Metascore
68

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 15
  2. Negative: 2 out of 15
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    100
    Feels like a mash note to autumnal Manhattan. [26 Sep 2003, p.93]
  2. North moves with an inevitable constancy, and could have perhaps benefited from one or two more upbeat tracks. But such consistency is certainly a forgivable flaw, especially when it's done as elegantly and earnestly as presented here.
  3. Costello stays away from pop hooks here, concentrating instead on a tentative but engaging marriage of words and melody.
  4. Mojo
    80
    North radiates a humanity that wasn't altogether apparent on, say, The Juliet Letters or When I Was Cruel. [Oct 2003, p.104]
  5. Unlike The Juliet Letters, North never feels like an exercise, nor does it feel like Costello has something to prove.
  6. Filter
    80
    Think piano, think cabaret, think somber. [#8, p.104]
  7. With every play the album becomes, like love itself, impossible to fight off.
  8. Blender
    70
    It's art music first and pop second. [Oct 2003, p.115]
  9. North exudes a consistent, subdued beauty that, at times, is almost too delicate to make a true impression.
  10. Q Magazine
    70
    All very creditable though, for a man who once oozed vitriol, a tad bloodless. [Oct 2003, p.103]
  11. While Elvis is quite the crooner, an entire album of achy-breaky heartache is too much for the casual Costello listener to bear.
  12. An interesting, if flawed work.
  13. Bereft of melody and short on memorable lyrics (a Costello first), North is background music in the least appealing sense: Brought to the fore, it falls to pieces.
  14. Costello has eschewed all sense of melody and humor in favor of rambling, mock-jazz noodling.
  15. Uncut
    20
    Arid and mannered. [Nov 2003, p.112]
User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 8 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 8
  2. Negative: 1 out of 8
  1. Nov 5, 2020
    10
    Although not for everyone (many folks just don't like jazz) this is a fabulous album in its genre. Never before has he been more direct aboutAlthough not for everyone (many folks just don't like jazz) this is a fabulous album in its genre. Never before has he been more direct about love. He is my favourite singer-songwriter and this is the LP I listen to the most. Think of it as a modern day "In The Wee Small Hours." It's that good. The guest musicians are the best in the business and it shows. Full Review »
  2. dariusw
    Sep 26, 2004
    10
    My fave EC record of recent years....Sam K is a fool
  3. samk
    Oct 26, 2003
    4
    A bit of a shocker. Lyrically and musically unappealing, Costello's voice is rudely exposed on this record.