#83
Reviewed by Alex Fisch
February 15 1980
Elvis Costello and the Attractions
Get Happy!
Allen’s Rating: 3 out of 5
Alex’s Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Alex’s Highlights:
High Fidelity
Riot Act
The Imposter
King Horse
Possession
Clowntime Is Over
Black and White World
B Movie
I’ve always been a casual fan of Elvis Costello’s. Like I’d skip around “The Very Best of Elvis Costello” to hear Allison, Oliver’s Army, Veronica, Every Time I Write the Book, etc. So, I was not at all familiar with “Get Happy!!”
On a first listen, High Fidelity was the obvious standout to me—a snarling showstopper that all by itself demands that the entire album get a second play. But the album left a generally positive impression the first time through. It’s instantly clear that this is a playful creation from a confident, talented, and inspired group of musicians.
After more plays, it was clear to me that this is a fantastic and innovative album. While Costello is obviously the star, The Attractions are incredible. The bass is both the backbone of every song and bumble bee bobbing through the album’s 20 short tracks in a staccato conversation with steady, punchy percussion. The keys are HUUUGE, sometimes alternately and sometimes complimentarily floating, sweeping, punching, and cascading as showcased all on a single track in “King Horse.” The guitar fills whatever is needed in the song, whether ringing and clear in “New Amsterdam,” burbling along on the base and keyboard in “Imposter,” adding texture to an almost complete song in “Possession,” or acting as an extension of the percussion in “Riot Act."
Apparently, there was originally some disagreement about which was the A-side, but it now seems clear that Love For Tender is the album’s first song. If so, it’s a strong start into an entire first side of winners.
Costello is not an artist that I’ve heard people cite explicitly as an influence, but I could not help but hear OK Go (check out “Imposter” and “Black and White World”), Afghan Whigs (“B Movie”), Hold Steady (many songs), and even little hints of the 1980s Minnesota punk scene that would follow.
Bottom line: this is a great album that rewards each replay.
https://open.spotify.com/album/38sLlYZ4sdfm5SvjmshqcY?si=I6yd8Y5KRrKM6GF2tyGIAw
No comments:
Post a Comment