Random Music Notes: Accidents Will Happen

The best album opener in all of rock is Elvis Costello's unaccompanied two-note descending exclamation "Oh I" that kicks off Accidents Will Happen, the lead cut on 1979's "Armed Forces." His unique vocal timbre really communicates in that exposed setting. When the band kicks in the vocal melody ascends while the bass continues to descend in a two-note boom bah-boom, bah-boom heartbeat pattern. Sweet. Totally a repeat button song for me. Check it out (with cool animation).