I didn't appreciate Elvis Costello until long after the punk/new-wave era was over. I do clearly remember watching, taping, and studying the Rolling Stone Magazine's 20 Years of Rock television special that aired in 1987. It was an all inclusive musical encyclopedia full of amazing footage, interviews and insight into all of my music heroes at that time, from the Beatles to Van Halen. I still have that videotape complete with the commercials that aired which alone are worth the watch; but the part that I can't help but recall, in shame, is how appalled I was at the inclusion of this Buddy Holly imitator Elvis Costello. My best friend and I would watch this and cringe, how did this geeky sad-sack bribe his way onto the show? It would take 4 years of college, or rather the maturation that those years provided, to turn this "Geeky Buddy Holly" into one of my musical icons, almost on par with the Beatles, and far exceeding the Van Halens of that era for me.
When I "got it", when I finally was ready for the genius of Mr. MacManus, it didn't take me long to arm myself with the ammunition of his forces. I had probably purchased every one of his then 11 or 12 Cd's by the end of 1992--I was out of college and had a job, and Cd's were my vice. I can't recall what album I bought first, or what song first caught my ear, but it was nothing short of an obsession. I will attempt in this blog, to recreate 1992 and give Armed Forces a virgin listen... but it will be the equivalent of a hooker feigning shyness.
Accidents Will Happen- It's a wonderful short story full of so many devices, and all skillfully placed in a three minute box. Clever use of word-play, layering, hooks, bridges. The end of it sounds like a clock ticking away, much like the life wasted by the character of this song, who realizes not only is he trapped in the wrong relationship, but in turn has trapped the other person too: "you used to be a victim now you're not the only one"
Senior Service- It's fast, like a snide comment that goes over everyone's head. Elvis Costello makes quick commentary about how corporations put workers at odds with each other; your loss is my promotion. "They took me in the office and they told me very carefully, the way that I could benefit from death and disability"
Oliver's Army- I've read mention to Oliver Cromwell, the English leader who defeated Scotland and the country of Elvis' heritage, Ireland. "Have you got yourself an occupation" It's a song against England's (or any superpower's) occupation and dominion of the poorer countries of the world. Could Oliver also refer to Oliver Twist? Both sides recruited poor young boys to do the dirty work in their army.
Big Boys- How did keyboardist Steve Naive create a canvas of sound (using that era's palette) that doesn't sound dated? It's 1979, they should sound silly, but they don't.. they are perfect. To me the song is about faking maturity until you have it, but then realizing you've painted yourself into a corner.
Green Shirt- Again, I love the keyboard sounds. I haven't listened to this in forever with headphones--so much is missed on speakers. Farfisa and Vox keyboards were actually popular in the late 60's, but early on with the Attractions, it was all Naive could afford, lucky for us.
Party Girl- a song about meeting a kindred spirit, someone that you know is rare, special; tragically you know it can't work. In a parallel universe, Elvis and the young female art student he met on tour in Minnesota, could have been. "We're so hard to find, I could give you anything but time" A slow song, Party Girl ends side one to the album
Goon Squad- the original title to Armed Forces was "Emotional Fascism" You feel that anger and resentment in the driving beat that begins side two to the album.
Busy Bodies- is Elvis exploring the trivialization of sex? "Busy bodies getting nowhere" The main character is ironically accomplishing nothing getting busy but then something more ironic happens--love?
Sunday's Best- a circus like waltz. Some of Elvis' strongest harshest lyrical content is often softened or snuck under the radar with whimsical music. I love how he often uses the apostrophe to purposely confuse a noun from an adjective. In this case Sunday's refers to both "Sunday is best" and the possessive "Sunday's best". To me the song is about aristocracy's manipulation of the poor--recruit them to fight unnecessary foreign wars (motivated by religion). The rich line the pockets of their "Sunday's best" while they "put them all in boots and khaki, blame it all upon the darkies" This song was not included on the US version of the album.
Moods For Moderns- very playful in it's structure, starting and stopping and different time signatures. I love the twist of a phrase "I get hit looking for a miss"
Chemistry Class- "people pleasing people pleasing people like you" A song about being physically attracted to someone you really hate.
Two Little Hitlers- The last song on the album, Godwin's law is not applicable. To me this song has always been about couples that are mutually using one another. But after listening to it again, all that goes out the window, and I wonder if I've been hearing it wrong all along. Is it about hiding behind the will of someone else instead of taking ownership of your decisions?
There's so much I love about Elvis Costello--His razor sharp wit, his acerbic outlook on the world, the way he twists a phrase. I can't remember the last time I listened to this album with earphones, but the music, the Attractions have never sounded better to me. How did I shun EC in 1987? How did Rolling Stone only place this album at #482? I guess accidents do happen.
Next up- #481 The Smiths- The Smiths (1984)
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