Other artists' songs that remind you of EC

Pretty self-explanatory
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the_platypus
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Other artists' songs that remind you of EC

Post by the_platypus »

I was listening to the new album by indie punk band Bomb the Music Industry (I'm a huge fan) and was struck by how much their song "Vocal Coach" sounds like something out of This Year's Model or Armed Forces.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izdScR05MBg

Are there any other songs from other artists that strike you as particularly Costelloish?
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Re: Other artists' songs that remind you of EC

Post by Kevin Davis »

Pearl Jam's "Parachutes" reminds me a lot of Costello's 90's ballads--something off "All this Useless Beauty" or "Painted From Memory." I'd really like to hear Elvis sing that.

The organ sound in "I Might" from the newest Wilco album is kind of Attractions-ish, too.
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monkey2man
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Re: Other artists' songs that remind you of EC

Post by monkey2man »

i think anything by the band Sports sounds an awful lot Costello-ish. Especially this track: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3CBi9-_FHw

Also, I Might from the newest Wilco album definitely sounds like it could have been an EC & The Attractions song.
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Re: Other artists' songs that remind you of EC

Post by DeathWearsABigHat »

A Camp (side project of Cardigans singer Nina Persson) did a great album a couple of years ago.
The opening track is called The Crowning and it's wonderful.
To me, the chord progressions, the lyrics and the way the melody develops sound so much like a Costello song (All This Useless Beauty era maybe?).

Album version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxULs3xueF8
Live acoustic version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_UreqrvtlM
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History History
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Re: Other artists' songs that remind you of EC

Post by History History »

Master Blaster by Stevie Wonder reminds me of Watching The Dectectives
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4n27JuJhXc&feature=fvst and, a bit tenuous: whenever I hear World Of Pain by Cream, I always think it's going to be London's Brilliant Parade!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tgqYWQKBnw
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Re: Other artists' songs that remind you of EC

Post by bronxapostle »

in case you did not know, (THOUGH you should with THAT user name HH!) E played MASTER BLASTER (JAMMIN') in a medley with WTD on the ENGLISH MUGS TOUR of 1981
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Re: Other artists' songs that remind you of EC

Post by redsfan720 »

the_platypus wrote:I was listening to the new album by indie punk band Bomb the Music Industry (I'm a huge fan) and was struck by how much their song "Vocal Coach" sounds like something out of This Year's Model or Armed Forces.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izdScR05MBg

Are there any other songs from other artists that strike you as particularly Costelloish?
I like BTMI. Didn't know they had a new album. Thanks for the heads up.

The Ben Folds Five track "Narcolepsy" kind of sounds like it could have belonged on the All This Useless Beauty sessions.
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Re: Other artists' songs that remind you of EC

Post by Neil. »

Here's the first ever Elvis Costello rip-off, The Jags, with 'Back of My Hand'. It's very This Year's Model.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQa6zOsfjRs&feature=fvsr
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Re: Other artists' songs that remind you of EC

Post by Man out of Time »

Another band which always draws comparisons with EC, and particularly as they were also signed to Stiff Records, were "Any Trouble". You can read more about them here:

http://www.youtube.com/artist/Any_Trouble#

See in particular the line " Bandleader Clive Gregson's appearance, hardened love songs, and vocal style may have led to comparisons to Elvis Costello, but they were no second-rate ripoff " .

Actually, to my ears, they did sound like a second-rate ripoff, so I never put the time in to listen to them, but I am sure they have their admirers too.

Compare this song (Second Choice) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sryujH_qX-4 with "Two Little Hitlers" or "Less Than Zero" for instance.


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Re: Other artists' songs that remind you of EC

Post by Miclewis »

Is it just me, or does Radiohead's "OK Computer" generally just sound and feel a lot like "Imperial Bedroom"? Songs like "No Surprises" and "Let Down" just remind me of Elvis, though I can't point exactly to why.
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Re: Other artists' songs that remind you of EC

Post by SteveL »

Aus 70s band Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons (they supported EC and Attractions on their first tour Downunder in 1979)...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3PuaSeqJ6U

Think Elvis even used to perform this one live back in the 70s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pGHt9paJOs
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Re: Other artists' songs that remind you of EC

Post by Kevin Davis »

Miclewis wrote:Is it just me, or does Radiohead's "OK Computer" generally just sound and feel a lot like "Imperial Bedroom"? Songs like "No Surprises" and "Let Down" just remind me of Elvis, though I can't point exactly to why.
That's one I definitely don't see.
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Re: Other artists' songs that remind you of EC

Post by SoulForHire »

Kevin Davis wrote:
Miclewis wrote:Is it just me, or does Radiohead's "OK Computer" generally just sound and feel a lot like "Imperial Bedroom"? Songs like "No Surprises" and "Let Down" just remind me of Elvis, though I can't point exactly to why.
That's one I definitely don't see.
Me neither. However, I would love to see him cover No Surprises. I think it would go very well with his voice. Same thing with Paranoid Android.
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Re: Other artists' songs that remind you of EC

Post by Jeremy Dylan »

Miclewis wrote:Is it just me, or does Radiohead's "OK Computer" generally just sound and feel a lot like "Imperial Bedroom"? Songs like "No Surprises" and "Let Down" just remind me of Elvis, though I can't point exactly to why.
Don't hear it myself, but I know Thom Yorke is a Costello fan.
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Top balcony
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Re: Other artists' songs that remind you of EC

Post by Top balcony »

SteveL wrote:Aus 70s band Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons (they supported EC and Attractions on their first tour Downunder in 1979)...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3PuaSeqJ6U

Think Elvis even used to perform this one live back in the 70s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pGHt9paJOs

Thanks for this - if I ever knew the original I've certainly forgotten it.

Colin Top Balcony
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Re: Other artists' songs that remind you of EC

Post by SoulForHire »

Jeremy Dylan wrote:
Miclewis wrote:Is it just me, or does Radiohead's "OK Computer" generally just sound and feel a lot like "Imperial Bedroom"? Songs like "No Surprises" and "Let Down" just remind me of Elvis, though I can't point exactly to why.
Don't hear it myself, but I know Thom Yorke is a Costello fan.
Radiohead once covered "I'll Wear it Proudly" live. Love Radiohead. Love that song. Radiohead playing that song -- not so much (much to my surprise).
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Re: Other artists' songs that remind you of EC

Post by SteveL »

Top balcony wrote:
SteveL wrote:Aus 70s band Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons (they supported EC and Attractions on their first tour Downunder in 1979)...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3PuaSeqJ6U

Think Elvis even used to perform this one live back in the 70s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pGHt9paJOs

Thanks for this - if I ever knew the original I've certainly forgotten it.

Colin Top Balcony
Actually Elvis recorded the song (So Young) too, can hear some of it here:

http://www.myspace.com/elviscostello/mu ... g-43548390

but it was written by Joe Camilleri; singer of Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons.
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Re: Other artists' songs that remind you of EC

Post by Ulster Boy »

There was a bit of an Attractions feel about the Boomtown Rats in the early 80's, especialy the keyboard sound:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2IwOemnjbI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQSUOZlgw2M
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Re: Other artists' songs that remind you of EC

Post by Ulster Boy »

This one from Wet Wet Wet always reminds me of the Attractions...probably because of the hint of the riff from Blue Chair:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AX2kxeoqTGU
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Re: Other artists' songs that remind you of EC

Post by Man out of Time »

Ulster Boy wrote:This one from Wet Wet Wet always reminds me of the Attractions
Just to prove the truth of the "six degrees of separation" thing, I see that RIverway supported Marti Pellow (lead singer of Wet Wet Wet) on his 2001 "Smile" tour. RIverway formed in 2001, made up of 4 MacManus Brothers (Kieran, Liam, Ronan and Ruairi), sons of Ross MacManus (Joe Loss Orchestra) and half-brothers of Elvis Costello. The addition of David Bowles completed the line-up. The band broke up in 2005. Here is Marti with the boys in 2001:

Image

See also this thread on Riverway/Biblecode Sundays: http://www.elviscostellofans.com/phpBB2 ... f=2&t=1832

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Re: Other artists' songs that remind you of EC

Post by Man out of Time »

Alex Ferreira is a singer songwiter from the Dominican Republic, but a frequent visitor to Spain who claims to be influenced by EC and Dylan.

Image

Clearly he cannot afford a tripod.

Here he is playing at the Costello club (sic) in Madrid, Spain in 2011.



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Re: Other artists' songs that remind you of EC

Post by ahawkman »

No one's mentioned Graham Parker & the Rumor.... is that too obvious? Or am I too old? Anyway, GP slightly predates Elvis and I recall critics making the comparison when EC arrived on the scene. I'm sure the message boards would have as well, had they existed.
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Re: Other artists' songs that remind you of EC

Post by jefftune »

I have a 1980 Lp by Scott Wilk & The Walls. VERY Costello-ish!
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Re: Other artists' songs that remind you of EC

Post by Poor Deportee »

Fastball's 'The Way' always struck me as following the EC template exactly:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0wfu3tOrtQ

Minus the great lyrics, natch :wink:
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Re: Other artists' songs that remind you of EC

Post by the_platypus »

Poor Deportee wrote:Fastball's 'The Way' always struck me as following the EC template exactly:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0wfu3tOrtQ

Minus the great lyrics, natch :wink:
Yeah? I mostly hear Tom Jones's "Delilah".
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