Hot Stamper Pressings of Elvis’s Albums Available Now
Armed Forces is one of the best sounding rock records ever made.
I would put it in the first percentile of all the rock recordings I’ve ever played, ahead of 99% of the pack — but only if you have the right Brit pressing, the kind we describe at length in our reviews.
Armed Forces sets a standard few records can meet. It will make every audiophile Half-Speed and Heavy Vinyl pressing you own sound positively sick by comparison.
The real thing just can’t be beat, and Armed Forces is as real as it gets, baby! A true Demo Disc on big speakers at loud levels.
The hottest copies have unbelievably punchy, rock-solid bass and drums. I would say the sound of the rhythm section of this album ranks up there with the very best ever recorded. Beyond that, the musical chops of this band at this time rank with the very best in the history of rock. Steve, Bruce and Pete rarely get the credit they deserve for being one of the tightest, liveliest backing bands ever to walk into a studio or onto a stage.
There are about 100 records we think deserve to be more popular with audiophiles, and Armed Forces is one of them.
Want to find your own top quality copy?
Consider taking our moderately helpful advice concerning the pressings that tend to win our shootouts.
Elvis Costello Discography 1977-1991
1977 My Aim Is True
1978 This Year’s Model
1979 Armed Forces
1980 Get Happy!!
1981 Trust
1981 Almost Blue
1982 Imperial Bedroom
1983 Punch the Clock
1984 Goodbye Cruel World
1986 King of America
1986 Blood & Chocolate
1989 Spike
1991 Mighty Like a Rose
Further Reading