Blood And Chocolate

Costello offers more of his signature groovy New Wave sound with added crowded raw instrumentation. The singing style and Beatlesesque melodies are reminiscent of power pop legends like Big Star and Badfinger (e.g. Home is Anywhere), but also the lofi sound and synths in some tracks remind me of later 90s power pop like Guided by Voices (Tokyo Storm Warning, Next Time Round). There are a couple standouts here that could belong on a compilation, but otherwise most of the songs here are sonically tame and derivative of his other work. If not for the variation in instruments and synth effects, most songs would be forgettable. Favorites: I Hope You're Happy Now, I Want You, Crimes of Pairs, Poor Napoleon

That's gonna be a no from me dawg

I like EC, but this wasn't the album I would have picked for this list.

I cannot comprehend the critical fascination with Elvis Costello. He's a hack and everything he puts his hands to is garbage. This album is no exception. It's a terrible album by a terrible artist. I mean, why would I want to listen to this poser wail on and on about his sexual frustration for 45 minutes? Oh, right. I don't. It's garbage and I hate that I had to listen to it. It's saved from truly failing marks only because this project has shown me that there are some TRULY horrible albums out there. This one isn't actually painful to listen to. It just sucks.

I listened to this album immediately after Armed Forces. I don't think it's nearly as hooky and accessible as the earlier album, and I think it's less interesting lyrically than the social commentary that you get on Armed Forces. Another case of not a bad album, but we're going to be getting a lot of Elvis Costello, so does this album need to be included? I might soften up a bit on a subsequent listen...

Very close to giving it a one star. Shite.

Boh, un po' un accostamento casuale di canzoni, soprattutto "Battered old bird"

I don’t get it

no from me

not quite 2,5. it's almost ok

eeeh

notes - the mixing on this is really strange - vocals are SO LOUD - drums are really distant and too quiet - guitars are super shrill - what happened?? album was recorded at “stage volume” using the bands live gear - last album elvis costello did with the attractions for 8 years - Prefer next years model for sure Fav - Tokyo storm warning - Really cool guitar parts and post-punk style Least fav - Honey are you straight - Short little goofy song that followed the emotional heaviness of I want you 2.5/5

2, screaming.

Syytän osittain äskeisen Claptonin aiheuttamaa aivolamaannusta, mutta ei tääkään iskenyt. Aina Costelloon eri listoilla törmää, mutta ei ihan mun juttu.

Definitely not for me. There aren't any songs on this record that I find myself wanting to revisit. Oh well.

I had never listened to Elvis Costello before. This album wasn't what I was expecting - in a good way - but also wasn't highly memorable either.

I enjoyed one or two songs. I didn't enjoy the rest.

Pareceu ser importante, mas não me agrada.

Not my taste

He is just not my thing

Maybe if these were spread out I may have found it enjoying but I just had a Costello album and thought it was meh. There was one song I could think of I enjoyed on this one. It’s safe to say he’s just not for me. 4.4/10

very meh

Har aldri hørt på Elvis C., men har mistenkt at da e litt plagsomt. Greit å få bekrefta mistanken

Really not a fan of Elvis C.

Boring.

better than the first Elvis Costello on this list 2.5

Eh

Costello albums for me usually have 1-2?songs that are great, along with stuff I barely like. This is the same. “I want you” is a great track.

No es mi estilo

no. made me feel like i was in a dirty pub. the songs droned at my head, fixated on the song title repeating the same 10 seconds over and over. *fave tracks - i want you, poor napoleon. *I want you - because it reminded me of somthin from shrek. *poor napoleon - I liked the two words that were repeated 100s of times +album art - the picture I believe is of napoleon, pretty hot. but that font and border makes me feel sick. 4/10

Producció 80s de Costello. Es deixa escoltar fàcilment però tampoc trobo cap raó per situar-lo per sobre de la seva discografia de la década (molt per sota dels seus primers anys)

This is a 2. Not as impressive songwriting as Imperial Bedroom.

Jopas nyt näitä Costellon levyjä riittää listalla. Tämän levyn paikkaa en kyllä ihan ymmärrä. Paljon kädenlämpöisempää rallattelua ilman aiempien levyjen punk-asennetta. Tuskin olisin tätä edes Elvis Costelloksi tunnistanut. Kappaleista ei jäänyt oikeastaan mikään mieleen positiivisesti. Tylsä ja turha levy.

By now I'm resigned to each and every piece of music having anything to do with Elvis Costello receiving nomination here. However, just like its Elvis Costello predecessors that I've encountered here thus far, Blood and Chocolate offers one good song (though I'd argue The Beatles' I Want You is vastly superior) that sinking in what is otherwise the mediocrity of every other song sounding the same that is the rest of the album. In other words, I'm not sure the person who put so much Elvis Costello in this list would have done so were they to redo this list today.

Nada especial

On the occasion of decent music Elvis’ voice cuts in as either whiny or droning. Not convinced by the lyrics.

Like the other Elvis Costello album we've had, it's pretty disappointing. He's a great singer and some of the songs have the potential to be hits such as Battered Old Birds and Crimes Of Paris. But why does the production have to suck so much? It just completely ruins the album for me. And this one doesn't have a real standout hit like Alison to lift it up either.

I can sort of understand having ONE Elvis Costello album on here. But 6!? So far they all sound the same, and they're starting to sound not very good.

Interesting guitar work here and there but not enough to overcome the repetitive song structures and annoying vocals

The guy who compiled this list is clearly a huge EC&TA fan. I don't think I'll ever become one.

Elvis Costello is rock for 80s hipsters. Self important, arrogant and never more than just ok. Dragged on a lot and all sounded exactly the same. The album had run its course by the third song but it still had an eternity to go. I was expecting to come across one of his albums sooner than this tbh. 2/5 for boring the hell outta me and being a critical darling for no reason I can think of.

I really do not like the singers voice. everything else is fine albeit a little generic if i'm honest

Climate change is real. This album does nothing for me, but I did find it interesting that Elvis Costello used a time machine to go 18 years in the future to watch Jon Heder’s breakout movie and include Napoleon Dynamite on this 1986 album cover. I did however deduct a star for failing to warn the world about global warming.

not really my thing, influenced/inspired by/aspiring to Bon Dylan? with subpar lyrics

Elvis Costello sounds like he has noise cancelling headphones or earplugs in when he sings as is off key

Not for me

Elvis Costello has made many great songs during his career that I enjoy, but Blood and Chocolate has too many annoyances for me to find them on here. Elvis' vocals sound more nasally or breathy than usual and the bad mixing makes it drown almost everything else out. I find that this is the case on every track, except "I Want You", where there are not enough instrumentals present to be overshadowed. It's no coincidence that its the only song here I find to be worth another listen. 2/5.

This was really a chore to listen to. I feel like I survived an onslaught of Dylanesque whining.

This sounds like one of those albums that was played on the radio a million times as a child and it's the sheer memory that keeps this album alive. Like it is cohesive...but it the weirdest way. Like if the Beatles were stuck in their "I am the Walrus" phase. These songs are extremely long.

I've never listened to Elvis Costello, interested to see what this sounds like... UPDATE 1: Is it weird to say this reminds me of Bruce Springsteen?? Listening to "Tokyo Storm Warning" and if there were a little more keyboard and sax this would be a Boss song. UPDATE 2: Wtf is "honey are you straight or blind"???

Whiny Rock

Seen Elvis Costello live (acoustic) years ago, was pretty boring and it put me off him but he is no doubt a talented and clever songwriter who knows his way around a tune. More of a pop album than expected and some decent tracks but won’t listen again.

Not a fan of his voice

I just could not get into this. Vocals are not a good fit for me.

Eh

Just too much

Never realised what a weird/distinctive singing style he and. Not really into this but didn’t find it as offensive as some of my AOTD colleagues

Is it possible the only Elvis Costello albums I like are the ones that I owned? I don't think so. If I heard this in the mid-eighties, I wouldn't have bought it. I like "I Want You" and "Tokyo Storm Warning" but get tired of his voice quickly after that. I gave a 3 to "Brutal Youth" and I like this album a bit more, but I read the 1001 review and even they were lukewarm on it!?!?

“Blood and Chocolate” by Elvis Costello and the Attractions (1986) Breakup songs that get the anger out, but will endear you only to women who have no self respect. You may be into that. Go for it. Thoughtful, if sneering, these are lyrics that treat the listener with some good enough poetic ideas, but lacking poetic sounds. Too bad. It’s half great. And the music fails to do justice to the work that went in to the lyrics. It’s too plain. Compositions lack flavor and aroma, like a case of Covid. The exception is “I Want You”, which could have been so much more powerful with better production. Costello’s voice is not great, and the studio guys do him no favors. He too frequently attempts to exceed his limited range. I suspect he had too much control over the vocal track processing and overall mixing. I can picture an engineer pleading with the producer to add just a little reverb. Somebody might be able to sing these songs, but not Elvis Costello. This album could have been so much better. It’s a shame. It’s like a collaboration between Bob Dylan and The Monkees (sorry if that made Dylan fans cringe—or Monkees fans for that matter). Overall, this album is exquisitely unsatisfying. 2/5

Now I know that I am not a fan of Elvis Costello

Meh

Alright, never been a big fan of Elvis Costello

Not for me

Okay. I'm not sure Elvis Costello is my thing.

Nä inte så kul för mig

Costello has a whopping six albums on this list. The fucking Beatles only have one more. I lost count, but I really hope this was number six for me. I absolutely loathe any of his stuff for the fact it'sjust so utterly mediocre, and yet some people seem to be absolutely besotted with him. Sod them.

Not too bad musically, but I'm not exaggerating when I say that this album might house one of the most annoying vocal performances I've ever heard. Couldn't get through more than a couple of songs of his nasal whining. I've only got two more Costello albums left and I don't plan on wasting any of my time with either of them.

I don't enjoy his singing, but there is kind of a sweet, intimate vibe to this album, which I can indulge in. The better songs on the album are the upbeat ones.

DNF - ‘I Want You’ was the dealbreaker here. Mr Costello why do you sing like this?

Boring!

Fuck off Elvis Costello

Stop giving me Elvis Costello. Stop it.

I despise this man. His nasally voice, uninspired melodies, repetitive mundane lyrics. It truly is music for the most basic of humans. Elvis Costello didn’t even deserve a career in music much less than six fucking albums on this list.

it's cool how the band's style verges on noise and i like whatever the engineer (?) did with the drums on this but these songs are so meh or maybe not coz i can't get into the melody with costello's singing. 10+ albums into the 1000 feel there is way too much rock on this list

Starting to think this list hates music. There’s no way multiple Elvis Costello albums can be justified. Gave this one a couple of tries, couldn’t get through it.

dit is echt vreselijk deze mensen kunnen niet zingen en ik heb maar 1,4 liedje half geluisterd

dit is elvis presley in een alternative universe... als je dit op een zacht volume luistert is het niet eens zo super slecht.. dan hoor je z'n stem minder goed🤓

my first skip in this challenge. I just can't do it. obviously enough people out there think E.C. is great and the tone of his voice slightly reminds me of tom petty who i love so i don't think the voice is the problem, but in combination with the instrumentals on this album everything sounds out of key and really hard on the ears. it doesn't help that i start out the morning with this challenge and this is not a morning album. i don't think this is a sober album either. honestly i'm not really sure when, who, or what this album is for. if you are an EC fan more power to you. you're stronger than me

55

I really didn’t like this album. I generally thought I liked Elvis Costello but this was annoyingly bad, I have no idea why it’s on the list as E.C has done so much better stuff. All of the songs felt way too long, even the short ones and sonically it was repetitive and boring, there is literally not one hook on here, it’s like a different artist from My Aim Is True. 1.4

Yeah Bob, Elvis Costello's 11th album sure is essential listening. Print it.

Yawn

Didn’t do it for me. Wife said one track was too long, I agreed. She threatened to leave the room if I didn’t change it.

I couldn’t wait for it to be over

Im so sick of this fucking guy and his thousand albums on this platform. 1/10

Nope

why

Did not like. Couldn’t get through it

Ok so this is my FIFTH Elvis Costello album, and I’m not exaggerating when I say they have progressively gotten worse and worse for me. This obviously being the worst. So far his shtick has been endearing and charming. I could even tolerate his “unique” vocal delivery because it felt like the energy was there and the songs were fun and catchy. This album however I feel overexposes his flaws more than it highlights his better qualities. I felt his vocals were the most grating and awful that I’ve heard from him so far. The instrumentation had its brief moments but they are all horribly overshadowed but his lack of quality vocals. I can’t state enough how this album has been the final straw for me with Elvis Costello, I’m genuinely afraid to look to see if he has any more albums on this list cause it’s absurd at this point. A common complaint about this list is people will take their favorite artist and bitch about how few albums there are on this list. For example, I have previously bitched about the complete lack of Primus albums and the lack of Ween albums, but I Elvis Costello have 5 albums is so ridiculously insulting you could even use artists I wouldn’t normally defend or even think about. For example, Kiss, Tom petty, Micheal Jackson, My bloody valentine, ELVIS PRESLEY, The Ramones, Earth Wind and Fire, PRINCE, Ray Fucking Charles!!, Stevie Wonder, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Bob Marley, Talking Heads!!! Like are you for real? I eventually just got so bored of looking to see how many artists had less albums that I had to search to see how many had more. Any guesses? Nope! 7…SEVEN! That means they think Elvis Costello is on the same plane as Paul Simon, and The Rolling Stones!!! This is one of those rare occasions where the integrity of the whole list needs to be questioned. But that’s the end of my rant about this undermining the whole list as a whole. My actual opinions about this album is that it’s boring, forgettable, and easily the worst Elvis Costello album I’ve had to listen to so far, hopefully there are no more….

Just Meh. Elvis has some good singles but none of his albums have blown me away, and this lacks even a standout song. Honestly, as an album it's probably a 2 as it's not outright offensive, but this is the worst example of the author stacking the book with his preferences. I really don't see what this album adds to the list that Imperial Bedroom or My Aim Is True hasn't already done, so it gets a 1. Doesn't inspire me in any way and doesn't need to be here.

Without the awful vocal delivery, this might have clawed its way to two stars. But it didn't, it's awful, it actually made me cringe a few times due to just how dreadful it was. I think the low point was the Battered Old Bird song, which made my skin crawl. Music evoking a strong emotional response is something I look for, but my response to this was simply a case of, "how could these people make such slop and then have the lack of shame to release it upon the world". Droning, on, and on, and on, awful lyrics, awful backing music. One star.

Such a boring album and some of the worst lyrics I've ever heard. I've never been dryer.

Gear: Dunu SA6 Artwork: 👄🐵📕 Productionb 🌀💩😖 Music: 🤔🥺🤮 Rating: 🍫(🍫)/5

I really hate this man’s voice. And these songs were so bad. Why make bad songs last so long? There’s only so much torture I can take. Why so may Elvis C albums on this list?

I'm sure if I had any interest in what Elvis was going on about, then this would probably be a work of genius, but I don't. If he put as much effort into his tunes rather than the word vomit, this review could have been very different.

Elvis Costello’s voice is annoying to me. It’s too much. And what is up with the cover of this album? It looks like a suspicious looking dog with beady little eyes and a sea captain’s hat on is peaking out from behind a book. Am I missing something? What actually is this? I don’t like it.

Boooooo tomato tomato

Awful gets worst the longer it goes on

unpleasant voice

Lyrics are so cheesy this sounds very 80s. I can’t tell if this is serious or silly. This sound is not for me, so far I like the slower songs better. I don’t like the way he pronounces words it’s so annoying

There's absolutely no need for anything beyond the first 3 Costello albums to be included on this list. It's not like he's Bowie with several different eras. This is just the same style as the early albums, but worse.

meh.

Just because your name is Elvis, doesn't mean you should make music.

I was thinking this was marginally better than the other Costello stuff I’ve been subjected to, but then he put on a low gravelly seductive voice and sang “I want you” over and over. Negative sex appeal. Probably like a 1.5, but I can not reward this behaviour.

Never been a fan of this Elvis

I despise Elvis Costello as a vocalist. And even I Want You was pretty poorly constructed as a song imo, 1/1

"Honey are you straight or are you blind" was a real lowlight of this one

Light country rock?? meh

DNF

Shut up Elvis

Painful listen.

1001 albums dads must listen to feel validated about their music tastes. 1.5

• langweilig

His voice is not for me dawg

The first thing I did when I started this album was laugh. That’s all you need to know.

For a comedy duo, the songs weren't very funny. And I don't think I even heard Abbott.

Vitun elvis costello

A truly baffling album. Goofy production, shallow lyrics, and an honestly terrible vocal performance. A poor and whiny Springsteen "impression" over the most paint-by-numbers songs imaginable

Boring.

I wonder what is his opinion about Ray Charles.

Only managed to listen to the first three songs because: A. It's utter fucking shit and his vocals are like nails on a chalkboard. B. I was already angry I got this muppet for like the tenth time.

Like most things Elvis Costello, I don't like this album. Tokyo Storm Warning is one of the most grating songs I've ever heard. What a chore

Boring and basic.

Annoying vocals. Nothing changes it's just noise.

Fand die Stimme und den Gesang bei den meisten Liedern ... einfach nervig? Nur ca zur Hälfte gehört.

This album made me vomit blood and shit chocolate.

I’m convinced that this list would only be ‘500 albums you need to listen to…’ if they removed all the fucking Elvis Costello albums…

18 sekuntia. kahdeksantoista. niin kauan kesti että meni mielipide kaivoon. en vihannut elämää sen yhden youtube- short videon ekvivalentin ajan. sitten avasi suun. AAA en muista lyriikkaa eikä tarvitse. disgusting disgusting voice. mahdotonta lähes kuunnella. ei ole väliä HÄLLÄ VÄLIÄ vaikka intrumentaali olisi Mendelssohn sinfonia no.3 jos elvis saa käsiinsä niin paskoo päälle.. ripuloi ja pissaa ja oksentaa ja vuotaa verta päälle. mahdotonta kuunnella. miten ei voi vittu suuttua tätä kuunnellessa?? hyi helvetti hyi helvetti. milloin se kuolee miksi se vittu elää samaan aikaan kuin minä?? miksi se on vittu elossa lopeta lopeta lopeta kuole kuole kuole pliis pliis kuole pliis kuole pliis kuole!!!!!!! tokyo storm warning

Can we stop with the Elvis Costello albums

So dull

It’s crazy how the first 10 seconds are kinda cool before his insufferable voice comes in. I just hope this is the last one of his abysmal records I have to endure.

Just. Awful.

what is this trash, why doesn't he sing?

Dull

Dear, Robert Dimery, No one -- I repeat NO ONE -- must hear this many Elvis Costello albums before they die. They all sound like each other. Narrow it down to one or two and make room for other artists who deserve the attention.

Elvis Costello sings with the confidence and style of someone who loves the sound of their own voice - which makes the fact that he sounds like your friend's overconfident dad performing at the summer barbeque even more grating. Even the best song on this album ("I Want You") falls apart at the first scrutiny of its lyrics, which seem to be about being cucked?? What's up with that??? I wish I could concentrate on the music at all to give a real opinion but it's completely overwhelmed by Costello's squawking. Did not enjoy!

The music behind him was solid but unmemorable. His voice overpowered nearly every song and took me out of what would’ve been an enjoyable experience otherwise. Not only that, but why did it sound like crappy early 60s music with more expensive production equipment? Leave that era behind! I don’t think I enjoyed any song on the album.

Costello is not my jam. There is no jam whatsoever.

I really hope this is it for Elvis Costello on this list. I just can’t listen to this voice anymore.

Difficult

oh elvis what is this... this is terrible...

This is just really bad. Everything is just boring

never make me experience this hell again. costello's voice is so bad he was not meant to be a musician. no creativity or flow at all. ugh

The more Elivs Costello albums I gotten the more I hate the him. Before starting this list, I was indifferent to him.

His voice is HORRENDOUS 1 ⭐️

Why does his voice sound like that. DNF Best Song: I Want You Rating: 2/10 (Irritating) Stars: 1/5

After the 3000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000th album by this clown, I don't even have the energy to talk about how much i hate him anymore. Fuck this guy, fuck the guy that put all of his mediocre obnoxious albums on this list, and fuck you dear reader

This is the 5th album that this last has spit out to me from Elvis Costello, and all I can conclude is that "tastemakers" who made this list must really want it's readers to like Elvis Costello. This may be the worst album of the bunch. I just find this so boring and uninteresting.

this my second elvis costello album. it's okay so far but nothing really stands out

Fuck this loser and fuck this album

Can't believe there a 6 Elvis Costello albums on here!

I’m glad I listened to this. Now, I have an escape plan when guests overstay their welcome at my place. I’ll just put this on.

With all bad records on this list taken into consideration, I wonder if the most criminal thing about this list still is the amount of Elvis Costello records brought in. I think this is the third of the fourth, and I can't for the life of me see what he has done to deserve that. I can only pray that this is the last, but I am afraid that might not be the case. Maybe it's a thing you either love or hate, but I simply can't stand this mans voice anymore. His labored wheezing can sometimes be categorized as singing, but mostly not. I have a hard time putting a finger on what the issue is, but his singing just lacks depth somehow, and feels fake. Perhaps an unfair comparison, but with Bruce Springsteen you always feel that what comes out is deep, sincere, and there is emotion in it. With Costello it's just words that he's projecting, but there's nothing behind the curtain so to speak. A bit like a teenage who tries to sound cool singing, but fails to understand what cool is. Since his singing seems to be front and center on the album, devoid of any type of interesting riffs or melodies, the rest of the album also becomes extremely uninteresting. Really not my cup of tea. Guess it probably deserves a weak 2 or something, but I'm just so tired of him so I'm going to drop it to a 1.

How many Elvis Costello albums is on this list?!?! I was tired of him before, but this is a new low point. I struggled listening the whole way through, his vocals sounds like an angsty teen, with the breathy singing and whining. The mixing sounds like something coming from a demo. Lowest points I remembered was “Home Is Anywhere You Hang Your Head” which sounded like some kid recording a demo trying to sound like Bob Dylan. The next track I wondered if it was a Dylan Cover. If only it was. I found “I want you” incredibly cringe and downright bad. Edging close to spoken word, in the words of Elenor from The Good place: “Nobodys idea of heaven is a 3 hour spoke word poem”. I don’t want to here more Costello now. Please generator make it stop.

Wow!!!!!! This stunk

I hate you Elvis Costello

Not for me. 1/5

One of my least favorite vocalists

I knew from the first song that this was not going to be my thing...not a fan of this style of singing at all. Song 2...still struggling. Song 3...I give up.

More obnoxious and less interesting than the rest of his stuff, which never really wowed me either. It feels like it's simultaneously lazy but also way too tryhard.

His voice is so annoying I can’t make it past half of this

The more I listen to Elvis Costello the less I like him. Insufferable little twat with an annoying voice. Can’t relate to the lyrics and the way he arranges his “poetry” seems really forced. Musically the arrangements are very ordinary standard rock. Are you sure he’s not just someone the industry pushes people to like to see how much we follow the opinion makers? Is it part of a big experiment just so people who rate him a 5 can feel smug and superior in their culturedness?

It just kept getting worse as it went on.

Absolutely hated this album oml 😭

Reminiscent of Tom Petty, but worse. Somehow felt offbeat and boring at the same time.

I think the author genuinely mistook this guy for the other Elvis, because why are there three albums on here by this nasally fuck

The first time I heard Elvis Costello, I thought he sounded pretty good. But now, after I've gotten five of his albums, I've grown sick of him. There's nothing new, nothing innovative, nothing exciting about him. I don't understand why there's so many of his albums on this list.

Does he deserve to have 6 very bland and unmemorable albums on this list? how much did he pay the curator?? Everything sounds the same, nothing memorable, whiney and very static. Had this been my first album it would have gotten 2-3 but this list has given me a reason not to like Costello music at all so it will be a 1. I think he deserves maximum of one album because prior to this list i thought he was a one hit wonder and i still don't tolerate more than "watching the detectives"(and tolerate is even a stretch there) They reeeeeally need to update this list and make it less biased because Costello has not a huge cultural impact (most people will probably not know him), his music is far from interesting or unique and it's so similar and bland that i don't remember any tracks just his awful whiny voice

I hate this man

start of the album was shit, skipped a song, it was very boring and meh. i dont think this guy is my thing at all. i didnt love i want you, but it was more interesting than the other songs. are you straight or are you blind is a weird one - stranglers esc, not terrible. i dont think rock is my thing genuinely. or maybe this shit is basic as all hell and boring. blue chair is more fun, growing on me a bit. overall, very mid album, litterally almost nothing interesting.

Trouble getting into this one

This album sucks. So boring.

ok no fuck this I can't make it past the 4th song on this album. I'm sure there are some nice melodies later down or whatever but this is some of the most insufferable rock I've heard in a while, and I was forced to listen to pearl jam just few days ago.

Elvis Costello has been someone that I have really wanted to enjoy ever since I played 'Pump It Up' on Rock Band in high school. However... it's just not in the cards for me it seems. Tokyo Storm Warning and Home is Where You Hand Your Head were pretty good, but everything else was just on in the background. I also found I Want You to be... creepy. Sorry Elvis C, but I can't do it.

Of all the artists, why did we have to get two Elvis Costello albums? :(

Nope

awful lyrics, the most annoying singing voice you ever did hear, and every song goes on 1-2 minutes longer than it really should. a truly crap album.

I don't know if it was the EQ/mastering or what, but the sound of his voice felt very grating and felt like it didn't go with the music at all. I couldn't finish this one.

For some reason I had it in my head that I liked Elvis Costello. This album was a reality check. I did not like this album. You know how some people have a really punchable face? That's how I feel about his voice.

No idea why this particular elvis costello album is on this list. Plain and pedestrian. 1

Elvis Costello may be prolific but his talent does not warrant 6 albums on this list. I don't like his voice and I'm not warming up to it. I'll give him Pump It Up, I will, but he doesn't have any wins other than that in my books. This album specifically had no songs I liked and had many songs that were very repetitive and pretty long. Battered Old Bird, Home is Anywhere You Hang Your Head, I Want You for three examples. Boo.

This is reminiscent of listening to drunks singing karaoke in Korea town at 3am.

Ok

Very monotonous. Didn't like it.

30/100 I just can't get over Elvis Costello's voice on this. Maybe it's better on other albums but this ain't for me

I still don’t understand Elvis Costello, after years of trying

not a fan

1 please I can’t take any more of this man. The music is already bland and then he goes and sings in the most annoying way possible

first tracks were horrible, got slightly better after those

Eugh, go away Elvis Costello. I really can't stand him and this is our 5th album by him

. Awful garbage. A poor songwriter, now past his peak in the gently undulating foothills of his talent (I use the term loosely though I did think Oliver’s army a great song and I don’t want to go to Chelsea is also decent.) How could the producer let him get away with wasting a great band in this junk? Enough with the critical darlings. This list has shown most critics don’t understand ‘quality’ ’rock’, ‘roll’, ‘good’ or ‘music’ Let’s have more albums you must hear. 0 stars. Rounded up because it’s too mediocre for a negative score

got bored of this very quickly

Somebody stop this God music.

I got through this album by the skin of my teeth. I want to like Elvis but I just find this music so obnoxious.

Sometimes I have to just muscle through an album that really shouldn't be on here. Costello is crap. He sucks and his music lacks finesse or merit

boring and un-inspired. droning vocals nothing special in the songs at all. this straight up does not deserve to be on the list and was a complete waste of my time.

Not a fan of Costello

Depressing. Didn't like it at all.

1. uncomplicated - 0 2. i hope - 0 3. tokyo ztorm - 4. home iz anyuuhere - 1 5. i uuant you - 1.5 6. honey - 0 7. blue chair - 0 8. old bird - 1 9. crimez of pariz - 1.5 10. poor napoleon - 0 11. nezt time round - 0

I was looking forward to this one because I was digging the music initially, in the 1st track. But this guy's voice is just...grating. Couldn't make it through 2 complete songs before giving up.

Honestly I wasn't the biggest fan of this album or this band. I think my favorite song on this album was 'I Want You' but in ways I also didn't like it.. I think its the lead singers vocals that I'm just not a giant fan of. I kind of was annoyed listening to this album, even though I see the potential here I just think these vocals are not for me. Overall: 1.3/5

Ni lo pude terminar de la hueva.

Good god. His voice is grating. Especially on the first song.

Not a fan.

#20. This album isn't it. I don't know what it is, but it isn't it. There isn't one song that's even a little bit good. Tokyo Storm Warning is probably the most annoying song I've listened to so far on this list. I can't imagine anyone enjoying this. 1/5: terrible

can’t stand listening to this guy, not my Elvis

Ugh. Elvis Costello and the Attractions sounds like a middle school band, cant stand this album. 1/5

First album in roughly 200 I couldn't make it all the way through, utterly dismal. horrific music

Uncomplicated Was very uncomplicated as far as lyrics and chords go……..no other comments

Siis eihän tässä muuta vikaa ole kuin että on selittämättömästi rasittavaa. Tai ei oikeastaan selittämättömästi: liian itsetietoista mutta myös hailakkaa

this is lame

boring as hell, every song sounds the same, and its not even a good sound. I want you is a nice song though

por que me hacen esto

Some of these lyrics are really out there. It's not endearing. I'm so glad this is my last album of his

I had two of his albums in a row, and I just really don't like it.

1. I feel like Elvis Costello is cooler than me and I don’t know why. 2. Like a loudspeaker with a sharp tweeter, I get listening fatigue quickly with this album. Like 30 seconds and I’m out. 3. Why why why?

another bad 80's album

The grating and one-level voice had me longing for instrumental breaks. The stale and predictable instrumentals made me long for the vocals. It was like sitting through a family member’s political speech at the Thanksgiving dinner table when you don’t share the same views- I just couldn’t wait to get out of there.

no

A stream of words, have you heard one Costello album you have heard them all

Hrottalega leiðinlegt

The worst of Costello's aggravating voice

Elvis gives me the creeps.

Boring generic 80s garage rock

80s bullshit.

An der Grenze zur Nervigkeit, nicht ganz so schlimm wie die Imperial Bedroom (äh, doch. Das ist scheiße). Beide Alben haben in dieser Liste nichts verloren. Nach dem 5. Song wollte ich nur noch, dass es vorbei ist.

Before I started listening to these "1001 albums", I would have called myself an Elvis Costello fan. Thanks to the nonstop onslaught of Elvis albums on this list, I have gone from fan, to indifferent, to actively despising this man's terrible terrible music. It's like a parody of generic, shitty rock and roll. His voice is more goofy than Randy Newman. His smug self-satisfied lyrics are completely insufferable. This was the longest hour of my entire life. If more EC comes up on this list, I may just have to skip them.

I can’t even do it. His voice makes me want to gouge out my eardrums.

The opening tracks, Uncomplicated, left me wondering what, exactly, is in whose eyes, Mr. Costello? I’m guessing it was a strobe light in the audience’s eyes to distract from the dearth of enjoyable aspects of this album. Sorry, but that’s how I feel. The album isn’t offensive to my ears, but I literally can’t name one aspect I like. The music leaves a lot to be desired. It’s fairly bland and unremarkable. Elvis’s voice isn’t great and it sounds like he adds extra artificial effects that don’t feel genuine (like extra vibrato on I Hope You Are Happy Now for instance and breaking his voice in Battered Old Bird). There are too many occasions where the music is in the background (because it’s generic), featuring his voice…and it’s just not good enough. Prime examples are I Want You and Blue Chair. There are plenty of others. The most interesting part of this album is that Mr. Costello used an alter ego, Napoleon Dynamite, for some of the credits and somehow, it was not the inspiration for the 2000s cult classic movie. That’s the best I can do.

Not my bag

his voice is just too annoying for me, it's almost monotonous?? in some weird way.

The first song is the lyrical version of that guy who challenged Dr Seuss to make a book tht only used 50 words. This album feels.....easy. A money grab. Someone wanted to buy an expensive Rothko (because Rothkos are terrible) and needed to milk daddy Public for all his cashola. Its not bad I just can't get past the thought that it's the soundtrack of an Azerbaijianian Shrek parody. I had to stop listening as it was activating my fight or flight response and my therapist says thats counterproductive to my fatigue.

This is gonna be very hard for me to listen to, there's some weird audio mixing issues going on on the first song and the sound is biased towards my left headphone except an annoying guitar part just in the right. The songs drag on and on oh my god, his voice is just not good enough to carry how bland these songs are either. And it doesn't feel like it fits at all? Theres no variance at all, its the same bits repeated over and over. The lyrics are kinda creepy too? Idk why he'd just repeat I want you over and over. This album sounds like a worse version of father john misty. Look I know father john misty started making music a lot later on than elvy costello and may have been inspired by him but also its hard to enjoy something that sounds similar but is objectively much worse. Props to the attractions, theyve definitely got something going for them, but just ditch elvis next time okay hun?

He notado que esta lista tiene unas inclusiones que claramente sacaron del embrujo de señor moderno de la Rolling Stone gringa. Este disco es malo y no tiene redención a pesar de que tiene dos buenas canciones: Uncomplicated y I Want You. Dos canciones que serían formidables situadas en alguna serie, onda no sé, The Americans o Handmaid's Tale.

As I dragged myself through the album, I learned to ignore his voice and actually the music is alright. It sounds dated even taking into account the 1986 release date. Probably deserves a higher score than Lloyd Cole because at least I've heard of him, but it would be disrespectful to The Boss. 2/10

Survived. Probably not as bad as had been made out by others in the group, but still a major struggle to get through. Onwards and upwards!

Never again

This Elvis Costello album was slightly better than the last but nothing I'd write home about. I don't know why. I like his voice. I like his singing style. He has a Tom Petty vibe who I love but Elvis's songs are boring. Storytelling is great if your stories are good but I can't do anything with this album.

Maybe I was in a bad mood going into this album, but this is one of the few albums on this list that I actively disliked. Costello's voice is grating, the music is discordant, and the title of the song "Honey, Are You Straight or Are You Blind?" in particular rubbed me the wrong way.

Disappointed

i quit