Kojak Variety
Elvis Costello · 1995
53 min · 15 tracks · new wave
A collection of raw, blues-infused covers showcasing Costello's eclectic taste and emotional depth.
Top tracks — play these first
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Strange Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Hidden Charms — This track captures the album's spirit with its infectious rhythm and highlights Costello's ability to convey yearning through his distinctive vocal delivery.
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Leave My Kitten Alone — Costello breathes new energy into this lesser-known song, blending urgency with humor that reflects the playful yet poignant nature of the album.
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I Threw It All Away — This poignant cover showcases Costello’s emotional range, transforming Dylan's original into a deeply personal reflection on loss and regret.
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Everybody’s Crying Mercy — The soulful arrangement highlights Costello's knack for interpreting blues standards, making it a standout moment that resonates with heartfelt authenticity.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Costello's covers showcase his vocal strength and emotional interpretation but lack a cohesive narrative flow.
What we noticed
- Several tracks utilize a stripped-down arrangement, emphasizing Costello's vocal delivery and the emotional weight of the lyrics.
- The last three tracks slow down the pace, creating a reflective conclusion to the album.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- playful covers for casual listening
- short tracks for quick enjoyment
- emotional depth in concise bursts
- late-night sing-alongs with friends
- bittersweet reflections on life
Maybe skip if you
- seeking long, immersive experiences
- prefer straightforward hits
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Deep Cut — Highlights Costello's versatility, but not a major entry point for new listeners.
- Career context
- By the time 'Kojak Variety' was released in January 1995, Elvis Costello was already a well-established artist with a diverse catalog. This album followed his 1994 release 'Brutal Youth' and marked a departure as it features primarily cover songs, reflecting his deep admiration for various musical styles and artists.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Joe Jackson· Graham Parker· Squeeze
Tracklist
- 1 Strange Start here 2:42
- 2 Hidden Charms 3:33
- 3 Remove This Doubt 3:54
- 4 I Threw It All Away 3:26
- 5 Leave My Kitten Alone 3:13
- 6 Everybody’s Crying Mercy 4:08
- 7 I’ve Been Wrong Before 3:03
- 8 Bama Lama Bama Loo 2:47
- 9 Must You Throw Dirt in My Face 3:51
- 10 Pouring Water on a Drowning Man 3:40
- 11 The Very Thought of You 3:43
- 12 Payday 3:00
- 13 Please Stay 4:50
- 14 Running Out of Fools 3:04
- 15 Days 4:54
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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