With Nick Lowe producing, Armed Forces turned out to be an album of very catchy tunes which masks the bitter satire of the lyrics. The arrangements are especially great on songs like Busy Bodies, Green Shirt and Big Boys. My favorite track is the lilting ballad Oliver's Army, but every single song has a unique pop appeal. Costello is amongst the most literate and versatile of rock musicians and especially on this album, the tight writing and clear melodies are prominent, whilst The Attractions must be the best band he ever recorded with. Of the new tracks, the inclusion of Alison and Tiny Steps was a smart move. Armed Forces is classic of late 70s poprock.

Thematically, this is Costello's best work, cleverly contrasting war (Cold and Third World) with sexual relationships.

Musically, it is a paragon of pop craftsmanship -- up there with Costello's best. My favorite songs are "Goon Squad" (penned as a letter to home from a private), "Two Little Hitlers" (about a test of wills), "Senior Service," (my favorite song during my senior year in high school in 1979!), "Accidents Will Happen" (the most brilliant of all his songs) and "What's So Funny (About Peace, Love and Understanding?)" (a hippie anthem that rivals whatever came from the Woodstock generation).

Here's to hoping the next generation discovers it.

This album could very well be the culmination of everything Elvis Costello would ever be; bombastic, tender, thoughtful, political, sullen and completely unmerciful. I was fortunate enough to witness the Armed Forces tour and was completely overwhelmed with volume and attitude for the one hour Costello gave his audience. The opening song of "Goon Squad" will forever reverberate in my skull. This happened at a time when Elvis Costello literally ran neck and neck with Bruce Springsteen as the "King" and the "Boss" duked it out for the 70's hottest songwriter accolade. Unfortunately, Costello's stock has fallen and is now relegated to playing theater shows and hall dates with Burt Bacharach before pipe smokers while Bruce still packs the arenas with his over exuberance. And in some ways, after reviewing Armed Forces again, the listener realizes that Costello trapped himself in a seventies time warp, with his over emphasis of the Vox Farafisa organ and a weak snare sound. Still, the artist that is Costello comes through and his domination of the period is easily understood. Senior Service, Goon Squad, Two Little Hitlers and Chemistry Class (where Costello immortalizes himself with the punishing line "You've been around so long but you still don't know what to do..") demonstrate the well roundness and helter skelter manner that has became his songwriting trademark. The almost sad fact about Costello is his music often times just doesn't hold up anymore, sounding somewhat dated and dusty. But blame it on a new wave mentality and crank up the volume, because when Elvis Costello puts forth, it's at least a more than admirable effort.

Elvis and the Attractions certainly have a knack for great sequencing, as is evidenced by the first three tracks on this record. It just doesn't get much sweeter than the new wave goodness of "Senior Service" followed by the grand, grand piano-filled opening bars of "Oliver's Army." Yikes! Other strong points are "Busy Bodies," the circus calliope feel of "Sunday's Best," and the tap-dance bassline of today's favorite track, "Two Little Hitlers." All of that, plus "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding?" AND bonus live tracks? Why don't you already own this disc?

in 1979, I was a sophomore in High School (a total outcast) when I bought this album and played it to death! Wore out two copies of it. I couldn't understand most of the words until I purchased Elvis Costello's sheet music book (A Singing Dictionary) in 1980 or thereabouts. His lyrics are amazing, and this album (along with "This Year's Model" and "Get Happy") sounds as fresh and vibrant today as it did 20 years (gasp! has it been THAT LONG?) ago. The Attractions have got to be the greatest back up band ever. Fave tracks - Goon Squad, Moods for Moderns

I turned my hubby onto this album a few years back. At the time of original release, Jim was into Sabbath, Van Halen, etc and didn't really get into New Wave. He was blown away! As a bass player, he really loves to practice to this album. And they did a wonderful job with this CD release. May "Armed Forces" never go out of print!