National Ransom
by Elvis Costello
User Score
6.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 5 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 1 out of 5
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  1. germangirl
    Nov 6, 2010
    7
    Nice album from Elvis Costello, recorded in 11 days between L.A and Nashville with T Bone Burnett. Mostly of the songs have been played already on concerts (4 are new) , but for me still a "must have" this album. my favourite song is " five small words". It is hard to say, which genre the album goes, but like Elvis said to Music Critic 'National Ransom' Is Not a Bluegrass Record! enjoy.

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. Billboard.com
    Nov 17, 2010
    77
    It's a lot to take in, but his aim is true as always.
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  2. NOW Magazine
    Nov 11, 2010
    80
    You'd be hard pressed to find an album as varied as Elvis Costello's National Ransom (his 26th, give or take).
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  3. musicOMH.com
    Nov 9, 2010
    60
    Perhaps National Ransom is less a randomly selected almanac, and more a series of vignettes that could potentially have relevance to any particular time and space. Costello is, inventively, trying to make musical antiquarianism a radical pursuit.
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