Sound Grammar

Martin Phillipps

The Chills - Wet Blanket

Martin Phillipps

Elvis Costello’s 7th album (and his 6th with the Attractions) was released on 2 July 1982.

It was 27-year-old Costello’s 2nd album without producer Nick Lowe (”I wanted to try a few things in the studio that I suspected would quickly exhaust Nick’s patience,” Costello said), and instead worked with Geoff Emerick (who had been an engineer for the Beatles and the Zombies).

Imperial Bedroom received almost universal acclaim on its release, and was named the best album of the year by The Village Voice and in the top ten by NME. It has since been named as one of the best albums of all time.

Today in Hip Hop History:

Krimi - Kleenex

1978

A thrilling Swiss punk detonation

Short-lived but hugely influential, Kleenex packed personality into every note.

Girls Like Dirt - The Uniques

1968

Rocksteady elegance from start to finish

Embroidered textile fragments (Japan, 16th-19th century).

1) Autumn plants (1764 - 1771)

2) Wheels and aoi leaves (1644 - 1648)

3) Flowers and leaves on purple silk (1573 - 1591)

4) Applique of chrysanthemums on dark ground. (1688 - 1703)

5) Embroidery and print, embellishment on lilac damask background (1751 -    1764)

6) Embroidery of the Chinese character `Shou` (1764 - 1772)

7) White oleanders and diamond motifs on ochre silk.(1661 - 1673)

8) Columns and floral motifs in colours (1716 - 1736)

9) Geometric motifs and embroidery on black silk damask (1624 - 1643)

10) Lucky symbols on blue damask background (1801 - 1804).

Rijksmuseum.