The Boy Named If
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Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 15 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 13 Ratings

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  • Summary: The latest full-length release from Elvis Costello And The Imposters features a guest appearance from Nicole Atkins.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. Record Collector
    Jan 12, 2022
    100
    Sublimely crafted, incredibly well-played, there are all the reference points, yet it never sounds like a composite of old glories. The intelligence, urgency and immediacy of his 32nd album are a most welcome surprise.
  2. Classic Rock Magazine
    Jan 12, 2022
    90
    While everything here echoes its maker's past, it all sounds new. ... The Boy Named If (And Other Children's Stories) is excellent. [Feb 2022, p.78]
  3. Mojo
    Jan 12, 2022
    80
    The most energised performance Costello has committed to record in a long time and - despite his protestations that The Imposters are an entirely different band - his most classic Attractions-like album since 1994's Brutal Youth. [Feb 2022, p.83]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. Slant Magazine
    Jan 12, 2022
    80
    The tail-end of The Boy Named If finds Costello suddenly back in crooner mode with the soft-shoe swing of “Trick Out the Truth” and the moonstruck “Mr. Crescent.” Both tracks are quietly exquisite and provide a comedown from the adrenaline-fueled highs of the album’s first half. They underscore the ways in which The Boy Named If is as complete and often thrilling as anything Costello has recorded in years.
  5. The New York Times
    Jan 13, 2022
    80
    While the lyrics are convoluted, the music simply charges ahead. Like so many pandemic albums, “The Boy Named If” was pieced together remotely. ... Yet the Imposters sound gleefully, brutally unified, every bit as bristling as the Attractions on “This Year’s Model” or the Imposters on “When I Was Cruel” in 2002.
  6. The Observer (UK)
    Jan 24, 2022
    80
    Even when the tempo drops, the quality doesn’t, the rich imagery of Trick Out the Truth being a case in point. Effortlessly classy.
  7. Glide Magazine
    Jan 14, 2022
    70
    The Boy Named If, has a lot in common with Hey Clockface, whether it be the four noticeably weaker tracks or the similarly bloated 52-minute runtime. ... What does work about The Boy Named If, like any other Costello album, is the songwriting. ... When The Boy Named If hits, and it mostly does, it gives us a Costello Halloween song and yet another track about a waitress who looks like an actress, two things that are not easy to pull off. Costello is still an artist to watch.

See all 15 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. gregsolo
    Mar 7, 2022
    10
    I was trying to find a reason not to give this a 10, but I couldn't think of any considerable criticism to deny it. Given the range of qualityI was trying to find a reason not to give this a 10, but I couldn't think of any considerable criticism to deny it. Given the range of quality over the past 20 years, I told myself not to expect Blood & Chocolate, and now I think it may be his best since. The Attractions '94 reunion with Brutal Youth was indeed exciting. I really like that one but I sometimes get the feeling he was was trying a little too hard to get that sound and energy back. Great rock songs on When I Was Cruel and Momofuku, but this one is a consistent play through for me. Aside from two mellow, well placed songs, it has an ambitious, driving pace. You get the feeling something clicked in Elvis' head and a torrent of inspiration flowed effortlessly. Like others have noted, there's a lot of familiarity but it sounds new, unique and invigorating. Band seems damn happy to be making a fun, youthful, pop rock album. Solid production sounds terrific sitting dead center. Second and third time around I was waiting to realize the ways I overreacted and instead enjoyed it more. These vibrant, catchy moments come out of nowhere and I genuinely anticipate them like a when I was a teenager. The final song, Mr. Crescent, is so beautiful. Hope you agree and enjoy.… Expand
  2. Doofer1
    Jan 17, 2022
    10
    A work of genius. I suppose some my call
    It a “return to form”. Personally I think he’s been on red hot fork for 45 years so what do I know?
  4. Funkyatom
    Jan 18, 2022
    10
    This is a cracking album, full of melodic invention, great hooks, biting lyrics, fine musicianship and caustic wit. As always with Costello,This is a cracking album, full of melodic invention, great hooks, biting lyrics, fine musicianship and caustic wit. As always with Costello, there is compassion and humanity to be found, but not easily or without the trials and tribulations of life’s many complexities. Or more simply put, 12 great pop songs delivered by people who know what they are doing.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

97
#97 Best Album of 2022

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