Wisconsin State Journal, November 7, 1993: Difference between revisions
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<center> John Kovalic </center> | <center> John Kovalic </center> | ||
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'''2½ Years''' {{n}} {{ | '''2½ Years''' {{n}} {{5of5stars}} <br> | ||
'''My Aim | '''My Aim Is True''' {{n}} {{4of5stars}} <br> | ||
'''This Year's Model''' {{n}} {{4.5of5stars}} <br> | '''This Year's Model''' {{n}} {{4.5of5stars}} <br> | ||
'''Armed Forces''' {{n}} {{ | '''Armed Forces''' {{n}} {{5of5stars}} <br> | ||
'''Live At The El Mocambo''' {{n}} {{4of5stars}} <br> | '''Live At The El Mocambo''' {{n}} {{4of5stars}} <br> | ||
{{Bibliography text}} | {{Bibliography text}} | ||
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Elvis Costello's ''2½ Years'' marks the first major box set to be released by a member of the first wave of British punkers and popsters. | Elvis Costello's ''2½ Years'' marks the first major box set to be released by a member of the first wave of British punkers and popsters. | ||
(And just in case you're hoping this is an anomaly, not the start of a trend that's soon to make you feel ooooold to yer bones, the Police's uninspiringly titled ''Message | (And just in case you're hoping this is an anomaly, not the start of a trend that's soon to make you feel ooooold to yer bones, the Police's uninspiringly titled ''Message In A Box'' is now also available.) | ||
Those of us hovering around the 30-year-old mark may have snickered at the excesses of various Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan and (egads) Bee Gees box sets, regurgitating as they did mundane material from times ancient and arcane — i.e., pre-1977. | Those of us hovering around the 30-year-old mark may have snickered at the excesses of various Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan and (egads) Bee Gees box sets, regurgitating as they did mundane material from times ancient and arcane — i.e., pre-1977. | ||
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Also, the respective album's running orders are now unified, covering up sometimes severe anomalies between the British and the American releases. | Also, the respective album's running orders are now unified, covering up sometimes severe anomalies between the British and the American releases. | ||
Of the three original studio albums (which also can be purchased separately), only ''My Aim | Of the three original studio albums (which also can be purchased separately), only ''My Aim Is True'' sounds dated. The empty, rather cold backing Costello received from the band Clover does not translate well digitally. | ||
Still, the CD's no slouch. "Welcome to the Working Week," "(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes" and "Alison" are all deftly constructed, ladled with Angry Young Man venom and bile. Costello's gift for the twist of phrase (''"I said 'I'm so happy I could die' / She said 'Drop dead' and left with another guy"'') seems God-given at times. | Still, the CD's no slouch. "Welcome to the Working Week," "(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes" and "Alison" are all deftly constructed, ladled with Angry Young Man venom and bile. Costello's gift for the twist of phrase (''"I said 'I'm so happy I could die' / She said 'Drop dead' and left with another guy"'') seems God-given at times. | ||
Instead of "extra tracks," Ryko calls its add-ons "extended plays." On ''My Aim | Instead of "extra tracks," Ryko calls its add-ons "extended plays." On ''My Aim Is True'', the selection is excellent, including the country-ish "Radio Sweetheart" and "Stranger in the House." | ||
The best freebies, though, are to be found on 1978's ''This Year's Model''. "Radio, Radio," is a real pounder, while "Big Tears" and "Crawling to the USA" are both vibrant and bitter. | The best freebies, though, are to be found on 1978's ''This Year's Model''. "Radio, Radio," is a real pounder, while "Big Tears" and "Crawling to the USA" are both vibrant and bitter. | ||
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''This Year's Model'', Costello's first album with the Attractions, is as pumped up as power pop gets. Riding the coattails of punk, this was the album that truly presaged greatness. | ''This Year's Model'', Costello's first album with the Attractions, is as pumped up as power pop gets. Riding the coattails of punk, this was the album that truly presaged greatness. | ||
The excitement behind the Canadian ''El Mocambo'' live set also promised much for the future. The shortest of the four CDs, it captures much of ''My Aim | The excitement behind the Canadian ''El Mocambo'' live set also promised much for the future. The shortest of the four CDs, it captures much of ''My Aim Is True'' and ''This Year's Model'' in near-perfect live fashion. | ||
And, true to the original intent of the recording (it was used as a promotional giveaway), people who buy the three studio albums individually can receive ''El Mocambo'' in the mail ''gratis''. | And, true to the original intent of the recording (it was used as a promotional giveaway), people who buy the three studio albums individually can receive ''El Mocambo'' in the mail ''gratis''. | ||
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<br><small>Clippings.</small> | <br><small>Clippings.</small> | ||
[[image:1993-11-07 Wisconsin State Journal page 5F clipping 01.jpg| | [[image:1993-11-07 Wisconsin State Journal page 5F clipping 01.jpg|285px]] | ||
Latest revision as of 20:43, 30 December 2021
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