bambooneedle wrote:Interesting list, Ringhio - you don't rate anything very much up there from his early period (MAIT to Imperial Bedroom), or anything from All This Useless Beauty, WIWC or The Delivery Man. Not a criticism, just an observation.
The fact is that I don't like the early albums very much.
I found many songs from MAIT quite boring. Anyway, it is represented in my list by a song that is undoubtledy a masterpiece (Alison) and a couple of remarkable bonus tracks (Imagination and Radio Sweetheart).
This Year's Model had a strong impact on me ten years ago, the sound is claustrophobic and sharp, the songs are neurotically furious - too much neurotically furious... I grew up, I suppose. Or I'm less neurotic.
Armed Forces: it never fascinated me. Even Party Girl and Accidents Will Happen lost their grip on me.
Among the early "angry" albums I prefer Trust.
I think that Costello made better albums than these, with songs that have more emotional depth or with more variety, and that I find more rewarding (Imperial Bedroom is in my top five - or six).
All This Useless: quite weak.
WIWC: huge disappointment.
The Delivery Man: didn't fascinate me.
Yeah, so your observation about my list and the list itself match my opinion about the albums.
P.s. I often found that I like more the bonus tracks than the songs that were in the original album (i.e. Big Tears, how could he put it on the b side of a single?).