By John Ruberry
This week Elvis Costello turned 70.
The angry young man whose first album, My Aim Is True, was released in 1977, has released 32 studio albums. His most recent collection, The Boy Named If, was issued in 2022.
Costello, whose real name is Declan Patrick MacManus, was part of the new wave movement of rock, and to this day, he’s still lumped into that genre. But Costello has released country, jazz, rhythm and blues, baroque pop, and Americana albums as well. The London-born singer, songwriter, and guitarist is a walking musicology department.
Although he’s made extensive use of session musicians, Costello has mostly worked with two backing bands. The Attractions, consisting of Steve Nieve on keyboards, Pete Thomas and drums, and Bruce Thomas (no relation) on bass.
Depending on who you talk to, Bruce left the Attractions in the late 1990s–or he was kicked out. Davey Faragher replaced Thomas on bass in 2001, the new lineup was renamed the Imposters. Nick Lowe produced Costello’s first five albums and two others later on, T-Bone Burnett produced several mid-career collections.
Generally, when you purchase a Costello album–there are a couple of exceptions, The Juliet Letters and Kojak Variety come to mind–you’ve made a smart buy.
But let’s talk about Costello’s 10 best albums.
Oh, first, a clarification. Early in his career, Elvis’ American albums and British albums varied a bit by a song or two. My selections are based on the USA collections.
10) Secret, Profane & Sugarcane (2009): An Americana offering, Burnett was behind the boards on this collection. “Red Cotton” is one of the best condemnations of slavery ever recorded. “Hidden Shame,” a Costello-penned tune that was originally recorded by Johnny Cash, is another highlight.
9) Trust (1981): This is a forgotten album of sorts from Costello. But Elvis was remembering when he recorded it. He had an enormous influence on other new wave artists, and here Elvis gives a nod to those new wavers who followed. “You’ll Never Be a Man” is a nod to the Pretenders, “Fish and Chip Paper” salutes Squeeze, and “White Knuckles” is a tribute to XTC. Squeeze’s Glenn Tilbrook contributes vocals “From a Whisper to a Scream.” But the best of the bunch is the opening track, “Clubland.”
8) Brutal Youth (1994): This might be a good collection for the Costello novice. The last Elvis album to be produced by Nick Lowe, it includes baroque pop with “London’s Brilliant Parade” and “You Tripped at Every Step,” as well as echoes from the new wave with “Pony Street” and “Sulky Girl.”
7) My Aim Is True (1977): Costello’s debut, with American country rock group Clover backing him, usually is ranked higher by his fans. The Van Morrison and Graham Parker influences are evident, particularly on songs like “Pay It Back.” But several of his most recognizable songs, “Miracle Man,” “Watching the Detectives,” “Alison,” and “Mystery Man” are here. Great stuff–but greater stuff was coming.
6) Spike (1989): The first results of Costello’s songwriting collaboration with Paul McCartney appear here, and not surprisingly, “Veronica,” Elvis’ biggest hit single in America, was one of the songs they partnered on. While it’s a single album, there’s a deluge of musical instruments–and styles–which makes Spike feel like a double album. Other great tracks here include “Any King’s Shilling,” “…This Town…” and “God’s Comic.”
5) Armed Forces (1979): Perhaps Costello’s’ best-known work, “Accidents Will Happen,” “Oliver’s Army,” and the Nick Lowe-composed “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding” are among Costello-fan favorites found here. A couple of weak songs, “Two Little Hitlers” and “Chemistry Class” prevents Armed Forces from ranking higher. As do some bizarre Nazi Germany references used–besides the cuts mentioned earlier.
4) King of America (1986): Like the work of the Band–that group’s output was a major influence on Costello’s work, this is an Americana album before anyone knew such a genre existed. While the Attractions appear on one song, the soaring “Suit of Lights,” California-based session musicians, most prominently the Other Elvis’ backing group, the TCB Band, support Costello on this Burnett production. Other standout songs include “Brilliant Mistake,” “Jack of All Parades,” and “Indoor Fireworks.”
3) Get Happy!! (1980): After recording demos for his fourth album, Costello thought the tracks sounded “too new wave.” So, he rearranged most of the songs as if they were 1960s Memphis rhythm and blues tunes–a sound that was not that fashionable in 1980. But Get Happy!! has aged well. “Temptation,” “Riot Act,” and “High Fidelity” are particularly strong songs among the 20 found here.
2) This Year’s Model (1978): Regardless of the talent of the artist, second albums are usually disappointments. Inspired by punk, Costello revved up his act–backed for the first time by the Attractions—and his sophomore effort gave listeners a punchier sound with iconic classics such as “Pump It Up,” “Radio, Radio,” and “You Belong to Me.”
1) Imperial Bedroom (1982): Produced by Geoff Emerick, who did engineering work for the Beatles, Costello’s best album is clearly inspired by mid-1960s work of the Fab Four, as well as old-school songwriters such as Cole Porter and George Gershwin. It’s a dazzling preview of Costello’s later baroque pop work. “Beyond Belief,” “Almost Blue,” “You Little Fool,” and “Man out of Time” are particularly notable.
Happy birthday, Elvis!
John Ruberry regularly blogs at Marathon Pundit.
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