#121 Elvis Costello, 'This Year’s Model' (1978)

Previously #98

The second album by Elvis Costello, and the first with his band, The Attractions, is for me, his most accessible record. The album’s upbeat, danceable music is contrasted by its lyrics of heartbreak and relationships. Album opener, ‘No Action,’ tells the story of a past love that is still into the protagonist but the feelings aren’t quite mutual… until she gets into a relationship; “I don't wanna kiss you/I don't wanna touch/I don't wanna see you/'Cause I don't miss you that much,” “And I think about the way things used to be/Knowing you with him is driving me crazy.” A song about regret, a song about jealousy. The human condition. ‘The Beat’ begins with a reference to Cliff Richard and the Shadows’ ‘Summer Holiday’ before going into one of Costello’s greatest ever songs and lead single from the record, ‘Pump It Up.’ The satirical song was a commentary on The Live Stiffs Tour, a tour featuring artists from the Stiffs label that Costello was a part of, filled with massive debauchery, and sexual frustration. According to Costello, the song was his outlet for asking, “Just how much can you fuck, how many drugs can you do, before you get so numb you can’t really feel anything?”

The song was heavily inspired (arguably ripped off) by Bob Dylan’s ‘Subterranean Homesick Blues.’ In turn, U2’s 2009 song, ‘Get On Your Boots’ drew heavy inspiration from ‘Pump It Up.’ In response Dylan said to Costello, “U2! How could they do that to you? How could they take your song like that?” A knowing little tongue in cheek comment from Dylan, who didn’t have much room to talk as he took his inspiration for ‘Subterranean Homesick Blues’ from Chuck Berry’s ‘Too Much Monkey Business.’ The album is pure class. Such a fun record and great to listen to first thing in the morning… or late at night. Other highlights include ‘(I Don’t Want To Go To) Chelsea,’ ‘You Belong To Me,’ ‘Little Triggers,’ and pretty much most of the other tracks. Loved this one.

#rs500albums