(November 2018) I have completed episode 189 of my “opus project.” This edition: ELVIS COSTELLO. I’ve always enjoyed his popular songs, but I never collected his albums. Arguably the most gifted living songwriter not named McCartney, Dylan or Simon, he is also incredibly prolific (a new release every 16 months over four decades) and diverse (rock, lounge, jazz, country, classical). He best work is in rock, and I find his crooner/lounge pop recordings to be almost unlistenable: ill-suited to his voice and soured by his tendency to melodic wandering.
Favourite album: Armed Forces
Favourite song: Veronica
Compared to expectations: ↓
Worst album: Kojak Variety
Favourite late-period album: Momofuku
Best collaboration: Wise Up Ghost (with The Roots)
Opus Project 