Customer Reviews

King of America

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This double-disc set includes a second 6-track CD of Costello and his band from King of America (not the Attractions- the fellows who he worked on most of the album with) live. As is typical: there's a lot of fun to be had listening to the live 2nd CD. As is also typical: this one is beautifully mastered up to a quality which makes it hard to believe the thing was recorded as long ago as it was- on analog tape. Nice stuff. And King of America is a really spiffy album, too.

see, the problem with elvis costello is that he's got so many albums, one doesn't know where to begin. i started with a sampler--one of the "best of..." albums, and i was hooked. from there, i think i began buying albums more or less chronolgically. the reviews of "king of america" that i have read here and there haven't been all that wonderful, which makes me wonder what's wrong with me--why do I like a supposedly mediocre album? the answer to that question in regards to elvis costello is, (and always is) the writing--the man writes brilliant lyrics, period. i've not been disappointed by one costello album that i have owned. the standout here is "indoor fireworks," among others. truly a beautifully written song... on one of the great costello albums.

I have no idea why I bought this album. I went to the store with really nothing in mind when I came across 'King of America.' I had heard of Elvis Costello somewhere before, but was not familiar with his music. It turned out to be one of my favorite albums (a 'Brilliant Mistake,' if you will). I find this album to be fairly accessible to the casual listener and I would highly reccomend it to any Beatles fans (it's like the Fab Four, only mellower). The album combines Rockabilly with Country very nicely with lots of acoustic guitars. As to the songs themselves, they blew me away. The content and the lyrics are so deep and meaningful that your emotions will change with the songs. My personal favorite is 'Little Palaces.'

I love this record but I just had to add to Zappaman's review because I think "Suit of Lights" and "I'll wear it Proudly" are the standout tracks on this five star cd. The latter song was chosen recently by Thom from Radiohead as a 'song that changed my life' in an interview in Q magazine. Radiohead have taken to covering it recently and I think "Proudly" is a direct relation to "Fake Plasic Trees". Anyway, "King of America" is worth every penny. outstanding.

This double CD set, which came out on RykoDisc as an early bonus edition, is surely the most recent great Elvis album not co-written with Burt Bacharach. His first real effort without the Attractions, KOA displays the country musicman at the heart of this seamless album (which is how I first heard it back in '85, I think). Only "Jack of All Parades" and "I'll Wear it Proudly" are tossable while "Brilliant Mistake", "Suit of Lights" & "The Big Light" are classics. Worth the extra four bucks to listen to the live stuff. The booze seems to be freely flowing that evening....

I bought King of America on cassette shortly after it was released. Unfortunately I was 15 at that time and bought it mainly for the radio friendly "Don't Let Me be Misunderstood". I had not yet come to appreciate "country" music, especially from some guy from Ireland! As my tastes matured, I discovered how much great country music is out there. I remembered that Elvis Costello cassette that went the way of most of my cassettes. (trashed). I was a Costello fan and now appreciated good country so I had to find it. After I bought it on CD I realized that given the choices in country music in 1986, Elvis Costello not only got it right, he did it better than 90% of American country artists at that time. If it were not for Lyle Lovette and Dwight Yoakam, Elvis Costello my have had the only country album worth purchasing that year.

Interesting that 'Dublin, Ireland' mentions Radiohead because, to be absolutely honest, that's the only reason I bought this record. Very interesting, very exciting music, and yes, there definitely feels like there's a link between the instrumentation of Fake Plastic Trees and I'll Wear it Proudly. All in all, an intelligent effort. Costello has the fantastic ability to write seething, searing lyrics under great melodies. Unfortunately, I really don't think he's got a great voice (though neither did Lou Reed and I think he's great so...).

I'd say that this is a good record to get if it is your first time purchasing a Costello record and you don't want to get your fingers burnt by purchasing something weak. A solid performance and the lyricism you would expect from one of pops finest.