Reviews (page 4 of 8)
It's rather like Damon Albarn's solo career. This album is very british, but also surfer rock like for the states. Mixed identity thats for sure. BUT its brilliant, so unique and fun to listen to, I was not bored of one song they stay their welcome for the right amount of time. It sound a little more modern than when it was released in the early 80s, sounds like its from the mid to late 90s. I can see where Will Wood got insperation from potentially. Really enjoyed it 50 minutes flew by. 7/10
Just ok. Too may Elvis Costello albums on here.
If someone had asked me before I started this project whether I liked Elvis C I would have answered cheerily of course, love that guy, but that was on the basis of his greatest hits and listening to his entire albums confuses me as when he is good, as he is with Beyond Belief, he is amazing but the rest of the tracks as well crafted as they are feel a bit fillery.
An older more reflective album than This Years Model. The snarl in Costellos voice becoming more questioning, more lovelorn. Musically it’s softer, jazzier. The songs are bitter, questing and reflective. However like his earlier songs there’s a real sense of narrative. A fun time ? No, but definitely a good time
Think I need to give this a second listen, a lot going on with some of these songs, really good production
(4/7) I never really listened to this dude before but I suppose he's ok
Enjoyed this more than I expected to. A bit quirky, but grounded in some of the classic pop rock influences of the Beatles and Bowie. Perhaps a little too safe though and could have leant onto that quirkiness and wore it more on the sleeve as there wasn’t enough to stand out here.
For me, this is where Elvis got a little TOO self-indulgent and boring. Gone is the energy and urgency of the early albums. There are still some brilliant moments, but not like before.
It was fine.
Yeah its clever, a) but has anyone doubted Elvis is a smart a tasteful gent, or b) said this is their favourite of his albums? No? Quite.
No real hits but Maintains comfortable listening throughout with enough pleasurable notes to make it easy enough to drop remote and listen without skipping next.
I’m a huge job Costello fan and I consider his first two albums masterpieces and the next two as essential. After that the albums were good but included some lesser material. It’s considered by some critics as his best album but I disagree. To me Town Cryer and Long Honeymoon are the best songs on the album with the rest hit and miss. To hear more aggressive and punkish music listen to This Year’s Model.
It’s just fine. Having only heard Elvis Costello’s most famous songs I was expecting something with a bit more ‘pep’. Certainly not a bad listen, but didn’t grab me either.
A very difficult album to rate. On paper I should like it a lot; the songwriting is really strong and I mostly enjoy the elaborate instrumentation too. However, for some reason it leaves me a bit cold. In summary, it’s incredibly well-constructed but somewhat lacks emotional impact. Many tracks are excellent (‘Man Out of Time’ probably my favourite), but sometimes I find the arrangements are so lush/dense they almost smother the underlying song. This strikes me as one of those albums that might win me over in time, but right now I can (reluctantly) only give it 3 stars.
The songs are alright but this doesn’t really the same bite as This Years Model or Armed Forces. The songwriting is still really good. Favorite songs were Man Out Of Time and Human Hands.
Wasn’t great, wasn’t horrible. But seriously, are we just adding the whole Elvis Costello catalog on here? I think this is his 3rd album on the list that I’ve enxo
I am enjoying “man out of time”.
Second Elvis Costello album. Sounds more refined. Overall, I like the vibe of the ehole album, I feel like Im walking in a quiet city. Man Out Of Time is my favorite. 6/10
Midvis Cumtelllo
It’s was okay. Not sure why this album is so influential to be on here.
A more varied outing than Costello's first few records; this album is still rooted in new wave but uses elements of chamber music and jazz in different ways throughout. It makes for an album that is always moving somewhere new, but which is a bit difficult to latch onto because of it. The songwriting is strong, though it lacks hooks. The flourishes like keys and strings are used sparingly on each song, meaning they don't overwhelm but also that they don't contribute quite enough to really elevate the songs. I don't typically care for Costello's lyrics, but they're very good here. I can't say the same for the vocals, which sound weak on tracks like the opener. If this cut some of the songs like "Almost Blue" that don't go anywhere and had a few knockout songs, this would be one of Costello's best. As it is, it's stuffed with ideas that don't quite pan out.
I enjoyed it. Costello is another blindspot for me. Several songs here. Good sound.
"Imperial Bedroom" by Elvis Costello and The Attractions was a bit of a surprise for me. I only really knew Elvis Costello from "She" (Notting Hill fans know), so I did not expect this more rock-flavoured sound. There were definitely some good moments though, and I liked "Shabby Doll" a lot. Overall, the album is not bad at all, but it also did not feel like anything really special to me. Nothing here made a big impression. Still, it is definitely worth a re-listen at some point, even if it is not an album I will think about a lot afterwards.
its ok GO NEXT
so fun!
Siento que esta cantando off beat y me molesta mucho. Beyond Belief y The Long Honeymoon estan buenas si quitas la voz del artista.
This is my first Elvis Costello album in the project, and I'm sure there will be more. Imperial Bedroom is not one of his I'd listened to before, but was aware it was critically acclaimed. I like him and his music, but generally have listened to singles and not full albums. I've probably only owned his first few, along with Spike and King of America of his slightly later records. What stood out most to me was the variety of musical styles. I really enjoyed that, as I had no idea what to expect with each song. Unfortunately, none of the songs truly stood out aside from that aspect. There weren’t any I actively didn't like, but only a couple that I will consider adding to my own personal playlist. My two favorites were Shabby Doll and Man Out Of Time. I didn't love them, but I liked them well enough. This will be a hard one to give a star rating.
Ok, more Elvis Costello. This is fine. Not amazing but not annoying. I really like some of his hits but the rest is fairly uninspiring but unthreatening.
Another really-hard-to-justify choice for this list. There are at least 8 of Elvis' albums that I enjoy more than this one. And no more than 3 (TOPS) belong on this list. My Aim is True is brilliant and belongs on any list of 20th Century music. Choose one or maybe two more from among Punch the Clock, Armed Forces, Trust, and This Year's Model. This time listening, it struck me that Elvis is similar to Ray Davies. They both are capable of such incredible songwriting. But they get distracted by their respective desires to prove how clever they are. This album is Exhibit A. It sounds like he came in with a stack of paper filled with lyrics and then stuffed them into melodies. But not just any melodies, he was also really intent on proving how well he understands complex diverse musical styles. The result is definitely impressive, intellectually, but to these ears it sounds fussy and it never manages to move my soul-o-meter.
A middling Costello album, and he's usually pretty great
Ok background music, some songs sounds jokey
alright
first listen: his voice gets on my nerves. i like the piano riffs here and there, fun and joyful. nothing super compelling imo.
Less pop and more ambience.
This one’s cute
Much more enjoyable Elvis Costello than the last album by him. Lively.
Ok. Never really got into it at any stage but it wasn't terrible to listen to.
This was pretty good. I was into and wanted to know the songs better because I think it would really work for me then.
I am quite surprised I never got around to listening to Elvis Costello. This is quite alright actually, for sure 3 stars and something I will probably want to REVISIT in the future?
I think its probably better musically than the other ones, but it falls off flat towards the end. I like how its less rocky and a bit more abstract, but I still don't really like his voice and think vocals and lyrics are quite average. Some nice strings and keyboards and stuff on some songs, but generally just quite boring, probably too long. Favourite songs: beyond belief, tears before bedtime, man out of time, the loved ones, town cryer, maybe some more I missed. Overall around 6/10
I was a little bit bored by this album, but there were some songs that I liked- And in Every Home, Pidgin English. Just some easy listening.
Not another Elvis Costello... Well, I like the opening song. Actually, his voice is less annoying to me on this album. Musically, this is more eccentric and varied than the previous albums from Costello on this list. I'll get through this. His voice did start getting on my nerves about midway through the album. This was still better than some of the other ones. 3.
This is the fifth album from Costello I've gotten. As with the others, I get the feeling Costello really doesn't belong on the list. At all. His sound is distinctive, sure, but the streaming numbers on Spotify don't justify any more than 1-2 inclusions on the 1000 most important albums of all time. Though this stuff is definitely Bowie-inspired (like many, many artists), which I guess could justify its conclusion? Tears Before Bedtime reminds me of Station to Station and possibly Scary Monsters/Let's Dance eras. It's a cool sound, what with the echoey guitars and octave-harmonising vocals. One of my favourite tracks on here. Human Hands also stands out as Bowiesque, particularly the backing "woo" vocals and the meandering melody delivered with a slightly croaky vocal timbre. I'm not really convinced about having Imperial Bedroom in the top 1000 albums for those reason alone, though. Costello avoids using his goofy nasally vocal until Man Out Of Time, where he launches it at full force. It's the first of several legitimately bad tracks on here. The dynamics ups and downs of that song don't save it. The explosive section towards the end, with the ultra-distorted acoustic guitar, almost saves it. But then there's a positively grating electric-guitar outro with a banshee scream, and again I'm questioning why people list this guy as their favourite artist. At least he follows it with the gorgeous, jazzy Almost Blue. His voice sounds great here, and I wish he'd commit more to the full, deep, soulful persona rather than the deranged noseless pop star one. ...And In Every Home is an extremely strange track – a pizzicato string section is unusual from a pop/rock artist – but it kind of works. The remaining tracks are hit-or-miss, but all in all, I enjoyed the record more often than not. 3/5 Key tracks: Beyond Belief, Tears Before Bedtime, Almost Blue
acho que já tá bom de elvis costello né gente.... é legal de você deixar rolando enquanto trabalha ou faz algo, mas nada além disso. sem necessidade de ter mais de 2 álbuns (ou sepa 1)....
Not a bad album, don’t think I’d go out of my way for it though
Some lush sounds and a number of great tunes - was nudging towards a four but unquestionably drags on a little too long.
feels vintage pleasant, not my fave but might listen to it again 3,5/5
Album No. 0107 on my list. My second Elvis Costello album on this list. The one I’ve heard before was “This Year’s Model” which I liked pretty well. In comparison, “Imperial Bedroom” is somewhat inferior. On a positive note, I did enjoy the sound of the album in general. However, compared to the previous album, it lacks some variability and dynamism. The songs are just not that memorable and interesting, so I’m giving it a lower rating. Still not a bad album definitely, I really like Costello both as a songwriter and as a musician. “Beyond Belief”, “Shabby Doll”, and “Man Out Of Time” will be added to my playlist. 3/5 stars.
Why is there so much Elvis Costello? I like the dude. This album is cool, sounds a lot like the others though.
Alright music. Elvis costello lyrics never catch my attention or stand out though.
Flawless perfection
Not as enjoyable as the prior Costello, Classic 3 star album.
Not as appealing as my first forays into EC. Not enough highlights to lift it above the “pretty decent” category. Pidgin English was the highlight for me.
Meh
Spencer said I would rate it one less star than him and he was right on the money. Mid ass new wave
Elvis Costello is not bad... he's just so remarkably ok. I would not be mad if someone put this album on. I may even come back to this on my own, but why do we need so many of this guys albums on this list? Anyway, the album itself. It's solid. I like this more than Blood And Chocolate. This didn't get very boring. The worst it did was repeat the same words over and over sometimes.
A lot better than the other one I have listened to. Starts very good and trails off.
i actually really liked the first song, but it was all downhill from there... bizarre vocal delivery and some weirdly discordant instrumentation. it was ultimately ok though.
Now that I have heard my first Elvis Costello album through this project, all of the Elvis Costello discourse in this space is way funnier. Costello has like 6 projects on the list, and people seem to love him or hate him. But what really gets me with this whole situation is how inoffensive the music on Imperial Bedroom is. It's basically sophisticated pop, flirting with new wave, soft rock, and a little bit of post punk. It's not bad, but it's not especially interesting. And very importantly, it's not the kind of thing that people usually have strong opinions on. Like it feels like everyone's fighting over the most "perfectly fine" music here. Maybe these songs unravel over the course of several listens? Maybe I'm missing something. Maybe there are better Elvis Costello albums. There are things I like here though: little flashes of something cool. I think his singing voice has something cool to it sometimes. The arrangements have some neat surprises like the accordion on The Long Honeymoon. And the guitar has some really interesting, brief flourishes. I do like Beyond Belief, Shabby Doll, The Long Honeymoon, Almost Blue and Town Cryer. Although, stepping outside of these songs, I do think a lot of material here is a little boring. But regardless of how I feel, this is competently written and produced. And there isn't anything really offensive to my sensibilities. The better cuts do some heavy lifting and I ultimately have this sitting at a pretty low three. I am kind of interested in seeing how my relationship with Elvis Costello evolves throughout this project too. But, adieu for now.
At this stage I’m a bit Elvis Costelloed out. He’s ok but not worth this much exposure on this list.
Not bad
Man Out of Time was the first song that I connected with. But Shabby Doll was catchy. But also... Parquet Courts's vocalist sounds quite like Elvis Costello.
Not bad, not amazing "The Loved Ones" was good.
7 / 10
I’ve gotten quite tired of Costello but this album was actually fine
i like Elvis Costello, but this album doesn't move the needle for me.
This is ok - it’s not the best Elvis Costello I’ve had so far, but it’s still a pleasant enough listen.
Fine!
I’m a Costello defender on this list, but even I am like - This one? It’s fine, I like it, but it feels like if you gotta cut one, it’s likely this one. 3.5
Bel album que j'avais oublié il fait plaisir à ré entendre 👍🤗
Ok, od Elvis Costella poznam en komad iz najstniških let & kle ga ne vidim. Ful mi je fajna naslovnica. Par komadov v album - všečno! Zmer je fajn slišat harmoniko uporabljeno na boljši način kot jo slovenci primarno ("The Long Honeymoon"). Zj men kle več kt očitno manjka kontekst, k na wiki je večkrat omenjeno, kako je ta album drugačen v vajbu kot Elvisovi prejšnji, k so bli očitno bolj jezni. Pa da mu je popularnost mal upadala in je hotel probat neki nouga. Pojma nimam, tkole v vakuumu nevednosti je men sam prijetno vse do zdaj, besedila fajna, variety v glasbi, ampak še zmer kohezivno. "Man Out Of Time" je zanimiv. Prvi, "Beyond Belief" mi je bil kul & drugi, "Tears Before Bedtime". "...And in Every Home" me instrumentalno mal na Beatle spomne & nism edina, ker točn to je na wiki izpostavljen ('which one reviewer likened to the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper'). Mogoč zato k je bil producent isti? (Geoff Emerick) Zdaj, miljon komadov v album, pa vidim problem. Vse se mi začenja blendat. Ne spomnim se več, kako so zvenel prvi komadi. Se prav, non-offensive, čist prijetno, ampak forgettable?
A lot of pleasant songs
Elvis Costello always feels a lil boring to me.
Not the best Who album.
Same quality as most of his other ones, big shocker
Looking for a way to impress the ladies, you learn the art of cocktail mixology. You’ve got yourself a job as a barman at a pretty swanky bar, the kind of place where patrons wear suits and ties or frocks and rocks. You show of all your cocktail making flair, flipping bottles around before pouring, and throwing ice in the air to catch behind your back. The girls are impressed, but they are here on a date with some finance guy who spends half the night ducking off to the men’s room for some late night line dancing. You ride your bike home, alone.
Its alright. Not sure it stands out in any way.
The Attractions do most of the heavy lifting in this album. If Elvis Costello was backed by a worse band, I'd really dislike his voice, and that would drag down my opinion of the album. But the band is surprisingly good enough that I don't notice how much I hate Elvis's voice. Favorite Song(s): Almost Blue
Pretty good, not one I’d have listened to otherwise!
It was fine, but nothing stood out in particular
I love a lot of Elvis Costello, but not when he decides to become a crooning lounge singer.
We like Elvis Costello but after a while his songs do start to sound the same a bit. Maybe that's because his voice is so distinctive but it was still good
Gute Unterhaltungsmusik.
The first song, Beyond Belief, is great. Unfortunately it's all downhill after that.
# Album Name: Imperial Bedroom # Artist: Elvis Costello & The Attractions # Rating: 3/5 # Comments: Pretty mid album. Was alright. Nothing really stood out for me though. # Top Tunes: not sure # Would I listen to it again? not sure
There’s only 2 albums of his that should be on the list ‘my aim is true’ and ‘this years model’ nothing is really wrong with this album but listening to ‘imperial bedroom’ is having little to no impact on my life 3/5
Nothing jumped out to me but it worked decently as study music. If only I wasn't cramming filters...
3.5 My first exposure to Elvis Costello - I'm intrigued, but the album didn't really grab me - I'll revisit and look into the rest of his catalogue though
I think well of Elvis Costello and the are some tremendous moments on here but I find there's a bit too much going on with some of these songs. Somehow, two-and-a-half minute tracks can feel more like four. That would be ok now and again but this record seems to be rammed with them.
It's ok. I've always "kind of" like Elvis, in that, I don't turn him off it comes on the radio or a playlist. But, I never ever have sought him out. This album exemplifies why. It's good/fine. The music is technically proficient, but not engaging. He writes interesting lyrics, but doesn't really deliver them with any emption or flair. The best song here is "Man Out Of Time" with it's howling into and the way it reappears and rocks out the end. Unusual, cool, interesting. But 3 minutes out of 50. It gets a 3 for not being annoying ever, but also there's nothing here calling me back.
Aufgenommen wurde das Album zwischen November 1981 und März 1982 in den AIR Studios in London. Produzent war Geoff Emerick, bekannt durch seine Arbeit mit den Beatles. Elvis Costello & The Attractions stammen aus Großbritannien, und das Album bewegt sich zwischen New Wave, Art-Pop und klassisch arrangiertem Rock. Die Songs zeigen Costello auf dem Höhepunkt seiner kompositorischen Kontrolle. „Beyond Belief“ eröffnet mit dichtem, nervösem Rhythmus und verschachteltem Gesang. „Man Out of Time“ entfaltet sich als dramatische Ballade mit weiten Klangräumen. „Almost Blue“ dagegen ist ein ruhiger, jazz-beeinflusster Song, der seine Wandlungsfähigkeit unterstreicht. Klanglich setzt „Imperial Bedroom“ auf Detailreichtum: Streicher, Bläser und Tasteninstrumente fügen sich zu einer komplexen, sorgfältig konstruierten Produktion. Das Album verzichtet auf den rauen New-Wave-Charakter früherer Werke und präsentiert sich introspektiv und vielschichtig. Ein anspruchsvolles, sorgfältig arrangiertes Werk, das Geduld erfordert, aber durch musikalische Reife überzeugt.
Elvis Costello has always been a blind spot for me, never really was into him growing up and never hung out with anyone who was into him. This album was surprising in some ways, but overall what I expected.
It’s ok
5.5/10
Pretty alright.
This is like the 4th Elvis Costello album I’ve been given, firmly in the “it’s not bad, but I don’t find it interesting camp.
Trevligt, men tilltalade mig inte lika mycket som My Aim Is True
Känner väl ungefär som med det första jag hörde med honom, lite ballt, lite tramsigt. *shrug*
More like a 2.5. Completely fine but didn’t hold my attention at all.
Preferred to Armed Forces. 3.
It's alright, but it's not him at his best. I don't think this belongs in the book. The difference between good and bad songs is not as big as on his older albums. The bad songs are better, the good songs are worse. Favorite song: man out of time
¿Otro disco más de Elvis Costello? ¿Otro? ¿Será este el bueno? Veo que es el quinto que reviso. Pues mejor de lo que esperaba. Me guardo The long honeymoon y The loved ones.
This was an okay album to listen to. Not my favorite of his, but a good solid collection of songs, though some may call it boring, I think of as consistent. No real standout tracks, though the opener Beyond Belief had me doing a double take for a TV On The Radio song for some reason.
I didn't mind this album at all. It's not one I needed to hear before I die, but I'm starting to see that's the case with a lot of these albums. The author of the list has a massive hard-on for a lot of artists, Elvis Costello is one of them. 2.89 / 5 stars
I’ve enjoyed discovering Elvis Costello in this project, but this album didn’t land as well as the others have.
could have been a four if it was a tad shorter. but i must say it sounds sophisticated and pretty exciting with a lot of instrumentation. but yeah its too long.
Some mixture of The Beatles and XTC.
I like Elvis Costello. I like that he sounds different and not perfect. I like that his lyrics are a bit different. I find it endearing when an artist isn't a generational talent, but just someone who loves doing what they are doing
Pretty artsy but enjoyable. Not going back to this one but I had a good time througout,
It’s still a no
I just didn't find this all that compelling. I generally like Elvis Costello, particularly the earlier more punk feeling material.
Solid Elvis Costello album but nothing absolutely amazing.
Good album but there are better Elvis Costello albums.
Elvis capo della new wave, anche se questo album non mi ha detto nulla. Sicuramente non è brutto, le sonorità sono anche piacevoli però forse è uno di quegli album che va riascoltati.
Le canzoni di per se mi sono piaciute molto, molta varietà ma un bel mood, per me la voce di lui ha rovinato tutto, c'erano momenti in cui sembrava quasi stonasse
At least he didn’t say the n word with a hard R this time. 5/10
Yeah, why not end my journey with a sixth Elvis Costello album. He is a good artist, but I don't get all of his stuff or get why everything (or 6 things) he does is gold. His debut was absolutely kick ass and his follow-up effort was pretty darn good too. The rest are just fine. This one is sort of his magnum opus from what I understand, and saw him trying to take on a more grandiose style. But to me it's a rather dense album sonically, and that doesn't make for easy listening. Great albums don't require you to strain your brain to get it, understand it, or love it. Great albums just hit you. This one didn't. I listened to it a couple times to see if it grew on me. But I think I'm more in line with the public reaction and its commercial performance, which was so-so, than the music critics, who acclaimed it. It's alright.
Oh boy another Elvis Costello album. This one at least was a little better. I still don't understand why he shows up so often on this list though. I'd much rather listen to literally any other new wave album than this. I feel like I'm listening to a Monty Python skit the entire time though. Do with that what you will.
Ok Elvis. Not his best
Not a fan
i found it was okay and i enjoyed it more than other albums like Armed Forces and Blood and Chocolate, i might just be getting used to his sound as he has like 20,000 albums on this list but i thought it was okay
This was okay, nothing awful but nothing too extraordinary. Which makes me question why there’s so many Elvis Costello albums in this project… 2.5/5
Imperial Bedroom is one of those albums that feels like it is trying very hard to be clever, but the results are hit and miss. The arrangements are elaborate, full of flourishes and detours that show off ambition, yet often end up weighing the songs down. Costello’s lyrical sharpness is there, but the music does not always give those words the focus they need, leaving some tracks to meander without much impact. There are moments where the pieces click, but too often the album feels fussy rather than inspired. Instead of the tight, biting energy that made Costello’s earlier work so compelling, Imperial Bedroom sprawls and loses momentum. It is easy to respect what he was aiming for, but as a listening experience it comes across more as an overstuffed experiment than an album that really lands.
Ok listen. Not a huge fan of all of their music.
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.