Day 170: Bless my cotton socks I'm in the news...

Album 561/1031

Elvis Costello - Brutal Youth (1994)

All songs by Declan MacManus unless otherwise indicated.

1. "Pony St." – 3:25
2. "Kinder Murder" – 3:25
3. "13 Steps Lead Down" – 3:16
4. "This Is Hell" – 4:27
5. "Clown Strike" – 4:05
6. "You Tripped at Every Step" – 4:12
7. "Still Too Soon to Know" – 2:19
8. "20% Amnesia" – 3:26
9. "Sulky Girl" – 5:07
10. "London's Brilliant Parade" – 4:23
11. "My Science Fiction Twin" – 4:10
12. "Rocking Horse Road" – 4:03
13. "Just About Glad" – 3:14
14. "All the Rage" – 3:52
15. "Favourite Hour" – 3:31

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brutal_Youth


Golf's verdict: The three artists this challenge has really brought to our proper attention and appreciation, so far, are Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen and Elvis Costello. This is the later era album with the Attractions, but seems to maintain the very high qualities of My Aim Is True and Armed Forces which we've had earlier in the year. 

Maire's verdict: Really enjoyed this.


Album 562/1031

The Teardrop Explodes - Kilamanjaro (1980)

1. "Ha Ha I'm Drowning"
2. "Treason"
3. "Suffocate" (Cope, David Balfe)
4. "Reward" (Cope, Gill)
5. "When I Dream"
6. "Went Crazy" (Cope, Finkler)
7. "Brave Boys Keep Their Promises"
8. "Sleeping Gas" (Cope, Dwyer, Finkler, Simpson)
9. "Books" (Cope, McCulloch)
10. "The Thief of Baghdad"
11. "Poppies in the Field"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kilimanjaro_(The_Teardrop_Explodes_album)

Golf's verdict: A minor classic. Reward and Sleeping Gas are the main foot-tappers, but the whole thing is really strong.

Maire's verdict: HIDDEN GEM! I don't think I've listened to this since I left school in the early 90s. Absolutely loved it.

Album 563/1031

Aerosmith - Toys in the Attic (1975)

Side one
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Toys in the Attic"	Steven Tyler, Joe Perry	3:07
2.	"Uncle Salty"	Tyler, Tom Hamilton	4:09
3.	"Adam's Apple"	Tyler	4:33
4.	"Walk This Way"	Tyler, Perry	3:40
5.	"Big Ten Inch Record"	Fred Weismantel	2:16

Side two
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
6.	"Sweet Emotion"	Tyler, Hamilton	4:34
7.	"No More No More"	Tyler, Perry	4:34
8.	"Round and Round"	Tyler, Brad Whitford	5:03
9.	"You See Me Crying"	Tyler, Don Solomon	5:12

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toys_in_the_Attic_(album)

Golf's verdict: From this evidence it appears that the 1975 era Aerosmith were actually rather good. Thoroughly enjoyed it all, but particularly Sweet Emotion.

Maire's verdict: Not what I was expecting. Loved 'Big Ten Inch Record' but prefer the Run DMC version of 'Walk This Way' obviously!

Album 564/1031

Ute Lemper - Punishing Kiss (2000)

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Little Water Song"	Bruno Pisek, Nick Cave	3:59
2.	"The Case Continues"	Neil Hannon, Joby Talbot	3:52
3.	"Passionate Fight"	Elvis Costello, Steve Nieve	4:14
4.	"Tango Ballad"	Bertolt Brecht, Kurt Weill	4:59
5.	"Couldn't You Keep That to Yourself"	Elvis Costello	2:50
6.	"Streets of Berlin"	Martin Sherman, Philip Glass	4:01
7.	"The Part You Throw Away"	Tom Waits, Kathleen Brennan	4:40
8.	"Split"	Neil Hannon, Joby Talbot	3:43
9.	"Punishing Kiss"	Elvis Costello, Cait O'Riordan	4:33
10.	"Purple Avenue"	Tom Waits	4:23
11.	"You Were Meant For Me"	Neil Hannon, Joby Talbot	5:17
12.	"Scope J"	Scott Walker	10:56
13.	"Lullaby (By-By-By)" (Japanese Bonus Track)	Scott Walker	11:06

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punishing_Kiss

Golf's verdict: HIDDEN GEM! Features several of our favourite artists either as writers and/or collaborators in the performance. Plus I have always been a bit of pushover for Brecht/Weill and the whole Berlin in the 1930s schtick. I hear some of her other stuff is a little bit more German (let's face it, that's a challenging language for song compared with English and French), but will be investigating Ute's back catalogue on the strength of this.

Maire's verdict: HIDDEN GEM! Where has this been all my life. Absolutely adored it.