Reviews (page 5 of 7)
Didn't finish. Kinda boring
I mean, it's fine, but not outstanding - some decent rock/pop songs, but generally middle of the road on an album.
Tsja, best een paar goede nummers, maar uiteindelijk niets voor mij
I wanted to love this album. But it was pretty meh for me. I usually like Elvis' voice, but he sounds especially nasal and whiny on this album. Just about every song being a cynical and bitter take on love with a heaping helping of "If I can't have you, I hope you die" gets old quickly. I thought it was kind of interesting that "I Want You" seems to borrow directly from the Beatles' song of the same name ... kind of like the sequel to the song in a way. "Tokyo Storm Warning" was interesting, once I looked at the lyrics and could actually figure out what the heck he was saying. Some of the other songs were kind of catchy musically, but I was happy for the album to end. Giving it 3 stars, but it's really more of a 2.5
The album gradually gets better with each passing track, Then about halfway it starts gradually getting bad again.
I used to like Costello when I was in England. I think I like his earlier stuff better than this album. But it’s not bad. I’ll give it 3 stars.
Sounds like old fashioned Rock'n Roll. I thought it would be recorded before 1986. I'm not very excited.
Not bad, just not really my thing.
not for me.
Lyrics are good. Music is well-built and creative. But again, it has just never appealed to me. This is one of those times where you see a work of art but just don't click with it. As Elvis matures and begins seeking out more and broader kinds of sound, I start to like some of his works better. For instance, I truly love his album with the Roots.
Anstrengende Stimme, Musik naja
Love these songs sound like they have some deeper inspirational meaning behind them, feels emotionally charged. While his voice may be divisive, I quite like it!. 3.3
I thought the instrumental parts of this album were really good. Elvis Costello doesn't have my favorite voice but it's good enough to not make me turn away from his music. Battered Old Birds and Uncomplicated were my favorite songs. Overall a decent album but one I probably won't listen to much on my own.
Standardica rokic, par izuzetak jacih pesama
Ikke en højdepunkt i hans karriere men de fleste af sangene er meget gode
Havde ikke hørt den her før! Blæste mig ikke omkuld, men havde en rigtig good time
De beoogde ideale vriendschap met Elvis en mijzelf kwam nooit helemaal van de grond. Waarom weet ik niet, want dit was eigenlijk weer een mooi stukje muziek.
Lekker attractief hor die Elvis!
Elvis C kan bij mij niet zoveel fout doen. Maar ondanks dat het wonderschone 'I want you' erop staat vond ik de rest voor Elvis zijn doen wat gemiddeld.
Definitely better than that other Elvis! So tacky that the first lines in the whole album are the same as the title of the album. L-vis Costello for that
Ok - has some of that spark of his first couple of records. Some of the songs go on for too long. I kept thing that this would be better if all the songs were under 3 minutes.
3.5/5 this seemed intersting, i'll have to relisten
Some good tunes, but I remember absolutely zilch
1980s Rock - have had a lot of 70s/80s Rock lately so getting a little bit ‘fatigued’. Going in with an open mind though. Don’t hate it, and quite like the backing guitar/music. Not anything special though, vocals are okay. 3/5.
I dont really love these guys.
EC just as never really been my style. His voice wears on me after a while, and some of the lyrics here are not great, i.e. "are you straight or are you blind" - ugh. That said, the band sounds really solid.
there's been a lot of elvis costello and the attractions on this list, and finally there's been an album i like! this album contains some actual energy from costello, aside from just the singles, and the songs were catchy! see, i knew costello had it in him. a lot of talk on this album focuses on the early grunge sound. i hear mostly new wave, with a little grittiness, assisted by costello's imperfect voice, and my thought was that it was more of a punk style.
Tof, maar wat gewoontjes
This is now the third Elvis Costello album I’ve on this list (I think). He generally is hot and cold for me. This one though I didn’t love but I also don’t hate
I wanted to like it more. It was fairly flat throughout the album. No song stood out to me.
I've heard better Elvis, and I don't mean Presley.
Prefer the new wave stuff
Rediscovered that I like folk. Though this album sounds more like something I would put on in the background.
3.75
It's a fine album but I don't know what sets it apart from other Elvis Costello albums, or rock albums in general. Costello has a lot of albums on this list, does he need so many? I'm trying to figure out what made this one so special. Reading up on it, a bunch of critics described it as grungy but if they were trying to insinuate it was an early incarnation of grunge, I highly disagree. In the end, I don't think Elvis Costello makes bad albums I just thought this one was about average and not overly unique.
I Want You is a sinister, psychotic masterpiece. But why anyone would choose that as a first dance at a wedding is completely beyond me. Do these people not listen to the words or the tone? Unfortunately none of the other songs on this album are a patch on it. It carries them all. Much as I love Elvis Costello‘s voice and a lot of his oeuvre, the rest of this album doesn’t particularly do it for me.
I like Elvis Costello and love some of his songs. I had never heard this album before, nor had I heard any of the songs. The standout songs were I Want You and Battered Old Bird. I can see I Want You as a song one would send to the person who did the breaking up. Probably preceded by REM’s Everybody Hurts.
It's pretty good. A handful of solid, even great tracks, a handful of OK ones, and a couple that had me scratching my head over the creative decisions. The band is in good form here, which is saying something since apparently, there was a lot of tension during the recording sessions. This list has 6 EC albums on it, which is at least three too many. This one seems like an easy one to cut.
Kind of love Tokyo Storm Warning. A lot of this feels like wheel spinning or oil burning or some other car metaphor where the car is working really hard and going nowhere. It all sounds like Costello but it doesn't deliver near enough of the Costello kick. Tokyo Storm Warning, though.
Oh, *another* Elvis Costello album. Familiar from the last one tbh - jangly? Check? Punky? Check? Unique vocal styles combined with observational lyrics? Checkity check.
I like Elvis Costello. I like this album. Do I think it is his best album? I do not (check out My Aim is True or When I Was Cruel or a half dozen others). But there is not a bad song on this one.
I was pretty bummed to get another Elvis Costello album but this wasn't terrible. Decent. Solid 2.5 but I'll round up.
Pretty much like every Elvis Costello song and/or album. Except My Aim is True. That one kicks ass.
I was wondering why I didn't like the sound on this album - I kept checking my headphones and the audio settings and then read that "...Blood & Chocolate was recorded in a single large room at high volume, with the band listening to each other on monitor speakers and playing at stage volume..." I sometimes wish the actual sound of the record/recording didn't make such a difference to me but then again I'm not just listening to the "song" in and of itself, I'm listening to the recording (aren't we all) *of* the song and it's a stupid distinction but also vital. Why am I writing this all to myself?? Anyways - I don't connect with this album as much as his/their first few albums. There are a few tracks on here that I think would have fit in well (e.g. "I Hope You're Happy Now") earlier but it feels like there's more an emphasis on his singing rather than the instrumentation/songs as a whole. Still - it's not bad and a decent listen at worst, just not among my favourites. 5/10 3 stars.
It's fine. I like some of his other albums more. This really wouldn't have made this list for me but it's not a bad listen.
i thought it was fun! but not super memorable
I had never listened to any Elvis Costello (google says his name is Declan Patrick McManus lol) before today and find myself struggling to think of something about this style that really stands out as his own. It’s fine music, sounds like classic rock and roll (a lot like if Tom Petty were British really) but nothing is particularly unique or profound about it in my opinion. That said, I liked “I Hope You’re Happy Now” and “Home is Anywhere You Hang Your Head,” and “Poor Napoleon” sounds SO close to something I would love, like if the Strokes had done not quite enough heroin to make good music. I can also tell and appreciate that the songs were recorded at concert volume as the energy is definitely there, even if it’s not my cuppa tea. Solid 3/5. Nothing to strongly dislike but nothing really to love. Unfortunately for Elvis Costello, this nonoffensiveness is one of the worst things somebody can say about your art. The only way to create something that nobody hates is to ensure that it can't be loved either. Remove enough spice from a soup, and you'll just end up with water.
I will admit I took a dip into the Napoleon Dynamite Wikipedia rabbit hole to investigate the Blood And Chocolate album cover. While director Jared Hess claims it didn’t influence the name of the movie, one line in “Poor Napoleon” begs to differ: “One day they’ll probably make a movie out of all of this.” Coincidence? C’mon, Uncle Rico is more likely to throw a football over dem mountains. Either way, I appreciate the abstract artwork. “Uncomplicated” starts off like the Foo Fighters’ “Times Like These” and ventures into the Black Crowes’ “She Talks To Angels.” “I Hope You’re Happy Now” was probably my favorite song on the record, and I particularly enjoyed the organ in the background starting about a minute in. Costello showcases his knack for storytelling in “Tokyo Storm Warning,” when he takes us seemingly around the world in just six minutes, and then immediately does a 180 into the melancholy “Home Is Anywhere You Hang Your Head.” He even displays contrasting love songs from the slow “I Want You” to the upbeat “Blue Chair.” Elvis Costello may sound like he’s singing through a kazoo with his nostrils clipped shut, but his voice is iconic nonetheless. While Blood And Chocolate doesn’t boast a lineup of Billboard hits, the lyrics are thought-provoking and display his colorful imagination in just 11 tracks. However, I thought the music itself was unremarkable, so I can’t give the album anything other than three stars.
This was enjoyable enough
Yeah ok, charging forth sonically
I’ve always heard of Elvis Costello but I’ve never listened to him. This album taught me why I should and why I shouldn’t. Blood and Chocolate, aside from being not a good thing to combine, is a good album. Yet, it’s a little too boring. It’s a new wavey post punk album but it has a classic garage rock feel to it that I haven’t really heard before. It’s as much new wave as it is garage rock. It’s a nice combination, but it just doesn’t click with me. It’s good, I like the sound, I just don’t vibe with it that much. That being said, a few songs have a grunge influence and they’re the best songs on the album. It sounds like something from the late 80s but a few years earlier. These songs are also generally slower and if it’s something I like, it’s slower songs. Other than that, it’s just that new wave garage rock. Eh, it’s fine. I didn’t hate it but it’s not really something I’d listen to again. 6/10.
About time we heard from this legend, but This Year's Girl and Armed Forces seem to win over this.
Pop-rock sin contemplaciones. Sin grandes alardes, con buena voz y canciones con ritmo. No me ha aportado nada especial
I've always had a bit of an on/off relationship with Costello's music; this is definitely an 'on' album; not flawless, but up there with his best work.
Never been a fan of EC; I find his vocals really grating. I did however like it more as I progressed through the album.
So boring.
The first few elvis Costello albums I got always had a couple songs that really jumped out to me and explained why he had so many entries on this list. For this one, I couldn’t find much memorable about it at all and am even struggling to write this roughly 24 hours after listening. He’s clearly talented but I really don’t see why he gets so many spots on this list while some other classic albums aren’t on here.
I have no doubt that Elvis Costello is an accomplished and talented musician. I think the fact that he put out an album as recently as 2022 speaks for itself. Mr. Costello is nothing if not a career musician. However, I do not care to evaluate so many of his records. I can understand listening to his first two records, maybe even Armed Forces, but anything beyond that is perhaps overdoing it. I will say that I Want You is a spectacular closer to side A, and side B has some stellar songs such as Blue Chair and Battered Old Bird, but I think I've had enough of Costello.
Started strong but tailed off and some songs were actively annoying
I know that at least on the subreddit it’s kinda a running joke that costello has so many albums, for me this is only my second of his and to be honest it’s very middling 3/5
One of the more comfortable artists of the 80s. Nice mix on this one
Probably my favorite EC&A album so far. Still a 3.5 (rounded down per protocol).
Mukaansa tempaava.. Lyriikat hauskuttavat kuuntelijaa... Kolme tähteä älkää pelätkö antaa ihmiset..heikko kaatuu elontiellä..
it's fine
I've grown to like Elvis Costello later in my life. Used to find his voice grating and monotone, now I dig it. This album was good, not great.
I enjoy Elvis Costello in small bits. this was a good album.
- Honestly really enjoyed the vibes, some solid rock - 3.5 round down - Battered Old Bird, I Want You, Honey Are You Straight Or Are You Blind
- Solid vibes - I Want You is eerie and interesting, really enjoyed it
I came to Elvis Costello & The Attractions late, in my 20s in the 90s and everything I heard I pretty much liked, saw him play live and still somehow managed to avoid this complete album. Fairweather fan it seems, but, hey I have heard it now, I like it. Although I will say it doesn't quite strike me in the same way as some others have it might just be time and place syndrome.
Again, sorry Elvis but I just can't get into you.
Some good pieces that caught my interest, decent
More Elvis Costello fare. I mean by now k get it - you either like Costello or you don’t - and all his material is basically very much the same brushstroke. If you like him - then you’re going to like every record - if not - you’re going to bemoan every time one pops up. So far I always find myself in the latter camp.
Ik ben Elvis Costello meestal wel gunstig gezind, maar dit is een saai album. Het kabbelt, het klotst en raakt kant noch wal (oh wat ben ik lekker op dreef).
Not bad. Especially liked the closing track.
Good catchy songwriting, nothing super incredible on display for me.
Couple stand out songs, mostly good background music
L'album a une belle unité, mais parfois j'avais un peu l'impression d'écouter une même longue chanson. Entraînant, belle énergie.
Objectively 3
Yeah it’s alright just kinda 70s rock.Nothing really wows me.It’s fine.Nothing horrendous like a 3.5.Maybe I should give it a relisten.
He has six albums on here (for some reason), so I had to get one eventually. Blood And Chocolate is fine. I don’t think it deserves its place here at all, but it was fairly enjoyable. It has a few long songs, but ‘Tokyo Storm Warning’ and ‘I Want You’ are the two best anyway. It definitely shouldn’t be here, but I wouldn’t object to listen again.
this was… fine. very much an elvis costello album, which isn’t really a good thing. getting a bit sick of this era
I Want You is one of the best songs ever written but the rest of the album doesn’t match up sadly.
I feel like a bunch of these legends sound awfully the same.
Rock
OK.
the curator of this list is clearly a costello fan as there is no way he has 3 of the 1001 albums by any other means. that said, i didn't hate this as much as i did the previous one of his on here.
This album is jangly and unsettling. Sometimes in a charming way and sometimes in an annoying way. The lyrics are uninteresting and give me nothing new. It certainly is not Costello's best work, but I've definitely heard worse. The whole thing gives me the vibe of 'yup, this certainly is an album'. Nothing extra, inspiring, or memorable about this whole project. No atrocious, heinous, or unforgivable acts have been committed either, but my feeling is that nothing has really been committed. A perfect example of a. 3/5
Okay
eh c’est pas si pire
I love Costello but this isn't his best work
I’m not usually a huge fan. There was one track I loved but it wasn’t good enough to put the whole album over 3*
Elvis Costello is pretty cool most of the time. Here he’s pretty darn good. His backing band bringing a swagger to the tunes that lets the audience in on what’s going on and the story he’s telling.
There's too much Elvis Costello in this list, but this feels like one of his better albums. I kind of get along fine with just This Years Model and select few other tracks though.
Blood & Chocolate is the 11th album by British rock singer songwriter Elvis Costello. This grungy, new wave, rock album was pretty good, but nothing really stuck out to me as amazing. Although it was a decent album, I don't think I'll ever listen to it again.
Ehhh. Ok if your type of music
Not a bad album, but not an exceptional one. There is too much Costello here.
Elvis Costello gets a bit more raw and a bit less memorable. lots of Costello-voice and emotional twang. 2.8/5
I very much like Elvis Costello, but this album was a snoozefest. I'll stick to his earlier stuff.
It’s good
Enjoyable, and interesting enough, but not particularly impactful.
So so, not a bad album but I'm not sure why it's special Pleasant listening
What a great voice! First time listening to Elvis Costello (although I've heard of him many times before) and I'm already hooked. This album might be an example of one where music is really just an uninteresting background. And well, they are really nailing the "uninteresting" bit. Blood and Chocolate is one of many albums recorded by Elvis Costello and The Attractions. They are playing mostly upbeat rock songs (rock'n'roll with some modern influences, in my opinion) with very uninspiring rhythm section and occasional great guitars and mini solos. Definitely this album was made to show the great vocal range by Elvis, and better music would just be in his way. There are few songs, that when listened to out of the context of this album can be a great joy, like "I Want You" and "Battered Old Bird", but this is not enough to change my opinion about this record. To sum this up, Elvis gets full five stars, The Attractions one, so we have an average of three. But despite this rating, I would be very curious to check another albums by Elvis. Maybe there is something more suited to my taste?
Well it is unmistakably an Elvis Costello album. I love Elvis Costello but to be honest, apart from I Want You, this album isn't essential. That isn't to say it isn't good album
Je suis pas trop fan de costello mqlgré le nombre d'album dans la liste. Celui ci n'esr pas mom favori de la liste. 3
This has a good sound. I've only listened to a limited about of Elvis Costello but I enjoyed this one. The Attractions sound great and Costello has a very raw sound to his vocals. This has some lows as well. Some songs are forgettable. Still worth checking out. 3/5.
I don't mind a bit of Elvis Costello. This was just a background today though
I love a bit of EC, even this one which isn't one of his best.
Comme vous l'a annoncé eltrapeze, la génération de cet énième album de Costello a créé un véritable ras-le-bol au sein de la communauté. L'opération Anti-Costello va avoir lieu très prochainement, restez connectés.
Malgré nos multiples manifestations anti-Costello, Robert n'a pas cedé d'un pouce, et continue de nous noyer sous les albums absolument minables de Costello. Nous allons donc devoir procéder à une opération coup de poing très prochainement, vous en saurez plus dans les prochains reviews. Nous n'esperions pas devoir en arriver là, mais la cause anti-Costello va nous obliger à sortir les grands moyens.
Tää on ihan jees, mut en tiiä miks just tätä hypetetään. Omasta mielestäni kolme ekaa EC levyy on ne mitkä jengin pitää kuunnella. Ei tämä. 3/5
Elvis Costellolla on kyllä hauska ääni ja muutenkin aika jees levy.
Rockig, laute Stimme
Not heard this one, but sounds like it could be one of his best after his first 3 albums, which were all stunning.
I think what I like best about Elvis Costello is his writing His lyrical style can be dark, sardonic, sometimes funny. This is not one of my favorite EC albums, but it still shows some sharp, stinging perspectives that are solely ECs.
Überraschend gut. Vorher noch nie etwas von gehört, war aber positiv überrascht.
3.5 stars. "I Want You" was the best song on the album. Why so many Elvis Costello albums on this list?
Not an Elvis Costello fan and this album didn't change me. Just kind of a forgettable album. 6/10.
Didn't hold my attention at all. Not a single stand out track on the whole album. Not one of his better albums and definitely not worthy of being on this list.
First time really listening to this artist. Pretty impressed
Can appreciate it but not my type of music
Thought it was a decent album
liked a few of the songs, most of them didn't particularly strike me
Not as good as some of his other albums.
There are some decent songs. I hear similarities to modern bands that may have been influenced by this.
Enjoyable
Cool. Cool. Not a big Elvis fan but I didn't hate this one. Matter of fact. I can't recall a thing about it. I'm nonplussed.
Ikkje spesielt minneverdig, men ikkje dårlig heller
Elvis is a dick but this one is all right.
not bad
I do like Elvis Costello, but perhaps I have primarily heard his more popular tracks. Blood and Chocolate was all new music for me. There are several tracks that I saved for a re-listen. I found the last few tracks of the album particularly engaging ("Battered Old Bird", "Crimes of Paris", "Poor Napoleon", "Next Time Round"). "Tokyo Storm Warning" was another favorite track. I liked these new-to-me tracks. There are a couple of tracks on the ablum that I would skip (including "Honey, Are You Straight or Are You Blind?") on a re-listen. These tracks that I would skip keep me from rounding up to a full four stars.
So this is 5 of 6, and looking at my past reviews it seems I like one or two tracks but never quite the whole album and this one holds that pattern too. I Want You is a standout track, Tokyo Storm Warning, and Blue Chair caught my attention.
I agree (as a fan) that there are too many Elvis Costello albums on this list. I would rate this one 6.5/10. There are are couple of good pop songs on it, but nothing stands out or is remarkable.
probably the best Costello's album so far, it was kinda fun, but I still don't understand the recognition this guy gets
Not bad, but also not very good
I'm not the biggest Declan fan, though there's plenty of stuff I love. This is second tier for me.
Decent but forgettable pop music. Sounds like it was recorded quickly, but none the worse for it. Honey are you straight or are you blind, and I hope you're happy now were my favourite songs.
I found this bland
Intense, intriguing and very much of its time.
Napoleon Dynamite, isn't it? Nope, it's just Elvis No. 2, and just like Elvis No. 1, he apparently makes bland, uninspired albums (despite the fact that he is playing at a freaking stage volume inside a room big enough for an orchestra). But this one specifically does have a few hits, most notably "I Want You". Thank god Elvis No. 2 lives during the times where great singles are also included in albums, unlike Elvis No. 1. Oh! And the two Elvises have a pretty different, albeit generic, sound. This one is pretty grunge-like. I wonder if his voice is great in ballads. Like Elvis No. 1, his voice is annoying when he's singing rock.
Mjög næs plata. Declan klikkar ekki.
meh
Somewhere between Armed Forces and This Year’s Model.
okay doesn’t really hit but good 3.5
This is a good album, but I'm not convinced it's great.
Tämä Costellon levy tuntui aika tasaiselta peruskamalta, jännästi on tähdet vaihdelleet tällä listalla kakkosesta neloseen ja nyt tarjoan välimallin kolmosta. Ei tämä huono ollut, mutta jotenkin tämä ei lähtenyt lentoon ja tykittänyt täysillä.
alright album, not innovative compared to other elvis costello albums
i'll always love his voice, but this album kinda just left me feeling like i'd heard it a hundred times, when i'm pretty sure i'd never heard it before. it wasn't boring, it was just...there.
Not a great album but I tolerated it.
The stories Elvis tells are very vivid. I just wish the music followed.
not a standout album, solid listening but nothing I feel compelled to return to
I enjoyed half of the songs very much and appreciate the music throughout. The only thing is I'm not a big fan of Elvis' singing style and it gets weary by the end of a whole album. This is my second album so far and my opinion hasn't changed, but I can pick and choose songs like Tokyo Storm Warning and I Want You.
Usual good and distinctive vocals, but not such a super duper sound. Ok I suppose.
This is palatable…. Elvis Costello has never really been my thing though.
Elvis Costello neutral
3.8 - Elvis Costello pushes his vocal performance here. I've always respected him as a rock singer but "I Want You" is completely next level. The rawness and vulnerability of the emotions comes through in his vocal performance. Incredible. Similarly with "Battered Old Bird." The rest is tightly crafted pop-rock that showcases Elvis Costello's flare for dynamics in chord structure, tempo and volume. There are enough surprises to keep the ear engaged, though I'd struggle to remember most of the tracks besides the couple.
Elvis Costello is one of those hit or miss singers for me and this album is mostly a miss. I've listened to a few of his albums and they all tend to have one great song and the rest are mediocre. I couldn't find the great song on this album.
Ah. A little disappointed with this one, unfortunately. Maybe I came in with high hopes, but this didn't live up to expectations. A few standouts (I Want You, Blue Chair) but overall a little forgettable and sounded uninspired/clunky/meh.
Wel goed maar ik vind het niet speciaal klinken
I like Elvis Costello but I don't think this is one of his best works.
Not my favorite Costello album, but I still enjoyed it.
Don't love it. Don't hate it. I actually thought I would like Declan Macmanus' voice even less, but sometimes it was ok. Also, I think he should have stuck with the name Declan. He'd be the only famous rock'n'roller named Declan. But I think there's another Elvis.
Typical Elvis Costello for me, bluesy and groovy, wry lyrics.
Not the vibe today
Better than pump it up
I've never delved deep into Elvis Costello's catalog beyond his greatist hits and radio hits, so this was a different side of EC that I'm used to seeing. And I dig it. His voice never bothered me as it seems to bother others, but I've grown up with that voice and am a well-enough-versed veteran to listen beyond that. The writing, production, and musicality of the Attractions put together a great late-era New Wave album. Overall, 7/10, rounded up to a 4/5. I don't know why added to the list, but can appreciate it presence.
Only had time for a partial listen
classic rock, interesting but not necessarily my cup of tea
It was pretty good. Nothing noticeably bad. Highlights were Home Is Anywhere You Hang Your Head and Blue Chair. Prrrreeeeettttyyyy boring (for me) otherwise. I understand why people would like it. 6/10.
A decent Elvis Costello album, but definitely not his best. 7.9/10
Have nothing really good or bad to say about it
This is perfectly passable. 'Tokyo storm warning' and 'blue chair' both have a good bounce to them. For some inexplicable reason I can imagine listening to this on the megabus from Liverpool to London.
Despite only having one notable single, this album is a great look into what makes Elvis Costello and the Attractions such an important group. The lyrics, melancholy, and musicianship all come to a head on this art rock album.
Great album to listen to but didn’t buy his music
I liked this one. As with the last Elvis C album sent to us, it's recorded later than the time frame I associate with his sweet spot but it was an enjoyable listen.
I like the sound, but every song sounds the same. I have knocked some other albums a bit for weird songs towards the end of the album that didnt quite work, but at least Frankie Teardrop was SOMETHING different. Plus what I know from Elvis Costellos other work it also sounds much the same. Would give this a 3.5 because it is least good the same.
I’ve always liked Elvis Costello, but never REALLY liked his music. It’s pretty good, but don’t remember ever wanting to plop down a dollar for a used CD. Most of it sound the same to me, just different tempos. I did kind of like “Honey Are You Straight or Are You Blind”, but other than that. Meh. Feeling generous with 3*s
Elvis Costello might be growing on me. 6, but a relatively high 6
3/5
To me this sounded like if Bob Dylan’s electric stuff was good. All though I’d always heard about how Elvis Costello is a prolific and influential musician, the only song I’d ever heard of his was “The Comedians” due to the Watchmen comics. I never really disliked anything that was on here but like others said before me, nothing about this struck me as a must listen album. Pretty straightforward up and down rock with a few funky lyrics. “Tokyo Storm Warning” was the only track that stood out to me due to its fun Barenaked Ladies “One Week”ish nonsensical lyric rambling. Other than that, not really a notable album at all. I understand that Elvis never stayed inside the lines of one genre for too long so maybe I’d enjoy some of his music from another phase in his career more, but this album was at best so-so.
Not nearly as good as his other albums on the list. 6
Our third album from the lesser Elvis. On a positive note, we're now halfway through all the Elvis Costello albums on the list, and I did enjoy a bit more of this one than the others. I still find his voice to range from tolerable to extremely annoying, to the point where I had to skip some songs. But I honestly can't call this bad. In fact, I'd call it pretty good. The songs I liked were really solid. Maybe with each Elvis Costello album I'll like him more? Probably not. Favorite tracks: Uncomplicated, Battered Old Bird, I Want You. Album art: "I call this one 'Bold and Brash.'" "More like 'belongs in the trash!'" Pretty gruesome abstract art. I like the appearance of Napoleon Dynamite, there's some lore here about whether Elvis inspired the title of the movie (which I'd say is better than anything I've heard from this guy). I like this cover though, it's neat. 3.5/5
Tom Petty but not as good
classic!
Easy enough to listen to (though for some tracks that comes with the caveat that you should ensure that you are in a healthy frame of mind) can't see me singing or dancing to this.
Pretty ok album. Some good songs some ok songs. Nothing too bad or too great. Kind of right in the middle
I'm usually not an Elvis Costello guy but this okay because it reminds me of a fusion of Springsteen and Bowie. I still don't love his vocals but the album isn't bad
So, I’ve never really listened to Elvis Costello before despite having heard a lot about him. This album was okay. I thought Tokyo Storm Warning was interesting and I didn’t mind the closing track either. Despite the lyrics I found it to be inoffensive generally, and I enjoy his voice. That said, if someone threw this album on, I wouldn’t mind it, and would probably pick it over some albums we’ve listened to (looking at you, Genesis). Where I struggle is what this album does that makes it so important to listen to. I wouldn’t call it bland or boring but it was very safe sounding to me. Now I’m rambling. I guess this is one of his lowest charting albums so I don’t want it to be a nail in the coffin for Elvis. I think I wanted to enjoy it more than I did.
Quite good, very interesting lyrics, ahead of their time.
It was ok.
Not really my music type.
1986. Key Songs: I Want You, Uncomplicated
Didn’t super love or hate this. Not much of a fan of dude’s voice. I swear I saw somewhere this was an R&B album and that may have skewed my ears coming in. Standout Tracks: Tokyo Storm Warning, I Want You, Crimes of Paris
Already the second Costello album on this list. Not as good as the other one, in fact: definitely not one of the 1000 greatest albums of all time.
Nope. Not this one for sure. No matter how hard the critics try to sell this album as Elvis’s return to form, it is simply not. This Years Model, Armed Forces, even Get Happy, are all way better than this boring lifeless turd if an album. The songs, if we can call them that, are too long, meandering, and just shitty. You know this because these songs rarely end up in any Costello live set list. They are not good. Sure, Nick Lowe and The Attractions did their best to spice up this affair but nothing, not even Cait O’Riordan, could save these. This record sucks and I’m still a fan. Must mean that I am capable of forgiving of an artist who releases several terrible records- most of them in a row. This record should not gave made the list. It is a limp noodle of a record which time gas not redeemed. 2/5
Elvis Costello and I aren’t going to be friends anymore. Having listened to "Blood And Chocolate", one of his earlier albums, I remember why: he basically plays simple 1960s rock ’n’ roll with a (post) punk attitude. There are simple guitar riffs, a croaky voice and an arrogant, rough-and-ready attitude. In other words, it's exactly the sort of rock music that's never interested me. However, anyone who likes early 1960s rock might find this to their liking. For me, it lacks sophistication and elegance, as well as surprising songwriting. Everything has this 'Oops, here I come' attitude typical of young Costello. Definitely not my cup of tea.
Tokyo Storm Warning is the best song on here, with interesting lyrics and imagery while the melody is more of a propeller for the stories told within.
Zzzzzzzzzzz
Elvis Costello always sounds like he thinks he’s the cleverest guy in the room, and at this point in the list I’m numb to the act. Blood and Chocolate is more of the same: dense, self‑satisfied, and convinced its wordplay is more profound than it is. The one exception is “I Want You,” where he finally drops the smirk and sounds genuinely raw for once. But then you get “Battered Old Bird,” which plays like he’s trying to do Springsteen without understanding why Springsteen works. Come on, man. You’re not that good. My Rating: 2/5
It's so sloppy and so much worse than his best material that it was a real slog to get through
This was pretty good. To be fair, I wasnt really paying close attention, but nothing really grabbed like I hoped it would. Then this album ended without my knowing another EC song came on (Red Shoes) and I went "This is more like it" and it was from a different album.
He has a good ear for a hook and the bass lines arebfull of verve - but his voice, the hyperactive songs, and really percussive pounding approach get grating fast. 'I Want You' has some cool spindly guitars.
Oh another Elvis Costello album. Seriously pick a few of his albums and go with those this is ridiculous. To me it sounds like every other Costello album. He uses all the words he can in lyrics and the music is there. It's nothing we haven't heard before, it's not exciting, it exists.
no band should have more than 2 albums on this list, especially Elvis Fucking Costello (spoiler alert there's 6 of them, 6!)
meh
#161/1001 🇬🇧 Doing this project has changed my opinoin on Elvis Costello. I thought that i liked him but the last couple of albums that have cone up left me feeling a bit flat. Best Tracks: I Want You, I Hope You're Happy Now.
Not a big fan, but this wasn’t too bad, I didn’t find it offensive, I just enjoyed it whilst working. Would I play it again? Probably not
I'm sorry, Elvis, but I just can't take a whole album of your voice. The odd single track on the radio maybe. But not a whole 45 minutes. The songs have merit. Nobody can dispute your songwriting talent. Though you do like to drag some songs out waaaaaay too long.
Elvis Costello and the Attractions Blood and Chocolate 2* Elvis Costello is one of those artists who never makes anything bad but his peak for an entire album isn't that high either. Add in that unless he pairs with another song writer his music really has little variation and this is just indistinguishable from anything else after his first couple albums
"Ik geef het gewoon weer een kans. Ik zet het gewoon weer aan. Na 10 seconden: Ohja, zo klinkt die lul altijd. Ik weet alweer genoeg." - Ik, bij het album Brutal Youth van Elvis Costello. Ik zit dit album weer netjes uit, omdat dat nu eenmaal m'n zelfopgelegde regels zijn als het om deze challenge gaat, maar verder hoef je niks van me te verwachten. 2 sterren.
its ok.. js not my taste..
friends soundtrack music Would I listen again: no. Deserves to be on this list: no 2.3
This is rock music that appeals to you if you can't get a date to the dance.
Elvis Coshellno.
I gave Coldplay the same score, but if we’re talking rounding, Coldplay was a 1.75 and this was a 2.25.
I really don't understand. Mid music, mid singing voice, terrible singing style. No thanks.
This feels like a bit like broadway show music. Tik Tik Boom Boom, Rent, something like that but more whiny and worse. The music behind the lyrics are alright. Every track feels like he's suffering into the mic.
I think I like the more raucous/pop Costello His voice was not as grating on a couple of these tracks
Well, what about Blood and Chocolate? I must admit I initially played the songs on random shuffle. I heard I want you first and I was interested in the rest. Was I ever disappointed. Solid 2/5, because it's not without merit, just not my jam.
Really nothing special about this album. I like the first Elvis Costello album This year’s model better I didn’t see the justification for including two albums of this band
I can't stand his voice. The songs might be grand with a different singer. I can't believe this guy has a music career
All his albums had the same vibe, not mine
I didn't care for this that much. I like some of Costello's other songs and This Years Model (I think that's the name) but his crooning over cartoonish instrumentals was a bit too unappealing.
elvis' dead, baby
After hearing This Year's Model, I became convinced that Elvis Costello's music just wasn't for me. Pump It Up is a fun song, but nothing that I'd heard from Costello really impressed me, and that's okay because I could understand why other people would like his wacky brand of new wave Brit rock. However, after hearing this album, I've become more convinced that no one has any business enjoying Elvis Costello's music. His vocals are always over the top, the lyrics and songwriting are far from artful, and the arrangements played by the Attractions often sounds like it was spliced in from a totally different song and fail miserably to support the vocals. Or, maybe it's Costello who fails the band, something I might expect from an artist trying so hard to be part of the music scene that they changed their name from Declan MacManus to something more commercially palatable. It's a shame that Declan couldn't make a similar exchange for the quality of his music. From undulating and cracking singing, to embarrassingly cringeworthy guitar solos, this album is reprehensible and lacks accolades enough to be considered an essential listen before death.
I can kind of see why people like this but there’s just something about his vocals I really don’t care for. It’s weird because there are times where I really enjoy them and times where I’m just reminded about how little I care for Dylan. For instance I think a cover of “I Want You” with a softer female vocalist would be an amazing song. Flip flopped between a 2 and a 3 for me.
I've been on tenterhooks, ending in dirty looks Listening to the Muzak, thinking 'bout this 'n' that She said that's that, I don't wanna chitter-chat Turn it down a little bit or turn it down flat Pump it up when you don't really need it Pump it up until you can feel it Down in the pleasure center, hell-bent or heaven sent Listen to the propaganda, listen to the latest slander There's nothing underhand that she wouldn't understand Pump it up until you can feel it Pump it up when you don't really need it Hey! She's been a bad girl, she's like a chemical Though you try to stop it, she's like a narcotic You wanna torture her, you wanna talk to her All the things you bought for her, could not get a temperature Pump it up until you can feel it Pump it up when you don't really need it Out in the fashion show, down in the bargain bin You put your passion out under the pressure pin Fall into submission, hit-and-run transmission No use wishing now for any other sin Pump it up until you can feel it Pump it up when you don't really need it Pump it up until you can feel it Pump it up when you don't really need it Pump it up until you can feel it Pump it up when you don't really need it Don't really need it Don't really need it Don't really need it
Always felt a bit weird about Elvis Costello. Thought he was almost a bit too artsy for his own good, all while not being as artsy as he needed to be to pull off his ambitiously verbose take on new-wave. His music seems melodic on the surface, sure, like a dense painting with more layers than you can even begin to process, but it also feels almost jagged and parodical to many of its contemporaries, with vocals that hit so many notes, constantly twisting and turning to seemingly no end. And he's not exactly the greatest singer, a man who's not afraid to go beyond his very obvious (and limited) vocal sweet-spot - it's an acquired taste that I haven't really acquired yet. So all that to say, I've always found this guy way too much for me, and this album unfortunately amplifies all the guy's worst qualities. I did enjoy a few songs here, as I generally do with Costello's music; there are always a few songs that I enjoy. In this case, 'I Hope You're Happy Now', and especially the more mellowed out 'Home Is Anywhere You Hang Your Head' show off Costello's talents well enough. On the second side, 'Battered Old Bird' showed more restraint than many other songs on the album, with it subtly building but never flying off the rails, and it features some of Costello's most impassioned and focused vocals and lyrics, period. A nice break from the slew of other melodramatic heartbreak songs that make up a good chunk of this album and his discography in general. I kind of sigh whenever I get one of this guy's albums, to be honest. His music is just so hit-or-miss for me - you might get a gorgeous, well-constructed song that can be a contender for greatest art-rock song of the '80s, but, more often than not, you get something that just sounds like a directionless mess and the definition of ideas being thrown at the wall, with very little of it sticking. I guess I can say that I admire the boldness, but as I said already, it could and needs to be a lot bolder. As it stands, 'Blood and Chocolate' is maybe my least favorite release from this guy yet.
Nope, did not like that one bit.
I have never gotten into Elvis Costello… I feel like I am supposed to. Pretty average 2.4
This is not what I want to be listening to right now.
Only redeeming is “I want you”
Ok we get it Elvis - your dream girl is out there with someone else. I liked the first album some months ago. This one not so much. It’s all just so bland and meh. 2/5
Ei tämä Costello ole ollut koskaan se oikea Elvis minulle. Mutta tämä kuulosti tähän mennessä paremmalta levyltä mitä edelliset
FINALLY, I'M FREE (From Elvis Costello)
Meh. A bit confused why this is on here? I feel like I genuinely can understand why most albums make this list whether it’s historical value, innovation, or just damn good music but tbh I’m not sure I’m seeing my how this fits in. It’s not bad it’s just mid as it gets for me.
Sounds like a live album .
2.0. Didnt mind Home Is Anywhere You Hang Your Head. could leave pretty much everything else
just kind of an average rock album to me idk. doesn't inspire much emotion. kinda monotonous. didn't hate it but i'll forget about it as soon as the day is over y'all seem to really hate this elvis costello guy what's the lore there fave track: i want you
The voice was a little too grating at times.
Delete the vocals, and I'd rate this higher.
I don’t know how I feel about Elvis Costello. The same goes for this album. Elements I liked, elements that didn’t land for me. A strange mix I’d say
best I’ve heard from Elvis Costello — other ones were bad & probably more recent 2.5
Love Elvis. Love the Attractions. Love Nick Lowe as a producer. HATE this album.
Bon, album long, trop long (alors qu’il fait que 48 min), quelques bon morceaux, mais y’a de la merdeeeee 2.5+/5
Good vibes but all of the songs are so repetitive brooo
Not my usual go to music. Didn't have any specific strong song. Below average listen.
que vocal horroroso? TODOS os álbuns dele estão aqui todos devem ser uma bosta 2/10 por tentar ser diferentão no vocal, o instrumental até se salva
Generic as can only a lot of stuff on this list be. Why does Elvis has 6 albums on here for fucks sake? Looking forward to skipping others.
Yay, another Costello album... I Want You provided something a little different, but felt indifferent about the rest
I was already familiar with Elvis Costello but none of the tracks from this album. This sounds very much like a typical Elvis Costello album. Nothing particularly stood out to me, and I'm really not sure why he has so much material amongst the 1001 albums list. I doubt I would come back to this one.
Best Song: I Want You. Nothing revolutionary, but a decent song of yearning. Worst Song: Battered Old Bird. When you oversing a song so much that you just abandon any attempt at enunciating. Overall: I really don't like Elvis Costello's manner of singing, to the point that I'm kind of flabbergasted that he features so much on this list. His singing sounds like yodeling if was invented in the American midwest. Each note never knows where the next note is coming from.
His music bores me to no end, this has been the worst offender and it's only not a 1 because I'd imagine I'd have a good conversation with the guy
The only track I know from this album is ‘I Want You’, and I actually think it’s the best track. I didn’t find the rest particularly special…
Never understood the Elvis Costello craze
no
it's mid... interesting but i don't get the vibe
Didn't really enjoy.
I refuse to finish it
Nonononononononononon crisse c’est le SIXIÈME ALBUMS (6 ALBUMS, TE REND TU COMPTE?????!!!) D’ELVIS COSTELLO GÉNÉRÉ Y’AURA 10000000000% de RIEN de NOUVEAU, du pré-mâché de marde, eeeeeuuuuurgh. Effectivement, rien de nouveau sous le soleil, mais enfin pus de Costello
not a fan, but a few were okay.
Highlight: I Hope You're Happy Now. Elvis, mate, WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?! The only songs released as singles are over 5 minutes long! I Hope You're You Happy Now or Honey Are You Straight or Are You Blind would have been better choices, because they are a throwback to your trademark new wave/post-punk sound. Blood and Chocolate sounds more restrained, dialled in, compared to earlier releases on the list. I don't feel a viciousness with the vocal delivery. You don't need to listen to all five Elvis Costello (solo and The Attractions) albums on this list before you die. Especially not this one. You'll get by just fine with This Year's Model or Imperial Bedroom. Overall: 3/10
His voice just isn’t for me. Other than that, musically the album is fine but I’ve no desire to sit through it again
first Elvis Costello album on this list and i'm kind of scared for when i eventually have to listen to all of them, because apparently this website loves Elvis Costello (so i've heard) pretty generic songs with generic writing, but overall just a decent jam. that's all i can really say about it, it was sort of just background noise to me. this album would be more at home in the 70s i think, it feels like it doesn't fit in the 80s? favorite track(s): Tokyo Storm Warning. idk it was just fun! 6 mins of something relatively catchy but that's about it. I Want You isn't bad either
This is my 6th and final Elvis Costello album here, and probably my least favorite. Pretty stripped back, not much to say about this but not my cup of tea
2.5
*dutifully listens to this album* *dutifully thinks of something to say* *dutifully gives it a rating* ... *daydreams of a day when there are no more Costello albums on this list*
This would be a three for being "fine" and "listenable" except I'm sick of this man. He has too many albums on here. Go home.
It's my loss, but this record didn't change my view of Elvis Costello. A big part of it is his voice: rock-n-roll posturing, sneering, rasping, trying *so* hard. Why? I'm sure he has a nice voice without pushing himself to be a Rock Singer. He reminds me of early Bruce Springsteen with less songwriting chops and a worse band. I can certainly see the buds of other work, like Wilco and Magnetic Fields. But this one is wall-to-wall blah for me.
Not terrible to listen to - not my style either. I want you was the best in my opinion
2,5
I know that context is key, but this is just kind of OK. Why does Elvis Costello get so much love from hipsters? and why the FUCK does he warrant SIX albums in this stupid-ass project? His voice is fine, the music is fine, the album is fine. So much good music left off this list but we've got six albums of this donut to slog through.
Ya not really a fan of this guy and his voice. Just weird love songs.
Not my bag at all, none of the tracks appealed to me in any way and I couldn't tell you a single thing about it after listening.
This list has made me hate Elvis Costello. He's like John Mayer. He's really, really good at delivering sounds that other people pioneered. As such, I cannot truly give his music the lowest score, and that makes me hate him more. Take your two stars, you bastard.
Music was OK Vocals were SO SO
I never really dug him, his cover of Beautiful was good, but pretty meh otherwise
i'm sorry man i find elvis costello insufferable. 'home is anywhere you hang your head' and 'i want you' were both good but everything else ranged from "we have warren zevon at home" to painful.
I feel like this generator is shining the worst light on Elvis Costello. He’s a legend, but some of these albums are not it.
This was not fun to listen to. The first track is easily one of the worst I have heard on this list. Awful. Things do improve slightly after that, but the vocals are generally grating, the music is all the same and the mood is self-congratulatory. Not an absolute disaster, but it is all so boring. I won’t listen again.
Alt rock vibe
Songs as long as the titles
I’ve enjoyed the earlier Costello I’ve heard, but this misses the mark. Maybe one really solid track for me on this one.
Why are the vocals so loud. They’re clearly not the highlight here.
Usually irritated by Elvis Costello but this album was surprisingly okay
Elvis Costello appears on the 1001 list 6 times. That’s 5 times too many. No more No more
I feel a bit sorry for Elvia Costello - this challenge just seems to make a bunch of people hate his music because they are forced to listen to everything single thing he's ever done, and maybe its partly the overload rather than the music that brings out the haters. Fair call though, his music is shit and I will literally die if I have to listen to another album.
Elvis Costello complied this list 2/5
Somehow, every Elvis Costello album I listen to is worse than the last. And I still have 3 more to go… yippee. Anyways… This album feels very dull, and very repetitive. It’s almost art rock but just sounds so flat. Nothing really stood out as great to me on this one.
Actually fuck this guy
Really not a fan
I would be happy to never get another Elvis Costello album...please nooo!
Just saying, I don't know this man or his band. Right now, I am only judging his album. Album cover pretty cool. However, all of this gets overshadowed by HIS VOICE???? what the fuck is happening
I honestly zoned out a ton during this
I don’t dislike Elvis Costello, but I was really bored listening to this one.
I just don't get Elvis Costello.
It feels like I should like it, but I just don’t. Tokyo storm warning is pretty good, though a little long
I feel like I should be a fan, but I’m just not into Elvis Costello. This album gets better. I think it’s his voice I don’t like. Each song gets better. But something is still off to me.
I Want You //
2.4
I like Elvis but I guess just not his music. If I liked the sound of his, I would like it better, but I just don’t. Wish I did.