|
Elvis Costello has finally taken the number one position on the album charts with his latest release Get Happy. Anyone who has followed Costello through his first three albums will assert that it is about time that the recognition came, and although Get Happy may not be Elvis' best try to date, it is certainly a commercial success. The Costello phenomenon is a strange one at best, because it seems that you can love him or hate him — I haven't heard anyone say anything in between. As a songwriter, Elvis Costello can't be compared, for he far outdistances all rivals. But as a performer and a musician, Costello manages to alienate some listeners while enchanting others.
On his first album, My Aim is True, Costello writes such songs as "Alison," (to be recorded later by Linda Ronstadt, "Watching The Detectives," (performed on Live At Hollywood High, and "Miracle Man," (later recorded by the Outlaws). The first album is unique because it was recorded in three days in a basement studio with minimal production and tampering. The quality of the record is therefore quite raw with a great deal of spontaneous energy.
The second album. This Year's Model, ranks as the most straight-forward rock album that Costello has done to date. As if to prove that the first try was no fluke, Elvis hits hard with "Radio, Radio," "Lip Service," "No Action" and "Pump It Up," each of which has a distinctive rocking quality and definite Costello tag. On This Year's Model we see the introduction of the Attractions, Costello's back-up band made up of seasoned bar musicians who still accompany him.
Armed Forces, as Costello's third album, stands out as a blatant political statement with songs such as "Oliver's Army" and "Green Shirt" and "Goon Squad." There are more orchestrated songs on Armed Forces, a far cry from the simplicity of the first album. This third album reflects the Costello philosophy of not repeating on one album what he has done or said on a previous one.
Finally to Get Happy, we see Costello's bid for commercial acceptability with an album of twenty songs. Fleetwood Mac's Tusk and The Clash's London Calling each are dual album sets and yet they lack the number of songs on the one disc Costello album. There is also a plus to Get Happy in that there is very little "filler" material. Most of the songs are good enough to carry an entire album, which is the trend these days. So, even if you never cared for Elvis Costello, you might want to buy or borrow Get Happy and give it a few listenings, and be advised, it could grow on you,
|
