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CRITIC REVIEWS
100
Sublimely crafted, incredibly well-played, there are all the reference points, yet it never sounds like a composite of old glories. The intelligence, urgency and immediacy of his 32nd album are a most welcome surprise.
90
Elvis Costello conjures up echoes of his excellent past as the excellence continues on The Boy Named If (And Other Children’s Stories).
80
There are plenty of musical callbacks and self-influences present on this album, but none of it seems hackneyed. Rather, it is all very fresh, and full of assertive, positive energy – a great album that is worthy of multiple spins.
80
It's powerful and provocative stuff, and utter proof that Costello's creative fire is still raging.
80
With the punch and pace of yore and the depth and richness of maturity, the singer-songwriter is back at his best.
80
Best thing he’s put out in ages, this.
80
Although Costello and each of his band members recorded their parts for The Boy Named If separately in three different countries, it is more cohesive and satisfying.
80
Iit may feel like an old-fashioned Elvis Costello album, but it sounds entirely fresh.
80
Elvis inhabits a world of smoke and mirrors, in which relationships feature conflict as well as resolution, attraction as well as betrayal: these are songs of innocence and experience.
80
Costello is right back where he belongs and the rewards are that much better as a result.
80
The Boy Named If sees him on terrifically familiar ground, feet apart, fists raised, talking the talk again.
80
The Boy Named If is a thunderous, furious reconnection with the more splenetic chapters of his catalogue.
80
A Boy Named If is Costello on typically smart, spiky form.
80
As complete and often thrilling as anything Costello has recorded in years.
78
A dense collection of both risks and hooks that doesn’t feel like a stamping of feet for attention or merely providing fan service.
75
Costello writes with storyteller's sensibility and a rocker's attitude, and with the Imposters willing to indulge a little id, The Boy Named If becomes as rousing a coming-of-age album as you could ask for.
75
On his 32nd studio album, Elvis Costello treats the traditional rock quartet as the ideal medium for delicacy, concision, wit, and the occasional harangue.
70
All in all, this is yet another strong album in a career full of them and while he doesn’t reinvent the wheel or break much new ground here, any chance to hear the master play the style he’s so good at is not to be missed.
This is number #1 on ‘Ultimate Classic Rock’s Top 30 Albums of #2022. Beating out Jack White, The Smile, Tears For Fears & Spoon respectively. I didn’t expect this to be good enough to write about or even listen through but I’ve got to say I more than liked this on the first half.
In fact, I thought it was brilliant. Nothing else like it In my listening of new music. It’s old school like twist&shout opener ‘Farewell O.K’. it’s quirky, ... read more
I really enjoyed his last 3 or 4 albums a great deal; but, this is far better and is another entry essential for Elvis Costello that I'll have to cop on vinyl to add to my collection of his work. 'The Boy Named If' truly has the energy of classic Elvis Costello. It totally exceeded my expectations.
Lançando discos desde os anos 70, Elvis Costello se junta com The Imposters em uma aula de cultura e música, What If I Can't Give You Anything But Love? é um exemplo de canção que só quem presenciou grandes sonoridades poderia fazer algo assim.
Elvis Costello não tem medo de voltar a estilos que antes estavam adormecidos, isso em Mistook Me For A Friend sem parecer simples ele se moderniza recriando o Rock e New Wave, e My Most Beautiful Mistake ... read more
This is number #1 on ‘Ultimate Classic Rock’s Top 30 Albums of #2022. Beating out Jack White, The Smile, Tears For Fears & Spoon respectively. I didn’t expect this to be good enough to write about or even listen through but I’ve got to say I more than liked this on the first half.
In fact, I thought it was brilliant. Nothing else like it In my listening of new music. It’s old school like twist&shout opener ‘Farewell O.K’. it’s quirky, ... read more
Contributions By
Alejandro González, Novell_sx, anztec, ThomYorke2, sgtrock412, ElectricMess, OPENblindsBecome a Donor
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Track List
| 1 | Farewell, OK 2:54 | 74 |
| 2 | The Boy Named If 4:24 | 74 |
| 3 | Penelope Halfpenny 2:57 | 68 |
| 4 | The Difference 3:45 | 68 |
| 5 | What If I Can't Give You Anything But Love? 4:03 | 71 |
| 6 | Paint The Red Rose Blue 4:46 | 74 |
| 7 | Mistook Me For A Friend 4:13 | 73 |
| 8 | My Most Beautiful Mistake 4:47 | 71 |
| 9 | Magnificent Hurt 3:13 | 74 |
| 10 | The Man You Love To Hate 4:53 | 70 |
| 11 | The Death Of Magic Thinking 3:31 | 71 |
| 12 | Trick Out The Truth 4:53 | 67 |
| 13 | Mr. Crescent 3:39 | 74 |
Total Length: 52 minutes
Year End Lists
| #2 | / | Variety: Chris Willman |
| #10 | / | Uncut |
| #16 | / | Record Collector |
| #23 | / | The Sunday Times |
| #39 | / | MOJO |
| / | AllMusic |
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Added on: October 27, 2021