Madison Capital Times, January 11, 1979: Difference between revisions
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{{Bibliography article header}} | {{Bibliography article header}} | ||
<center><h3> Elvis Costello crashes in with 'message' music </h3></center> | <center><h3> Elvis Costello crashes in with 'message' music </h3></center> | ||
<center>''' Elvis Costello ''' / Armed Forces </center> | <center>''' Elvis Costello ''' / ''Armed Forces'' (Columbia)</center> | ||
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<center> Gary Peterson </center> | <center> Gary Peterson </center> | ||
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{{Bibliography text | {{Bibliography text}} | ||
The | Accidents will happen<br> | ||
Take Elvis Costello, born Declan Patrick McManus, and renamed after the late “King” of rock’n’roll.<br> | |||
The name change occurred well before the original Elvis shuffled off. It required a certain amount of nerve to use the moniker, but as Jimmy Carter would say, “Why not the best?”<br> | |||
Costello crashed into the world of big time rock’n’roll through a planned accident. His aggressive manager, Jake Riviera, sent Elvis over to the 1977 Columbia Records convention in London to play his songs. Elvis had a portable amplifier strapped to his body; he was wired for sound and managed both to make himself heard and get arrested. The publicity landed Costello a Columbia recording contract. | |||
Two years and two monumental albums later, Costello and his horde, The Attractions (Bruce and Pete Thomas, Steve Young) are about to descend upon the world of John Travolta/Bee Gees mindless disco with that almost unheard of quantity these days – a message. | |||
Like Paul McCartney a decade (or is it much much more?) ago, Costello can deliver a standard ballad like Bacharach/David’s “I Just Don’t Know What To Do With Myself” with the best of them. And he can write his own: “Alison,” “Little Triggers,” in the past; “Party Girl” and “Chemistry Class” on the current LP, “''Armed Forces'',” which was originally titled “''Emotional Fascism''.” | |||
Rest assured that Linda Ronstadt who has already recorded “Alison” and all but exhausted the Warren Zevon Songbook, is waiting in the wings to rush out “popular versions “ of these. But popularity is not what Costello is about. His message, better served by the original title of the new L.P. is a Dante’s “Inferno” of our times, delivered up in a sugar coating of superb musicianship. You might not notice when the pill goes down, but it’s ultimate effect should be a stomach ache, if only, allegorically, one of the soul. | |||
Using the code words of European fascism, Costello paints a not too pretty picture of the modern condition. The song titles tell part of the story – “Goon Squad,” “Two Little Hitlers” – but only, part of it. The words tell even more: | |||
''“Are you ready for the final solution?” – “Chemistry Class”'' | |||
To perceive Costello’s message on one level, one must be aware of present day fascism and the National Front in England. | |||
On another level, his songs address the basic emptiness of our time – “busy bodies” getting nowhere, wanting to “join the party,” but “not invited.” | |||
Still. Costello ends on a note of hope with his long-time producer Nick Lowe’s composition “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding,” an encouraging alternative to the infectious insanity he chronicles. | |||
The man is dangerous. And, for the world of 1979, approaching 1984, here’s a rebel with a cause. Thank God he’s on the loose. | |||
The King is dead, long live the King. | |||
{{cx}} | {{cx}} | ||
'''Elvis Costello will be in concert [[Concert 1979-03-09 Milwaukee|March 9]] at Milwaukee's Uptown Theater. | '''Elvis Costello will be in concert [[Concert 1979-03-09 Milwaukee|March 9]] at Milwaukee's Uptown Theater. | ||
{{tags}}[[Armed Forces]] {{-}} [[ | {{tags}}[[Armed Forces]] {{-}} [[Jake Riviera]] {{-}} [[Bruce Thomas]] {{-}} [[Pete Thomas]] {{-}} [[Steve Nieve]] {{-}} [[Paul McCartney]] {{-}} [[Burt Bacharach]] {{-}} [[Hal David]] {{-}} [[I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself]] {{-}} [[Alison]] {{-}} [[Little Triggers]] {{-}} [[Party Girl]] {{-}} [[Chemistry Class]] {{-}} [[Linda Ronstadt]] {{-}} [[Warren Zevon]] {{-}} [[Goon Squad]] {{-}} [[Two Little Hitlers]] {{-}} [[Nick Lowe]] {{-}} [[(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding?]] | ||
{{cx}} | {{cx}} | ||
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[[image:1979-01-11 Madison Capital Times, Off Hours page 09 clipping 01.jpg|380px]] | [[image:1979-01-11 Madison Capital Times, Off Hours page 09 clipping 01.jpg|380px]] | ||
<br><small>Clipping.</small> | <br><small>Clipping.</small> | ||
<small>Page scan.</small><br> | <small>Page scan.</small><br> | ||
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[[Category:Album reviews]] | [[Category:Album reviews]] | ||
[[Category:Armed Forces reviews]] | [[Category:Armed Forces reviews]] | ||
Revision as of 20:31, 2 April 2020
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