Cruel Smile
Elvis Costello · 2002
71 min · 15 tracks · new wave · punk
A collage of live performances and studio tracks blending Costello's biting wit with eclectic musical styles.
Why this album works
'Cruel Smile' highlights Costello’s ability to reinvent his sound while delivering sharp lyrical commentary, further solidifying his relevance in the early 2000s music scene. It received positive reviews, particularly for its unique blend of live recordings that captured the essence of his dynamic performance style.
- Best for
- dynamic live performance energy wave-like pacing and flow long, immersive listening sessions
- Context
- By the time 'Cruel Smile' was released in 2002, Elvis Costello had established himself as a multifaceted artist known for his genre-defying work. This album features tracks from various live performances and serves as a companion piece to his earlier album 'When I Was Cruel,' which had been released just the previous year, showcasing his continued evolution.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Duran Duran· No Doubt· A Flock of Seagulls
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Smile (Japanese A-Side) 3:05
- 2 When I Was Cruel (No. 1) Standout 4:16
- 3 Almost Blue (live in Sydney) 5:04
- 4 15 Petals (live in Sydney) 5:35
- 5 Spooky Girlfriend (live at KFOG) 4:42
- 6 Honeyhouse (Cruel No. 2) 5:07
- 7 Revolution Doll Standout 3:44
- 8 Peroxide Side (Blunt cut) 3:48
- 9 Oh Well 2:52
- 10 The Imposter vs. The Floodtide (Dust and Petals) 3:58
- 11 Watching the Detectives + My Funny Valentine (live in Tokyo) Standout 7:09
- 12 Dust (live in Melbourne) 6:39
- 13 Uncomplicated (live in Tokyo) 4:46
- 14 Smile (Japanese B-Side) 3:32
- 15 Soul for Hire (live in Tokyo) 6:36
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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