The Delivery Man
by Elvis Costello
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 15 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15

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  1. RobS.
    Sep 26, 2004
    8
    I'll be listening to this one for a few weeks at least. There are some very, very nice performances of strong songs here - not just from EC, but Emmylou Harris has got a better song to sing in "Heart Shaped Bruise" than anything on her last album. The highlight of the album is another duet, "There's A Story In Your Voice" with Lucinda Williams. I can't believe how good he I'll be listening to this one for a few weeks at least. There are some very, very nice performances of strong songs here - not just from EC, but Emmylou Harris has got a better song to sing in "Heart Shaped Bruise" than anything on her last album. The highlight of the album is another duet, "There's A Story In Your Voice" with Lucinda Williams. I can't believe how good he sounds in tandem with Lu doing that drunken/spastic vocal thing she occasionally lets loose on her own albums. It's cool and funny and one of those songs I keep playing over and over. "Either Side of the Same Town" and "Country Darkness" are other highlights for me. On the whole, the songwriting on The Delivery Man is much freer and less affected than on When I Was Cruel. And I thought North was dreadful, both the songwriting and his singing. I'm pleased with EC's rebound here.… Expand
  2. ShawnJ
    May 4, 2005
    9
    There are a couple of tunes that put me to sleep, but I can't stop listening to the others.
  3. DanF
    Oct 8, 2004
    8
    I find the brash, noisy stuff suits his talents less than the ballad stuff, like "Nothing Clings like Ivy," which is the strongest song on the album for me.
  4. MS
    Sep 23, 2004
    4
    Well, even this die hard fan found the album almost continuously tedious. And although EC has such a destinctive voice, I also sometimes think that he is, as his band are called, an imposter.
  5. JoeyM
    Oct 11, 2004
    9
    The last Costello album that I enjoyed as much as this one was "Painted from Memory," his collaboration with Bacharach. I have enjoyed his work the most in the last two decades when he has focused on pushing his own limits. I felt that the last couple of turns with the Attractations were forced "returns to form" with a couple of good songs and I didn't much care for "North" at all. The last Costello album that I enjoyed as much as this one was "Painted from Memory," his collaboration with Bacharach. I have enjoyed his work the most in the last two decades when he has focused on pushing his own limits. I felt that the last couple of turns with the Attractations were forced "returns to form" with a couple of good songs and I didn't much care for "North" at all. This collection, on the other hand, has some of his finest lyrics, bravest musical turns and sharpest delivery in recent memory. Well worth a listen!… Expand
  6. dazzerw
    Sep 26, 2004
    9
    Awesome! Sone of the recent reviews defy belief
  7. ClaraC
    Mar 27, 2005
    8
    Listening to this album feels like returning to King of America, Blood & Chocolate -- even a little bit of Imperial Bedroom. I don't love every cut, but mostly I've been seduced by Elvis' voice, songwriting and especially lyrics, in a way that I haven't been since those classics came out.

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 21
  3. Negative: 1 out of 21
  1. ShakingThrough.net
    66
    It convincingly exhibits the breadth of affection Costello has for homegrown American musical forms, but lacks a tight-enough center to stand among his sturdier, more disciplined works.
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  2. Drawer B
    70
    The Delivery Man is a solid, albeit slightly over-learned and patronizing, collection of bluesy rock.
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  3. Playlouder
    40
    A collection of rehashed moments from his brilliant though patchy career, a sowed together patchwork of pastiche.
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