A GUEST POSTING by JONNY THE FRIENDLY LAWYER
Beyond Belief – An ICA of Opening Tracks
I loved Jimdoes’ ICA Begin the Begin Part 1: A set of lead-off album tracks that weren’t released as singles. A great concept and a daunting prospect since most LPs tend to lead off with the single hits. Part 2–opening tunes that were also single releases–seemed just too much to take on. Man, the choices are endless.
But I like a challenge. And I also like Elvis Costello. So when JC wrote “I’d rather the TVV community got on board” with our own picks, I narrowed down a top 10 list of Elvis Costello album openers, arranged in sequence like a complete LP. To make it more difficult I added additional criteria: no singles, no cover versions, no co-written songs, and no songs taken from collaborative, compilation or soundtrack albums. Came out like this:
Side A
No Action (This Year’s Model – 1978).
Pony St. (Brutal Youth – 1994).
Uncomplicated (Blood & Chocolate – 1986).
Down Among The Wines And Spirits (Secret, Profane And Sugarcane – 2009).
Brilliant Mistake (King of America – 1986).
Side B
Welcome To The Working Week (My Aim Is True – 1978).
Love For Tender (Get Happy!! – 1980).
Button My Lip (The Delivery Man – 2004).
National Ransom (National Ransom – 2010).
Beyond Belief (Imperial Bedroom – 1982).
JTFL
And here are both sides of the ICA as stand-alone listens. (JC)
Beyond Belief: A Costello ICA: Side A (15:38)
Beyond Belief: A Costello ICA: Side B (14:46)
THE NEW VINYL VILLAIN 
Looking forward to listening to this, I switched off after Imperial Bedroom, so interested in the more recent tracks ( can I really call the 1990’s onwards recent??) I’m struggling to think of any artists/bands that have released over 10 albums where the first tracks are worthy of inclusion in an ICA
Regardless of tracklisting position, Brilliant Mistake and Beyond Belief would both make my top ten EC songs.
A great selection – I was going to complain about the lack of “…This Town…” and “45” until I read your No Singles rule. Amazing to think there are that many great album openers from EC that you can apply such a rule and STILL make such a great ICA.
Really looking forward to listening to this, JTFL! I’m unfamiliar with EC’s 21st Century albums so I’m glad that they are well represented here. And adding to Brilliant Mistake and Beyond Belief, I’m delighted that Uncomplicated was included. Credit for the self-imposed limits, the excellent song selection and a refreshingly snappy running side. I can imagine the top notch quality of this vinyl pressing, with it’s spacious grooves 🙂
Here’s the corresponding lead-off set. It’s made up of singles, compilation and soundtrack songs:
Accidents Will Happen
45
Clubland
Seven Day Weekend (Compilation)
The Only Flame in Town
Party Party (Soundtrack)
Under Lime
Clean Money (Compilation)
Let Them All Talk
The Other Side of Summer