This Year's Model is the second studio album by the English singer- songwriter Elvis Costello (pictured), released on 17 March 1978 through Radar Records with his new backing band, the Attractions. It was recorded at Eden Studios in late 1977 and early 1978. Nick Lowe was the producer, and Roger Béchirian the engineer. The songs embrace new wave, power pop and punk rock; the lyrics explore subjects such as mass control and relationships. The cover art, by Barney Bubbles, shows Costello behind a camera, emphasising his role as an observer. The singles "(I Don't Want to Go to) Chelsea" and "Pump It Up" were commercially successful and the album reached number four on the UK Albums Chart. The US LP reached number 30 on Billboard's Top LPs & Tape chart. The album received critical acclaim for its songwriting and performances; it has been described as one of Costello's best works and has appeared on several lists of all-time greatest albums. A new version of the album was released in 2021.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/This_Year%27s_Model

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1677:

Franco-Dutch War: France captured the town of Valenciennes in the Spanish Netherlands. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Valenciennes_%281676%E2%80%931677%29

1917:

World War I: Hugh Grosvenor, 2nd Duke of Westminster led a force to rescue 92 prisoners of war from Bir Hakeim, killing the Sensussi guards and their families. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bir_Hakeim_rescue

1942:

The Holocaust: The first mass killings of Jews began at Belzec extermination camp in occupied Poland, the first of the Operation Reinhard camps to begin operation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Reinhard

1963:

An eruption of Mount Agung on Bali, Indonesia, killed at least 1,100 people. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Agung

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

Gaelic football: An Irish form of football played by two teams of 15 players each, who score by kicking or punching a ball into the opposing team's goal or over a crossbar and between two upright posts above the goal. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Gaelic_football

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

I arise today Through the strength of heaven: Light of sun Brilliance of moon Splendor of fire Speed of lightning Swiftness of wind Depth of sea Stability of earth Firmness of rock.   --Saint Patrick https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Saint_Patrick