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.

Imperial Boredom

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

Sophisticated arrangements!

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

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

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.

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

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...)

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

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

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.

SO holup i can just put your nick on the url and it works???

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.

10/10 fucking LOVED the diversity it was so fresh and fun the whole time some parts were definitely a little too experimental for some people but I loved every second I’m definitely disappointed by how many people gave this a negative review why you gotta do this banger of an album like that?

"Imperial Bedroom" is the 7th album by Elvis Costello and the 6th album with the Attractions. And what a great album this is! It helps that it has my favorite two Elvis Costello songs ("Beyond Belief" and "Almost Blue"). It was produced by Geoff Emerick not Nick Lowe whom Elvis typically have produce. Elvis said this was his happiest album to date. I don't know; the lyrics are utterly brilliant but I don't know if I'd call them happy. The music is pretty happy though and is definitely a variety of styles. In addition, you can find something musically in almost every song making it worth a listen. The first single released was "You Little Fool" at the insistence of the record company due to its happy music. It is fairly happy music with the piano carrying the chorus and a song about a daughter's cry for attention and romantic misery. Not so happy. The album actually starts with "Beyond Belief" a song which slowly build to a musical climax. Great lyrics and imagery about the cycle of pursuing love....just fantastic. "Man Out of Time" is what Elvis said was the heart of the album and kind of autobiographical about a man disgusted with himself. Great well-balanced music too. "Almost Blue" is a sad piano song about two people growing apart. It needs to be heard in a smokey bar (which don't exist anymore). Pitchfork only ranked this at #155 for albums in the 1980's. There are 154 better albums? Anyway, I have heard a lot of Elvis Costello and this definitely near the top.

I was an ignorant 1 star wanker about Elvis myself once. Since I’ve hit 40 I’ve learned to embrace his snide, sneering, whinging cynicism. Y’all need to grow up.

Amazingly good, Costello doing what he does best

4.5/5. Prob my fav Costello so far. Quite zany

Wow. Can't believe I didn't know this album.

Wow

LOVED!

Great listening to the other Elvis.... quite a popular album when I was in college.....

Good surprise

Loved it!

One of my favorite albums.

Chad

I’d say I enjoyed this album more than most of Elvis Costello’s catalog. It leans into New Wave, with some baroque arrangements, and is very piano and organ driven. While I still think Costello is way overrated, especially how often his albums show up on top lists, I have to admit this one stood out. It’s an album I’d be open to revisiting again in the future.

Really good album, very close to being top scores. It was just missing that almighty banger of a song to tip it over the edge.

Certainly different from the other albums my group has gotten from Mr. Costello, but still pretty decent enough. 3.5 bumped up to 4.

I’m at a 4, but if it weren't for a handful of mediocre tracks, I'd be at a 5. Sorry to Elvis Costello – third time we’ve gotten him, and he just hasn’t cracked a 5 for me. This one was at a 5 for a while, though, so that’s a good positive, and I did enjoy a lot of this album. Hell, I think it solves a lot of the reasons I gave for not giving “My Aim Is True” a 5 – the album doesn’t really stagnate until about 10 tracks in, the song structures aren’t as concrete & inflexible as they were, & as far as the variety in the soundscape goes, this has a really nice showcase of styles that feels like they have more depth to them. So, if everything feels solved, and the tracks sound good, what gives? Well, the reason I’m at a 4 is because the bad tracks are actually just… kinda bad this time. "My Aim Is True" never had a truly bad track, but the ones that are "bad" here just... ugh, man. When this album hits that stagnant point on Tracks 10, 11 & 12, it really kills the vibe & the momentum the whole thing had going for it. 7 of the first 9 tracks clicked really well for me, but that is a 3-track stretch that is mediocrely drab at best. They did not click at all for me. The album really pulls it back in for “Pidgin English” & “You Little Fool”, but I’ll be damned if “Town Cryer” isn’t a flat ending. I did like 9 of the 15 tracks here, but if 40% of the album isn’t quite clicking like that, then you’ve bloated it a little too much. However, that 60% is really fucking good, and has some of the best tracks I’ve heard from Elvis Costello yet. The Attractions, as a band, seemingly add a lot of nice depth to his soundscape, evolving to a really nice point that feels even more pleasing than what I heard on “My Aim Is True” – if that 60% were all that’s here, I’d be at a 5 without a question. That other 40% is what drags this down to a 4, but it’s still a 4 I’d highly recommend – the tracks that didn’t click well for me could click well for someone else (although, given that this has an average of 3 on the site, they probably didn’t). I feel bad that I haven’t given Elvis a 5 yet, but I feel like it’s gonna click at some point. He’s gotten real close twice, so maybe the 4th time’s the charm. P.S.: If nothing else, “Man Out of Time” fucking rules. That’s a great, great track.

A good album, I liked Tears Before Bedtime and Human Hands the most.

haven't heard of the attractions before, feels like stereotypical new wave

Good stuff. Need my baby by my side and a warm fire.

Good discovery

4/5. I didn't feel like this was a classic but it was definitely high quality Costello. The ballads are hit or miss. The songs are either smooth and jazzy while others are just slow rock songs for no reason. The more chaotic tracks are where Costello and his band shine, as is usual. The production is more full and really enhances the album, which would be the main difference, but overall, a similar vibe to his previous works. Best Song: Beyond Belief, Shabby Doll, Kid About It

Not my favorite Costello, but still excellent. Great melodies abound. “Beyond Belief” is perfect. 4/5

This definitely gets off to a slow start, but ends up being an otherwise really enjoyable album. There's definitely better Elvis Costello songs out there, but as a cohesive record this definitely flows well. I think it maybe was a bit on the long side, but not going to knock that since I genuinely enjoyed a majority of songs on this record, so no harm no foul.

Not a terribly huge fan of the first few tracks of Side A, I found them to be pretty forgettable until The Long Honeymoon when the side slows down. Until listening to this album, I only knew three Elvis Costello songs and my favourite of the, I Want You, feels the most like the songs I enjoyed most on this side. The combination of Costello's lyricism and the production/instrumentation on this album makes it feel like a English/funhouse mirror of Leonard Cohen. Sarcastic, poetic and talented. Not everything lands, songs like ...And In Every Home feel like I would come to enjoy them after repeat listens and time has warmed me up to them. The lyrics on that song are great but the production felt a bit TOO baroque pop for my taste but whatever it's the last song on the side. My enjoyment of side B was the same as side A, the first few songs flew by me but the peak of this album was Pidgin English, the song opened and clicked with me and everything fell into place with the acoustic guitar instrumental bit. You Little Fool and Town Cryer stick the landing for the rest of this side. So how do you rate an album where you only really like half the songs but you feel the rest could grow on you later? I am in a good mood (mainly because I am happy to discover Elvis Costello is not shit), so I will give this an optimistically high score in anticipation of enjoying the rest of this more in the future. This bloke has a lot of albums in this book so I am hoping it's for the same reason as Bowie (cause he's actually good) and not for the same reason as Nick Cave (no comment). Highlights: The Long Honeymoon, Man Out Of Time, Almost Blue, Pidgin English, You Little Fool, Town Cryer

Solid

I don't like the overt Beatles/60s pastiches e.g. '...And in Every Home' with its use of smugly gleeful horns, straight out of the era of dated Sgt Pepper psychedelia. It reminds me a bit of Macca's string-laden reworking of Beatles classics, in his pompous vanity project, 'Give My Regards to Broad Street'. there's rarely a bad melody to be found here. The meandering 'Man Out of Time' is one of the standouts. 'Pidgin English' is immediately catchy, although almost sunk by more horns and Bee Gees impressions. 'You Little Fool' another decent pop number with the quick chord progressions heard in Pidgin English, Little Savage (and previously used so well in Oliver's Army). I particularly enjoyed the lounge-pop numbers - 'The Long Honeymoon', 'Boy With a Problem', 'Kid About It' and 'Almost Blue', despite the latter's similarity to the superior 'Shipbuilding'. There are others (Human Hands, The Loved Ones) which are ok but feel like a product of the Costello sausage machine. It's a 3/4 borderline case, because it's interesting I'll tip it.

GaRlEbAuTm

Not a great voice but he writes solid compositions with creative chord changes. Like! 3.8

Beyond Belief Man Out of Time

Sommigen vinden het niks, ik kan Elvis Costello altijd wel waarderen. Direct herkenbaar stemgeluid, sympathieke deuntjes. Je kunt je afvragen of het nog wat toevoegt na de drie albums die eerder al langskwamen. Dat niet.

Costello is still my favorite of all Elvises. The only thing is that every time I listen to an album of his I hadn’t heard before, which is most of them before this project, it makes me a little sad I hadn’t listened to it sooner.

Costello is a challenge, with his non-traditional song formation - probably stemming from his love of jazz. The Attractions seem to keep him more grounded, though. This is definitely worthy of the list.