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I'm really loving The Boy Named If -- I'm finding myself obsessively playing it more than any other new EC album since National Ransom (and I've liked all of them). The only down spots for me come early on, interestingly enough -- "Penelope Halfpenny" (kind of grating) and "The Difference" (a song that just doesn't quite hang together for me). Apart from that I think it's a perfect album. The run of songs from "What If I Can't Give You Anything But Love" to "Trick Out the Truth" is a gauntlet of triumphant songwriting!
Penelope Halfpenny sounds very different from the rest of the album, as if it were recorded and mastered completely separate from everything else. There’s this warm worn in feeling I get from the rest of the songs, and Penelope Halfpenny feels almost cold and tinny in comparison. Can’t exactly put my finger on it.
Joined: Tue January 01, 2013 3:35 pm Posts: 32355 Location: Buenos Aires
I'm pretty sure there's a bit of vocal pitch-shifting going on in the verse vocals of "Penelope"; I wonder if that has anything to do with it? Also the end of the chorus reminds me of the ending to the chorus of "Pony Street".
Yeah, it's a great album. Crazy that it was recorded completely remotely, it does have a live-band feel. And Davey's especially good in this
I love the bassline for "Farewell, OK" -- it makes me think of something off Get Happy, "Five Gears in Reverse" or "Beaten to the Punch" maybe?
There is also more of Steve's vintage "new wave organ" sound (not sure what the exact effect is) on this album than any since...probably the Attractions' original run! There are a lot of those little throwback elements on this record, and there is definitely a pleasure factor to it. And yet it still feels like a new EC album, with all the strengths of his later efforts -- sharper songcraft, Davey's backup vocals, etc.
as for rankings, it's damn near impossible at this point. i suppose i'll just point out the handful of albums i would want to listen to *right now* if asked.
Brutal Youth Trust (just based on "New Lace Sleeves" alone - good manners and bad breath get you nowhere) When I Was Cruel Momofuku The Delivery Man
I'm a big fan of his latter day "rockers." And Brutal Youth is just so insanely melodic and underrated. "This is Hell" and "Kinder Murder" and "You Tripped at Every Step." Right up there with McCartney.
Get Happy!! was my #1 for a long time, but I do feel like I'm slightly outgrowing it. From the early stuff, there's a reason why This Year's Model lasts, and that reason is mostly Pete Thomas kicking everyone's ass up and down the stage on Chelsea and No Action and Lipstick Vogue. Attractions playing together perfectly. Perfect record.
My (much) older sister's favorite artist is Elvis Costello. She was my intro. When I was a very little kid, I used to sing along to "Blue Chair." Great song.
Joined: Tue January 01, 2013 3:35 pm Posts: 32355 Location: Buenos Aires
I'm a sucker for melodic bits like that ascending vocal in the "My Most Beautiful Mistake" pre-chorus (pops up for the first time at 0:28). It reminds me of the chorus to "Party Girl"
I'm a sucker for melodic bits like that ascending vocal in the "My Most Beautiful Mistake" pre-chorus (pops up for the first time at 0:28). It reminds me of the chorus to "Party Girl"
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