S5E205 - Elvis Costello and the Attractions 'Armed Forces' with Steve Carroll

When our guest Steve Carroll was a North London lad of fourteen in 1979, the Virgin Records window display of Elvis Costello's 'Armed Forces' (his 2nd album with the Attractions and 3rd overall) caught his eye, but he wasn't quite ready for the record to catch his ears yet. The heady mix of catchy melodies, fierce musicianship and ultra-clever wordplay eventually won him over a few years later, and he leads us on a deep dive into the snakes and ladders of this monumental release.  "Oh, I just don't know where to begin..." Songs featured in this episode: Boy Genius - Love Canal; Alison - Elvis Costello; Nobody Hurts You - Graham Parker; Radio Radio - Elvis Costello and the Attractions; Dancing in the Moonlight - Thin Lizzy; Accidents Will Happen, Senior Service, Oliver's Army, Big Boys, Green Shirt, Party Girl, Goon Squad, Busy Bodies, Sunday's Best, Moods for Moderns, Chemistry Class, Two Little Hitlers - Elvis Costello and the Attractions; All My Loving - The Beatles; I'm Gonna Make You Love Me - Diana Ross & The Supremes; Dancing Queen - ABBA; Leader of the Pack - The Shangri Las; You Never Give Me Your Money - The Beatles; Sex & Drugs & Rock-n-Roll - Ian Dury & The Blockheads; Heart of the City - Nick Lowe; Couldn't Call it Unexpected - Elvis Costello; (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding - Elvis Costello and the Attractions