Imperial Bedroom

Is it me or is it the case that anything ever farted by Elvis Costello has made it into this list? So this is a protest vote. Yes, I can see how this music would feel the peak of musicness to many, but I find it boring and repetitive. Especially the fifth time around.

Like a slice of slightly burnt, dry toast. Edible, but not very satisfying. If it was a footballer, it'd be James Tarkowski.

Costello's voice has always annoyed me, and the songs on this album are all so bland. It's completely unoffensive and mostly biege. Tedious.

Imperial Boredom

It's fine. None of it's bad. It's good, but not great. It's also all over the place, and it's Declan at his most pretentious period. I'm an unabashed Elvis Costello fan, but dude has SIX albums on the list, and that's probably two too many. Let's bump this one from the list.

Fucking Elvis Costello.

Imperial Bedroom by Elvis Costello and The Attractions (1982) “Ineluctable modality of the visible . . . nebeneinander” “Ineluctable modality of the audible . . . nacheinander” —James Joyce, Ulysses (1922), chapter 3, “Proteus” In plain English, these two quoted snippets mean: (1) The inescapable way in which we perceive objects by seeing is adjacently, side by side (German nebeneinander), linking the visible with space. (2) The inescapable way in which we perceive objects by hearing is sequentially, one after another (German nacheinander), linking the audible with time. Space/visible and Time/audible. (This goes back to Aristotle’s Sense and Sensibilia [Περὶ αἰσθήσεως καὶ αἰσθητῶν] section 7, but let’s not get carried away.) There is great wisdom here, which is essential to our fullest understanding of poetry, and hence, our fullest understanding of Elvis Costello’s Imperial Bedroom. The best poetry incorporates both the spatial and temporal modes of perceiving, by producing mental images and setting them forth in an aural sequence. Yet it is helpful to distinguish (without separating) the two modes as our minds absorb the artistry into our souls. Now, a peculiar (perhaps unique) feature of the album as it was originally released is that the lyrics were printed on the inner sleeve, but the hole in the middle of the sleeve was ‘filled in’ by lyrics printed on the label on Side One (!) of the vinyl disk itself. This means that one could only read the entire lyrics with the LP in the sleeve (and properly rotated), and therefore, not on one’s turntable. Thus, since it was impossible to play the record and read the lyrics at the same time, the perplexed owner was forced to not listen to the music if he/she wanted to fully appreciate the message (Perhaps they got complaints, because later RCA versions of the LP simply printed a normal label and the full lyrics on an inner sleeve without a hole). Now this original packaging design may have seemed to be a quirky and annoyingly meaningless gimmick, but I’m sure it was quite intentional. Read these lyrics before you listen. It will keep you, whether you’re aware of it or not, from confusing the nacheinander and the nebeneinander. And what we find when we let the poetry speak first (I recommend the Genius app) is that Elvis Costello had some pretty strange things to say, and he said them quite well. With very clever wordplay (sometimes bordering on the trite, but always entertaining), superior euphony, vivid word pictures, multivalent allusions, clear cadence, and bold emotional evocations, Costello treats themes of troubled and ended relationships, social isolation, philosophical conundrums, lament for the departed, longing for seriousness, savagery in intimacy, frustration in being misunderstood, inexpressible love, the foolishness of adolescent promiscuity. And I won’t spoil it by connecting particular themes with particular tracks. If you just ‘play’ this album, it will zoom right past you. This is the poverty of MTV, YouTube, and the whole phenomenon of streaming, young folks. You’ll have to work hard to overcome the deficiency. I mean, just take his opening quatrain: “History repeats the old conceits The glib replies, the same defeats Keep your finger on important issues With crocodile tears and a pocketful of tissues” This is not hopscotch. This is T.S. Eliot territory (well, I exaggerate, but hyperbole can be found in Eliot himself, although he’d deny it). Hundreds of gems like this in only fifteen compositions. Now the music, well, it’s Elvis Costello, produced by Geoff Emerick, known for his previous legendary engineering work for an obscure British combo called The Beatles, and backed by The (superb) Attractions. What’s not to like? As I’ve said elsewhere, in terms of his music, Elvis Costello is fond of the compositional device of ‘bending’ classic rock & roll, jazz, and pop sonic tropes toward the irrational. It’s more sophisticated than mere mockery. It reflects a redemptive abandonment of mid-60s popular culture’s self-inflicted illusion of hopefulness. It’s a musical expression of the reason why a question mark is curvy and an exclamation point is straight. On the minus side, there is sometimes a slight disconnect on the record between the musical and lyrical moods, but, hey, get over it. This album is a rare combination of musical and poetic sense. By distinguishing these elements as Costello undoubtedly originally intended, we can absorb the interplay as art. 5/5

Well, I guess it’s true what they say: “all good things come to an end”. I had a run of 15 records over the last two or so weeks, that, even if they weren’t all knock-outs, were all (save one) extremely solid and enjoyable. Everything was going great. I was imbued with a newfound sense of joy each morning while partaking in this list. And who should come along, to bring my hopes and dreams crashing down? Elvis fucking Costello, the bespectacled pied piper of shitty records. If he comes to your town, jam oily rags in your ears to drown out his nerdy siren song. Imperial Bedroom (1982) is his sixth studio album and the 32nd of his that appears on this godforsaken list. I don’t even know how to classify the music on this record, it’s like circus-jazz. Yep, that’s it…Circus-Jazz (TM) and Elvis Costello is the lion tamer: We, the audience, watch him intently, secretly hoping to see him mauled by the lion, but, alas, he tempts fate and survives another day.

Kinda boring, can't remember a single thing about it

Elvis #2. I've never listened to him before. He's British, so I imagine we will get a handful of his albums before the list is through. It's hard to pin a genre label on this, it's all over the place. I'll say off the bat that I do not like his singing voice, it strikes me as whiny and annoying. The instrumentals were good, but overall quite bland. It doesn't add up to much, aside from a collection of posh, "adult" pop songs. This is certainly not for me. Favorite tracks: And In Every Home, Shabby Doll. Album art: Really digging this one, love the abstract picture, great colors. The text of the title is a little confusing but also creative. A shame the album is nowhere near as interesting or exciting as this cover. 2/5

Might require a second listen. It’s a really weird, interesting, quirky record. Definitely some Beatles influence. I think you can draw a line from this to some of the chamber pop of the 2010s. I don’t LOVE it but I think it’s pretty fun, pretty solid, I don’t know if I like it better than his earlier records, but it feels very distinctly Elvis Costello

I hate to rate this so low, since Elvis Costello has other records I absolutely adore, but this...was not great. It was dull for me, and for once I found myself annoyed at his vocals. Other than a few tracks, I wouldn't revisit.

This album has been giving me goosebumps since it came out 40 years ago. The Attractions are at the top of their game in mellow, loud, chamber pop and everything else. Elvis’s songs cover relationships as usual with biting sarcasm and wordplay. The opening trio of Beyond Belief, Tears Before Bedtime, and Shabby Doll set a level of brilliance followed up through the whole album

He’s a good song writer, but I’m kinda sick of hearing his voice

The self-loathing across this entire album was so thorough and intense to my malleable tween mind that repeated exposure might have permanently damaged my own sense of self-worth. Overall, the album is uneven - side two can get a little slow and the production is overwrought at times - but when it hits, it is landing right into the center of my forehead. To be fair, I honestly cannot say at this point if it found the sweet spot of my soul or if I developed the bulk of my personality around its sentiments. Beyond Belief still haunts me even after 40+ years of excessively close listening. Incredibly, when you break it down, there is very little to this song but put the pieces together and its a highlight of 20th century songwriting, performance and production. There is no other song like it, either - not only is it unique to Elvis's catalog but I mean that no one else ever made a song like this as far as I know. There is no chorus to speak of, it sounds almost like a stream of conscious ramble that steps on its own toes as it builds toward a final line that is repeated a few times. Fuckin' weird, man! but it works. People don't talk enough about how Elvis Costello might be the most sophisticated songwriter since Cole Porter. Maybe even more sophisticated. And they also miss that he is one of the finest pop singers you will ever hear. That is why more of his tunes aren't standards - they are too goddamn hard to sing! Side note: can we discuss Bruce Thomas's bass at the end of Shabby Doll - and really over this entire album? It's bonkers. The work of a mad genius. Despite their eventual acrimonious falling out due to Bruce's slagging Elvis in his tell-all memoir, his devout musicianship was so essential that Elvis permanently renamed his backing band from The Attractions to The Imposters, even though everyone else remained the same. Everything about Man Out of Time slays, but the exceedingly clever word play always shreds my mind, even after what has probably been 10,000 plays. Who's nerves are always on a knife's edge? Who's up late polishing the blade? Love is always scarpering or cowering or fawning You drink yourself insensitive and hate yourself in the morning Those four lines still send a chill up my spine every time. It is possible that I have never heard that song and not immediately replayed it. But is scarpering even a real word? I was too young to drink when I first heard these lines but I lived them for many years. Like I was saying before, I don't know if Elvis is observing the human condition or directing it. The other song we absolutely have to discuss is the closer, Town Cryer. Where self-loathing meets self-pitying and they jump off the cliff together. Fuck me!

What a fantastic album, no incredible songs but consistently good. Well matched to his voice in particular. Will listen to this again for sure

Very hard album to get through though it had a couple of decent tracks.

Sophisticated arrangements!

Costello goes full on baroque pop. The album is just a staggering showcase of Costello's talents. He still focuses on what makes us fall in and out of love and looks under the duvet of relationships. Words battle with intricate melodies - this is Costello indulging and allowing us to indluge with him. Best Tracks: Beyond Belief; Man Out of Time; Human Hands

Incredibly well-written even If the music and vocals don't always grab me. The run of great songs: The Long Honeymoon to Man Out of Time to Almost Blue to And in Every Home is amazing. Am I the only one who hears "guilty feet have got no rhythm" in Town Cryer?

I don't know what it is about Elvis Costello, but there is something that keeps me from really getting into him more than an "ok, I guess that's kinda cool" feeling. And what's weird is I feel like I should really like him. I just don't and can't put my finger on why. This one "just ok"er than the other two I've had so far. I can admire the craft of it, but man I just don't feel it. (6.8) ★★★

Beautifully crafted but also smug and soulless. Not much fun

p487, 1982. 2 stars I know he's a great wordsmith, but lyrically this is just depressing and bloody miserable to listen to. Very few standout tunes either. And something about Elvis Costello's voice leaves me cold, its either a whine or a sneer or a whiney sneer. Well done but definitely not my thing. Not likely to listen to this again. And will avoid sharp objects, pills and alcohol if I do.

Another Elvis Costello album proving he has too many albums on this list. One was worthy, the rest are mediocre.

Eh, Elvis Costello never really appealed to me. This album is pretty typical of my experience with him -- OK singing, and music that I don't like very much. 2 stars.

Shut up Elvis

It certainly helps that I’ve had many listens of this album prior to receiving it. At first, I wasn’t that big of a fan, but at this point, the record is filled with absolute gems. The album is filled with creativity and interesting ideas.

Kinda like Billy Bragg mixed with Peter Gabriel or something. And I’m here for it. I really enjoyed this album a lot actually, good mix of both very digestible and also kinda quirky. Not the most innovative or novel of albums but I feel like it provides a very unique vibe.

Absolutely hysterical that our final pick is an Elvis Costello album. Sure, I know statistically it was more likely, but hysterical nonetheless. He's way over-represented in the 1001, but at least I like his music (unlike freakin' Leonard Cohen, the other criminally over-represented artist in the 1001). One of my biggest complaints of his over-representation is that the albums sound too similar to each other, but this album at least has the distinction of being a little different and it grew on me with each listen. Good songs, well-arranged and played, excellent recording quality. I can't give EC a 5 - he's a little too goofy for that, but I would definitely revisit. Favorite tracks: Beyond Belief, Tears Before Bedtime, Shabby Doll, The Long Honeymoon (the first four tracks are just really strong - overall Side 1 is better than Side 2), The Loved Ones.

Great album, a bit dated but still holds up

a lovely variety of instrumentation, kind of unusual singing voice, and some lyrics that make me wistful for... something. An oddly shaped and unique pop album. Kind of reminds me of Bohemian Rhapsody a bit (but I'm a total layman to Queen...)

You can hear the ambition and ideas crammed into the many different songs on here. I guess it was a big deal at the time, but for this ca. 1986 Elvis first-listener it just sounds like a good EC album. For more details, insert the usual comments from my many earlier reviews... I think I just figured out I like Steve Nieve much more than Elvis himself. It's always the keyboard parts that excite me.

This one is supposed to be the one where Costello grows up and proves that he can be a Serious Writer. Back in high school, I really liked it for that, and Emerick's production actually made me appreciate the Beatles more (in particular, this album sounds kinda reminiscent of Happiness is a Warm Gun). But lately, these songs feel a bit lifeless, and I'd take any of his first five albums over it in a heartbeat.

3.5

I love Elvis Costello. I did not love this record. There are some great tracks: Beyond Belief, Man Out of Time, The Loved Ones and Pidgin English. Didn't really dig the rest.

Imperial Bedroom His 7th album in 5 years! I’m not really that familiar with the albums after Get Happy!!, I always assumed they start the slide into things like Brutal Youth, ie fine but with a lack of excitement and dynamism. That’s not entirely the case here, there are some great, energetic tracks and some great instrumentation and varying styles, but there’s also stuff like The Long Hands with its accordion, and the jazzy dullness of Almost Blue, both the kind of EC I struggle with. Beyond Belief is a great opener, I love the rhythm pattern, Tears Before Bed Time is very good, the organ and piano are excellent. Shabby Doll is good, it has that great bass/synth part. Man Out of Time is excellent, lovely instrumentation and that sped up section at the end is a great shot of excitement. …And in Every Home is really interesting, the debt to the Penny Lane horns and George Martin string arrangements is clear but it works well. I love the Sitar and Horns on Human Hands. Pidgin English is a great melody and I really like the harpsichord both forwards and backwards on You Little Fool, it’s a very catchy track. As on previous EC albums Steve Nieve really shines, his piano and keyboard playing is excellent throughout. The bass is perhaps not as interesting as This Year’s Model or Armed Forces but the drumming is great. And you can see why he wanted Geoff Emerick to produce it, as the Beatles influence and inspiration is very clear - the instrumentation and arrangements are very Sgt Pepper. Kind of stuck between 3 and 4. I enjoyed it, there are some great tracks, but it also starts to develop the feel of a lot of his music from the mid-80s onwards that I have a hard time enjoying, and it does feel pretty front loaded, with a definite dip on the 2nd side. It also, like Brutal Youth, has a feeling of being longer than it actually is. Ultimately I’m not sure how often I’ll revisit, it’s more likely I’ll just whack the highlights on a playlist, so I’ll go high 3 🛏️🛏️🛏️ Playlist submission: Man Out of Time

Another strong Elvis Costello album. Overrepresented? Yes. Overrated? No. Rating: 3.5/5 Playlist track: Man Out of Time Date listened: 28/02/24

“Beyond Belief” is a scorching start that set me up for disappointment as there’s maybe an EP’s duration of greatness here; Costello has a lot to say, but I don’t want to hear most of it. “Town Cryer” would be a good pun in a single line, but he makes the pun carry a song, which feels typical: thin stuff.

Costello wasted his own talents and that of his illustrious collaborators on this pedestrian album. His voice is too snide and his sensibilities too wry to mesh with Emerick's rich but uninspired arrangements.

I can’t really think of anything to say. Just a whole lot of nothingness for my money. But it’s fine.

I always thought Elvis Costello was overrated. This album proves it.

1.93

look man, I get it list author, you fucking love Elvis Costello, and I can see putting one of his albums up, but all of them? Nothing here comes close to Alison. That being said, its kinda neat to hear him incorporate some synth here and there and some 80's sounds to his repertoire if you were interested, and you know when his voice is good, its great, but it really depends on the song. Unfortunately its just not enough to make an enjoyable listen.

Mediocre. The clever lyrics are diminished by the arrogant smugness this guy exudes. The sound is loungy, nothing against that. But Costello needs to lay off the valium.

I need to come to terms with the fact that I simply do not like Elvis Costello. He could write some good songs, sure, but listening to them makes me want to listen to anything else. Also what's with that title on the cover? IbMePdErRoIoAmL. It's like they didn't have enough room to fit the title and forced themselves to get creative. Oh god, I'm talking about the cover art to avoid talking about the music. It's pretty pop rock, and Costello gets creative on occasion with harpsichord, brass, and other little flairs here and there. It's also overly long and never fully interesting to me. I can't say why, but I think Costello doesn't do it for me.

Up there with the coolest album art we've had so far. I struggled to really 'get' this album - it started off good, but then some tracks just felt like they belonged on a completely different album (like '...And In Every Home'). I appreciate not just pumping out 12 variations on the same style, but I found some tracks on this one went too far the other way, and it made for a weird listening experience when you're coming to this album blind. That said, there are some nice little tracks in there - Tears Before Bedtime and Man Out of Time being two highlights for me. Just a bit confused what to think of this one really

It was okay, I liked Beyond belief

This was a really good album. I didn't expect much but was quite pleasantly surprised

Sweeping melodies and biting lyrics. Elvis Costello's trademarked style on full display in an early iteration. Sweet and nasty at the same time.. Man out of Time is one of my favorites of his and among the the best on this album.

pretty fire

Yep.

Good

This is very varied album, full of great songs with the very special voice of Elvis Costello

I have nothing negative to say about this. Loved every song, genuinely enjoyed every moment. His voice is easy to make fun of but it’s not distracting and it doesn’t detract from the songs. You can needle drop anywhere on this album and it sounds like a tight jazz club and with a singer who could also be fronting the stooges, it rules. I don’t think this thing has a stand out single or anything to play on repeat but the album as a whole might as well be a 50 minute single that’s phenomenal end to end.

Songs on here are so well crafted, that's the best part of an Elvis Costello record - the songwriting. The worst part is that sometimes his voice can get too sniveling. I'm biased towards the more rocking tracks, but I think I enjoyed every song on here. I'm feeling a soft 5/5

Elvis Costello + Geoff Emerick equal awesome!

A great album at his prime

I love Elvis

Plan on listening on way to ireland

Very interesting. I like it. Great album.

I’ve always been an Elvis Costello appreciator for a songwriting and infectious melodies. He has had such an amazing impact on the world of music and has spin a wide variety of genres influence by his sound, though I can’t really place any particular record. for a songwriting and infectious melodies. He has had such a amazing impact on the world of music and has spin a wide variety of genres influence by his sound, though I can’t really place any particular record. I have listened to Elvis Costello Records before but mostly I’m a random track listener when it comes to his work so to my memory, this is the first Elvis Costello record that I have fully listened to, and given my full attention, and I was pretty blown away I’m so used to his more pop oriented songs that hearing songs like man out of Time and Pidgin English caught me off guard. This album is psychedelic and filled with such beautiful instrumentation wildly. Funky bass fills and unpredictable. Chord changes made this such a fun listen. My first lesson was in the car and I was tapping along and digging it, but I put it on while working on a project late at night and it hit differently. It was dark and sad at times. And the songs became more complex and deceiving. I love the lower moments of this album the slow, sad, classic pouring his heart out to anyone who’s listening. Great story tell her and really knows the right combinations to coax you into feeling something. No, I still need to dive into Elvis Costello‘s library album feels like you can stand alone as a conception piece of art like a good book written with the journey in mind and not two cells many copies as possible Elvis C. Do you have a new fan

So good – a dozen highly literate, sharply observed, skilfully played and produced pop gems. Coherent storylines and consistent-to-complementary tones from song to song make this a master class in pop music, from the strong first cut to the exquisite closer. Tasteful applications strings and horns and subtle piano figures seem to comment on the moods of these songs, adding lush sort of depth and richness in uber-appropriate ways. "Shabby Doll;" “Man Out of Time” and “Almost Blue” and "Beyond Belief" and "Little Fool" are the top cuts but every song is excellent in its own way, which is why this is, without a doubt, a masterpiece.

A bit eclectic, really enjoyed it

Great album!

Beyond Belief is an all time great song. The rest of the album was fun

surreal

I have nonidea what the rest of the people here are talking about, this album is awesome. Maybe it's Costello burnout, and I've only had 2 so far in 500+ albums, but I'm not burned out. This is objectively great stuff. Costello does have a goofy voice, but so do Dylan and Coen and many others and that never got in their way of great songs. This album is very 80s without all of the slop from the era. I like almost of this album, with Human Hands, Tears Before Bedtime, ...And In Every Home, and many others here are just awesome.

Genial. Adoro a Elvis Costello y cada nuevo disco suyo que escucho me vuela la cabeza y quiero repetirlo mil veces.

I love Elvis Costello and this was one of his better albums. Starts out strong with the first tack, probably the best on the album, but just keeps going.

Great album from a legend in the singer songwriter field.

Not bad at all

This is one of my favorite records. Easy five stars. Elvis' scathing lyrics about his continuing interpersonal and romantic struggles are front and center on Imperial Bedroom. "Men will literally write five albums full of the cleverest turns of phrase about romantic strife instead of going to therapy."

This is among my favorite albums of all time and is definitely one of Costello's best. Interesting writing/lyrics, interesting singing, interesting songs, interesting variety, interesting cover art. It's a classic!

One of EC’s best

5 - this album has some amazing tracks that I never expected to find, exactly why I started this journey and it’s worth a second listen I recommend good headphones

The best

I never heard of them before, honestly as soon as the backing vocals got less annoying this got really really good

One of his best.

Elvis Costello is an outstanding songwriter and the owner of one of the coolest singing voices I can think of--he and Tom Petty exist in a class of their own where their singing voices just sound cool. I'm making my uncle proud with this one. Favorite track: Man Out of Time

Another favorite from the past! Elvis & the boys go into a different gear with this one. Smooth and mature.

Enjoyed, can’t remember any of it already

One of my favorite Elvis albums and easily one of the greatest 100 of all time.

I understand why people complain about the number of Elvis Costello albums on this list. I agree as few could be dropped, but not this one. Nearly every of the 15 songs is a modern pop classic with great and witty lyrics. The Attractions are also performing on top level.

A singularly impressive achievement by a singular artist. Consistiently high-quality songs delivered with and conviction and purpose and supported by intriguing arrangements, ace porduction and very good playing throughout (tense and teasing piano plus pulling bass on "Shabby Doll;" tasteful and undestated strings + horns on "Town Cryer" are among the top grace notes, with the latter being an exquisite way [plus master class in how] to end a great record). So many good cuts – beyond the aforementioned, “Man Out of Time” and “Almost Blue” and "Beyond Belief" and "Little Fool" are among one's faves – and not a dog to be found in the lot AKNF, as was once said. One considers the snark and cynicism to be a feature not a bug. This is peak Elvis and probably the top destination on EC’s long and interesting career journey. One's a resounding yes on this being his masterpiece.

Costello knocks it out of the park, leaving New Wave behind and embracing his love of Bacharach lushness. The production is exquisite and his lyrics retain their bite - his word play is especially brilliant ('Days of Dutch courage Just three French letters and a German sense of humour'). Utterly sublime. Might this be his best work?

World changing…

Two songs in I knew this was a great example of a certified banger©

Good

One of the most creative pop albums I've ever heard. This is a great album to wander through on a Sunday afternoon. It's an album that's full of nuances, one best appreciated when you have time to really sit with it. Sophisticated, richly arranged and stylistically diverse. A bit challenging compared to some of Elvis Costello's other works, but totally worth the effort. Gorgeous arrangements, outstanding musicianship, strikingly clever lyrics, and one of Costello's best vocal performances of his career. Fave Songs (All songs, from most to least favorite): Beyond Belief, Almost Blue, Man Out of Time, Shabby Doll, The Long Honeymoon, Kid About It, Human Hands, The Loved Ones, Boy With a Problem, Pidgin English, Town Cryer, You Little Fool, Little Savage, ...And in Every Home, Tears Before Bedtime

Elvis Costello album #5 (and still no Bruce Springsteen or Radiohead, arrrgh) -and new favourite! Every time E.C. pops up I let my guard down, but especially so in this one. The lyrics are kitchen sink realism, & the production has everything but the kitchen sink. It's a weirdly good match what a strange transition between "Long Honeymoon" & "Man Out of Time" HL: "You Little Fool", "The Long Honeymoon", "Man Out of Time", "Beyond Belief", "...And In Every Home", "The Loved Ones" May 19, 2023

5/5 i really appreciate the packed soundscape. strings come in then vanish. keyboards drive a song then yield to percussion. some really weird production choices baffle me to this day (eg the chorus on kid about it). the excellent songs demonstrate the depth of ec’s writing talent, shown again and again before and after this album.

Top 10 albums all time for me

Another classic Elvis Costello record, out of all the ones he made this one would definitely be in my top 3.

Enjoyed more than expected, though took a while to get through. Almost Blue is cracking.

This album is so good. I would give a 10 rating to 5 of the first 6 songs.

This album doesn’t have the instantly recognizable hits of his early albums, but I agree with the critics who say it was his masterpiece. He borrows from a lot of different styles: jazz, country, baroque pop and blends everything together beautifully. You don’t know what’s coming up next but it always seems to fit. The songwriting is outstanding –Shabby Doll, Man out of Time, and Kid About It are my favorites but there really isn’t a weak track on the album. The production and instrumentation are very sophisticated, and his voice, which can be grating at times is breathy and at its best, due to the mixing I would think. It’s a “mature” sound, different than what came before, and better than what he did afterward.

Unexpectedly great. I loved how intricate all of the songs were. Lots of different instruments and moving pieces.

I think is this Elvis Costello’s apex in terms of experimentation. The album is dense, highly melodic and dabbles in unusual melodies and chord changes. It seems influenced by the early 20th century American songbook yet it also looks forward to college rock.

"History repeats the old conceits...the quick replies the same repeats", this album is tattooed on my brain..."so teddy bear tender and tragically hip", I love this record. This was his third album after his first early period of signature tunes. Trust was a fine lo fi album, then his country covers the wonderful Almost Blue and then this, and let me say his version of Almost Blue on this album wiped the floor with Chet Baker's sodden sulk. EC had been working up to this record, it is truly about the songs and he'd finally got the Attractions where he wanted them. Kid About It (the chorus vocal lines..."say you wouldn't", Beyond Belief, the epic Man Out of Time, Tears Before Bedtime, the Chris Difford penned and superb Boy With A Problem, this is EC in his lyrical and musical pomp, album that is played with monotonous regularity in our house her indoors also rates it highly. For the post new wave punk EC I'd start here.

Superb album. His best.