Milwaukee Journal, January 24, 1979: Difference between revisions
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{{:Bibliography index}} | {{:Bibliography index}} | ||
{{:Milwaukee Journal index}} | {{:Milwaukee Journal index}} | ||
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<center><h3> Armed Forces </h3></center> | <center><h3> Armed Forces </h3></center> | ||
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A recently released third alum indicates that Elvis Costello will be one of the few acts to survive rock's New Wave. ''Armed Forces'' (Columbia JC 35709) is, first of all, a good album, but it will probably zip up the charts, too, because the first 200,000 copies include a bonus single that rivals its mother record. | A recently released third alum indicates that Elvis Costello will be one of the few acts to survive rock's New Wave. ''Armed Forces'' (Columbia JC 35709) is, first of all, a good album, but it will probably zip up the charts, too, because the first 200,000 copies include a bonus single that rivals its mother record. | ||
The company figures it this way: The idea of the bonus as a collector's | The company figures it this way: The idea of the bonus as a collector's item will get Costello's small, devoted cult into the stores right away; these hasty purchases will show up on the sales charts very quickly; the chart action will attract attention from radio programers; and the radio airplay will expose it to the mainstream rock audience that has thus far ignored Elvis. | ||
Are you still with me? | Are you still with me? | ||
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Nick Lowe did the producing, as he has on all of Costello's records, and it seems likely that this disc would be far less successful without his harmoniously pop ear. Lowe's biggest accomplishment here was figuring a way to make Costello's backing trio. The Attractions, sound like more than a punk bubblegum outfit. | Nick Lowe did the producing, as he has on all of Costello's records, and it seems likely that this disc would be far less successful without his harmoniously pop ear. Lowe's biggest accomplishment here was figuring a way to make Costello's backing trio. The Attractions, sound like more than a punk bubblegum outfit. | ||
The organ sound, for instance, still resembles the warbling pitch of | The organ sound, for instance, still resembles the warbling pitch of Question Mark & the Mysterians, but here it contributes a precise and solid foundation for many of the tracks. Costello is a decent guitar player, but does few leads here. the bass often taking a lead role instead. | ||
But for this observer, at least, the result is a record that is more admirable than listenable. ''Armed Forces'' is a title that suggests direct Ideas performed with little subtlety. This album was originally to be called "Emotional Fascism," and that title would have been more to the point. | But for this observer, at least, the result is a record that is more admirable than listenable. ''Armed Forces'' is a title that suggests direct Ideas performed with little subtlety. This album was originally to be called "Emotional Fascism," and that title would have been more to the point. | ||
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The single enclosed with the first 200,000 copies, ''Live at Hollywood High (School)'', adds quite a bit to this release's desirability. It begins with a soft version of "Accidents Will Happen," backed by a very melodic piano and featuring a surprisingly pleasant vocal. | The single enclosed with the first 200,000 copies, ''Live at Hollywood High (School)'', adds quite a bit to this release's desirability. It begins with a soft version of "Accidents Will Happen," backed by a very melodic piano and featuring a surprisingly pleasant vocal. | ||
Then comes " | Then comes "Alison," the only ballad from Costello's first LP, in another spare arrangement led by the acoustic piano. According to John Rockwell of ''The New York Times'' it was while attending this concert that Linda Ronstadt got the idea of how she would sing the song for her current ''Living In The USA'' album. | ||
{{cx}} | {{cx}} | ||
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{{Bibliography notes}} | {{Bibliography notes}} | ||
{{Bibliography next | |||
|prev = Milwaukee Journal, February 16, 1978 | |||
|next = Milwaukee Journal, March 10, 1979 | |||
}} | |||
'''Milwaukee Journal, January 24, 1979 | '''Milwaukee Journal, January 24, 1979 | ||
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{{Bibliography images}} | {{Bibliography images}} | ||
[[image:1979-01-24 Milwaukee Journal clipping 01.jpg| | [[image:1979-01-24 Milwaukee Journal clipping 01.jpg|360px|border]] | ||
<br><small>Clipping.</small> | <br><small>Clipping.</small> | ||
Latest revision as of 00:24, 11 December 2022
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