Santa Clara University Santa Clara, February 17, 1994

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A peek at Elvis


Patrick O'Brien

At last it is here – the box set from Elvis Costello, 2½ Years. From raunchy three-chord rock-n-roll jams to touchy love songs, to country ballads and classical ensembles. Costello has done it all and done it well.

2½ Years covers just that, the first two-and-a-half years of Costello’s recording career. (We’ll have to wait for a box set which covers his entire 18 year career.) Starting with his 1976 debut album, My Aim Is True, one will be quick to realize why Costello made the storm that he did on the music scene. While the Bee Gees were prancing around in gold-glittered bell bottoms and flooding the air-waves and dance clubs with disco music, Costello offered pure and simple rock-n-roll.

My Aim Is True has a lot of hard-cutting and provocative cuts. Combined with Costello’s always very off-beat lyrics, songs such as Miracle Man and Waiting for the End of the World are sure to strike a chord with anyone. And, of course, there is Allison, a romantic and touching song about a promiscuous and cheating woman; only Costello could pull it off. Also included on this disc are some tracks which did not make the final cut. You’d never be able to guess why once you hear how great they are.

This Year’s Model, his second album, isn’t quite as raw sounding as My Aim Is True. The sound is more refined, but the spirit is still at large.

Costello’s use of keyboards on this album lent to the sound which defined classic songs such as Pump It Up, The Beat, and This Year’s Model. This CD, as with all, is in it’s original form as they were for British release. This means that you get songs that can be found nowhere else. Costello’s third album, Armed Forces, is clearly the child of his earlier albums. Songs such as Party Girl rely more on keyboards. One listen to this CD and you’ll be asking yourself, “What is so funny about peace, love and understanding?”

Live at Mocambo is a fantastic CD. It really shows off the energy and angst of Elvis and his music. It contains tracks from the three previous CDs listed.

Costello came on the music scene shortly after Elvis Presley left for good. If you look closely at the cover of My Aim is True, you will see the words “Elvis is King” written all over it. I am convinced that Costello was chosen by a higher source to carry on the name; and he’s done a far better job than the previous king.

The one down-side to purchasing 2½ Years is that it retails for around $50.00. So, I will make it easy for you, the consumer. If you are an Elvis Costello fan, buy it. You won’t regret it. Even if you already have his first three albums, all extended play tracks, some of which you’ve never heard, and the live CD will be worth your while. If you are not familiar with Costello, ask yourself where you’ve been for the past 18 years, go to a used CD store, and buy a copy of his first album. If you flat-out do not like Elvis Costello, you are probably holding out for the Mike and the Mechanics Boxed Set and cannot afford to make a financial venture into some quality music.


Tags: 2½ YearsMy Aim Is TrueBee GeesMiracle ManWaiting For The End Of The WorldAlisonThis Year's ModelPump It UpThe BeatThis Year's GirlArmed ForcesParty Girl(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding?Live At The El MocamboElvis Presley

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The Santa Clara, February 17, 1994


Patrick O'Brien reviews 2½ Years.

Images

1994-02-17 Santa Clara University Santa Clara page 2 clipping 01.jpg
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1994-02-17 Santa Clara University Santa Clara page 2.jpg
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