Elvis Costello & The Attractions This Years Model

Elvis Costello was quickly developing into one of rock’s best songwriters when his second album dropped in 1978. This taut mix of accelerating melodies and wry, narrative-driven lyrics is supported by a punchy musical foundation from his then-new backing trio The Attractions. Droll themes veer from neo-Nazi stupidity (“Night Rally”) to romantic ennui (“No Action”) to condemnations of commercialized airwaves (“Radio Radio”), and the soulfully tender “Little Triggers” defines heartbreak like Burt Bacharach. Pub-rock legend Nick Lowe provides just enough production polish to slightly smooth jagged punk edges.