Elvis Costello and the Attractions • Armed Forces
Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab/Universal MFSL 1-331
33-RPM LP
Produced by Nick Lowe and originally released in 1979, Armed Forces is Elvis Costello’s third album, and the first on which The Attractions got a credit on the cover. There are twelve tracks on the record, including the two singles, Accidents Will Happen and Oliver’s Army. The American track list is used, substituting Nick Lowe’s (What’s So Funny ’Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding for Sunday’s Best (which is a shame because the latter is nice, somewhat quirky, track whose melody reminds me a bit of Waltzinblack by The Stranglers).
Mobile Fidelity have done their usual bang-up job on this release: the sound quality is about as good as it’s going to get (it’s an appreciable step up from my original version of Armed Forces, on Radar Records), and the packaging is first rate (heavy cardboard gatefold sleeve, etc.).
The good sound quality, silent surfaces, and great packaging make this a mandatory purchase for Elvis Costello fans, and well worth a listen if you’re not.