Join the conversation! Musicheads talk all about Armed Forces - the Elvis Costello album, that is

OK I've a CD for yor review it is the Black Rebel Motorcyle Club (BRMC) latest release "Baby81" ; "Took Out a Loan", "Berlin" and especially "Cold Wind" are some of my favorites on this exceptional CD from an exceptional underground band

Kevin: They did review this on Musicheads a month or so ago. You can Find the Show Here

Great show, guys! This is my favorite EC album. I think the Attractions really helped to make the songs work as well.. Steve Nieve's keyboard playing add so much to the songs. The octave piano part on Oliver's Army is right up there with "Dancing Queen.. if not way more impressive...

I really enjoyed this installment, as it allowed you guys to chime in on an album I know so well. It's like hearing someone talk about your hometown: you know all the streets, landmarks, and back alleys, which makes the conversation all the more fun.

You'd think I'd have more to say about an album I know so well, then, but I'll just chime in with a few quick thoughts. I think this is unquestionably keyboardist Steve Nieve's album, and probably his finest hour with the Attractions. "Goon Squad" has such an ominous sound (but it's catchy, too!) and I'm glad you included "Busy Bodies" at the end -- I don't think it gets enough credit. And what about those rinky-dink, pathologically catchy keyboard lines on "Senior Service" or "Moods for Moderns". You know, for all EC gets lauded for his clever wordplay (and the album has plenty of it), I think what makes "Armed Forces" so endearing to me is (as you guys said) the sheer craft that went into these songs. Beautiful melodies with vicious lyrical sentiments -- what's not to love? And then "What's So Funny..." comes along at the end and makes everything OK. This goes back and forth with "Get Happy!!" for my favorite EC record.

Mac & Frick thanx for your thoughts!

Mac, you are correct about Steve Nieve's contributions to Armed Forces. We didn't discuss the Attractions enough. Behind most great artist is a great band. They were becoming quite a unit on this album. I've alway thought the drums by Pete Thomas were amazing. The way his drums open "What so Funny..." is forever ingrained in my head.

I thought we could have picked any of Mr. Costello's 1st 5 albums to discuss. They are all 1st rate.

Listening to this weeks' Musicheads made me feel instantly younger!

Armed Forces. Talk about a great, skilled, whole package. It really was the right album, the right lyric writing, mind-blowing melodies, and the right time. Tony's point about love and war coming together is pretty clear here.

Best part? It still sounds fresh. Folks, you HAVE to hear this week's episode. Grab your headphones, close your eyes, and check it out.

*happily humming "What's So Funny 'Bout Peace, Love, and Understanding."*


For bonus points in the disclosure category: I'll be honest, I took a break from Elvis Costello in the late 90's because a barista at a local coffee shop was obsessed with his music and it was. the. only. music. she. played. It burnt me out.

p.s. It was very cool to hear the selection process behind a "Crucial Currents" selection.

Julia, I took a little break from Elvis Costello as well...then saw his show a couple months back at the Myth. I've been listening to his music constantly ever since. He totally let rip on a good chunk of the songs from This Years Model & Armed Forces. Elvis barely spoke during that show, which is rare. He seemed upset that night and let out his frustations in the music. Everything he played that night seemed so vital!

Glad you guys enjoyed the show, folks! It was fun to be talking rather than just nodding along (and riding microphone faders) this week for a change.

p.s. It was very cool to hear the selection process behind a "Crucial Currents" selection.

I don't know if we're always that systematic, Julia. ;-) Well, maybe we are. Bill usually suggests 'em (although I think A Tribe Called Quest's The Low End Theory was Tony's idea) and then we sit accross from one another in the cube farm and hash out the relative merits. Is this a job?

It's kind of a strange business, suggesting "essential albums" when in so many ways the idea of the "album," with a fixed set of songs and running order, has such a diminished meaning to a younger generation. But as many signs would suggest, they're far from dead yet (see: many previous Musicheads conversations).

Elvis Costello is probably better than the original Elvis. Especially his new LP. This new topic is basically spot on.

Robert -

Hmm, I'm curious why my last comment didn't show up. I thought my point of view was very useful to the community.

Robert - e cigarette reviews