Review of When I Was Cruel
American Way (American Airlines magazine), 2002-05-01

 

Elvis Costello
When I Was Cruel (Island)

His first new record in seven years opens up with "45" and "Spooky
Girlfriend" and sounds a lot like early Costello. The disc then travels
through some interesting horn work on "15 Petals" and "...Dust" and
distorted guitar on the two-minute "Dissolve" before going into one of the
best songs on the album, "Alibi." This is one of those rare, great albums
meant to be listened to in its entirety - all 15 tracks in order, over and
over.