Elvis Costello & the Attractions - Get Happy!!

2003 remastered reissue of the classic 1980 album packed with 30 bonus tracks, 'I Stand Accused' (Alternate Version), 'So Young', 'Girls Talk', 'Human Touch' (Alternate Version), 'Temptation' (Alternate Version), 'Motel Matches' (Alternate Take), 'Clowntime Is Over No. 2', 'B Movie' (Alternate Version), 'Girls Talk' (Alternate Version), 'Getting Mighty Crowded Watch Your Step' (Alternate Version), 'Dr. Luther's Assistant', 'Ghost Train', 'New Lace Sleeves' (Alternate Version), 'Hoover Factory', 'Just A Memory', 'I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down' (Alternate Version), 'New Amsterdam' (Olympic Studio Version), 'Black & White World' (Demo), 'Riot Act' (Demo), '5ive Gears In Reverse' (Demo), 'Love For Tender' (Demo), 'Men Called Uncle' (Demo), 'King Horse' (Demo), 'Seven O'clock' (Demo), 'High Fidelity' (Live), 'Opportunity' (Live), 'The Imposter' (Live), & 'Don't Look Back' (Live), Album Description

a bit after the fact, unfortunately

I was so disgusted when Costello's catalog was released for the 3rd time on CD in 2003 that didn't even bother to take a close look. Therefore, I missed this. When I finally realized what a great reissue it was (30 "bonus" songs!) Rhino had already discontinued it. So what did I do. I paid the price for my tardiness -- I bought it used at an exorbidant price. Was it worth it? Absolutely. I'm sure that Hippo will get around to releasing it's "deluxe" version someday, but I wasn't waiting. If you're an Elvis Costello fan and your disgust with all the reissues kept you from getting this, like mine did, rectify your mistake before it's really too late. It's a super reissue, making the Rykodisc version totally unnecessary. July 19, 2008

More Like 'Got Hyped'

Another 'classic' from the EC canon that I find underwhelming. Not a bad recording...just a lot of music that's only moderately entertaining. Favorites are 'High Fidelity', 'New Amsterdam' and 'I Can't Stand Up...". Most of the other better songs are on the generous second disc of the Rhino reissue: 'Girls Talk', 'B Movie', 'Getting Mighty Crowded' and 'Just A Memory'.

As with my opinion of 'My Aim is True', I know my lack of enthusiasm for 'Happy' puts me in the minority of Costello fans. I can't help but wonder if the critical praise heaped on both these recordings resulted in some rose-coloring of people's perspective over the years? Or (more likely?) maybe I'm simply one of the few clueless rabel who just don't get it.
July 22, 2007

A rock classic beautifully rendered on cd

The merits of this album need not be discussed here. Get Happy has been widely regarded as a rock classic for over twenty years and its popularity shows no sign of letting up. What does need addressing, however, is the sound Rhino has acheived in rendering this recording on cd.

The remastering game that has been going on for the past decade has yielded mixed results. Record companies promising superior sound have come up short more than half the time when it comes to reissuing classics. Lucky for us, that's hardly the case with Rhino's treatment of Elvis Costello's back catalog.

Get Happy is what every fan hopes for when plunking down hard earned cash for an album he already owns. The sound is incredibly warm with every instrument coming through distinctly. The immediacy is so impressive that I had to play it on the cheapest stereo in my house just to make sure I wasn't imagining it; it is as if the Attractions have set up shop in your living room.

Revisit a classic and hear what you missed the first time around. This Rhino series will be the death of our pocketbooks. January 26, 2007

Like Two Great Albums

The bonus disc is no hyperbole-fantastic-Watch That Step,From A Whisper To A Scream, New Lace Sleeves, Girls Talk done in Motown/Ska fashion with terrific throways like So Young, Just A Memory and Ghost train,this can't be beat. Along with the original masterpiece that uniquely captured a mood, not to be duplicated by Elvis & The Attractions. January 21, 2007

the best elvis costello album

it's very hard to single out one of his albums as being the best, because a case can be made for so many of them, and he has shown himself to be so versatile. Trust? Spike? Armed Forces? Brutal Youth? I love all of them, and at various times they've all held the #2 spot on my personal list, but "Get Happy" will always be my favorite. For me, that was E.C.'s moment, the peak of his Nick Lowe records, and "Temptation" is his greatest recording. November 7, 2006

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