Massachusetts Daily Collegian, April 26, 1979: Difference between revisions
(+text) |
(formatting / spelling / fix scan error / +tags) |
||
Line 11: | Line 11: | ||
---- | ---- | ||
{{Bibliography text}} | {{Bibliography text}} | ||
''"As I walk through this wicked world looking for a light in the darkness,"'' occasionally I find one. In the confusing and disgusting fall of 1977, Elvis Costello, born Declan Patrick | ''"As I walk through this wicked world looking for a light in the darkness,"'' occasionally I find one. In the confusing and disgusting fall of 1977, Elvis Costello, born Declan Patrick MacManus, cut through the confusion trying to be amused rather than disgusted even though everything means "Less Than Zero." Everything except his lyrics. | ||
''My Aim Is True'' hit its target dead center. This little man of convictions would give no quarter about what he and society preached as right. He knocked down. the male macho myth and scoffed at the legend of female sensitivity. He would not stand for the suppression of expression of thought, emotion or biological needs. In "Waiting for the End of the World," God was even asked to act more responsibly: ''"Dear Lord, I sincerely hope your coming 'cause you really started something."'' | ''My Aim Is True'' hit its target dead center. This little man of convictions would give no quarter about what he and society preached as right. He knocked down. the male macho myth and scoffed at the legend of female sensitivity. He would not stand for the suppression of expression of thought, emotion or biological needs. In "Waiting for the End of the World," God was even asked to act more responsibly: ''"Dear Lord, I sincerely hope your coming 'cause you really started something."'' | ||
''This Year's Model'' had "The Beat" you couldn't resist With a new band that could "Pump It Up" higher than ever before, Elvis could focus a sharper image of the alienation experienced in relationships, and expose the ills of society with increasing depth. He gunned down materialism and violence "Living in Paradise." "This Year's Girl" and "Lipstick Vogue" smudged the image of Madison Avenue and the cosmetic industry (Elvis once worked in a vanity factory). He announced on "Radio Radio" that the medium is the mush, and he battered mental cruelty with "Little Triggers." The English version contained "Night Rally," that issued warning against taking night classes of the racist National Front, and "I Don't Want to Go to Chelsea," which had Elvis snubbing his nose at high society. He lashed out at emotionless relationships in "Lip Service," because that's all those who are only ''"going through the motions"'' will get from him. Every time I dug my ears into his songs I unearthed another gem of an idea Elvis had lodged in the layers of this solid-as-a-rock record. It spent more time on the turntable than any other before it. | ''This Year's Model'' had "The Beat" you couldn't resist. With a new band that could "Pump It Up" higher than ever before, Elvis could focus a sharper image of the alienation experienced in relationships, and expose the ills of society with increasing depth. He gunned down materialism and violence "Living in Paradise." "This Year's Girl" and "Lipstick Vogue" smudged the image of Madison Avenue and the cosmetic industry (Elvis once worked in a vanity factory). He announced on "Radio, Radio" that the medium is the mush, and he battered mental cruelty with "Little Triggers." The English version contained "Night Rally," that issued warning against taking night classes of the racist National Front, and "I Don't Want to Go to Chelsea," which had Elvis snubbing his nose at high society. He lashed out at emotionless relationships in "Lip Service," because that's all those who are only ''"going through the motions"'' will get from him. Every time I dug my ears into his songs I unearthed another gem of an idea Elvis had lodged in the layers of this solid-as-a-rock record. It spent more time on the turntable than any other before it. | ||
''Armed Forces'' has a tough act to follow, since ''TYM'' was many critics' top choice of 1978. The initial reaction was mixed from the fans and critics alike. A few raved about it. Most thought it was very good but it did not meet their expectations. Some (women I know) said it wasn't vicious enough, others thought there wasn't enough guitar on the album to suit them. To please some I think he would have had to re-release ''TYM'' under a different title. Like Chaplin, who continued to make silent films after the advent of talkies because he could say more without sound, Costello understands how to create more with less. His arrangements work perfectly, so why make the songs play second fiddle to guitar for guitar's sake. Some wanted this LP to rock as hard throughout as ''TYM'' did. Costello's statement on radio over a year ago that "you can have strength at any volume" addresses that criticism adequately. | ''Armed Forces'' has a tough act to follow, since ''TYM'' was many critics' top choice of 1978. The initial reaction was mixed from the fans and critics alike. A few raved about it. Most thought it was very good but it did not meet their expectations. Some (women I know) said it wasn't vicious enough, others thought there wasn't enough guitar on the album to suit them. To please some I think he would have had to re-release ''TYM'' under a different title. Like Chaplin, who continued to make silent films after the advent of talkies because he could say more without sound, Costello understands how to create more with less. His arrangements work perfectly, so why make the songs play second fiddle to guitar for guitar's sake. Some wanted this LP to rock as hard throughout as ''TYM'' did. Costello's statement on radio over a year ago that "you can have strength at any volume" addresses that criticism adequately. | ||
Line 37: | Line 37: | ||
The models our parents provided us get recalled in "Goon Squad": ''"Some grow up just like their dads, and some grow up too tall. Some go drinking with the lads, and some don't grow up at all."'' | The models our parents provided us get recalled in "Goon Squad": ''"Some grow up just like their dads, and some grow up too tall. Some go drinking with the lads, and some don't grow up at all."'' | ||
You better be ready for an explosive reaction and the "final solution" when you mix your mind with Elvis's in his "Chemistry Class." | You better be ready for an explosive reaction and the ''"final solution"'' when you mix your mind with Elvis's in his "Chemistry Class." | ||
The power struggle in relationships is the concern of "Two Little Hitlers." You will love me! Emotional fascism for sure. | The power struggle in relationships is the concern of "Two Little Hitlers." You will love me! Emotional fascism for sure. | ||
Line 45: | Line 45: | ||
On the last track Elvis lets the notes ring with authority from his Fender Jazzmaster, Naive's organ swirls ominously in the background, and the Thomases' rhythm section charges ahead with the force of an armored car. Costello's angered and tortured voice wants to know "What's So Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding?" | On the last track Elvis lets the notes ring with authority from his Fender Jazzmaster, Naive's organ swirls ominously in the background, and the Thomases' rhythm section charges ahead with the force of an armored car. Costello's angered and tortured voice wants to know "What's So Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding?" | ||
Is this album better or worse than the last? Is a neutron bomb better than an atomic | Is this album better or worse than the last? Is a neutron bomb better than an atomic bomb? They both do the job effectively, one just uses a newer technology. No matter, Elvis has given us another light to make life's darkness a little more navigable. | ||
{{cx}} | |||
{{tags}}[[Armed Forces]] {{-}} [[Declan MacManus]] {{-}} [[Less Than Zero]] {{-}} [[My Aim Is True]] {{-}} [[Waiting For The End Of The World]] {{-}} [[This Year's Model]] {{-}} [[The Beat]] {{-}} [[Pump It Up]] {{-}} [[Living In Paradise]] {{-}} [[This Year's Girl]] {{-}} [[Lipstick Vogue]] {{-}} [[Radio, Radio]] {{-}} [[Little Triggers]] {{-}} [[Night Rally]] {{-}} [[(I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea]] {{-}} [[Lip Service]] {{-}} [[Armed Forces]] {{-}} [[Charles Chaplin]] {{-}} [[Steve Nieve|Steve Naive]] {{-}} [[Accidents Will Happen]] {{-}} [[Little Triggers]] {{-}} [[ABBA]] {{-}} [[Oliver's Army]] {{-}} [[Senior Service]] {{-}} [[Moods For Moderns]] {{-}} [[Big Boys]] {{-}} [[Busy Bodies]] {{-}} [[Green Shirt]] {{-}} [[Goon Squad]] {{-}} [[Chemistry Class]] {{-}} [[Two Little Hitlers]] {{-}} [[Emotional Fascism]] {{-}} [[Party Girl]] {{-}} [[Hand In Hand]] {{-}} [[The Beatles]] {{-}} [[Bruce Thomas]] {{-}} [[Pete Thomas]] {{-}} [[(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding?]] | |||
{{cx}} | {{cx}} | ||
Line 58: | Line 62: | ||
{{Bibliography images}} | {{Bibliography images}} | ||
[[image:1979-04-26 Massachusetts Daily Collegian page 10 clipping 01.jpg| | [[image:1979-04-26 Massachusetts Daily Collegian page 10 clipping 01.jpg|380px|border]] | ||
<br><small>Clipping.</small> | <br><small>Clipping.</small> | ||
<small>Page scan.</small><br> | |||
[[image:1979-04-26 Massachusetts Daily Collegian pages 10-11.jpg|x120px|border]] | [[image:1979-04-26 Massachusetts Daily Collegian pages 10-11.jpg|x120px|border]] | ||
{{Bibliography notes footer}} | {{Bibliography notes footer}} |
Revision as of 08:24, 26 May 2020
|