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After releasing and touring the intense This Year's Model, Elvis Costello quickly returned to the studio with the Attractions to record his third album, Armed Forces. In contrast to the stripped-down pop and rock of his first two albums, Armed Forces boasted a detailed and textured pop production, but it was hardly lavish. However, the more spacious arrangements -- complete with ringing pianos, echoing reverb, layered guitars, and harmonies -- accent Costello's melodies, making the record more accessible than his first two albums. Perversely, while the sound of Costello's music was becoming more open and welcoming, his songs became more insular and paranoid, even though he cloaked his emotions well. Many of the songs on Armed Forces use politics as a metaphor for personal relationships, particularly fascism, which explains its working title, Emotional Fascism. Occasionally, the lyrics are forced, but the music never is -- the album demonstrates the depth of Costello's compositional talents and how he can move from the hook-laden pop of "Accidents Will Happen" to the paranoid "Goon Squad" with ease. Some of the songs, like the light reggae of "Two Little Hitlers" and the impassioned "Party Girl," build on his strengths, while others like the layered "Oliver's Army" take Costello into new territories. It's a dense but accessible pop record and ranks as his third masterpiece in a row.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
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Nick Lowe, Producer - Pete Thomas, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Nieve, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - ELVIS COSTELLO, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Bechirian, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bruce Thomas, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 1979 Elvis Costello
Nick Lowe, Producer - Pete Thomas, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Nieve, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - ELVIS COSTELLO, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Bechirian, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bruce Thomas, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 1979 Elvis Costello
Nick Lowe, Producer - Pete Thomas, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Nieve, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - ELVIS COSTELLO, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Bechirian, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bruce Thomas, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 1979 Elvis Costello
Nick Lowe, Producer - Pete Thomas, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Nieve, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - ELVIS COSTELLO, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Bechirian, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bruce Thomas, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 1979 Elvis Costello
Nick Lowe, Producer - Pete Thomas, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Nieve, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - ELVIS COSTELLO, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Bechirian, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bruce Thomas, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 1979 Elvis Costello
Nick Lowe, Producer - Pete Thomas, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Nieve, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - ELVIS COSTELLO, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Bechirian, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bruce Thomas, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 1979 Elvis Costello
Nick Lowe, Producer - Pete Thomas, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Nieve, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - ELVIS COSTELLO, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Bechirian, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bruce Thomas, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 1979 Elvis Costello
Nick Lowe, Producer - Pete Thomas, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Nieve, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - ELVIS COSTELLO, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Bechirian, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bruce Thomas, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 1979 Elvis Costello
Nick Lowe, Producer - Pete Thomas, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Nieve, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - ELVIS COSTELLO, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Bechirian, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bruce Thomas, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 1979 Elvis Costello
Nick Lowe, Producer - Pete Thomas, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Nieve, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - ELVIS COSTELLO, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Bechirian, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bruce Thomas, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 1979 Elvis Costello
Nick Lowe, Producer - Pete Thomas, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Nieve, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - ELVIS COSTELLO, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Bechirian, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bruce Thomas, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 1979 Elvis Costello
Nick Lowe, Producer - Pete Thomas, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Nieve, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - ELVIS COSTELLO, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Bechirian, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bruce Thomas, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 1979 Elvis Costello
Nick Lowe, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Pete Thomas, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Nieve, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - ELVIS COSTELLO, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Roger Bechirian, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bruce Thomas, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 1979 Elvis Costello
DISC 2
Nick Lowe, Producer - ELVIS COSTELLO, ComposerLyricist - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 1980 Elvis Costello
Nick Lowe, Producer - ELVIS COSTELLO, ComposerLyricist - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 2002 Elvis Costello
Nick Lowe, Producer - ELVIS COSTELLO, ComposerLyricist - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 1980 Elvis Costello
Nick Lowe, Producer - ELVIS COSTELLO, ComposerLyricist - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 1980 Elvis Costello
Nick Lowe, Producer - ELVIS COSTELLO, ComposerLyricist - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 1979 Elvis Costello
Nick Lowe, Producer - ELVIS COSTELLO, ComposerLyricist - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 2002 Elvis Costello
Nick Lowe, Producer - Pete Thomas, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Nieve, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - ELVIS COSTELLO, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Bechirian, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bruce Thomas, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 2001 Elvis Costello
Nick Lowe, Producer - Richard Rodgers, ComposerLyricist - Lorenz Hart, ComposerLyricist - ELVIS COSTELLO, MainArtist
℗ 1979 Elvis Costello
DISC 3
ELVIS COSTELLO, ComposerLyricist - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 2020 Elvis Costello
ELVIS COSTELLO, ComposerLyricist - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 2020 Elvis Costello
ELVIS COSTELLO, ComposerLyricist - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 2020 Elvis Costello
ELVIS COSTELLO, ComposerLyricist - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 2020 Elvis Costello
ELVIS COSTELLO, ComposerLyricist - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 2020 Elvis Costello
Joe Camilleri, ComposerLyricist - Jeff Burstin, ComposerLyricist - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist - Tony Faehse, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2020 Elvis Costello
ELVIS COSTELLO, ComposerLyricist - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 2020 Elvis Costello
ELVIS COSTELLO, ComposerLyricist - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 2020 Elvis Costello
ELVIS COSTELLO, ComposerLyricist - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 2020 Elvis Costello
ELVIS COSTELLO, ComposerLyricist - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 2020 Elvis Costello
ELVIS COSTELLO, ComposerLyricist - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 2020 Elvis Costello
ELVIS COSTELLO, ComposerLyricist - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 2020 Elvis Costello
Nick Lowe, ComposerLyricist - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 2020 Elvis Costello
DISC 4
Nick Lowe, Producer - Pete Thomas, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Nieve, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - ELVIS COSTELLO, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Bruce Thomas, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 2010 Elvis Costello
Nick Lowe, Producer - Pete Thomas, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Nieve, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - ELVIS COSTELLO, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Bruce Thomas, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 1978 Elvis Costello
Nick Lowe, Producer - Pete Thomas, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Nieve, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - ELVIS COSTELLO, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Bruce Thomas, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 1978 Elvis Costello
Nick Lowe, Producer - Pete Thomas, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Nieve, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - ELVIS COSTELLO, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Bruce Thomas, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 1978 Elvis Costello
Nick Lowe, Producer - Pete Thomas, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Nieve, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - ELVIS COSTELLO, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Bruce Thomas, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 1978 Elvis Costello
Nick Lowe, Producer - Pete Thomas, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Nieve, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - ELVIS COSTELLO, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Bruce Thomas, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 2010 Elvis Costello
Nick Lowe, Producer - Pete Thomas, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Nieve, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - ELVIS COSTELLO, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Bruce Thomas, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 2010 Elvis Costello
Nick Lowe, Producer - Pete Thomas, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Nieve, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - ELVIS COSTELLO, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Bruce Thomas, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 2010 Elvis Costello
Nick Lowe, Producer - Pete Thomas, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Nieve, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - ELVIS COSTELLO, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Bruce Thomas, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 2010 Elvis Costello
ELVIS COSTELLO, ComposerLyricist - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 2008 Elvis Costello
DISC 5
ELVIS COSTELLO, ComposerLyricist - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 2020 Elvis Costello
ELVIS COSTELLO, ComposerLyricist - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 2020 Elvis Costello
ELVIS COSTELLO, ComposerLyricist - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 2020 Elvis Costello
ELVIS COSTELLO, ComposerLyricist - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 2020 Elvis Costello
ELVIS COSTELLO, ComposerLyricist - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 2020 Elvis Costello
ELVIS COSTELLO, ComposerLyricist - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 2020 Elvis Costello
Album review
After releasing and touring the intense This Year's Model, Elvis Costello quickly returned to the studio with the Attractions to record his third album, Armed Forces. In contrast to the stripped-down pop and rock of his first two albums, Armed Forces boasted a detailed and textured pop production, but it was hardly lavish. However, the more spacious arrangements -- complete with ringing pianos, echoing reverb, layered guitars, and harmonies -- accent Costello's melodies, making the record more accessible than his first two albums. Perversely, while the sound of Costello's music was becoming more open and welcoming, his songs became more insular and paranoid, even though he cloaked his emotions well. Many of the songs on Armed Forces use politics as a metaphor for personal relationships, particularly fascism, which explains its working title, Emotional Fascism. Occasionally, the lyrics are forced, but the music never is -- the album demonstrates the depth of Costello's compositional talents and how he can move from the hook-laden pop of "Accidents Will Happen" to the paranoid "Goon Squad" with ease. Some of the songs, like the light reggae of "Two Little Hitlers" and the impassioned "Party Girl," build on his strengths, while others like the layered "Oliver's Army" take Costello into new territories. It's a dense but accessible pop record and ranks as his third masterpiece in a row.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
About the album
- 9 disc(s) - 60 track(s)
- Total length: 03:17:21
- Main artists: Elvis Costello
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: UMe - Elvis Costello
- Genre: Pop/Rock Rock
© 2020 Elvis Costello ℗ 2020 Elvis Costello
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