Guys with Glasses Make Great Albums: This Year's Model

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Elvis Costello may be my favorite artist of all time - and if I'm speaking before I think here, I can assuredly say that he's certainly one of the most unrelentingly creative and diverse artists to ever press grooves into a vinyl record. Sure, after the Attractions went their separate ways the frist time, Elvis (real name Declan MacManus - why change it? Declan is a pussy-gettin'-wet name) hasn't been quite the same. No albums have been mind-blowing since the downhill solo adventure that started with 1989's Spike, but the first 12 years, and first 8 albums recorded therein are pure fucking gold.

My Aim is True, his debut (solo!) album was a revelation for me - hearfelt songs about mysterious loss, first times in the bedroom, getting old, and yes, facism! That album has everything, and it had every reason to make him an overnight sensation (it did.) But, ever the maverick, Costello put together a band, branded them The Attractions, and recorded his second full-length, which would become This Year's Model. The album contains just as much wonderful wordsmithery as his freshman release, but showcases a more confident, angrier, dare I say - punker Elvis. It's not punk strictly speaking, but as Elvis rants about how the radio industry is run by retards on "Radio Radio," one can't help but see why the Sex Pistols respected the bespectacled virtuoso. (Not to mention his history making SNL performance of the song, google it)

The record opens up with a bang on "No Action" and doesn't slow down at all until the final track, the "overly british" according to Columbia Records "Night Rally." This Year's Model is the bedrock upon which Costello would build his revolutionary music career, send off the 70s with a bang, and inspire artists for years to come. Like Buddy Holly before him, a bespectacled messiah of pop music.

And for all you Radiohead-jerking, Of Montreal-loving doubters out there, Pitchfork gave it a 10/10. Suck it.