Jan 15, 2022
When our guest Steve Carroll was a North London
lad of fourteen in 1979, the Virgin Records window display of
Elvis Costello's 'Armed Forces' (his 2nd album
with the Attractions and 3rd overall) caught his eye, but he wasn't
quite ready for the record to catch his ears yet. The heady mix of
catchy melodies, fierce musicianship and ultra-clever wordplay
eventually won him over a few years later, and he leads us on a
deep dive into the snakes and ladders of this monumental
release.
"Oh, I just don't know where to begin..."
Songs featured in this episode: Boy Genius - Love
Canal; Alison - Elvis Costello; Nobody Hurts
You - Graham Parker; Radio Radio - Elvis
Costello and the Attractions; Dancing in the
Moonlight - Thin Lizzy; Accidents Will Happen,
Senior Service, Oliver's Army, Big Boys, Green Shirt, Party Girl,
Goon Squad, Busy Bodies, Sunday's Best, Moods for Moderns,
Chemistry Class, Two Little Hitlers - Elvis Costello and
the Attractions; All My Loving - The
Beatles; I'm Gonna Make You Love Me - Diana Ross
& The Supremes; Dancing Queen -
ABBA; Leader of the Pack - The Shangri
Las; You Never Give Me Your Money - The
Beatles; Sex & Drugs & Rock-n-Roll - Ian Dury & The
Blockheads; Heart of the City - Nick Lowe;
Couldn't Call it Unexpected - Elvis
Costello; (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love And
Understanding - Elvis Costello and the Attractions