What´s the Costello record that a new fan must be apart from

selfmademug · Post by **selfmademug** » Sun Apr 04, 2004 6:42 pm

I would say NORTH, if for no other reason than that the lyrics work differently than those of any of his other records. It's also different melodically, in that these melodies take some real time to emerge and 'set' in your brain. When they do, they're indelible and gorgeous.

So I would classify NORTH as an advanced-listeners-only record, different from his other work where the melodies are more accessible and the words more complex and chewy. (Like a good red wine. Maybe NORTH is more like champagne...)

PS, Gilli-- that is my fave tune on AB also (which is saying a lot, cause I adore that record, and nearly ruined it with overplay). It's so fucking sad, and beautiful, despite its lightness, no?

Tim(e) · Post by **Tim(e)** » Sun Apr 04, 2004 7:06 pm

Which EC album would make the best listen for someone new to his work is entirely up to where they are coming from musically.

For example, someone who has a a love of motown/soul would probably feel quite comfortable listening to Get Happy or even Punch the Clock, whereas someone coming from a m.o.r. or classical background would probably feel comfortable with either the Juliet Letters or Painted From Memory... and so on.

wehitandrun · Post by **wehitandrun** » Sun Apr 04, 2004 10:11 pm

Mug, I agree on North. My friend, a newcomer to Elvis, despises North.

DESPITE the fact that he owns an Elvis Costello North shirt.

BrilliantMistake45 · Post by **BrilliantMistake45** » Mon Apr 05, 2004 9:14 pm

I really wouldn't say that For the Stars is an EC record. He basically produced it and wrote the songs, but he didn’t sing much. I'd never start anyone on Goodbye Cruel World or The Juliet Letters.

I would say start them off with This Years Model, When I Was Cruel, or Trust.

wehitandrun · Post by **wehitandrun** » Mon Apr 05, 2004 11:57 pm

Well, I'd start a new Elvis listener on any GCW song besides "I Wanna Be Loved" or "The Only Flame In Town".

"Room With No Number", "Inch By Inch", "the Deportees Club", "Home Truth", all fine songs for Elvis beginners. GCW isn't all that bad.

Hah, I love the quotes by Elvis on the Bright Blue Times site about GCW. In one, he calls it his worst cd, in another he says it's his best.

Jackson Monk · Post by **Jackson Monk** » Tue Apr 06, 2004 12:46 am

BrilliantMistake45 wrote:I really wouldn't say that For the Stars is an EC record. He basically produced it and wrote the songs, but he didn’t sing much.

You make a great point here BM. I cannot understand why For the Stars is regarded as an EC record and is always quoted as his worst album. It's a Von Otter record with EC supporting.

EC did not write all of the songs either. Of the 18 tracks on FTS, he actually wrote 3 and co-wrote 6. So he had no hand in half the songwriting.

FTS is not the ugly monster that many people portray it as. I can understand that many people dislike Von otter's voice because trained operatic vocals are often an accquired taste. However, much could be said of EC.

Personally, I think that it's a pretty pleasant record that needs to be played at the right time. 'No Wonder', 'Green Song' and the title track are up there amongst his best songs, but people seem to dismiss them because he's not singing them IMHO.

Anyway....back to the point. Albums to play non-fans?

I'd put together a compilation that demonstrates his versatility, but if I had to choose an album, it would be TYM or AF.

wehitandrun · Post by **wehitandrun** » Tue Apr 06, 2004 11:51 am

Mr. Jackson, it is what album NOT to play new fans.

Jackson Monk · Post by **Jackson Monk** » Tue Apr 06, 2004 12:12 pm

wehitandrun wrote:I love Almost Blue. I think it would be a fine album for a beginner to hear, as long as they know the grounds of which it was recorded.

Jackson Monk · Post by **Jackson Monk** » Tue Apr 06, 2004 12:13 pm

wehitandrun wrote:Well, I'd start a new Elvis listener on any GCW song besides "I Wanna Be Loved" or "The Only Flame In Town".

Jackson Monk · Post by **Jackson Monk** » Tue Apr 06, 2004 12:19 pm

EC message board rule number 1: Threads do not have rules!

wehitandrun · Post by **wehitandrun** » Tue Apr 06, 2004 12:20 pm

Haha, yes, that was in direct responce to someone choosing those albums as NOT to play to a listener.

You, being the annoying little bafoon you are, just blurted right out what you wanted a nonlistener to hear.

Grow up already.

wehitandrun · Post by **wehitandrun** » Tue Apr 06, 2004 12:23 pm

Yeah, they don't have rules, but they have a thing called "subjects" which I generally try to follow.

I very unconfrontationally let you know what the thread was about, when you said it was the opposite.

Everything with you has to be this big argumental event.

Jackson Monk · Post by **Jackson Monk** » Tue Apr 06, 2004 12:27 pm

There you go again....you really must learn to calm down....not sure what happened in your childhood but anal retention need not afflict your whole life.....therapeutic options are available. It is quite alarming that you feel the need to express your point of view on everything from what chord you like best to how many waffles you had for breakfast.....

Jackson Monk · Post by **Jackson Monk** » Tue Apr 06, 2004 12:28 pm

ooooppss ....sorry....I forgot.....you are still enjoying your childhood...

wehitandrun · Post by **wehitandrun** » Tue Apr 06, 2004 12:28 pm

No, whatever just happened has nothing to do with me having to calm down. So don't try and play that card again.

What was the point of making three posts to respond to my one correcting you? To be a complete asshole, obviously.

Keep trying to take personal shots now, good one.

wehitandrun · Post by **wehitandrun** » Tue Apr 06, 2004 12:30 pm

Anyway....back to the point. Albums to play non-fans?

I answered you... you were wrong, get over it.

Jackson Monk · Post by **Jackson Monk** » Tue Apr 06, 2004 12:31 pm

Ok truce....I forgive you

Mr. Average · Post by **Mr. Average** » Tue Apr 06, 2004 1:01 pm

Is it me, or is this thread based upon and wrapped around a notion that is simply untenable? There are far too many variables to consider when you wish to expose someone to an artist or a sound.
1. The listeners frame of mind on any given day, within any given day, and;
2. The life experience of the listener, and;
3. The musical likes and dislikes of the listener, and;
4. The venue (living room, lights dimmed, a willingly captive audience, and some relaxant lubricants...or, a kid, racing down the highway, hiding beer cans under the seat while shoving a fully-dressed Wendy's baked potato into his mouth (forgot the fork, dammit), and;
5. The enthusiasm and knowledge of the demonstrater. If someone takes the time to explain the "Behind the Music" stories to me, I listen more actively.

There is no right and wrong. There is no black and white. These are all musical cognitive distortions and should lead us to the inevitable conclusion that you play what you like, and if they like it great. If they don't great. It's not worth trying to control the outcome. I love the music of Elvis Costello, but I could really give a damn if my peers like him or not.

wehitandrun · Post by **wehitandrun** » Tue Apr 06, 2004 1:29 pm

Yeah, but it's a fun thread, not a strictly serious one. Nobody should be protested against for saying a new elvis listener shouldn't hear Get Happy!! or something.

The political arguments gotta stop somewhere on this board. This is where I go for a fun thread, where the discussion of ethics and morals won't be brought.

Maybe I was wrong.

clairequilty · Post by **clairequilty** » Tue Apr 06, 2004 8:01 pm

"What´s the Costello record that a new fan must be apart from...?"

Most definitely his 1994 misdemeanor record in Tallahassee Florida for public urination.

But the 10 year anniversary re-issue is promising.