Search found 671 matches

by Poor Deportee
Thu Mar 23, 2006 1:23 am
Forum: Elvis Costello General Discussion
Topic: Listening to the Flip City Demos...
Replies: 14
Views: 15391

I can't pretend to answer that, but it wouldn't be the first time that a stage persona got out of hand, to the point of consuming the performer's life - nor the first time that an ambitious young talent reacts badly to sudden fame and (relative) fortune, coupled with massive expectations. It's certa...
by Poor Deportee
Wed Mar 22, 2006 1:29 pm
Forum: Elvis Costello General Discussion
Topic: Stylus Magazine -On Second Thought 'a fresh look ' at Elvis
Replies: 1
Views: 2895

They're WAY too hard on the flawed, difficult, but ultimately rewarding Mightly Like A Rose - especially Hurry Down Doomsday. Sheesh. Indeed, these guys are representative of the view that says that Elvis Costello is only good with the Attractions, and that his entire post-Attractions carrer is a bu...
by Poor Deportee
Sat Mar 18, 2006 11:18 pm
Forum: Elvis Costello General Discussion
Topic: The Big Wheel, new edition.
Replies: 28
Views: 42526

The interesting thing about that preface is its sadly wistful tone - he seems genuinely to miss his old roomate, or at least their old friendship. Which is a very human way to feel...one gets the sense, meanwhile, that EC has simply moved on.

I have no interest in the book, but this was intriguing.
by Poor Deportee
Tue Mar 14, 2006 12:49 pm
Forum: Elvis Costello General Discussion
Topic: Elvis' less appreciated gems: a new series
Replies: 78
Views: 71102

Does Big Sister's Clothes count as 'underappreciated?' I love the sound, the poignant chorus, the whole thing.
by Poor Deportee
Fri Mar 10, 2006 2:33 pm
Forum: Elvis Costello General Discussion
Topic: Elvis' less appreciated gems: a new series
Replies: 78
Views: 71102

Upon buying the album and listening to it with anticipation as I do with all Elvis' albums, I found it over-produced. Up until then I'd not really come to grips with the changing Elvis. It had always been Elvis (solo) or with The Attractions. I hadn't really come to grips with how much things had c...
by Poor Deportee
Sat Mar 04, 2006 3:48 am
Forum: Elvis Costello General Discussion
Topic: 22 January 2006 mp3 - Shot With His Own Gun
Replies: 7
Views: 8735

I dunno...I think of 'Trust' as one of Elvis's (ahem) trustiest albums - so much more mature and complex than the Big Bang of his first three albums, but still filled with catchy hooks and dazzling lyrics. The first side doesn't have a weak cut on it, it seems to me; people lambaste 'Luxemburg' but ...
by Poor Deportee
Tue Feb 28, 2006 12:12 am
Forum: Elvis Costello General Discussion
Topic: Stalking Pete Thomas
Replies: 9
Views: 9029

Hang on...you mean he has to PAY for Elvis Costello CDs???? :lol:

I knew EC was cheap but THAT'S ridiculous.
by Poor Deportee
Thu Feb 23, 2006 11:43 pm
Forum: Elvis Costello General Discussion
Topic: Rolling Stone review of North
Replies: 5
Views: 7260

RS routinely gives Gillian Welch 2 stars. Meanwhile acts like Madonna routinely get 4.

'Nuff said. Whatever they say about EC, who cares? You might as well listen to a donkey breaking wind.
by Poor Deportee
Sun Feb 19, 2006 7:55 pm
Forum: Elvis Costello General Discussion
Topic: Rank The Delivery Man
Replies: 34
Views: 27001

Ranks with some of EC's best stuff, and stands as a key moment of recovery after the semi-debacle of WIWC. But why is everyone being so hard on 'The Name of This Thing?' That's great baroque pop. 1. Either Side of the Same Town. Timeless. And what a vocal. 2. The Delivery Man. Terrific song; not the...
by Poor Deportee
Sat Jan 28, 2006 4:23 pm
Forum: Elvis Costello General Discussion
Topic: Rank North
Replies: 18
Views: 16948

1. Fallen 2. Still 3. Let Me Tell You About Her 4. I'm in the Mood Again 5. You Turned To Me 6. When Did I Stop Dreaming? 7. Can You Be True? 8. Someone Took the Words Away 9. When It Sings 10. When Green Eyes Turn Blue 11. You Left Me In the Dark 'Fallen' is a work of beauty - like 'Autumn Leaves' ...
by Poor Deportee
Sat Jan 28, 2006 2:28 pm
Forum: Elvis Costello General Discussion
Topic: Comic-book Elvis
Replies: 24
Views: 22250

Kudos to that Blogger, who did ace work. I've had vague memories of that 'Purple Man' episode for a long time, from my comic-book reading days as a 12-year old. But I'd always recalled the tune as 'Alison.' But tell me...does Spidey get to the 'one more widow one less white [N-WORD]' part in his rec...
by Poor Deportee
Mon Jan 23, 2006 12:49 am
Forum: Elvis Costello General Discussion
Topic: The Juliet Letters, and especially The Letter Home
Replies: 14
Views: 13562

That's the record that (especially coming on the heels of MLAR) got critics accusing Elvis of being 'pious' and 'pretentious.' Man, so much damage has been done by those bloated 70s rock bands with their string orchestras and humourless concept albums - a remarkable record like 'The Juliet Letters' ...
by Poor Deportee
Tue Jan 17, 2006 11:34 am
Forum: Elvis Costello General Discussion
Topic: EC writes foreword for Geoff Emerick book
Replies: 25
Views: 26951

Well, the SOUND of 'Let It Be - Naked' was terrific. The same applies to several of the tracks released on the 'Anthology' series (e.g., check out the demo for 'Good Morning'). A thorough remastering of their catalogue - the greatest catalogue in pop music - for CD is surely in order. Considering th...
by Poor Deportee
Fri Jan 13, 2006 1:19 pm
Forum: Elvis Costello General Discussion
Topic: Rank When I Was Cruel
Replies: 41
Views: 30995

14. Daddy can I Turn This. Why does this song exist? Just pointless, boring hysteria over abstract, meaningless lyrics. Ugh. 15. Dust II. One Dust is enough. The second one is like an anchor in the middle of the rubber dingy that is WIWC. Yeah, but "Dust II..." is the first one! Exactly t...
by Poor Deportee
Fri Jan 13, 2006 12:44 am
Forum: Elvis Costello General Discussion
Topic: Rank When I Was Cruel
Replies: 41
Views: 30995

Interesting. I think that's a weak record, myself...one of his worst. I agree that 'WIWC No. 1' would be one of its best songs and should have remained on the album (does anyone know the thinking behind its omission---?) 1. When I Was Cruel No.2. I agree this is a masterpiece, with its parade of ful...
by Poor Deportee
Thu Jan 12, 2006 12:49 am
Forum: Elvis Costello General Discussion
Topic: Elvis's worst pun
Replies: 31
Views: 28487

If I'm gonna go down/ You're gonna come with me is another rather crass one, though not nearly as intolerable as punning on the Final Solution. Ya know, I never spotted the 'brakes/clutches' pun in New Amsterdam (one of my faves). Man! That is B-A-D. :lol: Always loved the wordplay, though, and it's...
by Poor Deportee
Wed Jan 11, 2006 4:24 pm
Forum: Elvis Costello General Discussion
Topic: Elvis's worst pun
Replies: 31
Views: 28487

Elvis's worst pun

That thread on 'Armed Forces' got me thinking about 'Chemistry Class'...which led me to the conclusion that 'are you ready for the final solution?!?' must be Elvis's most tasteless and indefensible pun.

Other contenders for Worst Elvis Costello Pun? Lay 'em on me. :twisted:
by Poor Deportee
Wed Jan 11, 2006 3:49 pm
Forum: Elvis Costello General Discussion
Topic: Elvis when you least expect it
Replies: 746
Views: 902373

For some unfathomable reason, 'American without Tears' surfaces from time to time in department store Muzak here in Canada - I've heard instrumental versions of it at least twice at Zellers. And I hear 'Every Day I write the Book' on a regular basis in public space. That one has definitely penetrate...
by Poor Deportee
Tue Jan 03, 2006 11:36 pm
Forum: Elvis Costello General Discussion
Topic: Rank All This Useless Beauty
Replies: 31
Views: 25035

Came late to the party - forgive me. It's Time I Want to Vanish The Other End of the Telescope Complicated Shadows Poor Fractured Atlas Shallow Grave Distorted Angel You Bowed Down Little Atoms Starting to Come to Me All This Useless Beauty Why Can't a Man Stand Alone? I never thought this record wa...
by Poor Deportee
Tue Jan 03, 2006 11:30 pm
Forum: Elvis Costello General Discussion
Topic: Newbie
Replies: 16
Views: 16084

Gee, I posted this reply earlier but it seems to have evaporated - now there's an ill omen :lol: Thanks for the kind welcome, all. The first time I saw EC live was in Montreal for the 'Brutal Youth' tour. I saw him doing the 'Lonely World' tour - BEST T-SHIRT EVER!!!- again in Montreal, a few years ...
by Poor Deportee
Mon Jan 02, 2006 2:13 am
Forum: Elvis Costello General Discussion
Topic: Newbie
Replies: 16
Views: 16084

Newbie

Just thought I'd introduce myself - Poor Deportee, longstanding EC fan (first got into him as an undergraduate listening to 'Spike'). Loving Elvis's music has proven a somewhat lonely experience, though - he's an eccentric choice these days, I fear - so this is a welcome space.

Pleased to be here.