Elvis Costello

Painted From Memory

Clever & Smart department

Review Score:

(2/10)
I guess the universal acclaim and number of 5-stars reviews talk for themselves, but this is an album I GOT to tell my opinion about. I bought it at its release in 1998. I can assure that I did work quite hard on it, but finally had to give in. Now, for the first time in a couple of years, I have been giving it a new try. Frankly, I have not changed my opinion, regarding it an unbearable listening experience. First, in spite of the brilliance of the production, what kind of songs is this really? They do sound rather melodic, all right. But then, how come I can't possibly MEMORIZE any of them, no matter how many times i hear them? The music just seems to run like sand through my fingers, only to leave me sad and empty. Is it really the case that all you people who praise this album actually is able to whistle, sing, hum and memorize these songs? If so, I am impressed. Still I feel the right to say that in my opinion, popular music shouldn't ble like this. Then it's the monotony. Every song sounds more or less the same. I am surprised to see that the album has a total running time of 52 minuits. Because of the monotony it seems to go on and on for an eternity. On top of it all, Elvis' vocals. Never have I heard his voice so unbearably strained and irksome. It's like torture to my ears. All in all, an enormous disappointment to me. But then, what can be expected from two gentlemen who both lost the spark many years ago?

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