Elvis Costello Mighty Like A Rose Album Review 

Wow, Ross, you have a brilliant taste in music. Just to own and review this impresses me. This is in my top 5 EC albums and my top 100 by any artist

It's funny that you found Spike lacking in focus, as that's exactly what I feel about Mighty Like a Rose. Despite having the album for over 20 years, I really couldn't remember some of the songs you played clips of. For me this is perhaps Costello's least memorable albums. Having said that, it does contain one of my favourite songs of his, Couldn't Call it Unexpected No. 4. An instrumental version of which was used as the theme music to Alan Bleasdale's tv series, G.B.H. Thanks for allowing me to revisit this album, even if it reminded me how disappointed I wad with it when it was released. Cheers - Hedley

Thanks for doing this Ross, and for the shout-out. I must admit I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed Mighty Like A Rose, having stayed away from it for many years due to the critical mauling it got. Also I remember at the time finding his new image really annoying - there were some horrendous photos of him in Q magazine at the time. A lot of the tracks are real growers. Sweat Pear I think is utterly amazing. I think it sounds like The Band, who did influence the Beatles from '69. I love So Like Candy. After the Fall sounds to me like Elvis trying to do Leonard Cohen. Cheers, James

I'm a first generation E.C. fan.....so I've been with him from the beginning......he really hasn't released a bad album......this one falls in the middle somewhere for me but has a few classics.......I really like his look during this period.....brilliant artist.....

Honestly this might be my favourite EC album. Other Side of Summer Harpies Bizaare Georgie and her Rival Sweet Pear Broken After the Fall All Grown Up Couldnt call it Unexpected No4 So Like Candy How to be Dumb So many good songs

well this is one I haven't heard. I realize though I bought the cassette so I'll have to give it a try. While it does kind of sound like a downer, most of the time I like that sort of thing haha. Might be right up my ally with hopelessness, despair and negativity as some common themes. Yet another good review Ross

I think of all his later day works, this is the most satisfying album he has made.

Wow , this was 10 years after "Trust" ! His "He's lost his mind"period. What a real artist he is , though. a genuine dude.

You're correct, So Like Candy is a masterpiece. I am so indifferent toward this record as a whole though. You pointed out the other good songs. I remember thinking in the early 90s after he'd released this and The Juliet Letters back to back that I'd had enough. But then he redeemed himself with Brutal Youth and All This Useless Beauty

Couldn't call it unexpected no 4 deserves at least a 9 and would agree with most of the other ratings.

JOKO ANWAR BROUGHT ME HERE!