Elvis Costello

Famous English singer Elvis Costello (real name Declan Patrick MacManus) was born in London in 1954. The musician released plenty of excellent albums, gaining the listeners’ sympathy due to his sincere creativity. Many critics noted Costello’s incredible performance skills and even compared him with the legendary Bob Dylan. However that comparison is probably based on the poetry and honesty: Elvis managed to find his own unique and recognizable style.

The singer’s first single Less Than Zero saw the light in 1977 and release of his debut long play My Aim Is True also took place in 1977. The musician’s creativity attracted listeners and experts’ attention. The latter noted witty lyrics and Elvis was called “the first poet of punk-rock”, however his music can be hardly taken as a part of that genre. Elvis’ songs included elements of folk and country, while the artist looked like an “angry young man” – that is how the writers of critical direction of the UK literature were called in fifties. One way or another, Costello did not limit himself by means of any styles’ borders.

Elvis wanted to get brighter and more aggressive sound, so he formed a band called The Attractions. The group was successful in Great Britain, and after the release of their second record This Year’s Model (1978) they started gaining popularity in the USA as well. Costello’s third album Armed Forces was issued in 1979 and it deserved the right to be called one of the rocker’s best works. Famous magazine Rolling Stones included it into the list of 500 Greatest Albums Of All Times. Moreover, Elvis always enjoyed experimenting with the sound and styles: numerous experts agreed that the long play Imperial Bedroom (1982), created in unusual for Costello genre of baroque-pop, turned out to be one of his most original works.

In spite of long and truly fruitful career, rocker still has a lot of ideas to share with his listeners. Such recognizable records as Momofuku (2008), Secret, Profane & Sugarcane (2009) and studio attempt National Ransom released in 2010 are the perfect proofs of that. Of course, traditionally interesting texts will not stay ignored by anyone. If you are just going to get acquainted with Elvis Costello’s creativity, you may easily choose any of his studio attempts – they are definitely very different, but they are all united by the highest signature level of performance.