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Wise Up Ghost and Other Songs
by
Wise Up Ghost and Other Songs Image
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 32 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 20 Ratings

  • Artist(s): Elvis Costello, The Roots
  • Summary: Originally begun as an album of reworked Costello songs, the debut collaboration between Elvis Costello and the Roots is instead a largely original release produced by Steven Mandel.
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  • Record Label: Blue Note
  • Genre(s): Pop/Rock, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock, Contemporary Pop/Rock, College Rock
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 32
  3. Negative: 0 out of 32
  1. Los Angeles Times
    Sep 18, 2013
    100
    If you've ever fallen in love with a Costello record, be prepared for a new obsession.
  2. Paste Magazine
    Sep 17, 2013
    87
    That this collaboration would end up working so well should really be of little surprise to longtime fans of Costello. His ‘70s and ’80s work often bore the influence of the same R&B, soul and funk records that the Roots clearly adore.
  3. Spin
    Sep 13, 2013
    80
    You’ve got to give it to perennial over-achievers: sometimes they even know how to make extra-credit assignments sound like A+ work.
  4. Consequence
    Sep 25, 2013
    80
    It may not be quite the meeting of musical minds that fans and critics had anticipated, but that just makes it better.
  5. The Line of Best Fit
    Sep 12, 2013
    75
    This isn’t mere dilettantism, and while it’s likely to net both acts new fans from the other side of the great genre divide, it holds up more than capably on its own terms.
  6. Rolling Stone
    Sep 17, 2013
    70
    It's the sound of a savant songsmith trying to impress the world's best backing band.
  7. Austin Chronicle
    Nov 21, 2013
    40
    Wise Up Ghost, more compelling in theory than practice.

See all 32 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. ScottA1A
    Nov 24, 2013
    10
    Totally digging what Elvis & The Roots have put together here! You'll enjoy it if you like bluesy, gritty, clever music, this album is forTotally digging what Elvis & The Roots have put together here! You'll enjoy it if you like bluesy, gritty, clever music, this album is for you. They play well together, very much worth the score!… Expand
  2. WadeVS
    Sep 19, 2013
    10
    I'm conservative with giving score, but this one is well worth the full marks. It is sensational. Costello has a timeless sound and everythingI'm conservative with giving score, but this one is well worth the full marks. It is sensational. Costello has a timeless sound and everything The Roots do sounds fresh and vital. This is perfection from first track to the last.… Expand
  4. BIGMAN22
    Feb 9, 2016
    10
    a very nice piece of work between a legendary hip hop group and punk rocker. both their styles blend very well on here. this is a greata very nice piece of work between a legendary hip hop group and punk rocker. both their styles blend very well on here. this is a great addition to both artists discographies. classic album.… Expand
  5. lesdmd
    Sep 17, 2013
    10
    I can't get this album out of rotation. Keep coming back for more, and getting it. I'm more than old enough to have admired Elvis during hisI can't get this album out of rotation. Keep coming back for more, and getting it. I'm more than old enough to have admired Elvis during his entire career, and this is an outstanding addition to the discography. If there is a better collaboration this year, bring it on!… Expand
  6. jleger49
    Oct 22, 2013
    9
    The alchemy between the Roots and Costello is golden. Words don't, can't, do it justice. It must be heard. It will trip you and entangle yourThe alchemy between the Roots and Costello is golden. Words don't, can't, do it justice. It must be heard. It will trip you and entangle your senses. Enough words.… Collapse
  7. Saszka
    Sep 27, 2013
    6
    After long, long time of not delivering, Costello tried again and, this time, succeeded. Of course, all together sounds like an old masterAfter long, long time of not delivering, Costello tried again and, this time, succeeded. Of course, all together sounds like an old master refreshing himself with young blood, but anyone who already doubted in Costello's songwriting ability must admit he or she was wrong. Not a class of David Bowie return, still worth a try.… Expand