This Year's Model

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.

Good, I think I preferred "My Aim Is True", but I really enjoyed this :)

I enjoyed this album way more than I thought I would. High 3.

At a loss for words with this one. I need to beef up my musical vocabulary so I can speak more eloquently about my musical tastes. It's a good album, I know it's an absolute classic. Iconic album cover as well. The recognizable hits on here are all total jams. Giving it a solid middle-of-the-road rating, I look forward to listening to more Elvis Costello - I know in this project there's plenty more to come.

This is, without a doubt, one of the worst albums I've ever had the misfortune of listening to. The definition of boomer rock. Uninventive, repetitive, often dragging generic trash. His voice is just awful. Reminds of what the B-52s would sound like if they weren't talented. (I'm not sure this site is for me...)

If Elvis Costello isn't in Chelsea, I want to be there. The last ~5 minutes of this album are actually somewhat... interesting? That is the only thing that even slightly redeems this album for me, Costello's voice really grates on my ears.

Thought it was a very timeless album, could have been released any time from 1950s to now!

Bland enough to have on while marking Macbeth essays. 1.5 cause better than the first one. Still meh.

four elvis costellos jeremy? that's insane

Wild - this was NOT what I expected it to be. Sounds like 2000s indy/pop/punk/rock.

Definitely don't need 6 of this guy's albums, especially when this one is considered his best. They were all pretty solid tunes, best song by far was Pump It Up. 3.5

Meh/5

Every time I hear someone mention this guy, they give him so many accolades period I have never met a person in real life that has said to me, man, you've got to listen to this guy. Elvis Costello, he's amazing period he sounds average to me. It's a song Every song I hear from him is a song that if it came on the radio, you would turn it down. The volume about 5 notches and just let it play in the background. I can definitely appreciate that. He may have influenced a bunch of ska bands. Later he seems like one molecule in a few tempo.Speeds away from sounding exactly like the mighty mighty boss tones or vice versa

Inégal avec quelques trucs pas mal du tout. Ça s'écoute gentiment, mais ça restera pas dans les annales non plus.

A Fun album!

The first song was suprisingly fresh, so much so that I had to do a double take on the release date of the album. Reminded me something to come out in the 2000s, not the 70s. Beyond that though, it was fairly bland pop-ish rock-ish music from that era, which could easily blend into any other genre. Doesn't really interest me.

Pump it up and (I don't want to go to) Chelsea are the top songs. I love the new wave feel of this album. Groovy.

Very good very nice

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

Maybe a light bulb moment with this album. Bass lines are funky and the guitars are jangly. Proper new wave meets the beach boys. This years girl with its penetrating mockery is perfect to me. No action, little triggers and pump it up just make me eye roll however. My problem is I just don’t love Costello’s vocals. Put on American accent (saying that I recognise my hyprocisy in American punk or rock mimicking British accents). Songwriting is top notch though. Released at the end of the 1970s this album’s a bridge for the kids who grew up on Beatles/Bowie moving into the 80s rock scene who stuck their nose up at 80s pop and 70s disco. Just scratching the surface of the feelings conveyed just before The Cure, The Smiths, Joy Division and Simple Minds.

Full embrace of punk, lots of energy, and intensity like a shot of espresso

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!

Haven’t heard Elvis Costello, more rock than I was expecting but not sure if I like it too much.

This is the 7th album I’m rating. I’ve heard the name but aside from that I know nothing Elvis Costello & The Attractions. I hope it’s good. No Action - Not Adding to my Playlist. Kinda boring and I don’t like his voice. This Year’s Girl - Not Adding to my Playlist. Not a fan of that singing. The Beat - Not Adding to my Playlist. Cool beat but I don’t really like the vocals. Pump It Up - Adding to my Playlist. I don’t know what he’s saying but it’s good either way. Little Triggers - Not Adding to my Playlist. Singing isn’t great but it’s fine. You Belong to Me - Adding to my Playlist. Sounds pretty good but lyrics are a little repetitive. Hand in Hand - Not Adding to my Playlist. I don’t like those lyrics. (I Don’t Want to Go to) Chelsea - Not Adding to my Playlist. Chelsea can’t be that bad of a city. Lip Service - Not Adding to my Playlist. I don’t like this singing. Living in Paradise - Not Adding to my Playlist. I don’t like the lyrics. Lipstick Vogue - Not Adding to my Playlist. That singing is annoying. Night Rally - Not Adding to my Playlist. This is boring and I don’t like the singing. All in all I liked 2/12 of the songs. This kinda sucked but it wasn’t terrible or 80 minutes long.

Didn't love it as much as "my aim is true" but still a rad album.

Punchy album, has a pretty clear identity and was a fun listen that definitely feels ahead of it's time.

Interesting, but not for me.

No private session used for Spotify. Elvis Costello is the only Elvis. I have my own best of Elvis Costello play list, there are a couple of songs from this album of it, so of course I like it, though I do prefer my best of rather than listening to this album on it's own.

Great to hear the singles in the context of the whole album. I’ve always liked Declan and still do, great tunes and the attractions really rock on this one, good stuff.

3- Stars (7/15)

Heard it before and don't remember liking it. Elvis Costello is just so lame to me I can't force myself to like him. I keep forgetting he's from the UK so listening to him I feel as if I'm listening to an American doing an imitation of British rock from the 70s. The vibes are just off. Allegedly the 1001 list has a bunch of his albums and I don't think I'm gonna survive this. 1/5

Interesting album. I can hear a direct line from the 60s and 70s pop sound like the Beatles to the 80s new wave. Not a massive fan enjoyable enough. Only a 3 though, not the sort of thing I would listen to on the norm, but closer to a 4 than a 2.

New wave pop/rock punk som har inspireret store kunstnere som green day i nyere tid feks Yndlingssange er Chelsea Living in paradise The beat Lipstick vogue

Elvis hat es drauf

*Surely* this 6th album marks the end of my Elvis Costello generator odyssey…? It’s been a journey of highs, lows, and mostly mids, but we’re ending as we started: on a high. There are the usual 3 or 4 standout tracks but the rest are elevated by a winning combination of snarling punk bite and organ-fuelled pop sensibilities. The punchy production sounds excellent for 1978 - it really comes alive played loud through headphones. Well, thanks for everything Elvis. It’s been alright on the whole, hasn’t it?

Really cool record, super energetic and catchy. Enjoyed quite a few tunes but personally took a few listens to properly get into it. Great drum sounds and the recordings sound nice and clean. You can see how it laid the foundations for future bands, i feel like i can definitely hear some remnants of this style in some 00s bands. Can definitely see some influence of Elvis in Miles Kane. Wicked basslines too, the attractions sound great and are really tight. They definitely make the record feel really coherent throughout, providing a strong backbone to Elvis' raw vocals. Overall everything feels pretty dry and raw actually which is a good thing, it lends itself to the record feeling really punchy and effective. The vocals are upfront and overall the mixing is spot on.

6/10. Some good stuff but overall a bit blah at parts.

Nice

I don’t know if I was in a good mood or he hit the opposite of a sophomore slump but this was great! He’s still got a dorky voice though.

Very mixed bag. In some areas this album is really unique and off-the-wall, but in others it plays things way too safely. I generally enjoyed the instrumentals, but Costello's vocal performances are too far on the tepid side for me. Same goes for the lyrics.

nice music but not interesting

Another awesome Elvis Costello album.

As usual I think his music is fine, and often I find myself realizing I've heard a track or two of his. Other than that, it's not my favorite music in the world.

Surprisingly good.

🤷‍♂️

point9.

How many fucking Costello albums do you REALLY need to listen to before you die?! Because tbh, I’d say just one!

Some good songs, little triggers and living in paradise were two favorites. Overall I feel like it wasn’t as much of a punk anti establishment album as people make it out to be. Very poppy and standard condensed songs

An absent possessive apostrophe on the cover notwithstanding – YES. This is such a great record. “The Beat”; “Lipstick Vogue”; “Big Tears” (and the ones I’ve heard before) … it’s just tune after tune. Musically it feels so in conversation with its influences – punk, reggae, Beatles – while also, somehow, knowingly portentous (is all of pop punk contained in that first song?); perhaps easier to just say ‘a musician who loves music’. The best part of 50 years after it was released, it still sounds so fresh and immediate.

Hihetetlen hogy ez 1978-as. Olyan mint valami midwestern emo zene.

This really didn't grab me

Cool and sharp.

Sometimes I think some albums are critically acclaimed because they remind the reviewer of a certain time in their life rather then it being exceptional. This album I feel is a case in point. Perfectly fine, enjoyable in parts but was not crazy about it 3.5*

I don’t love costellos voice, songs sound similar, not bad or unpleasant just not for me

Didn’t pay all that much attention and nothing grabbed my attention either.

Unexpectedly loved this. I remember sticking Elvis Costello in the "formulaic standard rock" category when I first checked his music out, but I was mistaken. Great songwriting all around. With time, this could potentially be a 5 for me.

How the dub gave I been missing this

I liked this album better than the last one I had to review, and at just 39 minutes, it wasn't too challenging. I'm still not sure why he has so many albums on the list.

This is my last album of 2024 and I think it sums up my experience of this past year of life pretty well. All around a bit shit, glimpses that things might turn around but ultimately you wish you could have skipped this year, I mean album. Not the worst, not the best - bring on 2025 and albums 313-570ish - I’m optimistic

It's my 5th Elvis Costello album on this list and while he is not among my favorite artists, 'This Year's Model' is certainly the best album so far. The songwriting is good, the production also stands out and he is a great lyricist. It's somewhere between 3 and 4 for me, but since this is better than his 3 star albums, I'm round it up to 4.

I get it. His music was important and he inspired lots of more entertaining artists that came after him. I promise to give at least 3 stars if you don't put anymore of his albums on the list

I just don't /get/ it

Very solid Elvis album! It's so consistently good and the Attractions really shine here along with the songwriting. Liked Songs Added: Pump It Up Lipstick Vogue Radio, Radio

Ive heard the name so many times over the years and didn’t know why he was famous. This was a geeat album

82% Best: The Beat; Pump It Up; (I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea; Living In Paradise Must-Hear? Almost

This album is terrific. Loads of topnotch songs that are energetic, danceable, and offer more to think about than just sex and drugs. Every track is strong. https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-this-years-model-by?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false

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.

Costello makes some average ahh music. Nothing special about it

Enjoyed the lyrics and band performances of this but I'm not a massive fan of Costello's vocals. So much so that I don't think I'd listen to him regularly. Highlights are Pump It Up, Little Triggers & Lipstick Vogue.

Thanks for this Christmas present. Now I get to listen to the Walmart version of Bruce Springsteen.

Meh

This is a pretty typical Elvis Costello album. Tim: "It's everything I love about Elvis Costello."

Glammy og litt ekkel sånn rockabilly faenskap?

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.)

Joah.

Was sort of cool at first, I liked No Action. Kind of one note for most of the album though. Don't feel like it belongs on this list.

Fantastic album.

1 or 2 cute songs. Not very into this type of melodies.

I usually don't mind Elvis Costello and I quite enjoy his voice, but this album was just a bit boring to be honest. Nothing managed to stand out and every song just kind of passed me by, not the worst thing I've ever heard by any stretch of the imagination, but hard for me to find the reason it's on a list such as this.

Ik ben echt een sucker voor lekkere beats, dus The Beat is right up my alley. De up-tempo nummers zijn zo ongelooflijk veel beter dan de ballads(Little Triggers klinkt echt niet goed) en ik ben er nog niet helemaal uit wat ik nou van de zanger vind. Hij klinkt als een soort overdreven versie van zichzelf? Als dat ergens op slaat? Sowieso vind ik de instrumenten en de beats echt de ster van dit album, de zang is vermakelijk maar instrumentaal is het album echt top. Soort van funky of is dat weer new wave? Geen idee, misschien ben ik stiekem een new wave fan, goed om te weten. FAVO: The beat, Pump it Up, i dont wanna go to Chelsea

Great song writing and really catchy spiky tunes - my only negative is his vocal delivery which just don't really do it for me. A high 4.

It seems like everywhere I go I see his name, but I’ve never heard his music until now. It has just never interested me, I guess. Solid rock and roll. Won’t listen to him before someone I like, though.

I like him more than I don't most of the time. Occasionally awesome, occasionally I want to turn him off.

Influental, energetic and iconic for sure, but not quite for me.

Boring and annoying... kinda like Joe Jackson but a lot less cool

Fine, not impressed

242/1001 🌕🌕🌗🌑🌑

Good album.

Classic Elvis!

Elvis Costello er fínn tónlistarmaðurbog allt það en ég skil samt ekki sjarmann sem hann hefur. Ég get alveg hlustað á hann og mér finnst lögin bara allt í lagi en ég myndi aldrei velja mér sjálfur að hlusta á hann. Lögin eru ekki nægilega góð til þess að mig langi til að hlusta á þau aftur

fine, just fine

Still sounds fresh. 3.5*

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.

3.1 1x catch up 12/9

All sounded pretty similar. Fun songs but not my favorite for every day.

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

I love the punk influences in this album. Elvis Costello & Joe Jackson making punk more palatable for the masses, with out disrespecting the genre.

It was fun but I wasn't hooked

Was pretty good, although I didn't care much for it genre/style-wise. No Action, This Year's Girl, and Little Triggers were alright, rest of the album was kinda brain-numbing. Better than Ermes Costello as a character.

“Pump It Up” is a banger. Otherwise, I just don’t think Costello’s songwriting is for me.

This is phychopath music. I'd rather listen to a banana ripening. Or the last beat of a dying person's heart. Or the sound of a million horse hooves stepping on a million broken bottles. Sounds grim? You did this to me Costello! You fucking did this to me!

Rating: 8/10 A fun and catchy album, instrumentally very strong and good enough vocally to be enjoyable all the way through. The bass lines are especially incredible.

No

7/10 This is my third EC album so far, I’m finding the list’s obsession with him surprising. Is he responsible for at least 0.3% of the most notable albums ever? Having said that, enjoyed this one. Punky power pop with excellent production. Maybe doesn’t have enough variation to really grab me, but you can clearly hear its influence on a lot of things that came later Best: Pump it Up

整體舒服、可以聽完的感覺，但沒有特別突出的地方。電吉他的、其他樂器的搭配很喜歡，尤其是「chelsea」。

Last year’s model.

Vintage, not quite showroom condition

this guy again feel bad for the guy who made this book, they're clearly a huge elvis costello fan and like everyone on this site is sick of hearing him. this is definitely my favorite elvis costello album i've heard so far. either that or I'm starting to warm up to him

8/10…proto punk / power pop

Radio Radio 10/10. Kan rigtig godt lide lyden på det her album

Lyder så lækkert! Taber pusten lidt på side B, ellers havde det sgu været en 5er

Thank God this eventually ended... I HATE his way of singing it felt like an entire album of scubidubidubidawababa... If it was up to me, I'd never listen to another Elvis Costello song.. But this is the 3rd album on the list, so you never know..

Not really that memorable. Kind of samey.

It was typical Elvis. A little bit goes a long way. 3

I wouldn't guess 1978 as release date, the sound feels recent. 3.5->4

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

Pretty good.

It’s Elvis Costello

Goid

Listened Before? N Meh. I wrote a whole review for this and I lost it. Sadly, I think this one is a solid album but not really a stand out. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: Pump It Up

Quick and light hearted. The album felt much shorter than it actually is.

3.5 the clash solista

Es un 7, pero por ser elvis costello, vamos a acercarlo al 8.

Not sure how to describe it, but this whole album rubbed me the wrong way...

Fun album, easy to listen to

Pretty good. A couple 5 star songs. Although EC might be another example of an artist who might be better represented by a best of compilation on this 1,001 list instead of multiple albums that each have a couple classic songs.

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

We appear to be entering the Elvis Costello phase of the generator. This is very good, but does not have that same something that My Aim Is True has. I wonder if this album is suffering from us listening to them both so close together and my comparison between the two. Would this get a 5 if it were first? No way to tell. (Probably not)

Not sure how much of my review reflects how I was listening to this (while at work) but this all felt very same-y. I like it a lot but there wasn't much variation in tempo, tone, etc. That being said, when I could "tune in" the bass lines in this were dope. One of these days I really need to get back into playing bass. Also, any time I listen to Elvis Costello, I'm reminded of a friend of mine who asked me what I was listening to back in high school one day. It was a local-ish pop rock band called Ultimate Fakebook. She listened to it and said "Oh, they've got a real Elvis Costello thing going on." I, being a stupid teenager, balked that my musical tastes were being compared to anything that remotely well-known/popular. This is coming 20+ years too late but, Kali, you were right. Ultimate Fakebook still rules. Real Drums Forever!

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.

Well look what we have here another fricking Elvis Costello album. If this guy makes my Spotify top artist I’m blaming the guy who made this list. I picture him in his living Tom right now doing the gahdamn twist to this record while his wife looks on in utter horror. Now, with all that hate out of the way, this album wasn’t the worst out of his apparently vast discography. It was actually one of the more enjoyable ones that I didn’t mind having on in the background while got ready for work. So kudos to you list guy, you got one Elvis Costello album out of 1000 kinda right. 3.5/5 stars

Think this more enjoyable than other EC albums I've heard but I find it hard to get past his voice which kinda grates on me.

A bit more masculine and far more refined, the second album from Elvis really shows off this talents as a writer, player, and musician finder. The Attractions elevate his sound from My Aim is True without turning it into something too complicated. It's packed with energy and complexity. One of his best

What an annoying album. How is he (at least) 5 times on this list?

Funky oldies, ok

Great rock album. Standouts: Lip Service, Pump It Up, No Action, This Year's Girl.

Out of my way, nerdlinger.

And you're telling me the critics put this guy in 6 times? I reject the notion that I must listen to this guy 5 more times.

Probably my favorite Elvis Costello record so far!

Ugh. Boring!

If I could give this album a 0 star I would. Boring and uneventful. Sad and pathetic. Bad and worse.

Solid 3. I immediately recognized Pump It Up as the song that Olivia Rodrigo’s Brutal was allegedly copying, so I’d say there’s at least a bit of merit to that claim.

Started out thinking this was at least a 4, with strong hits like “Pump it Up” (on my “Jackson” playlist), and “Radio Radio”. The rest of it was surprisingly bland, with memories of most of the tracks, but only a few still clicked with me — “Little Triggers”, “Hand in Hand” and “Lip Service”. Most of the rest started out fine but didn’t go anywhere. So down to a 3. Still waiting for “Imperial Bedroom”…

Great getting ready to go out album for some reason

Extra star for doing an extra album in Spanish.

Really groovy. I ended up liking the second half a lot better than the first, but it's all around pretty good. Costello's expression in his songs are really a standout here. Love the use of instrumentation and the audio balance was fantastic. Favorites were Lip Service and Lipstick Vogue

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.

I liked it more than I thought I would

***An ok album

Elvis Costello and the Attractions really threaded the needle between New Wave, Punk, and Pop while always being accessible to a wide crowd. The music puts me into the mind frame of the era it came out, it captures the feel and pulse of the its' time.

I really expected to like this more than I did. The only song I knew of his was Peace Love & Understanding, and I like this song. I just kind of kept forgetting that I was listening to this album, unfortunately.

Fairly inoffensive.

Solid. 4

I like his voice and the style but only a couple songs really grabbed me.

Exactly what I thought it was going to be and exactly what I was avoiding. I don’t understand the appeal and it all sounds so corny to me. His voice is so hard for me to get past. The music itself seems like it could be on a commercial. I don’t know not for me I guess

ну такое, приятное звучание гитар в начале, но регги вайбы не пнравились

Hell yeah

Liked it better than I expected but still just kinda fine. Definitely more rock n roll than I thought Costello was

the catchiest songs you've ever heard about the worst guy you've ever met. I was fully unprepared for the sheer amount of anger that Elvis Costello radiates on these songs, much of it directed towards women! rock music and misogyny are no strangers to each other, of course, but with this album, I think Costello and The Attractions approach the subject with a satirical angle that's not immediately apparent on the surface. Costello's vocals, particularly on this album's most bitter songs like "Little Triggers" and "Hand in Hand", sneer and simmer with a barely contained rage... and yet The Attractions always make you want to dance! their music acts as a foil to Costello, deflating his rhetoric and turning it back on himself. this is a deeply unsympathetic portrayal of Costello as a man and a human being, and I think he's fully aware of that. hence, this album is an absolute ball. punk rock energy with powerful hooks, all tied together by that kooky organ. decent 8/10.

This is a nice pop CD, I know a lot of people who really love it and have listened to it before. Something about it just doesn't do it for me though. Even relative to other New Wave acts it's got three features that to me kind of drag it down. One, it's pretty lyrically-focused - that's his style, that's fine, but I don't really care too much about lyrics. On something like "Chelsea" he's spitting out words machine-gun style like Bruce Springsteen, but the harmonies and melodies are unexciting. Two, and this is related, Costello is a relatively poor singer - he's got limited range and kind of a reedy voice. The most excitement he generates with his voice on the whole CD is on "Pump It Up" where the whole band shouts the hook all at once - that's fun, but it's like a cover for his limitations. And last, for a power-pop-y CD, it's just not that lushly orchestrated. Compare it to Cars eponymous, which came out the same year and is obviously part of the same musical movement. Costello doesn't have the same depth of sound, the same wonderful vocal harmonies, the same massive hooks. I like "Pump It Up" a lot though. That's a winner.

I do not like Elvis Costello, but this probably the most tolerable of his works

It's... not my cup of tea. The vocals are off-putting, it's like Elvis is trying way too hard to stand out. Aside from a few songs, most are unforgettable, and more than a few have creepy overtones and borderline misogny written in them. Dated, but I can understand why this might have been influential back in the day. Best songs: The Beat, Radio, Radio Worst songs: You Belong To Me, Living in Paradise

I have no strong thoughts about this album either way. You can hear some of the more modern indie-rock in this record ahead of its time. But beyond that there is little lasting impression.

I have never really listened to Elvis Costello before this, something of a new discovery for me. In my head he was more in the realm of Nick Cave - don't know where I got that from - so was surprised at the poppy chirpy record coming through. I enjoyed listening to it.

Number of Elvis Costello songs I've now heard: 79 (6 entire albums) Number of Elvis Costello songs I remember: 0 I've now heard every single Costello album on this list and I'm very happy that I can now go on with my life never having to listen to or think about this guy ever again. Actually sort of impressive to write 6 entire albums of literally nothing.

No filler, all killer!

I rather enjoyed a few tracks here. I’m not a New Wave guy, but this was pretty good. This is my first Costello album, but it’s my understanding that many people feel he is over represented on this list. I’m curious if my opinion of this one changes as I get more of his stuff generated.

Why the fuck does Elvis Costello keep appearing on “best of” lists??? He’s written maybe two decent songs and produced any number of bands into his idea of mediocrity.

good!

Very nice - definitely my favourite Elvis Costello that I've heard. I've listened to it twice today, and enjoyed it in two quite different ways. The second time I found it quite moving in parts and lyrically fascinating.

was expecting to like this waaaay more than i did. i think fundamentally i don’t care enough about male whining to enjoy this ):

Fake Elvis revient avec un album plutôt correct, je dirais même un peu fun, rempli de chansons et de paroles.

Pretty darn good. I always overlook the Elvis'

Very monotone and not much musical variety on this one. Throughout his career he has managed to write several what I would consider classic long-lasting songs. The only one on this album is “Radio Radio”. Ok and maybe “Pump It Up”. But there are several clunkers (“Night Rally” and “Hand in Hand”). And lots of forgettables. Not his best work. Apparently there are four Elvis Costello albums on this list. This one could be removed to make room for somebody unrepresented.

Meh

Mainio levy! Erittäin hyvää poprokkia. My Aim is True on biisien osalta lähempänä meikän herttaa, mutta ei tää kauas jää. Annetaan nyt neljä tähtee. 4/5

Tästä costellon levystä jopa ihan tykkäsin! Sopivan ironista vinkunaa. 4/5

Loved it

Apparently every shitty not this hack committed to tape is something I must hear before I die. Well. I'll continue to mark each a single star.

A couple okay songs the rest are forgettable.

Not for me. Might be a bit biased as I had a headache. Then again I didn't have it before I started listening to this album so it might have caused it.

Lively and well put together , excellent bass 4.6

I had never really listened to Elvis before this list. I was familiar with his hits, which I liked, but the first full album I tried was "Armed Forces," which I didn't care for. This album, along with "Imperial Bedroom," has been much better, and my impression will likely improve after repeated listening.

Gotta love some Elvis Costello

More of this shit.

Pretty good album! I liked “Radio Radio” quite a bit.

3 stars

My favorite Elvis Costello album.

A fun, upbeat album. Really liked the sound on this one.

The other Elvis did it better. Favorite Track: "This Year's Girl".

Probably his best album. Power pop with attitude

no action- i hate his voice. 5 this years girl- 5 the beat- 5 pump it up- 4 little triggers- 4 you belong to me- 5 hand in hand- 6. i like the line "dont you know i got the bully boys out changing someones facial design" chelsea- i have a hunch this song is about sid and nancy. ok i dont think im right. oh well. 5 lip service- 5 or 6. song that plays when all the characters just got outta school and getting into their cars living in paradise- 5 or 6 lipstick vogue- 5 night rally- 6 big tears-5 radio radio- 5 it was ok

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

Оч мне этот очкарик понравился, спасибо этому сайту за открытия такие. А то слушаю одно говно электронное

like every other elvis costello album this hits me absolutely nowhere, no real strong feelings about this, although i did find it to be about 15% more grating than his other albums

Best Song: Lipstick Vogue. The bass in this song might be the highlight of the whole album. Worst Song: Hand In Hand. Ending the song with an ad nauseum repetition of the title isn't the choice that I would have made here. Overall: I really don't understand the appeal that Elvis Costello has to warrant so many places on this list. His exaggeratedly staccato delivery really starts to grind on me after a while, and the instrumentation around it is just okay. Inoffensive and unexciting.

This Year’s Model rips, there are some soft moments but it mostly rips from start to finish. The Attractions are fantastic, especially drummer Peter Thomas. Lyrically edgy, sexual (I’m surprised he hasn’t been cancelled yet) Costello always seems to toe the line of just the right amount of subtle melody. This is a great punk rock album 8.8/10

Do not enjoy Elvis' voice, sorry.

This was the first time I’d listened to an Elvis Costello album and perhaps a bit more familiarity with his other works might help to better understand where this sits. He can certainly write a decent song and there’s probably more to discover in his lyrics with repeated listens. Can’t tell if he’s much imitated since or just doing what others had done before and blending musical styles together to make something that’s new. I’m sitting on the fence with this one!

Some outstanding tracks like (I don’t want to go to) Chelsea, but I can only cope with Costello‘s vocals in small bursts.

Thoroughly enjoyed this, the influence on early Blur quite apparent. Mostly cracking tunes, highlights being This Year's Girl, Pump It Up (obvs), Chelsea (why on earth was this substituted on the US LP) and Living in Paradise, the latter having a stonking bassline. I'm not usually one for punk, but this is melodic and has the right amount of spike. Definitely one to add to the collection!

EC always struck me as likely an insufferable wanker in the same vein as Bono. I find his voice incredibly annoying and put on, which is hard to look past: he sounds like he's trying so hard, which gives an insincere, inauthentic impression. I did enjoy the music on the more angular punky tracks and felt i was able to look past his vocal on some: particularly the Beat. Tracks like Hand in Hand and Little Triggers are everything I find annoying about him. I think you can hear quite a lot of the pop punk that was around in our youth in this record. It's a genre that similarly suffers from try-hard whining vocalists.

Good. I had never listened to them but I can see why people like it

Overrated.

This Year’s Model Nice to have this after My Aim is True last week, you can hear the development between the two and it really showcases what was great about Costello in this perido. The Attractions definitely have a rougher, more punk edge, eschewing some of the more 50s touches for a spikier and more aggressive, more angular new wave energy, which suits the mean spirited sentiments of the songs. There’s some very good bass playing and I love the drum sound that Nick Lowe gets on here, that echoey tom is great, particularly on This Year’s Girl and Pump It Up. And Steve Nieve’s keyboards are excellent, and really make the album what it is, the organ on The Beat is fantastic and you can hear echoes of that almost seaside sound in Modern Life is Rubbish and Parklife. It’s a great set of songs too, although written around the same time as My Aim is True they feel more developed and considered with better arrangements and some great catchy melodies. No Action has a similar function to Welcome to the Working Week on My Aim is True, a short sharp burst of energy, setting the snarky tone of the record. This Year’s Girl is great, with that Ringo-esque drum pattern and the taut angular guitar. I love The Beat, great chorus and that keyboard pattern. Pump it Up is of course an absolute stomping banger, Subterranean Homesick Blues-esque in its rapid fire verses, great keyboard riff and just a great song. Little Triggers is another superb track, harking back to some of the doo-wop and 50s influences on My Aim is True, but another truly great song and highlight of the album. You can hear The Beatles in the opening riff to You Belong To Me, before the keyboard kicks the pace up and it becomes a taut little rocker. Hand in Hand had a nice gentleness to it’s opening, recalling Alison, before the drums kick in and it settles in with some great organ and guitar and catchy chorus. I Don’t Want to Go to Chelsea is another absolute banger, with that great spiky riff and rhythm echoing the lyric. Love the drums, bass and acoustic guitar on Lip Service, and that piano picking out the way to the chorus is great. Living in Paradise has more fantastic keyboards, dripping between the lines like honey through the gaps in the floorboards. Excellent song. Lipstick Vogue is also great, with that almost East Asian sounding intro before the frantic bass driven edgy verses. I love the atmospheric intro to Night Rally, echoing the unseen oppressive theme of the song, some superb playing and and the abrupt cut out is great. I know Big Tears and Radio Radio are additions on the re-issue but they are also great tracks, love Mick Jones’s guitar on Big Tears and Radio Radio of course is another classic early Costello single. Love the version from Saturday Night Live My Aim is True was and is a 5 and this is better, so it can only be a 5. Great album, no weak tracks and right at the peak of the Attractions and Costello’s fraught, tense, energetic yet melodic powers. Have always loved the cover too. 📷📷📷📷📷 Playlist Submission: Pump it Up

It was ok

I have listened this albums months ago. It is a good album but it is not may most suitable genre.

I love the vibe and the sound. Elvis has a lot to say, but never really seems to say anything. He doesn’t really let the tunes simmer, not a ton of instrumental breaks, yet I didn’t walk away feeling like I’d heard anything poetic or insightful, but maybe that’s just me.

Clean vocals and production, but not something I'd re-listen to for fun.

I have always been a fan of Elvis Costello and was introduced sometime in the mid 80's to his music. Now this fact made it so my working assumption was always that he was from "around then." Turns out this is a much older album and my mind is blown! This stuff is STILL ahead of its time in a way. Clearly I see this as a huge deal because that means he had to put himself out there and dare to step up; an honestly very difficult thing to do! But there it was. And here we are. I would probably give this a solid three star rating, I don't think it is his best album. However a one star boost is absolutely deserved in consideration of when he put this timeless album out!

no es mi estilo amiguin pero no taba malo

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.

It's fine I suppose. I liked the hits on here and nothing stood out as bad or boring. Don't really see why Elvis Costello deserves 6 placements on this list though.

Ehhh, huh. Hated this. The guy voice is awful and none of the songs have anything interesting going on. Kinda skipped my way through it.

No

The Beat I Dont Want To Go To Chelsea

This Year's Model carries the same sharp lyricism from Costello's first album, but with a more pop-refined approach to songwriting that makes it more appealing to wider audiences. This is best exemplified by Pump It Up and (I Don't Want to Go To) Chelsea, both songs utilizing a strong driving rhythm to sell Costello's excellent new wave hooks. One of the few Costello albums that earns it's place on the list.

I like his edgy tone, kind of angry but cool. Some of the songs were good, others were just meh.

I enjoyed this album, especially the guitar riffs and catchy lyrics. I appreciate the music but wouldn't go out of my way to buy the album. The listen was good but I know that others would appreciate it much more than I can. I really enjoyed the energy in "Pump It Up", 'Lipstick Vogue', and 'Radio, Radio'. The organ in the tracks were a great touch.

Started very promising but I lost a bit of interest

A really good album with a lot of great songs. My favorites were Pump It Up and (I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea.

trotos

Nah still a 3 it’s catchy but I have and will hear better here

This has the perfect dose of 70’s tongue in cheek cringe, but all the tracks absolutely slap. I love the production, and Elvis Costello has definitely grown a ton on me since first listening to this project. There’s no denying the catchiness of these songs, and that this is perhaps his most rounded record I’ve heard so far.

Nice tunes, nice voice, nice sound… won’t play it again though.

Guter alter Brit-Pop. I Love it.

Eh, nothing crazy. Ok at best. 4.5/10

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

Pretty fun album. Enjoyed it. Standout songs: Little Triggers Lip Service Night Rally

Some really strong singles and hits and some less entertaining tracks. Elvis Costello is far too represented on the list but this one does definitely feel like it belongs here.

This album gives me 70's high school vibes or even like summer at the beach surfing. Elvis' voice is super forward and just has that perfect 'tang' to it that pulls you into each song, each crescendo - its great. I do think this album is a very specific listen where I'd need to be in the mood for it in order to really enjoy it, but it hit the spot today.

3.5

New wave pioneers

I never understood why my mom enjoyed Elvis Costello and I still don’t. I guess this is the shit that was exciting for people before the internet existed.

fun sound, didn't expect to know as many songs as i did.

Best of the Elvis Costello albums so far. I could listen to this.

People who I admire musically always love Elvis, but I've always struggled to get into it. That being said, this was a really good album!

So good

Yeah not bad some odd songs though

Listenable

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.

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.

One of a couple out of the 7 or 8 Elvis Costello records I have zero issues with being in the book. Brilliant.

Didn't have enough time but enjoyed what I heard

Hm, this does not sound like '78. Way ahead of its time. Sounds 90s to me. And alot of the others more like late 80s I actually didn't hate this one. And will give it 4 stars.

I feel like if you want to take a serious dive into the history of music, much of Elvis Costello's work is a right of passage. As this album shows, he is very much an artist with his own voice, but you can hear the influences as he wears his heart on his sleeve; taking the sounds that influence and interest him and concocting his own experiment out of them. This is definitely one of his better works. Lyrically, Costello is more angry here than usual. Reflecting on a very materialistic society through songs like 'This Year's Girl', 'Pump It Up', and (I don't Want To Go To) Chelsea. Reflections on the struggles of early manhood in 'The Beat'. Dealing with alienation in 'Lipstick Vogue'. And voicing strong criticism while portraying a fear of the far right in 'Night Rally'. This is all packed onto music that is energetic, catchy, with a raw punk attitude; but also feels extremely well produced. He takes elements of punk, channels them through a slick filter, and you can almost hear every pop punk band of the late 90's/early 2000's owing much of their sound and ideas to Costello. Personal highlights: 'This Year's Girl', 'The Beat', 'You Belong To Me', (I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea, 'Lip Service', 'Living In Paradise', and 'Night Rally'. It's a pretty packed album with only a couple of songs letting it down a smidge. But otherwise, this is pretty prime Elvis Costello. 4/5

2,5

I've been kind of ambivalent about the previous Elvis Costello albums I've gotten from the list. I have to say, this was fun. I liked it and I think if I devoted some time to listening to it again, it would grow on me more. More of a 3.5.

Another singer I know but none of the songs.

9/13/24. Fun, good energy rock album with a lot of pop elements.

An early mix of jazz with pop. Found again Elvis Costello thanks to this.

I do have a soft spot for Elvis Costello. Thoughtful and articulate lyrics, even if a bit obscure at times. Notable songs on this album are "Pump it Up", "I Don't Want to Go to Chelsea" and "Radio, Radio".

Nerding out so cool With an energetic sway Slickly delivered

I listened to this album while doing homework in class. I didn’t enjoy the last album I had of him, and this was more of the same. It’s fine, but not anything I enjoyed. No standouts because I didn’t stop to check my phone while I played the album.

God, what a great album!

Good album. Not really for me, but had a few really enjoyable tracks.

I don't think it was bad, I just didn't really like it. I bet this would be fun at a live show, but for sitting and listening as normal it wasn't for me. I can definitely hear how this was influential for other similar bands to follow.

this was released almost exactly at the midpoint between the death of Buddy Holly and the release of "Buddy Holly"... coincidence??

mmmm not for me. sanitized and clean, nothing to grasp onto.

divertido jazzy y tirando como a blues, I like that 7/10

6/10

I'm not happy that ANOTHER one of his albums is on this list. And even more unfortunately, it's definitely the best one so far. 3.

This is my favorite Elvis Costello album to date. Personal enjoyment: 3/5 Relevance to this list: 3/5

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"

4/5

My Elvis Costello listening has always only been the more famous tracks and then not really many listens of those. So I was intrigued when this popped up as an album to listen too. And… I really enjoyed it… will defo listen to more of this.

Elvis Costello. In het begin van mijn reis kreeg ik hem vrij snel twee keer en toen kon het me niet bekoren. Nu krijg ik hem nog een keer en m'n conclusie is eigenlijk onveranderd. Aardige muziek met een wat vervelend bijdehand klinkende zanger. Ik ben er nog steeds niet kapot van.

Not really my type.

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

Ei sietämättömintä Costelloa, ihan ookoo. Mutta onko näiden kaikkien Costellojen paikka tosiaan tällä listalla? Ylitarjonta luo inflaation, ja ajattelen tästä levystä, että plääh. Enkä edelleenkään tykkää tästä ironisesta otteesta, vaikka just tän levyn hammondeista tykkäänkin. Se luo liian ”hälläväliä, kyl te tiiätte että mä osaan” -tunnelman.

Yllättävän hyvä eka biisi. Ja toka. Kolmas? Ja neljäs! Tämä on kai sitä Elvis C:tä, joka ihmisten mielestä ansaitsee kulttimaineensa (huijaan vähän: olen minä nämä biisit ennenkin kuunnellut). B-puolella artisti vajoaa siihen koulumestarimaisuuteen, joka on pitkään varjostanut hänen uraansa. Mutta myönnetään: Costello onnistuu maneereistaankin huolimatta. Ja ehkä vähän niiden takia.

Excellent

Great

Album 514 of 1001 Elvis Costello & The Attractions - This Year's Model Rating : 4.5 / 5 I like most from him I hear but there is always something keeping from putting him over the top. Like listening but I don't think I would ever be craving to hear something from him.

if every song on here was as good as "pump it up" it would be a very good album! otherwise it's just OK. fav tracks: pump it up; the beat; you belong to me; (i don't want to go to) chelsea

I was hoping that on another listen through, different songs would stand out to me than the last time I heard it, but that didn't quite happen. The same songs that I got hooked on last time were the standouts again, and all on the first ~1/2 of the album. I think the album gets pretty repetitive by the end, and even the songs themselves are a bit repetitive by the end of their runtime. Though it was a bit tedious by the end when listening to it together as a complete body of work, I think that most of these songs would stand out to me as fun and interesting if they were mixed in with other artists' songs, so I still really enjoy this album overall.

Not his best but still a solid entry, Pump it Up is iconic

Solid album with multiple hits. Will listen to it again.

Never listened to this album before. Pump It Up and Radio, Radio are the singles, and the rest of the album is generally just annoying. Though some tracks seem to have inspired later, better, acts. Go To Chelsea in particular is a precursor to Mirror in the Bathroom, which was released 2 years later. The lyrics are better off being ignored as Elvis comes off sounding like an Incel. Barely giving it a 3

Thought this was a pretty clever line: Cause meanwhile up in heaven they are waiting at the gate Saying, "We always knew you'd make it, didn't think you'd come this late"

Definitely worth listening to. Unlike some albums, this was really easy to listen from beginning to end, and I wouldn't mind listening to it again. But "being easy to listen to", that's also the problem. Pretty much all of the songs are "good", but they don't evoke any strong feelings, in me at least...

Meh. A few really fun tunes. Overall not standout.

I can’t tell if it’s hackneyed or influential but I know it sounds like songs I’ve heard a thousand times before in the corniest way.

Liked this better than expected but still very much background music to me

Possibly the most accessible Elvis Costello album I heard. Super irritating regardless. Please don’t compare him to Weezer — Weezer at least wrote hooks people remember 😰😰😰 Elvis is correct that he gets "No Action" though.

This album is soooooooo freakyyyyy! Elvis Costello you are a freak!!!!

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

Each song was better than the one before it, if there was another album at that pace I probably would have liked it.

This album feels dated even for when it was released. Every song felt overtuned and was unappealing to listen to. Some catchy moments, but nothing in my opinion that stood out as good other than fleeting riffs. Chiefly derivative and uninspired

I will always struggle with his voice but I didn’t hate this

3/5

Unremarkable. Sounded like 80s music before 80s music was a thing. I don’t love 80s music

Recognized some hita but overall eh

Poppy sounding Elvis Costello

It gets the "I just listened to spiritualized" one star bump

Best album we’ve have from EC.