Reviews (page 2 of 7)
I'm kind of baffled by the hate for EC on this website. I bet the people who don't like him listen to a lot of Drake.
I had only recognized one song on this; it’s a good find and I thought I knew all the Elvis albums
Brilliant - Elvis is a genius
Currently the average rating for this album is 2.97. So I enjoy this WAAAAY more than the average. I think this is the perfect rock record. It has great songs and doesn’t overstay its welcome. There are different kinds of tunes so there’s a good flow to the whole thing. I’m a fan of Elvis Costello generally. I’d never listened to this before but so glad I did as I’ve just found a new favourite. 5/5
Glorious. 5 stars.
I love Elvis Costello because he sings crooner songs, but is not a crooner. I'll never not love Elvis!
New one to me, really enjoyed it
cool
Great record by one of my favourite songwriters! Such a cohesive album that shows many of his strengths. It’s an album I’ve listened countless times yet still discover new tidbits, that’s what I love about music. These songs got you humming along in no time! 9 out of 10
Never listened to Costello before, but this was damn fine
The last album in the 11 albums in 10 years run Elvis put together during the late 70s/80s with the Attractions. This one sounds a little less dated than some of the albums in that span. I also followed his catalogue chronologically, so one of the last I dove into from that period (alright I never dove in Goodbye Cruel World). There are some outstanding tracks on this one - the first 5 songs or so are some of his best and the back half is also very strong. This one is almost a culmination as well of all the genre hopping Elvis did during the period. A classic among many classics in his catalogue.
The last great Elvis Costello album. It's his only 80s album that I think holds up with the energy of his late 70s output. "I Want You" is stunning.
BL: Elvis Costello's solo work I am familiar with but not with his work with the Attractions. Will see how it turns out AL: Liked this a lot. Very well orchestrated and composed. a mixture of simple and more complex tracks all playing into one of the best heartbreak albums of all time in my eyes FT: "I Hope You're Happy Now" "Home is Anywhere you Hang you're Head" "Battered Old Bird" "Crimes of Paris" 5/5
Costello's best album.
5/5 I know EC's albums through King of America but missed this one the first time around. I was surprised by how gritty and aggressive it was - a lot like This Years Model but with even better vocals. Great songwriting as always.
Blood and chocolate is my favourite meal. I eat it every Thursday afternoon after I just fucked your mum in the ass.
I'm pro-Elvis but didn't know this record or any of its songs. Happy and slightly surprises that it's an absolute treat. Someone used the word infectious, whicj is a great description. Best song, I Hope You're happy now.
a perfect alloy of lyrical inventiveness and pop skills
not as good as Imperial Bedroom imo but still pretty fuckin great 9/10
PREFS : TOUT MOINS PREF : RIEN
Totally awesome
Another incredible EC record.
Almost felt like a template for the modern rock album. Surprised I hadn't heard before. Really enjoyed I Want You.
classic Elvis, great melodic songwriting seems to mark the end of his pre-Spike era, with albums like Oliver’s Army, etc
LOVE it
A 5.
One of my fav albums of the mid-80s.
Cool Backgroundnoise
Uncomplicated - 3 I hope you're happy now - 4 Tokyo storm warning - 4 Home is where you hang your head - 3 I want you - 4 Honey, are you straight or are you blind - 3 Blue chair - 4 Battered old bird - 3 Crimes of paris - 4 Poor napoleon - 3 Next time around - 3
Didn't enjoy this one quite as much as the last couple of his, but still good! "I Hope You're Happy Now" "Tokyo Storm Warning" "Crimes of Paris" and "Next Time Round were enjoyable
75 Elvis Costello albums in on this list, and I think I’m starting to like Elvis Costello. Hard to believe but this album was pretty good.
Me gustó, muy simpático y lindo 😊 sobre todo las canciones Crimes of París y Next Time Round.
I've heard some Elvis Costello, but this was my first time hearing this one. It was enjoyable. A few songs stood out. Really enjoyed Tokyo Storm Warning.
Never listened to him before. I enjoyed it.
I appreciate this a lot. Costello’s crazed wails are honestly better than you’d expect for crazed wails, and the songs are well-written. I really love “Uncomplicated” as an opener, and I like “I Hope You’re Happy Now” even more. The general vibe of garagey dissonance combined with an innate poppiness is a really nice vibe. Sadly a lot of these songs don’t have enough bite, such as “The Blue Chair” or “Home is Anywhere…” or even “Battered Old Bird” at times. Thankfully there’s songs like “I Want You,” which is easily the peak of this album, to counteract this. Sadly it ends on a pretty low note, that being “Next Time Around.” Either way though it’s a pretty fun batch of tracks, albeit not one I’ll return to often. 7.5/10
This was the first Elvis Costello album I have ever listened to. I had heard a couple of his songs on the radio, but I wasn't a fan of his voice. Once I got past that hurdle, the album was fine. Worst song, "Battered Old Bird" mostly because Elvis seemed to sing the song over the top with too much affectation.
Home is anywhere is good. I want you is amazing.
Enjoyed, I Want You is an amazing song. 4/5.
How many albums were released since the 50s that might be eligible for this list? Millions? The presence of 6 Costello albums so blatantly destroys any credibility it might have. Having said that I liked this one
You know what, Elvis Costello gets some hate on here, but this was a solid listen, maybe I'm in a generous mood, it gets a 4
Not even his top 5 albums
Not his most well known but Elvis is a great songwriter
Excellent album! The sound is back to the early garage days. Most of the songs are live one takes which is hard to believe these days. But I guess when you hate each other the way they did at the time I'm sure everybody wanted to get out of that studio as quickly as possible!
Elvis Costello: fantastic songwriter and musician who inspires unhinged hatred from mediocre people. Elvis Costello, the brilliant, witty, sardonic songwriter would no doubt be amused by the vitriol.
The lightest of fours.
I like the Punch-the-Clock Elvis better than the Blood-and-Chocolate Elvis. But he sounds great, and these are smart songs. “Honey Are You Straight Or Are You Blind” is incredibly fun. 3.5?
Considering the fact that Elvis Costello has released 300 albums (probably), it's impossible for me to know which are really his best. With that in mind, I guess I shouldn't be surprised that every song on this album was unfamiliar. I mean, I think I had heard one or two before, but I didn't know these songs. So I'm shocked, more than anything, that this album is a marvel. He's a great songwriter. His compositions are against convention, he's got a lyrical genius quirk where words mean multiple things at once, and he's rarely not excellent. However, none of these songs were ear catching, I'd need a few more listens to catch on, and while that might be a bad sign, I have to go with a blanket 4-star review because, unless it's actively a miss, Elvis Costello's work is still solid.
Better than I remembered it being!
Two Elvis Costello albums in three days!? Jokes on you I'm into that shit. THe Attractions really add a bit of focus to his albums that his solo stuff usually lacks. 7/10
This was a pleasant surprise. I'd never heard any of it before, but liked most of it quite a bit. My favorites were Uncomplicated, Crimes of Paris, and Next Time Round. There was a lull early on; I really only like uptempo Elvis, so the album's hit I Want You was the low point for me.
4/5 - I Want You is a fine, fine song. I'm never really up for a whole album of EC, but there's almost always at least a few gems.
This is much better than I expected it to be from the description in Wikipedia. I expected a cacophony of an overdriven recording desk. Not so. Just great sounding rock. I don't like everything Costello has done, but this is quite nice.
4 First if heard of Costello and tbh his voice is not what I was expecting from a man who kind of looks like woody Allen. Admittedly wasn't huge on the first track but it really got better after that
I like this. A solid album rock album with lots of hooks and a raw authentic feel to the vocals and production. Would skip a few songs but this is a really solid offering. I need to listen to more Elvis Costello.
Unique voice. Unique tracks. Very good.
All timer for me. Based on WXRT Chicago tradition, I still listen to Battered Old Bird every Thanksgiving.
8/10
This was a great summer vibe, I could picture myself listening to it while driving on a sunny day
Solid stuff again. Merited a second listen, which confirmed it was better than a 3.
I haven't listened to this album in quite some time and I forgot how much I like this, especially the song I Want You.....yeah.
Typically dislike to even hate Elvis Costello, but I actually don't mind this one, early Attractions stuff is definitely slightly more palatable and personally this album is quite good, ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Great Elvis Costello album.
Like this more than the last Costello album we had (the one with the elephants on it). It felt like an anti-Valentine's Day album which I liked. I liked the musical layers to a lot of the songs. Felt that his voice was more in control than normal which was a plus.
Really enjoyed this, a lot of variety and some corking tunes even on first listen.
Feeling in my bones that today’s album would be Elvis Costello, I threw My Aim Is True on the turntable last night. Right artist, wrong album. But a double dose of Declan never disappoints. Not as memorable as some of his best, but still a great listen.
Best Song: I Hope You're Happy Now Two days in a row of Elvis Costello. Do not get me wrong, Elvis Costello is alright, I would say above average. However, is there a need for so many Elvis Costello albums on this list. There isn't one Ozzy Osbourne solo album, Tool album, plus countless other legitimate bands that should be on here. Instead we have too many Elvis Costello and Nick Cave. It loses its objectivity and makes the author(s) just look like fans and that is it. 4/5.
Don't know a lot of Elvis Costello,good album
Good songwriting
surprised this one has such a low average rating, i really liked it?? i want you was definitely the standout track but i didn't really think it was that bad
I had a big Elvis Costello phase / "Clicking" last spring but I had never heard this one. It may reignite my phase.... I thought it was excellent, perfectly acidic in the way most of my favorite stuff of his is, great raw production.
Not a massive Elvis Costello fan, but this album had the sound of the early albums and I rather liked it.
Elvis is just so consistent.
Very enjoyable
So maybe this list didnt need any more costello, but a few really good songs and its well worth a listen.
It's been nearly 350 albums since I heard Imperial Bedroom. I was wondering when I would get another Elvis Costello record. As it turned out, the album of his that I got today was another record rife with tensions. Blood & Chocolate was the last album Elvis recorded with the Attractions backing band for eight years, largely due to growing antipathy between him and bassist Bruce Thomas. It certainly didn't help matters that the Attractions were sidelined for the album King of America, released earlier in the year. This increasing animosity towards both parties led to the recording sessions being done as quickly as possible, largely live in first takes. Now, it's nothing new for an act to be going through tumultuous times and still release one more good record before breaking up; Pink Floyd did it with The Wall, and Van Halen likewise with 1984. Could the same be said for Blood for Chocolate? I think so, but it's not quite great. There certainly was a consensus to throw back to the rock and roll styling of Elvis's 1970s album run, to the point of bringing Nick Lowe back for production once more. Yet the overall sound seems noisier and looser, with distorted guitars, a punchier rhythm section, and rushed production that didn't have time to be further polished. It almost sounds like a precursor to grunge. Adding to that sentiment are the generally dark lyrics, chock full of revenge fantasies, guilt-ridden scenes, and outright spite. From the stomping obsession on "Uncomplicated" into the jealous musings on "I Hope You're Happy Now" and "Next Time Round", the snapshots of apocalyptic scenarios on "Tokyo Storm Warning", the lowly ballads of "Home Is Anywhere You Hang Your Head" and "Blue Chair", and the troubled relationships detailed in "Crimes of Paris", there's a seedy underbelly to the stories and sceneries Elvis sang about on this record. That said, I think there is a limit to Elvis's dark lyricism. The obsessive romance in "I Want You" came off as a meandering re-tread of The Beatles' "I Want You (She's So Heavy)". The conceit of "Honey, Are You Straight or Are You Blind" seemed way too on-the-nose in describing this woman's feelings for another girl. Finally, "Poor Napoleon" was a plodding malaise in the arrangement of this song about a one-night stand, with Pogues bassist Cait O'Riordan's guest vocals being very underutilized compared to the preceding "Crimes of Paris". Still, I think Blood and Chocolate turned out pretty good despite tensions between Elvis Costello and the Attractions. It was certainly worth a listen.
Day779 - i’d say elvis costello is one of the more controversial artists on the list. and you know what? its turned me into quite the fan
Discazo. Fuerte al medio, bien pegadizas las canciones y con alguna vueltita rara en ritmos, arreglos, etc. 8/10
I really enjoyed this. Very chilled..not mad
4.5/5
The only crime this guy made, was to have Elvis on his name... despite that, music's good. Nice one, backup Elvis! :)
I like this band so I might be grading on a bit of a curve, but i enjoyed this album a lot.
初めて聞いたアーティストだけど、これミスチルの元ネタだな。 ミスチルがビートルズと地続きのロックをやっているという感じに聞こえて結構好き。
A surprisingly great album of the 80s. I love “I Hope You’re Happy Now”, “Tokyo Storm Warning”, “Home Is Anywhere You Hang Your Head”, and “Crimes Of Paris” it’s a great album, I was pleasantly surprised
This is a proper wake-up call of an album. After some of the more polite entries recently, this is nasty, aggressive, and undeniably British. It sounds like a band playing live in a small room with the amps turned up too loud, and that raw energy is exactly what makes it work. Tracks like 'Tokyo Storm Warning' drive hard with a relentless rhythm, while 'I Want You' is a dark, claustrophobic masterpiece. The guitar tone is sharp and vicious—perfect territory for a Rat pedal. It’s a dense, angry record that definitely demands a second listen to fully unpack, but it’s a very solid return to 'Meat and Potatoes' rock.
Not my favorite of Elvis Costello’s albums but still a solid listen
Energetic album with some solid vocals, kept me engaged the whole way through. Didn't think I would like it this much after the first track but it got a lot better later on, the length is also perfect. I really enjoyed "I want you", "Battered Old Bird" and my favourite one "Blue Chair".
Favorite Track: I Want You
Elvis Costello’s output between 1977 and 1990 remains staggering. It was a remarkably prolific period where, with the singular exception of "Goodbye Cruel World", his hit rate was almost flawless, particularly across his first four career-defining records. While "Goodbye Cruel World" marked his first true misstep, he staged a magnificent recovery in 1986 by releasing two contrasting albums: the refined, Americana-inflected "King of America" and the visceral, jagged "Blood & Chocolate". "Blood & Chocolate" is a spikey, abrasive affair. It is loud, distorted, and raw; a dark record that feels as though Costello was finally purging something from his system. Reunited with producer Nick Lowe, the band recorded together in one room to capture a dense, thundering "big sound". Yet, for all the instrumental chaos, Lowe’s true triumph lies in the vocal production. Costello’s voice is captured with a stark, dry clarity that strips away any artifice - it is arguably his finest vocal performance on tape. The album’s dual nature was famously reflected in the naming of its sides: - The "Blood" Side (Side One): Dominated by aggressive, "bleeding" tracks, this side captures the record's rawest and most vitriolic energy. - The "Chocolate" Side (Side Two): While the grit remains, this side leans into slightly more melodic structures, offering a bitter-sweet counterpoint to the carnage of side one. The album’s pillars are undoubtedly the searing "I Hope You're Happy Now", the sprawling travelogue of "Tokyo Storm Warning", the harrowing obsession of "I Want You", and the punchy, soulful "Blue Chair". Critically, "Blood & Chocolate" was revered upon its release, and its reputation has largely endured. While perhaps less immediate than the pop-infused brilliance of his earlier work, it remains a vital, compelling piece of his discography. It is a dense, challenging, and ultimately excellent record. Four stars. Side one: Blood 1 "Uncomplicated" (4/5) 2 "I Hope You're Happy Now" (5/5) 3 "Tokyo Storm Warning"(5/5) 4 "Home Is Anywhere You Hang Your Head" (4/5) 5 "I Want You" (5/5) Side two: Chocolate 6 "Honey, Are You Straight or Are You Blind?" (3/5) 7 "Blue Chair" (5/5) 8 "Battered Old Bird" (4/5) 9 "Crimes of Paris" (4/5) 10 "Poor Napoleon" (4/5) 11 "Next Time Round" (4/5) Total - 47 Average - 4.27 225/1001 125/225 albums reviewed were new to me
My comments are pretty much the same for this, as for the other two Costello albums I've listened to from the project.
Catchy pop album. Sounds a bit like Costello is trying to do his version of "Bringing It All Back Home". Very solid. Highlights: "Tokyo Storm Warning" and "Blue Chair"
Amazing album. It feel so new and fresh
Quite liked it. Like Elvis Costello's voice. I'll listen again.
Thought album was really good. Loved the rock and roll with classic rock mix. Just a very nice album.
I love Elvis Costello
4- Stars (10/15)
I feel like I'm rating this album highly for how much I felt like it would just hurry itself along a little, but I really enjoyed it.
It’s impressive how chameleonic Elvis Costello is. This is my first time listening to this album and I pretty much like it. It’s his style, but novel at the same time. Great choice
The first of six Elvis Costello albums that I'll be reviewing during this exercise, and a good one. My perception of Costello is colored by a friend who worked on an American tour with him in the '90s and described him as one of the least pleasant musical artists he had ever been around. Unpleasant or not, though, the man could make some good music. Blood And Chocolate was a return to form for Costello after a (commercially) failed attempt at Americana on King of America. His band, the Attractions, were pissed at him after being sidelined on the previous album, so Costello decided the best thing was to be around them as little as possible, recording everything quickly in a massive studio space far apart from each other, doing no more than three takes and overdubbing only vocals and harmonies. And it worked! The album has a terrific sound (shout out to longtime Costello producer Nick Lowe, a terrific recording artist in his own right who we will... not be reviewing on this list? No Jesus of Cool/Pure Pop for Now People? What?) and despite the breakneck pace of recording, is tightly played. It also helps that the songs are good. "I Hope You're Happy Now," "Tokyo Storm Warning," the creepy "I Want You," "Blue Chair," "Crimes of Paris" and "Next Time Round" are particular highlights.
Das war in der Tat ein spannender Schritt in der Musikgeschichte
i want you 1986 Rock and roll, hard rock united kingdom
Pretty good. Home Is Anywhere You Hang Your Head and Crimes of Paris reminds me of Michael Penn; since this album predates his work, I wonder if it was a direct inspiration or just a coincidence. I Want You remains one of my favorite Elvis Costello songs; the (inadvisable) yearning is palpable.
When I started this list, I could safely say I was a fan of Elvis Costello. Of course, I'd only really heard 'My Aim Is True' (plus "Radio, Radio", "(What's So Funny About) Peace, Love And Understanding?" and Weird Al's pastiche "I'm So Sick Of You"), but what else did I really need? I mean, right? As far as I knew, this was all he sounded like — and I liked that sound a lot! Heck, I can claim 'My Aim Is True' as one of those "in my soul" records because of how much I've listened to it. So I didn't look into his discography any further. But now that I've taken this deeper look, with five extra albums of his under my belt, I think I can safely say this: when I say I'm a fan of Elvis Costello, what I really mean is that I'm a fan of his first three albums. 'My Aim Is True', 'This Year's Model', 'Armed Forces' — **that's** the stuff I love, when he leans hard into New Wave and pub punk. He could be singing about anything; I just love that **sound**. Especially the keys he uses on 'em, goodness! It's when he seriously strays away from that sound, as he does on 'Brutal Youth' and 'Imperial Bedrooms', that I start to check out. Neither of those albums are bad (far from it!), but I just don't enjoy their sound as much. I think it puts me a hair out of step from Robert Dimetry and all of the people who contributed to this book. From what I can tell, Costello is mostly on here for his skills as a songwriter — which mostly means "his lyrics." And it's not that I don't care **at all** about Costello's lyrics; for the albums I care about, I do really enjoy a lot of what he writes. But on those other two albums, that seems to be the main draw, and ... I'unno, I've never been much of a lyrics person. In music outside of rap and country, I'm never gonna pay attention to them as much as I know I do the general sound, and if the sound can't pull me in, what chance do the lyrics have? It's really led to me wondering, like a lot of other people, why exactly Costello needed to have six albums on this list. (Though at least I don't just leave a "1" and move on.) Me, I would've been just fine with only half of that. That half, of course, would not include this album. I'll tell you, I did like it quite a bit, but if this album means anything to me, it's just as the one of the six that really cemented my opinion on Costello. After the failure of his previous record, it was a deliberate attempt to recapture the sound of 'This Year's Model' and 'Armed Forces', and ... yeah, **of course** I'd like that. Costello even got Nick Lowe back to produce it! That's neat! And, yeah, if you're someone who **did** like 'This Year's Model' and 'Armed Forces' and wanted more of it, this is your stop. It rocks, it rolls, it's lively ... it doesn't have that 70's keyboard sound I love so much, but pretty much everything else is just as I want it to be. Heck, it even got me to pay attention to the lyrics on some of these songs, and they can be pretty good stuff, too. But, y'know, this is all **if** you want more of that sound. Honestly, if you've already got 'This Year's Model' and 'Armed Forces', I'm not 100% sure why you'd also need Elvis Costello trying a decade late to recapture that sound? And he does it pretty well, all things considered, but it's clearly a step below those old albums, even if it's just a little. There are also the few songs that stray from the sound, and, I mean, I don't wanna come across like any deviation from the sound **I** like is suddenly the end of the world ... but I can't tell you I enjoy them as much as I do the 'Model'/'Forces' stuff. Take "I Want You", for example. I keep seeing that touted as a highlight for how unsettling it is, and how bluntly honest Costello's lyrics are, and it's like ... yeah, I get it. I appreciate it. But next to how hard "Tokyo Storm Warning" goes, I have a hard time really getting into this. It's just a bit too lowkey for my tastes, y'know? (And come to think of it, "Tokyo Storm Warning" might actually go on a hair too long.) And it's like ... for real, I have no issue with Costello deviating from the sound of his first three albums. He wants to go off in all kinds of weird directions and make classical music or jazz, he's free to do that. That's his prerogative, and I am absolutely not criticizing him for it. It is simply just a matter of taste. And I guess I just don't have much of a taste for much outside of his first three albums. And something about this discussion feels unfair to 'Blood & Chocolate', too. It's bad enough it has to compare itself next to 'Model' and 'Forces', but it can't even exist on its own without being used as a conversation piece for the wider Costello discography and how many of his albums are on this list. It's got good tunes, honestly; I did enjoy my time with it. I guess it's just the result of this being the last Costello album my group is ever gonna get — I'm in a bit of a reminiscent mood, y'know? For what this album is worth by itself, I think it's a good time. It's Costello returning to the sound I think he was at his best in, and he does it well. You might be bound to find a song or two like it, even if you've never heard 'This Year's Model' or 'Armed Forces'. I guess if you're one of those people who're so sick of Costello you give every one of his albums a 1 on sight ... well, I sort of doubt you're gonna listen to it anyway. But as for me, who is, by all technicalities, a Costello fan, I think it's pretty dynamite.
More of the same sound that Elvis is known for, but that isn't a bad thing. Solid 4 Stars. (Weird cover art, though.)
No había escuchado más que I want you, excelente canción. Gana con las escuchas, pero no es mi lp favorito de Costello. Se merece un 4 por toda la carrera.
Elvis Costello is a unique voice that he embraces and can do some very fun things with. I'm not sure anything stands out in this album enough to justify a 5 star review, so I think it's a solid 4-star album.
Enjoyable! Some upbeat rock tracks
Really grooving rock.
Cool album so far! Has lots of 60s an 70s rock influences. Elvis Costello has a raspy but warm tone; I don’t think I’ve ever heard Elvis Costello before but I like it so far. Is Tokyo Storm Warning a political song? It’s steady song to vibe to but what is it about? I’m curious to find out… the scream at the end was quite unexpected but pleasantly surprised me. Home is Anywhere is a heartbreak song. His home used to be the woman who left him heartbroken, but now home is “where (he) hangs (his) head.” The sounds more hopeful and reflective than sad or melancholic as one might expect. I Want You caught me off-guard! He sets the scene by singing softly, making me think it was a sweet love song. But then, the music softens and there’s a bluesy vibe with minimal guitar. The song becomes more…erm…passionate? Bro is yearning hard for this woman 😭. Or rather, it sounds more like obsession—in an unhealthy way. I got to experience the duality of Costello, it’s pretty cool how he can switch between a fun song and a song about deep infatuation. Blue Chair seems like a personification of sadness after experiencing heartbreak. That’s a unique way to put it! Once again, Costello shows variety with a soft ballad in Battered Old Bird. The music builds and there’s more piano in this song than the other tracks. In terms of songwriting, Costello can easily switch between folk-style lyrics and short, repetitive, catchy lines all while managing to set the story and mood for the song. Going back to the track, I’m not sure what the song was about because I was writing here, but I’d like to go back and dissect the lyrics and figure out the story he’s telling! I’ve noticed he had vocal stims where he sort of whisper screams in the song. Not the best way to describe it, I know!! Next Time Round, maybe referring to his next album, he’ll be over this relationship! Yipeee!!! Honestly such a great album I was pleasantly surprised. I love when an artist can have so much variety in an album while still staying true to their style of music. This album will def go in my usual listening rotation!
This would definitely be in Costello's top ten if not his top five. I enjoyed the album and would welcome another listen.
4/5 master lyricist
I know Elvis Costello but not sure if I have ever listened to him and the attractions. This first song blew me away, was not ready for that. Ironic to listen to this because I can hear a lot of influences from a lot of music that I generally like in modern music. I dig this. Good stuff.
Is this the 25th Elvis Costello record we've gotten for this project?? The reviewers really love this guy. And its for good reason. He's kind of got that sad boy proto indie rock energy that draws you in. I liked almost every song on this record. Fun to vibe with, fun to rock out with. Kind of sad, kind of cute. I Want You is a masterpiece, I love how its kind of this rock opera homaging The Beatles. Brilliant. Battered Old Bird was probably my favorite on the record. It like that kind of country western story telling, but in this indie rock fashion.
Sure
groovy but feels a bit repetitive at pts - def a solid 7/10 fave songs: 1. I Want You - so fire omg def a 10/10 song (i can really see why it's the most popular on the album) 2. Home is Anywhere You Hang Your Head - 8/10 def higher than it might be because of those little minor twangs in the prechorus 3. Crimes of Paris - bop least fave: Blue Chair
Elvis doesn’t miss
My first album from him and I liked it, great energy and thoughtful lyrics. Not mind blowing but there is something to be said for a solid album with song variation and quality throughout. Solid 4 for me.
When Elvis outgrew his "angry young man" days I kind of drifted away. I was bound and determined to stay angry well into my old age. Eventually I did mellow out and you know what? I really like this album. Maybe the Attractions have something to do with that.
need to check him out more
A good album, I liked Battered Old Bird, Tokyo Storm Warning and Uncomplicated the most.
The opening shriek of 'Blood and Chocolate' is classic Costello, sounding like he's just stubbed his little toe on the radiator. There's something of the town drunk about his vocal over-exertions. It's the sort of thing you either love or hate, and no in between and I, for one, don't mind it. I think this is the last of six Costello albums here. It doesn't particularly give anything the others haven't already or show any evolution. Whilst I think that's quite enough Costello now, it is without a doubt an excellent collection of tracks.
"I love that album. It’s a top 5 EC album for me for sure." - John Beck. I Want You is relentless.
Had to listen to this about 8 times for it to sink in. It's just great. Favourite tracks: Uncomplicated, Tokyo Storm Warning (the damn reverb scream at the end is KILLER) , I Want You, Blue Chair, Poor Napoleon (what a track).
I mean, I'm finding these Elvis Costello albums varying from okay to really pretty good, but I'm also seeing that there are, apparently, /six/ of his albums on the list, which has helped me understand that the creator of this list is, in fact, clinically insane, and should be getting out a lot more. Jesus, but the world really has been good to boomer white guys. Anyway, 3.6 stars, moving on.
I remember hearing this for the first time ages ago with a slight feeling of disappointment. Yet now I can appreciate it more: a return to mod roots, angry regret, and revenge. And now I know how the recording sessions were marred by tension, each player feeling aggrieved and just wanting to be done. Real venom in the air. And yet, it's Elvis Costello delivering brilliant songs filled with pain and pathos — like blood and chocolate, bitter and sweet.
First Elvis Costello album on this and first time listening to one completely. Other reviewers seem to be sick of him. 6 albums does seem excessive. I like how raw this is. It's like pre-grunge. Vocal was off putting at the start but I warmed up to it. 3.5/5. Raising to 4.
I really enjoyed this. The back half of the album was great. And I love when the vocals are so crisp and clear and ‘close to the mic’ is the only way I can think to explain it. Whatever that is called, I love it.
When this started I was curious as to why a later Costello album was chosen. What about Armed Forces or This Year’s Model? But this was a great record. I love Elvis Costello. Blue Chair really stuck out to me as a great song
why he say battered old bird like that
Another great album by Elvis Costello! How does he do it? Album after album the quality is sky high. One of the greatest back catalogs- 33 (!!!) albums in he's still producing great work as his most recent album (A Boy Named If) will attest! Go see him in concert if you get the chance at 71 years old, he remains an essential live act delivering set after set of pure fire and skill. Starting today I will start a new mini project - I will hear all 33 EC albums in chronicle order . I'm pumped it, now!
Pretty cool emotional contrasts and interesting arrangements, definitely circling back to this one soon.
One thing doing this list has taught me, is that I do like a bit of Elvis Costello.
I didn’t like any of the previous Elvis Costello albums, but this one is honestly pretty good.
With growth comes pains and there were plenty for Elvis Costello & the Attractions. Whatever the aim was now, it was blurred, out of focus and far beyond reach and Blood and Chocolate documented those tensions. Far less glossy and indicative of how things were, this results in one of the more approachable albums in Costello's oeuvre regardless of where one stands with him; he'd be back on his own trail soon enough. Favorites: Uncomplicated, I Hope You're Happy Now, Tokyo Storm Warning, Home is Anywhere You Hang Your Head, I Want You, Blue Chair, Battered Old Bird.
It was okay.
Such a chill album. Really enjoyed the vibe, easy listening, and musicality. Some of the lyrics were out there lol.
Battered Old Bird is excellent. I think the whole thing is good, but the second half is definitely stronger
Does this album need to be on the list? Not really. Still, I had my fun with this one. The first few tracks, especially the opener, have some great percussion on them. I want you is also a nice track that I keep confusing with the Beatles song of the same name. I liked this more than his other 2 albums I've had so far, every vocal performance Elvis Costello seems to give it his all.
Þegar fyrsta lagið var hálfnað hugsaði ég, jæja þar kom að því, Elvis Costello plata sem ég fíla ekki. En svo var það falskur fyrirboði. Það er eitthvað frábært í gangi hér eins og á hinum.
Good album. Lots of really solid and interesting songs. Was listening while driving so not the best audio and a bit distracted. But went through twice and really enjoyed.
i liked
I’m surprised?
More intense than I anticipated. Really liked this.
I quite enjoyed
I've never listened to Elvis Costello enough - my Dad is a massive fan but I don't think I've ever given him enough time. Glad this has given me a push towards him. Enjoyed this album. Haven't had a chance to fully take in the lyrics, but I'm sure this would add plenty. I Want You is obviously the stand out excellent track - so raw yet melodic. This being said, I felt that it was dragging a bit by the end, and probably could have done without two or three of the last songs. 7/10
Creo que no he escuchado este disco de Elvis Costello nunca.
Pretty good
This is the first time I will listen to an Elvis Costello album. His music is not bad at all. I sat and listened. Interesting. 4
Nice album. Some Tom Petty vibes along with several other 90’s alt rock.
Solid album from Elvis Costello.
Over the years he has made a lot of good music and a lot of filler. The filler on this album is not that bad. One of my all time favorite songs is on this album: I want you. That being said, he has 6 albums on the list. I don't think this needs to be there. It's not very different from his older, more successful, more influential records.
Dope
Coupla real good ones on here I hadnt heard before.
Very pleasantly surprised great alt rock album with unique but classic sound, surprised it's not more popular
went into this with a terrible attitude and then actually enjoyed it
It’s funny. I love Elvis Costello but there are only a few albums of his I would rate 5/5. This album shows a lot of his growth as a songwriter though. Cool changes and interesting melodies.
Such a nice album. And after reconsidering and buying a vinyl of this record, I can say I love this man's art.
Great album. I fucks with this Spanish stuff
4/5
This is probably my favorite Elvis Costello album I've listened to yet. I often feel like the songs are overwhelmed by his weirdly aggressive vocal delivery.
This is a guided tour through the Stages of Grief, led by a chain-smoking poet with a vendetta. And I'm here for it. There’s Denial in “Home Is Anywhere You Hang Your Head,” Rage in the gloriously bitter “I Hope You’re Happy Now,” and Depression in the slow, suffocating spiral of “I Want You.” “Next Time Round” moves toward Acceptance, but not before we crawl through the wreckage of Bargaining in “Crimes of Paris." This is no "Veronica" if that's what you were expecting... which I kind of was, so excuse me while I go call my therapist.
drei bis vier
I was immediately skeptical at the first track but it ended up being great
Love the raw production. There's an immediacy to this record, not found elsewhere in his catalog. Best songs "Home is Anywhere You Hang Your Head", "Poor Napoleon", "Next Time Round", and "I Hope you're Happy Now". It's not consistently great all the way through, but it's a worthwhile record for any collection.
Not sure how this one flew under the radar for me. Not the same energy/angst as My Aim is True but feels like a bit of a turning point. Overall very enjoyable
Idk I know people complain about Costello on this list but I guess I just enjoyed the lyrics and the choruses and the melody lines and the voice and the grooves. Call me simple I guess. But that’s just me
Costello is the most productive songwriter I've ever seen
Grew on my after a few songs, I think there are some really well constructed pop-rock songs on this record but with a raw punky energy. His vocals are a bit hit and miss for me but overall I think it's a great record.
finally listened to a full album through. I'm not an Elvis Costello fan at all but this was a good album. except for I Want You. came across creepy.
Schon wieder Costello? Trotzdem angehört. Ich finde, „Blood & Chocolate“ gehört zu den besseren Werken.
i dunno if this site will ever make a real fan out of me, but this was the most enjoyable of the three costello records i've heard
I liked this much better than most EC albums.
4.5
(8.4) ★★★★
I've always gone back and forth between this and My Aim is True as my favorite Elvis album, and I think this probably narrowly edges out that album. There's a lot of strong songs on this and it sounds great, which are two things you couldn't say about Punch the Clock and Goodbye Cruel World. Highlights for me are "Uncomplicated", "I Hope You're Happy Now", "Next Time Round" and especially "I Want You", which is probably the greatest thing Elvis ever wrote. 4.5 stars.
Never listened to Elvis Costello before (and maybe I should brace myself, sounds like he has a lot on this list), but this was pretty good to me. A lot like Dylan in his song structures with a large emphasis on lyrics and word play, but the music does rock pretty nicely. Also like Dylan, his singing kinda sucks. I guess that makes it distinctive, but also distracting at times. Tokyo Storm Warning is fun, but damn does it sound like Memphis, Tennessee. I Want You is pretty good as well. It's haunting and obsessive and has some cool musical twists. Interested in hearing more.
I do enjoy Elvis.
I have never quite been a Costello fan, though he had many great singles I couldn't quite get into any of his albums. I know I either had this or listened to it a lot at the time and I think it has, again, some of his best songs. Tokyo Storm Warning & I Want You in particular. I have so much more context about what is good and bad and average in the albums to listen to that I'm confident now to say that this is a good album.
Guy has some really interesting melodies and chord progressions. Its irresistable (and markedly difficult) to whistle along
Really good stuff. Just kept getting better the more I listened to it. Would go extra hard during the summer.
This is probably one of my least listened albums from Elvis Costello and I’m not sure why because it’s really rather good. This is very much a back to basics album after the experiments with Americana on the previous album. The opening track sets out a theme - this is literally uncomplicated rock, focussing on a raw sound and straightforward lyrics. Tokyo Storm Warning channels Bob Dylan circa 1965 with vivid scenes on each verse and similarly I Want You channels the Beatles She’s So Heavy with a repeated lyric that builds a claustrophobic atmosphere of an obsessive relationship.
Ye decent, might have to check out more of this Elvis fella
Actually enjoyed this. Reminds me of what Wilco is inspired by. Interesting song writing but not super memorable; needs further listening
Elvis Costello sure can pack a lot of words into a song. I wonder what the word count is on "Tokyo Storm Warning." I definitely didn't catch everything the first time around but listening to great lyrics like these is a treat. The Attractions are in rock mode too, which makes the wordiness of the songs easier to digest. I'm a fan of Elvis Costello but I haven't heard most of the albums from this middle era of his career so this was an enjoyable listen.
Talented artist. Found the second half more enjoyable.
Jedan od boljih costella zapravo meni
Solid album. Maybe his best 80s album. The Attractions provide terrific backup to Costello's whims and rages against love and romance. Most reviews I've read didn't care for it but I liked it quite a bit.
alltaf ánægður með declan. ekki hans allra besta en afar dramatískt og fullt biturðar eins og ég. 4,5.
Very solid, not my favorite, but a good listen
I already hate the cover. But the music is solid. Can relate to the "I Hope You're Happy Now" a lot.
One of his best if only he'd avoid the tendency to take his voice to places where it has no place being - strained, shout-y and grating (i.e. the end of "Battered Old Bird." )
A little scruffy, especially on a couple of songs, but when this is in a good groove it's pretty incredible.
The only good elvis Costello album. Trust me, I’ve heard all of them
It's good Elvis Costello album with a few songs that rise above
A back to basics album, energetic, and with a raw, live feel. I Want You, Tokyo Storm Warning and Uncomplicated are excellent. Trails off a bit on side two.
I think this is the best Elvis Costello album. It rocks, it's weird, it's got good tunes. Truly, this is 4 and a half stars, its brilliant but I'm not always in the mood for Elvis Costello. Do I round up or down?
Costello is my favorite of all the Elvises.
I have never paid a ton of attention to Elvis Costello and now kind of wish I did.
I'm not sure why, but I enjoy Elvis' vocal style more and more as I age. Some very good songs here and it's a completely new album to me, near as I can tell.
Don’t know much about EC but there’s some pretty good songs on this.
BY FAR the best Elvis Costello album on here (5/6 done so far, one to go). Costello does not insist on showcasing his insufferable vibrato, although his voice still leaves something to desire. The songs are well written with 'Tokyo Storm Warning' and 'I Want You' being standout tracks.
Really modern/timeless rock sounds. Hugely influential for the indie rock sound of the 90’s and 00’s.
Many of the songs are a little too whiny and tinny. Highlights despite that: "Home Is Anywhere You Hang Your Head"; "I Want You"; "Blue Chair"; "Crimes of Paris"; "Next Time Round"; "Battered Old Bird";
I like Elvis Costello. He’s pretty steady and reliable albeit his voice is a bit samey. This album is a solid recording in the Costello catalogue. He’s just never going to set my world on fire
I was between a 3 and a 4 here. I haven't listened to much Elvis Costello, but I found this album a fun one to listen to and enjoy.
Elvis Costello- I like his voice on this record. Cool production and 60’s vibes. Band sounds great .. Songs are good but not as fun as some of his other records. Tough to rate because I’m a fun but it’s probably my least favorite of the records I know. 3.5-4
I Want You is one of the greatest songs ever recorded. Raw emotions, compelling lyrics, and some fine restrained production. Every instrument shines - the organ up high, the guitar hogging the lower register, rhythm section holding everything together. That two note dissonant guitar riff/solo is gold.
this guy has been killing it on this list i have to say
Surprisingly good. Enjoyed this album more than i expected. His single style is a little goofy but it grew on me and they riffs were catchy. I can see why he had a following - kind of like a more melodic Dylan ?
Banger
Blood and Chocolate isn’t an easy listen, but it’s ultimately a rewarding one. The decision to record live with minimal polish, combined with the band’s palpable tension, results in a satisfyingly abrasive aesthetic. However, without this context, listeners may feel alienated. I urge them to persevere. While this might not be an album I’ll revisit often, it’s deepened my respect for Costello and The Attractions.
Solid Costello. I liked Blue Chair a lot.
A really strong album overall. A few great songs on here -- "Are you straight or are you blind", "I hope you're happy now". The rest are also very good. I love the original band and Nick Lowe is Elvis' best producer. Would give this 4.5 if possible.
I had not heard most of these songs before but enjoyed it! “I Want You” is chilling and reminds me of “every breath you take” in its content.
Ok, I agree that there are too many Elvis Costello albums on this list, but I think you have to review each one in isolation. As such, I'm giving this a 4; I liked this quite a lot. I enjoyed the two note guitar solo in I Want You.
Blood and chocolate, or it might be Turkish Delight.
Loved this
I was dreading this a bit as I hated the first EC album I got, but this pleasantly surprised me. The singing is more restrained and polished and the instrumentals are fuller, more mature arrangements. A great audio mix also helps this effort. I’m not crazy about the slice-of-life content, but that applies across all media to me so I won’t hold it against him. And points for doing something different. Listened to: walking to pick up a plant. Favorite tracks: I Want You, Home Is Anywhere You Hang Your Head
Solid Costello album.
Quite good!! Liked the anger/love theme
Elvis is always great. This isn't one of my favorites of his, but it's still pretty good.
Rock & roll y new wave. Me ha gustado. Un 4.
I love Elvis...Costello...not the other one! I Hope You're Happy Now sounds like a lost Beatles track. That's a McCartney-worthy bass line. Tokyo Storm Warning reminds me of Billy Joel's You May Be Right, especially the verses. Liked songs added: - I Hope You're Happy Now - Next Time Round
It’s not Elvis’s best. There’s some very intense and clever wordplay and double entendres throughout the lyrics, as expected, but it lacks the punch his other albums have. It’s just sort of lukewarm I think. I know a lot of people complain about how overrepresented EC is on this list, and they’re totally right, but I like him and having to go deeper into his catalogue because of this project has been a joy for me. I think he’s a really cool and unique artist and even when his offerings are lukewarm, I still enjoy them immensely.
classicão
I’ve finally figured out the purpose of 1001… It’s to make me pay attention to Elvis Costello. And it has succeeded. Pro tip: look on youtube for Mr McManus and Fiona Apple singing ‘I Want You’. This is life-changing stuff. Honest.
Great album 4 stars
I dig Costello but was unfamiliar with this album. It is raw and vicious. Will return.
Yes, I’m a Costello tragic. I hadn’t played this for quite a while. By the end of the 80’s I must have seen him live at least a half dozen times snd the tracks on this album featured heavily in the back half of the decade. The two singles released from it have aged well. There’s a weird musical bit in the middle of the very uptempo Tokyo Storm Warning that sounds like it’s been lifted from a psychedelic Beatles track. Not the first time EC ever dipped his lid to his fellow Liverpudlians. The other single was the extremely slow & almost 7-minute long I Want You. My favourites are Uncomplicated, Honey Are You Straight Or Are You Blind?, Blue Chair, & Next Time Round. This album followed King Of America, which had seen Costello return to form after a couple of ordinary releases (Punch The Clock & Goodbye Cruel World). Hardly surprising that Nick Lowe was brought back to produce this album. He had produced Costello’s first 5 albums but had not been in the studio for the next 5, so had not produced him since 1981. Once again he seemed to get the best out of The Attractions, even if Elvis & Bruce Thomas could not stand each other. (See Thomas’s 1990 book The Big Wheel). I’ve just given the record 3 spins - sounds better each time. If only I’d kept the a copy of the cassette release which was packaged like a chocolate bar.
So much anger, this makes me think of just post-menopausal woman, crazed with hormones and a lifetime of pent up rage. I only knew I Want You, which I thought of as a spooky good stalker/obsessive PoV but framed in the rest of the album it’s almost innocent. Wow.
Excellent. Felt timeless. A few dull patches but no bad patches.
There's quite a lot of Costello on here, eh? Fortunately this one isn't too bad. Standouts include Tokyo Storm Warning, I Want You, and Battered Old Bird.
This isn't as good as a lot of Elvis Costello, but it's still good, catchy, and in my list of albums to listen to again.
Unique voice. Great lyrics
I'm really starting to enjoy Elvis Costello. My second album and I've started dipping into their catalogue when we I have time. This one was great, I love how it was recorded loud to give it real energy.
Always enjoy Elvis Costello
Typical Elvis Costello album. Just good straightforward rock and roll. Interesting lyrics. Never rose to the "greatness" label in my mind, but very good nonetheless.
3.5 better than I assumed
I like this album. The first couple of songs sounded a little repetitive (Uncomplicated and Tokyo Storm Warning), but on a second listen even these songs are nice. His lyrics and melodies and voice, I like!
Some brilliant tunes on an album I'm not sure I've heard in full before
- battered old bird mad catchy
Next Time Round nearly pushed it up to 4 stars.
Chill AF
This album has a great energy throughout. With Elvis Costello its hard to guess how listenable the album will be but this one hits the ground running. as usual his distinct vocals and style take a bit to adjust to but the payoff is worth it. Tokyo Storm Warning was a favorite for me.
Surprisingly I actually enjoyed this album! That first song especially hit just right. I might even listen to this album again
It was good. I liked it
Sehr schönes Album, absolut höher.
I really liked this record, probably favorite record listened to from this list so far. Very, very modern sounding to the point where I'm fairly convinced that modern alt rock sensibilities (sound, song structure, vocals) stemmed from the sound of this record. Enjoyed his vocals and the instrumentation, I feel that I will get more out of this album once I start paying more mind to his lyrics. Recommended listen.
Entertaining
Costello is a phenomenal talent, really one of the best artists of his era. This isn't my favorite album by him but it's great none the less
A few songs I loved, a bunch I really liked, and some that were a bit meh for me. I like his voice and the production/all the instruments he’s using!
This album is credit to just how much a singer can give a simple song life. The ballads slap from beginning to end. Favorite song is battered old bird
Elvis Costello has circled my life for a while. I finally listened to an album and boy did he land that plane.
Good
Not my favourite Costello album, but still a great education in creating perfect garage pop/rock tracks. And my god are The Attractions a one-of-a-kind backing group. Fav tracks:Uncomplicated, I Hope You're Happy Now, I Want You, Crimes of Paris, Next Time Round
Una propuesta interesante de un Costello bastante más experimentado que en sus primeros discos. Con un sonido más "denso" y en ocasiones "oscuro", el genio del power pop británico pinta un cuadro admirable de sonidos agradables e interpretaciones abstractas de las relaciones humanas y la vida cotidiana con un ímpetu desgarrador.
Solid album. His voice is so unique and conveys such a range of emotions. I want you was a slapper, blue chair and battered old bird were also good. I thought the last couple songs were a bit of a let down but the majority of the album was great! Will definitely listen to again.
‘I want you’ is een van de beste nummers ooit. Vind ik dan. Verder een vrolijke, energieke plaat.
All new, to me. He’s always good, great songwriting both music and lyrics.
I've never listened to Elvis Costello before. I always associated him with lame easy listening music. This was not that at all (and it makes me wonder why I thought that, did he move that way later?) This was kind of cool. I didn't love his voice, maybe just his band is cool?
Elvis Costello, zo'n bekende naam, maar nog nooit eerder muziek van gehoord. Dit was gewoon prettig muzikaal, maar geen wereldmuziek.
Good as, I love this kind of music where each song has a story and listening to the lyrics is rewarding, will definitely be coming back to this album and artist
Really like Elvis Costello's voice! Some of the songs on here are really great, very enjoyable!
normal
4/5
What a find! I would never have listened to this album if not for this app. I hadn't even heard of it before, not my fav album for sure but a bunch of variety and some really fun songs
Fantastic! Standout: I Want You Everything else is great! 4/5
wasn't feeling this one until battered old bird gave me chills w the vocal work. really tells you what the record's about
Elvis Costello certainly has a way about him. The music really accentuates the poetic lyricism he's known for, even amid tension with the Heartbreakers
Definitely top tier Costello with some critical songs. The perpetual histrionic agonist love motif does wear thin.
Some enjoyable tunes -- especially on the B side -- that regrettably lack what makes Elvis' lyrics special. "I Want You" is totally unhinged and is the standout song on this collection.
Need a few more listens, but good. 4.
There were a number of tracks that either felt influenced by a band (particularly the Beatles i.e. "I Want You") or INFLUENCED another band. Blue Chair, in particular, sounds like the Smithereens could have covered this and done it really well. In general this was really good, although there were two songs that were a little weak. "Tokyo Storm Warning" was ok but I felt it went on a little too long. "Next Time Round" felt like just a lot of AAAAAAHHH!! Besides those two songs, I liked the album quite a lot. I didn't feel the volume level was over the top, EC argued about recording levels I think. It seemed fine to me. Definitely four stars at least.
Considering the fact that Elvis Costello has released 300 albums (estimate, but probably close), it's impossible for me to know which are really his best. With that in mind, I guess I shouldn't be surprised that every song on this album was unfamiliar. I mean, I think I had heard one or two before, but I didn't know these songs — how can you know the entire catalog? So I'm struck, more than anything, that this cat is a marvel. He's a brilliant songwriter. His compositions thwart convention, he's got a lyrical genius quirk where words mean multiple things at once, and he's rarely not excellent. These songs didn't burrow into my brain, I'd need a few more listens to catch on, and while that might detract in some cases, I have to go with a blanket 4-star review because, unless it's actively a miss, Elvis Costello's work is a class above.
I was not familiar with this album but navigating to it on Spotify I was really hit by how prolific Elvis Costello is. While this album doesn't have some of the bangers we know from Elvis it was just so damn solid and enjoyable. There's no vibrato I like more than his.
I struggled to pick favourites out of this album, there was a lot there and not one felt like it missed the mark.
Very good, some of the songs got repetitive, but other than that it was a great album.
Seemd kinda gud
Nice one
What can I say. His dad is a secret lemonade drinker
Better than aim
Loved this, gets better and better with every listen. It was also a joyous break from the recent run of dreary 80s synth-pop.
Well this was unexpected, I quite enjoyed it!
Elvis Costello kinda always sounds the same to me. Which isn't altogether a bad thing. Just gives me pretty simple 50's rock n' roll vibes.
This was an album that I didn't think I was going to like as I listened to the start of the first song. However, he really won me over as the album went on. I don't have a huge amount to say about it, other than that it's cool that he was able to keep putting out consistently good work for this many years 4/5
Each song was interesting, but none of them grabbed me musically
"I Want You" is a great song overall. I can hear at least a few contemporary bands that draw from this album.
Blood and Chocolate by Elvis Costello & The Attractions is a raw and aggressive album that showcases the band's intense energy. Released in 1986, it features driving rhythms and gritty guitar riffs, exemplified in tracks like "I Want You" and "Tokyo Storm Warning." Costello's biting lyrics provide social commentary, although some lack depth. The production is solid but occasionally muddled. While not reaching the same brilliance as their earlier work, Blood and Chocolate is a strong entry in their discography. It captures the band's tightness and rock sensibilities, offering a compelling listening experience for fans of Costello's distinctive style.
Pleasantly surprised by this one. I didn’t know the songs, but I’ll listen to them some more. Good songs, and you can feel the tension between the band members. Also, it was great to see Nick Lowe working with Elvis again.
Solid!
Nice
My appreciation and respect for Elvis Costello has only increased through this process. He does have a lot of albums on the list, but each is at least decent and an enjoyable singer songwriter record. They also all have their own distinct character. This is more raw and crunchy than the earlier ones, which is clear from the opening riff of 'Uncomplicated'. An underrated artist. Rating: 3.5/5 Playlist track: Uncomplicated Date listened: 16/05/23
The incomparable Elvis Costello
Really cool album. Love it.
Another classic album!
A few standouts in a reallly consistently listenable album. Loved "I want you" and "Blue chair". Chorus sections are great, highly energizing, and exactly what makes rock music so good. Low 4/5.
This is obviously an important release, even during the American-irony of the opening and closing. Core Costello, but better than just that; I couldn't hear the live recording setup particularly, but that, too, makes sense. The songs don't try to do too much but also avoid navel-gazing.
This was an unexpected treat.
Different, but in an enjoyable way! Also, not really that different.
Nothing wrong with this album, but not anything that knocked my socks off
Blood And Chocolate by Elvis Costello & The Attractions