Philadelphia Daily News, February 1, 1979

From The Elvis Costello Wiki
Jump to navigationJump to search
... Bibliography ...
727677787980818283
848586878889909192
939495969798990001
020304050607080910
111213141516171819
202122232425 26 27 28


Philadelphia Daily News

Pennsylvania publications

Newspapers

University publications

Magazines and alt. weeklies


US publications by state
  • ALAKARAZCA
  • COCTDCDEFL
  • GAHI   IA      ID      IL
  • IN   KSKYLA   MA
  • MDME   MIMNMO
  • MSMTNC  ND  NE
  • NHNJNMNVNY
  • OHOKORPARI
  • SCSDTNTXUT
  • VAVTWAWIWY

-

Armed Forces

Elvis Costello

Jonathan Takiff

B plus

Themed albums are difficult to pull off. But for Elvis C., a sullen personality who's always dwelling on fascist nightmares, this war-torn subject matter is a natural. You can even read this album as a linear story — a bloke knocks up a girl, falls for a recruitment pitch, gets sucked into the same old "Oliver's Army" (a '50s styled rocker, significantly?).

Then comes the furlough fun of "Party Girl," followed closely by the M.P. antics of the "Goon Squad." Not long after, it seems that Elvis is out on the street again, fumbling around with "Busy Bodies" and getting into a Bowie-esqe "Moods for Moderns" at the disco. "Chemistry Class" is there for Elvis to ask "are you ready for the final solution?" But it's hard to say if "Two Little Hitlers" is the saga of crazed dictators blowing up the world or a simple man/woman confrontation.

The set wraps up neatly with a Nick Lowe-penned "What's So Funny 'Bout Peace, Love and Understanding," easily the best tune on the album. Yes, Elvis Costello has his limitations, but he's working them to the, ah, limits.

-

Philadelphia Daily News, February 1, 1979


Jonathan Takiff reviews Armed Forces.

Images

1977-11-18 Philadelphia Daily News page 30 clipping 01.jpg
Clipping.

Page scan.
1977-11-18 Philadelphia Daily News page 30.jpg

-



Back to top

External links