Elvis Costello's albums
My Aim Is True (1977)
Out of England's pub-rock wilderness, a
debut with lots to say. A-
This Year's Model (1978)
Sex and
obsession. ''Don't ask me to apologize/I won't ask you to forgive me.''
Plus lightning strikes-Costello meets his virtuoso band, the
Attractions. A
Armed Forces (1978)
Sex defines politics, politics
defines sex. A landmark. ''Two little Hitlers will fight it out
until/One little Hitler does the other one's will.'' A+
Get Happy!! (1980)
R&B revelry with 20 two-minute classics, a minimalist
masterwork. ''Your body speaks so much louder than your voice/You let
it do the talking so I don't have any choice.'' A+
Taking Liberties (1980)
So many rarities (B sides, unreleased tracks), so little
dross. B+
Trust (1981)
Social science with a nonstop beat for
parties or revolutions. ''In the drinking clubs, where the
councilmen/Are making plans to put the lead back in their pencils
again.'' A
Almost Blue (1981)
Renditions of country classics.
Down-home homework by a brilliant student. B
Imperial Bedroom (1982) A bid for greatness, and then some. ''From your own backyard to the land of exotica/From the truth society to neurotic erotica.'' A+
Punch the Clock (1983)
Work was never more fun, never better sung.
''Even in a perfect world where everyone was equal/I'd still own the
film rights and be working on the sequel.'' A
Goodbye Cruel World (1984)
Short stories, fragments, and an exquisite duet with
hyperintellectual Green Gartside. ''Cold ground for a pillow/Under a
blanket of stars.'' B
King of America (1986)
A personal stamp on the
Great Songwriting Tradition. ''You try to love her, but she's so
contrary/Like a chainsaw running through a dictionary.'' A
Blood & Chocolate (1986)
A blistering, wildly infectious reunion with Nick
Lowe (producer of Costello's first five albums) and the Attractions.
''You always look so disappointed/When I take my stockings off/ Don't
you know the facts of life, boy?/Don't you know what these things
cost?'' A-
Out of Our Idiot (1987)
Twenty-one crucial B
sides, some recorded under tongue-in-cheek assumed names. B
Spike (1989)
Overdeliberate singing, writing, and playing. The curse of
talent. C+
