Do you like Elvis Costello's Music? (1 Viewer)

[TripItUp]

Do you like Elvis Costello's Music?

 

[Ghost Rider]

I voted for "somewhere in the middle," as I do like a few of his songs, so I didn't want to just vote no, but I definitely think he falls into the "he gets overpraised because he was such a critics darling" category. And don't get me wrong, some of my favorites artists are critics darlings as well (see: U2 and Radiohead), but Costello's music has just never struck me as special. Many disagree, however, and that's cool.

 

[KarmaPolice]

I vote middle. Like it OK when it's on, but it's not something I actively seek or want to listen to more on my own.

 

[Ilov80s]

Absolutely but I can see how he's not everyone's cup of tea

 

[eoMMan]

He's the Istanbel no it's Constabenobal no it's Istanbel now it's Constanobel guy, right?

 

[Dr. Octopus]

He's the Istanbel no it's Constabenobal no it's Istanbel now it's Constanobel guy, right?

No

 

[Mister CIA]

He's the Istanbel no it's Constabenobal no it's Istanbel now it's Constanobel guy, right?

Let me ChatGPT that for you.

 

[Osaurus]

Saw him a few years ago. He still puts on a great show.

 

[The General]

A little goes a long way.

 

[AAABatteries]

Not a fan at all.

 

[timschochet]

First 5 albums are among the best I’ve ever heard. So many classic songs. Just an amazing songwriter and performer.

I haven’t heard a lot after those first 5 or so because what I’ve heard I really haven’t cared for.

 

[Boston]

I voted for "somewhere in the middle," as I do like a few of his songs, so I didn't want to just vote no, but I definitely think he falls into the "he gets overpraised because he was such a critics darling" category. And don't get me wrong, some of my favorites artists are critics darlings as well (see: U2 and Radiohead), but Costello's music has just never struck me as special. Many disagree, however, and that's cool.

Agree with this...always got more credit than he deserved by the I want to be different crowd.

 

[fatness]

This song of his is the angriest song I've heard and will be played at my memorial service.

I don't know about all his music since I haven't heard it all but that one, hell yeah.

 

[timschochet]

This song of his is the angriest song I've heard and will be played at my memorial service.

I don't know about all his music since I haven't heard it all but that one, hell yeah.

It’s actually one of the few he didn’t write. It’s a Nick Lowe song (of “Cruel to Be Kind” fame.)

 

[Leroy Hoard]

According to similar threads, it's the 2nd time the same guy asked this question this year.

 

[FairWarning]

An artist that we are supposed to like if we want music cred. I’m with The General on this - a little does go a long way.

 

[rockaction]

I'm obsessed with Elvis Costello -- the movie.

Nah, I really like his earlier stuff and haven't heard a lot of the later stuff. And this isn't a critical darling thing, because I always knew he was a critical darling and never gave him that much truck until I heard This Year's Model in full. Now it's one of my favorite power pop (it's power pop enough, even though it's also diverse enough to not always be power pop) albums ever.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

He's a really strong lyricist, but lyrics are down on the list of things that I value in music so I chose the "middle" option because a lot of his records sound like crap. I don't mean they are performed horribly (he's had really good bands and has a fine, distinct voice), but more the way they are produced & mixed. I had an AM-only transistor radio in the early '70s that had better SQ than many of Costello's records I've heard on $100,000 devices.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

I love the schtick where people that don’t like an artist, think others only like that artist for reasons other than that they like that artist.

“Oh, people only like Elvis Costello because they think it makes them look cool. They couldn’t possibly actually like the music, since I don’t, and I’m the arbiter of what’s good and what’s not”.

It’s such a weirdly arrogant viewpoint.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

According to similar threads, it's the 2nd time the same guy asked this question this year.

Not surprising.

 

[DaVinci]

Pump It Up

Everything else

 

[bigbottom]

I voted for "somewhere in the middle," as I do like a few of his songs, so I didn't want to just vote no, but I definitely think he falls into the "he gets overpraised because he was such a critics darling" category. And don't get me wrong, some of my favorites artists are critics darlings as well (see: U2 and Radiohead), but Costello's music has just never struck me as special. Many disagree, however, and that's cool.

I like his music. But I also agree with your critic’s darling comment. I don’t think he deserves the stature he seems to have. But again, I do like his music well enough.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

I love the schtick where people that don’t like an artist, think others only like that artist for reasons other than that they like that artist.

“Oh, people only like Elvis Costello because they think it makes them look cool. They couldn’t possibly actually like the music, since I don’t, and I’m the arbiter of what’s good and what’s not”.

It’s such a weirdly arrogant viewpoint.

And in Costello's case, it's not even a fresh viewpoint. It was first made by David Lee Roth in the '70s.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

I love the schtick where people that don’t like an artist, think others only like that artist for reasons other than that they like that artist.

“Oh, people only like Elvis Costello because they think it makes them look cool. They couldn’t possibly actually like the music, since I don’t, and I’m the arbiter of what’s good and what’s not”.

It’s such a weirdly arrogant viewpoint.

And in Costello's case, it's not even a fresh viewpoint. It was first made by David Lee Roth in the '70s.

Yeah it’s actually a bit ironic, because the people that throw it out there are the ones that think they’re being so cool by expressing that viewpoint.

 

[Brownsfan]

Saw him a few years ago. He still puts on a great show.

I saw him a few years ago also and couldn't understand a single word he said. Maybe if i was more familiar with his work i woud have enjoyed it more

 

[pecorino]

Love EC. Seen him a few times in concert. Enjoying his autobiography. I understand folks who don’t like his voice; it’s distinct. But, man, can he write a song and pen clever lyrics. Nearly top ten in my personal pantheon.

 

[brun]

In the middle. Never really search for him but generally like what comes up in playlists.
Now I have Watching the Detectives in my head.

 

[SteevieG]

Big fan of Elvis Costello. Alison is a great song. I think of him along the same line as Joe Jackson. Both, to me, are brilliant.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

I can name one song...Veronica.

And I do like that one.

 

[Tecumseh]

I’m a big Fiona Apple fan, and this collab with EC is one of my favorite live songs.

Fiona Apple - I Want You

youtu.be

 

[FairWarning]

I love the schtick where people that don’t like an artist, think others only like that artist for reasons other than that they like that artist.

“Oh, people only like Elvis Costello because they think it makes them look cool. They couldn’t possibly actually like the music, since I don’t, and I’m the arbiter of what’s good and what’s not”.

It’s such a weirdly arrogant viewpoint.

Im not saying it’s THE reason, but there can be some herd mentality.

 

[zamboni]

According to similar threads, it's the 2nd time the same guy asked this question this year.

Trip it up, when you don't really need it.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

I love the schtick where people that don’t like an artist, think others only like that artist for reasons other than that they like that artist.

“Oh, people only like Elvis Costello because they think it makes them look cool. They couldn’t possibly actually like the music, since I don’t, and I’m the arbiter of what’s good and what’s not”.

It’s such a weirdly arrogant viewpoint.

Im not saying it’s THE reason, but there can be some herd mentality.

Is that why you like heavy metal music - to look cool?

 

[Van Dyman]

No. I just never could get into Costello's stuff. And I heard it plenty as my ex-GF was a fan. In fact she interviewed him once for her college radio station. But his music never resonated with me. Don't care for his nasal tone and/or the arrangement of his songs. Musically, though, I think it's quite possible I might like a few of his songs if they were arranged differently and performed by someone else.

Also, one stupid observation for the road:
- Allison is ABOUT someone with a "not for everyone" voice
- Alison is BY someone with a "not for everyone" voice

 

[Neal Cassady]

Love him, and listen to him often.

 

[Osaurus]

Love EC. Seen him a few times in concert. Enjoying his autobiography. I understand folks who don’t like his voice; it’s distinct. But, man, can he write a song and pen clever lyrics. Nearly top ten in my personal pantheon.

Yeah. I don’t think folks know how much music this guy has written for himself and others. Some of which most wouldn’t guess imo.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

I love the schtick where people that don’t like an artist, think others only like that artist for reasons other than that they like that artist.

“Oh, people only like Elvis Costello because they think it makes them look cool. They couldn’t possibly actually like the music, since I don’t, and I’m the arbiter of what’s good and what’s not”.

It’s such a weirdly arrogant viewpoint.

Also, "people just pretend to like him to be different" - referring to a forty-year mainstream poprock music superstar who has at least a dozen gold/platinum records, multiple grammys, was inducted into the RnR HoF 20 years ago and still packs large venues. Sure, I'm an EC fan because it makes me feel edgy.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

I love the schtick where people that don’t like an artist, think others only like that artist for reasons other than that they like that artist.

“Oh, people only like Elvis Costello because they think it makes them look cool. They couldn’t possibly actually like the music, since I don’t, and I’m the arbiter of what’s good and what’s not”.

It’s such a weirdly arrogant viewpoint.

Also, "people just pretend to like him to be different" - referring to a forty-year mainstream poprock music superstar who has at least a dozen gold/platinum records, multiple grammys, was inducted into the RnR HoF 20 years ago and still packs large venues. Sure, I'm an EC fan because it makes me feel edgy.

Yes, it’s even sillier in the context of this board’s demographics. As if a bunch of 45-65 year olds are still trying to get “street cred” based on the records in our collection.

 

[New Binky the Doormat]

First 5 albums are among the best I’ve ever heard. So many classic songs. Just an amazing songwriter and performer.

I haven’t heard a lot after those first 5 or so because what I’ve heard I really haven’t cared for.

check out his "Look Now" album from 2018.

includes 3 song writing collaborations - Carole King (1), Burt Bacharach (2).

selected cut - "Unwanted Number"

 

[FairWarning]

I love the schtick where people that don’t like an artist, think others only like that artist for reasons other than that they like that artist.

“Oh, people only like Elvis Costello because they think it makes them look cool. They couldn’t possibly actually like the music, since I don’t, and I’m the arbiter of what’s good and what’s not”.

It’s such a weirdly arrogant viewpoint.

Im not saying it’s THE reason, but there can be some herd mentality.

Is that why you like heavy metal music - to look cool?

Yes. I like a few of Costellos songs, but eh.

 

[Sleestak]

To me, Costello was for solo performers what Squeeze was for groups. Mainstream adjacent. Some memorable songs, and at one time provided some street cred for being imaginative about one's music. Got more praise than deserved, but deserved some. Generally meh.

 

[Ghost Rider]

I love the schtick where people that don’t like an artist, think others only like that artist for reasons other than that they like that artist.

“Oh, people only like Elvis Costello because they think it makes them look cool. They couldn’t possibly actually like the music, since I don’t, and I’m the arbiter of what’s good and what’s not”.

It’s such a weirdly arrogant viewpoint.

And in Costello's case, it's not even a fresh viewpoint. It was first made by David Lee Roth in the '70s.

Yeah it’s actually a bit ironic, because the people that throw it out there are the ones that think they’re being so cool by expressing that viewpoint.

Who actually said that people listen to Elvis Costello because they think it makes them look cool?

 

[Dr. Octopus]

I love the schtick where people that don’t like an artist, think others only like that artist for reasons other than that they like that artist.

“Oh, people only like Elvis Costello because they think it makes them look cool. They couldn’t possibly actually like the music, since I don’t, and I’m the arbiter of what’s good and what’s not”.

It’s such a weirdly arrogant viewpoint.

Im not saying it’s THE reason, but there can be some herd mentality.

Is that why you like heavy metal music - to look cool?

Yes. I like a few of Costellos songs, but eh.

That did not respond to my question.

 

[FairWarning]

I love the schtick where people that don’t like an artist, think others only like that artist for reasons other than that they like that artist.

“Oh, people only like Elvis Costello because they think it makes them look cool. They couldn’t possibly actually like the music, since I don’t, and I’m the arbiter of what’s good and what’s not”.

It’s such a weirdly arrogant viewpoint.

Im not saying it’s THE reason, but there can be some herd mentality.

Is that why you like heavy metal music - to look cool?

Yes. I like a few of Costellos songs, but eh.

That did not respond to my question.

I answered yes.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

I love the schtick where people that don’t like an artist, think others only like that artist for reasons other than that they like that artist.

“Oh, people only like Elvis Costello because they think it makes them look cool. They couldn’t possibly actually like the music, since I don’t, and I’m the arbiter of what’s good and what’s not”.

It’s such a weirdly arrogant viewpoint.

And in Costello's case, it's not even a fresh viewpoint. It was first made by David Lee Roth in the '70s.

Yeah it’s actually a bit ironic, because the people that throw it out there are the ones that think they’re being so cool by expressing that viewpoint.

Who actually said that people listen to Elvis Costello because they think it makes them look cool?

maybe read through the thread? - those exact words were not said but 3 different people said some different version of the same thing ("I want to be different crowd"; "we want music cred"; "herd mentality") and you yourself implied his popularity stemmed from being a critical darling.

 

[grateful zed]

i remember seeing his band on SNL in the late 70s.

Elvis Costello - Radio, Radio (SNL 1977)

Image overlay due to copyright.

www.youtube.com

i had no idea who they were at the time, and my first thoughts were that they evolved from some mental institution and snl was being nice by letting them play. seriously.

why do punkers act like spazzy d-bags? almost as annoying as rappers.

 

[DocHolliday]

Not my cup of tea but I don’t really care what music people like or why they like it.

 

[massraider]

why do punkers act like spazzy d-bags? almost as annoying as rappers.

He's a punker like Neil Young is a rapper

 

[Ghost Rider]

I love the schtick where people that don’t like an artist, think others only like that artist for reasons other than that they like that artist.

“Oh, people only like Elvis Costello because they think it makes them look cool. They couldn’t possibly actually like the music, since I don’t, and I’m the arbiter of what’s good and what’s not”.

It’s such a weirdly arrogant viewpoint.

And in Costello's case, it's not even a fresh viewpoint. It was first made by David Lee Roth in the '70s.

Yeah it’s actually a bit ironic, because the people that throw it out there are the ones that think they’re being so cool by expressing that viewpoint.

Who actually said that people listen to Elvis Costello because they think it makes them look cool?

maybe read through the thread? - those exact words were not said but 3 different people said some different version of the same thing ("I want to be different crowd"; "we want music cred"; "herd mentality") and you yourself implied his popularity stemmed from being a critical darling.

No, I said, "he gets overpraised because he was such a critics darling," which was more about praise than actual popularity since not every artist that is popular gets praised a lot (see: Nickelback).

 

[General Malaise]

I find him obnoxious. Never did 'get it' with regards to his music. I'm sure there's some brilliance in there, but it's not for me.