Guest gthureson Report post Posted February 4, 2002 I have never understood why Elvis Costello never broke big in the States (well, he was blackballed for a while in the early 80s, but that went away after awhile). An excellent songwriter who keeps pumping out great material, has learned to use his voice more than just as a loudspeaker for his lyrics, and always has great musicians on his albums. (Either the Attractions, or parts thereof, or studio musicians others would kill for.) He's always been a critic's darling, and has a large and loyal fanbase, but I blame most of the underexposure on the fact that he doesn't follow any trends at all, and instead just sort of does his own thing, and if it crosses with whats popular at the time...well, thats nice. But if it doesn't than it doesn't. Ah well. I'm sure he doesn't lose any sleep over it and neither will I. But when bands/artists like Korn and Rage make 'All-time' lists and Costello is frequently left off, I get slightly annoyed. When Korn puts out great stuff for over 20 years, has a back catalogue of over 400 songs and can change their sound six or seven times seamlessly, then I'll put them on a list. /pissing and moaning off Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Kinetic Report post Posted February 5, 2002 I always thought it was strange that "Veronica" was his biggest hit ever--his only song to ever break into the top ten in the US. There's just so much absolutely brilliant material in his catalog that it's really a shame that most people will never get to hear him. He's not placed alongside Dylan and the Beatles when people discuss the best songwriters/musicans of all time, but he definitely should be. No one has displayed the sort of stylistic diversity that Elvis Costello has. He's recorded albums of just about every style of music you can imagine--not all were good, I grant you, but there are always a few great songs on every album. To anyone who isn't familar with his music, I implore you: Go out and buy one of the Rhino reissues that are floating around currently. "My Aim is True" is awesome, and the even more awesome "This Year's Model" is released on February 19th. Or just buy one of his many greatest hits comps...you really can't go wrong with those. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest gthureson Report post Posted February 5, 2002 Don't know if its been reissued yet, but the 'Girls Girls Girls' comp is great. Great overview of a career. Spans multiple record companies too, rather than some of the other packages. And it has amusing liner notes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Kinetic Report post Posted February 6, 2002 Since no one else is going to reply to this topic, let me veer off-topic slightly and ask what some of you favorite Elvis Costello albums are. I would have to say that "Get Happy!" is about the most underrated album of his career. It sounded like complete shit to the me the first time I heard it, but after about six listens it *clicked* and just kills me now. Beyond that, "Riot Act" would have to be in my top five EC songs. The demo version on the Ryko reissue is even better than the original album version. Damnit. I'm talking to the wall, aren't I? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest gthureson Report post Posted February 6, 2002 Truthfully, it all depends. My taste in music varies depending on the mood I'm in and what will reflect it, change it, etc. For weeks I will listen to nothing but punk. Then I will get into KMFDM. The reason I posted the topic originally is that it came to me while I was listening to 'Trust', because...well, when things suck in general, I listen to Costello. That all being said, here are some general opinions: All Around Album: This Year's Model. To me, it still sounds incredibly fresh, urgent and vital. Listening Album: All This Useless Beauty. When I just want to listen to a really good album. 'Other End of the Telescope' 'Little Atoms' 'You Bowed Down' really stand out for me, as does the title track. And to think it was an album of stuff he had written for other people, or just had kicking around for a few years. Art for Art's Sake: Blood and Chocolate. Wouldn't call it the best album, but with all the six and seven minute singles mixed in, its fascinating listening. Fun: 'Get Happy!' Not a deep album. But its fun and catchy and rolls nicely. 'Imposter', 'Temptation', 'New Amsterdam' and 'Possession' are great songs not meant to change the world. Just be great songs. The Album I Am Listening to Most These Days: Trust. There is something about it. Its just matching my mood. Lesser rotation: 'King of America', 'Armed Forces', 'Juliet Letters', 'Brutal Youth', 'My Aim Is True'. Good albums all. 'Brutal Youth' I still consider a good album, but the initial excitement of being the first Attractions album in so long has gone, and now I realize that it covers ground they tread long ago. 'Juliet Letters' is only for when you want to hear string quartets, 'Armed Forces' is rather hit and miss to me. Sounds like a bit of filler to me. 'My Aim Is True' would have benefited from being recorded with a better band. I'm not a completist. There are still a couple I'd like to pick up, but some of them I'll skip. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Narcoleptic Jumper Report post Posted February 6, 2002 Collective Soul, Third Eye Blind, and Cold are a few of the bands I feel are GREATLY underrated. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest KingOfMen Report post Posted February 9, 2002 "Armed Forces" is probably my favorite EC album. Oliver's Army absolutely kills me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
