A month ago I did a Music Monday post about Elvis Costello, and while he has had a lengthy solo career, his backing band for a long time was more than just a bunch of hired musicians, it was an actual band – The Attractions. They weren’t pulled together until Elvis Costello’s second album, though not credited on the album’s cover. Elvis Costello’s third album would be credited to Elvis Costello & The Attractions.
The next several albums would feature The Attractions alongside Elvis Costello. A couple of years into the partnership The Attractions would break off and release a couple of singles and an album. I didn’t know about this album. Heck, I didn’t even really get into Elvis Costello’s music until after “the split” and even then it would be a few years before I understood the importance of The Attractions to Elvis Costello’s music.
They would patch things up and record again and tour, then tensions between Elvis Costello and bassist Bruce Thomas would eventually lead to the permanent (so far) disillusionment of The Attractions. While keyboardist Steve Neive and drummer Pete Thomas continued to work with Elvis Costello with a new bass player under the moniker The Imposters, the “classic” line-up of Elvis Costello’s backing band is in the spotlight for this post.
“Straight Jacket”
I don’t remember exactly when it was I discovered that CD of The Attractions, Mad About The Wrong Boy, bu I do remember where. Vancouver, British Columbia. There was a Virgin Megastore on Robson street and for a long time it was my favorite record store because it had fantastic sales, the exchange rate was solid and as part of The Commonwealth what would normally be considered (expensive) import albums were often classified as regular releases. I literally stumbled upon this CD on the racks one day during one of our frequent trips north of the border (Laura and I used to go to Vancouver every few months – before kids).
“The Tap Dancer”
No, it’s not the greatest of music, but this is the sort of stuff I love. For the most part this release is forgotten, not even a footnote in music history. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Well, I shouldn’t say that. There are some hard to find albums I’d love to have.
“Single Girl”
The CD I picked up is a sort of compilation. It gathers up the whole of the Mad About The Wrong Boy album along with the two singles and E.P. the band released. A very specific style of 80’s pop that reminds me of Squeeze at times, thought not quite the same caliber.
“Mad About The Wrong Boy”