Costello Music
by The Fratellis
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    Their punchy choruses and propulsive garage riffs are as addictive as those of 2006 sensations Arctic Monkeys. [16 Mar 2007, p.69]
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  2. Hartford Courant
    70
    It's pub rock, but smarter and more ambitious, with music as nimble as the lyrics are sharp.
  3. Mojo
    80
    The record comes on like a sweaty, amphetamine-fuelled rehearsal room bash that went extraordinarily well. [Oct 2006, p.102]
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  5. musicOMH.com
    70
    The numbers which populate Costello Music are a darn sight better than Carl Barat and Pete Doherty's solo exploits.
  6. New Musical Express (NME)
    80
    Right now, their bouncing glamorama feels like the most important album you could own.
  7. NOW Magazine
    70
    Parochial pop somewhere between Supergrass and the Arctic Monkeys.
  8. PopMatters
    80
    Costello Music crackles from top to bottom with nervous energy, confident songwriting, and hopeless confusion over girls, girls, girls.
  9. Prefix Magazine
    65
    The Fratellis won't change your life or any of your top-five lists. What the band will do, however, is give you a few good tunes to throw onto a Saturday night playlist while you wait for the real thing to come along.
  10. Rolling Stone
    70
    Most of Costello is like a madcap Glasgow pub crawl: It makes you elated in the moment and sorry when it's over.
  11. Stylus Magazine
    75
    The Fratellis are beyond infectious.
  12. The A.V. Club
    67
    Fans might be better off putting "Flathead" on a homemade mix-tape than following the rest of Costello Music.
  13. Uncut
    80
    Their witty pop vignettes are about as much fun as you can have alone with a stereo. [Oct 2006, p.109]
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Awards & Rankings

86
#86 Most Discussed Album of 2007

User Reviews

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User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 79 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 66 out of 79
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 79
  3. Negative: 6 out of 79
  1. BobS
    Apr 5, 2007
    10
    Absolutely excellent
  2. AgeOfAquarius
    Aug 13, 2021
    10
    Iconic album that got me hooked on this band! Chelsea Dagger is one of my top ten favorite songs. Other standout tracks for me are: Henrietta,Iconic album that got me hooked on this band! Chelsea Dagger is one of my top ten favorite songs. Other standout tracks for me are: Henrietta, Whistle for the Choir, and Creepin' Up the Backstairs.… Full Review »
  3. davim
    Oct 24, 2014
    7
    A solid debut album which optimised the UK indie music scene for the mid to late 2000's. Short, punchy, catchy, energetic songs. Still anA solid debut album which optimised the UK indie music scene for the mid to late 2000's. Short, punchy, catchy, energetic songs. Still an album I listen to regularly, with a number of very underrated tracks 'Ole Black N Blue Eyes' and 'Creepin' Up The Backstairs' to go alongside the infamous 'Chelsea Dagger' (indie disco classic) and 'Whistle For The Choir'. A few filler tracks aren't quite up to the standard, 'Doginabag' and 'Vince The Loveable Stoner' to name a few. But nevertheless a decent effort, definitely worth a listen.

    It's a shame they couldn't follow it up with the next album 'Here We Stand'; a rushed album for me with material far weaker than Costello Music    … Full Review »
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