Green Shirt cover

Green Shirt

Elvis Costello · 1985

2 tracks · new wave

A fusion of new wave and punk rock with sharp lyrical wit layered over intricate melodies.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Green Shirt — The title track exemplifies Costello's witty lyricism combined with an infectious melody that captures the essence of his evolving sound.
  • →
    Beyond Belief — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its intricate wordplay and rhythmic complexity, showcasing Costello's songwriting prowess.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

58 /100
Treeline
Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The record blends new wave and punk with intricate melodies and sharp lyrics, reflecting Costello's evolving artistry.

What we noticed

  • The title track features a syncopated rhythm with a prominent bass line that drives the song, while the vocal delivery is both sharp and melodic.
  • The second track employs layered instrumentation, creating a rich texture that contrasts with the more straightforward arrangement of the first.
  • Both songs showcase intricate melodies that intertwine with Costello's witty lyrics, demanding attentive listening to fully appreciate their depth.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
5/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Green Shirt
  • 2 Beyond Belief

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata