When you're Elvis Costello, you certainly have the luxury of doing largely whatever you please. Record an album of opera? Sure. Reissue your catalog three times? Whatever. Marry a borderline smooth jazz singer? Maybe that was a bit too far, but who am I to judge? So, in preparation for a tour with the Police this summer, Elvis Costello has a new album. With all the excitement lately over the Raconteurs and Gnarls Barkley, why not come up with a exciting new distribution method for your work? Instead, the new Costello album, the apparent tribute to New York City dining Momofuku will be available on vinyl only, with a code to download the album tucked inside the packaging. Although the Elvis Costello fanbase is somewhat likely to still own turntables, you have to wonder who at Lost Highway agreed to this move. Maybe they've just given up on actually selling things over there? [Billboard]
his next album will come inside specially marked cheerios boxes
Elvis Costello Continues A Series Of Curious Career Moves
11:30 AM on Fri Mar 21 2008
By Dan Gibson
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20 comments






Comments
His next album better have a golden ticket that wins me a tour of his factory.
Seriously though, he could release an 8 Track of himself snoring and I'd still buy it.
The wisdom of this move really depends on whether this is a 'rock' album that cautiously interested non-completists (like me) will want to hear, or if it's another ill-considered genre experiment that only diehards would buy anyway, diehards that will still jump through this hoop just to hear it.
@pantycrickets: I'm with you. This is a retarded idea, but I reflexively geek out over anything EC does, so I'll be first in line. (No, Clapton guy, not that EC.)
I would have to assume he'd release a digital version as well apart from bundling it with the vinyl. If not, I would guess there's going to be a lot of bit torrenting going on.
@pantycrickets: I'm with you on that. I'd go out and get a handcrank Victrola if he was releasing it on wax cylinder.
"Marry a borderline smooth jazz singer? Maybe that was a bit too far, but who am I to judge?"
Dude, have you SEEN Diana Krall?
And, if it's a pop or rock album even remotely as respectable as "When I Was Cruel" or "The Delivery Man," I'll buy it too.
I can't believe I'm defending Diana Krall too, but yeah. She's a pretty great musician and seriously, if my dad thinks she's fine, she must be pretty hott.
Bossa nova, dudes.
Amen. I don't care if Diana Krall is a borderline serial killer, that's a hot, hot lady.
@the rich girls are weeping: @Chris N.: @Charles A. Hohman: Looks are fleeting, but her lousy records will last forever. Also, he used to be married to a Pogue. How cool is that?
@Chris N.: Given the number of jazz standards she has slaughtered, Diane Krall is a serial killer, as far as I'm concerned.
Who gives a shit about the vinyl requirement. Have you ever had the bbq pork on sweet buns at Momofuku? Oy! To die for! The taste alone is enough to inspire an album's worth of material. If you are ever in the East Village, go to this restaurant. You can thank Elvis later.
I don't care if she slaughtered the Pogues and married a jazz standard, that's a hot lady.
This is pure genius...
@DaeSu: COTD
@Dan Gibson: Oh whatever, it's good brunch music. Or something.
Things I learned this week: Momofuku the restaurant mini-empire is named for the dude who invented instant ramen, Momofuku Ando.
Also, being married to a Pogue is much, much cooler than being married to Diana Krall -- I take it as a step downward for our Mr McManus.
I've seen a couple of vinyl records now that come with free mp3 downloads bundled in (Heretic Pride, for one) but never one where that was your only purchase option. That's just odd.
@Chris N.: Perhaps if someone sews her lips together and she sings no more, I could consider her looks. Actually, I think she always looks drowsy and pissed like she just took a hit of NyQuil.
@Al Shipley: If there is going to be "another ill-considered genre experiment," I'm hoping for a hip-hop "Elvis Costello vs. Declan MacManus."
when the super furry animals album came out in the rest of the world last summer, the only way to buy it in the us was on vinyl with a download code. i thought it was a good idea, actually...
@Dan Gibson : @mishaps: Not talking about cool, we're talking about hot. Cait O'Riordan definitely trumps Krall in coolness, but not hotness. And we're talking about a guy who went for Bebe Buell after Todd Rundgren, Steve Tyler and countless others had already been there, so it's clear he prefers hot to cool.
Diana Krall is a solid interpreter of the Jazz catalogue of standards. I'd give her a B+ for her work and career. She's so Canadian---maybe a little too genteel for her own good. Ace pianist, though.
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