Get Happy [Original recording remastered, Extra tracks, Original recording reissued]

The Attractions, Elvis Costello | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 29, 1994)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered, Extra tracks, Original recording reissued
• Label: Rykodisc
• ASIN: B0000009UU
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #83,352 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #36 in Music > Indie Music > Alternative Rock > Singer Songwriters
  • #59 in Music > Indie Music > Pop > Singer-Songwriters

Track Listings

1. Love for Tender

2. Opportunity

3. The Imposter

4. Secondary Modern

5. King Horse

6. Possession

7. Men Called Uncle

8. Clowntime Is Over

9. New Amsterdam

10. High Fidelity

11. I Can't Stand Up (for Falling Down)

12. Black & White World

13. 5ive Gears in Reverse

14. B Movie

15. Motel Matches

16. Human Touch

17. Beaten to the Punch

18. Temptation

19. I Stand Accused

20. Riot Act

See all 31 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

ELVIS COSTELLO Get Happy!! (Deleted Canadian 1994 Ryko reissue 30-track CD with ten Extended Play tracks including: Girls Talk So Young and Ghost Train picture sleeve RCD20275)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars vintage costello, January 9, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Get Happy (Audio CD)

This album found Costello at the peak of his songwriting powers. Nick Lowe's production give's the record a harsh sound when compared with Costello's first three efforts. The Attractions have never sounded better, as is apparent on exuberant 'Five gears in reverse'. Although there is plenty of up-tempo invective on display, the highlights for me are the record's more tender moments. I particularly like the uncharacteristically straightforward ballad, 'Motel Matches', where a woman gives away sex like motels give away matches. As in many of his songs, the narrator treads a fine line between revulsion and compassion for the song's female subject. This album is a study in conciseness. Costello demonstrates more songwriting talent on these twenty tracks than other artists manage over a whole career. The volume of songs here make this record one that rewards attentive, repeated listening. Treat it like a seven course meal to be enjoyed over several hours.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars COULD IT GET ANY BETTER?, June 23, 2003

By 

Scott C Elliott "NUBUZZ" (New York City, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Get Happy (Audio CD)

This is the one that could brighten any dull party, turn a frown into a smile & keep you young!!! I've loved Elvis C. ever since I saw the video in the late seventies of this nerdy looking dude walking crooked while singing Watching the Detectives. He's a genius who never fails to please. Even when he does something different (eg. Juliet Letters), it may take awhile but you'll get there somehow.
Get Happy is one body of work that seems thrown together, but is a great example his mastery of his craft. If one wishes to learn songwriting - esp. how to turn a phrase, buy this immediately. If you simply are tired of recordings with random filler, then buy Get Happy. There is no filler here. I love every song here. I also love the Mowtown/Stax influence on some of the songs. If I were to point out a few gems - love for Tender, Opportunity..Hell, the first 6 songs, right off! Then Clowntime, I Can't Stand Up..., High Fidelity, Blk & Wht World, 5 Gears..., I stand Accused & Riot Act. Get it!! Warning: It is highly addictive!!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I can't get enough of this album..., May 17, 2002

By 

David C. Mason "brauticat" (Muncie, IN United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Get Happy (Audio CD)

"Love for Tender" starts what may be the most perfect sequence of songs in all of rock and roll history. The whole album is great, but what (I'm assuming) must have been the first side of the original album, those first 10 songs, are as close to perfection as anything I have ever heard. It floors me everytime. The other "side" is fantastic too, but just the way this album kicks off and keeps coming at you...man, it kicks. This album is also the one that convinced me that Steve Nieve is one of the great keyboard players of pop music as well, since he is the drive behind all that great music, imho. (Not intended as a slam IN ANYWAY on EC, either.)