Reviews (page 4 of 7)
Slightly better than the other Elvis Costello albums I’ve already listened to but still not for me
Not my favorite Elvis album. 2.5
Fine for what it is with a couple of noteworthy songs, but this is certainly not my favorite Elvis Costello album. Many of the songs kind of blended together at the same basic background.
[The songs] exhibit a malaise of the spirit and a sinking feeling about happy endings. The souring and spoiling of England was just under way. Passing from town to town on the tours of the early '80s, I came to know some people who seemed just as disenchanted and discouraged. Their stories found their way into these songs. —Elvis Costello, 2002 Beyond believe - very chill, like it Tears before bedtime - a little bit more spacelike, like it alot, also very chill Shabby doll - put me in a disco in the 80s on Halloween please, love The long honeymoon - it's okay, would fit in the background of a scene in an hotel when the mans cheating Man out of time - love love love, mix of sounds, catchy, will you still love a man out of time?? Almost blue - not much text variation and somehow still very sad ...And in every home - love the instrumental arrangement, feels so extra (3rd fav) The loved ones - relatable, if dancable music why overthinker lyrics (2nd fav) Human Hands - my fav so far i think, LOVE (fav) Kid about it - dont love it in comparison to rest, has some catchy parts but feels very long Little savage - hmm, dont really know, i feel neutral to this song Boy with a problem - dont really like it, gives grown man not being able to take responsibility (least fav) Pidgin english - I really prefered the beginning of the album, neither lyrics nor melody feels very special Little fool - quite catchy, like it Town Cryer - feels like a good ending, pretty chill
Yeah it's fine
Found it to be very good songwriting, so all songs stuck on relisten, but probably only had two moments in the album that I stopped to think that I really liked.
It’s fine I guess
Didn't blow me away but neither a stinker
The Wikipedia entry says Elvis Costello changed producers for this one because he thought Nick Lowe wouldn’t let him experiment as much in the studio. I’m team Lowe - I liked a couple of songs but I prefer my Costello angular and punchy rather than baroque.
Album 888 of 1089 Elvis Costello & The Attractions -Imperial Bedroom (1982) Rating : 3 / 5 I like most of what I hear from Elvis Costello, though some albums clearly stand out more than others. This one falls firmly in the lower-middle for me. It was pleasant enough to listen to, but it never really caught on or offered anything that stuck with me. The songs are decent, but there wasn’t one that reached out and grabbed my attention. Very average by Costello’s standards, in my opinion.
This was enjoyable, as anything by Elvis and his Attractions always is, but it wouldn’t be my favourite. I don’t think it quite holds up when compared to their earlier efforts.
It wasn't boring. That's about all I'll give it.
On the one hand I like Elvis Costello. On the other he can feel kind of repetitive. I am on the fence. Some of the stuff is really good and some of it is signature Elvis Costello. Maybe it is that to like his music you have to embrace his voice full stop, and sometimes I like an instrumental break or even an alternate singer. Actually this opens up a thought inside me... I often do like bands that switch up or duet or go instrumental now and then... It isn't that I don't like or appreciate Elvis Costello, because I do. It may be that this album is simply too "Elvis Costello himself" heavy?
o outro que brotou aqui do costello era mais legalzinho esse é ok
dá pra ver uma clara influência dos beatles nesse aqui!! me pareceu mais maduro que os outros dois dele que já apareceram, só que menos divertido. mas num eh ruim não!
Prima album, niet z'n beste werk.
Solid, swanky, classic. 7/10
A lovely slice of early 80's New Wave. It fades a bit on side 2 but a really good album.
Elvis Costello had better albums
Great individual songs but after a few Costello songs, it gets droning.
Cool vibes, it felt nicely experimental. There were some songs that I liked a lot and other not at all, but overall a nice listen! 3.5/5 The 'Shabby doll' which I found funny and stayed stuck in my head
Just ok. Don't love the album, but love the cover.
He tried. That’s worth something.
This was just... fine? It's my first Elvis Costello album on this list but apparently there are about 6 or 7 more waiting for me. What about this guy is so special that he's so overrepresented? This album was fine, it wasn't revolutionary and it was a bit dorky at parts but what am I missing?
There are definitely too many Elvis Costello albums in this collection, but I appreciate that this was included, as it seems like it's a different direction and sound from a lot of his other albums. My favorites are probably the opening track "Beyond belief", "Shabby doll", and the more-classic-Costello-sounding "Human hands", but few of the tracks really fall flat (but few rise all that high either, I suppose). It's hard to know how to rate this album, as it didn't really do anything special for me, but I can see why so many critics consider this one of if not his best work across a long career.
Whenever I have heard Elvis Costello, I've always thought that I should listen to more but this album wasn't the one to really get me going.
It's been so many Elvis Costello albums... And I still don't get it. At least this one wasn't so boring
Pretty good Elvis Costello album; I especially liked the opening track. Costello & the Attractions always fall into the "great to listen to circumstantially, but I'll likely not ever choose to listen to them on my own" bin for me. 3.25/5
More Elvis Costello that I hadn't heard. I like this but not as much as the first few albums. 3.25/5
easy listening,
78% Best: Beyond Belief; Shabby Doll; Man Out Of Time Must-Hear? They had me in the first half. Then failed to match it on the second. Not quite for me
eh
IbMepdErRoIoAmL... two can play that stupid game PaRlEbTuTmYiLmAhMoE
meh
Probably the best written songs I've heard from this guy. I still don't really want to hear his voice ever again
Just fine. Inoffensive. Not so inoffensive to be offensively inoffensive.
A bit boring towards the end, but a nice sound overall
Decent album but not his best- in my opinion
yeah……. idk
this album reminds me of the time I was fired from my university job at the beginning of a shift and then asked to work the rest of my shift. I stuck around for a few hours until an average looking man offered to eat my ass, then I just got up and left early.
Not drinking hatorade on this, but also not drinking simp-juice
Very non offensive
Incredibly average album. Not bad, but nothing that really grabbed me outside a couple tracks and some really cool moments on others. Not sure why this is on the list, we got the Elvis Costello thing with his debut and "This Year's Model". That's all we needed thank you
Kind of get it. Baroque pop with the Beatles a big influence here. Not too keen on Costello’s voice. Lyrics are probably a bit overrated. But one I might come back to.
Very enjoyable album. I don't think I was familiar with any of the songs from this one, which is weird, because my exposure to Mr. McManus isn't limited.
This is a very frustrating album, because it seems the band forgot the part about needing hooks. But what's there is still pretty good. It's like all the songs are missing is the hook, it generally has everything else. Costello's voice is great, they still sound impossibly cool, but I think they tried to be a bit *too* cool for this record. No matter how cool you are, you can't survive not having hooks. Every song I'm just waiting for that catchy chorus or riff, and it just doesn't come. And once in a while I'll get it, but the song is too mid-tempo for it to actually be catchy. Best songs are The Long Honeymoon and The Loved Ones. Human Hands is a solid track too. Overall solid record, just missing the hooks. One of those, if I kept going back to it, I'd appreciate it, but probably won't be going back. I'll just listen to This Year's Model instead.
★★★½
EC is fine. This album is fine. But not sure he needs multiple albums on the list.
Another new to me selection. I don't know much about Elvis Costello except the reputation of being an influential act. Here we go. Very eighties for sure. Two songs in and I am interested. The music is layered with lots of different sounds. I enjoyed Shabby Doll quite a bit. I really enjoy the manic parts of the songs. Way more than when he slows it down. Almost dragged after the end of Man out of Time, for instance. The album is a little bloated for me too. The best 10-12 songs would have sufficed. This is just okay for me. I don't see it as being revolutionary, although i think some of his other works fit that bill. 2.8/5
Honestly this kinda of just bored me. Another one of those albums where I don't really understand why it's on here. Maybe it would be really good if I was a big Elvis Costello fan.
This is interesting. I think Elvis Costello is better enjoyed in small doses and mostly with his bangers. And I realize this is probably a bad take, people love him as an artist, but I can’t ever fully get into his full length albums. I do appreciate the non traditional instruments in this one, and how he plays with unique sounds. Though, overall, it didn’t quite keep me wanting more.
Elvis Costello ✅
Fine. I have a feeling itll grow on me
With a few exceptions, I've never been a big Elvis Costello fan. Just noticing that he kind of sounds like Joe Strummer. 3
I'm 517 albums in, and it feels like about 5% have been Elvis Costello. This is by far and away the greatest Elvis Costello album I have heard. By which I mean it's fine.
Nothing particularly exciting, not terrible i guess?
I groaned out loud when I saw this being served up, as I've not really been on-board with most of his stuff. But you know, this one is at least pleasant throughout. I think the music is good enough that it prevents it from being boring, but it is quite slight.
Ever since hearing the wonderful 'I Want You" Elvis Costello has been on my radar to explore, but somehow I never did. So I was very excited to be gifted this album from the generator. Elvis Costello is simply fantastic. His lyricism is wonderfull his musical arrangments are grandiose, but as a complete album this one failed to keep me interesting the whole way trough.
Hadn't heard this album before. Its ok, not great, not bad either. No real memorable songs on this album
Quiet listening on the deck. Breezy 70s with a book
so this list has an excess of Elvis Costello. huh... and wait a second... he plays a jazzmaster! we must cancel him cause i want to own that exact guitar ever since i first become a nirvana fan but i think it dont belong to me!
not my style but the music was decent
3/5 was pretty good
Didn't love it though Elvis usually takes me a few listens to appreciate, and this had no songs I know.
Where the parts are greater than their sum
I love Elvis Costello, but this album is just good to me
I don't hold this in as high esteem as the critics and many fans do but I do appreciate the craft of it, it's just not really my taste. 3.5 stars
The orchestrations and instrumentations are cool.
Wär kännten nöd, de Elvis Castello? Trotzdäm hani na nie öppis vonem gloset. Eigentli na rächt cool.
beyond belief as in "das lied isch arsch beyond belief" nei echt, finds sehr es komischs lied, d instrument sind iwie alli disjointed ja nöd so en coole start, armed forces hani ja recht cool gfunde sorry ich find d musig würkli so lasch und ohni energie und sini stimm isch jz aunöd so de börner vlt bin ich au chli gemein okok shabby doll macht sache, cools klavier HAHAH bass??? oke das het aber jz na spass gmacht long honeymoon isch auna cool? passt nöd würkli zum rest vom album aber jo chammer mache mann verfall ich wieder am charme vo costello??? i wott nöd oke durreschnuufe, almost blue isch eifach ok gsi und and in every home findi gad echt nöd guet hahahah uii the loved isch wieder huuere weird aber finds gad wieder sehr cool? jaa jz laufts eifach chli iwie, aso es isch sicher nöd z wenig abwechsligsriich town cryer au wieder sehr vill aber d striicher hani na cool gfunde hahaha ich weiss nöd, ich bin iwie sehr entzwei, de ahfang hetmi mega gnervt aber denn ischs vill besser worde. so ziemlich jedes lied het öppis z büte gha au wenni jz nöd alli flich gern gha han aber sicher es album wo ich nomal wird lose
I finally get the EC hate with this list. I've been able to defend or deflect most criticisms but this album has no place on this list. It's not bad, it's also not monumental in the terms of a 'must listen' 3/5
meh
Very chilled out album that I have never heard before. It's a nice listen with great lyrics and, although nothing that blew me away, the music fits with it. I'd probably add some of these songs to a fun/chill playlist. Wouldn't be opposed to listening to this again.
not the best Elvis Costello album imho. I enjoy more the pop punk first years and i think these where the years that took him up there. The sweet and sultry albums don't suit him. Sorry
I keep trying to like Elvis Costello more than I do. I’m not sure what I’m reaching for here. The album cover is awesome. The first two songs are great, then the rest of the record didn’t really grab me. I enjoyed it more upon repeat listens, but I’m not sure this one will stay in heavy rotation.
This just seemed kind of one note to me, not much stood out. I’m sure it’s relevant to someone. Another case for a 10 point scale. 2.5/5
I’m sure there are elements that I’m just missing, or are maybe over my head. I can certainly appreciate the complexity of the arrangements and production here, def next level. But can’t say any of the songs on this one really grabbed my attention fully. Probably better material out there from EC.
A solid showing. I appreciate this and liked a fair amount. I’m just don’t get super hyped the second best Elvis. 3.25 and prob one his albums we’ve gotten that I liked the most.
One of those albums I know is good, but just not for me. I suspect we’ll be seeing much more from Costello in this exercise… 3/5
Another Elvis Costello! And once again not really for me. Did find myself enjoying this one more than past entries. Overall- 2.5/5
Has it's moments, not something I'll listen to again tho
Not doing any harm. Surprisingly hard to track down.
He is an artist who I like and admire a great deal but don’t listen to that often to be honest. This was pretty good if a bit overlong. I did like it though.
Ok record for me
3.6/5
I have always respected Costello but never really listened to a lot of his albums. When I was living in Canada the closest place to buy music was a Radio Shack in Fort Frances. I picked up When I Was Cruel on a whim and a need to hear something new and there was a lack of options. I had listened to This Year's Model and enjoyed it in the past. I lived with a girl in Minneapolis with her Mom and Brother. Her Brother would play a lot of music that I would end up loving and we would talk artists. We would smoke cigarettes in the basement and drink beer. He looked like your stereotypical late 20's that never grew out of the mid 90's, flannel and goatee. Elvis Costello came up a couple times but this album never did. I enjoyed a few tracks on this album but I can't see myself going back to it. The Long Honeymoon and Almost Blue stood out for me.
I have never heard Elvis Costello before in my life so I really didn't know what to make of this. He is an interesting songwriter, but his singing voice is also... interesting. I'm going to sit on the fence with this one and rate it a 3.
A pleasant listen, nothing special
Never been the biggest Elvis Costello fan, but a quite good album. 3.5 stars
I think the first half of this album is pretty good. "Beyond Belief" is great, and "Man Out of Time", "Tears Before Bedtime", and "...And in Every Home" are all good songs. However, the second half is really a slog for me. I feel like in this era of Elvis, he's afraid of rocking out too much ("Show me where the electric guitar hurt you, Elvis!") and there's just no energy anywhere. 3 stars.
Does have a pretty sumptuous sonic palette throughout - Sgt Peppers, Spector Wall Of Sound and early 80s Sophistipop all swirl around and get stitched together splendiferously to make the most luxuriant technicolour dream-bed linen. Unfortunately it is quite baggy bed linen thanks to the bloated track list. For all the variety here there is possibly only a smattering of songs that shine out as semi Costello classics, namely Beyond Belief and Man Out Of Time. Vocal melodies and performances range from very good to kinda annoying.
Typical Elvis loads of words
No es mi estilo, pero me gustó el trabajo de orquestación, parecido al de los beatles. Los temás parecían honestos. Me gustó el tema "Almost Blue", aunque sentí que podría haber "explotado" un poco más.
I like Elvis and I like some of his work a lot, but none of the great stuff is on this album.
Never been much of an Elvis Costello fan, it's pleasant enough but not really my thing, and this album is not terribly exciting (except the very end of 'Man Out of Time', more of that please), didn't mine 'Shabby Doll' either, or 'Pidgin English' ⭐⭐⭐ (probably a 3.5)
Fine
It's good, but I don't really enjoy Costello's work all that much.
1001 Elvis Costello albums to listen to before you die? I like Elvis Costello a lot but this is starting to take the piss and it's far from his best
Albums to listen to when you have run out of ideas. It's fine.
Costello siempre tiene algo que tus oidos quieren que oigas
Every time I listen to an Elvis Costello album after armed forces I get my hopes up and then they come crashing down as the most boring songs ever play. Blegh
I WANTED to dislike this album but that proved difficult. It was weird and weirdly good with a level of unpredictability. What I like about it most was the cohesive contributions of all the musicians that surrounded Castillo voice rather than backing it. Long Honeymoon was a weird French cafe inspired love song, followed by the screaming roar of Man Out of Time, and later the horn-laden …And In Every Home. The Loved Ones could have been an Elton John song. Key song for me was Little Savage, which I think I liked because he kept in the pocket and the harmonies added some depth to his voice, which I am always thought was a little nasally and drunken. I am not committing this to vinyl, but (…and this is a big step for me…) I could and probably will listen to this one again. Wow! That kinda’ hurt to admit….
Random thoughts: * I expected a little more punk and less lounge/pop vibes. * I always felt like I should be the type of person who would like Elvis Costello and this album definitely doesn't make me feel like I'm missing out. * I bet some fans were disappointed with this album when it came out. * I could see how people could get into this. It would take me more listens than I'm willing to invest.
I find Elvis Costello bang average. Would never go out of my way to listen to this guy.
Just good!
In 8th grade we had to read a biography and speak to the class dressed in character as that person. My mom took me to the local library and I checked out a big stack of books to potentially use for this project. But first, we had to pitch our idea in a 1:1 meeting to our teacher. I’m going to be Elvis Costello, I told Ms. Tebbe. Ms Tebbe: Oh, Elvis I love him. Me: No, no, Elvis Costello, the folk musician - maybe you know him from his brief cameo in Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me? -- Because that’s sure as hell all I knew about him at this point in life, and the only explanation for why I thought I wanted to be him in front of what would be a classroom of 30 rightfully confused thirteen year olds. I think Ms. Tebbe gently steered me toward Elvis Presley instead, or my Elvis Costello monologue was so embarrassing I’ve blocked it from my memory. Just a Boy Out of Time. Beyond Belief is a tease of a start to this album - such a good song, like a better version of The National. This isn’t a bad album overall, especially the middle - Man Out of Time, Every Home, Loved Ones - but we never get fully back to the promise of that opening track. I never did get fully into Elvis Costello, other than wholly embodying him as a metal-mouthed pubescent grade schooler. I'm very excited to dig into more of the albums. Spoiler: buckle up, I believe there are SIX EC albums on this list, and only twelve more from the Beastie Boys.
3.5 - actually alright for ol Elvis. He toned down the annoying voice somewhat
"Masterpiece?" That was the one-word tagline the album was marketed with — and I suppose the question it wants anybody who listens to it to consider. And, like, damn, if that ain't a presumptuous question if I've ever seen one. The marketing team was just **that sure** of you, eh? I mean, even if it **is** a masterpiece, you shouldn't hafta ask people before they've heard a single second of it. Besides, whether it is or not wasn't even the main question I had on my mind as I went into this. I was more wondering if I actually liked Elvis Costello's work beyond MY AIM IS TRUE. More specifically: do I even like his stuff with The Attractions? This isn't my first dance with 'em, after all; I've heard both THIS YEAR'S MODEL and ARMED FORCES before, and numerous times at that. I want so much, so badly to like them as much as I do MY AIM IS TRUE, but... Mmph— I mean, besides the big singles appended to the end as bonus tracks, I honestly haven't really meshed with either of them. Maybe THIS YEAR'S MODEL a little more 'coz it has "Pump It Up", though otherwise, it's been pretty fruitless. Like, this is a thought I've been having even as far back as when I listened to BRUTAL YOUTH, and I haven't exactly been able to figure it out. Even the answer I gave in my review of MY AIM IS TRUE doesn't sound 100% right. So, now that my group's finally gotten an album with The Attractions, I guess it's finally time I figure it out once and for all, huh? Well, if I've figured out anything, it's that I should be saving that question for when we actually get THIS YEAR'S MODEL or ARMED FORCES, since this maybe... A bit more baroque pop than I normally expect from him? Like, sure, there's songs that I don't think would sound too out of place on any other album, but then there's just as many with an accordion or a harpsichord or a full 40-piece orchestra. All of this studio experimentation does make it a bit hard to judge The Attractions on their own merits, y'know? Still, I did feel like I got something out of this, 'coz any of the songs without the unique instrumentation just didn't really do it for me? They're just fine at worst, to be clear, but... I'unno, I'm thinking about songs like "Tears Before Bedtime. There are parts I like, such as the keys, but on the whole I'm finding it hard to get excited by it. Or take "Shabby Doll": the bass does a cool thing, and the piano's nice, but beyond that... Or there's "Kid About It" or "Boy With A Problem", that felt like they could have been bigger than they were... Or, hell, there's "Little Savage", which I feel like could've probably been dropped entirely. Like, part of me has to wonder if I'm just spoiled by MY AIM IS TRUE; that I've heard it and love it too much to accept anything else he's done. Y'know, 'coz it's not "the sound I expect from him." "If it don't sound like 'Red Shoes'...!" I might just be that shallow. The same goes for Weird Al's pastiche "I'm So Sick Of You", which is probably more based on something like THIS YEAR'S MODEL than I'd realize. But then I get to the tracks with the more unique instrumentation, and, yeah, no, I really dig them. "...And In EVery Home" is the most obvious one, where I hafta give it respect for swinging **that hard** for a Beatlesque sound with the orchestration. Nothing on the album beforehand prepares you for that, especially not "Almost Blue" and how stripped-back it is, and that's kind of great. "Human Hands" is good when the sitar and the horns come in; "You Little Fool" is **amazing** in the parts with the harpsichord; and "Town Cryer" is pretty much what I wanted "Boy With A Problem" to be thanks to the orchestra. Then there's what ended up being my favorite song, "The Long Honeymoon". Seriously, with the accordion and the piano over that Latin-style groove? I could see myself listening to it a bunch more times, I swear. Heck, I even wanna shout "Man Out Of Time". It's not as instrumentally unique as the others, but it's got a good drive, I like the tone of it, there's a good chorus melody... And, oh me, oh my, the part near the end, right before it jumps to the outro? Nuts. It's so good, I kinda wish it was the actual outro. Really, I just wish this album was more tightly focused around these songs. This thing is 15 tracks and 50 minutes long. True, it's not a slog like some **other albums** I could name (y'know, if I wanted to), but I still think this thing safely could've had a few tracks cut. Once again, I'll offer up "Little Savage" for how much of an inconsequential nothing I found it. So if you couldn't guess how I feel about this album... Yeah. I mean, when this thing's good, it's really good, and it does confirm to me that I can like Costello's music outside of MY AIM IS TRUE — when he goes for it and experiments. 'Coz when he sticks with a more typical sound, it's too "simply fine" for me to care all too much. Ultimately, the album waffles back and forth between those two modes way too much for me to think much highly of it. So, no, I wouldn't exactly call it a masterpiece... And I'd be lying if I didn't mention that even despite the confirmation, I still had a seed of doubt sowed in my mind about me and Costello's wider discography. Although, that's a matter for how the remaining three Costello albums turn out, so let's make any hard calls right now. For the moment... Yeah, it was real close to a 4, but I gotta slap it with a 3. And, frankly, it does make me kinda wonder if BRUTAL YOUTH deserved one, too... But, hey, even if the rest don't turn out too well, at least I'll always have MY AIM IS TRUE to go back to. I don't think I'll be too upset about that... 'Coz that album, for the record, is a **true** masterpiece. I will not hear otherwise, I swear...
About a third of this is great.
Ganz gut, aber nichts aussergewöhnliches find ich
This was pretty good, actually? Reddit has me primed to hate all these Elvis Costello albums, but I actually mostly enjoyed this.
норм
Inoffensive but just not that engaging
I don't know man. My first ever Elvis Costello album, and I didn't hate it, but I also don't really look forward to the next 5.
Eh
We are being held hostage by an Elvis Costello stan. I’m only half joking, this is probably the best one that I’ve come across so far (I believe this is album 3). Maybe by the last one I’ll have stockholms and I’ll give one a 4. It’s not today though. Maybe had it ended ten minutes sooner.
Surprised how little I enjoyed this. I dig Costello’s vibe but the songs and the performances just did not strike me.
I like some Elvis Costello. This is not it. Boring. Seems to try too hard to be something.
Neither good or bad this is an album of a once great musician that ran out of ideas.
a decent Elvis album, not one of my favourites
This on was Beyond Belief and a Little Savage, but we can Kid About It now.
Always a good standard of song writing on his albums and no exception is made here. Not convinced this is his best work but a good collection of songs nevertheless
Good album
7/10 Fav tracks - Beyond Belief, The Long Honeymoon, Town Cryer
5/10…etwas eintönige Pop/New Wave Musik
Listened to it 3 times waiting for it to kick in - but it never really engages. Very competent musicianship / production and some good hooks but it just does not combine to create anything meaningful for me.
Two-and-a-half years since the last Elvis Costello album. I barely remember Blood And Chocolate. This is definitely an Elvis Costello album; he sings as if he is forcing the words out through a gurn. I really don't mind it though - The Loved Ones was a very decent track, but the rest don't leave much of an impression.
I gave the previous Elvis Costello album (blood and chocolate) we've had on the list a 3. Let the record show that I've listened to songs from that album regularly since we had it and I would give it at least a 4 now. Was quite looking forward to this. I do like his voice and style, but this didn't grab me like some of blood and chocolate did. Still solid though. Might give it another listen at some point. Think my favourite was "the loved ones".
Different feel to this years model, I actually prefer this one though
As someone who actually enjoys Elvis Costello, I feel like his work is **wayyyyy** overrepresented on this list. Like he's fine and he writes some solid goof-pop (unsure if that's a genre, but that's the bin he's in in my head), but I reject the notion that I need to hear 4 or his albums before I die. This album was fine to me, but far from any form of revolutionary. The kind of album I could put on in the background and not really get tired of it, but also never remember a single song name -- except for Shabby Doll. That song really worked for me. All said, perhaps I'm burnt out, but this falls into 3 territory for me.
Tons of piano and a solid voice. Possibly my favorite Costello album we have had. High 3.
Another EC album in a very short time. His voice is still horrendous. But this album was better than Armed Forces, so it will get 1 more star because of that. Please, creator, let this be the 4th and final album by Elvis Costello.
Not the worst Elvis Costello album that we've had but also not a great one. Something even outside of the voice I can't get into. Meh 3.
This is my forth or fifth Costello album so far. He's grown on me, but this album has a whole different sound to it. Less of that nerdy punky sound, more just song singing. Good though
I don’t know too much about Elvis Costello (plus band) - Only the biggest hits. I can hear who they were inspired by and who they inspired. It’s definitely easy to hear that a former Beatles producer worked on this album. I think it’s too clean sounding - I know that there are earlier records from them that are more to my taste from what I have listened to. It doesn’t really click with me. But The Loved Ones is a good song - and also Pidgin English
Listened Before? N All these alt and modern rock albums are starting to blend together here in the 700s of this list. This one didn't stand out, nor did it grate on me. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: Beyond Belief
This is just OK to me. It’s not bad but it feels like music I’ve heard a million times and there’s nothing interesting or exciting. Meh.
Imperial listening and attraction.
Ist nice, nochmals hören
Costello houdt er van om op te vallen. de 1001 heeft ons al geleerd hoe dat verschillend uit kan pakken op de verschillende albums. Het is een geval 'hate it or love it'. Ik heb inmiddels twee maal een love-it en één maal een hate-it genoteerd. Benieuwd wat dit wordt, het zal in elk geval geen vergeetbare 3 worden. Na een tijdje luisteren komt die andere herinnering boven. Costello kan soms flink zeuren. Dat hoor je nu ook zeker weer, maar het kan een stuk gekker. Het album biedt kwaliteit, er is weinig op af te dingen. Maar er springt weinig boven het maaiveld uit. Ik ben het meeste al weer kwijt terwijl ik dit typ. Ik geloof, nee toch, jawel echt, ik geloof dat ik Costello toch een vergeetbare 3 moet toekennen. Goed, dat had ie nog niet eerder laten horen, dus we kunnen in elk geval blijven stellen dat hij elke keer wat anders levert.
Zes. Zes albums van de hand van Elvis Costello staan er in deze snoblijst als het overzichtslijstje klopt en er in latere edities niet alsnog extra platen zijn toegevoegd. Het voelt als 666 voor me, the number of the beast. Samen met Brian Eno en ons Joni behoort Costello tot de grote 3. Van ergerniswekkende muzikanten. Volgens mij hebben we er hiervoor 3 gehad, dus ik ben over de helft. Dit album is niet het meest ergerniswekkende gelukkig. Hij blijft uiteraard nasaal en zeurderig zingen, maar hij houdt het enigszins binnen de perken, binnen de maat en enigszins zuiver. Weinig krols katergejank. En als je dan minder last hebt van irritatie aan de stem, dan is het allemaal nog best aan te horen. Er zit de ene keer een punky edge aan, vervolgens is het weer iets meer jazzy. Het blijft natuurlijk artsy-fartsy, want hij moet wel interessant blijven doen. Door mijn Costello vooringenomenheid, vind ik het aanstellerig en komt het nog steeds niet op mij over. Maar vooruit, ik kan enigszins begrip opbrengen voor mensen die hier graag naar luisteren. Het zit zoals gewoonlijk ergens tussen de 2 en de 3 in en het gebrek aan een hitje doet geen wonderen.
Not one I know as well as some.of his others. I think Spike and King of America are better, neither of which make the list. Maybe it's a slow burner and a couple of listens aren't enough.
I don't think this is their best album but I enjoyed listening to it (in a throwback way...)
I’m getting bored of all these Elvis Costello albums. They’re pretty ok but I didn’t hear anything on this one that stood out from the other two.
Mostly forgettable.
Best e Costello so far and there’s been a lot of it
I had high hopes for this one but was left feeling underwhelmed.
Art rock (a genre of this album that I saw on Wikipedia) sounds like an accurate characterization. It reminds me of a painting that is way too abstract than it needs to be.
3.5/5. It's vanilla music, the author of this book has such a thing for Elvis Costello.
I can't believe the last thing I did this year was listen to Elvis fucking Costello
Skal da gerne indrømme at det her projekt har gjort Costello plader end det behøver, men jeg har stadig skamnydt dem alle sammen. Hornene på den her gør noget rigtig godt. Stor 3er
I do quite like Elvis Costello, but we've had a silly amount of his albums and they've all been decent rather than great. I think this is one of the better ones, he doesn't try any nonsense or changing with the times, so it gets a 3/5.
Good grief, this is my fourth Elvis Costello record. While there have been singles of his that I liked, the previous three albums were not enjoyable. This one is okay. I hope there are no more Elvis Costello records in this list. Four is enough.
I like it, especially the fully focused "Man out of Time". Ending isn't the best, but will listen again- 3.5
Pretty chill
L'album est correct, mais crisse que je suis tanné de me faire générer des albums du faux Elvis à chaque deux semaines.
Never listened to Elvis Costello so I had no idea what I was getting, but sort of expected big things. At first his voice was pretty, but then some just got sort of annoying and whiny (Man out of Time specifically), especially The Long Honeymoon. Human Hands made me think of Mighty Mighty Bosstones. It took me a while to get my thoughts on it, but then it hit me...they sort of all feel like TV show sitcom theme songs (Human Hands really solidified this). Part of me wants to give this a 2 because I have no desire to listen to it again, nothing was really that amazing or unique, and not really sure who he influenced because its so blah. But its not offense or does not hurt my ears so I guess I will bump it to a 3.
Almost a year in, and this is my first Costello album, I was wondering when the onslaught would start! This wasn't bad, but there was a blandness to it that's hard to define. There wasn't anything musically wrong with it really, it just didn't evoke anything in me. It feels too "professional" or something, like music you'd hear at a corporate event.
Don’t love
Another Elvis Costello album, another set of quirky, sometimes (seemingly) nonsensical, hipster New Wave songs. Don't get me wrong - I actually really like Elvis Costello. I think he's a genius and that he has the ability to write really introspective and interesting lyrics, set to music that really feels like its own genre sometimes. Buuuuuut..... But his sound is so very much him that, without listening to his other albums on this list more than once to discern differences (not to mention the gaps between the albums), it's hard to say that this was much different than what I remember the other albums sounding like. I guess this one was a little more on the experimental side? I guess? I dunno. It was fine. Very Elvis. Much Costello. Three stars. Standout Tracks: Beyond Belief, Almost Blue, The Loved Ones
It's better than the other Costello albums I've listened to so far. The production work is really stellar on this one. The songs start off quite dull and soulless but then they get better by the middle. I don't like his whiny singing that much, though. I understand he is very good at lyrics and he is very cynical, but I pay more attention to the music. I'm giving it a 3 out of 5 overall.
Not bad, feels very samey though
Och, ganz nett.
6/10 Elvis Costello, doing his thing but not as well as usual 12-16-2024
Not a record I played many times afterwards.
Third Elvis Costello album on the list, more than 400 albums in ... this one kind of felt like the first I connected to, driving around on a stressful day like "yep, that is music". If I started to pay too much attention to it, I liked it less. What is the aural equivalent of unfocusing your eyes to see the tiger in the magic eye poster? That's what I was doing with this album. Neither good nor bad, but definitely music.
I still don’t get EC
Good singer, good music. Not his best album,
Okay. 1-2 gueti lieder. 2.6
a 3 highkey, elvis costello they could never make me form an opinion on you (okay but seriously what is the appeal who is this man and why do so many people like him i have never heard or loved any of these songs)
Pre-listening thoughts: I feel like peoples ratings of these Elvis Costello albums depend on how many they’ve gotten up until this point. I’ve only had one before this. Maybe it will be tolerable. But after 7, I can see how you would be sick of it. Post/during listening thoughts: this album feels like the equivalent of being in the shower and not being able to find the right temperature water. It’s just not hitting the right marks for me and idk what’s off? I had the same problem with the last Elvis Costello album too. I just got bored. Idk. 6/10 DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nah Fav tracks: Tears Before Bedtime, …And In Every Home, Human Hands Least fav tracks: Almost Blue
Not as upbeat as the last Costello record. I mean this was fine some cool stuff here. Nothing notable enough to go back to. I kinda liked it.
Good songwritingm, Boring music
try as i might, i've never been a fan. he gets a lifetime pass for his half of "shipbuilding" tho. reading contemporary reviews of this record is a real lesson in how poorly we can predict what will become a classic. oh well. "a man out of time" and "you little fool" are among his best, i figure.
Shabby Doll geht ab: Sobald das Schlagzeug reinkommt, kann man nicht anders als viben. Die zweiten Stimmen als Echo in diesem Lied gefallen mir auch sehr gut. Die absteigenden Harmonien und die Wechsel von Dur nach Moll (glaub) in The long Honeymoon sind sehr nice. Abgesehen davon bin ich nicht so ein grosser Fan vom Album. Die Stimme gefällt mir nicht so, sobald es etwas in die Höhe geht, drückt er, und tiefer klingt er unkontrolliert. Ansonsten ist das Album weder Hans noch Heiri, geht irgendwie nicht richtig ab, ist aber auch nicht sonderlich komplex oder interessant anzuhören.
Some quality songwriting going on here. Lacks the immediacy of his first albums and goes on for a bit. Disliked "Shabby Doll" immensely.
Not a bad album! Went in with absolutely no clue who these people were and it wasn’t bad. I enjoyed it. Definitely a high 3. Some of these songs actually got added to the playlist. Really fun.
I think there’s a great album in there somewhere, but some songs are a bit lackluster and it’s SO long. With the amount of Elvis Costello albums here, we could’ve saved some room here for another great album that’s been snubbed.
Not terrible, but hard to get too into Elvis Costello.
Standard Costello.
Haven't listened to much of Elvis Costello before, but the little I had already heard I liked more than this. This wasn't bad, but just not as good as some of his other stuff I've heard.
This was fine
Not my favourite Elvis Costello album by any stretch. There's a few songs he's recorded on other albums on here, so that was nice, because a lot of the rest of the album was pretty meh. 3.5
Nothing to write home about but it was nice to listen too. Didn’t hate, didn’t love it, but I enjoyed it!
nice
Wow he influenced a lot of emo era bands
I like Elvis Costello, but he is over represented on this list and there are better albums by him (My Aim is True, Armed Forces, This Year's Model). Those should be the only ones on this list
No. 261/1001 Beyond Belief 3/5 Tears Before Bedtime 3/5 Shabby Doll 3/5 The Long Honeymoon 3/5 Man Out Of Time 3/5 Almost Blue 3/5 ….And In Every Home 3/5 The Loved Ones 4/5 Human Hands 3/5 Kid About It 3/5 Little Savage 3/5 Boy With A Problem 3/5 Pidgin English 3/5 You Little Fool 3/5 Town Cryer 4/5 Average: 3,13 Pretty solid album. At times a bit repetitve, but has a few highlights.
Fine but not Costello's best. The horns and orchestration don't match Elvis's style. Pete Thomas drums sound muted and restrained which limits him which is a shame. There are good songs on here but the album as a whole lacks punch. Decent but it's no This Year's Model.
I don't really like the way he sings.
Aparte unieke zang stijl. niet perse mijn smaak.
blandly pleasant!
mehhhh not for me
This was a nice listen but admittedly didn't do too much for me. I've written before about Elvis Costello on this list and how unfortunately many of his songs come across as good listens in the moment, but are then pretty quickly forgotten. They just seem to miss some level of hook that would keep a chorus on repeat in my head once the record is over. I don't know if it's maybe his voice that has a little bit too much of a soothing / round sound to it that makes him sound more "calming" than "rocking", which I find weird because he definitely wants to rock. I did like the howling at the end of "Man Out Of Time" and there were a few other moments in it that grabbed my attention, but for the most part this was just a passing listen.
This was kinda snoozy. I like me some Elvis, but not really this one. Very middle of the road. Album cover: B. Points for effort, but not my style.
I enjoy what I've heard of Elvis Costello so far. This is my first time listening to "Elvis Costello and the Attractions". The album was dragging a little for me until "... And In Every Home". That song rocked, and it really picked up from there. The next half of the album was better than the first half, but still felt a little repetitive to me. I did really like the song "You Little Fool". This is a long album, and having so many songs makes it feel even longer. There's a lot of slow crooning songs, which aren't really my style. I liked the songs enough, but there weren't really any that I'd come back to. I'm surprised to be giving it a 6/10, but a 6/10 it must be. 6/10
first listen some good some bad
Hit and miss, there are outstanding songs and songs that are too involved. They are best when just stripped down and straightforward.
If there is one artist I wish I knew more about, it's Elvis Costello. A fascinating case in which a punk rocker is literate enough to appreciate poets, jazz and blues musicians, but refuses to sacrifice any abrasion or humour or serious songwriting chops. He takes himself seriously enough - meaning not too much that he is an inaccessible bore but not too little in that he's just goofy and inept. Like Warren Zevon or Randy Newman, Elvis Costello may be "your favourite artist's favourite artist." It comes as no surprise to me that this was released as the same time as Paul McCartney's 'Tug of War,' which was engineered by Geoff Emerick who produced 'Imperial Bedroom.' The record has the same despairing British adult contemporary feel as 'The Pound Is Sinking,' a little surprising given that Elvis Costello was only 28 at the time. His youthful energy comes through in brief flashes, like in the charging guitar fade-in of "Man Out of Time." This song is great, by the way. Elvis displays stunning vocal work, especially on lines like, "nothing but an afterthought" or "there's a reputation to be made." Still, while I think the wall-of-sound treatment with shimmering acoustic guitars and drone-y sitar serve the song well, I wish there was more on the album that sounded like the final 8 seconds or so. "Little Savage" doesn't quite cut it per se. Where you want to be is deep in the lyric sheet (or Genius app or whatever). I know that Elvis Costello is a strong tunesmith, but he could have made a great novellist or short story writer. Musicians would simply kill to write lyrics as good as the ones in "Pidgin English" or "Human Hands." Am I dumb for liking the album art? Or just plain duped by a promise of sophisticated taste? B+
I wish I was in a bedroom
It's ok; I sort of 'nothing' this.
Yeah, I enjoyed a few things on this, but not really the whole album - maybe I didn't get the entire package as I listened to it in a few sessions.
I'm one of those who actually like his voice. I also liked Beyond Belief. The rest was ok. Perhaps it deserves a deeper listen than I could afford today. And maybe only one song at a time. "Don't get smart or sarcastic he snaps back just like elastic Spare us the theatrics and the verbal gymnastics". Hmm (eyebrow raised)...?
Had never listened to this before. Enjoyed it...would listen to it again.
Sure
Elvis Costello is amazing in small doses. Larger doses get a little tedious at times.
I like several Elvis Costello records. This one has lots of cool instrumentation, and definitely influenced some things that came after it. But I just didn't really connect with this album. I don't hate it, but it just never grabbed me.
I hear a lot of Squeeze in this! I'm an Elvis Costello fan, but his voice is particularly annoying on this album. I would not recommend this album to folks who are not already in the trenches.
I was afraid I was going to hate this but I didn’t. I don’t know if this is in any way accurate, since I don’t listen to much Billy Joel, but this reminded me of Billy Joel.
New wave. Ni fu ni fa.
Al final mejora un poco ... menos mal, porque menudo rollazo.
3.75
Not the worst album in the world. Not really much to right home about. I liked Man Out of Time and Almost Blue.
Not my favorite of his. In fact, once he turned 30, it was all down hill.
Charming, varied, tuneful, crisp, interesting. I've never liked Costello's voice more - he avoids the intentionally-obnoxious thing he sometimes does. With more listens it could easily be a 4-star.
I typically like his music but I never love his music. I’d say he’s a solid songwriter
4th album of Elvis Costello from the list. Found one song that's more than average. Not on this album though.
Good album! Enjoyed Beyond Belief, Tears Before Bedtime, Shabby Doll, Man Out of Time, and Human Hands. 3/5!
The first half of the album I really enjoyed. But I hated human hands and pidgin English. So I guess neutral?
My last venture with Elvis Costello was Brutal Youth, which was... bad. So, in comparison, this is pretty nice, but it still suffers from the same issues I have with Costello in general. Too often does it sound like he has no clue where the song goes next, as if he is improvising his sung notes, which could be jazzy in a certain way, but just comes off as amateurish, and an orchestral backing can only take you so far. Lyrically it often comes off as just strange, and while it is refreshing to have Costello gently sing to me rather than yell at me for a whole album, it oddly gets old quick. I could see a lot more of these songs clicking with me on a repeat listen, but for now I only continue to see potential, both in Costello himself, but also my possibly enjoyment of one of his albums. One of them has to click with me to a higher degree, right?
This album has a nostalgic early 80's charm. The music is subtle and layered, and sorta feels like a soft conversation. It’s reminiscent of early Nick Lowe.. Comforting, though it doesn’t push many boundaries.
It's clear where they got their influences & from and that's not necessarily a bad thing but Elvis' voice??? ehhhhh it gets a bit annoying on tracks like Shabby Doll. I did love some of the keys melodies but overall very mid for me.
Not my favorite Elvis Costello album but okay.
Can’t get excited about this.
This seemed more tolerable as background music than other offerings that have cropped up so far on this list…
This album didn't resonate well with me. I had been on sort of an Elvis Costello and the Attractions streak having received three albums prior to this one. They were all better than I expected. This one, however, was a bit of a disappointment. My guess is that if you are a fan of EC&TA you will enjoy this album. If you're still trying to determine your level of fandom or appreciation, this one will take more time for you. I can only give it three stars.
I try so hard to love Costello, but I never quite make it. I know its good, but to my ears the sound becomes annoying.
Fun
New wave. Ni fu ni fa.
I wonder if there’s a trend in people’s ratings of Elvis Costello albums depending on what order they were generated. I’ve gone on the journey from ‘oh cool, Elvis Costello, the guy from Austin Powers. He’s pretty good’ to ‘Elvis Costello again? Ok. He’s good but why’s he here so many times?’ And finally I’m approaching ‘Really? Again?’ And my ratings will probably reflect that. I like the album. It has some great moments, I just don’t get why we need quite so much of his really-fairly-similar body of work. We get it. He’s good. He’s not THAT good though, is he?
I'm not familiar with much of Elvis Costello's work. This wasn't bad. I enjoyed it for what it was worth, and I liked it more than some of his more well known singles, but I don't see myself going back to it anytime soon.
This ok. Boring, but ok.
Good album of which I was previously familiar. He's not the kind of guy I seek out but I usually don't skip him when he comes up in a random playlist.
I have to say I wasn’t very inspired by this one.
Elvis Costello é um nome que me era familiar, contudo não sabia, e após ouvir este álbum não posso dizer que sei alguma coisa sobre ele. Este álbum é bastante, digamos, interessante, costuma flertar com alguns géneros musicais, mas sempre acompanhado por um instrumental robusto. A voz de Elvis é algo agradável, contudo, toda a peculiaridade inerente ao álbum quando estendida numa duração de 50 minutos começa a cansar. No geral é um álbum bem conseguido, contudo não consigo destaca-lo nem recomendar. Sei que o Elvis Costello tem mais álbuns nesta lista para ouvir, após esta experiência fico um tanto curioso pelos próximos álbuns. Destaco a cantiga Man out of Time. Nota: 6/10 Data: 13/06/2024
Sometimes a little funny, sometimes a bit nerdy. Very idiosyncratic either way, and some very cool arrangements at times. Respect, solid 3.5 that was.
Al final mejora un poco ... menos mal, porque menudo rollazo.
Not bad, but pretty unremarkable. There’s likely a huge overlap with Elvis Costello fans and Bruce Springsteen fans.
Another unremarkable entry from Elvis Costello.
I like Costello a lot, but this isn't my favorite album of his. Would much rather listen to Armed Forces or Last Year's Model. That said, it's still pretty good.
This is quite a good effort by the unloved Elvis. No standout songs, but still quality all round.
I like Elvis Costello but Jesus enough with the Elvis Costello albums already.
Okay
Similarly, to other prolific artists, Elvis Costello recorded several classic essential albums, lots of middle-range, non-essential albums and even some forgettable records, that were a miss-step in his otherwise consistent career. I would place Imperial Ballroom in the middle category. A few good songs on it, though nothing that stands out spectacularly, but overall solid and a decent record. Definitely not a "must-hear", but worth the listen.
I like earlier EC way more than later stuff. This was pretty.
Ziemlich gut aber etwas lang
Not a real Elvis Costello fan, but this was alright
Best Elvis Costello album in my opinion, but my opinion of his others that I have heard is pretty bad. I just don't really like his voice and delivery, but on this album it doesn't bother me as much. Other than the vocals, the music is great, which saves the album for me.
5 / 10 Muy buena instrumentación por momentos estilo Sgt. Peppers. Pero la voz de Costello lo hace aburrido y deprimente.
Elvis Costella is another artist that I've been meaning to check out for a while after hearing that he brings out the more artsy elements of New Wave. In a lot of ways, it sounds sort of like an Eno production, with these very colorful flourishes of organ, piano, and bass with a lot of baroque influence, especially on a song like "You Little Fool". The instrumentation paints something sort of abstract, similar to the vocals, it all feels very sporadic and linear in its progression. I love the string and horn combination on the closer track "Town Cryer". Lyrically speaking, Elvis delves into themes of love throughout this album in interesting ways, especially on a song like "Pidgin English". I found the song "Human Hands" to be an almost comedic spin on this album's themes. I can give Elvis a lot of credit on the songwriting front, but his dynamic vocal style doesn't work for me, especially in the middle part of this album. I'm not sure why though, he's not a bad singer, just very derivative to an almost parodical degree. I'm not a fan of the general direction a lot of the vocal melodies go in here either. There are some exceptions like "Human Hands", "Little Fool", "Man Out of Time" and "Shabby Doll", some of my favorite songs here and great new wave songs in general. In the end, while I found this to be a very pleasant listen, I felt like it was held back but relatively uninteresting song structures. All the pieces needed to make this a great album are there, it's just that they don't come together in a way that works for me specifically. For new-wave though, I admire its ambitious nature and cross-genre sensibilities.
Not this guy again...
Being a major My Aim is True, Armed Forces, This Year's Model era fan of Elvis Costello when I picked up Imperial Bedroom for the first time I was disappointed in its overall mellowness. I felt it lacked the same obvious energy. I wasn't yet a fan of the more subtle, pop genius elements of Elvis Costello's songwriting, but as I matured I gained a new appreciation for his craft and the quality of this record. I certainly score it higher now than the punk me would then. And yet, I think there's still an undeniable comparative intuition at play in situating this record overall.
Not my favorite Costello
Liked this one more than armed forces. Rating: 3.3
I have to say that I did not expect to like this album. I have not listened to it before and if I would have heard any of the songs off of it in the past, I didn't remember them. I have never been a fan of Elvis and didn't really like "Armed Forces", which is the only other album I have ever listened to. I was pleasantly surprised with this record, and think it definitely deserves another listen.
4/4/24. Good listen.
Amazing singing, and the songwriting was pretty experimental for the time
Can’t seem to ever get into Elvis Costello. Not a bad album though, just not my cup of tea.
Very theatrical, very different, very emotional, very consistent.
So, unlike some other reviewers who evidently have Elvis Costello fatigue, this was the first of his to pop up for our group, and it came after 4 metal albums in a row. Consequently perhaps I really enjoyed the change. I'm not a huge fan of his, but this reminded me how creative he is and it was gorgeous to hear some piano after all that guitar. (I like guitar! But Slayer has traumatised me for a bit.) By the last two tracks I'd kind of had enough, but I thought some songs were definitely interesting enough to revisit in future.
Glad to finally hear this album. Clever lyrics, lovely voice and a couple of the earlier tracks I’ll definitely listen to again. By the end, however, it had started to lose its allure a bit so 3 rather than 4 star, but I know there’s more EC on the way and I look forward to those.
I remember this coming out so I was a bit surprised that I didn't know any of the tracks. It was OK. A welcome relief from the heavy, hair, thrash and other kinds of metal we've been exploring in recent days.
Bringing the feels with the rock
Little sandwich? At first I was like, sigh, my bajillionth Elvis Costello album but actually was listenable pop
Not my favorite of his
Good, but never really locked into anything special at any point.
It's alright. If you've heard any other Costello album, and if you've been doing this list you almost certainly have, then you've basically heard this album. If you cut all the Costello and Dylan from this list it would be half as long.
Elvis Costello on helposti top3 kamaa uusien artistien puolesta joita tämä haaste on tuonut itselle. Tykkään ukon soundista ja tämä levy saattaisi olla parempikin ilman juutuupin mainoksia jokaisen biisin välissä.
Lossless it was fine
Variety whatever
Some cool songs, I like the weirder more theatrical stuff that doesn't seem to be as popular from him. Overall a fun listen.
Not as catchy as his early stuff, but really good
I appreciated all the different sounds that were brought to this album. It was a fun departure from the usual Costello sound, and I thought I might really like it. But I didn't. Despite the cool sounds and harpsichords I really just didn't engage with the songs much. But points for doing something different from the others.
Within in the first couple minutes of our meeting last night, I was quite intrigued and I thought that despite all that I had heard before that maybe I could let all that go and fall in love. Then a few more tracks in and I lost interest. By the end, EC & The As had really over stayed their welcome.
One thing about listening to FIVE albums from Elvis Costello albums on this project (with and without the Attractions) is I have got to thoroughly consider why it is I don’t really get into Elvis Costello’s music. This album started off with the surprise that I instantly thought Beyond Belief, the opening track, might be a great song - but by the end left me feeling is was a good song. Elvis Costello’s song construction is sort of wandering with subtle wordplay. I might have thought this might appeal to me but instead leaves me anywhere from somewhat unsatisfied to annoyed. The songs I like tend to have great setups, but I never really feel they deliver entirely on the promise. This was sort of in between 3 and 4 to me, but in the end it didn’t quite get there.
Costello, like Dylan, must be famous more his writing and musicality than for his voice - super nasal and thin. I can definitely hear the Beatles’ producer’s influence. This album was really hit-or-miss for me; it was work to get through the first 3 tracks, but then it started picking up. Really enjoyed The Long Honeymoon and Almost Blue.
This album has no pace. This Year’s Model comes in and grabs you but by comparison this album is meandering and bloated. Imperial in the worst ways.
Not awful but not his best. That early stuff is amazing
Some nice punky moments, great musicianship, and has aged well. I liked Shabby Doll. It's just his vocals that makes it a 3* rather than a 4* for me.
I always thought that I would like almost every Elvis Costello record. But this one was not aggressive enough for me. Not bad but also not that interesting.
Al final mejora un poco ... menos mal, porque menudo rollazo.3
Not bad stuff, but a little repetitive and boring to be quite honest. This wouldn't be something I'd throw on. 5/10
I want to like this album and I do if it's limited to passive listening. The song structures are just not approachable for me. I enjoy the tone of his voice but the lyrics, at least as much as I can understand, are forgettable.
I enjoyed it, but not something I’d listen to often.
Good album, loved the incorporation of orchestra instruments, reminded me of pop music from the 1950s. Sometimes Costello's voice felt too "lazy" and didn't fit the vibe of the song but otherwise it was an enjoyable album. Standout tracks: Man Out of Time, ...And In Every Home.
an elvis costello album i enjoyed! he is a frequent artist in this project, and often i find myself questioning why. imperial bedroom, at least, has a unique sound from what i know about costello's music. most of that uniqueness comes from the instruments used, i think. for instance, the horns in "...and in every home" really made this album enjoyable.
Costello is very talented at telling a story, setting a scene. He has stronger albums but this one does well
Fuck, not another Elvis Costello record.... This album is so boring... It's like salted cardboard.... Bland as fuck! It sounds like Costello collaborated with Randy Newman on this record or something... I love the quote (to paraphrase): "this album's singles barely charted" .... So why the fuck is it on this list. If it sold poorly, it's probably for a reason... There is too much of this horse shit on this generator. Favourite songs: Pidgin English, Human Hands, Man Out of Time, ... And In Every Home, Kid About It Least favourite songs: Shabby Doll, Town Cryer, The Long Honeymoon 3/5
not big on this guy
I liked it well enough, but nothing stood out.
Pareceu como um punk pasteurizado, mas funcionou bem, melhor do que o anterior, não chegou a ser chato.
Chill, feels like music that would be on at Xmas
The opening song, "Beyond Belief" is great lyrics combined with music that builds and stretches the tension fabulously and I love the song. However, I have never become a strong fan of Elvis Costello. He is an excellent writer and musician but something about his general style does not attract me. Too much crooning? Perhaps. A lack of a convincing scream for Man out of Time? Yes, that too. And yet he does bring together a punk sensibility, some excellent ironic and stinging lyrics and isn't stuck in a simple musical genre where everything he creates sounds like everything else. Maybe it is the overly strong syncopation of the lyrics and music? I definitely check out his work as he creates some songs that are phenomenal. But I have yet to love an album as whole. And this one is no exception. Is this an excellent album. Yes. But I don't seem to be among those who it really reaches.
Good album
Beyond Belief - 7.5/10 Tears Before Bedtime - 8/10 Shabby Doll - 8/10 The Long Honeymoon - 7/10 Man Out of Time - 7.5/10 Almost blue - 8/10 And in Every Home - 8/10 The Loved Ones - 7.5/10 Human Hands - 8/10 Kid About It - 7.5/10 Little Savage - 7/10 Boy With a Problem - 7/10 Pidgin English - 8/10 You Little Fool - 8/10 Town Cryer - 8/10 TOTAL - 115/150
Fine. Boring. Elvis Costello has great songs, but unfortunately none of them are on this album.
Oddly bland, merely competent songs from a usually way more interesting songwriter. The songs are fine, just not much interesting happening.
I’ve always liked Elvis Costello, but am far from a completist regarding his discography. I think it’s because some of his music bores me. I had never heard this album before. I liked it, and there’s some strong songs here, but a lot of the album sums up my feelings about most of Elvis’ work: I like it, but a little boring. There are exceptions regarding my engagement with his work, and I’m going to assume they’ll pop up on this list at some point.
Tyypillinen elvis costello -juuston levy. Vai onko se juusto castelloa?
siii 7/10