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. Entertainment Weekly
    100
    Bristling with an electric current that seemingly short-circuited years ago, ''When I Was Cruel'' is the best work Costello has produced since ''Blood & Chocolate'' back in the mid-'80s.
  2. Pitchfork
    90
    An immediately engrossing and challenging collection of moody, evocative songs-- an entire album of "I Want You" and "Watching the Detectives" for those so inclined.
  3. Launch.com
    90
    A shoo-in as one of this year's "best of's."
  5. Austin Chronicle
    89
    The Costello formula takes over: minimalist but experimental instrumentation, eternally durable vocals, and literate punk-wave bittersweetening.
  6. E! Online
    83
    Elvis Costello is back, bashing and clanging away at what he does best: delivering out vitriolic songs of curdled romance and sodden, soiled dreams.
  7. Mojo
    80
    When I Was Cruel is bursting with bile and romance, tricky lyrics and tantalising tunes, and finds him practically trampolining with the thrill of messing about with sounds. [May 2002, p.108]
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  8. Billboard
    80
    Costello proves that all the balladry hasn't dulled his ability to rock.
  9. CultureDose.net
    80
    It’s a confectionary delight, from start to finish: sometimes intelligent, sometimes emotional, always likeable.
  10. Drawer B
    80
    Costello has never experimented so freely on an album in his entire career.
  11. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    80
    An album of taut, bilious rock that -- propelled, not coincidentally, by original Attractions members Steve Nieve and Pete Thomas -- has all the teetering-on-unhinged feel of Costello's very best work.
  12. Rolling Stone
    80
    When I Was Cruel is a collection of tough tunes and textures that recalls -- but doesn't recycle -- the records that endeared him to his earliest admirers.
  13. CDNow
    80
    The songs are brilliantly Costello-esque, fairly varied, and don't sound at all dated.
  14. Neumu.net
    80
    Ultimately, I suspect Costello non-devotees will find that too much effort is required to get into these songs and there may not be sufficient emotional payoff to justify the investment.
  15. Nude As The News
    75
    Despite the presence of a few misses, When I Was Cruel will be well worth the purchase for anyone still trying to work their way through All This Useless Beauty. It's a straightforward, catchy, and of course smart record from the meanest man in the British Isles.
  16. Dot Music
    70
    Just a little sensible pruning then and 'When I Was Cruel' would be a triumphant return to rocking form for Mr Costello.
  17. PopMatters
    70
    Anyone expecting When I Was Cruel to be This Year's Model may be disappointed, but Elvis Costello has worn so many hats over the years that it would have been a misstep for him to try to go back.
  18. Spin
    70
    The lyrics chew as much as they bite, and the music -- ranging from twangy jazzisms to raucous blues rock -- lets Costello honor his roots while still showing off what he picked up at the conservatory. [May 2002, p.118]
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  19. The A.V. Club
    70
    Too often, Costello strains to squeeze more musical and lyrical notions into his simple pop songs than they can hold, leaving listeners with a scattershot collection instead of a fleshed-out statement, and a merely good album instead of a great one.

Awards & Rankings

82
#82 Most Discussed Album of 2002

User Reviews

All reviews »
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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