The River In Reverse - Elvis Costello & Allen Toussaint
The River In Reverse Image
Metascore
78 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.4 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 7 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • Summary: The British musician teams with legendary New Orleans songwriter and producer Allen Toussaint for this mix of covers and new material.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. Mojo
    90
    This is a great record for and about New Orleans and one of the best the two men have ever made. [Jun 2006, p.96]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Q Magazine
    80
    The River In Reverse's soulful arrangements and warm textures are no surprise. [Jul 2006, p.113]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Uncut
    80
    Costello... sing[s] with the enthusiasm and fun of a true fan. [Jul 2006, p.110]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. New Musical Express (NME)
    60
    A good album, in a well-produced way, but it's not as good or as important as it thinks it is. [24 Jun 2006, p.43]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 20 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. MattK
    10
    What a great collaboration. Top it off with a live performance and you've got the very best that music can offer. Costello's vocals and Toussaints arrangements will live a long time.… Expand
  2. JedZep
    9
    What a great pairing at any time but certainly sounds right and righteous in light of Katrina. Bears repeated listening all the way through. It covers a lot of musical ground while not straying far from New Orleans.… Expand
  3. ImanL
    8
    I dont know squat about Toussaint but Costello's best in years and years and years maybe since "For the Stars" (another collaboration: hmmmmmmmm). "Brother" is just plain great, title track masterful, and the playing livly and fun.… Expand
  4. BrandonS
    7
    A lot of reviews call Costello overbearing or somehow otherwise in the way - but would they even be reviewing it if Costello weren't involved? It just seems to me that these music critics jump at every opportunity they get to showcase their elitism. This is a good cd, with a number of excellent songs, played with a lot of energy and feeling.… Expand

See all 6 User Reviews

Current Music Releases

Full List »
  1. The Complete Columbia Album Collection - Johnny Cash
    Metascore: 99
  2. Rumours [35th Anniversary Deluxe Edition] - Fleetwood Mac
    Metascore: 99
  3. Live in Europe 1969: The Bootleg Series, Vol. 2 - Miles Davis Quintet
    Metascore: 92
  4. Jama Ko - Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba
    Metascore: 91
  5. Like a Rose - Ashley Monroe
    Metascore: 89
  6. Same Trailer Different Park - Kacey Musgraves
    Metascore: 89
  7. Your Turn - Marc Ribot's Ceramic Dog
    Metascore: 88
  8. Minute by Minute - The James Hunter Six
    Metascore: 88
  9. Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness [Deluxe Edition] - Smashing Pumpkins
    Metascore: 88
  10. Music For the Quiet Hour/The Drawbar Organ EPs - Shackleton
    Metascore: 87
  11. M B V - My Bloody Valentine
    Metascore: 87
  12. Beautiful Africa - Rokia Traoré
    Metascore: 87
  13. LSXX [Last Splash: 20th Anniversary Edition] - The Breeders
    Metascore: 87
  14. Annie Up - Pistol Annies
    Metascore: 87
  15. Rage Against the Machine XX [20th Anniversary Edition] - Rage Against the Machine
    Metascore: 87
  16. Without a Net - Wayne Shorter
    Metascore: 86
  17. MCII - Mikal Cronin
    Metascore: 86
  18. In Time - The Mavericks
    Metascore: 86
  19. Haw - Hiss Golden Messenger
    Metascore: 86
All Current Music »