Reviews (page 8 of 8)
Another Elvis Costello album proving he has too many albums on this list. One was worthy, the rest are mediocre.
Average voice, bits of interesting music, in all not annoying but not exciting either. One star off for the font used on the album cover -- How AWFUL! Absolutely a stain to the Piccaso work. Then another star off for the scream at the end of Man out of Time.
Enjoyed it, no individual track stands out as amazing but the overall whole was great
shabby doo human hands
6/10
Can't really place this one. Took me a lot longer to catch on than some of his other music, and I think multiple listens actually did this a disservice, funny enough. Volume of songs saved /= enjoyment Saved: Tears Before Bedtime*, Shabby Doll, The Long Honeymoon, …And In Every Home, Human Hands
Saved Prior: None Off Rip: Beyond Belief, Tears Before Bedtime, The Long Honeymoon, Man Out Of Time, ...And In Every Home, The Loved Ones, Human Hands, Kid About It, Little Savage, You Little Fool Cutting Edge: None Overall Notes: This list has prevailed against all my previous prejudices and turned me into an Elvis Costello fan. Madman puts the hook as the outro of Beyond Belief and it somehow works. Cut a few off the back end of this and it gets to 5 territory. On his other album I rounded the 4.5 up, this time I'm going to round down. Still a big fan.
7.5/10
I get it, 5 years on Elvis is still King, but the Queen is miserable. Not an Elvis record I would recommend, at all
Much more mature than the first Costello album I listened to, to the point of being borderline overproduced (did we need strings there?). Great ballads.
ok
Elvis, te tengo por vío. Brutal Youth es del corte. Es cierto como más de alguno dijo, tu voz puede molestar, y aquí molesta por momentos.
This is quite frustrating. I've spent my life happily untroubled by the need to justify my dislike for Elvis Costello. And then I get two of his albums in a week. There is an important place for irrational loathing in this world – mainly the fact that one never feels motivated to act on it. Having struggled through this milquetoast offering, I now have the distinct urge to kill an ant or something equally unpleasant. (Note to self.) I generally do not pay attention to lyrics. Too intellectual a response. I need my my music to grab my by the short and curlies, to drag me down to uncharted emotional depths. Searing guitars, plaintive voices (not lyrics, mind: voices), bone-juddering bass lines, ethereal chants: All have done the trick in the past, all will do so in the future. I'm sort of tempted to listen to this again, just to see if there is anything in the word arrangement that justifies the foolishness people express about Mr C. But this may make me even angrier yet. So no.
Unmistakably Costello, lovely album (I do like his voice though!) - some great tracks on without any massive hits. Surprised that Shabby Doll is the least listened to track on the album (according to Spotify).
i like elvis i think. 4 stars. easy listening even if he is a tool of the patriarchy.
i like the album, composed well and decent overall. Its lacking something that stands out however.
Solid album with a mellow sound from start to finish.
Again, this is an album I was intrigued to hear but was dissatisfied by the whole thing. There’s just nothing in it for me.
This is clearly a great album… so it’s getting a 4, but something just ain’t clicking with me and Elvs!
OK
it was boring to be honest and it sounded weird just not my vibe at all and it was just awkward i didn’t absolutely hate it but i did not enjoy
I have a fading but still distinct memory of being a little kid and for some reason up LATE on a Saturday night in the 70s - the tv was on in the living room (shag carpet + fireplace - obviously) and the much-whispered-about in 1st grade [but only ever actually seen by "Dennis" who was clearly at that time the class rebel (i.e. degenerate-in-training)] Saturday Night Live was on. I recall a very aggressive and odd looking guy singing emphatically and getting RIGHTUPTHISCLOSE to the camera. Of course this was Elvis Costello and his (in)famous appearance before being banned from SNL for years. This was not the Elton John or Queen I was used to listening to. And certainly not the Muppet Show. Fast forward a few decades when I re-arrived very very late to the Costello game - only within the last 15 or so years? And this was one I'd never heard before; I don't even know if I'd heard any of these in passing back in the early 80s - if any were in the MTV mix between Def Leppard and Rainbow I clearly don't remember. I wouldn't have been ripe for it. Right off the bat "Beyond Belief" brings a great haunting melody and I love the bass riffs into and through the fade out. Another quick standout is "Shabby Doll" which combines EC's crooner feel over a funky beat. My two personal faves. There's a fullness to the sound on this entire album - much bigger than his earlier raw material but defining it on its own merit it does sound fantastic. It's funny though, after liking it a lot over the first few songs I'm not sure my interest stayed at the same level. Historically I love big sounding huge mixes on albums. But I don't know if I love it for Elvis Costello? "...And In Every Home" is unquestionably well-crafted - with horns and strings, it sounds like something 3 levels above something off of Sgt. Pepper - but do I actually like it? It's ... fine. This song could have been better served by another band (early Kinks?) perhaps. I will say that the album closes really well - "Pidgin English" and "You Little Fool" especially really brought it back for me - some "familiar unexpected" EC musical choices within each of these songs. I feel like my rating is possibly premature - even though it didn't hit me overall, this is an ambitious album and absolutely showcases what a talent Costello is. I feel like this is one that might grow on a listener over time. Overall the album sounds really great, but I initially find that I really prefer the early rawness of EC's first few albums. For now it's in the "intriguing enough to give a few more spins" bin with other 3 star ratings... 7/10 3 stars.
felt like it went on forever and that's not a compliment.
Like a slice of slightly burnt, dry toast. Edible, but not very satisfying. If it was a footballer, it'd be James Tarkowski.
Et udemærket album. Lidt langt måske. Flere gode sange og den første halvdel er bedst. Den ligger Et sted mellem 3 og 4 stjerner men jeg giver den 4 på grund af at lytte venligheden
3/5
Prima album, maar niet helemaal mijn stijl
On the first song you shoooowed so much potential Now I'm here hearing ooooonly shabeedah Do I have to tell you whaaaat I need you singing Not an AM station loooonely shabeedah Elvis you wrote this soooooo perfect and loungy I enjoyed every tuuuuuuune in shabeedah A-
Why do I want to not like Elvis Costello? Is it because he’s like a Hipster Bruce Springsteen? He’s a good songwriter, he’s got good hooks and good lyrics, interesting delivery, this album is multi-genre. I hear Spoon and King Khan. I’m not sure, I don’t think he’ll ever get a 5 from me, really solid stuff, but something, some pazazz is missing. Maybe it’s intentionally understated? B.
I've always shied away from Elvis Costello, just wasn't my thing, but this had me squeezing my butt cheeks to the beat.
I never liked too much of Elvis Costello, but this is another surprise brought to me by this project. I never like it because I never listened to the phase with "The Attractions". This album is the second one of "Elvis Costello & The Attractions" and it's another classical with a lot of references and good songs. It's not so linear and has one or two downsides, but it's definitively a great album!
I am digging the sonic landscape of Elvis Costello. Really dig The Long Honeymoon. Lots of the album just feels like it lacks punch.
Fantastic album. Costello's voice never sounded more rich.
Pretty cool... but I can't imagine going back too often.
LOVED!
Not his best, had a overly produced 80's quality to a lot of it. Still enjoyable though.
While I am not the biggest fan of Elvis Costello, he does have a certain charm.
Meh. This one is a hard meh. Just wasn't into the tunes. Their just ok. Not my style. I don't even know what mood I'd need to be in to hear songs like that. It's like he wanted to be an English Michael McDowell. Not turning my crank.
Meilleure que les autres que j’ai entendue. 4
God, I am so not sure why this album didn't click with me *at all*. I like the jazzy flourishes, I really like Costello's lyrics, I just didn't really enjoy this album all that well. It was so weirdly flavorless. Feel bad giving it this rating, but there's no song on here I really, thoroughly enjoyed. Favorite Track: "Man Out of Time"
Enjoyable
Didn't do much for me personally and the moments I liked were a bit too far in between.
was ok
I’m familiar with Elvis Costello, only recognized one song on the track. I appreciated the variety of instruments and genres throughout the album, but his voice is not my favorite.
Man out of time
Dug it. Don't know Elvis Costello too well.
Probably wouldn't listen to again.
one nice song, but couldn't really finish any of the other ones, definitely not my thing
Was not a fan of the overall sound.
meh first song was gas tho
I didn't particularly care for most of the album. It's COOL, like jazz bar hipsters and the like but it's just not my cup of tea
Not for me
A new album for me. Classic Elvis Costello. Its ok but no songs that really stick out for me.
Shabby Doll is the first high note. Nice & funky. Turns out it's the only high note for me. Not my cup of tea. Cool artwork, though.
Jonathan Coulton vibes
Very hard album to get through though it had a couple of decent tracks.
I'd forgotten how good this album is from front to back. Two songs from the cooking playlist, too. Such a great record.
same old, same old
8th July 2021 Listened on the living room speaker while working on the day after the Wembley sesh. I liked it but I have to admit that it passed me by a bit.
Weird good.
Some of the same issues with the last Costello album. He doesn’t vary his voice a lot. I did like the timechange in Man About Time. Can’t go wrong with the horns in ...And In Every Home either
Up there with the coolest album art we've had so far. I struggled to really 'get' this album - it started off good, but then some tracks just felt like they belonged on a completely different album (like '...And In Every Home'). I appreciate not just pumping out 12 variations on the same style, but I found some tracks on this one went too far the other way, and it made for a weird listening experience when you're coming to this album blind. That said, there are some nice little tracks in there - Tears Before Bedtime and Man Out of Time being two highlights for me. Just a bit confused what to think of this one really
Great to see some Wirral representation. Costello is a legend and a fantastic songwriter. I don’t think this album is anything groundbreaking or crazy but it’s very well crafted and excellently recorded with every song seamlessly blending into the nex. Thoroughly enjoyed it but it needs more bangers.
Pleasantly surprised. Like Pulp but with some actual depth. Would listen again.
Great listening to the other Elvis.... quite a popular album when I was in college.....
Good surprise
Kinda boring, can't remember a single thing about it
Loved it!
Costello's voice has always annoyed me, and the songs on this album are all so bland. It's completely unoffensive and mostly biege. Tedious.
Not bad not my favorite
Not my thing
Mooi, dit album kende ik nog niet!
It worries me he keeps specify 'human' hands. Something you want to tell us Mr. Costello? I wasn't blown away by this album, but while listening to it I caught myself bobbing my head several times, so clearly I enjoyed it. Because there were no songs that stood out exceptionally to me, I'll give this a 3, but I'd rather give it a 3.5.
a lovely variety of instrumentation, kind of unusual singing voice, and some lyrics that make me wistful for... something. An oddly shaped and unique pop album. Kind of reminds me of Bohemian Rhapsody a bit (but I'm a total layman to Queen...)
Niet heel veel van kunnen draaien, klinkt wel interessant.
Toffe plaat en mooie liedjes! Had me nooit echt in hem verdiept, maar het is zeer de moeite waard.
A little bit boring.
Onbekend Costello album voor mij, maar erg goed!
Energiek en tijdloos.
4
Double Elvis day/back to back Elvis’s! They couldn’t be more polar opposite. Costello has a beautiful voice and a wide array of song types. Long honeymoon made me feel like I was walking the cobblestone streets of France. The album cover too, reminded me of French beatniks. Still trying to figure out what the Album cover is representing. If you find time listen to my favorite Costello song “Every Day I Write the Book” He is a breath of fresh air. I feel like Costello was the 80’s John Mayer only hipper .
Solid, inventive, and timeless
Not really my cup of tea, but sounds good!
Magari ascolatandolo di piu' mi potrebbe piacere.
Tolles Ding: Sound, Stimme, Erzählweise. Aber fürs »Slapping in the face« eines Mädchens gibts Abzüge.
Love on first sight Spent the night in the Imperial Bedroom with this dorky melancholic who I thought I knew already for ages. Strange chemistry. I hope he calls.
Genau genommen 3,8 Punkte für eine sehr angenehme und erste echte Entdeckung in diesem Reigen. Besserer Schmelz als Morissey, prächtige Arrangements, überhaupt keine Angst vor Seele auch über die Schmalzgrenze hinaus, zeitlose Produktion, schickes Cover, smarter Titel. Überhaupt: sehr smart das alles. Vorstellbar, dass sogar Bowie in schlechten Momenten neidisch, in guten aber sicher mit viel Wohlwollen auf einen offensichtlichen Schüler geschaut hat. Warum nicht direkt 4? Gute Frage, warum eigentlich nicht? Fragen Sie mich doch in einem halben Jahr nochmal, das geht mir jetzt zu schnell wir kennen uns doch noch gar nicht. Waas, ins Hotel?! Hmmm...oknagut
It’s alright, nothing too memorable
Was pretty bummed that this album was very middle of the road for me. I found myself skipping a few songs and I couldn't tell you any from the album. Pretty bold for this Elvis to follow the last Elvis but I did not like this one as much as I was hoping to.
solid album. Not my favorite by Elvis, but worth a relisten.
Like a bit of Declan
Decent
Another elvis costello album
Elvis Costello is some of the most inoffensive rock ever written. Your grandma won’t hate it!
He’s a good song writer, but I’m kinda sick of hearing his voice
Still not a fan of Elvis Costello
It was fine good keys but generally nothing offended or cought my ear
It started kind of slow for me, but it proved to be a grower of sorts. Guess it was because I was waiting for some sort of 80's new wave banger, but turns out it's more of a baroque pop thing. Enjoyable.
Elvis #2. I've never listened to him before. He's British, so I imagine we will get a handful of his albums before the list is through. It's hard to pin a genre label on this, it's all over the place. I'll say off the bat that I do not like his singing voice, it strikes me as whiny and annoying. The instrumentals were good, but overall quite bland. It doesn't add up to much, aside from a collection of posh, "adult" pop songs. This is certainly not for me. Favorite tracks: And In Every Home, Shabby Doll. Album art: Really digging this one, love the abstract picture, great colors. The text of the title is a little confusing but also creative. A shame the album is nowhere near as interesting or exciting as this cover. 2/5
great album “Shabby Doll” suck, though.
So annoying. Really could not get on board with this. Was ready for it to be over about a third of the way in. Don't like the nasal singing style. Samey
Wonderful stuff - love both the lyrics and the melodies. I could definitely sink more listens into this album and hear new discoveries every time... Fave track - "Beyond Belief" - I think I've loved this track for ages and didn't know what it was called or which album it was on, so good to find it!
This is the 4th Elvis Costello album that's come up for me so far in this list... I didn't enjoy the first three, didn't enjoy this one either.
again. again. again and again and again
eh
Very nice. Hadn't heard most of this before.
I’m having trouble seeing the gushing love for everything Elvis Costello. Good, yes. Mind blowing? Eh?
This didn't jump out at me as much as I had hoped, but I do like Elvis and will listen again
I haven't listened to a ton of Elvis Costello. I enjoyed this album, very one note... it might just be the dynamics of a-side vs b-side, but i enjoyed the first 6 songs way more than the rest.
One of my favorite albums.
I'm sure it was fine if I bothered to listen to the lyrics. He seems very artsy.
Shabby Doll caught my attention. The rest of the album was largely meh. Some interesting arrangements here and there but a little too poppy for me
Elvis tries too hard.
Imperial Boredom
This was fine but thats about it. I've never been a big fan of Mr Costello except for the hits.
3.3
It’s ok. Not exciting
Nah
I liked this a lot!
Pretty dope album. 'Man Out of Time' is the standout track for me. 4 stars.
Eh, Elvis Costello never really appealed to me. This album is pretty typical of my experience with him -- OK singing, and music that I don't like very much. 2 stars.
What a fantastic album, no incredible songs but consistently good. Well matched to his voice in particular. Will listen to this again for sure
Might require a second listen. It’s a really weird, interesting, quirky record. Definitely some Beatles influence. I think you can draw a line from this to some of the chamber pop of the 2010s. I don’t LOVE it but I think it’s pretty fun, pretty solid, I don’t know if I like it better than his earlier records, but it feels very distinctly Elvis Costello
Quite nice, great vocal melodies
80’er rock, god sangskrivning, god produktion
I went back and forth between thinking of this as average or average-ish and reasonably essential (2 and 3 in my rating scale, respectively) for basically the whole record; It was the "town cryer" pun that finally did it for me. This isn't a standout pop album for me. For what it's worth, I think bringing out the instrumental variety more would do a lot for it: My ear is drawn first to Costello's voice, my least favorite piece of the texture. However, there's quite a bit to be mined here, and no songs are throwaways, never mind skips.
Good cooking album!!
Another good costello album
Beautifully crafted but also smug and soulless. Not much fun