As 1978 dawned, Elvis Costello was definitely on a roll. But at a time where the charts were ruled by everything from disco to Fleetwood Mac, he was more of a critical favorite. But after his 1977 debut My Aim is True, Costello would crack the top forty with his second album, This Year’s Model.
Though the album was his second, it wa the first with his band the Attractions. And unlike his debut, This Year’s Model was given more of a harder and more punk sound, as it was relevant in tracks such as “Pump It Up”, “Lipstick Vouge”, “No Action”, and “(I Don’t Want to Go to ) Chelsea”. But perhaps the key track on the album was “Radio, Radio”. This was the song that appeared on the original US version, and had a minor controversy, due to it’s blast against popular radio, and the fact the song got Costello banned from Saturday Night Live for almost a decade, when it was performed.
Released on St. Patrick’s Day 1978, This Year’s Model hit number thirty on the US album charts, and went top ten in two European countries including the UK. It was also Costello’s first gold record. It was reissued a few times to include live performances, as well as bonus tracks. It is also considered to be Costello’s best album, as it has ranked higher in various polls than any of his albums.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: Elvis Costello and the Attractions, inducted in 2003.
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