lambchops's Full Review: The Best Of Elvis Costello: First 10 Years [5/1] b...
Elvis Costello has been writing, making, and releasing music for thirty years. His sound has definitely changed over that time, something he clearly recognizes. In fact he pays homage to his phases with the recent release of sister CDs in celebration of his three decades in the biz. Rock and Roll Music (Hip-O, 2007) and The Best of Elvis Costello: The First 10 Years (Hip-O, 2007) have different focuses. Elvis himself chose the tracks for the two CDs. The former definitely proves that he was a punk rocker while the latter is a hits collection. Both are excellent, but I definitely get more mileage out of The First 10 Years.
My relationship with Costello's music has taken a long time to develop. I've always appreciated his pop songs, but those that are more diverse, punk, and/or quirky have only really taken root in me over the past few years. The Best of Elvis Costello covers the period between 1977 and 1987. During that time, he released no fewer than ten albums. Most were very well received by critics and a few were seen as vanity projects or just not that compelling. His debut, My Aim Is True, is nothing short of brilliant as are others including This Year's Model (1978), Armed Forced (1979), Get Happy!! (1980), and Imperial Bedroom (1982). That same period saw some hits which crossed over from college radio to mainstream rock/pop radio. The First 10 Years is a fantastic collection for both fans of Costello who may already own all of his material and people who are just discovering his talent.
I don't want to sully Costello's reputation with my mere words. This CD is really about the music. In honor of that fact, I will now dive right into the twenty-two (!) tracks. There are certainly other older compilations from Costello but this one is probably the best--even considering the excellent 1994 Ryko offering. I am by no means a dedicated, unwavering fan of Costello so this is the perfect collection for my ears. It is literally chock full of hits and near-hits. The First 10 Years makes me happy. I find the music to be enjoyable and sophisticated, quirky and literate.
These are Costello's prime, most creatively rich years. The included selections are arranged in chronological order for maximum impact. It is enlightening to hear the singer-songwriter-musician's progression. As much as I enjoy hearing the songs in their original setting I probably like them even more when arranged for this compilation. It makes the most logical sense even if it could probably flow better. Then again, very few best of compilations flow that well anyway. At least in this case, Costello's material is consistently outstanding.
(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes opens this excellent CD up. It actually has been omitted from similar collections in the past for no particular reason. I am pleased that mistake wasn't made again. It is a light-hearted, hip, and cool pop song. Placed in the lead-off position, it just highlights how strong Costello's music is. The 1977 album My Aim is True also yielded two other songs here, ballad Alison and Watchin the Detectives. Both are classics, but it is the former that is widely known as one of the most distinctive songs of the singer-songwriter's illustrious career.
It is impossible not to respect Costello for the quality of his songs. These carefully selected examples from 1977 through 1986 place a major emphasis on his consistency and talent. This Year's Model (1978) is also represented here by three songs. (I Don't Want to Go To) Chelsea, Pump It Up, and Radio, Radio show that Costello is more than just a master of college rock/pop. He also has a great mind for punk. These are wired, wild, and wickedly wonderful tracks. They are just as edgy as they are appealing. I'm particularly fond of Pump It Up with its sexual innuendo and frenetic pace. Three songs from 1979's Armed Forces also have made their way onto this new CD. The major difference with Costello's work on these songs is that more emphasis was put on the production. Accidents Will Happen, Oliver's Army, and (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love & Understanding all feature the complex and textured production found across the album from which they came. Oliver's Army is probably the best example of this tendency. My favorite however is the catchy Accidents Will Happen.
Always playing around with various genres, Costello turned to blue-eyed soul on 1980's Get Happy!! Both I Can't Stand Up for Falling Down and High Fidelity are great examples from the album. The former is a cover of a Sam & Dave track while the later is an upbeat romp. Three songs from releases in 1981 made their way on to The First 10 Years. Clubland is a vaguely jazzy number while New Lace Sleeves sparkles with Costello's signature pop style. Even more interesting is Good Year for the Roses from "country" album Almost Blue. While the disc was understandably greeted with mixed reviews, it does prove entertaining mostly because of it being a rare and successful cover album. I personally like the song because it is so recognizable and helps break things up.
Experimental pop is the order of business on the three songs from Imperial Bedroom (1982). Beyond Belief is darkly whimsical, Man Out of Time is ornate and bittersweet, and Almost Blue sways gently with candle lit pianos and evocative lyrics. Despite the almost unanimous respect Imperial Bedroom earned Costello, he felt it necessary to return to the pop formula that worked best for him in the past. It worked reasonably well and Punch the Clock is well represented by the sparkly Everyday I Write the Book and ballad Shipbuilding. While Punch the Clock wasn't as perfect as one would have hoped, King of America (1986) was. Brilliant Mistake is an unassuming and incredibly entertaining folky pop track. Costello also impressed me with the acoustic Indoor Fireworks. Folk seems to fit his sensibilities like a glove.
The twenty-second and final song here is I Want You from Blood & Chocolate (1986). As hard, heavy-handed, and dark as King of America was light the album is definitely interesting even if it isn't up to par with some of Costello's other offerings. As far as this song goes, I like its acerbic energy and tension.
It is rare that I find any CD this lengthy to be at all consistent--even if it is a best of compilation. The Best of Elvis Costello: The First 10 Years is nothing short of perfect. The songs were carefully chosen and they represent Costello in each of his early phases in the best possible light. The songs are just as relevant feeling today as they were twenty or thirty years ago which is, of course, a tribute to the singer-songwriter's talent. If you've been waiting for the perfect place to start with Elvis Costello, you wait is officially over. Start here and chose your future purchases based on which of these songs are most entertaining to you.
Rating: 5/5 stars
Track Listing:
01. (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes [My Aim is True, 1977]
02. Alison [My Aim is True, 1977]
03. Watchin the Detectives [My Aim is True, 1977]
04. (I Don't Want to Go To) Chelsea [This Year's Model, 1978]
05. Pump It Up [This Year's Model, 1978]
06. Radio, Radio [This Year's Model, 1978]
07. Accidents Will Happen [Armed Forces, 1979]
08. Oliver's Army [Armed Forces, 1979]
09. (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love & Understanding [Armed Forces, 1979]
10. I Can't Stand Up for Falling Down [Get Happy!!, 1980]
11. High Fidelity [Get Happy!!, 1980]
12. Clubland [Trust, 1981]
13. New Lace Sleeves [Trust, 1981]
14. Good Year for the Roses [Almost Blue, 1981]
15. Beyond Belief [Imperial Bedroom, 1982]
16. Man out of Time [Imperial Bedroom, 1982]
17. Almost Blue [Imperial Bedroom, 1982]
18. Everyday I Write the Book [Punch the Clock, 1983]
19. Shipbuilding [Punch the Clock, 1983]
20. Brilliant Mistake [King of America, 1986]
21. Indoor Fireworks [King of America, 1986]
22. I Want You [Blood & Chocolate, 1986]
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