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With the opening song on Elvis Costello's third release in two years, he tells us that accidents will happen; and he knows what he's done. I'm glad he does, because I'm not really sure. Is Armed Forces an accident? I wouldn't go as far as to say that; I just think with three albums in such a short period of time, his unknown aim hasn't been able to take shape. In fact, the only drastic change in Elvis since his first release, My Aim is True, from 1977, has been the album covers.
Progressing from the first 1950's style cereal box record jacket, Armed Forces exhibits a creation in the tradition of Jackson Pollock. The only noticeable improvement on this album are the well worked melodies which probably are from the influence of friend and producer Nick Lowe.
One of the rushed songs, "Senior Service" can match almost any song from last year's effort, This Year's Model, but appears to be-just filler. (If you play the chorus backwards, it sounds just like Village People but with must deeper lyrics.)
On Oliver's Army, Nick's melody work is the song saver making it one of the better cuts. Elvis's love for fifties rock and roll surfaces on Big Boys, a song which includes the history of love and drive-in movies. By the way, the song reaches its climax during- the second feature. In the background on Green Shirt you can almost reach out and touch a heartbeat while Elvis fantisizes about a flirt in a green shirt. On Party Girl, he tells us last year's cover girl grew up.
Busy Bodies and Moods for Moderns put keyboards to good use for the finishing touches but lack the charm of Chemistry Class. With some "ooh wa oohs" in the background, the simple lyrics could be mistaken for a Brian Wilson composition. "You got a chemistry class?, I want a piece of your .. . mind." (Maybe Elvis would do better in biology!)
There were the stories of Ten Little Indians and the Three Little Pigs; now we are told the story of Two Little Hiders on the next cut.
The album closes with the Nick Lowe number, What's so Funny about Peace, Love. and Understanding? With all the current protest and hate in England, this just might show the punks that the sixties were right after all.
If you run out and buy the album soon, you might be lucky and get the limited edition of Live At Hollywood High E.P. enclosed in the first shipment. It lets us hear a six-minute version of Watching the Detectives which contridicts with Elvis's strong belief in three-minute songs. If you listen closely, you might even hear hints of a reggae influence. It also contains a version of Accidents Will Happen without back-up vocals and the only Costello classic to date, Allison.
Is Elvis Costello England's answer to a cross between Bruce Springsteen and Buddy Holly? . . . or is he the new leader of rock and roll?
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