Mike from Music City takes a quick stab at ranking Elvis Costello’s 29 studio LPs. I’d probably come up with a different answer if I did this tomorrow. www.musiccitymike.net
Okay, I'll take a shot: 1. King Of America 2. This Year's Model 3. Imperial Bedroom 4. Blood & Chocolate 5. Get Happy!! 6. Trust 7. My Aim Is True 8. Painted From Memory 9. The Delivery Man 10. Armed Forces
I found this great video on the recommendation list. Almost all of Mr Costello's records are great. For me, This Year's Model is my favorite. It is also the very first EC album that I heard as a 15 year old in 1978! At that time, slick disco and MOR were all the rage. Rock rebels of the 1960s have evolved into arena superstars. By chance I spotted This year's model in a local newspaper music column. The album cover was something else, a college professor/ Buddy Holly like figure with a camera sporting a menacing look. First time I came across the term "New Wave rock". Soon heard his music and there was no looking back. The music: Simply superb
Wow! Even a diehard EC fan like myself can sometimes forget how immensely influential, relevent, and just plain damn good MOST his albums are. An awesome body of work! I liked squeezing "Letters to Juliette" in the top ten...a brilliant, creative, beautiful effort...as well as daring and challenging. Great video!
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I know these lists tend to be "My Favorites" instead of "The Best." That said, I can't understand how albums like "River in Reverse," "National Ransom" and especially "Painted From Memory" can dismissed in favor of records like "Almost Blue" and "Goodbye Cruel World" (or even "Punch the Clock"). "Bullets For the New Born King" ("National Ransom") is such a wonderfully complex song; I think it's one of the finest he's ever written. It's right up there with "Couldn't Call it Unexpected No. 4." I return to songs on "Painted From Memory" more frequently than I do the Pop Star-era records. Kudos for putting "The Juliet Letters" in your Top 10. The song cycle could end up being his most-performed work. There are dozens and dozens of renditions online and it's still being performed 25 years after its release. I liked "Armed Forces" at the time of release - first time I saw the EC & Attractions live was that Spring USA tour - but I don't think it's held up as well as, say, "Imperial Bedroom" or "King of America." Ranking anything is an impossible task and you're taking criticism very well.
Thanks. I can see you’ve given it a lot of thought. I agree with a lot. Especially putting Almost Blue ahead of Painted From Memory. I loved Almost Blue for years but now it doesn’t seem to hold up as well. But like he said, almost all are great records.
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Thank you so much my friend for your super informative video on Elvis Costello. I just bought his "The Very Best of Elvis C and the Attractions," CD and am very excited to listen to it. I've been a rocker since the early 70's but have only heard "Watchin the Detectives," song. Thanks again man.
Being a 62 year old I've no idea about CZcams logarithms and how these random videos appear however as a Costello fan I watched your video with interest. No two people will ever agree on bests of/favourites but it's especially difficult with Costello as his first 7 or 8 albums (bar Almost Blue.I tried but it didn't work for me) are all of such high quality. I won't give a list but my favourites have to be Blood and Chocolate/King of America (saw him with the Attractions in the Olympia Dublin that year. He did 3 nights The Attractions/Imposters and Nick Lowe/Spin the Wheel) My Aim is True and all-time favourite This Year's Model. I think it would probably be my favourite anyway but it holds a special place for me as on my copy of the album there was a scrawl at the centre of the vinyl saying to contact a number which resulted in me receiving all sorts of goodies. I lent the album school friend who went on to scratch the funk out it. So much for vinyl being the goto source of music product for young trendies. All my favourite albums are scratched to hell. I was brought up in a small town (Enniskillen) in the west of war torn Norn Irn but we were so fortunate to have a record shop that specialised in Irish Country and Wobbly but had a section at the back of the store with a better selection of singles and albums of hard to get punk and post punk that even the legendary Terry Hooley's Good Vibrations didn't have. What an exciting time for music. I remember buying Fear of Music, Duty Now for the Future and Drums and Wires from my summer job wages released over here on the same day and still three of my all-time favourites. Never saw Devo live nor Talking Heads (though I saw the Tom Tom Club in Belfast) but was lucky enough to see XTC in Rotters strip club Manchester not long before Andy Partridge lost it and stopped touring. Manchester Poly was a great venue for alternative music (punk poets ala John Cooper Clarke were big at the time). One of my favourite nights was a 9 band punk fest headlined by the Dead Kennedys (over)rammed to gills with hardcore punks. We were so fortunate to be around at at time where bands played smaller venues. In fundamentalist Prod Belfast The Clash ,Pistols and Stranglers were banned as if we hadn't enough problems. I first got to see Stranglers on the Raven tour in the Ulster Hall. Cut the Crap was just that but Joe Strummer was more than friendly (and stoned) after the show. We saw Mick Jones several with B.A.D The Specials supporting Dr.Feelgood my God. Eventually an occasional band evenplayed my home town. Thin Lizzy and probably Ireland's greatest band and one of the very best live bands : the Undertones. In later years there was the Wedding Present and of course the Pixies (missed out on Weezer). Never got to see the Smiths (scumbag Morrissey's on my banned list these days) That brings me back to Costello and the first time seeing him at his best in the Ulster Hall. We generally preferred to get a few extra pints before going to gigs but arrived a bit earlier to see a bunch of drunken lunatics going crazy on stage. Costello was dating Cait O'Riordanat the time before producing Rum,Sodomy and the Lash. These days I listen to more Brazilian music (inspired by David Byrne) but thank myself fortunate to have lived at a time when music was truly exciting. Noone will ever read this but I've found it therapeutic 😂😅
My top 10: 1) King Of America, 2) Blood & Chocolate, 3) All This Useless Beauty, 4) This Year's Model, 5) Get Happy!!, 6) Trust, 7) Imperial Bedroom, 8) When I Was Cruel, 9) My Aim Is True, =10) Goodbye Cruel World, =10) Brutal Youth. Plus a special mention for Taking Liberties (US)/Ten Bloody Marys, Ten How's Your Fathers (UK). But to be fair every EC album has at least 3 or 4 killer songs.
Hi Mike, I just discovered your channel and thoroughly enjoyed watching your ranking of Elvis Costello albums who is one of my all-time faves along with REM and XTC. As you indicated it’s a very difficult task ranking EC albums especially the top 5 so I’ll take the easy way out and provide this ranking 1a. Imperial Bedroom 1b. This Years Model 1c. Get Happy 1d. Armed Forces, 1e. My Aim is True. I look forward to watching your other ranking videos and being a big Power Pop nut myself hope you feature more of those artists in the future. Take care - Matt
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Most of your top ten rankings are similar to mine. And yes, I too find myself often going back to the pop energy and clever, caustic lyrics of Armed Forces. I still love it four decades later! (Where does the time go?)
Enjoyed your video. Disagree with many choices. Here's my top 10: 1. Imperial Bedroom 2. Armed Forces 3. This Year's Model 4. My Aim is True 5. Brutal Youth 6. When I was Cruel 7. All This Useless Beauty 8. Trust 9. Painted From Memory 10. Blood and Chocolate. I really think you undervalued Brutal Youth. It wasn't a great sounding record, but a great bunch of songs. It came out when my interest in EC was peaking and I first saw him with reunited Attractions on that tour. Look Now has some fine songs. Juliet Letters in top ten an interesting choice. I haven't heard that one in at least 10 years. I remember seeing a documentary of the making of that album. Interesting concept, but the tunes didn't connect for me. I guess I was hoping for Eleanor Rigby type string laden pop and he gave a bunch of obtuse meandering melodies that were weighed down by the concept and an attempt to be too clever. There are several of his albums that I haven't heard in years. Maybe time to reappraise some that never really grabbed me before.
King of America a clear number one for me. At various times different songs off the album have been my favourite tracks that is how much quality there is.
Okay, haven't listened to it in years. I will pull it out on not just your recommendation, but the passion of others for this LP as well. It wouldn't be the first time I was missing out.
I get not being a fan of EC's "crooner mode," since I generally feel the same way with most singers, but EC really is the exception to the rule for me. I just love his singing voice and respect how he's clearly done some work on it over the years, always expanding how he utilizes it. But--again--I DO get it. Having said that, I'd still probably place them in the general neighborhood that you did, since I truly love his earlier work with the Attractions. It's just hard to match it. Thanks for the list. OH! And I agree with you regarding Goodbye Cruel World. There's some great music on that one. I sometimes hear Mighty Like a Rose and The Juliet Letters get dumped on, but I'm really fond of each other those.
His best albums 1 This Years Model 2 Get Happy! 3 My Aim is True 4 Trust 5 Armed Forces 6 Taking Liberties 7 Painted from Memory Best singles This years girl I'm not angry high fidelity Red shoes lip service Radio Radio pump it up Blue Chair (from Blood and Chocolate .. after a string of highly acclaimed but relatively poor albums comes this Elvis gem) Man called uncle Possession King Horse from a whisper to a scream Hoover Factory 45 Worst most popular album which was OK with a few pretty good songs but not one great song.... nothing I would care to hear again. Imperial Bedroom. Where is my heart!
Goodbye Cruel World has gotten a bad rap. The CD edition has some great bonus tracks that also appeared on a compilation called "Out of our Idiot". Painting the Town Red is an especially fine track that a lot of people may not be familiar with. Heathen Town is also mighty fine. Good list. My top 3 would be Imperial Bedroom, Get Happy and Trust. Brutal Youth is also underrated IMHO.
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My Top 11 1. Painted From Memory 2. King of America 3. This Year's Model 4. My Aim Is True 5. Get Happy! 6. Imperial Bedroom 7. All This Useless Beauty 8. Trust 9. Armed Forces 10. Blood and Chocolate 11. The Boy Named If
Thanks Mike. A really enjoyable and informative review. Goodbye Cruel World holds a curious place I think. Dismissed by Elvis himself and frequently cited by fans as his worst, I must say that I’ve always loved the album. Glad to see KOA as highly ranked - to me it’s his best. But he has an amazing discography which is bound to attract different views.
I’m just discovering Elvis, in my 40s, have just ordered the Armed Forces box set as got a great deal on a sealed copy, and it looks really special. It’s nice to see it so high on a real fans list. Great summary, will be collecting all the original records as I hear they’ve not been beaten yet.
I really feel your list is very close to what I would end up with.....I totally agree with King Of America kicking off Americana.......the only change I would make is I would switch Brutal Youth and put it in the spot with Blood and Choclate.......other than that pretty much spot on with my list....also as you said when you get to the top 10 it gets very difficult.....what a catalog he has amassed!
@@mbodayle I didn't grow up with his early albums, but started listening around Spike. Get Happy was my favorite for a long time. His singing never got better than on Imperial Bedroom imo. All the early stuff is amazing, he's one of the greats. Thank you for replying!
Pretty much agree with you here! I especially liked your Juliet letters pick; I am a fan of that album too. Agree with Armed Forces at number 1 too. Have not listened to many of the albums in your last 10; Look Now and Delivery Man in particular I want to check out. The new one 'Hey Clockface' I am thinking is decent but a bit all over the place. Trust is a great record and Punch the Clock is too I think. For some reason, your number 3 album (which is very well regarded- King of America) I only liked the rockabilly song on - Big Light and Glitter Gulch (but love those two)...I may have to give it more listens. Thanks for the list- great job!
There are so many albums. You made a good list. I haven't heard them all, so I got to check out King of America. Also, the juliet letters is a masterpiece. Good job
Thank you. Well done. My only disagreement and Elvis fans kill me for it but I just cannot get into King of America. I like 3 or 4 tracks but it just doesn't work for me. I rank it perhaps around 15. Other than that your order is spot on. I can't get into Almost Blue. I like traditional country to some extent but this album just leaves me bored. Armed Forces is a masterpiece. From start to finish every song is great. And what a leap with the production. It's light years ahead of his first two albums.
If you read Bruce Thomas's memoir, you'll understand why Costello's quality dropped off dramatically after the mid 80s (thereby explaining your top choices, with which I wholeheartedly agree). He was just too in love with himself, and especially with his voice (the crooning also leaves me cold). Overall, perhaps my personal favourite contemporary artist of my youth.
First time I have run across your channel, enjoyed your count down, and understand that it is nearly an impossible task with EC's catalog. You discounted "For the Stars" very early, while in its entirety I agree that it is possibly his weakest collaboration, but actully has one of my favorite individual collaborative songs on in with "Broken Bicycles / Junk". These songs were written by possibly the two best pop songwriters and then masterfully combined with an incredible arrangement and production. Thank you for reminding me to dig out my DPM vinyl collection on a cold dreary day. Cheers!
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IT NEVER GOT BETTER THAN THE FIRST 2 ALBUMS. MY AIMIS TRUE AND THIS YEARS MODEL. LOW KEYED BURNING ANGER ON THE FIRST AND EXPLOSIVE ANGER AND FRUSTRATION ON THE SECOND. AFTER THAT,AS GOOD AS ELVIS COULD BE,HE WAS ALLOVER THE MAP MUSICALLY. POP,SOUL,CLASSICAL,ETC. BUT NEVER AS CONCENTRATED OR DIRECT AS THOSE FIRST 2 LPS. I PICKED THE 1ST LP UP JUST ON THE ALBUM COVER AND NAME ELVIS. AND IT WAS A WIN. I HAVE MANY COSTELLO ALBUMS GOING INTO THE LATE 80S BUT RARELY LISTEN TO THEM. THAT ONE TWO PUNCH IN 1977 AND 1978 DID IT. IF HE NEVER RECORDED AGAIN HIS REPUTATION WAS MADE.
Great review. Well done! My personal opinion is that This Year's Model and Armed Forces are by far the 2 best albums he has ever done. None of his other records even come close for me!
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Awesome review! I'm in a phase now that I'm truly enjoying Painted from Memory.
I think the concensus is that King of America should be number, and I would have to agree so 1.King of America (storytelling with Elvis' voice at it's best) 2. This Years Model (The energy and excitement that this reminds me of during the "Pump it Up" period) 3. Get Happy (to fill an album with so many songs and have all killer, no filler is impressive in itself, but the smart lyrics and double meanings elevate it) 4. Armed Forces (Perfect package of songs) 5. Almost Blue (brave, and successful pivot to a musical style he obviously loved)
I agree with your list...however as you mentioned...I disagree with the position of "North"-but perhaps I was falling in love at the time of it's release and thinking of Frank Sinatra...Great review !!
For years I avoided Goodbye Cruel World bcs it was slagged by everyone including EC. Imagine my surprise to discover it was at least half of another great EC + Attractions effort.
Thanks for your insight. A lot of hardcore EC fans here in Music City. I'm going to check out King of America again based on your recommendations. I would list My Aim is True at #1 but art is subjective. Haha
NORTH requires more than a few listenings to appreciate. Worth the effort. The rest of the bottom choices I am in agreement. KOJAK is borderline but far better than those below. The record with Bachrach - like all later Costello records - has a few stellar songs and lots of stuff that makes you shrug your shoulders. BRUTAL YOUTH has four really fine songs. ALMOST BLUE is important to those of us who were introduced to good country music with that album. His version of HOW MUCH I LIED will make my throat constrict every time. MOMOFUKO - give me a break - but to each his own. ALL THIS USELESS BEAUTY is a great record. GOODBYE is the worst of the early records which means it is still pretty good in comparison to what came later. When I was Cruel - completely forgettable except for 45. Mighty Like a Rose did grow on you. Reverse earthquakes - what a brilliant thought. SPIKE - a bit of an embarrassment. Juliet Letters - when it hits it hits very hard. After that it becomes very hard to rank - except for me - the best is GET HAPPY - breathless excitement. No question - King of America is the best "American" record he made. I doubt I would pick Armed Forces as my favorite but how can you argue with Chemistry Class and Two Little Hitlers? One of the better overviews I have seen. Well done.
@@mbodayle You might have replied jokingly back to me "You don't have to listen to me that's the triumph of free will.." or "I see a look of recognition, so well hidden in your eye and your peepshow regulations they just don't seem to apply," maybe even "I know I've got my faults and among them I can't control my tongue but if you didn't believe me.." TRUE STORY: in the 1980's I was in a long slow moving line at a NYC USPS office when a dude in front of me sighed to himself and said these exact words "Oh I used to be disgusted" and me from behind continued "..and now I try to be amused." Slightly startled he turned and seeing me smiling we both started to laugh. imgur.com/a/MKnMRVf
Trust and Get Happy!!! are so dear to me, I have bipolar disorder and during my manic episodes I would go out jogging at 4 am listening to those records, dancing and feeling like I was king of the world. When you need an adrenaline fix, try dancing to Love for Tender; your legs will catch fire.
I know it's not a widely held opinion, but I've always preferred the Warner Bros. era (and the early Universal era, i.e. Painted From Memory and When I Was Cruel) to the earlier Columbia releases, with the exception of King of America. This might be because Spike was the first Costello album I heard brand new, though I'd already listened to King of America at that point; it was only later that I went back and heard the earlier albums. But there's something about the wide-ranging eclecticism of those years that's always appealed to me, it felt like Costello was endlessly restless and unsatisfied and the tension between the rock and classical elements in his music (especially on All This Useless Beauty) made it more compelling than when rock was the dominant part of his sound. And I think that's why I also loved Look Now and I've enjoyed all the songs released from Hey Clockface so far- it feels like a return to that purposeful experimentation, whereas albums like National Ransom and Wise Up Ghost just felt kind of meandering and unfocused.
Love your ranking of EC's albums! Only thing I would change is to put Brutal Youth in the top 10 (or top 5 even) and swap 1 & 2 around. Thanks for the video.
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You should make more video's like that. You talk very interestingly about your albums and I would love to see the next recordings from this series. Greetings from Poland 🙂
Hi Mike. I've been on a huge Elvis kick recently so I thought I'd come and watch your ranking. Excellent, list - really enjoyed it. I'm pleased that King of America was so high, though surprised how low you put Look Now which (on third listen) sounds like a bit of a return to form to me! Btw, looking at your shelves I was reminded that you're a big Squeeze fan. I wondered if you knew I'd published a book about them in recent times? Cheers, James
Thanks for watching. I have no idea how I missed your book. Well it's just been ordered and I can't wait to read it. Did you see my Squeeze Ranking video? Excited to see Glenn here in Nashville in September.
@@jamesgriffithsmusic James - finally read your book and I absolutley loved it. Great work and thanks for all the effort you put into it. Can't wait for the next volume!
Hi Mike. The only reason I've caught your last reply (a year late!) is because I doubled back (tripled back??) again to watch your Elvis ranking video. Thanks so much for buying my book, it is much appreciated and I'm glad you enjoyed it. I hope you are doing OK, you have not uploaded a video for quite a while I think. I have been doing a lot of fun collab videos of late via Zoom, so if you ever fancy teaming up and doing something, let me know. Happy new year!
Hey there. I'm a big EC fan and I think your list is just fine - though I wouldn't rank The Juliet Letters as high. I've seen some wonderful shows over the years. The very first show was in Santa Barbara 1994, touring for the Brutal Youth record - GREAT Attractions show. The Crash Test Dummies opened (at the end of the night I almost forgot that CTD were even on stage). In 1996 I took a train to Chicago from South Bend, Indiana and saw them. I got there really early and was able to meet Elvis in the parking lot behind Rosemont Theater. Ron Sexsmith opened. Another that stands out is the Memphis show in 2008 at the New Daisy Theater. Carlene Carter opened. I DID see some folks in the crowd clutching the vinyl copy of Momofuku (like you said - before the CD was even out). I'll take a shot at a top 10 list: This Year's Model (Rykodisc reissue) Get Happy!! (Rykodisc reissue) Armed Forces (Rhino reissue) Trust (Rykodisc reissue) Imperial Bedroom (Rykodisc reissue) My Aim Is True (Rhino reissue) King Of America (Rykodisc reissue) Blood & Chocolate (Rykodisc reissue) Brutal Youth (Rhino reissue) All This Useless Beauty (Rhino reissue)
When you saw him in 94 did he play 2 long continuous sets with no break between songs? That's how it was when I saw that tour. No time to catch your breath.
@@catsofsherman1316 One long set with no breaks between songs. According to the setlist 28 songs. The band really stretched out. Elvis was playing really raw guitar
Some of my favorite Costello LPs are his "later" stuff, like "North" and his collaborative effort with Anne Sofie von Otter, "For the Stars", which I adore and have played to death. But with Elvis, it's really a matter of the handful of records I don't care for, cause I like most everything he's done.
You need to give National Ransom. Some of the best songs he's ever written on this...All These Strangers, Bullets for the Newborn King, That's Not the Part of Him You're Leaving...
1. Armed Forces I LOVE "Oliver's Army"!!! 2. This Year's Model 3. My Aim Is True. 4. The music for A Midsummer Night's Dream on DGG. You would never know he wrote it... Never! The tracks are in conjunction with the scenes in Shakespeare's play 5. The Juliet Letters. Pure genius. 6. Delivery Man 7. Momofuko He never put out a bad record. A fan from day one. A true genius.
Imperial Bedroom is my number one, and I would rank Brutal Youth MUCH higher (for Sulkey Girl alone)...no real argument to be had. As you said many times, these are all 5 star albums.
Would broadly agree with the top 10, though I wouldn’t put them in that order. Imperial Bedroom probably No 1, followed by King of America, This Years Model, Trust and Armed Forces. Spike should also be in the top 10 in my opinion.
It is interesting to see Imperial Bedroom continuing to be so high on people's list. I bought it immediately when it came out. Man out of Time and The Loved Ones just blew me away, but I just never understood the record (I know I am an outlier, I read the reviews past and present, but these judgments are simply personal taste). For me, I always called the LP Imperial Boredom (but, of course for me My Aim Is True, This Year's Model, Armed Forces and Blood And Chocolates are my thing. That is what makes these sorts of lists fascinating an informative. I'll go back and give the LP another shot (I still have my vinyl), along with a few others that I frankly couldn't stand; perhaps my tastes have matured. My buddy sold me his copy of Get Happy shortly after buying it. He couldn't stand it. I loved it.
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way better than the elvis album ranking i viewed that caused yours to be recommended! gratifying to see love for juliet letters. patchy and too long, but the highs are really high
What always bothers me with these rankings is it ultimately 99 out of 100 times becomes a personal taste ranking instead of an objective ranking based on the merits of the releases. Dismissing records because you don't like it defeats the purpose of ranking the releases and instead becomes what "I" like and don't like.
For me, the biggest injustice in your ranking is Wise Up Ghost. I think that is an incredible album that is very creative with the input of Questlove. But for all of the different loops and beats found in most of these funky songs, the best is a very simple piano song called “Puppet has Cut His Strings.” I saw him twice at the Brooklyn Bowl in Vegas w/the Roots. Two of my all-time favorite shows. I’d have that album in the Top 10. GCW is too high, but nice effort overall.
As another huge fan who owns all the records, I sympathise with your comment that on any given day your list might come out different, although I agree more with the beginning of your list than the end. Your least favourites are close to mine. Some other channel had a guy placing Juliet Letters as his least-favourite, which is crazy. I'm glad you rated it higher, but not high enough, as there is nothing else like it. I'm also glad you rated Bood & Chocolate fairly high as well. That album blew me away when I first heard it in 1985 and will always be somewhere near the top. As you say, once you get to the top 20 they are all great albums and essential listening. Trust is an underrated gem as well, as you rightly recognized. I agree about the Sophe von Otter whatever album,wow, what a piece of crap. What was he thinking? Wise up Ghost was also crap. But, hey, at least ten of the top twenty are 5 star and the rest are 4/5 star, so i shouldn't complain.
Blood and Chocolates was a return to form for me. One amazing song after another. I heard Blue Chair on the radio and pulled over in my car, I was so blown away. I bought the record that weekend and was amazed that there was no "best song" to be found. It is surely in my top five.
I just can't get past King of America , it's not just a Costello classic, it's an all time classic .
Okay, I'll take a shot:
1. King Of America
2. This Year's Model
3. Imperial Bedroom
4. Blood & Chocolate
5. Get Happy!!
6. Trust
7. My Aim Is True
8. Painted From Memory
9. The Delivery Man
10. Armed Forces
My Top Five:
Get Happy!
Armed Forces
My Aim Is True
Imperial Bedroom
This Year's Model
I found this great video on the recommendation list. Almost all of Mr Costello's records are great. For me, This Year's Model is my favorite. It is also the very first EC album that I heard as a 15 year old in 1978! At that time, slick disco and MOR were all the rage. Rock rebels of the 1960s have evolved into arena superstars. By chance I spotted This year's model in a local newspaper music column. The album cover was something else, a college professor/ Buddy Holly like figure with a camera sporting a menacing look. First time I came across the term "New Wave rock". Soon heard his music and there was no looking back. The music: Simply superb
King of America is an all time stand alone classic
Absolutely - could have easily been my #1.
whew it's something else...my fav...totally jumped past his pop rock phase and got real
Wow! Even a diehard EC fan like myself can sometimes forget how immensely influential, relevent, and just plain damn good MOST his albums are. An awesome body of work! I liked squeezing "Letters to Juliette" in the top ten...a brilliant, creative, beautiful effort...as well as daring and challenging. Great video!
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I know these lists tend to be "My Favorites" instead of "The Best." That said, I can't understand how albums like "River in Reverse," "National Ransom" and especially "Painted From Memory" can dismissed in favor of records like "Almost Blue" and "Goodbye Cruel World" (or even "Punch the Clock"). "Bullets For the New Born King" ("National Ransom") is such a wonderfully complex song; I think it's one of the finest he's ever written. It's right up there with "Couldn't Call it Unexpected No. 4." I return to songs on "Painted From Memory" more frequently than I do the Pop Star-era records. Kudos for putting "The Juliet Letters" in your Top 10. The song cycle could end up being his most-performed work. There are dozens and dozens of renditions online and it's still being performed 25 years after its release. I liked "Armed Forces" at the time of release - first time I saw the EC & Attractions live was that Spring USA tour - but I don't think it's held up as well as, say, "Imperial Bedroom" or "King of America." Ranking anything is an impossible task and you're taking criticism very well.
tkq2 I went in with thick armor knowing I’d get some slack.
Thanks. I can see you’ve given it a lot of thought. I agree with a lot. Especially putting Almost Blue ahead of Painted From Memory. I loved Almost Blue for years but now it doesn’t seem to hold up as well. But like he said, almost all are great records.
national Ransom is one you need to listen to alot to get the rewards - I did - here's my reviews
Here are some reviews of his albums on my channel
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Spike Elvis Costello czcams.com/video/mfFTkCA7HiI/video.html
1981
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Trust Elvis Costello 1981
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I absolutely love Punch The Clock and King of America. Those two records are teeming with great songs.
Thank you so much my friend for your super informative video on Elvis Costello. I just bought his "The Very Best of Elvis C and the Attractions," CD and am very excited to listen to it. I've been a rocker since the early 70's but have only heard "Watchin the Detectives," song.
Thanks again man.
Awesome - thanks much for watching and commenting! New EC record coming soon.
KING OF AMERICA (1985) Is Ranked On My List #20. Lovely Album.
Being a 62 year old I've no idea about CZcams logarithms and how these random videos appear however as a Costello fan I watched your video with interest.
No two people will ever agree on bests of/favourites but it's especially difficult with Costello as his first 7 or 8 albums (bar Almost Blue.I tried but it didn't work for me) are all of such high quality.
I won't give a list but my favourites have to be Blood and Chocolate/King of America (saw him with the Attractions in the Olympia Dublin that year. He did 3 nights The Attractions/Imposters and Nick Lowe/Spin the Wheel) My Aim is True and all-time favourite This Year's Model.
I think it would probably be my favourite anyway but it holds a special place for me as on my copy of the album there was a scrawl at the centre of the vinyl saying to contact a number which resulted in me receiving all sorts of goodies.
I lent the album school friend who went on to scratch the funk out it.
So much for vinyl being the goto source of music product for young trendies.
All my favourite albums are scratched to hell.
I was brought up in a small town (Enniskillen) in the west of war torn Norn Irn but we were so fortunate to have a record shop that specialised in Irish Country and Wobbly but had a section at the back of the store with a better selection of singles and albums of hard to get punk and post punk that even the legendary Terry Hooley's Good Vibrations didn't have.
What an exciting time for music.
I remember buying Fear of Music, Duty Now for the Future and Drums and Wires from my summer job wages released over here on the same day and still three of my all-time favourites.
Never saw Devo live nor Talking Heads (though I saw the Tom Tom Club in Belfast) but was lucky enough to see XTC in Rotters strip club Manchester not long before Andy Partridge lost it and stopped touring.
Manchester Poly was a great venue for alternative music (punk poets ala John Cooper Clarke were big at the time).
One of my favourite nights was a 9 band punk fest headlined by the Dead Kennedys (over)rammed to gills with hardcore punks.
We were so fortunate to be around at at time where bands played smaller venues.
In fundamentalist Prod Belfast The Clash ,Pistols and Stranglers were banned as if we hadn't enough problems.
I first got to see Stranglers on the Raven tour in the Ulster Hall.
Cut the Crap was just that but Joe Strummer was more than friendly (and stoned) after the show.
We saw Mick Jones several with B.A.D
The Specials supporting Dr.Feelgood my God.
Eventually an occasional band evenplayed my home town.
Thin Lizzy and probably Ireland's greatest band and one of the very best live bands : the Undertones.
In later years there was the Wedding Present and of course the Pixies (missed out on Weezer).
Never got to see the Smiths (scumbag Morrissey's on my banned list these days)
That brings me back to Costello and the first time seeing him at his best in the Ulster Hall.
We generally preferred to get a few extra pints before going to gigs but arrived a bit earlier to see a bunch of drunken lunatics going crazy on stage.
Costello was dating Cait O'Riordanat the time before producing Rum,Sodomy and the Lash.
These days I listen to more Brazilian music (inspired by David Byrne) but thank myself fortunate to have lived at a time when music was truly exciting.
Noone will ever read this but I've found it therapeutic 😂😅
My top 10: 1) King Of America, 2) Blood & Chocolate, 3) All This Useless Beauty, 4) This Year's Model, 5) Get Happy!!, 6) Trust, 7) Imperial Bedroom, 8) When I Was Cruel, 9) My Aim Is True, =10) Goodbye Cruel World, =10) Brutal Youth.
Plus a special mention for Taking Liberties (US)/Ten Bloody Marys, Ten How's Your Fathers (UK). But to be fair every EC album has at least 3 or 4 killer songs.
pretty good top ten there buddy
Elvis Costello's first 3 albums kept me from killing myself when I was a teenager.
greatest comment ever! thank you!
Hi Mike, I just discovered your channel and thoroughly enjoyed watching your ranking of Elvis Costello albums who is one of my all-time faves along with REM and XTC. As you indicated it’s a very difficult task ranking EC albums especially the top 5 so I’ll take the easy way out and provide this ranking 1a. Imperial Bedroom 1b. This Years Model 1c. Get Happy 1d. Armed Forces, 1e. My Aim is True. I look forward to watching your other ranking videos and being a big Power Pop nut myself hope you feature more of those artists in the future. Take care - Matt
here are my reviews of his albums
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Spike Elvis Costello czcams.com/video/mfFTkCA7HiI/video.html
1981
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Trust Elvis Costello 1981
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Most of your top ten rankings are similar to mine. And yes, I too find myself often going back to the pop energy and clever, caustic lyrics of Armed Forces. I still love it four decades later! (Where does the time go?)
Thanks - nice to hear from you!
Enjoyed your video. Disagree with many choices. Here's my top 10:
1. Imperial Bedroom
2. Armed Forces
3. This Year's Model
4. My Aim is True
5. Brutal Youth
6. When I was Cruel
7. All This Useless Beauty
8. Trust
9. Painted From Memory
10. Blood and Chocolate.
I really think you undervalued Brutal Youth. It wasn't a great sounding record, but a great bunch of songs. It came out when my interest in EC was peaking and I first saw him with reunited Attractions on that tour. Look Now has some fine songs. Juliet Letters in top ten an interesting choice. I haven't heard that one in at least 10 years. I remember seeing a documentary of the making of that album. Interesting concept, but the tunes didn't connect for me. I guess I was hoping for Eleanor Rigby type string laden pop and he gave a bunch of obtuse meandering melodies that were weighed down by the concept and an attempt to be too clever. There are several of his albums that I haven't heard in years. Maybe time to reappraise some that never really grabbed me before.
Your choices are quite respectful!
I would have switched 10 & 11...but remembering back to my childhood...Armed Forces is what got me hooked on Elvis. Definitely #1
Another great video Michael. My top 2 are exactly the same but I would put Get Happy at no. 3, Imperial Bedroom at no. 4 and Trust no. 5.
King of America a clear number one for me. At various times different songs off the album have been my favourite tracks that is how much quality there is.
Okay, haven't listened to it in years. I will pull it out on not just your recommendation, but the passion of others for this LP as well. It wouldn't be the first time I was missing out.
I get not being a fan of EC's "crooner mode," since I generally feel the same way with most singers, but EC really is the exception to the rule for me. I just love his singing voice and respect how he's clearly done some work on it over the years, always expanding how he utilizes it. But--again--I DO get it. Having said that, I'd still probably place them in the general neighborhood that you did, since I truly love his earlier work with the Attractions. It's just hard to match it.
Thanks for the list.
OH! And I agree with you regarding Goodbye Cruel World. There's some great music on that one. I sometimes hear Mighty Like a Rose and The Juliet Letters get dumped on, but I'm really fond of each other those.
I love these ratings Mike, my top 5 by Elvis are 5 Almost Blue 4 Kojak 3 Juliet Letters 2 North 1 Elvis and Burt...
His best albums
1 This Years Model
2 Get Happy!
3 My Aim is True
4 Trust
5 Armed Forces
6 Taking Liberties
7 Painted from Memory
Best singles
This years girl
I'm not angry
high fidelity
Red shoes
lip service
Radio Radio
pump it up
Blue Chair (from Blood and Chocolate .. after a string of highly acclaimed but relatively poor albums comes this Elvis gem)
Man called uncle
Possession
King Horse
from a whisper to a scream
Hoover Factory
45
Worst most popular album which was OK with a few pretty good songs but not one great song.... nothing I would care to hear again. Imperial Bedroom. Where is my heart!
Lipstick Vogue is his best single for me. Bruce`s bass is just 🤯
'The Juliet Letters' were something else. Would love Rufus Wainwright to do something similar.
Merci beaucoup pour cette belle sélection ! pour ma part, mon préféré est le Live At The Mocambo.
I would rank North pretty low also, but every now and again (like on a rainy day), it's just perfect
Love North - the transition from heartbreak to new love.
PAINTED WITH BURT is utterly amazing.
Pretty fair ranking.
When I had a radio showing college it was called Moods For Moderns and I started each show with that song.
Cool - thanks Ed!
Goodbye Cruel World has gotten a bad rap. The CD edition has some great bonus tracks that also appeared on a compilation called "Out of our Idiot". Painting the Town Red is an especially fine track that a lot of people may not be familiar with. Heathen Town is also mighty fine. Good list. My top 3 would be Imperial Bedroom, Get Happy and Trust. Brutal Youth is also underrated IMHO.
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1981
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My Top 11
1. Painted From Memory
2. King of America
3. This Year's Model
4. My Aim Is True
5. Get Happy!
6. Imperial Bedroom
7. All This Useless Beauty
8. Trust
9. Armed Forces
10. Blood and Chocolate
11. The Boy Named If
Thanks Mike. A really enjoyable and informative review. Goodbye Cruel World holds a curious place I think. Dismissed by Elvis himself and frequently cited by fans as his worst, I must say that I’ve always loved the album. Glad to see KOA as highly ranked - to me it’s his best. But he has an amazing discography which is bound to attract different views.
KOA is at times my #1. Thanks for your support.
I’m just discovering Elvis, in my 40s, have just ordered the Armed Forces box set as got a great deal on a sealed copy, and it looks really special. It’s nice to see it so high on a real fans list. Great summary, will be collecting all the original records as I hear they’ve not been beaten yet.
I agree with you completely. No taking liberties
My Top 5 in order:
This Year's Model
Get Happy!! (for having more songs than MAIT)
My Aim Is True
Armed Forces
Imperial Bedroom
ARMED FORCES ---- ABSOLUTELY NUMBER ONE.
Mighty like a Rose contains my favourite song, 'Couldn't call it unexpected No. 4'.
I really feel your list is very close to what I would end up with.....I totally agree with King Of America kicking off Americana.......the only change I would make is I would switch Brutal Youth and put it in the spot with Blood and Choclate.......other than that pretty much spot on with my list....also as you said when you get to the top 10 it gets very difficult.....what a catalog he has amassed!
I'd put Brutal Youth waay higher. Imperial Bedroom #1 imo. Nice list!
Thanks for watching an commenting - it's a tough call!
@@mbodayle I didn't grow up with his early albums, but started listening around Spike. Get Happy was my favorite for a long time. His singing never got better than on Imperial Bedroom imo. All the early stuff is amazing, he's one of the greats. Thank you for replying!
Pretty much agree with you here! I especially liked your Juliet letters pick; I am a fan of that album too. Agree with Armed Forces at number 1 too. Have not listened to many of the albums in your last 10; Look Now and Delivery Man in particular I want to check out. The new one 'Hey Clockface' I am thinking is decent but a bit all over the place. Trust is a great record and Punch the Clock is too I think. For some reason, your number 3 album (which is very well regarded- King of America) I only liked the rockabilly song on - Big Light and Glitter Gulch (but love those two)...I may have to give it more listens. Thanks for the list- great job!
There are so many albums. You made a good list. I haven't heard them all, so I got to check out King of America. Also, the juliet letters is a masterpiece. Good job
Thank you. Well done. My only disagreement and Elvis fans kill me for it but I just cannot get into King of America. I like 3 or 4 tracks but it just doesn't work for me. I rank it perhaps around 15. Other than that your order is spot on. I can't get into Almost Blue. I like traditional country to some extent but this album just leaves me bored. Armed Forces is a masterpiece. From start to finish every song is great. And what a leap with the production. It's light years ahead of his first two albums.
Thanks for watching and commenting.
If you read Bruce Thomas's memoir, you'll understand why Costello's quality dropped off dramatically after the mid 80s (thereby explaining your top choices, with which I wholeheartedly agree). He was just too in love with himself, and especially with his voice (the crooning also leaves me cold). Overall, perhaps my personal favourite contemporary artist of my youth.
First time I have run across your channel, enjoyed your count down, and understand that it is nearly an impossible task with EC's catalog. You discounted "For the Stars" very early, while in its entirety I agree that it is possibly his weakest collaboration, but actully has one of my favorite individual collaborative songs on in with "Broken Bicycles / Junk". These songs were written by possibly the two best pop songwriters and then masterfully combined with an incredible arrangement and production. Thank you for reminding me to dig out my DPM vinyl collection on a cold dreary day. Cheers!
My reviews
John's Music Passions
John's Music Passions
1 second ago
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IT NEVER GOT BETTER THAN THE FIRST 2 ALBUMS. MY AIMIS TRUE AND THIS YEARS MODEL. LOW KEYED BURNING ANGER ON THE FIRST AND EXPLOSIVE ANGER AND FRUSTRATION ON THE SECOND. AFTER THAT,AS GOOD AS ELVIS COULD BE,HE WAS ALLOVER THE MAP MUSICALLY. POP,SOUL,CLASSICAL,ETC. BUT NEVER AS CONCENTRATED OR DIRECT AS THOSE FIRST 2 LPS. I PICKED THE 1ST LP UP JUST ON THE ALBUM COVER AND NAME ELVIS. AND IT WAS A WIN. I HAVE MANY COSTELLO ALBUMS GOING INTO THE LATE 80S BUT RARELY LISTEN TO THEM. THAT ONE TWO PUNCH IN 1977 AND 1978 DID IT. IF HE NEVER RECORDED AGAIN HIS REPUTATION WAS MADE.
Great review. Well done! My personal opinion is that This Year's Model and Armed Forces are by far the 2 best albums he has ever done. None of his other records even come close for me!
Hmmm, you know, the more I listen to This Year's Model the more I'm blown away. I loved it back in the day, but it's even better than I thought.
John's Music Passions
My reviews
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Spike Elvis Costello czcams.com/video/mfFTkCA7HiI/video.html
1981
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Trust Elvis Costello 1981
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Awesome review! I'm in a phase now that I'm truly enjoying Painted from Memory.
Great list Mike. I rank KOA higher but that’s just personal taste.
I agree with the Look Now ranking. Left me cold.
I think the concensus is that King of America should be number, and I would have to agree
so
1.King of America (storytelling with Elvis' voice at it's best)
2. This Years Model (The energy and excitement that this reminds me of during the "Pump it Up" period)
3. Get Happy (to fill an album with so many songs and have all killer, no filler is impressive in itself, but the smart lyrics and double meanings elevate it)
4. Armed Forces (Perfect package of songs)
5. Almost Blue (brave, and successful pivot to a musical style he obviously loved)
Can’t argue with those top 7. I’d have Imperial Bedroom at #1. I would move Brutal Youth up to #8.
Hard to argue with that!
Wow, same thought here. BY underrated!
I agree with your list...however as you mentioned...I disagree with the position of "North"-but perhaps I was falling in love at the time of it's release and thinking of Frank Sinatra...Great review !!
For years I avoided Goodbye Cruel World bcs it was slagged by everyone including EC. Imagine my surprise to discover it was at least half of another great EC + Attractions effort.
Thanks for your insight. A lot of hardcore EC fans here in Music City. I'm going to check out King of America again based on your recommendations. I would list My Aim is True at #1 but art is subjective. Haha
And there is no disputing taste. It is, in the end, personal.
Distil it down to The 'Bruce Years' albums - you've got all the essentials right there.
Without question. Elvis without Bruce is like Mick without Keith.
Enjoyed this about my fav artist 👍
NORTH requires more than a few listenings to appreciate. Worth the effort. The rest of the bottom choices I am in agreement. KOJAK is borderline but far better than those below. The record with Bachrach - like all later Costello records - has a few stellar songs and lots of stuff that makes you shrug your shoulders. BRUTAL YOUTH has four really fine songs. ALMOST BLUE is important to those of us who were introduced to good country music with that album. His version of HOW MUCH I LIED will make my throat constrict every time. MOMOFUKO - give me a break - but to each his own. ALL THIS USELESS BEAUTY is a great record. GOODBYE is the worst of the early records which means it is still pretty good in comparison to what came later. When I was Cruel - completely forgettable except for 45. Mighty Like a Rose did grow on you. Reverse earthquakes - what a brilliant thought. SPIKE - a bit of an embarrassment. Juliet Letters - when it hits it hits very hard. After that it becomes very hard to rank - except for me - the best is GET HAPPY - breathless excitement. No question - King of America is the best "American" record he made. I doubt I would pick Armed Forces as my favorite but how can you argue with Chemistry Class and Two Little Hitlers? One of the better overviews I have seen. Well done.
"Armed forces", definitely his break thru to a wider audience album...subtle, without all the glare
"The hunted look, the haunted grace the empty laugh that you cultivate...who do you think you are?" ;)
Just a fun-loving music fan trying to start some discussion!
@@mbodayle You might have replied jokingly back to me "You don't have to listen to me
that's the triumph of free will.." or "I see a look of recognition, so well hidden in your eye and your peepshow regulations they just don't seem to apply," maybe even "I know I've got my faults and among them I can't control my tongue but if you didn't believe me.."
TRUE STORY: in the 1980's I was in a long slow moving line at a NYC USPS office when a dude in front of me sighed to himself and said these exact words "Oh I used to be disgusted" and me from behind continued "..and now I try to be amused." Slightly startled he turned and seeing me smiling we both started to laugh.
imgur.com/a/MKnMRVf
@@graphosxp Great story! I was indeed joking. Thanks for watching and chatting.
Trust and Get Happy!!! are so dear to me, I have bipolar disorder and during my manic episodes I would go out jogging at 4 am listening to those records, dancing and feeling like I was king of the world. When you need an adrenaline fix, try dancing to Love for Tender; your legs will catch fire.
Excellent you got it right -excellent balance-great ready for the super deluxe version soon
Oh wow..I'd be giving Look Now another listen. I think it's incredible haha!!
I know it's not a widely held opinion, but I've always preferred the Warner Bros. era (and the early Universal era, i.e. Painted From Memory and When I Was Cruel) to the earlier Columbia releases, with the exception of King of America. This might be because Spike was the first Costello album I heard brand new, though I'd already listened to King of America at that point; it was only later that I went back and heard the earlier albums. But there's something about the wide-ranging eclecticism of those years that's always appealed to me, it felt like Costello was endlessly restless and unsatisfied and the tension between the rock and classical elements in his music (especially on All This Useless Beauty) made it more compelling than when rock was the dominant part of his sound. And I think that's why I also loved Look Now and I've enjoyed all the songs released from Hey Clockface so far- it feels like a return to that purposeful experimentation, whereas albums like National Ransom and Wise Up Ghost just felt kind of meandering and unfocused.
Love your ranking of EC's albums! Only thing I would change is to put Brutal Youth in the top 10 (or top 5 even) and swap 1 & 2 around. Thanks for the video.
My reviews
John's Music Passions
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Spike Elvis Costello czcams.com/video/mfFTkCA7HiI/video.html
1981
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You should make more video's like that. You talk very interestingly about your albums and I would love to see the next recordings from this series. Greetings from Poland 🙂
Thanks you. If you look in my playlist you will see several other videos.
@@mbodayle Yes, I saw them all that's why I would gladly see another ones 🙂
More to come in 2022!
@@mbodayle Great. So I'll wait patiently. Thank you!
Hi Mike. I've been on a huge Elvis kick recently so I thought I'd come and watch your ranking. Excellent, list - really enjoyed it. I'm pleased that King of America was so high, though surprised how low you put Look Now which (on third listen) sounds like a bit of a return to form to me! Btw, looking at your shelves I was reminded that you're a big Squeeze fan. I wondered if you knew I'd published a book about them in recent times? Cheers, James
Thanks for watching. I have no idea how I missed your book. Well it's just been ordered and I can't wait to read it. Did you see my Squeeze Ranking video? Excited to see Glenn here in Nashville in September.
@@mbodayle Many thanks Mike! I hope you enjoy it. I did watch your Squeeze ranking but I will revisit it. Hope you enjoy Glenn.
@@jamesgriffithsmusic James - finally read your book and I absolutley loved it. Great work and thanks for all the effort you put into it. Can't wait for the next volume!
Hi Mike. The only reason I've caught your last reply (a year late!) is because I doubled back (tripled back??) again to watch your Elvis ranking video. Thanks so much for buying my book, it is much appreciated and I'm glad you enjoyed it. I hope you are doing OK, you have not uploaded a video for quite a while I think. I have been doing a lot of fun collab videos of late via Zoom, so if you ever fancy teaming up and doing something, let me know. Happy new year!
Hey there. I'm a big EC fan and I think your list is just fine - though I wouldn't rank The Juliet Letters as high. I've seen some wonderful shows over the years. The very first show was in Santa Barbara 1994, touring for the Brutal Youth record - GREAT Attractions show. The Crash Test Dummies opened (at the end of the night I almost forgot that CTD were even on stage).
In 1996 I took a train to Chicago from South Bend, Indiana and saw them. I got there really early and was able to meet Elvis in the parking lot behind Rosemont Theater. Ron Sexsmith opened.
Another that stands out is the Memphis show in 2008 at the New Daisy Theater. Carlene Carter opened. I DID see some folks in the crowd clutching the vinyl copy of Momofuku (like you said - before the CD was even out). I'll take a shot at a top 10 list:
This Year's Model (Rykodisc reissue)
Get Happy!! (Rykodisc reissue)
Armed Forces (Rhino reissue)
Trust (Rykodisc reissue)
Imperial Bedroom (Rykodisc reissue)
My Aim Is True (Rhino reissue)
King Of America (Rykodisc reissue)
Blood & Chocolate (Rykodisc reissue)
Brutal Youth (Rhino reissue)
All This Useless Beauty (Rhino reissue)
That's a good list!
When you saw him in 94 did he play 2 long continuous sets with no break between songs? That's how it was when I saw that tour. No time to catch your breath.
@@catsofsherman1316 Yes - that's how I seem to recall it. Loved the encore songs.
@@catsofsherman1316 One long set with no breaks between songs. According to the setlist 28 songs. The band really stretched out. Elvis was playing really raw guitar
Looking forward to this man’s ranking of Beethoven symphonies!
Some of my favorite Costello LPs are his "later" stuff, like "North" and his collaborative effort with Anne Sofie von Otter, "For the Stars", which I adore and have played to death. But with Elvis, it's really a matter of the handful of records I don't care for, cause I like most everything he's done.
I own every one of those records. Great romp through a great artist's catalogue!
You need to give National Ransom. Some of the best songs he's ever written on this...All These Strangers, Bullets for the Newborn King, That's Not the Part of Him You're Leaving...
#1 - TIE- This Years Model & Armed Forces. everything else BELOW these 2.
1. Armed Forces
I LOVE "Oliver's Army"!!!
2. This Year's Model
3. My Aim Is True.
4. The music for A Midsummer Night's Dream on DGG. You would never know he wrote it... Never! The tracks are in conjunction with the scenes in Shakespeare's play
5. The Juliet Letters. Pure genius.
6. Delivery Man
7. Momofuko
He never put out a bad record. A fan from day one. A true genius.
Now that's a strong top three!
Elvis Costello "Armed Forces Tour" is the first concert I ever went to alone.
LOVE ELVIS
Now you gotta do Nick Lowe's records!
Have you been spying on me! I'm set to do it sometime this week!
Wow..so glad I’m not the only one who didn’t get wise up ghost or north…very reassuring
Imperial Bedroom is my number one, and I would rank Brutal Youth MUCH higher (for Sulkey Girl alone)...no real argument to be had. As you said many times, these are all 5 star albums.
PAINTED MEMORY (1998) #16 On My ELVIS List.
Would broadly agree with the top 10, though I wouldn’t put them in that order. Imperial Bedroom probably No 1, followed by King of America, This Years Model, Trust and Armed Forces. Spike should also be in the top 10 in my opinion.
RIVER IN REVERSE unlisted on my EC List At This Time -- Maybe One Day.
It is interesting to see Imperial Bedroom continuing to be so high on people's list. I bought it immediately when it came out. Man out of Time and The Loved Ones just blew me away, but I just never understood the record (I know I am an outlier, I read the reviews past and present, but these judgments are simply personal taste). For me, I always called the LP Imperial Boredom (but, of course for me My Aim Is True, This Year's Model, Armed Forces and Blood And Chocolates are my thing. That is what makes these sorts of lists fascinating an informative. I'll go back and give the LP another shot (I still have my vinyl), along with a few others that I frankly couldn't stand; perhaps my tastes have matured. My buddy sold me his copy of Get Happy shortly after buying it. He couldn't stand it. I loved it.
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1981
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way better than the elvis album ranking i viewed that caused yours to be recommended! gratifying to see love for juliet letters. patchy and too long, but the highs are really high
Thanks for the compliment Andy. Please subscribe for future fun!
Really enjoyed this vid mate... We had the same top 2, but My Aim Is True was my #3 👍🏻
Agree 100% with Armed Forces being his masterpiece
What always bothers me with these rankings is it ultimately 99 out of 100 times becomes a personal taste ranking instead of an objective ranking based on the merits of the releases. Dismissing records because you don't like it defeats the purpose of ranking the releases and instead becomes what "I" like and don't like.
I go through these EC album rankings and if Imperial Bedroom is no. 1 ill go back and watch the whole thing.
good call on the beard - i remember it taking me about 20 seconds to realize it was him after he started singing
The beard period was when he transformed from angry young man into cantankerous old sod without that period of healthy adulthood in between.
Tough choices but I can get with you with a few niggling switches. Where is Painted from Memory ? Top 11 I think.
They're not just songs they're novels
Brutal youth the watershed moment
SECRET PROFANE SUGARCANE (2009) On My ELVIS List Is #25.
NORTH ALBUM: On My List, There Are About (07) EC Albums That Rank Higher So NORTH (2003) Would Be Ranked #22.
Mike you are a gem yourself Armed Forces is class my fav too.
AGREE WITH ALMOST BLUE (1980) but for me (country) #28. It Might Get Higher Over Time But I Like This Album.
NATIONAL RANSOM #24 On My Listing. EC 1977-2020.
pure pop for now people
Hey Mike, just wondering your thoughts on the North album? Don't think I saw it up there
I don't care for it at all.
For me, the biggest injustice in your ranking is Wise Up Ghost. I think that is an incredible album that is very creative with the input of Questlove. But for all of the different loops and beats found in most of these funky songs, the best is a very simple piano song called “Puppet has Cut His Strings.” I saw him twice at the Brooklyn Bowl in Vegas w/the Roots. Two of my all-time favorite shows. I’d have that album in the Top 10. GCW is too high, but nice effort overall.
Nice review, but where is your "Out of Our Idiot" album? Another great one.
Just did the studio LPs and not the compliations. Maybe another day?
As another huge fan who owns all the records, I sympathise with your comment that on any given day your list might come out different, although I agree more with the beginning of your list than the end. Your least favourites are close to mine. Some other channel had a guy placing Juliet Letters as his least-favourite, which is crazy. I'm glad you rated it higher, but not high enough, as there is nothing else like it. I'm also glad you rated Bood & Chocolate fairly high as well. That album blew me away when I first heard it in 1985 and will always be somewhere near the top. As you say, once you get to the top 20 they are all great albums and essential listening. Trust is an underrated gem as well, as you rightly recognized.
I agree about the Sophe von Otter whatever album,wow, what a piece of crap. What was he thinking? Wise up Ghost was also crap. But, hey, at least ten of the top twenty are 5 star and the rest are 4/5 star, so i shouldn't complain.
Thanks for sharing your EC insights - much appreciated. Makes me want to pull out The Juliet Letters today.
Blood and Chocolates was a return to form for me. One amazing song after another. I heard Blue Chair on the radio and pulled over in my car, I was so blown away. I bought the record that weekend and was amazed that there was no "best song" to be found. It is surely in my top five.
This Year’s Model, King of America, My Aim is True, Imperial Bedroom, Armed Forces, wild card: Taking Liberties
Taking Liberties is a great record.