Imperial Bedroom

I wasn't a big fan of this one. It wasn't bad, but the vocals got to me a few times and I just wanted to shut it off. The music itself just wasn't really my thing either. 2.5/5

Elvis is the original velvet crooner.

Liked this much much more than previous Costello albums, just seems like deep layered music. still don't like his vocals much. 3.3

How is there more Elvis Costello on this list? I'm going to preempt my review here by saying I reckon it'll be blandly clever post punk with a 1950s feel. I'll come back and say if I was right after listening. Well. The first track was a bit more interesting than I expected. But after that, it's pretty much everything I expected. Dull Dull Dull made worse by the fact it thinks it's interesting. I felt every one of its bloated tracks pass in real time.

"Imperial Bedroom" by Elvis Costello & The Attractions is a lyrical and musical tour de force. Released in 1982, it showcases Costello's songwriting maturity and the band's musical versatility. Tracks like "Beyond Belief" and "Man Out of Time" feature intricate arrangements and poetic lyrics. The album's production, helmed by Geoff Emerick, is lush and layered, creating a sophisticated sonic backdrop. While some listeners might find the album's complexity and departure from Costello's earlier sound a bit challenging, it's a testament to his artistic evolution. "Imperial Bedroom" is a richly crafted album that rewards attentive listening and solidifies Costello's place in the pantheon of great songwriters.

Niet overdreven speciaal

This is a mixed bag of an album. Some of it bores me to tears but there are certainly some good songs here, not anything I'd deem to be great though. It feels too long as well. I like Elvis Costello, but this is like the 4th album I've gotten from him so far and I think that there's one or 2 more to go. He has albums that should be on this list, but this ain't one of 'em. I'm giving this one a 2 just for the low points of the album and because I think I've rounded up on a couple of the other ones. Overall this album is really just very okay.

Possibly an Elvis Costello album too far? The opener is strong and there are a couple of other decent tunes on here but I found it a bit arduous to get through the whole thing. I think his older, punkier style suited him better. It does feel like an album that would reward further listens, but I'm not sure it did enough on the first two to earn them from me. A slightly harsh 2.5 stars.

Sounds like a more modern album than it is, not sure exactly why, but it does. Overall another easy listening.

Musically it sounded good, vibe wise it left me feeling lacking, i'm sure it's just me but i'm not a fan of his music.

Not bad, not amazing, but was a decent listen

I enjoyed this album. The Attractions, particularly piano and bass, are excellent with the varied styles of pop and light rock. Costello sings strongly and with more word play and feel than spite. Although This Years Model is my favourite, Imperial Bedroom has good pop songs and rolls along well.

For someone with a name as cool as Elvis Costello, his music just really falls short. He is the diet pepsi of Joe Strummer, just no piss and vinegar. I finally thought I heard a song I liked off this album, turns out it was just Spotify playing a deep cut Clash song after this album had finished

It's OK, honestly nothing super special.

I've been too generous lately, and this is just not doing it for me.

-i have heard of elvis costello but i have never heard the music -first song was nice but nothing special -this stuff is sorta groovy but a little too relaxed for me -his voice is really nice but idk its a little dull for me -the long honeymoon is nice tho -this three day long listening of this album needs to end -town cryers the best and i don’t even super like that one tbh

Not my musi....

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

Always impressed by Elvis Costello. I don't know why I've not delved deeper in the past.

I wasn't keen on the first song or two but then this really started to do things for me. This is the most Beatle-esque I've heard Elvis go, I think, and comparisons to the fab Four finally kind of make sense. Some great tracks towards the end of the album.

This is like almost great sometimes

AJ: This was pretty cool. Lots of really cool songs, a couple slow bois but overall pretty cool. I like his voice but found myself getting tired of it at points. But it really hits in a few songs. The band is tight as hell. Hipster rock. 3 Cat: this was cool and cute! Loved how his piano stuff was the focus on parts.

Musicianship is on point, but doesn't really do it for me.

Good, but not my fav of his.

Doing this generator has made me realise that i don't enjoy Costellos music. I had heard a couple of songs which were okey. But when you have to listen to more songs his voice becomes whiney really fast and the music becomes very bland, very fast. It's not bad, it's just not that interesting

A nice album. Although I'm not such a big fan of his "big band" departures.

A really strong set of carefully crafted singer/songwriter tracks that have an impressive production and variety. The songs do particularly well in that his rhymes and melody are pretty engaging and catchy. Man Out of Time, And In Every Home, The Loved Ones are my favorites.

Ugh, another Elvis Costello album. I think this is the fourth one that's been generated. It's so bland. I think one of his albums would be enough on the 1001 but four? No thanks. The author clearly is a fan but that doesn't mean that you have to listen to the entire Elvis Costello discography before you die.

Elvis Costello

a connu pire elvis costello

Other 2-star snoozer from Elvis. I’m convinced this man was an editor of the 1001 albums book and just forced his albums into it. 3/10

It was pretty good, just too long in my opinion.

Elvis Costello albums are like pizza, even the good ones… no wait that’s not it. This album was fine I guess but it’s Costello and it annoyed me 2.5 stars

3/5 Best: Man Out of Time Worst: Boy with a Problem

3.5 Solid by the other Elvis.

I love Elvis' voice! He writes unconventional songs, and this album grew on me for the 2nd listen. No big radio hits from this album, but some good songs are: Beyond Belief The Long Honeymoon Man Out of Time The Loved Ones Human Hands Kid About It

Don’t think this is my favourite. But, I am a fan. Another artist where we seem to be overwhelmed by greatest hits and miss a lot of good music.

1.5/5

El sexto álbum de Elvis Costello & The Attractions nos presenta una grandiosa recolección de canciones, las cuales se sienten llenas de creatividad e innovación. Costello y su banda emplearon todos los recursos que habían amasado anteriormente para crear un tierno disco de pop británico que no deja de tener momentos disruptivos y sorprendentes. Uno de los indispensables de la carrera de Costello.

Interessante

First track, Beyond Belief, is not available to play in Sweden.

Ok, but I hadn't heard any songs of this before.

Oh Elvis Costello I always want to like you

Some really well crafted songs. I find it a bit tedious though, the way everything is crafted so specifically.

I like this album but I think the first song is so good, and different in tone, from the rest of the record, that it sets a false precedent which the album ultimately doesn't deliver on. There are other great songs: Man Out of Time, Almost Blue, and Human Hands stick out to me, but this album doesn't feel entirely consistent. Also, it's much more piano based and I prefer Elvis when he's more centered around the guitar. An interesting experiment but EC is best with Nick Lowe behind the board.

Still not a fan, but I think I appreciated the vocal cadence on this album a bit more. It is what it is.

Best Song: Beyond Belief. The busiest and most dynamic song on the album, which isn't saying much. Worst Song: Kid About It. The way he interrupts himself to close-whisper "kid about it" sounds predatory. Overall: He's just a less interesting Randy Newman. I really don't understand the appeal.

How many of these are there?

Fine but nothing special

It’s a fine album.

Love all Elvis Costello. This is one of his better ones. Beyond Belief, Man Out of Time. Good stuff. If he was handsome he'd have been an all timer.

Alright.

The usual Elvis Costello mix of eclectic pop (lots of orchestral influence)

It's average with smatterings of bad.

Not a huge fan of his voice, but the songs were pretty good.

I've never really gotten into Elvis Costello but there were some pretty good songs on this. Basically a 3.5

Had no idea what to expect, as I don't think I've ever listened to Elvis Costello. It was average.

Didn't like the whiny vocals or the dull arrangements. This was a chore to get through and I was glad when it was over. If this is Mr Costello's best album then god help me when the others show up. Lots of bland songs of a similar length and nature, nothing stood out. Sometimes there were strange noises that only served to wake me up and check how much longer I had to endure before I could call this one done. As the last strings and brass plodded away, fading into the distance, I had an immense feeling of satisfaction, knowing I would never have to listen to this drek ever again.

Costello and his group indulge in studio experimentation, and the results are largely impressive. One of their best.

It is an entire unnoteworthy album. It was 50 minutes long and no need to revisit it. I didn't hate it but I have no desire to listen to it again or any of its songs again. Better than a 2 but not really a 3.

i gave it a go, but man do i hate elvis costello

First off, if this album is ever remastered, please for the love of God, show some respect to the band and drop the vocals further back into the tracks. The album was mediocre but interesting at points, but completely fell off a cliff around 'The Loved Ones' and never really came back. Clearly there is a broader positive sentiment that I'm not connecting with, but I really can't get into Costello's country-rock-cosmopolitan discography.

An okay Elvis Costello album is better than a lot of other albums. And this is a pretty good Elvis Costello album. He's probably one of a very few artists I won't get sick of seeing on this list.

God, I didn't expect much but this was even worse than expected. Why did anyone get excited about this guy?

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

some not great songs but also some genuine bangers

From what I read, Costello is a great song writer. I dunno. Too Gen X for me I guess.

The production might be great, but I prefer the energy of their earlier albums.

'Man Out of Time' és un dels millors temes de la seva discografia. I una de les millors mostres d'un exemple perfecte de la maduresa artística de Costello: lletres intel.ligents, arranjaments precisos i melodies addictives. I 'Imperial Bedroom' un dels millors treballs on tot això es dóna duna manera més acurada

I don't like his voice. Couldn't finish the album

He is not bad, I just don't like it

Not my fav Costello, I prefer the attractions first two records to this one. Not sure why it would be on the list

It’s a nice album but nothing really stood out. Don’t really listen to Costello that much either but this just felt like an okay album. Nice sounding for sure but not my favorite and I assume not even his best.

Costello takes an artsy turn to his New Wave music, using all sorts of strange instruments and synths and studio effects to produce an immersive experience. The combination of his power pop vocals and chords with the vaudeville instrumentation and wall of sound remind me a lot of Sgt Pepper. This is his most versatile album, hearing an intriguing unique style in every track. I thought the first 5 songs were fantastic and thrilling, but I got really bored by the rest of the album, only really liking "The Loved Ones" and "Town Cryer". Reminds me a bit of the Zombies with the piano and baroque vocals, but frankly I found most of the second half quite boring. At least they're almost all less than 3 minutes, but it got exhausting with its 50 minute length. These weak tracks really weigh it down.

I enjoyed! No songs I knew well but a classic sound and a new favourite (…And in Every Home).

That opener of Beyond Belief is one of my favorite Costello songs with all the hallmarks: great lyrics, bouncy guitar and a warm-up to a quickened pace. Of all the Costello songs that are out there-- many of which simply do not work, this is a great one especially because the vocals are tight and restrained. Almost predictably, the second track takes us to a Costello song that doesn't really work and isn't pleasant. And this is the big problem where the vocals-- all excellent-- don't seem to align with the accompanying music. Like, why did you opt for that wonky rhythm for these vocals where they are both operating at completely different tempos. Almost Blue is a great song and does come together nicely. Human Hands could be one of the worst songs I've ever heard. Like a haunted circus soundtrack on fleek. ...And this album leaves me as every other album in his catalogue does, wanting so much to like him, but finding myself hating it.

Josh Weinstein of MST3K is a big fan of this album. He and I worked together for a bit and decided to swap our favorite music. Josh gave me this album and I gave him Operation Ivy. That's it, our relationship ended there. It's no wonder MST3K didn't speak to me either.

This is our 3rd Elvis Costello album. There are still 3 more to go. Album sales are not everything by any means, but Elvis Costello's top-selling album (it's not this one) is the 4,372nd best-selling album of all-time. I don't hate all of this. But I do hate "Shabby Doll." And a few others. I am not looking forward to 3 more Elvis Costello albums. Next new edition, instead of dropping another recently added 2000s album, maybe try dropping an Elvis Costello album? Or a Leonard Cohen album?

Elvis Costello voice is very annoying.

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

basta de elvis costello la concha tuya album generator

Some of the better songs are good, but most of the songs feel meandering and boring.

This is the first artist we have gotten more than one album for and it had to be Elvis fucking Costello. It's inoffensive, but nothing really jumps out at me. There are a few somewhat catchey sections of songs, but i'm not vibing with any of it super hard. Another 3/5 for the books. Almost blue is the best track on the album solely because it is a ballad

not really my thing but i kind of get it. interesting sounds and good voice.

Arkkityyppipoprockia, en pidä oikein minään

Se, että Elvis Costello pusertaa biisejä ulos kuin mitäkin tuotetta, on uhka populaarimusiikille sinänsä. Totta kai kaikki popmusa on "tuotetta", mutta on ihan yhtä merkittävää, että hyvä sellainen TUNTUU olevan jotain enemmän. Costellon musiikki viittaa kyynisyyteen, joka näkee tuon tunteen turhana.

Meh

Top 10 albums all time for me

Like listening to a weird fever dream, it's once again been demonstrated to me why some people make music like this today.

Bluesy rock, always enjoy a bit of Elvis Costello

This is the third Elvis Costello album that I have gotten, and I would consider myself a new fan of his. If I could, I would give this album a 3.5/5. Very easy to listen to and enjoy.

Sigh, again? GTA San Andreas gif. Again, a load of songs that are not bad, sometimes interesting but I'm so done with Costello at this point. Man Out of Time was good. And in every home is daft. We get it man, you worked on Sgt Peppers. I completely zoned out 4 songs before it finished.

Before this list I didn't mind Costello but now I can't stand him.

Just couldn't get into it.

он ничего, я пока его особенно не поняла, но интересный

I don't really like this. Not that it's awful, it's just not exactly my thing.

I don’t love it, but I guess I never really did love Elvis Costello.

There only one Elvis and he's the king. But we don't like him either cos he was a creep. Next please.

Almost Blue is a great song. Sadly most of the rest of the album wasn’t quite as good, I wonder if Elvis Costello has other recordings that lean more into the blues genre; I’ll check and give those a listen. Side note - I used to live next to the Chandlers where EC bought most of his guitars from

"Spare us the theatrics and the verbal gymnastics," goes one of Elvis Costello's characters on the second song from this album. Oh, the irony. Such wording is a nice way to say "shut up", that's for sure. But it's also what I want to tell Costello when I listen to "Imperial Bedroom". Just... stop talking. The music is already meandering too much. We don't need the constant barrage of oblique ditherings on top of it. I've been pretty unfair to other records by Elvis Costello mentioned in this list, I know it now. But here, I think I'll stand by my early *negative* feeling. "Imperial Bedroom" is just too damn chatty and too cute for its own good. Yes, there are lush instrumentations and arrangements in many of those tunes. But as sophisticated as those arrangements are, you won't convince me they don't sound incredibly awkward when paired with Costello's whiny voice. The whole thing makes you think of an odd couple. Which brings another involuntary layer of irony here, given that 'odd couples' is the theme of some of these songs... To put it in a nutshell, this record sounds über-pretentious as a whole. At least, Costello's first three LPs had a few lively rockers to make the whole thing dynamic enough. Here, all that you got is... melodic and verbal gymnastics, with no frigging *end point* in sight. 2/5. Number of albums left to review: 624 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 184 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 85 Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more essential to me): 113 (including this one)

It's not quite as bad as most Elvis Costello joints but it's still pretty plastic. I think The Attractions are doing a lot of work here, pulling back Costello's cheesiness and laying down some legit music. All in all, I give it a middling score. I've listened to later albums and this is not as bad as I know it could be.

My first Costello and real delight. Faves: Tears Before Bedtime, The Long Honeymoon, Man Out of Time, ...And in Every Home, Pidgin English, Town Cryer

Great production.

Nice

VITTU KUN EI VOI ANTAA YHTÄ TÄHTEÄ KUN EI SE OLE NIIN HUONO SE TÄSSÄ HARMITTAA AINAKUN COSTELLO LÄPSÄHTÄÄ toisaalta on muutes paskempi kuin viime kerran my aim is true albumi hehhheh yksi tähti kjeh kjeh

Cool

Tedious. I feel I aged 20 years just listening to this insipidity. 1 head of gray hair out of 5. 👴

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

More subtle than some of his earlier work. I needed some time to appreciate it, and then it really fell into place.

Ah. Yes Beyond Belief, Man out of Time and Almost Blue are fine tunes. But elsewhere everything is swamped in complex arrangements and overproduction. I am not one who subscribes to this album as masterpiece. Overthought and overwrought.

God aweful, waste of a great album cover

Generous 3 stars for me. Lots to like here but wasn't a lot to love. Found I enjoyed the songs while they happened but nothing really stood out to me and I quickly forgot the song that came before it completely. Enjoyable listen and maybe needs a revisit but didn't really grab me the way I thought it might

Elvis Costello was way more of a singer-songwriterthan I remember. Not bad.

I thought that this album was really great. I had only known Elvis Costello from Alison before this album, and I was pleasantly surprised. Some of the production seemed strange, but it seemed to work in a lot of the songs with the melodies.

This album is spectacular but it is long. I’m sure I’ve listened to the full thing but I can’t even remember at this point. It’s the first batch of songs that really stand tallest in my mind. The opening song is a heater and one of Mr. Costello’s best while introducing a whole new, psychedelic and experimental direction to the artist’s oeuvre. I feel like there’s so much more to this album. I think it’s even greater than I’m aware of at this moment. I just need more time. Right now it’s a 3, but I’m going to give it room to grow with a solid 4.

Have had some difficulties getting into this album. I’ve given it several listens, but Elvis Costello is currently rolling off of me. The production is interesting, songwriting is intriguing. I am just left with nothing to hold onto. Not counting him out. 2/5

sanantoisto poppia...paskaa ja paskaa...varasti ELVIS NIMI ELVIS PERSLEY...king of rock and motherfuckinf rolll..*explosion* radio fucking rock...kuuluuko costello, NO EI KUULU. tällästä jaksa... tämän takia vittuti niin paljeon että kuuntelin abbey road uudestan... vittu oli se 5/5 underrated classic tbh.... miks kukaan ei puhu siitä albumista underrated....pauli pojan ääni vituttaa vieläkin silti shabby doll

Very dense, intricate and clever. When you can get into it, you'll be rewarded with catchy pop and new wave at its best, but unmemorable OK-ness at other points. Love the album art too. It's kind of like a dinner party at a very fancy house, with very intelligent people who are intimidating, but then someone makes a great joke and stuff starts to click, and then the fun starts. 09/02/23

Nice one

Surprised how bored I got listening to this

Never been an Elvis Costello fan and this album didn't change my mind; kinda can't stand his stuffy nose sounding singing. It's alright, nothing special. 6/10.

Always a great record but better records from Elvis' early career. The hits are undeniable, of course.

love elvis

Probably the Elvis Costello album I've liked the most of the 3 I've seen so far. Would be a 3.5 if I could do it. Standouts: Beyond Belief, Man Out Of Time, ...And In Every Home, Boy With A Problem, You Little Fool

It's consummate and impressively crafted. But it's not for me

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

I don't find Elvis Costello very compelling. This is a decent album and not really "bad," just not finding it very impressive.

The was a big ol' yawn for me. Elvis sounds like he had a bad headcold half the time, the other half he sounds like he was trying to swallow the mic.

I've tried and tried and tried to "get" Elvis Costello's albums but, besides My Aim is True (and a couple of songs on Armed Forces), it just doesn't stick. The songs mostly live in that almoooost-melodic-but-not-quite-there zone, and are rinsed in a kind of campy corniness that just doesn't take me anywhere.

I had a couple of his albums and saw him in concert when I was in my teens, but, honestly, other than a handful of songs, I don't remember much of his work. I don't think I'd heard this album or any of its tracks before. There are some interesting numbers on it. I like that he's tried different styles and sounds over his career. He is an adventurous and talented composer and writer, and even though I don't always love his music and his voice -- just a matter of personal preference -- I definitely appreciate it.

3.5 - My review for this will echo much of what I said about "Armed Forces." Costello creates these intricate songs constructed like clever mechanical toys, but mostly they make me feel nothing and it's a chore to get through the full album. However, I do like the hushed vocals on "Beyond Belief." And there's some nice Spector-esque glitter on "You Little Fool." I also love the jagged violin fills on "Town Cryer."

Of all the "featured artists" in this load of shit list, Elvis Costello is maybe the most puzzling. This is album #6 so far. Everything else has sucked. Zero expectations. And yep it's more shit. 2/5.

This one isn't doing it for me. It's not bad, but nothing really stands out. "This Year's Model" was catchy the first time I listened to it, but either somehting is lost here, or it has more depth that needs more time to absorb. I gave this 2 listens and it didn't stick much more the second time. Unlikely to come back. 1 = bad 2 = average 3 = good 4 = great 5 = outstanding

Groovy

This album provides an interesting contrast with the previous Costello album that I got on this list, This Year's Model. This album was made only 3 years later, but sounds a lot different as it is much less of a rock album and more of an album to feature Costello's lyrics and voice. The music is still really good on this album, just much less of a punk/new wave album. The production on the album is great and every song on the album is solid 4/5

This album was, in my opinion, the perfect form of idea into execution. I don’t really think Me. Costello would change a thing about the album, so as far as production goes, it’s perfect in that sense. That doesn’t mean that I would change anything, though. There were too many cheesy love lyrics and Elvis’ singing was very corny at times. A perfect cheesy love album, but that’s not what I’m into. 3/5

It's an all right listen, but not my favorite Costello album. It definitely has some interesting sounds and ideas, but overall didn't really ever "wow" me

Costello just makes me feel sad. Maybe it's the voice. Another one I was hoping to enjoy and immerse myself in, but the mood just didn't work for me. It's fine for 'Shipbuilding', but I feel like I am past the point in my life where I enjoy suites of sad love songs. This is no doubt a very accomplished album, just not one for me.

The early 80's were a productive time for Costello. He broke free of the angry young man image and developed as a great songwriter. Up until around late '83 he was untouchable. Then Mozza came along and added some oddity to the package. Imperial Bedroom sounds like a man transforming in front of you. This couldn't be more true than on Man Out of Time. It all means that the album doesn't quite hold it together. But it does move Costello up to another level.

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

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

For some reason latter day Elvis Costello doesn't click with me. I think his earlier albums were da bomb, in fact his debut album, My aim is true is my favourite of his but they gradually go downhill from there for me. I much prefer his post-punk energy and snarling vocals on Welcome to the working week, Miracle Man, Watching the detectives etc and I think they are peak Declan Patrick MacManus. Maybe because he got married to snore-fest jazz crooner Dianne Krall he mellowed out because his mellower songs just don't do it for me and I find his crooning to be downright annoying at times.

Standouts include Beyond Belief and Man Out of Time

Rocker Elvis Costello > baroque Elvis Costello.

Didnt like the beat

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

Not my favorite of his, but high marks. Near-peak early career EC.

Not Costello enough

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

Simpatico, molto caldo. Non male, in generale è sempre piacevole Elvis.

Decent. Liked 2 or 3 songs but that's about it. Costello's voice sounded like lead singer of RHCP to me somewhat.

Shut up Elvis

The first and the last songs were good on this. The rest was pretty boring and almost unbearable.

Elvis ''lame'' Costello

Ok, I definitely can't stand Elvis Costello's music, but this contains 2 nice songs instead of zero like This Year's Model. The artwork is cool.

Hienosti sävellettyä softrockia

Was somewhat enjoyable to listen to but wasn't nearly as good as the last Elvis Costello album I listened to

Never heard the artist, kinda interesting. really insufferable at times. 2 stars

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

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

When I was young, I thought Elvis Costello (of this & susbequent albums) was "grown up music". Now I'm grown up, and I agree with my younger self. Lots going on, lots of talent and originality and variety. But still, somehow, lacking the "hook me in" factor. Maybe I need to give it another go around (or maybe then, his sometimes over-wrought singing would start to bug me, like it bugs Natalie).

There were a couple of times while listening to this album yesterday that I thought : that sounds a lot like The Beatles or like a Beatles song. Now I just read the Elvis got Geoff Emerick, the man who engineered Sgt Pepper, to work on this album. And of course Elvis, like the Fab4, was a Liverpudlian. I’m a huge Costello fan & this album is worth it just to hear him sing Almost Blue ( the Chet Baker cover of that song is also worth a listen). The 3 singles released from the album are also highlights - Man Out Of Time, Town Cryer & You Little Fool. And I always loved Shabby Doll, which he was still playing in concert many years later. He did do some ordinary stuff in the mid-80’s but this isn’t that. Well worth a listen.

This might provoke some outrage or disbelief from the hard-core EC fans (hi Peter, hi Glenn), but this is not a really standout Elvis album for me. Thinking about it, I tend to prefer his quick-and-dirty albums, a bit more rock and roll, a bit less polished. I can see what he was heading for, but I find that Elvis is less effective when he tries to get fancy. So, some good songs (the singles, plus Shabby Doll and Beyond Belief are stand-outs for me), but not a great Elvis album for me. (Mind you, that's still on the "would listen again" list)

ok pleasant listen but not memorable

Boring Rock Music zzzzzz

The third Elvis Costello album I've gotten now and like I said last time... why does this dude have so many albums on the list? This was by far the worst of the 3 I've heard so far. It's long and dull.

Just a bit boring to be honest

8/10 not the strongest Elvis Costello album, but it’s pretty good and for some reason I really like the way his voice sounds on this one.

7/10. I listened to this one a bit early, because after getting 6 Elvis Costello albums in the first hundred or so albums, I got really annoyed when there was a crossword hint for an Elvis Costello album, and none of the names I knew fit. On a relisten, I think much the same as I did the first time: good album, but not his best work and the only real standouts are Beyond Belief and You Little Fool, and the former is starting to be ruined by Spotify playing it for me every time a playlist/album ends.

Not the best Costello but pretty dece. 7/10

Elvis in fine form

It was ok. I've heard better Elvis Costello albums. Nothing really stood out to me as great. It was all pretty average.

Superb album. His best.

Ok

This is the fourth Elvis Costello album I've had to listen to on this list and, as I said in the other 3 reviews, the albums are all the same: 1-2 great songs, 4-5 mediocre songs, and the rest terrible songs. This album is no different. Unfortunately it appears there's at least one more album on the list so I'll have to write this same review one more time.

OK, but well past his best period by this point.

Rating: 8/10 Best songs: Shabby doll, And in every home

beyond belief actually really hooked me by the end, I started it off thinking it probably wasn't gunna be for me but I ended up actually quite enjoying it though there were some songs that made me just wish they were over like shabby doll overall not a bad listen, probably not something I would come back to though

very well-crafted album. lots going on here sonically, musically, lyrically...

Music - 3 stars Cover art - 4 stars

Weirdly can't get on the streaming service. Voted 3 bit still to listen.

He's got some pretty out their ideas

Imperial Bedroom is the 7th album by English singer-songwriter Elvis Costello. There was a variety of instrument experimentation on this album that employed a variety of genres like new wave pop, baroque pop, and art rock. This album was critically acclaimed for its songwriting, production, & lyrics, and has been considered a masterpiece and one of Costello's best works. Costello may have hit his peak with this album. This was a fun and interesting album to listen to. I don't think I've heard pop like this before, and I enjoyed it. Every song stands on its own as something fresh and unique, but all together they make quite the collection of eclectic tracks. This album may not be for everyone, but everyone should still give it a shot.

Pas vraiment de chansons marquantes, mais c'est toujours sympathique du Elvis Costello.

Ok. But rapidly becomes background music. Can barely remember any of it. Not a patch on his earlier work: Armed Forces, This Year's Model, My Aim Is True.

"He`s got a mind like a sewer and a heart like a fridge"

lawful neutral

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

Great sound!

Nothing special

Never heard this one before and ended up liking every song on it. I can't really put my finger on exactly why, so I'll chalk it up to 'good songwriting' and leave it at that. It's possible that I'm an Elvis Costello fan.

I didn't get the option to input a review for Heaven17, but I really dug that album. Never heard of that group before in my life and I'm so confused by so much of what they do, from the album cover to the idea of a fascist groove thang to taking the M out of M-A-D and on and on. But it all added up to a really wonderfully strange experience. "Geisha Boys" and "Let's Make a Bomb" are a great one-two punch on the back half of the album. I do wonder though... if these guys thought Reagan was a fascist, did they even survive the last six years on this planet or did their heads explode? Hope they're okay. Four stars. If nothing else, this list has turned me into an Elvis Costello fan. I wouldn't complain if they press the chill button on having every single one of his records on this list, but I've enjoyed them all. I'd argue this one is maybe five songs too long, but there's some great stuff here. Lots of range, variety and his voice/lyrics are stellar. Loved "Almost Blue."

Nope. Big ick.

The first couple of songs were really interesting and there was some other good stuff mixed in, but there were also some really tedious piano ballads that I could have really done without

Nothing stood out for me on this album.

Not a Costello fan at all, but this album isn’t half bad.

L’album commence très bien, mais plus on avance, moins c’est intéressant et plus c’est quétaine. J’ai l’impression d’écouter la voix française de Rick Moranis chanter.

On est rendu à 3 Elvis Costello? Je trouvais par moment qu'il y avait un petit quelque chose de Sgt. Pepper dans la sonorité, et bien j'étais pas dans le champ puisqu'il a engagé Geoff Emerick qui a été l'ingénieur des albums les plus ambitieux des Beatles. La production est donc bonne, mais côté musique, ce n'est pas un coup de coeur. Je préfère quand il a une attitude plus punk comme sur This Year's Model. The Long Honeymoon est tellement ennuyante. Il y a par contre quelques bonnes grooves de basse à certains moments sur cet album, mais pas suffisamment pour en faire augmenter mon appréciation. Je connais donc maintenant un peu plus Elvis Costello, mais cet album n'est pas un manque dans ma collection.

Good sound but really boring

Not my cup of tea.

My mom is a big Elvis Costello fan and she was excited when I got this album today. Unfortunately I will have to be disappointing her, while I do think this is a good album it is really just not my thing. Costello is a wonderfully talented musician and I respect his impact on music and I know he is a particularly creative lyricist. It just doesn't really hit the spot for me.

I enjoyed "almost blue" - his voice is a bit less affected here and has room to breathe. It's almost the oppposite of something like "the loved ones" with the crazy sampled orchestration. The album overall has pretty drastic shifts in tone but flows well overall.

A few high notes but quite a bit of beige padding it out.

It’s regular over represented Elvis Costello fare. Only first track is memorable - the rest is just warbling over some elaborate backing music - it’s almost likeable but falls very short.

While it sounded a bit too close to a billy Joel album, I enjoyed listening to this. Nothing ultra standout but just a nice 50 minutes

This album was good, but it loses points because Elvis does not have an enjoyable singing voice. It is very grating at times. 3/5

Was not really a fan of this. It was pretty boring.

Elvis Costello is not for me. I certainly respect him more than I like him. I get that people love this kind of stuff, but to me it just kind of seems like very overly busy and produced music overlaid with some mumbling crooning.

Elvis Costello is fine. It does mostly sound like the same song on repeat, but I wojuldn't call it bad music.

I've always struggled with Elvis Costello. I think it's just that I don't like his voice. Makes me think there might be some truth in music critics liking Elvis Costello because music critics look like Elvis Costello. So when the first song sounded like Pulp, I though this was going to be the moment it all clicks. But then it wasn't. Some it does though, enough to have it on for a fair few listens though. Strangely it doesn't feel like a 51 minute album, which is normally a good sign.

This is not convincing me that Elvis is great.

I'd take THIS Elvis over that other one any day! Solid album. 3/5

Like the other Elvis Costello albums this one wasn’t too exciting either. His lyrics are somewhat above average but his voice get boring and the instrumentals are pretty average. Just not an artist I really care for. 4.3/10

Yeah

He sounds like one of the South Park guys doing their shitty commercial voice. “Rob Schneider is… a stapler” type singing

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

A good listen but so similar from song to song that it just coalesced into pleasant background music without anything particularly standing out

I can say with 100% certainty I had no idea what Elvis Costello sounded like or what his general vibe was. He reminded me of more 90s music, like Barenaked Ladies, rather than an early 80s group. This isn’t a bad thing.

This was almost very good. enjoyed a lot of it, but can't put my finger on what wasn't quite there for it. Maybe it was the singing? Somehow got a lot of Hamilton vibes from this.

Brak skory na dloni sklania do zestopowania projektu albumowego, prawie tak bardzo jak dzisiejszy pick czyli imperialna sypialnia, siodmy krazek w dyskografii pana Elvis Costello nagrany razem z The Attractions w ktorego sklad wchodza Bruce Thomas na basie, Pete Thomas drumy i Steve Nieve od klawiszy i okazjonalnego akordeonu, sam pan Costello poza spiewaniem i pisaniem podobno gitarowo sie udziela, jak przystalo na krazek wyspiarski z lat 80 jest post punkowo, ale przystepnosc tego materialu, zarowno instrumentalna jak i wokalno liryczna nadaje mu bardziej charakteru popowego, a ze jest tutaj wydmuchana do granic mozliwosci patetycznosc prawdziwego milorda wyspiarskiego, to okreslenie barokowego popowania bedzie jak najbardziej na miejscu, nagranie 50 minutowe gdzie upchniete jest 15 trakow pisanych dla kazdego czyli dla nikogo, da sie tego sluchac, ale ciezko sie tym cieszyc, bo brzmi to jak kolejna plyta ktora nie moze o sobie nic wiecej powiedziec, ze jest x w dyskografii pana y, na plejke dodam jedynie you little fool, no i dawno nie poczulem brytyjskiego wokalu tak jak na tym nagraniu, wiec przynajmniej odnowilem stare uprzedzenia przed urlopem listowym, wynik 555 z rzedu to calkiem dobry wynik, a na druga polowe jeszcze przyjdzie czas

Not as good as people say. Influenced by the Beatles

First time listening to this entire album. I really like Elvis Costello, iconic artist...but 15 songs an almost a full hour, this album is a lot to take at once.

Lounge music or whatever.... I am not the target audience for this album. Elvis consistently is over singing. That's it

YO! I've never heard a whole album by Elvis, I've enjoyed his music forever and have many songs in multiple playlists. I added a couple songs to my liked songs playlist. A little Elvis goes a long way.

A 3, and only just.

Ahggh. I know there is quite a few EC albums on here. Like the guy, lyrically good. Don't love the voice, I find it a bit annoying. Good set of songs that are diverse is style. Its a tad bland but it is solid. Difficult. Gonna be a 3.

скучно, есть банальные мелодии

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

I love Elvis Costello but at worst this just feels by the numbers and at best it is a bunch of unfinished ideas for later works. Not that bad, just not that memorable

It's Elvis Costello, so generally OK for me. But not an album that I had listened to before and I didn't hear any hits

ok but not my fave EC

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

Pop elegante y tranquilo con buena voz

I enjoyed but didn't love anything about it. Just all around a very easy and good listen.

I found this to be extremely boring.

I like Elvis Costello and I don't know a single one of these songs.

forte

vocals remind me of bowie. funky production, great bass. quite moody, noir music. "man out of time" is fantastic. "...and in every home" has some wonderful orchestral arrangement - smooth strings and powerful brass.

boring

Beyond Belief comes out of the gate strong, Shabby Doll and Man Out Of Time are also highlights. Maybe I need to spend a bit more time on this so I'll give it the benefit of the doubt.

Not my favorite Elvis Costello

Haven't heard this album before. There were no songs on it that I knew either. Elvis Costello just isn't as popular in the USA as he is in the UK. Given that. I really loved this album. I need to hear more of it to justifyr a better rating. For now, I'll give it a solid 3/5. I am sure this will go higher in future listens.

Elvis Costello is one of the best. And this is one of the best of Elvis Costello. This album doesn't have any hits, or numbers that really stick out, but it's quality throughout the album, with superb lyrics and musical arrangements. I personally prefer the more new wavy and straightforward Costello, but this is a class album

Honnêtement de la misère à comprendre l'attrait. Musique ordinaire, voix fatigante à la longue.

Amazingly good, Costello doing what he does best

It's Elvis Costello and thus meh.

Elvis is growing on me.

I like Elvis Costello, though I tire easily of him... yet I found this album to be an easy listen.

3/29/2022 Today's Album: "Imperial Bedroom" by Elvis Costello & The Attractions - This album is pretty frustrating. The first 9 or so tracks show off the general theme of this track list, which is that some songs have a really fun energy that matches Elvis's blatantly horrible vocals. Whenever this guy has enough energy to sing a tight verse and chorus, it feels really fun and the 70s rock inspired instrumentals do numbers to lift up the lyrics in the songs mentioned in "Highlights", the other songs have just this unlistenable cheep feel to them, with each line feeling a little to long and all of the lyrics really bogging down what are admittingly decent instrumental performances. After these first 9 tracks, the view count on spotify really tanks and I can see why. It's pretty much more of the unlistenable stuff from the first half. Overall, I really wanted to like this project given some of the more promising tracks, but it just honestly should not be Elvis Costello leading this band. He is not a talented enough vocal performer to pull these ideas off in a listenable way. Score: 3/10 Just not very good Highlights: Tears Before Bedtime, Almost Blue, Human Hands,

The very definition of "meh."

I found this to be an altogether charming album experience, with a few boring moments.

Another good Elvis Costello album. No big stand out hits but it's pretty consistently good

This was odd. As the tracks were playing through more and more sounded familiar so maybe the album is in the collection. Definitely possible as a lot of early Elvis was bought. A quick check and it cannot be found - seemingly has been removed from the building. There are plenty of his trademarks, the barbed lyrics, the sometimes snarly vocals. There does appear to be a shift away from the more poppy stuff. The quality is there but maybe not as accessible as earlier work.

Je crois que tout a déjà été dit à propos de ce que l'on appelle communément « L'imposture Costello ». L'argument le plus marquant de cette théorie est sans nul doute la voix dégueulasse de l'artiste à classer parmi les pires de l'industrie. À l'extrême opposée de cet organe défectueux, je dispose moi-même d'une voix chantée absolument sublime, encore saluée hier soir lors d'une soirée karaoké (que j'ai une nouvelle fois remportée haut la main). C'est bien simple, je ne pus pas terminer la moindre chanson sans entendre des « Was für eine geile Stimme... » prononcés dans un allemand parfait à mon endroit. Pour vous donner une idée, la seule personne que je connaisse ayant tenté de relativiser ce fait pourtant établi n'est autre que mon ennemi juré eltrapeze. Celui-ci a en effet un jour affirmé que ma voix était « belle mais pas non plus exceptionnelle ». Ces propos sont aberrants et ont naturellement contribué à nourrir la haine qui nous unit aujourd'hui. Pour en revenir aux soirées karaoké, vous savez que la situation est toujours extrêmement tendue entre Robert et moi, robrebellière. La raison, et vous la connaissez, est que je viole depuis plusieurs semaines le septième commandement de son décalogue en chantant à tue-tête des chansons encore non-générées. C'est la raison pour laquelle, hier, en tentant de sortir du bar organisant l'évènement en question, je fus pris d'effroi lorsque je vis la rue occupée sur toute sa longueur par des véhicules d'intervention appartenant à la milice de Robert. Fort heureusement, le patron du bar me fit évacuer par le fleuve qui longue la terrasse en me prêtant l'une de ses gondoles et je m'échappai ni vu ni connu jusqu'à mon domicile.

L'écoute de cet album a été gâchée par une réflexion m'ayant accompagnée tout au long des 50 minuts proposées par Elvis Costello & The Attractions: mais pourquoi diable les Attractions n'ont-ils pas sorti un album solo.

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

I saw the entry for this on a different list that included it just for Beyond Belief, which is a pretty ridiculous reason to include an album on an essentials list - if you're including an album for a single, song, you're doing it wrong. Now Beyond Belief IS a damn near perfect pop song, and the standout of the album, but there is more here. I'm not a fan of the song Shabby Doll, but this album is a high point in Costello's career, and the Beatlesque pop polish Geoff Emerick brought is on point throughout. This might be Costello's third best after Blood & Chocolate and When I Was Cruel.

On a certain level, Costello's music is likable enough. He's melding various styles and doing his own thing, which is good. The thing is, he's so smarmy and artificial that I can't help but think of him as the musical equivalent of a grifter. Best track: The Loved Ones

Beyond belief is my all time favorite Elvis Costello song, closely followed or maybe a co-first with Lipstick Vogue... listening to a couple albums coincidentally in close succession is making me realize though that I’m maybe really more of a “Greatest Hits” variety of fan. I don’t dislike any of it but a lot of it sort of blends together for me.

This was good.

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

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

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

Genre: Pop Rock 3/5 I have to admit: this is my first LP-length sitdown with Elvis Costello. His work with Paul McCartney in the late 80s did not go unnoticed from me, as I'm a huge Macca-head, but even then I wasn't particular to the cards he was bringing to the table. It seems the man has a great sense of melody, and knows how to arrange his ideas into full-fledged songs, but his voice... I've never been a fan of it. It's nasal, it's piercing (WITHOUT being high-pitched), and it's always so loud in the mix. The gentlemen behind the boards do nothing to hide it. It makes songs like Man Out of Time, a really nice and interesting pop song overall, sound like a parody of what they're trying to be. I've never understood why nobody told him to sing differently. It reminds me of somebody pretending to sound like a bad 80s singer. This man certainly has his fans, and while this album was more enjoyable than I expected, with some decent 80s pop arrangements, but it was impossible to get passed his voice for me.

For some reason, it feels like I keep getting Elvis Costello albums. And while I'm not a fan and still don't get his legacy in the music world, this is the best one generated for me so far and as a whole is pretty enjoyable. Beyond Belief was probably my favourite on here.

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

Not a bad album, it is well produced and his vocals are flawless in their use, but he lost some of the edge of his earlier albums.

Entertaining album, reminds me a lot of Elton John with an Edge due to the piano focus. Definitely a good album though without any big standouts

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

Fucking Elvis Costello.

Great album. Great arrangements; instrumentation is varied and brings a lot of different colours to the music. One of a few artists who reinvents himself over time which makes Costello an important figure , arguably the most important, coming out of the eighties. I put a 4 because couldn’t give a 4.5.

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

Distinctly Elvis Costello. Some tracks particularly enjoyable.

Enjoyed it. Probably didn't get it the attention it deserved. Solid.

Not my cup of tea

this is pretty annoying from beginning to end 1.5

The songs are not bad, but they just don’t get to me. It’s an album that I would put on on the background. Maybe with a second try I would change my mind, for now just 2 out of 5.

Not my jam

This album was only okay, didn't have any truly enjoyable songs. Overall, it was pleasant and fine, but it just didn't do it for me.

Ooooooooooooo

Creative rocking. Often wish it was a different singer. I'll stick with the radio plays

Interesting elements, especially the instrumentation. I could take or leave the lyrics and vocals.

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

i suspect i will always love elvis in a particular 80's kinda way. i don't have a lot to say about this one, unfortunately, except to point out the purity of his voice, especially at a time when pitch correction just wasn't a thing. last track is a standout in my book.

No supe por dónde agarrarle la onda

Wow

I find his voice quite difficult but I did like a couple of the tracks

first Costello album I've enjoyed

2nd Elvis album on the list. Different vibe this time, lost the upbeat indie pop vibe for something more like crooning. Nothing terrible here, but not a repeater

6/10

Rock suave

Good end-to-end listen

I find Elvis Costello a little annoying. This was ok.

Quite a good album. Elvis Costello always surprises me with his lyrics. 4

I liked it. Quirky, but a nice sound.

Not my favorite Elvis Costello album, but still enjoyable. His guitar tuning and playing remains unmistakable to me.

ну пропустим пожалуй, хотя вроде и не плохо

oei, nee geen fan van de zang de rest is oke

tears before bedtime - i feel you bruurs

Elvis C is Elvis C but does not need a million albums on this list. True Elvis C is a 3* fine album, but tempted to dock just for how many albums are on the list