New Wave Outpost Forum

When I was a kid, I hated avocados and loved sugar beets. As I grew up, my tastes reversed and now I eat avocados in every salad and love guacamole, while sugar beets turn my stomach.

Such is the same with Elvis Costello & The Attractions. When I was a younger lad in the 80's and first listening to New Wave, I *hated* Costello and Co. And over the years, completely avoided listening to him whenever a song would come on.

Fast forward to 2007-08- spent in Iraq and my section sergeant is a big Costello fan. So, he starts playing Costello in the patrol base between missions, and at first I was vehemently against it. But, as time wore on, I found myself drawn in. Now, I can't get enough of his music.

So- the question is- for those of you out there who are real Elvis Costello fans- what would you suggest as his "essential" catalogue? I've got a lot of his well-known songs, but he's got so much out there, and getting on iTunes and sifting through it all is a little overwhelming, so if you can help me out, I'd be grateful. What diamonds in the rough am I missing out on and need to add to the playlist?

You definitely need to get "Crawling To The USA", a bonus track from reissues of This Years Model.

"Everybody is on their knees except the Russians and the Chinese".

[quote]Originally posted by knightoboingo
[br]When I was a kid, I hated avocados and loved sugar beets. As I grew up, my tastes reversed and now I eat avocados in every salad and love guacamole, while sugar beets turn my stomach.

Such is the same with Elvis Costello & The Attractions. When I was a younger lad in the 80's and first listening to New Wave, I *hated* Costello and Co. And over the years, completely avoided listening to him whenever a song would come on.

Fast forward to 2007-08- spent in Iraq and my section sergeant is a big Costello fan. So, he starts playing Costello in the patrol base between missions, and at first I was vehemently against it. But, as time wore on, I found myself drawn in. Now, I can't get enough of his music.

So- the question is- for those of you out there who are real Elvis Costello fans- what would you suggest as his "essential" catalogue? I've got a lot of his well-known songs, but he's got so much out there, and getting on iTunes and sifting through it all is a little overwhelming, so if you can help me out, I'd be grateful. What diamonds in the rough am I missing out on and need to add to the playlist?
[/quote]

You can't go wrong with the entire Armed Forces record. Brilliant from start to finish!

BTW, I was the same way. When I was younger I would get annoyed when Elvis Costello would come on my local new wave station. I slowly became a huge fan of his though.

One of my most fave bands. Been a fan since "Oliver's Army" came out, never looked back since. Everything he's ever done is exceptional, get ANYTHING by them and you can't go wrong (but don't, at any cost, clutter your record space with "Goodbye Cruel World"). Also check out Costello's later (underrated) solo material. Equally is good (with some tracks even better IMO). Time to do some catching up knightoboingo. [;)]

Funny, I also couldn't stand Elvis Costello when he first broke in 1977-78. We didn't understand the "Angry Young Man" thing as me and my high school buddies rocked out to AC/DC. But, like the others here, I totally changed my opinion by the time I really got into new wave a few years later. My recommendation:

Start with the classic period (roughly the first 11 albums, recorded between 1977 - 1986). Within that, here are my faves: My Aim Is True, This Year's Model, Armed Forces, Get Happy, Trust, Imperial Bedroom, Punch The Clock. All the others include great tunes (even Goodbye Cruel World!) as you dig around.

Also, be aware that this period of his catalog has been reissued several times; if you can find the Rhino versions, they each contain a full disc of bonus material.

Hmmm.....I have the opposite effect. I started out being the biggest fan but my friends and I saw him a ton of times and played the shit out of his stuff so that now, I can't hardly listen to them.

Elvis Costello was one of the first "New Wave" artists I ever heard, because back in 78-79 the local hard rock station was willing to play him (along with the Clash). My favorites are still the early stuff, "My Aim is True" and "Armed Forces" especially.

When I switched over to CDs around 1990 I made the mistake of buying the "Girls Girls Girls" compilation, which Costello supposedly assembled himself, but I wound up going back to buy the original individual albums because I missed the album tracks too much. I wouldn't say this about a lot of artists but this is a case where I'd recommend getting the whole picture--buy by the album rather than choosing individual songs.

KoB --are you back in the states?

Thanks for the suggestions everyone- I'll check it out.

I love the passion and sheer knowledge of this board.

And yes, after 430 days, I am back and just killing time on leave- enjoying the hell out of being back in the USA![8D]

[quote][i]Originally posted by Crimsor[/i]
<br>[quote]Originally posted by knightoboingo
[br]When I was a kid, I hated avocados and loved sugar beets. As I grew up, my tastes reversed and now I eat avocados in every salad and love guacamole, while sugar beets turn my stomach.

Such is the same with Elvis Costello & The Attractions. When I was a younger lad in the 80's and first listening to New Wave, I *hated* Costello and Co. And over the years, completely avoided listening to him whenever a song would come on.

Fast forward to 2007-08- spent in Iraq and my section sergeant is a big Costello fan. So, he starts playing Costello in the patrol base between missions, and at first I was vehemently against it. But, as time wore on, I found myself drawn in. Now, I can't get enough of his music.

So- the question is- for those of you out there who are real Elvis Costello fans- what would you suggest as his "essential" catalogue? I've got a lot of his well-known songs, but he's got so much out there, and getting on iTunes and sifting through it all is a little overwhelming, so if you can help me out, I'd be grateful. What diamonds in the rough am I missing out on and need to add to the playlist?
[/quote]

You can't go wrong with the entire Armed Forces record. Brilliant from start to finish!

BTW, I was the same way. When I was younger I would get annoyed when Elvis Costello would come on my local new wave station. I slowly became a huge fan of his though.
[/quote]I would think a soldier in Iraq would know a thing or two about Armed Forces.[;)]
I wasn't much of a fan back in the day, but I agree: there's quite a discography to catch up on!! I see him next month w/ the Police.
Hey kob - welcome home & hope you're enjoying your leave!!