When I Was Cruel
by Elvis Costello
  • Record Label: Island
  • Release Date: Apr 23, 2002
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. AllMusic
    60
    Outside of the Bacharach album, it's his best in a long time. But in order to know that, you will have to have dilligently listened to everything from Spike on -- and if you got off the bus around then, it's harder than ever to get back on.
  2. Alternative Press
    60
    Costello clutters many fine compositions with kitchen-sink arrangements and cacophonous production that bring into focus how sorely missed estranged Attractions bassist Bruce Thomas is throughout. [Jun 2002, p.75]
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  3. Village Voice
    60
    Elvis makes you suffer for the good stuff with leaden conceits, overwrought hysterics, a useless reprise. And then he makes it all up to yoo-oo-oou.
  5. Salon
    60
    If the performances here reclaimed the sputtering, spastic fury of Elvis and the Attractions in their prime, it might not matter that Costello came to play without indelible melodies and jaw-dropping lyrics, but they really don't and he largely did.
  6. Uncut
    60
    With a bit of self-pruning, a bit MORE risk and space in the production, he might have TRULY self-reinvented. [May 2002, p.90]
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  7. Q Magazine
    60
    There isn't anything quite as special as, say, Veronica but the veins at Costello's temples are throbbing again.
  8. New Musical Express (NME)
    60
    It's no classic, but there are reassuringly unhealthy signs of life.

Awards & Rankings

82
#82 Most Discussed Album of 2002

User Reviews

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User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 18 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 18
  3. Negative: 2 out of 18
  1. ullissesmachado
    Feb 12, 2020
    10
    Powerful rock and roll, vigorous guitar and catchy tunes. This man has the swing. When I Was Cruel nº 2 is one more masterpiece in hisPowerful rock and roll, vigorous guitar and catchy tunes. This man has the swing. When I Was Cruel nº 2 is one more masterpiece in his brilliant career.… Full Review »
  2. JabezT.
    Sep 22, 2007
    10
    An excellent album by one of the true masters of modern music. Because he is so prolific, Elvis has released a lot of records that are An excellent album by one of the true masters of modern music. Because he is so prolific, Elvis has released a lot of records that are rehashes or even steps backwards. Not this one. It represents another amazing stage in the career of a major artist.… Full Review »
  3. Rita
    Mar 21, 2005
    10
    a masterpiece, no doubt one of the best albums ever, just brilliant, 100 out of 10
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