusion of punk energy with melodic hooks paved the way for the development of power pop, a genre that would find success in the 1980s. Costello's intelligent lyricism and genre-blurring approach inspired a diverse range of artists, from alternative rock bands to singer-songwriters. The album's influence also extends beyond its immediate genre, with artists across the musical spectrum citing Costello as a source of inspiration. The combination of visceral energy, lyrical depth, and musical innovation positions "This Year's Model" as a seminal work that continues to resonate with both musicians and fans alike. Conclusion: "This Year's Model" remains a landmark album in Elvis Costello's discography and a cornerstone of the punk and new wave movements. Its enduring influence, coupled with Costello's razor-sharp lyrics and The Attractions' dynamic musicianship, solidifies its place in the pantheon of iconic albums. While the raw production may not appeal to everyone, it serves as a testament to the album's authenticity and captures the rebellious spirit of its time. "This Year's Model" is a compelling blend of intelligence and intensity, a testament to the enduring power of music that challenges conventions and stands the test of time.

I shouldn't like it but I do. Not sure why music critics don't like him. Is it the lack of edge?. It's a mood and sound and something relatable and ordinary about his drooling moan.... It makes me smile. Sore there are flat bits in his albums. But some gorgeous happy tingling bits too. Maybe the ordinary suburban male can imagine the slaves as this lesser less glorious Elvis. Music for playing on a hot summers night with friends while debating 90s cinema. Ploom.

I saw Costello on his first Australian tour, at The Regent in Sydney in December ‘78. That was only a month before his 3rd album, Armed Forces was released, but 6 of the 12 tracks he played that night were 6 of the 12 tracks from This Year’s Model, which had already been out for 9 months - The Beat, Pump It Up, You Belong To Me, Hand In Hand (which he opened with), (I Don’t Want To Go To)Chelsea & Lipstick Vogue. This was The Attractions’ debut album with Elvis, and they were never better than this. As was his songwriting - so sharp. And producer Nick “Basher”Lowe was at the top of his game - he produced Costello’s first 4 albums, The Damned’s first album (which beat the Pistols to the title of first British punk album) and just about everything at that time by Dr Feelgood & Graham Parker & The Rumour. Why “Basher”? Because in the studio, he instructed bands to bash it out, we can tart it up later. So with Costello, he tried to capture the band live, with few overdubs. Which has to be a major reason why this record just jumps out at you. And Costello’s obsession with 60’s music is everywhere. Chelsea has always been my favourite here, but Pump It Up is the enduring success. If Dylan’s Subterranean Homesick Blues grew from Chuck Berry’s Too Much Monkey Business, then Pump It Up has similar genealogy. One of my favourite albums.

Elvis Costello is at his best when he is rockin' out. I can live without the excursions into art song, or string quartets, or Bacharach collaborations or whatever. I like it when he and the band are banging out quick and dirty rock albums. And he never had a band better than the Attractions, appearing on record here for the first time, and at the height of their powers, banging out a quick rock album. Some might suggest that the Attractions were a better band than Elvis deserved. They are just off the road from extensive touring, and they are tight, driving and inventive outfit. The songs are so smart, so melodic, with such energetic playing. Nick Lower had the good sense to make sure that they captured the energy of band, and the recordings are immediate and attention grabbing. The songs are varied, each with its own identity, whip-smart lyrics, great melodies, inventive and tight playing. Beatle-esque in places, but possibly even more influenced by Aftermath-era Rolling Stones. It's a shame he picked up on some the Stones' dubious attitudes towards women. I could listen to this album over and over without getting bored. The singles are classics and never fail to get me hyped up. And the album as a whole is all killer, no filler. 4.5 stars, rounding up.

Declan and the bois cook on this one

You really can’t go wrong with Elvia Costello, and especially not early Costello. In an era when punks were all about loud and fast guitar, Costello’s witty lyricism and sharp guitar is like a breath of fresh air. So many good songs on this album from start to finish, but (I don’t want to go to) Chelsea is definitely my favourite. Pump it up and Radio Radio are absolute classics though, and even though I didn’t know a lot of the rest of the album it didn’t disappoint! Will definitely listen to this another few times!! 10/5

Good vibes. Timeless

Заебок

super cool, pretty punk rock. Interesting music, lots of variance song to song, really good bass lines.

Fondly remembered from my teenage years!

I’m biased, 100%. I grew up with Elvis Costello, and this album was always a particular favourite of mine. But I really do think it’s pretty much perfect. One of the talking points about Costello is his often blatant stalker-ish qualities and anger towards women, and while that’s certainly a feature of his writing, it’s interesting to note that people forget to mention how great his straight love songs are. Little Triggers is a particular highlight

good vibe i like elvis costello

Really enjoyed this one! A great blend of new wave, punk and pop that tickled my ear bagels in just the right way.

One of my absolute favorites. Jam-packed with tight, angsty songs about sexual frustration and full of big hooks and memorable melodies. Elvis Costello takes on the persona of the smart, snarky guy in the corner of the room judging everyone at the party but his lyrics have enough self-deprecation that you're always on his side. To me, this album is a gold standard for balancing sharp lyrics and loud rock. I love punk and I enjoy a good singer-songwriter album but sometimes I secretly wish that the punk songs had sharper lyrics and that the singer-songwriter album had more guitar riffs. That's probably why I love Arctic Monkeys so much. Their early albums do what this album does so well. The music is high energy but Nick Lowe's production is clear enough that you can always hear the snarl in Elvis Costello's vocals and pick out the details in the music. The backing band here is just incredible.

Mega gut very gut sehr funky unso

I’m a believer with the majority on Reddit there are far too many Elvis Costello albums on this list. But along with Armed Forces this album deserves to be on the list. I would go as far to say it’s his masterpiece, takes influence from the past and makes an album that sounds so ahead of its time, brilliant. I’d these were the only 2 albums on the list he wouldn’t get anywhere near the hate

First album with the Attractions... Check. Fave songs like "Pump it up", "(I don't want to go to) Chelsea", "This year's girl", and the song that would live in SNL infamy for over 20 years "Radio, Radio".... check. Fantastic album!

There's too many Elvis Costello records on the list, but this one belongs on the list. Favorite song: the beat

Yep! A 5 for sure, one of my favorite albums. Recently bought it on vinyl and re-found Elvis Costello and appreciated him even more than I did 20 years ago. The Attractions kill it on this album. The lyrics are great. Top tier album.

A peak of the art form. No notes.

Baita som tche, rock n roll da mais alta quality

Super cool! Didn’t realize how many cool songs came off of this album!

Great record, got this on vinyl several years back. Love the attractions

Riktigt bra! Snygg instrumentation och många bra refränger. Favoritlåtar: Pump It Up You Belong To Me Radio, Radio

Didn’t expect to like it but it was very good

love it

Is this the only good Elvis Costello album? I love it.

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.

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

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...