Armed Forces [Super Deluxe Edition]

by Elvis Costello, Elvis Costello & the Attractions

Overview

After releasing and touring the intense This Year's Model, Elvis Costello quickly returned to the studio with the Attractions to record his third album, Armed Forces. In contrast to the stripped-down pop and rock of his first two albums, Armed Forces boasted a detailed and textured pop production, but it was hardly lavish. However, the more spacious arrangements -- complete with ringing pianos, echoing reverb, layered guitars, and harmonies -- accent Costello's melodies, making the record more accessible than his first two albums. Perversely, while the sound of Costello's music was becoming more open and welcoming, his songs became more insular and paranoid, even though he cloaked his emotions well. Many of the songs on Armed Forces use politics as a metaphor for personal relationships, particularly fascism, which explains its working title, Emotional Fascism. Occasionally, the lyrics are forced, but the music never is -- the album demonstrates the depth of Costello's compositional talents and how he can move from the hook-laden pop of "Accidents Will Happen" to the paranoid "Goon Squad" with ease. Some of the songs, like the light reggae of "Two Little Hitlers" and the impassioned "Party Girl," build on his strengths, while others like the layered "Oliver's Army" take Costello into new territories. It's a dense but accessible pop record and ranks as his third masterpiece in a row. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	04/16/2021
Label:	Universal
UPC:	0602508742705

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Elvis Costello & the Attractions   Primary Artist
Elvis Costello   Primary Artist,Vocals (Background),Guitar,Vocals
Nick Lowe   Primary Artist
The Attractions   Primary Artist,Vocals (Background)
Bruce Thomas   Guitar (Bass),Bass
Steve Nieve   Keyboards
Dave Edmunds   Vocals (Background)
Pete Thomas   Drums
Billy Bremner   Guitar

Technical Credits

Nick Lowe   Audio Production,Composer,Producer
Michele Horie   Reissue Producer,Producer
Roger Bechirian   Audio Engineer,Engineer
Lorenz Hart   Composer
Sebastian Krys   Remix Producer
Peter Walker   Engineer
Bill Levenson   A&R
Keith Walker   Recording
Richard Rodgers   Composer
Adam Starr   Product Manager
Tony Colton   Composer
Keith Morris   Photography
Brian Griffin   Photography
Walter "Biff" Daws   Engineer
Tony Faehse   Composer
Coco Shinomiya   Design
Ray Smith   Composer
Barney Bubbles   Cover Design
Daniel Hersch   Mastering
Chalkie Davies   Photography
Jeff Burstin   Composer
Raymond Barry Smith   Composer
Joe Camilleri   Composer
Bob Ludwig   Mastering Engineer
Elvis Costello   Producer,Composer
Alvaro Cadavid   Remix Engineer