Elvis is the best writer about relationships from a guy's perspective. He catches it all in many, many songs - anger, humor, sarcasm, cutting remarks, longing, exasperation, jealousy both ways, all of it.
Hi Justin. Really hope you continue with this album. It's brilliant in it's complxity and rich textures. I highly recommend all of Elvis's albums with the Attractions.
I'm wondering if the reason why you might be reminded of XTC is because they're very much influenced by the Beatles and this album, Imperial Bedroom, was produced by Geoff Emerick who was also the sound engineer for several of the Beatles' later albums -- including Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
Such a great album.....the sleeper on this album has always been "The Long Honeymoon" (for me) but there is much to choose for. Steve Nieve is so good!
Yes, the music of Elvis Costello and the Attractions is dense, detailed and richly arranged. It's a musical kaleidoscope, and the term baroque pop suits it perfectly! Listening again, I find that "Tears Before Bedtime" retains a 'soul' element that was present on the album Get Happy!! (which was heavily influenced by 60s R&B and soul music).
@@trashandcheese3636 Interesting, I didn't know that about "Tears Before Bedtime". I knew that earlier versions of "Boy With A Problem" and "The Long Honeymoon" existed but I didn't know about "Tears Before Bedtime". Thanks for the info!
I like the little drama stories portrayed in EC's songs - this story is along the same lines as "Motel Matches", which is my favorite of his suspicion songs.
Elvis very much rewards a front to back catalog listen. I hope you'll continue with the album - even better tracks loom right over the horizon. Side note: The album was produced by Geoff Emerick of Beatles fame!
Elvis C is such a spectacular shape-shifter. This is a great album, but it would be a real shame if you didn't eventually take the time to work through "King of America (1986)," his album-length homage to "Americana." Absolutely brilliant. My favorite is "All This Useless Beauty (1996)," though. Keep going!
A lot goes on in a 3 minute-ish song. Classic Costello. One of his best. As far as your analysis - you should listen to the song Clubland. If you want a crayon-melt, check out his album cover for Armed Forces.
"Clubland" has some fantastic grand piano by Steve Nieve on it, along with all the other piano bits for the other songs on Trust - my personal favorite EC album.
The real Elvis.... Done only gems... I saw him with or without the attractions. Ten or twelve times in Paris-France... The best one until 1977...No contest in my opinion...
A bit too twist and turny for my taste but, it was interesting as usual. Many many absolute geniuses like Zappa, Rundgren, XTC, Beatles, etc. create some ok songs that are not my favorites, interesting but just ok. Glad to hear it though.
I second that. Clever yes but my emotional needs and screws always take priority when listening to songwriters. I need emotion in dem songs. Emotion. Tom Dolby the flat earth emotion. Remember!? Soul music in other wurdz. X
Elvis is the best writer about relationships from a guy's perspective. He catches it all in many, many songs - anger, humor, sarcasm, cutting remarks, longing, exasperation, jealousy both ways, all of it.
Hi Justin. Really hope you continue with this album. It's brilliant in it's complxity and rich textures. I highly recommend all of Elvis's albums with the Attractions.
I'm wondering if the reason why you might be reminded of XTC is because they're very much influenced by the Beatles and this album, Imperial Bedroom, was produced by Geoff Emerick who was also the sound engineer for several of the Beatles' later albums -- including Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
Bruce Thomas is one of my favorite bass players.
Such a great album.....the sleeper on this album has always been "The Long Honeymoon" (for me) but there is much to choose for. Steve Nieve is so good!
Yes, the music of Elvis Costello and the Attractions is dense, detailed and richly arranged. It's a musical kaleidoscope, and the term baroque pop suits it perfectly!
Listening again, I find that "Tears Before Bedtime" retains a 'soul' element that was present on the album Get Happy!! (which was heavily influenced by 60s R&B and soul music).
As I recall the song dates from the Trust era but wasn't properly demo'd until the "pre-Nashville" period
@@trashandcheese3636 Interesting, I didn't know that about "Tears Before Bedtime". I knew that earlier versions of "Boy With A Problem" and "The Long Honeymoon" existed but I didn't know about "Tears Before Bedtime". Thanks for the info!
I like the little drama stories portrayed in EC's songs - this story is along the same lines as "Motel Matches", which is my favorite of his suspicion songs.
Crayon melt. Perfect description of the music going on around EC's lyric
Elvis very much rewards a front to back catalog listen. I hope you'll continue with the album - even better tracks loom right over the horizon.
Side note: The album was produced by Geoff Emerick of Beatles fame!
Seconded. There are some gorgeous tracks coming up.
Elvis C is such a spectacular shape-shifter. This is a great album, but it would be a real shame if you didn't eventually take the time to work through "King of America (1986)," his album-length homage to "Americana." Absolutely brilliant. My favorite is "All This Useless Beauty (1996)," though. Keep going!
A lot goes on in a 3 minute-ish song. Classic Costello. One of his best. As far as your analysis - you should listen to the song Clubland. If you want a crayon-melt, check out his album cover for Armed Forces.
"Clubland" has some fantastic grand piano by Steve Nieve on it, along with all the other piano bits for the other songs on Trust - my personal favorite EC album.
The real Elvis.... Done only gems... I saw him with or without the attractions. Ten or twelve times in Paris-France... The best one until 1977...No contest in my opinion...
Comparing my favourite Elvis Costello album with some of my all-time favourite bands. Thumbs up :)
A bit too twist and turny for my taste but, it was interesting as usual. Many many absolute geniuses like Zappa, Rundgren, XTC, Beatles, etc. create some ok songs that are not my favorites, interesting but just ok. Glad to hear it though.
I second that. Clever yes but my emotional needs and screws always take priority when listening to songwriters.
I need emotion in dem songs. Emotion. Tom Dolby the flat earth emotion. Remember!? Soul music in other wurdz. X
I like early Costello, but this is a right stinker!!
Dammit, this guy is like sandpaper for the ears.
Sandpaper is sometimes useful for cleaning ears!😉🤣
@@a.k.1740 that's where I've been going wrong!! 😆
Cool, funky song, but probably the worst one on the album. Any other one would have been better.