[.ca] Armed Forces (2cd)

Armed Forces was the last title in a trilogy of albums that rank with the greatest three-LP series in pop-rock history. In retrospect, it also now appears to be the one on which the young Costello's pop tendencies peaked, right before they began to "mature" and grow less accessible. "Accidents Will Happen" features a melody line as beautiful as any ever written; "Oliver's Army" easily competes with the best of Abba and Brian Wilson among pop masterpieces. This is also where Costello's early themes--most notably romantic rejection equated with the horrors of neo-Nazism and modern politics--came together most precisely (the album's working title was "Emotional Fascism"). Rhino does its usual superb job, with wonderful remastering, in-depth liner notes by Costello himself (including a catty paragraph about famous groupie-author Bebe Buell, who often claims this album is about her), and a second disc of concurrent singles and alternate versions. Best of all are nine live tracks from the legendary June 4, 1978, Hollywood High School show, fully documenting that Costello & the Attractions were once among the all-time dynamic live rock acts. --Bill Holdship

Who Put These Fingerprints on My Imagination?:
A definite high point from the EC "Golden Age", 1977-86. EC gives due notice of his ambition, and the Attractions respond in kind with a highly stylized, nuanced tour-de-force that still hits where it hurts. Not unlike the woefully underrated Trust. Although the "Golden Age" contains a few missteps (Almost Blue, King of America, the 2 notorious "L & W" albums), this is prime-time, "Prince Charmless" EC before middle age (and believing his own press clippings)ruined him.

One Of The Greatest Albums Ever:
There is no question that this is EC's best album. Arguably, this is the greatest Pop/New Wave album ever. Just about every song on this album is a masterpiece. Even if you look beyond the radio-friendly "Goon Squad", "Accidents Will Happen" and "What's So Funny About Peace Love and Understanding", you still have classics like "Green Shirt", "Oliver's Army" and "Big Boys". These are not only the catchiest melodies that EC ever recorded, but they contain some of the smartest, wittiest lyrics ever heard in this genre. I bought this album a long time ago. It has since been rereleased as a 2 disc set. My comments apply only to the first disc - I have not listened to the second. I am sorry that EC's record label felt they needed to squeeze out a few extra bucks by tacking on an extra set of songs to RC's most satisfying piece of work.

OH, I JUST DON'T KNOW WHERE TO BEGIN....:
Elvis was at the top of his game from day one.After this album, his third, he created a flawless trilogy. Costello's songs are full of emotion - anger, bitterness, jealousy, but also deep thought and honesty, even beauty.Every track is a classic. The bonus disc is also full of gems, some great demos, and a brilliant live set. BUY THIS NOW!!!!!!!!

Elvis completes his trifecta.:
"Armed Forces" was Elvis and The Attractions' claustrophobic pop masterpiece, loaded with melody and paranoia, fueled by cramped touring vans, hotel rooms and long stretches of listening to ABBA, Kraftwerk, Bowie and the Beatles while driving between gigs. It was also the last of the Elvis albums that mirrored the tightly wound image/cliched "angry young man" singer-songwriter of the new wave world. It also happens to be one of the most indispensable albums of the 70's. Songs like "Oliver's Army" and "Two Little Hitlers" brimmed with neo-fascist imagery and highly charged sexual/emotional content, yet flourished with pop-hooks. "Accidents Will Happen" portrays a barely apologetic philanderer as he tries to explain the infidelities of his life, and uses one of early Elvis' frequent descriptions of romantic partners as a "victim." (Think of how many times that word appears on his first three albums.) Many of the songs bear unmistakable ominous threatening qualities, like the roar of "Goon Squad," the hushed fear that underscores "Green Shirt" and the implied threat of "they took me in the office and told me very carefully, the ways that I could benefit from death and disability" (from "Senior Service"). Nick Lowe deserves a good deal of the credit for keeping this album in check (and when is he going to get into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?!?!). It is likely his pop sophistication that gave some of "Armed Forces" levity in its darkest points. It is also Lowe's one song - and the first cover to appear on a proper EC album - that brings the relentlessly downward outlook to a more optimistic close. "(What's So Funny About) Peace Love and Understanding" was the kind of song that, once Elvis claimed it as his own, provided a banner to his part during the formation of Rock Against Racism. This is also the CD that most justifies Rhino's double disc reissues of Elvis' work. "Armed Forces" is the kind of album that more than holds its own as a singular entity, and the Ryko release that tacked the bonus selections on the same disc distracted from that sense of "piece" to me. So to have some excellent material on a bonus disc is just cream on the berry. Especially since it includes the entire "Live at Hollywood High" recording as opposed to the three song bonus vinyl that was included in the original album. If it was possible to add a bonus star to an already 5 star album, Rhino managed that trick here. This is the essential "Armed Forces."

Classic Costello enhanced by second disc:
With Nick Lowe producing, Armed Forces turned out to be an album of very catchy tunes, which masks the acerbic tone of the lyrics. The arrangements are especially great on songs like Busy Bodies, Green Shirt and Big Boys. My favorite track is the lilting ballad Oliver's Army, but every single song has a unique pop appeal. Costello is amongst the most literate and versatile of rock musicians and especially on this album, the tight writing and clear melodies are prominent, whilst The Attractions must be the best band he ever recorded with. The new tracks include alternate versions and live recordings, demonstrating his magic as a performer. Armed Forces is a classic of late 1970s punk rock, but has always been accessible to pop fans and timeless in its melodious appeal.

• Accidents Will Happen
• Senior Service
• Oliver's Army
• Big Boys
• Green Shirt
• Party Girl
• Goon Squad
• Busy Bodies
• Sunday's Best
• Moods For Moderns
• Chemistry Class
• Two Little Hitlers
• (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding?
• Tiny Steps
• Busy Bodies (Alternate version)
• Talking In The Dark
• Big Boys (Alternate version)
• Clean Money
• Wednesday Week
• My Funny Valentine
• Accidents Will Happen (Live)
• Mystery Dance (Live)
• Good Squad (Live)
• Party Girl (Live)
• Stranger In The House (Live)
• Alison (Live)
• Lipstick Vogue (Live)
• Watching The Detectives (Live)
• You Belong To Me (Live)
• Chemistry Class (Live Solo)