The Pitchfork review kinda makes me wanna finally hear Elvis Costello's King Of America

Message Bookmarked

Bookmark Removed

I've never been particualrly impressed by anything he's done, save "Allison," of course, but I love The Mendoza Line (probably his most direct musical descendents), and have always wanted to know what the big deal was. I have all the 'good' albums - Armed Forces, My Aim Is True, This Years Model, etc - but even the bonus tracks on this sound interesting. Whaddya think?

― Roger Fidelity (Roger Fidelity), Monday, 9 May 2005 23:58 (twenty-one years ago)

it's one of my least favorite EC albums, always thought it was overhyped (although not as overhyped as Imperial Bedroom).

― Al (sitcom), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 00:03 (twenty-one years ago)

Blood & Chocolate from the same year is way better. King Of America placed higher on P&J (at #2, with B&C at #9), I imagine mainly because it was released first.

it has some good songs, though -- I'll Wear It Proudly, Sleep of the Just, Indoor Fireworks. but a lot that just make me cringe.

― Al (sitcom), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 00:09 (twenty-one years ago)

If you like The Mendoza Line, you'll love King of America. I think it's one of his top 3 albums, absolutely classic stuff. Especially the last three songs, Jack Of All Parades, Suit Of Lights and Sleep Of The Just--the last of which is covered in dandy fashion by the Mendoza Line.

― kornrulez6969 (TCBeing), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 00:15 (twenty-one years ago)

If the records you mentioned in your post aren't doing it for you, I can't see how this one is going to change your mind.

However, I like this one a lot and put it just a notch below the first five. "The Big Light" is a good one (covered by Johnny Cash!)

― Keith C (kcraw916), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 00:24 (twenty-one years ago)

Oh, I've heard "Sleep of the Just," didn't realize that was on this album. Good song. Will probably download. Thanks guys

― Roger Fidelity (Roger Fidelity), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 00:27 (twenty-one years ago)

It is horrible (I don't like him ever anyway but I couldn't even listen to this one w/out feeling bad)

― A Viking of Some Note (Andrew Thames), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 01:01 (twenty-one years ago)

one of his top 3 albums

Heavens, no. But it has a few songs.

― Zed Szetlian (Finn MacCool), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 01:20 (twenty-one years ago)

Also, Imperial Bedroom is much better.

― Zed Szetlian (Finn MacCool), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 01:20 (twenty-one years ago)

Blood & Chocolate's my fave, but I LOVE KoA--a good example of an artist making a significant change and pulling it off beautifully.

― Douglas (Douglas), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 01:22 (twenty-one years ago)

The idiotic, ADHD tone of y'all's responses in this thread seems to sit just right with Mr. Fidelity, suggesting that what he really wants is not an Elvis Costello album, but a radio tuned halfway between two stations...

― MV, Tuesday, 10 May 2005 01:25 (twenty-one years ago)

This is a wonderful album. The Pitchfork review does not do it justice. One of my favorites. And yeah, he had a hell of a year. Blood and Chocolate is also pretty fucking good.

― Salmon Pink (Salmon Pink), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 01:41 (twenty-one years ago)

The bratty tone of your post suggests that you have spent too many hours listening to Goodbye Cruel World, the least formidable entry in Mr. Costello's ouvre.

― kornrulez6969 (TCBeing), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 02:30 (twenty-one years ago)

xxpost Ewwwwww

― Roger Fidelity (Roger Fidelity), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 02:41 (twenty-one years ago)

It is probably my favorite EC album. "Sleep of the Just," "American Without Tears," "Indoor Fireworks."

The song on it that I can do without is "Glitter Gulch," partly because it reminds me too much of "Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts"--which is, not coincidentally, the worst song on my favorite Bob Dylan album.

Note to musicians of the future: when you have a good record full of beautiful songs, please do not sully it with a ten-minute-long Old West story song in irritating 2/2 time with an annoyingly repetitive melody. KThanxBye.

― The Mad Puffin (The Mad Puffin), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 15:02 (twenty-one years ago)

"We don't speak any English just American without tears" someone PLEASE explain what's not revolting about that lyric

― A Viking of Some Note (Andrew Thames), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 15:08 (twenty-one years ago)

It scans nicely.

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 15:32 (twenty-one years ago)

the beginning of the end for EC -- i like him better in his popmeister guise, much less so in his country/rootsy guise.

then again, i think that punch the clock was one of his better 80s cds. take that for what it's worth.

― Eisbär (llamasfur), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 16:02 (twenty-one years ago)

Actually yeah it does, DR MORBIUS! It flows gorgeously, as far as that goes. No MEANING I can see behind it doesn't make me sick tho.

― A Viking of Some Note (Andrew Thames), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 16:05 (twenty-one years ago)

what meanings are you reading into it?

― kyle (akmonday), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 16:19 (twenty-one years ago)

wait do you really not get the meaning behind it?

― j blount (papa la bas), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 16:48 (twenty-one years ago)

I can't believe you don't like "Lily, Rosemary and The Jack of Hearts"

― Roger Fidelity (Roger Fidelity), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 19:15 (twenty-one years ago)

Somebody fill me in on the meaning of the "America Without Tears" line.

― Salmon Pink (Salmon Pink), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 19:31 (twenty-one years ago)

It's about Britons emigrating to America, leaving their original homes behind, having some regrets about the change in style. Like that.

― Rickey Wright (Rrrickey), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 19:46 (twenty-one years ago)

"Getting sick" seems like a pretty strong reaction to that.

― Salmon Pink (Salmon Pink), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 19:51 (twenty-one years ago)

You must be logged in to post. Please either login here, or if you are not registered, you may register here.