Customer Reviews

Armed Forces

5 star:		(55)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Armed Forces represents an early high point to Elvis and the Attractions' late-70's progression and development. On this disc, Costello is fully mining the vein of what he had referred to as "Revenge and Guilt" song subject manner while filtering it all through the framework of a fascination he had with the topics of fascism and control. A good share of the songs either directly or indirectly feature characters or situations where corporate, military or social shackles "force" someone into doing something to someone else--usually something quite nasty. Lyrical tidbits of profound dark humor and twisted verbal brilliance are to be found all over the place in this strong set of like-minded songs. Examples include "It's a death that's worse than fate" or "They took me in the office and they told me very carefully the way that I could benefit from death and disability" (Senior Service)-or how about "Now you've given your performance/though the matinee was idle/ and you're finding that a wave of her right hand could seem so tidal" (Busy Bodies).

Though the musical stylings are still roughly defined by what became known as the 'New Wave' sound, this disc is more informed by the sounds of then-contemporary US AM radio than any other Costello disc. One cause of this was the AM radio in the station wagon the Attractions used to drive from show to show on their first US tour in 1978. You'll hear the evidence pop up in places like the piano flourishes (just like those in ABBA's "Dancin' Queen") in "Oliver's Army" , or in the four/four disco beat of "Senior Service". Disc one of this reissue set is the whole essential, verbose, witty, and ear-pleasing Armed Forces disc in both its UK/world incarnation ("Sunday's Best" included) and US version("...Peace, Love and Understanding" included.)

Disc Two is made up of non-LP/B-sides (all 5 of which were on Columbia's "Taking Liberties" collection from 1980 and on the Rykodisc reissue of Armed Forces) and two previously unissued alternate versions of two "Armed Forces" songs in addition to a whole slew of live songs. If you bought the "Armed Forces" LP right when it was released in 1979 you got a free bonus shrink-wrapped in with the album, a three song single called "Live at Hollywood High"(These three songs were also on the Rykodisc reissue). The gorgeous voice and piano version of "Accidents Will Happen" led off side A of this single, which faded abruptly as drums came bursting in before the final chords were done ringing. Next was an understated "Alison"(also with a quick fade), and on side B, a feedback whine faded in to a rather lengthy version of "Watching The Detectives". Thanks to this new bonus disc, we now can here the whole nine song live event without the fades and in the proper sequence. We can hear further evidence of the smoking power and breakneck pace of the 1978 Attractions (also portrayed on the very worthwhile Rykodisc promo CD called "Live at El Mocombo" from a March, 1978 Toronto date), but we can also glean a bit more subtlety and variety in the band's rapidly maturing approach by studying the nuances of this show. We now know that is was a direct link to "Mystery Dance" that caused the quick fade of the first song, and that it was the end of "Lipstick Vogue" that furnished the feedback link to "Watching The Detectives". A final solo "Chemistry Class" closes out this excellent bonus disc.

This wonderful reissue of a reissue should represent the last time you'll ever have to buy "Armed Forces". Get it and you may be able to fully comprehend the tagline from an early 80's Columbia ad campaign---"Elvis Costello. Four Eyes. One Vision."

One of Costello's richest, most diverse albums, Armed Forces stands as a masterpiece full of rich melodies and witty songwriting. It's also a strong rock album that doesn't shy away from controversey. Although mired in controversey himself at the time (he got into a fight with Stephen Stills and his band over nasty comments about Ray Charles--it was Costello idiotically provoking a musical rival), Costello proved that he wasn't the racist he was accused of being and, in fact, apologized for the impetuous, stupid comments.Costello was mistakenly identified as a "racist" because of this incident. Many of the songs (particularly Oliver's Army)reflect the exact opposite. Regardless, the brilliance of the writing and production along with the sharp performances make this a classic worth keeping. This edition of Armed Forces isn't a cheat; the second disc alone has more than enough material for a new album. It includes most of the Hollywood High show (previously available as a three track EP), as well as, such minor classics as Tiny Steps. Also included are a number of alternate versions of classic songs and b-sides issued with the original singles.The sound quality is comparable (if slightly better by my estimation). The value added portion of the program is the stunning live tracks from Hollywood High on the second disc. There's also extensive liner notes explaining both the circumstances that went into the writing and making of the album. The lyrics include alternate lyrics as well for some of the demos.

"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.

Unfortunately for this reissue, Rhino's 2002 double CD issue was also the CD that most justified 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 included 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. That is the essential "Armed Forces." I understand that the rights to the EC CBS years catolog have turned over once again, but the double CD is really worth seeking out.

Probably one of the most "pop" of his early albums, Armed Forces is a treasure with so many signature classics. Accidents Will Happen, Oliver's Army, Green Shirts, Party Girl, Peace Love and Understanding standout as obvious great moments, but the listener will gain further appreciation of Busy Bodies (my personal favorite) and Big Boys as well as Goon Squad on this classic. Moods For Moderns is the least accessable of the cuts, but Armed Forces stands out as one of the late seventies, early eighties MUST HAVE CD's.

The bass of Bruce Thomas on Chemistry Class and Big Boys as well as Goon Squad is awesome. Pete Thomas pounds away relentlessly on Busy Bodies and Senior Service. Steve Nieve is a true artist on Oliver's Army and Two Little Hitlers. Obviously Elvis Costello is the showman and star of the Attractions, but this is no mere back-up band. Costello's voice, songwritng style, and riffs are hitting a peak on this album. The lyrics on Oliver's Army and Busy Bodies are concise and clever.

The bonus CD is incredible. The live cuts are amazingly clear and tight--as anyone who saw the Attractions from this time period would already know. Great pacing and energy makes this a fantastic show. The other cuts are equally interesting--including some tracks formerly on the Taking Liberties album.
Also, the solo version of Chemistry Class as the final track is just a wonderful way to close the CD. Talk about an engaging interpretation of this song.

Add to this song line-up, fantastic comments from Elvis himself in the 28 page booklet/sleeve and the quality of the remastered recordings, this is the latest greatest package from Rhino. Well worth the price for the bonus disk alone.

Join Elvis and the Attactions as they "are starting to function in the usual way..." and you will be amazed.

"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."

With Nick Lowe producing, Armed Forces turned out to be an album of very catchy tunes which masks the bitter satire 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. Of the new tracks, the inclusion of Alison and Tiny Steps was a smart move. Armed Forces is classic of late 70s poprock.

Wheras this album primarily focuses on 2-3 minutes songs,typical of Brit-pop at this time Elvis & The Attractions second album together is really works best when taken as a whole.No it's not conceptual and the music doesn't exactly flow together in any particular way. Nonetheless the sound doesn't alter from song to song. The 13 songs included here generally place the focus on Costello's new musical mission;a digestion of contemporary pop of the 60's and 70's from The Beatles to ABBA,whom were both huge inspirations to this music.Says quite a lot for a genre that at this point is literally railing against "phony Beatlemania";I guess at least this guy say past the commercial irony of it all and how both of those previously mentioned influences impact on early British New Wave rock. Sure enough "Accidents Will Happen",the hit "Oliver's Army","Busy Bodies","Big Boys" and "Goon Squad" all have a similar structure.All are a slightly more full bodied pop variation of the more basic impact of his debut My Aim Is True or This Year's Model. They key to this album is how,even in it's similar moments this album is very highly transitional. Any alligiences that Elvis might've owed musically to the punk era began to erode here and the sound moves closer and closer to "poppy sound'.Which is pretty strange because the lyrical subject matter couldn't be any more punky;the power struggles of militarism in society.The album title is not a misnomer.Nevertheless there are some musical changes of pace that indicate something new is on the way;the arrangement of "Green Shirt" could definately be described as psychedelic while "Mood For Moderns",
"Sunday's Best" and "Two Little Hitlers" have a very pronounced soul leaning,with the kick and syncopation and the drums and all especially."(What's So Funny) About Peace,Love And Understanding",a Nick Lowe tune,is the most obviously punl/new wave song here and the hardest rocking. I would'nt qualify this as Costello's GREATEST album-in some ways it's not very diverse and result is a lot of songs that kind of sound alike. But it's one of his strongest early albums outside his debut and one well worth getting into.

Elvis and the Attractions certainly have a knack for great sequencing, as is evidenced by the first three tracks on this record. It just doesn't get much sweeter than the new wave goodness of "Senior Service" followed by the grand, grand piano-filled opening bars of "Oliver's Army." Yikes! Other strong points are "Busy Bodies," the circus calliope feel of "Sunday's Best," and the tap-dance bassline of today's favorite track, "Two Little Hitlers." All of that, plus "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding?" AND bonus live tracks? Why don't you already own this disc?

in 1979, I was a sophomore in High School (a total outcast) when I bought this album and played it to death! Wore out two copies of it. I couldn't understand most of the words until I purchased Elvis Costello's sheet music book (A Singing Dictionary) in 1980 or thereabouts. His lyrics are amazing, and this album (along with "This Year's Model" and "Get Happy") sounds as fresh and vibrant today as it did 20 years (gasp! has it been THAT LONG?) ago. The Attractions have got to be the greatest back up band ever. Fave tracks - Goon Squad, Moods for Moderns

I turned my hubby onto this album a few years back. At the time of original release, Jim was into Sabbath, Van Halen, etc and didn't really get into New Wave. He was blown away! As a bass player, he really loves to practice to this album. And they did a wonderful job with this CD release. May "Armed Forces" never go out of print!

Thematically, this is Costello's best work, cleverly contrasting war (Cold and Third World) with sexual relationships.

Musically, it is a paragon of pop craftsmanship -- up there with Costello's best. My favorite songs are "Goon Squad" (penned as a letter to home from a private), "Two Little Hitlers" (about a test of wills), "Senior Service," (my favorite song during my senior year in high school in 1979!), "Accidents Will Happen" (the most brilliant of all his songs) and "What's So Funny (About Peace, Love and Understanding?)" (a hippie anthem that rivals whatever came from the Woodstock generation).

Here's to hoping the next generation discovers it.