Reviews (page 12 of 13)
Nice bouncy album but most tracks v similar welcome to the working week classic tune
2.5
Not bad, kinda weird.
I don't have any prior familiarity with Costello. Gave this one a few listens and it was okay. Nothing incredible but I do think a few songs could grow on me.
a bit annoyin
meh
My second Elvis Costello album and it may already be wearing thin. Nothing on here that makes me want to go back to it and struggling to find a standout track.
Not great, but still better than Presley.
idk
Just not a fan of Costello. Have a hard time maintaining my attention for him and his music.
- okay, aber irgendwie hat für mich nichts herausgestochen -
Até parece um pop bem feito, mas é muito carregado da sensação de ser massante.
Very sloppy performance and production. No memorable songs. At least there’s a nice energy behind it.
Noteworthy songs - 808080808 Magical Dream - Kinda catchy synth, but the rest is bland. Ancodia - Good background noise. Cobra Bora - Actually kind of cool, reminds me of Bomberman Hero. Pacific 202 - N64 vibes, but melody isn't great. Donkey Doctor - Nothing too special, weird ending. 808080808 - Really cool beginning. A little slow in the middle but stays interesting enough. Sunrise - Nothing remarkable. The Fat Shadow - Eerie. Very short.
It's a nice album, not my style but its good.
Meh
Didn’t really capture my attention
Allison but that's about it. Didn't really like it.
Really didn't care for this. Not bad, just not my thing. I could have lived a hundred lifetimes without listening to a single one of these songs and not miss them. Favorite track: "Mystery Dance." Also, I was tempted to take off a Star because of the illegibility of the album art.
I just listened to Armed Forces (Elvis w/ The Attractions) a couple weeks ago and enjoyed it so much more than this. I'd be willing to give this another go, but first impression was underwhelming.
One of those people where I perceive they're held in high regard - and I absolutely can't connect to what they're doing. It's pleasant enough, but it doesn't stand out to me in any way.
Nope.
There's a strange vibe around women here. It's hard to pinpoint exactly where the feeling creeps in while listening to the album. Maybe it was the time? Overall, it has a fun sound, and the songs are interesting.
I don’t like this kind of Elvis Costello
Strong debut album. The songs were generally okay. I found them a bit boring to be frank.
Springsteen's silly younger brother. Huey's dad. I don't know. It's fine. Ed Debevics is a fun concept, but stick those characters next to real actors, or better yet, real personalities, and they shrink quick.
Not feeling it
Hmm, It didn't really capture my interest. It's highly rated but I don't see the appeal...for me at least.
bland! two crackers but the rest just did Not strike any love in my heart
Pretty boring.
Yeah this is okay. I think it probably needs to do a bit more to justify its place on this list but on its own its fine. For a late 70s album it just doesn't provide much, it probably would've been better in the 50s. Fav songs: - Mystery Dance
Got bored quickly. Appreciate the songwriting but it’s not my speed. Alison is still great though.
Na de ietwat slappe new wave hap van de Pretenders, was de power pop-infused new wave van Elvis Costello wel welkom. De bite die veelal miste bij het vorige album is hier wat dominanter. Die intenties zijn direct duidelijk bij het korte doch effectieve 'Welcome To The Working Week'. Die energieke instelling, waarin Elvis laat zien net zo veel inspiratie te halen uit de rock & roll van Buddy Holly en Bill Haley als uit het werk van punk/proto-punk tijdsgenoten, hoor je ook sterk terug in songs als 'Blame It On Cain' en 'Mystery Dance'. Maar echt verder dan 'aardige nummers' komen ze niet. Daarvoor moet je toch kijken naar de ballade 'Alison', die zorgt voor prettige kalmte in een pub rock storm, mooi nummer. De proto-ska 'Watching The Detectives' is een ander hoogtepunt, die stijlistisch veel weggeeft van wat komen zou in de carrière van Elvis Costello. 'Less Than Zero' bevalt me ook wel, maar geeft wel weg wat me enigszins tegen zit met deze plaat. De riff is een aantal jaar later obviously geripped door Bruce Springsteen in 'Glory Days', en daar houden de verbanden tussen de twee niet op. Ik vind veel van de popsongs op ''My Aim Is True'' gewoon net iets te heartland rockerig, en ik mis gek genoeg een beetje Britse bravoure. Gewoon niet m'n dingetje. Songs als 'Miracle Man' en '(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes' hadden zo op een Bruce Springsteen album kunnen staan, wat normaal gesproken in mijn ogen niet echt een compliment is. Maar anyway, voor een debuutalbum is het best een aardig muziekstuk, dat ik zie als een effectieve springplank voor een respectabele carrière. Voor het écht goede werk moet je toch wat dieper z'n loopbaan in duiken, maar ik heb me toch wel vermaakt. 6,5/10 Highlights: Alison Watching The Detectives Less Than Zero
Not a fan of his sounds overall
Dosadnjikavo, vecina pjesama je slicna. Mrzim fadeout jos vise nakon ovog albuma. Ima par simpaticnih: Alison, Watching the detectives 6/10
Not my type of music
I'm not a fan. Feels like old old rock, but is only the 70's Will I listen to again: 1%
This was disappointing. It felt like every song was ALMOST a good song. I really don't like how he over annunciates everything.
Eclectic mix of styles with this album
Songs I always knew - Alison. Elvis Costello has turned out some decent tracks in his time... its just there aren't any on this album. I found it very whiny, his vocals re very irritating to say the least..
I really enjoyed the last Elvis Costello album but this one was a let down. Every track sounded monotonously like the last. I struggled to get engaged with it.
I am as out on Elvis Costello as he is in on himself. 1.5/5
Cohesive sound from the first track onwards. I like how he comes in with the Harmonization on Welcome To The Working Week. Short Pop/Rock n’ Roll songs. Costello shows versatility in his voice. For me not sharing any memories with his music it feels like ephemeral Pop. I like where the last note of the guitar riff/short melody line lands in I’m Not Angry. Waiting For The End Of The World reminded me of a collaboration between Udo Lindenberg and Jan Delay (The song is called ‘Ganz anders’).
I’ve never heard the term “pub rock”, but wiki calls it that, and it totally is!! I don’t find anything special with the album, but it totally feels like something you’d hear at a pub, with a live band. Not terrible. Not noteworthy. Listen again: probably not Purchase for my collection: no Favourite Song: Blame it on Cain
Marginally less offensive than the other Elvis Costello albums the generator has given me (why so many, generator?). Or maybe I just didn't listen as closely. Respect for this being a debut effort given how many of these songs I was already familiar with. But I still don't like his music much.
I just don’t like his voice.
Wow, got two of his albums back to back. Same issue, could not handle the voice. Could not finish 2/5
It's musically solid and the lyrics are good but nothing stands out as iconic. Just a meh album.
ok but kind of boring
Okay so that's now 38 Elvis Costello songs that I've heard and I can't tell you anything about any of them. Literally the least interesting person who has ever lived. Taking up a slot that could have been filled with some REAL music like Peppa Pig's "My First Album".
Found it really hard to get through. Very much of an era (maybe partially defining that era). But Allison is the only great song.
Too corny for me. This guys going for the joke a lot and it’s just not landing for me. He also suffers from “never shuts tf up” syndrome.
Wow that was boring!
So bland that I almost couldn't finish the album.
Same as the other Elvis, is a legend but I just don't like his music, e,g, first albums Joe Jackson have same atmosphere but are much much better. Bless him for Shipbuilding and I Want You but this album not for me.
Not sure if I enjoyed this style
Ну, пора ебнуть балтику 5/10
Preferable to Armed Forces, which by chance was recommended the previous day. Welcome to the Working Week is urgent and enjoyable. I think this post-punky style of music suits his odd voice better than the more lilting melodies of Armed Forces. That said, some of the songs and their bluesy format are uninteresting. I don't get the American accent in many places, especially when coat-tailing on the punk movement. Waiting for the End of the World is another highlight here. (The backing band on Watching the Detectives is also tight and sounds good, albeit this song wasn't on the album's inital release.)
Nicht mein Fall und musikalisch sehr monoton
Fine.
🤷 Feels like a 2.75. I'm rounding down because there is way too damn much of this dude on the damn list.
I’m going to say that claim is false, Elvis; this one missed the mark.
2.5/5
una verga
Reminder of why I was never a fan.
Not my type of music.
No doubting Costello could write a hook but this is rock n roll by numbers that leaves me cold.
bore me to tears
Not my thang
not my cup of tea
Six? Six, Elvis Costello albums. Why? It was alright. It wasn't the best. Relatively short but no need to listen to it again.
Has ned ganz duregloset yikes aber da woni ghört ha isch iwie garned so vibig gsi leider vlt würs mer meh gfalle wennis hütt namal wür lose but oh well NEXT
okee bis jz find ichs sehr langwilig wnl jaa iwie chan ich nüt demit ahfange, blame it on cain findi jz s erste wo ich no cool find aber au nöd meh ok alison sehr cute ok back to langwilig "I wanna know about the mistery dance" ich nöd hilfe lahn mich I'm not angry isch au nöd schlecht aber de refrain erinnered mich recht ah no more mr. nice guy vom alice cooper hahahah
My definition of a perfectly average singer making average music, I don’t get why he shows up so often on this list
This is fine rock music, I guess. He has this inflection in his voice that's part Presley, part Buddy Holly, part Billy Joel that kind of bugs me. I was surprised when I checked the critical reviews of this album after my listen and saw rapturous praise. This is so middle-of-the-road to me that I feel like a traffic circle. I will say that I think he's a good lyricist. I wish he was easier to understand when he sang.
Mehhhh. At least it doesn't drag on. Nothing really special about this record to be honest.
Nascent but same as he’d ever be.
он ненастоящий!
mid
Not a big fan.
I didn’t like this guy’s voice on the last album. That hasn’t changed. It was only slightly better than the last one I listened to. 3/10
Not for me
Less interesting than I expected. The vocals and instrumental stuff isn't awful but nothing grabbed me in any direction.
Elvis Costello has seemingly always been around. His music is okay, it can be listened to. It always felt that I was "supposed" to like him based on the recommendations from the experts and others, but I never really cared for his music.
Not too bad, but it started to get on my nerves after a while, and a lot of it felt too similar to me
Medium
Not Minecraft music
I know I'm supposed to love Costello but he's never clicked for me. Maybe if I had given him a more serious try when I was younger it might have happened, who knows. Regardless, this album is fine I guess but didn't convert me.
Less offensive than I expected.
Generic album, hope the rest are better
eh, not my cup of tea
Alison is a classic the rest is okay. very lyrical but tries to cram too many words in.
eh, not that into it
Not my favorite.
I never found Elvis Costello’s music to be that exciting. On his debut album he has a few songs that are a bit mainstream and poppy. To me he just plays into the Elvis thing and tries to do a modern hipster twist that falls flat. This album was fine but aside from Allison I won’t listen to the rest much. 5.5/10
I hope this is the last Elvis Costello album. There's too many of them on the 1001 album list. They're all so mediocre and I don't get why more than one needs to be included.
There was a few okay songs but Elvis Costello is either okay or nope for me.
The music was fine but I was just bored and nothing stuck with me
C Welcome to the Working Week - 3 Miracle Man - 2 No Dancing - 3 Blame It On Cain - 2 Alison - 3 Sneaky Feelings - 2 (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes - 2 Less Than Zero - 3 Mystery Dance - 2 Pay It Back - 2 I’m Not Angry - 4 Waiting for the End of the World - 2 Watching the Detectives - 4 Fun Fact: This is Peyton Sawyer's birth mother's favorite album. Oh, actually, maybe it's Peyton's. No, I'm pretty sure it's her birth mother's. UPDATE: It's Peyton's.
Sets the bar for pleasant yet forgettable.
inte riktigt min grej, känns lite generiskt
more boring Elvis Costello
this record still annoys me i really liked the weird noise that came out his mouth in less than zero though
Decent album, I'm just not a fan of Costello's voice
Enjoyed watching the detectives, otherwise was a bit bland. 2.5 stars.
Would've been a 3 had it been one of the first albums of his generated. So tired of EC.
A few gems but not his best.
A good listen
Never hated Elvis Costello, but also never really liked him a lot.
Not bad, not interesting - 1977 too, quite nasal
If I was a divorced dad in 1977 and my teenage son started listening to this on release I would be proud of him. I’ve heard this described as punk, but to me it doesn’t do much stylistically to set itself apart from 1950s pop songs besides having worse vocals. There are some really clever lyrics here I’m sure, but I don’t want to listen enough times to appreciate them. I’ve tried to get into this one a couple times, but I really just don’t get the hype here. Cover art is 10/10 Favorite song: Alison But I prefer when Pat DuBoyce sings it Least Favorite Song: Blame it On Cain
Interesting sound. Not sure if I’d ever listen again, but it was just okay and interesting idk. Some cool vocal stuff for sure. 👍: Less than zero 👎:idk they all kinda just bled together
Dull with several capital Zs.
It's just so mid and bland. The singing style stays the same, there's no variation. Another blah.
My Disdain of Elvis Costello Is True
50s music for the nostalgic pre-boomers of the 70s.
Wish version of talking heads..
I find his music so soulless, uninteresting, unattractive. I don't understand how it got so popular.
Classic Elvis Costello. Not sure why he has too many albums in this list, they all sound almost the same
It's.... Not my kinda bag, man. But even if it was, it felt repetitive and a bit bland.
It's fine lol - doubt I'll listen to it again to tell you the truth
Paskaa muttei niin paskaa kuin viimeksi heh pökäle musiikkia on kiva kuunnella aina välillä, paha vain kun spotifyssä albumin albumiradio on parempi kuin itse albumi heh.
Best Song: Blame It On Cain. Nice blues rhythm, nice energy. Worst Song: (The Angels Want to Wear My) Red Shoes. I hate when I can tell that the artist thought that a particular lyric was going to hit harder than it does. That repetition at the end is just annoying. Overall: This sounds like the kind of music that gets old people BUSTLIN' on a wedding dance floor, while everyone under 50 takes the time to refill their drinks. I'm sure he must have been raucous at one time, but to me he just kind of sounds like a slightly more energetic Randy Newman.
Not a huge fan of the majority of this album, and the only song I liked was Less Than Zero.
En av världens mest överskattade artister. Watching the detectives är bra.
Thought this was okay. Not much else to say on it to be honest. High 2
Not my cup of tea. Nothing bad on here but yeah, not for me. I could picture these songs playing in rolling credits for films like 'Big', 'Mrs Doubtfire' and 'Dr Dolittle'
I can't help but like precisely one of these tracks - watching the detectives - and that's Costello pretending not to be Costello, and aping The Clash. Says a lot, doesn't it? Rest of the album is uninspiring background noise.
I couldn't stand this Only ok song: "Less Than Zero" but even that I probably won't touch again 2025 edit: I gave this 1 star before experiencing a true 1 star album. 2 stars
Not my style
Heard it before?: No Enjoy it?: Not really, as I’ve said I don’t find Costello interesting vocally Favourite song: Track 12 - Waiting For The End Of The World
I really do try to find what is to appreciate about each of these albums in the project, but I am really struggling with Elvis Costello. This is the third album of his so far, and I know more are coming. What is it about him that gets him on the list so often? I find his voice unpleasant, and not in an interesting way. The songs just sort of go on and on. I can't remember a thing about them when they're over. This isn't bad by any means, and certainly not my least favorite of the three so far, but it just isn't that good to me. What is it I'm missing?
Serviceable but totally uninspiring to me. Elvis Costello is still not my cup of tea. I’m pretty sure I didn’t need a third Elvis Costello album before I die.
Prima
Echt bar weinig onthouden van dit album, vond het denk ik prima klinken??? Maar niets onthouden betekent altijd een 2 dus daar zijn we
Unspecial and mostly one-note. Like a slightly more country / acid rock Bruce Springsteen.
Meh. Most sounds about cheating
Not bad I aint listening to any music by no dude called Elvis Costello gadamm. lmaooo imagine you being born and your mom looking at you saying "Elvis, Elvis Costello" aint no way LMAOOOOOOO
I've said it once, i'll say it again. Please make this be the last Elvis Costello album. It's not even that bad, his voice just gives me the heebie jeebies
Forgettable....
not great, not horrible
It was fine
only good song is watching the detectives. everything else is boring except maybe opening track
It's good, but tbh none of the songs really hit the spot for me. This Year's Model is great though.
Meh
Wieviele Platten kommen denn noch von diesem Spacko? Dieses Projekt hätte keine einzige davon gebraucht. Bei diesem Album wurde sich produktionstechnisch erkennbar viel Mühe gegeben, und doch sind die Arrangements dieser zugegebenermaßen halbwegs passablen Songs einfach nur banal. Akustisch-generische Ödnis. Jeder der Songs auf diesem Album wäre um ein vielfaches besser, wenn er ihn nicht selber singen würde.
Died on a toilet
Decent groove but I’m not keen on him or his voice.
Yep. Still dislike listening to Elvis Costello.
This is what I would think of if someone said "stereotypical rockabilly album", which isn't necessarily a good thing. I mean, I understand this type of album wasn't exactly common at the time, so I'll give it a couple bonus points there, but considering there are multiple other Costello albums to go, I'm not exactly revving to listen to more. I suppose I didn't dislike how it sounded, though, at least for now.
Good not great album.
I don't like Elvis Costello. I don't have a substantive criticism, there's just something about him that rubs me the wrong way. I don't like his voice, his music, his lyrics, what-have-you. And yet, I can't deny that this album is clearly technically solid. The man has talent, even if his style is not for me.
2.5 Elvis Costello is an artist I've never really been quite able to figure out. I've heard him labeled as both new wave and punk... but yet I really don't hear either. What I hear (and see) is someone trying to put a "modern" spin on 1950s rock, and it's fine I guess, but it's not spectacular either. I feel like I'd rather just listen to '50s artists. Favorite songs: Welcome to the Working Week, (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes, Less Than Zero
really not my vibe. A bit grating.
Bang-average album by Costello. 'Blame It On Cain' and 'I'm Not Angry' were interesting, but overall the record sounds incredibly bland. Not looking particularly forward to the remaining entries by Costello.
I’ve never quite understood the appeal of Elvis Costello. I’ve listened to a couple of records but I was never blown back. So imagine listening to this record for the first time… And still don’t care. “Alison” is great and there’s some great breaks and musicianship. And knowing the popularity of this guy it doesn’t please me one bit that I still feel totally indifferent to Costello’s discography.
Its OK but never gets better than that
first, i felt attacked. how dare elvis costello release a song titled "welcome to the working week"? overall, i found myself unimpressed by this album. it was decidedly average, even if it was costello's debut. this album was not bad; it was quite listen-able. but something lacked here, and its absence makes the songs a little boring. i couldn't even tell you what it is! i knew a handful of costello songs before listening, and i suppose they were his best because the album fell flat most of the time. unremarkable. for all costello represents the new wave sound, there was a strong sixties vibe here! it's interesting how well costello captured that pop sixties sound. "(the angels want to wear my) red shoes" was the standout of the album. it's got a slight punk sound--which checks out, considering its short runtime.
Fiery and strong vocals The band sounds hollow and feels super forgettable Costello's lyrics blur the line between "devil-may-care" attitude and sociopathic, abusive asshole who gets pleasure from pissing people off This dude is king of the incels
This simply did not hit. I liked I’m not angry tho
Seemed really basic and repetitive. A lot of the songs sounded similar
I find Elvis Costello irritating. And he had been over represented in this list - yet I can’t seem to give him very bad ratings because each album has a few gems - this one has Allison and Watching the Detectives. The rest hints at promise but his voice sounds like a Smurf in a toothpaste tube.
Nice easy listening but nothing special. Probably sums up his career.
I thought this would be pure crooning before listening, but it's got a fair bit more energy than I expected, which is great. Short, sharp, and snappy songs, that blend into each other quite nicely with a couple of changes of pace. No particular standout, but nothing unpleasant either (although he crosses the line into crooning on Alison). Just fails to squeak into 3/5 territory I think, so a gentleman's 2 for me.
Waiting for the end of the world Watching of the detectives, Sinon rien de bien
Ok as background music, but nothing that stands out.
idk maybe I am missing something but I had high hopes after first track and then got really disappointed, best track Alison; 2,5
Meh
Mildly entertaining
I didn’t hate it
Enjoyed some of the guitar to begin with, but I don't like his voice. The album felt very samey all throughout.
the run of dad rock albums continues. I have no strong opinions about this album except that I'm not a fan of tone of his voice.
Pas mon préféré... agencements plus ou moins réussi de plusieurs styles, je sais pas trop quoi en penser, c'est pas particulièrement original, il chante pas particulièrement bien...meilleure pièce c'est le single reggae qui a vraiment pas rapport avec le reste... genre j'entends ça à la radio et je vais acheter l'album, je suis assurément déçu pcq c'est plus early rock n roll vibes que reggae...branche toi Elvis 😆
Pas grand chose de mémorable ici. J’aime bien le mix du drum. Pièce favorite: Watching the detectives (qui a été ajouté sur la version US du disque). I’m not Angry vaut aussi l’écoute.
"Music journalists like Elvis Costello because music journalists look like Elvis Costello" - David Lee Roth. 2/5.
Not for me.
it was alright but again. just not my thing sigh
Helt OK, vill hellre lyssna på Bruce?
inte så bra... väldigt rasistiskt. och lät som boobs in california??
1977. Alison, Waiting For The End Of The World
Alter Elvis ähnlicher Rock. Ganz nette Lieder dabei, aber würde ich mir so wohl nicht anhören.
Kinda repetative...
This album was very inoffensive but also uneventful. We were listening to this while doing other things and kind of forgot it was on. He's got a good voice, and the songs are good, but I'm just left with a feeling of 'meh'.
Meh
Sounds like it's from a different time, and it is (44 years old this year). Had a few toe-tapping moments but I'm not a fan
2/5 - Not my bag
he's just not for me
Maybe need another go at it, but I've never liked Costello
For some reason I find Elvis Costello's voice super obnoxious, so listening to this was... painful. It reminds me of a dad-rock cover band. The songs repeat the same vocal and musical phrases over and over. The reggae attempt at the end was the absolute worst of it. I think I understand the appeal, but he is not for me.
Really old-school, could see nostalgia making this a liked album.
It’s old school pure rock n roll. It’s a mixed bag of honky tonk electric guitars and sizzling tube amps on the verge of breaking up...It’s vocals on the verge of doing the same. I can honestly say there are tracks here which make you instantly appreciate how they helped the record get the recognition it’s received. For me though...there just aren’t enough of them. 2 Stars!
Meh, except for the last song. Also, what's with the awful sound?
It was alright
Few catchy numbers. Good energy. Annoying voice
Better than the last Elvis Costello album. A couple of decent tracks, a few annoying songs, and at least one that reminded me of Randy Newman!
Heard worse Costello
Its alright
Ok album. Not a huge fan.
a soft meh for me
Pasó muy desapercibido
Not bad. Not my thing so much.
Continuing to make me listen to Elvis Costello is not going to make me like his voice. Please stop.
Sehr amerikanisch… sorry, war echt nicht mein Geschmack. Irgendwie Mississippi vibes aber nicht unbedingt ein Kompliment
I have absolutely no opinion on Costello. Not even much of a feeling. And that’s exactly the problem. I don’t find it good or bad, I just know it probably won’t ever make it back onto my turntable. I keep reading praise for his brilliant sense of melody, but then why does not a single song manage to stick in my head?
Nah
Too old this rock
meh, nie podobało mi się
Monotono
I listened to 10seconds of this.
Eres un pesado, señor Costello
First album I skipped.
48 titres, > 2h… ça commence bien. 2e son : j’en ai déjà marre Confession : j’ai arrêté au bout de 20mn
only thing memorable about this album is the oversized spectacles the dude on the cover photo is wearing.
Didn’t finish
Not for me
Boring noise, annoying voice.
Meh
Here are the top 5 Elvis Costello albums you need to hear before you die. Smh. Is there more Costello on here than Presley? This was tough. This whole thing, really most all of Elvis Costello’s work, is just so bleh. So milquetoast. So middle of the road. His slightly nasaly delivery has tested my patience after so many records. I think by the time I hit “Alison” in the track listing, I knew I was at the point of no return. There’s just nothing this record does that makes it stand out from a field of its contemporaries, and ESPECIALLY not in a field of those who came after. “Mystery Dance” had another retro-futuristic fusion of 50’s rock and 70’s rock that had my mind going to other, better artists. Want some rockabilly with actual teeth? Go listen to Reverend Horton Heat. Want a nostalgic kick of doo-wop brought into the context of classic rock? Go listen to Bowie. There’s just nothing worth your time here, it’s true for most of the Elvis Costello records on this list. Just pick one, maaaaaybe two of them. 1/5 (Update upon researching this list) THERE’S STILL ANOTHER ELVIS COSTELLO RECORD I HAVENT HEARD?
This is my fifth album from Elvis Costello. I can't stand Elvis Costello. Why does the author love Elvis Costello so much? Fuck Elvis Costello.
I really don’t like Elvis Costello. Now I like him even less.
non mi piace. notevole she sua.
Not for me.
Qué vaina es esta chamo
I have a friend who is IN LOVE with this album. I don’t get it AT ALL.
meh. not memorable
Ни о чём. Не слушал раньше и не буду дальше
Just an okay album. not for me
OK
Not good. Incidentally, this once again proves to me that, despite the critics adamantly claiming otherwise, Duran Duran's 'Thank You' album offers an improved version of every track it covers (many of the originals are on this list). This album, however, is truly more annoying than enjoyable (which, by itself, would be a capital offence). Add to that EC's unjustifiably taking up 6 of these 1,001 seats, and there really is no other sensible score but a 1 here.
Great! No death metal, but a second Elvis Costello album, where he sounds like an American Loverboy. Well, I assume Loverboy copied him. Whatever. IT's the J. Geils band. It's radio slop. Bruce Springsteen for people who are slightly smarter. Only slightly. We have reggae chords, highly affected vocal delivery, and ooh ooh ooohs in the background. This is the music playing on a zero alcohol pedal pub that is en route to a vintage camera convention. Just give me 3000 fedoras, a few "EC" records and 20 minutes with that crowd and I'll triple your money. While we're asking for impossible things, can you give me my 36 minutes back? This sucked. I give it a one, because there were lyrics in here that were kind of alright. SOME. ..and Waiting for the End of the World was pretty good. Don't run away with that. I can see the tabloids now. "EXTREMELY NEGATIVE REVIEWER *LOVES* COSTELLO LYRICS - CREDIBILITY DISINTEGRATES." I do it to myself. 1 HIGHLIGHTS: HuhhWHoa whoa Huhhh Darling Hwoah Red Shoes Uno is a reference to wrestling
Another Costello album down, and I remain mystified as to the appeal
Door zijn stem heb ik het niet goed kunnen horen. Hij zong de hele tijd alsof hij bijna klaarkwam of pijn had in zijn linker kleine teen of allebei. Als een nummer zoals Alison wel een goed intro heeft dan word het snel weer verpest door een stem die klinkt alsof die moet poepen en halverwege de drol er achterkomt dat het eten van gisteravond te pittig was
I imagine it was good for its time but im really not a fan.
Already heard a bunch of albums from this list that sound like this, all of them from earlier - so I don't really get how this sound, already dated in 1977, is a "must-listen"?? Elvis Costelno. 2 / 10
His aim my be true, but I fail to see the point.
This one didn’t do it for me.
maybe im a hater and i didnt give it enough time.... but i have 0 desires to listen past the first song
Did not enjoy. Barely finished the first disc.
O primeiro disco do cara. Juro que me esforço, mas não agrada.
Elvis Costello songs always sound like the fake band playing a garage concert or high school dance in movies to me. Like his delivery and the shitty rockabilly sound is meant to add to the comedy of whatever I'm experiencing. The difference is those scenes last 40 seconds, and this album runs for 40 minutes.
I cannot stand his vocal delivery or the fact that half the time it sounds like he's singing into a box or intentionally distorted to try and cover up the awful noise. Also, 50s do-wap rock revival? Just what we needed! /s
The Neil young of England but without the talent of Neil. Ed Sheeran for all his faults can spin a tune. James Blunt’s you’re beautiful has a memorable melody. Even Agadoo might get you dancing. The inexplicable popularity of the wrong Elvis. Over rated. 2 or 3 good to great songs does not a genius make. And his one great song isn’t till his seventh album. Not even excellence till then. That he flukes a couple of great songs is no excuse. I really don’t know what Dave Edmunds and Nick Lowe were thinking. It’s not even good cliche. And many of the rest of the reviews here make the observation that it’s all the same. And they’re right. You get one good song per album (this one is Alison) and the rest are variants on the theme. We all know what we throw against the wall to see what sticks. Not much of this does. No more Costello on this list. Seriously. He’s A racist pos on top. In vino veritas, Declan. You say you can’t apologise enough. No, you can’t. And that’s just for this travesty. Ray Charles deserved better too. Shout out to a band who is far better than the material they are given. What a waste of the Attractions. Steve Nieve could have done so much better.
I made it to about 3 songs in and did not like it at all. Very one dimensional voice. Bland production, and overall not exciting.
There are simply too many Elvis Costello albums on this list.
No puedo entender la fascinación por Elvis Costello, especialmente de parte del autor de esta lista. Ya es el tercer álbum que aperece de Costello y cada uno es menos interesante que el otro. La voz de Costello no me parece destacable en ningún sentido y las composiciones en este álbum son mediocres, con alguna que otra excepción más o menos aceptable. Tampoco me parece horrible, pero considerar un álbum como este para esta lista en la que además hay múltiples trabajos de Costello ya me resulta ofensivo, habiendo tanta música en el mundo objetivamente mejor y más relevante. Además este álbum es de 1977... Si hubiese sido publicado en 1950 podría tener más valor por ser un poco innovador, pero hacer esto en el 77 es aburrido y anticuado. Por supuesto mi juicio viene dado por el marco de la relevancia de este álbum como para estar en la lista de "1001..." Estoy seguro que a muchas personas les gusta Elvis Costello y tuvo su relevancia histórica, pero no lo considero tan bueno ni tan importante como para colocar varios álbumes en la lista y que encima este sea uno de ellos.
I nearly skipped listening to this album, given that I didn't like previous Costello albums on this list, and there are apparently still several to go. I should have skipped it. He doesn't seem to have any control over his voice, it's like listening to Bobcat Goldthwaite.
Honestly, not terrible, just terribly boring. It might just be bad luck that this came up after three boring albums in a row. Did not finish.
1 might be harsh but i have no patience for this boring shit today
This album sounds like an SNL skit, but is this fella's serious tunes. Like a well produced band that played the prom on the Saved By The Bell Graduation show that Zach Attack lip synced to. Glad it wasn't a long listen
Definitely not for me. I’m glad I explored the kind of music I would otherwise never intentionally listen to, but I didn’t enjoy it. Maybe it’s because I was looking to find what I like instead of examining it on its own. Maybe I should not be judgemental and put labels onto things. Be more open minded. Good exercise to be more open minded.
For someone as popular as him, I don't meet many who mention him. Fine album, just not what I'm looking for really.
Nah
My least favorite album I've listened to so far. Although the sound isn't terrible it doesn't feel very special to me. A lot of forgettable tracks and gives the vibe of those one moment kids movie songs you hear once, but never again. My top 3 songs from this album are Alison, Welcome To The Working Week, and Sneaky Feelings.
Meh
Had to look at other reviews to make sure I wasn't hearing wrong...im sure it was groundbreaking and genre defining at the time, but it's just mid now and all the songs sound the same. Not sure I needed to hear this before I die, plus he called Ray Charles the n word lol
I really enjoyed Elvis Costello and the Attractions (pump it up etc). I don’t know what about it is better than this seeing as he has the same voice which is my fundamental issue with this album. It sounds like someone doing an impression of Randy Newman. Really didn’t like this album
One of the worst album covers I've ever seen. Who thought it was a good decision to make all of the typography illegible by placing it on a checkerboard pattern? It is shameful that this artist compares himself to Elvis Presley. He has none of Elvis Presley's qualities: He can't sing, can't dance, and doesn't have any charisma. If you want rockabilly, particularly in the seventies, just direct yourself to Cheap Trick and Bruce Springsteen and save yourself the irritation. If you want punk get real punk. The only thing going for this album is the band Clover. Everything that Declan McManus brings to this pretty much sucks. His lyrics aren't great at all. I personally think Sting, Peter Gabriel, and countless others writes lyrical circles around this guy. I don't understand how people got hoodwinked into this nonsense.
Every song sounds exactly the same. Not a fan.
Langweilig
1001 Elvis Costello Albums You Must Hear Before You Die
Shoulder Shrug
hold up. This is THE Elvis Costello? gah. kinda boring.
ok but really generic 2/5
Yeah this should not be on the 1001 albums list
I cannot stand his voice unfortunately
no
Yet again another Elvis Costello record. Why? No really, why?
Didn't quite like it. Feels repetitive. I think I'd use it for doing chores if anything. Maybe I'll give it another go in the future.
Yikes
Kinda lame lol Like a bad version of Billy Joel?
I wish someone’s aim was true. They could put a bullet in my brain so I didn’t have to listen to his adenoid-addled voice
I did not like this album. Singing was very irritating and difficult to listen past
I hate it. I hate him. I sometimes also hate this list.
In keeping with the theme where I listen to the same 10 artists or songs over and over like a continuous stim, I once again have never heard an Elvis Costello album in full. In fact, I'd go so far to say the only EC song I know is Alison thanks to it's continuous playing on Smooth Radio. Notwithstanding, I have heard of Elvis Costello. And normally with praise. So I was quite excited to get an EC album, maybe add an 11th artist to my rotation. What in god's green earth was this? The second Welcome to the Working Week kicked in, I knew we were not in for a good time. It felt the same but weirdly inconsistent at the same time. The lyrics were poor. Was he meant to be an Elvis Presley tribute act? I didn't get it. I was going to give it 2 stars on the basis that I could listen to Alison again (again thanks to Smooth Radio) but, after flicking back through to write the review, I got annoyed by it all over again so downgraded. This was not a good album.
This woulda been just ok if it came out like 10 years earlier. I'm simply not impressed. Bland, bland, bland.
1. uueek - 1 2. miracle - 1 3. dancing - 1 4. cain - 1 5. alizon - 1.5 6. feelingz - 1 7. red zhouez - 1 8. zero - 1.5 9. myztery - 1.5 10. pay - 1.5 11. angry - 1.5 12. uuorld - 1.5 13. detectivez - 1
Not my favourite genre by any stretch but quite liked the short opener and the bass driven second track ‘Miracle Man’. But it’s the more pop/rock n roll/doo-wap-crap tracks that are bile inducing. And there are plenty of those.
I've always had a problem with Elvis Costello with both his music and his image. Not as bad as Shakin' Stevens with the old late 50's early 60's styling, but more of a 'secret lemonade drinker' sort of thing. He would have been more at home on Jimmy Saville's old record club on a Sunday afternoon. Musically, the first half fit my description above to a tee, even down to the wierd fake American accent. But the last 4 or so songs it got better and more contemporary (for 1977). One of his best songs the last, wasn't even included on the original release so if that isn't counted then it's a 1 star.
Not for me. 1/5
Geee, why am I still here? Just to suffer? Best song: No Dancing Worst song: (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes
The Elvis Costello curse continues. 6% of my albums generated thus far have been Costello albums, help me. I have nothing new to say, just that I appreciated the reggae infused closing track. Best song: Watching the Detectives Worst song: Mystery Dance
No why are they all so bad The only song that didn’t make me want to bleach my ears was blame it on Cain
Very blah, I didn’t care much for it
Not good
Oddly felt like this was a parody album. Didn't feel genuine or moving at all. Gonna give this a 1.2.
Ew
70’s
I keep wanting to give this guy a chance, but man I find this so boring and inconsequential, almost grating. I just can't. Too many of his records on this list, I hope this is the last one.
I'm not listening to another Elvis Costello album.
MID
This is the epitome of “butt rock” to me. The songs do nothing for me and the tinny production makes it unlistenable.
No
So this is where Jonathan richman got it. Not really my thing. The white guy blues-rock doesn't speak to me, I've heard so much of It. I don't love his voice either.
I don't get the appeal. Guessing I'm wrong here but I don't see the quality difference between this album and many of the opening bands on a mid-level popular band's tour. It's fine, certainly not my vibe at all though. Also, not every song needs to fade out, like, songs can just end, and that's better.
I found this to be a pretty boring album! The only track I loved was the last track (watching the Detectives), which didn't even appear on the original album, so it probably doesn't count! 1 star for the bonus detective track.
Did I actually need to hear this before I die? No.
Ich kenne den Knaben nicht und trotzdem kommt mir jeder Titel irgendwie bekannt vor. So als hätte ich alles schon Mal früher gehört - nur von anderen. Schon als ich das Cover sah dachte ich: Huh, hat Buddy Holly ne neue Platte gemacht?
Not my cup of tea
Nicht meine Musik
Endloser, grottiger Punk Rock.