Elvis costello

[Guest evenflowDDT]

Hey, hey hey! A friend of mine gave me the Rhino reissue of My Aim is True and I've been listening to it all day and yes, it really is that damn good (note: no demeaning of the album intended by comparing it to HHH, but there's really no better way of describing it).  Now I want more... there's a TON of Elvis Costello material though, so which is the best? Is When I Was Cruel worth purchase? Or should I continue procuring all of the Rhino re-issues before I get into the newer material?

 

Also, in Elvis' liner notes, he relates that "Elvis Costello" isn't his real name.  I never knew this... what is his real name?

[Guest gthureson]

He was born Declan McManus.

 

But 'Declan McManus and the Attractions' doesn't have quite the same ring, does it?

[Guest Kinetic]

Declan Patrick McManus, I think.  That could be spelled wrong, and I may have pulled the Patrick out of thin air, but that's what I believe it to be.

 

Good to see a new convert.  I urge you to pick up all of the Rhino reissues, but specifically This Year's Model.  From what I've heard thus far in my quest for all things EC, that's his best album.  I'd definitely suggest picking up his earlier material first, as it's better.  His stuff gets pretty hit-or-miss by the mid 80s, in my opinion, and even a few albums before that like Almost Blue and Goodbye Cruel World probably aren't worth owning.  But, yeah.  Costello rules.

[Guest goodhelmet]

Get Armed Forces now!!!

 

I also like Spike, but that's just a personal preference (Paul McCartney collaborating doesn't hurt either).

 

Mighty Like A Rose is also another album I really dig. It makes me feel happy and sad all in one. Great for manic depressives!!!

[Guest Mystery Eskimo]

Definetly go for all the rhino re-issues. I'd leave the new album till you've got them. Its pretty good but not a patch on Aim, Model and Blood&Chocolate.

[Guest Youth N Asia]

The must owns for Elvis are:

 

My Aim is True

Get Happy

This Years Model

and Armed Forces

 

All have been rereleased and they're all great stuff

[Guest muzanisa]

The new album is pretty good.

faves are all this useless beauty + Brutal Youth, also recommend Armed Forces as an introduction. There is a pretty good best of with a green cover.

[Guest Edwin MacPhisto]

Actually, hold up on Armed Forces.  It hasn't hit the Rhino reissue yet, and it should be out in that form in the beginning of July.

 

In the meantime, This Year's Model is the way to be.