Search found 772 matches

by alexv
Tue Feb 01, 2011 1:01 pm
Forum: Elvis Costello General Discussion
Topic: Re-examination of "Punch the Clock"
Replies: 57
Views: 55476

Re: Re-examination of "Punch the Clock"

I was about 26 or 27 when PTC came out, and, unapologetically, concede that this may have something to do with my unabashed affection for this record (and for lots of others from that era). I was smack in the middle of my original EC obsession, and although I was disappointed by this follow up to IB...
by alexv
Mon Jan 31, 2011 5:53 pm
Forum: Elvis Costello General Discussion
Topic: Re-examination of "Punch the Clock"
Replies: 57
Views: 55476

Re: Re-examination of "Punch the Clock"

Punch The Clock and the early 80s for me go hand in hand. Good and Bad. And the Good far outweighs the bad. I have a very soft spot for this record. The Good: like some of the others I attended the NYC shows on this tour. Those were the days when I would do the trio of Pier, Jones Beach and Forest H...
by alexv
Sat Jan 22, 2011 7:25 pm
Forum: Elvis Costello General Discussion
Topic: What the story behind ATUB (Entire album) ?
Replies: 37
Views: 34469

Re: What the story behind ATUB (Entire album) ?

Good question, Ypsi. Over the years it's been EC who has made it into an issue. I have a few guesses. One, he always likes to pre-empt possible criticisms of any new album. He knows there is a plausible argument to be made, and rather than becoming defensive about it, he attacks. So, at the time ATU...
by alexv
Fri Jan 14, 2011 1:49 pm
Forum: Elvis Costello General Discussion
Topic: Astonished [Still]!
Replies: 17
Views: 16386

Re: Astonished [Still]!

PD, that’s a great point about Lowe and EC. I think you hit the nail on the head with your comment about EC’s originality as an artist, which is both his strength and weakness. As between the two, I’ve always loved EC’s work way more than Nick’s. It’s tough to explain sometimes what makes a fan, or ...
by alexv
Fri Jan 14, 2011 1:00 pm
Forum: The Annex
Topic: books, books, books
Replies: 1556
Views: 1497722

Re: books, books, books

Christopher, I haven't gotten around to getting Bellow's Letters, yet, but I've been spending lots of time at a book store up on Lex. where they conveniently have a chair for lazy people like me who sometimes just read the books right there. The Bellow Letters are indeed terrific. I love reading Col...
by alexv
Mon Jan 10, 2011 11:11 pm
Forum: Elvis Costello General Discussion
Topic: Astonished [Still]!
Replies: 17
Views: 16386

Re: Astonished [Still]!

christopher, I'm going to put in a dissenting voice on this one. TJL is one of my least favorite EC records. When I was doing the skippable songs exercise on the other thread I went back over the record and found only two or three songs that I bother listening to. Although Birds is such a magnificen...
by alexv
Sun Jan 02, 2011 1:34 pm
Forum: Elvis Costello General Discussion
Topic: 100% Album
Replies: 20
Views: 20801

Re: 100% Album

christopher, I'm a big fan too, but there are some EC records where I actually listen to fewer songs than I skip. He's put out so many records over the years that there are lots of songs that don't either connect, or over time just fade from lack of interest. As Ypsi says, this is just personal tast...
by alexv
Sun Jan 02, 2011 10:37 am
Forum: Elvis Costello General Discussion
Topic: 100% Album
Replies: 20
Views: 20801

Re: 100% Album

Great question. My only non-skippables are MAIT, TL, and AF. Oddly enough, these are not my favorites. Overall, I prefer IB (where I skip Pidgin, Fool and Home). I also prefer GH and TYM to AF, but have always had issues with Night Rally, Gears in Reverse, and Beaten.
by alexv
Fri Dec 31, 2010 5:57 pm
Forum: The Annex
Topic: More TUBE goodies
Replies: 379
Views: 798709

Re: More TUBE goodies

Smokey, Daryl, T-Bone and some great musicians in a messy, loving rendition of one of my favorite songs. I hope everyone checks out the Dary'ls house site. Great stuff and a great idea. Scroll down to the last song I've Been Good to You, although the whole episode is great. Funny how Dylan called hi...
by alexv
Fri Dec 31, 2010 2:30 pm
Forum: The Annex
Topic: Wake up you footy fans!!!
Replies: 4653
Views: 2719271

Re: Wake up you footy fans!!!

What's happenned to the footy discussion? I've got a question. Been watching the Premiership games for a few years, but I know very little about the game. The players who have impressed me over the years have been Ronaldo (although never liked the fancy moves that went nowhere), Henri, that Rudd guy...
by alexv
Tue Dec 28, 2010 5:22 pm
Forum: Elvis Costello General Discussion
Topic: National Ransom - November 2010
Replies: 597
Views: 498297

Re: National Ransom - New Album Due Nov. 2

Jackson, Doc, Jardine, your positive take on One Bell is not surprising. I can't think of one song on NR that our very diverse group consistently dislikes. On the other hand, there are lots of songs we all, apparently, like/love whatever you want to call it. And just a few, I would say the trio of J...
by alexv
Tue Dec 28, 2010 1:23 pm
Forum: Elvis Costello General Discussion
Topic: National Ransom - November 2010
Replies: 597
Views: 498297

Re: National Ransom - New Album Due Nov. 2

I still love this record. So, I'm going to try and address the one issue that keeps popping up, not because I want to change anyone's mind but simply because the criticism raises an interesting issue, to me at least: when is an artist better served to do a single record rather than go all out with t...
by alexv
Fri Dec 24, 2010 12:09 am
Forum: Elvis Costello General Discussion
Topic: The Gibson Interview: Elvis Costello, Dec. '10
Replies: 33
Views: 31004

Re: The Gibson Interview: Elvis Costello, Dec. '10

I don't for a second believe he's going to stop recording. As noted by others, he's made this threat before, more than once, and I've lost track of how many records/double records he's done since the threats started. And of course he's also become a minor TV star/celebrity. He plays for the Presiden...
by alexv
Fri Dec 17, 2010 12:59 pm
Forum: The Annex
Topic: More TUBE goodies
Replies: 379
Views: 798709

Re: More TUBE goodies

Not that i'm endorsing this. I'll bet half, at least, of what they say is crap, but it's quite well done and funny. Check out the response videos too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTUY16CkS-k
by alexv
Wed Dec 08, 2010 6:46 pm
Forum: Elvis Costello General Discussion
Topic: Elvis doing corporate gig, NY, Dec. 16 '10
Replies: 52
Views: 44227

Re: Elvis doing corporate gig, NY, Dec. 16 '10

This is fun!! I’ve been praising the fucker up to high heaven over the last month, since he’s once again redeemed my fan boy faith in him by delivering yet another bag of tunes I’ll be singing even as they lay me down to endless sleep. But what the heck, let’s bring the corporate shilling fucker dow...
by alexv
Mon Dec 06, 2010 10:32 am
Forum: Elvis Costello General Discussion
Topic: Your favorite EC album and why.
Replies: 45
Views: 39568

Re: Your favorite EC album and why.

Welcome, Watercamp. My all-time favorite is IB, but like you it's really that 77 to 82 period that for me is the favorite, cutting across all the albums. And this includes Taking Liberties. I've posted my reasons for loving IB before, but as far as loving the EC of that period, he was young, had som...
by alexv
Fri Dec 03, 2010 5:46 pm
Forum: Elvis Costello General Discussion
Topic: National Ransom - November 2010
Replies: 597
Views: 498297

Re: National Ransom - New Album Due Nov. 2

Ditto, Jackson. For me, this is the best EC record since PFM, and I always viewed that as a collaboration with a very heavy BB contribution. There were hints of NR in parts of Momofuku, but particularly when you compare NR to TDM, RIR and Sulphur it's almost as if this record is GH by comparison. It...
by alexv
Fri Dec 03, 2010 1:15 pm
Forum: The Annex
Topic: Do you have a prized or favorite lyric?
Replies: 79
Views: 92579

Re: Do you have a prized or favorite lyric?

I hear what you are saying, Otis. I don't agree, obviously, but I hear you. I say we move on... How about this lyric, from someone who reminds be a bit of Mr. Morrissey, but whose lyrics I like a lot better. If only he had a Johnny Marr of his own: Go or Go Ahead--Rufus Wainwright Thank you for this...
by alexv
Thu Dec 02, 2010 5:59 pm
Forum: The Annex
Topic: Do you have a prized or favorite lyric?
Replies: 79
Views: 92579

Re: Do you have a prized or favorite lyric?

Christopher, I like Larkin too, and Amis and a lot of what you mention, and if the Morrissey lyric takes you there, go with it. There's no telling what any one of us finds in a lyric. And my objection to the lyric is not because of its homoerotic context. There are many different ways of addressing ...
by alexv
Tue Nov 30, 2010 5:57 pm
Forum: The Annex
Topic: Do you have a prized or favorite lyric?
Replies: 79
Views: 92579

Re: Do you have a prized or favorite lyric?

Hung up on You---Fountains of Wayne While I down Kentucky bourbon I am waiting for a call And the moon and stars tonight Are playing shadows on the wall With the moon the way it is, dear Would you answer out of spite Or are you feeling lonely tonight Cause I remember last time We were out under the ...
by alexv
Mon Nov 22, 2010 3:20 pm
Forum: Elvis Costello General Discussion
Topic: What is 'The Beat' about ?
Replies: 13
Views: 20442

Re: What is 'The Beat' about ?

A lyric analysis of The Beat!! On another thread folks have been poring over the lyrics to some of NR’s songs. It’s nice to take a break from that, and look at lyrics from a bygone era, a much simpler era when EC wasn’t concerned with an impending economic collapse that mirrors events of the past th...
by alexv
Thu Nov 18, 2010 1:49 pm
Forum: Elvis Costello General Discussion
Topic: National Ransom--The Lyrics
Replies: 23
Views: 20541

Re: National Ransom--The Lyrics

Back to: You Hung the Moon" (not sure if these are the corrected lyrics, but they are close enough) The homecoming fanfare is echoing still Now tapping on tables And sensing a chill Poor families expecting loved one's return Only summon some charlatan spectre Oh, when will they learn? You hung ...
by alexv
Sun Nov 14, 2010 9:01 pm
Forum: Elvis Costello General Discussion
Topic: SP&S, NR, and the road ahead...
Replies: 12
Views: 13000

Re: SP&S, NR, and the road ahead...

BA, different strokes for different folks. But please don't misconstrue by rant comment. Pump it up is/was a rant, but a great, tuneful rant. As was Peace Love and Understanding and lots of others. I have nothing against rants; my objection, and it's merely personal, is to what I perceive as tuneles...
by alexv
Sun Nov 14, 2010 1:28 pm
Forum: Elvis Costello General Discussion
Topic: SP&S, NR, and the road ahead...
Replies: 12
Views: 13000

Re: SP&S, NR, and the road ahead...

CWR, I am not a fan of SP&R. It's one of my least favorite EC records. The songs from the Secret Songs projects bring the record down. The novelty of the bluegrass theme was the only thing that saved the record. Only two songs on it that I like: Changing Partners and The Crooked Line. The songs ...