The River In Reverse
by Elvis Costello & Allen Toussaint
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 7 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7

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  1. AndrewR
    Jun 7, 2006
    9
    As with the very best albums, the melodies reveal themselves more fully over time, as does the conviction that underlies this work. Costello's vocals may not lend themselves naturally to this sort of thing, but he has an intuitive ability to pluck unexpected meanings from lines that would simply meld in when sung by anyone else. And the trade-offs between Toussaint's piano and As with the very best albums, the melodies reveal themselves more fully over time, as does the conviction that underlies this work. Costello's vocals may not lend themselves naturally to this sort of thing, but he has an intuitive ability to pluck unexpected meanings from lines that would simply meld in when sung by anyone else. And the trade-offs between Toussaint's piano and Steve Nieve on Hammond B3 are magnificent.… Expand
  2. MattK
    Jul 5, 2006
    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.
  3. ImanL
    Jun 16, 2006
    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.
  4. BrandonS
    Jun 6, 2006
    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.
  5. PaulS
    Jun 14, 2006
    8
    One of Costeelo's good excursions outside his original genre (The juliet Letters being one of the bad ones). The piano shines and the music is just fun.
  6. JedZep
    Aug 31, 2006
    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.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. NOW Magazine
    80
    It's Toussaint's soulful songs and naturally funky grooves that make this unlikely pairing work almost in spite of Costello's overbearing presence.
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  2. Rolling Stone
    70
    It's the master's steady, rollicking piano that elevates the music -- and keeps the ever-elusive Costello honest.
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  3. The Guardian
    80
    This album is best heard through audio equipment tweaked to suppress the excesses of Elvis Costello's strained bleat.
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