What’s So Funny ‘Bout Peace, Love & Understanding? **
* U.K. version ** U.S. version
Sales:
½ million
300,000
--
800,000
Peak:
10
2
Singles/Hit Songs:
Oliver’s Army (2/10/79) #2 UK
Accidents Will Happen (5/12/79) #28 UK
Green Shirt (5/4/85) #68 UK
Notes: “The Rykodisc/Demon 1993 CD reissue…restored the album to its original British running order, adding the B-side cover of Nick Lowe’s ‘What's So Funny ‘Bout Peace, Love and Understanding’ – which had been substituted for ‘Sunday's Best’ on the American version of Armed Forces – as one of the disc's bonus tracks. The CD also includes the B-sides ‘My Funny Valentine,’ ‘Tiny Steps,’ ‘Clean Money,’ the free single ‘Talking in the Dark’/‘Wednesday Week,’ which was included with the initial Radar pressings of Armed Forces, and the Live at Hollywood High EP, which was also included on the first Radar edition” (Erlewine).
The Rhino double-disc released in 2002 added another 9 songs, for a whopping total of 30. Most of the tracks came from an expanded version of the Live at Hollywood High sessions.
Awards:
Armed Forces
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Review:
“After releasing and touring the intense This Year’s Model, Elvis Costello quickly returned to the studio with the Attractions to record his third album, Armed Forces. In contrast to the stripped-down pop and rock of his first two albums, Armed Forces boasted a detailed and textured pop production, but it was hardly lavish. However, the more spacious arrangements – complete with ringing pianos, echoing reverb, layered guitars, and harmonies – accent Costello’s melodies, making the record more accessible than his first two albums” (Erlewine).
“Perversely, while the sound of Costello’s music was becoming more open and welcoming, his songs became more insular and paranoid, even though he cloaked his emotions well. Many of the songs on Armed Forces use politics as a metaphor for personal relationships, particularly fascism, which explains its working title, Emotional Fascism” (Erlewine).
“Occasionally, the lyrics are forced, but the music never is – the album demonstrates the depth of Costello’s compositional talents and how he can move from the hook-laden pop of Accidents Will Happen to the paranoid Goon Squad with ease” (Erlewine).
“Some of the songs, like the light reggae of Two Little Hitlers and the impassioned Party Girl, build on his strengths, while others like the layered Oliver’s Army take Costello into new territories. It’s a dense but accessible pop record and ranks as his third masterpiece in a row” (Erlewine).
½ million
300,000
800,000
