Armed Forces [EXTRA TRACKS]

The Attractions, Elvis Costello

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 19, 1993)
• Original Release Date: 1993
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks
• Label: Rykodisc
• ASIN: B0000009UT
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #44,089 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording
Less hot under the collar than This Year's Model, Armed Forces was partly inspired by Elvis Costello and the Attractions' 1978 American tour. The songs are set to deceptively poppy arrangements that use plinky Abba keyboards ("Oliver's Army," a hit single about mercenaries), Beatles-ish devices (the fade on "Party Girl"), and whimsical waltz-time signatures ("Sunday's Best") to mask their core cynicism. "Goon Squad," "Busy Bodies," and "Accidents Will Happen" are among Costello's most melodically powerful songs to this point, leading the way to the masterful Get Happy!!. --Barney Hoskyns

From the Label
Legend has it that Costello's original title for this album was EMOTIONAL FASCISM. While that name may be a tad extreme, it does relate to Costello's lyrical concerns on album number three, which went further than before in exploring the dark undersides of love relationships and of England's class system. This was matched by a far lusher pop sound than the punkish THIS YEAR'S MODEL and the country/pub-rock inflections of MY AIM IS TRUE.

The deathless melody of "Accidents Will Happen" opens a varied, often challenging album filled with abrasive rockers ("Goon Squad") and pointed commentaries ("Two Little Hitlers" and "Sunday's Best," the latter left off the original US album). But while Costello's lyrics got more probing, his melodic gifts soared on tracks like "Party Girl" and the deceptively catchy "Oliver's Army." Producer Nick Lowe made creative use of the studio, layering the many nuances of Steve Nieve's keyboards.

Ironically, one of ARMED FORCES' best-known tracks wasn't officially part of the album. The cover of Nick Lowe's "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love & Understanding" wrapped up the American album quite nicely, but in the UK it was originally released only as the B-side of Lowe's "American Squirm" single. In fact, ARMED FORCES was the last Costello album to have a major discrepancy between the US and UK editions; this has now been remedied by including all relevant tracks on the CD. Also here is the superb LIVE AT HOLLYWOOD HIGH EP (including the piano-ballad version of "Accidents Will Happen") which was shamefully omitted from earlier CD versions.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MELODIC MASTERPIECE, July 10, 2002

By	Pieter "Toypom" (Johannesburg) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

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.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars At war, home and abroad, July 22, 2000

By	steven d de salvo (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews

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.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THREE LITTLE HITLERS, April 11, 2000

By	James Tutwiler (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This album could very well be the culmination of everything Elvis Costello would ever be; bombastic, tender, thoughtful, political, sullen and completely unmerciful. I was fortunate enough to witness the Armed Forces tour and was completely overwhelmed with volume and attitude for the one hour Costello gave his audience. The opening song of "Goon Squad" will forever reverberate in my skull. This happened at a time when Elvis Costello literally ran neck and neck with Bruce Springsteen as the "King" and the "Boss" duked it out for the 70's hottest songwriter accolade. Unfortunately, Costello's stock has fallen and is now relegated to playing theater shows and hall dates with Burt Bacharach before pipe smokers while Bruce still packs the arenas with his over exuberance. And in some ways, after reviewing Armed Forces again, the listener realizes that Costello trapped himself in a seventies time warp, with his over emphasis of the Vox Farafisa organ and a weak snare sound. Still, the artist that is Costello comes through and his domination of the period is easily understood. Senior Service, Goon Squad, Two Little Hitlers and Chemistry Class (where Costello immortalizes himself with the punishing line "You've been around so long but you still don't know what to do..") demonstrate the well roundness and helter skelter manner that has became his songwriting trademark. The almost sad fact about Costello is his music often times just doesn't hold up anymore, sounding somewhat dated and dusty. But blame it on a new wave mentality and crank up the volume, because when Elvis Costello puts forth, it's at least a more than admirable effort.