Off The Record :: This Year's Model

There is no doubt that the words and music of one declan macmanus have inspired and moved me on countless occasions. The snarl in the voice, the clever wordplay, the raging melodies, the hipster specs, for all of these reasons and more i devoured his debut record 'my aim is true' and every raw demo included in the 1993 rykodisc reissue. It wouldn't be too long after, while rifling through the secondhand vinyl at a half price book store, that i would happen upon a copy of elvis' followup to that brilliant debut.

As soon as i pulled the sleeve from the rack i could read the track listing printed on a label pasted across the album's title at the bottom of the cover. The label read 'demonstration not for sale' which may or may not be the title of my next record... but i digress. I'm a little embarrassed now to admit that only a couple of the 'suggested tracks' (as they were referred to as on the demo label) were familiar titles at the time. However, they were familiar enough to coax my hand into the old wallet to lay down a couple deceased presidents. Let's be honest, that cover shot alone (as seen below) warrants a sizable price tag.

It's almost hard to move past that album cover, but what about the contents?

Elvis may be king, but when needle hits the groove, it is certainly evident that the uncredited trio surrounding his highness are why this record and so many following it simply kick the listener in the proverbial hindquarters. This was costello's first album with the attractions and for many they are synonymous with everything he has done great musically. I don't necessarily belong to that club, but there is no denying the sheer raucous attitude in the high end bass riffing of mr. bruce thomas, the frenetic drums of mr. pete thomas and the unforgettable hypnotizing keys of the incredible steve nieve. Unable to pigeonhole 'this year's model' as simply punk, new wave or rock and roll, one can only describe this record as vintage elvis costello & the attractions.

Unbeknownst to me at the time, this particular copy of 'this year's girl' is the US version which was released two months after the original release in the UK. This version unbelievably excludes the bombastic '(i don't want to go to) chelsea' and original closer 'night rally' from side 2 for reportedly being 'too english.'

Wankers.

Novices will however most likely recognize the equally brilliant hit 'radio, radio' as the superb substitute finale.

If you're new to elvis & the attractions, let's call this a primer to their body of work.

Dig it.

Side One

1. No Action
2. This Year's Girl
3. The Beat
4. Pump It Up
5. Little Triggers
6. You Belong to Me

Side Two

1. Hand In Hand
2. Lip Service
3. Living In Paradise
4. Lipstick Vogue
5. Radio, Radio

Bonus: '(i don't want to go to) chelsea' in all its glory

Off The Record :: Moondance

pho·no·graph \ˈfō-nə-ˌgraf\ n,: an instrument for reproducing sounds by means of the vibration of a stylus or needle following a spiral groove on a revolving disc or cylinder.

As far back as i can remember, i've found great aural stimulation from the snap crackle and pop of a record needle being slowly pulled through the groove of a dusty piece of vinyl. Not only would a plastic yellow turntable and a colorful stack of lp's and 45's provide a soundtrack for my formative years, but they could also inspire and provide tools of creativity. A record designed for 33 and a third rpms could become an entirely new listening experience when sped up to 45 rpms. Shift those gears into neutral and the turntable would become all loosey goosey allowing a record to move backward and forward as the hand felt so inclined. Hours were spent listening, singing, playing and discovering through the magic of the invention of phonograph.

I remember having a recent conversation about music with a work partner who claimed to be a fellow dylan admirer. However, when asked what his favorite dylan album was, he looked me over as if i had just asked him which hand he preferred to cut lines of coke on a hooker's chest with. When i pressed him further, he defended his lack of education in the album department on something to do with living in the digital itunes pick and choose playlist yakity smakity album question mark era. As a tear softly crawled from the corner of my wistful eye, he gave me a sympathetic squeeze on the shoulder and carried on with his tasks.

It was this not so pivotal moment which led me back to my stack of records. Half of them have been marred and scarred by the great basement flood of 2007. Many of the polychromatic paper sleeves had been destroyed altogether leaving their sonic partners in nothing but a sheer slip or else completely naked. Longing to preserve the majesty of these old friends in this age of digital file sharing, i have been compelled to jumpstart a new era of a rockey home companion (an aural supplement). Under the moniker OFF THE RECORD, we will be sharing our vinyl collection with you our guests. So without further ado we introduce...

It was sometime around my sophomore/second year of a six year tenure at a reputable school located in muncie, indiana that i happened upon today's selection. I recall some sort of vinyl record convention taking place in the student union and took it upon myself to peruse the offerings. Now, by this point i've been collecting records here and there for a few years. Goodwill stores, Half Price Books and independent record stores were my hunting grounds of choice. According to my own guesstimation, i had a fairly sizable collection to my name for a kid with my income (or lack thereof) and thrifty spending habits. I apparently had a particular fondness for records from the sixties and seventies. Dylan, lennon, mccartney, joel, elton, the who, simon, stevie, zeppelin, what have you; these are the names what made varied appearances and multiple rounds upon my turntable. However, I had absolutely no titles in my collection by the man generally known as van.

When i picked up van morrison's 1970 album moondance for a fistful of dollars at this previously mentioned record ordeal, i had absolutely no idea what an incredible listening experience this would be for years to come. Though unfamiliar with over half of the cuts on this record at the time, those pensive glances framed in a well-groomed beard and warm chromatic tones on the album's cover told me that this piece of vinyl would be a timeless addition to my collection.

Following on the heels of his previous melancholy masterpiece, astral weeks, moondance continues morrison's eclectic exploration of musical genres including jazz, r&b, folk, country... to incredibly satisfying ends. For me, the whole tone of the album evokes the feeling of being a child running through mountains of multicolored leaves on a crisp yet sunny autumn morning. It is festive and poetic. It is rebirth. Acoustic guitars, trilling pianos and flutes cradle and propel lyrics about childhood memories, gypsies and crazy love. The musical arrangements stand up perfectly on their own, but it is the soulful irish wail of mister morrison as he dances and plays with those arrangements which strokes my soul and demands that i flip the disc on it's back side to start all over again.

Dig it.

Side One

1. And It Stoned Me
2. Moondance
3. Crazy Love
4. Caravan
5. Into the Mystic

Side Two

1. Come Running
2. These Dreams of You
3. Brand New Day
4. Everyone
5. Glad Tidings

Whatever happened to...

Remember this young balloon toting pop star who helped navigate the dreams and aspirations of all americans toward peace on earth, walking on moons and domesticated wildlife? His name was Michael Jackson. The name may sound familiar as a pasty gentleman who uses the same name has found himself gracing the cover of many a tabloid in recent years. However, the young man pictured above performed a song which made innumerable turns around my record player as a child. I purchased the 45 rpm record for side A which ultimately saw very little needle time once I flipped that piece of vinyl over. From deep within the grooves of side B emerged a repetitive dance groove which sent me and my brother into a frenzy each time we heard it. I still own that 45... deep scratches, cracks and all. Ladies and gentlemen, as far as I'm concerned, "Thriller" was the B side of this lesser known Michael Jackson classic. Experience this joint as I did as a child and lose yourself in its hypnotic groove...

Can't Get Outta the Rain by Michael Jackson