“A Good Year for the Roses”
by Elvis Costello & The Attractions
“I Should’ve Known”
by Aimee Mann
6 thoughts on “VOLUME 11.4.1”
Elvis- Is there a style of song, lyric, melody or genre that Elvis can not master*? This one falls somewhere in the country ballad realm with the prominent slide guitar working in the background. His attention to detail in the lyrics is illuminating. Lots of longing packed into 3:05. And as per a previous post where I commented on creative melody writing, EC is a stellar example. *Ps: Still waiting for his Deathmetal album.
Aimee- A super pop song with a quirky twist. I like the slow ragged eavesdropping start of the song (as seen in great openers like Radioheads 2+2=5 and XTC’s Summer’s Cauldron). This song has a strong rhythmic drive in the verses and leads you nicely to the more fluid chorus. My favorite part of the song is the background vocals there (dah dah dahs). I just came across her video for “Charmer” from a decade ago where she has a robot, played by Laura Linney, do all her appearances for her– a good watch.
EC – Never really got into Elvis, I think I acquired the album Spike through a classic My Five submission. I think he is pretty talented, just not my cup of tea.
AM – First got into Aimee Mann from her band Till Tuesday, have 2 of her albums. Got more solo stuff from, you guessed it My Five. I really like her but haven’t listened to her in probably over 15 years. Kind of forgot about her.
“A Good Year for the Roses” / EC. This is a great song, but it would be a mistake to assume Elvis wrote it. A guy named Jerry Chestnut did, and it was a hit for country icon George Jones when EC was but a teenager. This cover is off his left-turn 1981 country album, which was in fact all covers. Elvis has excellent taste, though I listened to the George Jones version and am not sure Elvis added much. Top-notch lyrics, however, and gives a sense of how wide EC’s pool of influences is. Nice pick!
“Should Have Known” / Aimee Mann. Have known of Mann since the 80s, the Til Tuesday era, but haven’t really followed her. This is rockier than I anticipated, without sacrificing pop pleasures. Love the dissonant intro, the bg vox; nice arrangement of what could have been a more run of the mill rocker. The guitar fills and guitars in the outro are very late-Beatles.
EC & The As – A Good Year for the Roses
I wasn’t ready for Elvis to put out an album of country covers in 1981 as a follow-up to Trust. The standout track on the album, for me – at the time, was Tonight the Bottle Let Me Down. I’ve since warmed to it and the quality of the songs chosen. I like the understated way he sings this one. His treatment is just right.
Aimee Mann – I Should’ve Known
The song starts in pieces that work their way into place. It’s got a great big beat with thumping bass and sprinkled background vocals that make for a solid punch of pop. “I don’t know what else you hear, but it’s not me weeping.” A favorite.
“A Good Year for the Roses” by Elvis Costello & The Attractions – From ‘Almost Blue’ released in 1981? The many musical genres that this man touches still astounds me to this day… Confession. This is one of those songs that I had no ideas was a cover until now, so a reminder that I’m going to have to listen to the George Jones version soon.
“I Should’ve Known” by Aimee Mann. Ah yes, very 90’s! I dig its power pop execution. And yet, there’s that right touch of distortion + breakdowns, and double-tracking. There’s a variety of noise and off-timing here with the guitar solo kicking in at the three-minute marker. But you know what? It works.
“I Should’ve Known” by Aimee Mann: “And I should thank you, almost”. A begrudging realization of an ending with heartbreak. I think I have heard this before…it did sound familiar enough to feel known but yet not quite. Odd, interesting intro. Enjoyed the harmonies and the Aimee Mann signature sound.
Elvis- Is there a style of song, lyric, melody or genre that Elvis can not master*? This one falls somewhere in the country ballad realm with the prominent slide guitar working in the background. His attention to detail in the lyrics is illuminating. Lots of longing packed into 3:05. And as per a previous post where I commented on creative melody writing, EC is a stellar example. *Ps: Still waiting for his Deathmetal album.
Aimee- A super pop song with a quirky twist. I like the slow ragged eavesdropping start of the song (as seen in great openers like Radioheads 2+2=5 and XTC’s Summer’s Cauldron). This song has a strong rhythmic drive in the verses and leads you nicely to the more fluid chorus. My favorite part of the song is the background vocals there (dah dah dahs). I just came across her video for “Charmer” from a decade ago where she has a robot, played by Laura Linney, do all her appearances for her– a good watch.
EC – Never really got into Elvis, I think I acquired the album Spike through a classic My Five submission. I think he is pretty talented, just not my cup of tea.
AM – First got into Aimee Mann from her band Till Tuesday, have 2 of her albums. Got more solo stuff from, you guessed it My Five. I really like her but haven’t listened to her in probably over 15 years. Kind of forgot about her.
“A Good Year for the Roses” / EC. This is a great song, but it would be a mistake to assume Elvis wrote it. A guy named Jerry Chestnut did, and it was a hit for country icon George Jones when EC was but a teenager. This cover is off his left-turn 1981 country album, which was in fact all covers. Elvis has excellent taste, though I listened to the George Jones version and am not sure Elvis added much. Top-notch lyrics, however, and gives a sense of how wide EC’s pool of influences is. Nice pick!
“Should Have Known” / Aimee Mann. Have known of Mann since the 80s, the Til Tuesday era, but haven’t really followed her. This is rockier than I anticipated, without sacrificing pop pleasures. Love the dissonant intro, the bg vox; nice arrangement of what could have been a more run of the mill rocker. The guitar fills and guitars in the outro are very late-Beatles.
EC & The As – A Good Year for the Roses
I wasn’t ready for Elvis to put out an album of country covers in 1981 as a follow-up to Trust. The standout track on the album, for me – at the time, was Tonight the Bottle Let Me Down. I’ve since warmed to it and the quality of the songs chosen. I like the understated way he sings this one. His treatment is just right.
Aimee Mann – I Should’ve Known
The song starts in pieces that work their way into place. It’s got a great big beat with thumping bass and sprinkled background vocals that make for a solid punch of pop. “I don’t know what else you hear, but it’s not me weeping.” A favorite.
“A Good Year for the Roses” by Elvis Costello & The Attractions – From ‘Almost Blue’ released in 1981? The many musical genres that this man touches still astounds me to this day… Confession. This is one of those songs that I had no ideas was a cover until now, so a reminder that I’m going to have to listen to the George Jones version soon.
“I Should’ve Known” by Aimee Mann. Ah yes, very 90’s! I dig its power pop execution. And yet, there’s that right touch of distortion + breakdowns, and double-tracking. There’s a variety of noise and off-timing here with the guitar solo kicking in at the three-minute marker. But you know what? It works.
“I Should’ve Known” by Aimee Mann: “And I should thank you, almost”. A begrudging realization of an ending with heartbreak. I think I have heard this before…it did sound familiar enough to feel known but yet not quite. Odd, interesting intro. Enjoyed the harmonies and the Aimee Mann signature sound.