482 - Elvis Costello & the Attractions - Armed Forces

[csberry]

Where Gang of Four used their music and lyrics to wage a political war on Entertainment, released the same year, Armed Forces doesn't have machine gun guitars and artillery drums. The war is in the lyrics, and it's personal...as in love/relationships. The battlefield is pop love songs. Elvis doesn't break the musical conventions, he embraces them and voices his ill-ease with relationships in the lyrics. I heard songs that made me think of Paul McCartney love songs, but the lyrics were quite the opposite tone as the melody and harmonies portrayed.

Songs I knew I liked: "Accidents Will Happen" and "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding?"

Songs I didn't know but now like: "Senior Service," "Party Girls," "Chemistry Class,"

Songs I can go the rest of my life without hearing again: If I had to pick one, probably "Goon Squad."