Greatest Album of 1979 - Elimination Round 1

Which album should go?

Poll ended at 18 May 2021, 8:00am

The Clash, "London Calling"
0
No votes
Elvis Costello and the Attractions, "Armed Forces"
0
No votes
Gang of Four, “Entertainment!"
0
No votes
The Jam, "Setting Sons”
3
14%
Joy Division, "Unknown Pleasures"
3
14%
Magazine, "Secondhand Daylight"
2
10%
The Skids, "Scared to Dance"
6
29%
The Slits, “Cut"
6
29%
The Specials, "The Specials"
0
No votes
Stiff Little Fingers, "Inflammable Material"
1
5%
 
Total votes: 21

Kory
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Re: Greatest Album of 1979 - Elimination Round 1

Post by Kory »

After the Skids, I'm going to Elvis. I like the first two, but I could never get interested in Armed Forces.
"Suck our Earth dick, Martians!" —Doc

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Re: Greatest Album of 1979 - Elimination Round 1

Post by Sparky »

Kory wrote:
17 May 2021, 3:53pm
After the Skids, I'm going to Elvis. I like the first two, but I could never get interested in Armed Forces.
That's sacrilege man! AF is great album, give "Oliver's Army", "Accidents Will Happen", ("What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love & Understanding? or "Party Girl" a fresh listen.
God, what a mess, on the ladder of success
Where you take one step and miss the whole first rung

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Re: Greatest Album of 1979 - Elimination Round 1

Post by revbob »

Sparky wrote:
17 May 2021, 4:49pm
Kory wrote:
17 May 2021, 3:53pm
After the Skids, I'm going to Elvis. I like the first two, but I could never get interested in Armed Forces.
That's sacrilege man! AF is great album, give "Oliver's Army", "Accidents Will Happen", ("What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love & Understanding? or "Party Girl" a fresh listen.
Goon Squad. Yeah its probably my favorite EC.

Kory
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Re: Greatest Album of 1979 - Elimination Round 1

Post by Kory »

Sparky wrote:
17 May 2021, 4:49pm
Kory wrote:
17 May 2021, 3:53pm
After the Skids, I'm going to Elvis. I like the first two, but I could never get interested in Armed Forces.
That's sacrilege man! AF is great album, give "Oliver's Army", "Accidents Will Happen", ("What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love & Understanding? or "Party Girl" a fresh listen.
I'll try it again, but every time I put it on I wind up getting distracted by other stuff. How would you describe the album to somebody who hadn't heard it?
"Suck our Earth dick, Martians!" —Doc

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Re: Greatest Album of 1979 - Elimination Round 1

Post by gkbill »

Hello,

I seldom comment on these polls but Armed Forces is great. This was one of the first albums that were thought to be punk (yes, people at the time thought Elvis Costello was punk after the first two fast guitar albums) but expanded into pop territory - at least to my knowledge and my perception of people. Additionally, I think this album was released just after Elvis' drunk Ray Charles comments to add some controversy. Lyrically, people could really hear the anger and then to top it off with What's So Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding was outstanding.

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Re: Greatest Album of 1979 - Elimination Round 1

Post by WestwayKid »

gkbill wrote:
17 May 2021, 5:31pm
Hello,

I seldom comment on these polls but Armed Forces is great. This was one of the first albums that were thought to be punk (yes, people at the time thought Elvis Costello was punk after the first two fast guitar albums) but expanded into pop territory - at least to my knowledge and my perception of people. Additionally, I think this album was released just after Elvis' drunk Ray Charles comments to add some controversy. Lyrically, people could really hear the anger and then to top it off with What's So Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding was outstanding.
It is indeed great. The production and arrangements are far more textured than on his first two releases. The wit and anger are still there, but musically I find it just far more interesting. Not a bad track on the entire LP.
"They don't think it be like it is, but it do." - Oscar Gamble

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Re: Greatest Album of 1979 - Elimination Round 1

Post by Sparky »

Kory wrote:
17 May 2021, 5:13pm
Sparky wrote:
17 May 2021, 4:49pm
Kory wrote:
17 May 2021, 3:53pm
After the Skids, I'm going to Elvis. I like the first two, but I could never get interested in Armed Forces.
That's sacrilege man! AF is great album, give "Oliver's Army", "Accidents Will Happen", ("What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love & Understanding? or "Party Girl" a fresh listen.
I'll try it again, but every time I put it on I wind up getting distracted by other stuff. How would you describe the album to somebody who hadn't heard it?
How would I describe it.....well, it's another direction for the band, the songs IMO were more complex melodies than MAIT & TYM, better musicianship I suppose . Like revbob stated, give "Goon Squad" a listen too. Hell, just listen to the entire album! :mrgreen:
God, what a mess, on the ladder of success
Where you take one step and miss the whole first rung

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Re: Greatest Album of 1979 - Elimination Round 1

Post by Kory »

Sparky wrote:
17 May 2021, 6:27pm
Kory wrote:
17 May 2021, 5:13pm
Sparky wrote:
17 May 2021, 4:49pm
Kory wrote:
17 May 2021, 3:53pm
After the Skids, I'm going to Elvis. I like the first two, but I could never get interested in Armed Forces.
That's sacrilege man! AF is great album, give "Oliver's Army", "Accidents Will Happen", ("What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love & Understanding? or "Party Girl" a fresh listen.
I'll try it again, but every time I put it on I wind up getting distracted by other stuff. How would you describe the album to somebody who hadn't heard it?
How would I describe it.....well, it's another direction for the band, the songs IMO were more complex melodies than MAIT & TYM, better musicianship I suppose . Like revbob stated, give "Goon Squad" a listen too. Hell, just listen to the entire album! :mrgreen:
I will, and maybe I'll pick up the 33 1/3 volume on it too, that can often give me an appreciation for albums that I didn't really rate before.
"Suck our Earth dick, Martians!" —Doc

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Re: Greatest Album of 1979 - Elimination Round 1

Post by Dr. Medulla »

Kory wrote:
17 May 2021, 6:57pm
Sparky wrote:
17 May 2021, 6:27pm
Kory wrote:
17 May 2021, 5:13pm
Sparky wrote:
17 May 2021, 4:49pm
Kory wrote:
17 May 2021, 3:53pm
After the Skids, I'm going to Elvis. I like the first two, but I could never get interested in Armed Forces.
That's sacrilege man! AF is great album, give "Oliver's Army", "Accidents Will Happen", ("What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love & Understanding? or "Party Girl" a fresh listen.
I'll try it again, but every time I put it on I wind up getting distracted by other stuff. How would you describe the album to somebody who hadn't heard it?
How would I describe it.....well, it's another direction for the band, the songs IMO were more complex melodies than MAIT & TYM, better musicianship I suppose . Like revbob stated, give "Goon Squad" a listen too. Hell, just listen to the entire album! :mrgreen:
I will, and maybe I'll pick up the 33 1/3 volume on it too, that can often give me an appreciation for albums that I didn't really rate before.
Oh, if that's what works for you:
Image

Note: The book is fucking inane.
"I never doubted myself for a minute for I knew that my monkey-strong bowels were girded with strength, like the loins of a dragon ribboned with fat and the opulence of buffalo dung." - Richard Nixon, Checkers Speech, abandoned early draft

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Re: Greatest Album of 1979 - Elimination Round 1

Post by Wolter »

Kory wrote:
17 May 2021, 3:53pm
After the Skids, I'm going to Elvis. I like the first two, but I could never get interested in Armed Forces.
That’s probably my favorite EC album.
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Re: Greatest Album of 1979 - Elimination Round 1

Post by Kory »

Dr. Medulla wrote:
17 May 2021, 7:06pm
Kory wrote:
17 May 2021, 6:57pm
Sparky wrote:
17 May 2021, 6:27pm
Kory wrote:
17 May 2021, 5:13pm
Sparky wrote:
17 May 2021, 4:49pm


That's sacrilege man! AF is great album, give "Oliver's Army", "Accidents Will Happen", ("What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love & Understanding? or "Party Girl" a fresh listen.
I'll try it again, but every time I put it on I wind up getting distracted by other stuff. How would you describe the album to somebody who hadn't heard it?
How would I describe it.....well, it's another direction for the band, the songs IMO were more complex melodies than MAIT & TYM, better musicianship I suppose . Like revbob stated, give "Goon Squad" a listen too. Hell, just listen to the entire album! :mrgreen:
I will, and maybe I'll pick up the 33 1/3 volume on it too, that can often give me an appreciation for albums that I didn't really rate before.
Oh, if that's what works for you:
Image

Note: The book is fucking inane.
Never say never...
"Suck our Earth dick, Martians!" —Doc

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Re: Greatest Album of 1979 - Elimination Round 1

Post by Dr. Medulla »

Kory wrote:
17 May 2021, 7:18pm
Dr. Medulla wrote:
17 May 2021, 7:06pm
Kory wrote:
17 May 2021, 6:57pm
Sparky wrote:
17 May 2021, 6:27pm
Kory wrote:
17 May 2021, 5:13pm


I'll try it again, but every time I put it on I wind up getting distracted by other stuff. How would you describe the album to somebody who hadn't heard it?
How would I describe it.....well, it's another direction for the band, the songs IMO were more complex melodies than MAIT & TYM, better musicianship I suppose . Like revbob stated, give "Goon Squad" a listen too. Hell, just listen to the entire album! :mrgreen:
I will, and maybe I'll pick up the 33 1/3 volume on it too, that can often give me an appreciation for albums that I didn't really rate before.
Oh, if that's what works for you:
Image

Note: The book is fucking inane.
Never say never...
Be bold: Say never.
"I never doubted myself for a minute for I knew that my monkey-strong bowels were girded with strength, like the loins of a dragon ribboned with fat and the opulence of buffalo dung." - Richard Nixon, Checkers Speech, abandoned early draft

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Re: Greatest Album of 1979 - Elimination Round 1

Post by revbob »

Dr. Medulla wrote:
17 May 2021, 7:22pm
Kory wrote:
17 May 2021, 7:18pm
Dr. Medulla wrote:
17 May 2021, 7:06pm
Kory wrote:
17 May 2021, 6:57pm
Sparky wrote:
17 May 2021, 6:27pm

How would I describe it.....well, it's another direction for the band, the songs IMO were more complex melodies than MAIT & TYM, better musicianship I suppose . Like revbob stated, give "Goon Squad" a listen too. Hell, just listen to the entire album! :mrgreen:
I will, and maybe I'll pick up the 33 1/3 volume on it too, that can often give me an appreciation for albums that I didn't really rate before.
Oh, if that's what works for you:
Image

Note: The book is fucking inane.
Never say never...
Be bold: Say never.
A Journey to the end of taste? Am I to believe this is somehow critical of Ms. Dion?

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Re: Greatest Album of 1979 - Elimination Round 1

Post by Marky Dread »

Dr. Medulla wrote:
17 May 2021, 9:35am
Heston wrote:
17 May 2021, 9:02am
Dr. Medulla wrote:
17 May 2021, 8:57am
Heston wrote:
17 May 2021, 8:31am
The Slits don't make the cut for me.
Misogynist. :shifty:
We've gotten rid of them there Americans, it's the women next.
Make Music Great Again.
Styx?
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Forces have been looting
My humanity
Curfews have been curbing
The end of liberty


We're the flowers in the dustbin...
No fuchsias for you.

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Nos Sumus Una Familia

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Re: Greatest Album of 1979 - Elimination Round 1

Post by Marky Dread »

gkbill wrote:
17 May 2021, 5:31pm
Hello,

I seldom comment on these polls but Armed Forces is great. This was one of the first albums that were thought to be punk (yes, people at the time thought Elvis Costello was punk after the first two fast guitar albums) but expanded into pop territory - at least to my knowledge and my perception of people. Additionally, I think this album was released just after Elvis' drunk Ray Charles comments to add some controversy. Lyrically, people could really hear the anger and then to top it off with What's So Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding was outstanding.
You do know the "What's So Funny" is a cover version right?
Image

Forces have been looting
My humanity
Curfews have been curbing
The end of liberty


We're the flowers in the dustbin...
No fuchsias for you.

"Without the common people you're nothing"

Nos Sumus Una Familia

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