Elyria Chronicle-Telegram, February 9, 1979: Difference between revisions
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With a few listenings, however, one can see that the sound may be different, but the song remains the same. Costello hasn't really changed. | With a few listenings, however, one can see that the sound may be different, but the song remains the same. Costello hasn't really changed. | ||
The melodies and hooks on ''Armed Forces'' are as catchy as ever, all with lyrics that have the subtlety of a snake's venom-filled bite, but Nick Lowe's production of this album is more lush than other efforts | The melodies and hooks on ''Armed Forces'' are as catchy as ever, all with lyrics that have the subtlety of a snake's venom-filled bite, but Nick Lowe's production of this album is more lush than other efforts. | ||
The first thing that strikes a listener is that it | The first thing that strikes a listener is that it is now hard to separate Costello or Lowe from this work. We must look at Costello and Lowe as not merely an artist and a producer, but collaborators. On the album there is even one song that was written by Lowe for Brinsley Schwarz about four years ago, "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding." | ||
But let's start at the beginning. There is a seven-inch disc that was recorded live at Hollywood High and is included with the first 200,000 albums that shows the listener something is up. | But let's start at the beginning. There is a seven-inch disc that was recorded live at Hollywood High and is included with the first 200,000 albums that shows the listener something is up. | ||
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Throughout the album, Bruce Thomas on bass and Pete Thomas drumming are both superb. But | Throughout the album, Bruce Thomas on bass and Pete Thomas drumming are both superb. But it is Steve Naive's keyboards that help make this album flow together in a cohesive unit. Standouts on this disc include virtually everything on the first side. "Accidents Will Happen," a different, faster version than the extended play cut, is the standard Costello putdown of the teasing woman. | ||
"Senior Service," about corporate politics, features nice keyboard work by Naive. "Oliver's Army," which sounds like a musical ad for mercenary soldiers, is an | "Senior Service," about corporate politics, features nice keyboard work by Naive. "Oliver's Army," which sounds like a musical ad for mercenary soldiers, is an intense political thriller about people who slay for pay. | ||
"Big Boys" is another old Costello theme, the guy who trys to pick up women only to be put down in the end. "Green Shirt" is another military song, couched in terms of a coquettish woman. | "Big Boys" is another old Costello theme, the guy who trys to pick up women only to be put down in the end. "Green Shirt" is another military song, couched in terms of a coquettish woman. |
Revision as of 13:09, 6 March 2014
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