Imperial Bedroom (studio album)
by Elvis Costello And The Attractions

From VictorVale 03/16/2023 14:51 | #295060

Alta qualidade de música pop.

Some quality on display here but I think the record gets confused and lost along its way making it into quite a mess. The production is fantastic though and it makes this such a smooth listen from beginning to end. It also makes this sound like one of Costello's most mature records especially when you pair it alongside the song writing on here which is both intelligent yet vulnerable. Costello shines on tracks such as Man Out Of Time, And In Every Home, Human Hands and The Long Honeymoon with the delivery of his words being stellar as always. Where the album loses its way however is in the music itself which just doesn't hook me or engage me into the album at all. This is most apparent on the more empty tracks which really drag despite the short run time of most songs. It isn't memorable at all either and it very easily just blends into Costello's discography and never jumps out at me. Overall, an album that feels quite empty while I listen to it in terms of its ability to draw me in but it still has classic moments Costello fans will love.

The most ellegant sounding Costello record, but some tracks are too long and it affects record in my opinion.

This record is pure magic and the creative zenith of Costello. Backed by his virtuosic band and embellished with the Beatlesque arrangements by Fab Four engineer Geoff Emerick himself, this record represents the final step in maturation of Costello as a songwriter from just the stereotyped 'angry young man' persona he had come to embody because of his first 3 records. The melodies, instrumentation, and lyricism are as catchy, lush, and witty as Costello has ever been. One of the greatest albums of the eighties and all time, bar none.

Essential picks: Man Out of Time, The Long Honeymoon, Shabby Doll, Almost Blue, Pidgin English, Beyond Belief

lacklustre

This album is magic. Elvis is one of my absolute favorite artists and this is my favorite album of his. It's emotionally deep and broad which matches the wide range of musical avenues he explores. I think this is EC's finest hour as a lyricist. The attractions sound great and the production is off the charts.

From Jbalbinolr 05/02/2021 23:20 | #269259

Used to be one of my favorites, but it doesn't hold up in multiple listens.

Favorite Tracks:Beyond Belief, Tears Before Bedtime, Shabby Doll, Almost Blue, Kid About It, Boy With A Problem

From planetneutral 05/05/2018 02:50 | #214211

Not especially memorable, but I like this well enough.

From indieshins 02/28/2018 01:40 | #209764

The apex of Costello's career. Some may find it pretentious, and indeed, the second half of the album is a bit obtuse at times, but once you get past that it is revealed to be perhaps his greatest work of art. Side one is perfect - and I mean PERFECT. Not one song is less than classic out of the first seven. Side two starts out strong too, with the Loved Ones and Human Hands, the latter being one of Costello's most vulnerable moments and one of my favourites of his. Then up until the closer Town Cryer, the songs become more difficult to parse, winding down unpredictable paths. But the ambition cannot be faulted - the variety of styles, moods and structures here is dizzying, and the production by Geoff Emerick is arguably the best of any Costello album. This album is, in a word, timeless!