This Year's Model

album by Elvis Costello

This Year's Model is the second studio album by Elvis Costello. Elvis Costello is an English singer and songwriter. Radar Records released the album on 17 March 1978. It is his first album with the Attractions, Costello's band. The people in the Attractions were keyboard player Steve Nieve, bass guitar player Bruce Thomas and drummer Pete Thomas. The group recorded the album's music at Eden Studios in London. Nick Lowe produced the album. Costello wrote most of the songs before the band started recording music. He played some of them at concerts in 1977.

This Year's Model
Studio album by
Released17 March 1978 (1978-03-17)
RecordedDecember 1977 – January 1978
StudioEden (London)
Genre
Length35:14
LabelRadar
ProducerNick Lowe
Elvis Costello chronology
My Aim Is True
(1977)
This Year's Model
(1978)
Armed Forces
(1979)
Singles from This Year's Model
  1. "(I Don't Want to Go to) Chelsea"
    Released: 3 March 1978
  2. "Pump It Up"
    Released: June 1978
  3. "This Year's Girl"
    Released: 1978 (US)

The album had two singles: "(I Don't Want to Go to) Chelsea" and "Pump It Up". The album was successful. It was number four on the UK Albums Chart.[4] Columbia Records released it in the United States in May 1978. It was number 30 on the Billboard 200.[5] Many music critics liked the album. They liked the music and Costello's songwriting.[6][7]

This Year's Model influenced new wave and punk rock music. Many people think it is one of Costello's best albums.[8][9][10] Many music makers inspired Costello, such as the Rolling Stones. The album has been released many times with new music on it. In 2021, Costello helped make a new version of the album named Spanish Model. It had music sung in Spanish by many different singers.[11] It went on many Billboard charts.[12][13]

Track listing change

All songs written by Elvis Costello.

Side one

  1. "No Action" – 1:57
  2. "This Year's Girl" – 3:16
  3. "The Beat" – 3:42
  4. "Pump It Up" – 3:12
  5. "Little Triggers" – 2:38
  6. "You Belong to Me" – 2:19

Side two

  1. "Hand in Hand" – 2:30
  2. "(I Don't Want to Go to) Chelsea" – 3:06
  3. "Lip Service" – 2:34
  4. "Living in Paradise" – 3:51
  5. "Lipstick Vogue" – 3:29
  6. "Night Rally" – 2:40

Notes change

  1. The Attractions did not get a sleeve credit on the first release. However, they were credited on the LP labels.[1][2] Later releases credit Elvis Costello and the Attractions.[3]

References change

  1. St. Michael 1986, chap. 3.
  2. Anon. (1978). This Year's Model (LP sleeve notes). Elvis Costello. UK: Radar Records. RAD 3.
  3. River, Julie (2 June 2018). "Elvis Costello and the Attractions – This Year's Model". Punk News. Archived from the original on 22 October 2020. Retrieved 21 August 2022.
  4. "Elvis Costello – This Year's Model". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 5 April 2015. Retrieved 23 October 2011.
  5. "Elvis Costello Chart History". Billboard. Archived from the original on 17 November 2021. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  6. "This Year's Model: Elvis Costello" (PDF). Music Week. 18 March 1978. p. 56. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 September 2021. Retrieved 21 August 2022 – via worldradiohistory.com.
  7. Savage, Jon (11 March 1978). "Elvis Costello: This Year's Model". Sounds. p. 26. Archived from the original on 5 March 2022. Retrieved 5 March 2022 – via Rock's Backpages (subscription required).
  8. Bray, Ryan (17 March 2018). "'This Year's Model' Is Still Elvis Costello at His Angry Best". Consequence of Sound. Archived from the original on 11 July 2021. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
  9. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "This Year's Model – Elvis Costello". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 21 August 2022.
  10. LeMay, Matt (9 May 2002). "Elvis Costello & The Attractions: This Year's Model". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 19 March 2016. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  11. Willman, Chris (16 September 2021). "Elvis Costello on the Endurance of 'This Year's Model,' and What's Gained in Translation With New 'Spanish Model'". Variety. Archived from the original on 12 December 2021. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
  12. Bustios, Pamela. "Elvis Costello & The Attractions Score First Entry on a Billboard Latin Albums Chart With 'Spanish Model'". Billboard. Archived from the original on 19 May 2022. Retrieved 21 August 2022.
  13. "Elvis Costello Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 21 August 2022.