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Sunday, March 18, 2018


Bought when it came out but then . . . . . . . . WHO DIDN"T!?



PUMP IT UP!



On this day in music history: March 17, 1978 - “This Year’s Model”, the second album by Elvis Costello is released. Produced by Nick Lowe, it is recorded at Eden Studios in London from Late 1977 - Early 1978. Issued as the follow up to “My Aim Is True”, it is the first album to be credited to Elvis Costello & The Attractions. Musically it differs noticeably from Costello’s debut, with drummer Pete Thomas, bassist Bruce Thomas and keyboardist Steve Nieve providing dynamic and solid support. It spins off three singles including “Pump It Up”, “Radio, Radio” (included on the US pressing), “(I Don’t Want To Go To) Chelsea”. Early pressings of the LP come with a bonus 7" featuring “Stranger In The House” backed a cover of The Damned’s “Neat Neat Neat”. Original UK album covers feature a deliberate error on them (designed by F-Beat Records graphic artist Barney Bubbles), with the “E” from Elvis and the “T” from This cropped off on the left, and the color registration marks clearly visible on the right. The US album cover uses an alternate cover photo, that does not have the deliberate graphics error. Reissued numerous times since making its CD debut in the mid 80’s, Hip-O Records remastered and reissues “Model” in 2007, with a double disc Deluxe Edition with bonus track and a full live concert released in 2008. Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab also issues the title as a 180 gram vinyl LP in 2010, with UMe also releasing it as part of their “Back To Black” series in 2015. The MoFi and UMe LP’s use the original UK cover artwork. “This Year’s Model” peaks at number four on the UK album chart, number thirty on the Billboard Top 200, and is certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.

I think I said earlier about 'My Aim. . .' and left Elvis shortly after the third album I think but this is a protopunk CLASSIC! I found the single in the ex-jukebox bins so not really banging on the door of my local record shop but as soon as it hit, it was played to pieces!

Pump it up!

thanks to the most excellent Jeff Harris' blog 'Behind The Grooves

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