Name: All This Useless Beauty by Elvis Costello
Brand: Elvis Costello
SKU: 603497078165
Price: 9.9 USD
Availability: OnlineOnly
Rating: 3.5 (84 reviews)

ALBUM

Following his second covers album, Kojak Variety, Elvis Costello set out to assemble a collection of songs he had written for other artists but never recorded himself -- sort of a reverse covers album. As it turned out, that idea was only used as a launching pad -- the resulting album, All This Useless Beauty, is a mixture of nine old and three new songs. Given its origins, it's surprising that the record holds together as well as it does. The main strength of All This Useless Beauty is the quality of the individual songs -- each song can stand on its own as an individual entity, as the music is as sharp as the lyrics. Although the music is certainly eclectic, it's accessible, which wasn't the case with Mighty Like a Rose. Furthermore, the production is more textured and punchier than Mitchell Froom's botched job on Brutal Youth. All This Useless Beauty doesn't quite add up to a major statement, but the simple pleasures it offers makes it one of the more rewarding records of the latter part of Costello's career. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

1. The Other End of the Telescope

by Elvis Costello, The Attractions

Acoustic Guitar: Elvis Costello; Performer
Bass: Bruce Thomas; Performer
Drums: Pete Thomas; Performer
Electric Guitar: Elvis Costello; Performer
Lyricist: Elvis Costello; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Anthony Lycenko
Sam Gibson
Ciaran Cahill; Production
Engineer: Geoff Emerick
Jon Jacobs; Production
Electric (sensonics) Drums: Steve Nieve; Other
Mastering: Bob Ludwig; Production
Mixing: Jon Jacobs
Geoff Emerick; Production
Keyboard: Steve Nieve; Performer
Percussion: Pete Thomas; Performer
Piano: Steve Nieve; Performer
Slide Guitar: Elvis Costello; Performer
Composer: Elvis Costello
Mann; Composer
Post Production: Kevin Killen; Production
Remixing: Kevin Killen; Production
Electric (sensonics) Drums: Steve Nieve; Other
Vocals: Elvis Costello; Performer
Post-production & Remix By: Kevin Killen; Other
Primary Artist: Elvis Costello And The Attractions
Elvis Costello & The Attractions; Main Performer
Producer: Elvis Costello
Geoff Emerick; Production

2. Little Atoms

by Elvis Costello, The Attractions

Acoustic Guitar: Elvis Costello; Performer
Bass: Bruce Thomas; Performer
Drums: Pete Thomas; Performer
Electric Guitar: Elvis Costello; Performer
Lyricist: Elvis Costello; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Ciaran Cahill
Sam Gibson
Anthony Lycenko; Production
Engineer: Geoff Emerick
Jon Jacobs; Production
Electric (sensonics) Drums: Steve Nieve; Other
Mastering: Bob Ludwig; Production
Mixing: Geoff Emerick
Jon Jacobs; Production
Keyboard: Steve Nieve; Performer
Percussion: Pete Thomas; Performer
Piano: Steve Nieve; Performer
Slide Guitar: Elvis Costello; Performer
Composer: Elvis Costello; Composer
Post Production: Kevin Killen; Production
Remixing: Kevin Killen; Production
Electric (sensonics) Drums: Steve Nieve; Other
Vocals: Elvis Costello; Performer
Post-production & Remix By: Kevin Killen; Other
Primary Artist: Elvis Costello And The Attractions
Elvis Costello & The Attractions; Main Performer
Producer: Elvis Costello
Geoff Emerick; Production

3. All This Useless Beauty

by Elvis Costello, The Attractions

Composer: Elvis Costello; Composer
Acoustic Guitar: Elvis Costello; Performer
Lyricist: Elvis Costello; Composer
Bass: Roy Babbington
Bruce Thomas; Performer
Bass Clarinet: Pete Whyman; Performer
Drums: Pete Thomas; Performer
Electric Guitar: Elvis Costello; Performer
Keyboard: Elvis Costello
Steve Nieve; Performer
Percussion: Pete Thomas; Performer
Producer: Elvis Costello
Geoff Emerick; Production
Primary Artist: Elvis Costello And The Attractions
Elvis Costello & The Attractions; Main Performer
Piano: Steve Nieve; Performer
Slide Guitar: Elvis Costello; Performer
Vocals: Elvis Costello; Performer

4. Complicated Shadows

by Elvis Costello, The Attractions

Acoustic Guitar: Elvis Costello; Performer
Bass: Bruce Thomas; Performer
Drums: Pete Thomas; Performer
Electric Guitar: Elvis Costello; Performer
Lyricist: Elvis Costello; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Ciaran Cahill
Sam Gibson
Anthony Lycenko; Production
Engineer: Geoff Emerick
Jon Jacobs; Production
Electric (sensonics) Drums: Steve Nieve; Other
Mastering: Bob Ludwig; Production
Mixing: Geoff Emerick
Jon Jacobs; Production
Keyboard: Steve Nieve; Performer
Percussion: Pete Thomas; Performer
Piano: Steve Nieve; Performer
Slide Guitar: Elvis Costello; Performer
Composer: Elvis Costello; Composer
Post Production: Kevin Killen; Production
Remixing: Kevin Killen; Production
Electric (sensonics) Drums: Steve Nieve; Other
Vocals: Elvis Costello; Performer
Post-production & Remix By: Kevin Killen; Other
Primary Artist: Elvis Costello And The Attractions
Elvis Costello & The Attractions; Main Performer
Producer: Elvis Costello
Geoff Emerick; Production

5. Why Can't a Man Stand Alone?

by Elvis Costello, The Attractions

Acoustic Guitar: Elvis Costello; Performer
Bass: Bruce Thomas; Performer
Drums: Pete Thomas; Performer
Electric Guitar: Elvis Costello; Performer
Lyricist: Elvis Costello; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Ciaran Cahill
Sam Gibson
Anthony Lycenko; Production
Engineer: Geoff Emerick
Jon Jacobs; Production
Electric (sensonics) Drums: Steve Nieve; Other
Mastering: Bob Ludwig; Production
Mixing: Geoff Emerick
Jon Jacobs; Production
Keyboard: Steve Nieve; Performer
Percussion: Pete Thomas; Performer
Piano: Steve Nieve; Performer
Slide Guitar: Elvis Costello; Performer
Composer: Elvis Costello; Composer
Post Production: Kevin Killen; Production
Remixing: Kevin Killen; Production
Electric (sensonics) Drums: Steve Nieve; Other
Vocals: Elvis Costello; Performer
Post-production & Remix By: Kevin Killen; Other
Primary Artist: Elvis Costello And The Attractions
Elvis Costello & The Attractions; Main Performer
Producer: Elvis Costello
Geoff Emerick; Production

6. Distorted Angel

by Elvis Costello, The Attractions

Acoustic Guitar: Elvis Costello; Performer
Bass: Bruce Thomas; Performer
Drums: Pete Thomas; Performer
Electric Guitar: Elvis Costello; Performer
Lyricist: Elvis Costello; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Ciaran Cahill
Sam Gibson
Anthony Lycenko; Production
Engineer: Geoff Emerick
Jon Jacobs; Production
Electric (sensonics) Drums: Steve Nieve; Other
Mastering: Bob Ludwig; Production
Mixing: Geoff Emerick
Jon Jacobs; Production
Keyboard: Steve Nieve; Performer
Percussion: Pete Thomas; Performer
Piano: Steve Nieve; Performer
Slide Guitar: Elvis Costello; Performer
Composer: Elvis Costello; Composer
Post Production: Kevin Killen; Production
Remixing: Kevin Killen; Production
Electric (sensonics) Drums: Steve Nieve; Other
Vocals: Elvis Costello; Performer
Post-production & Remix By: Kevin Killen; Other
Primary Artist: Elvis Costello And The Attractions
Elvis Costello & The Attractions; Main Performer
Producer: Elvis Costello
Geoff Emerick; Production

7. Shallow Grave

by Elvis Costello, The Attractions

Acoustic Guitar: Elvis Costello; Performer
Bass: Bruce Thomas
Elvis Costello; Performer
Drums: Pete Thomas; Performer
Electric Guitar: Elvis Costello; Performer
Lyricist: Mac Manus; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Ciaran Cahill
Sam Gibson
Anthony Lycenko; Production
Engineer: Geoff Emerick
Jon Jacobs; Production
Electric (sensonics) Drums: Steve Nieve; Other
Mastering: Bob Ludwig; Production
Mixing: Jon Jacobs
Geoff Emerick; Production
Keyboard: Steve Nieve; Performer
Percussion: Pete Thomas; Performer
Piano: Steve Nieve; Performer
Slide Guitar: Elvis Costello; Performer
Composer: Mac Manus
Paul Mccartney; Composer
Post Production: Kevin Killen; Production
Remixing: Kevin Killen; Production
Electric (sensonics) Drums: Steve Nieve; Other
Vocals: Elvis Costello; Performer
Post-production & Remix By: Kevin Killen; Other
Primary Artist: Elvis Costello And The Attractions
Elvis Costello & The Attractions; Main Performer
Producer: Elvis Costello
Geoff Emerick; Production

8. Poor Fractured Atlas

by Elvis Costello, The Attractions

Acoustic Guitar: Elvis Costello; Performer
Bass: Bruce Thomas; Performer
Drums: Pete Thomas; Performer
Electric Guitar: Elvis Costello; Performer
Lyricist: Elvis Costello; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Ciaran Cahill
Sam Gibson
Anthony Lycenko; Production
Engineer: Geoff Emerick
Jon Jacobs; Production
Electric (sensonics) Drums: Steve Nieve; Other
Mastering: Bob Ludwig; Production
Mixing: Geoff Emerick
Jon Jacobs; Production
Keyboard: Steve Nieve; Performer
Percussion: Pete Thomas; Performer
Piano: Steve Nieve; Performer
Slide Guitar: Elvis Costello; Performer
Composer: Elvis Costello; Composer
Post Production: Kevin Killen; Production
Remixing: Kevin Killen; Production
Electric (sensonics) Drums: Steve Nieve; Other
Vocals: Elvis Costello; Performer
Post-production & Remix By: Kevin Killen; Other
Primary Artist: Elvis Costello And The Attractions
Elvis Costello & The Attractions; Main Performer
Producer: Elvis Costello
Geoff Emerick; Production

9. Starting to Come to Me

by Elvis Costello, The Attractions

Acoustic Guitar: Elvis Costello; Performer
Bass: Bruce Thomas; Performer
Drums: Pete Thomas; Performer
Electric Guitar: Elvis Costello; Performer
Lyricist: Elvis Costello; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Ciaran Cahill
Sam Gibson
Anthony Lycenko; Production
Engineer: Geoff Emerick
Jon Jacobs; Production
Electric (sensonics) Drums: Steve Nieve; Other
Mastering: Bob Ludwig; Production
Mixing: Geoff Emerick
Jon Jacobs; Production
Keyboard: Steve Nieve; Performer
Percussion: Pete Thomas; Performer
Piano: Steve Nieve; Performer
Slide Guitar: Elvis Costello; Performer
Composer: Elvis Costello; Composer
Post Production: Kevin Killen; Production
Remixing: Kevin Killen; Production
Electric (sensonics) Drums: Steve Nieve; Other
Vocals: Elvis Costello; Performer
Post-production & Remix By: Kevin Killen; Other
Primary Artist: Elvis Costello And The Attractions
Elvis Costello & The Attractions; Main Performer
Producer: Elvis Costello
Geoff Emerick; Production

10. You Bowed Down

by Elvis Costello, The Attractions

Acoustic Guitar: Pete Thomas
Elvis Costello; Performer
Bass: Bruce Thomas; Performer
Drums: Pete Thomas; Performer
Electric Guitar: Elvis Costello; Performer
Lyricist: Elvis Costello; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Sam Gibson
Ciaran Cahill
Anthony Lycenko; Production
Engineer: Geoff Emerick
Jon Jacobs; Production
Electric (sensonics) Drums: Steve Nieve; Other
Mastering: Bob Ludwig; Production
Mixing: Geoff Emerick
Jon Jacobs; Production
Keyboard: Elvis Costello
Steve Nieve; Performer
Percussion: Pete Thomas; Performer
Piano: Steve Nieve; Performer
Slide Guitar: Elvis Costello; Performer
Composer: Elvis Costello; Composer
Post Production: Kevin Killen; Production
Remixing: Kevin Killen; Production
Electric (sensonics) Drums: Steve Nieve; Other
Vocals: Elvis Costello; Performer
Post-production & Remix By: Kevin Killen; Other
Primary Artist: Elvis Costello And The Attractions
Elvis Costello & The Attractions; Main Performer
Producer: Elvis Costello
Geoff Emerick; Production

11. It's Time

by Elvis Costello, The Attractions

Acoustic Guitar: Elvis Costello; Performer
Bass: Bruce Thomas; Performer
Drums: Pete Thomas; Performer
Electric Guitar: Elvis Costello; Performer
Lyricist: Elvis Costello; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Anthony Lycenko
Sam Gibson
Ciaran Cahill; Production
Engineer: Jon Jacobs
Geoff Emerick; Production
Electric (sensonics) Drums: Steve Nieve; Other
Mastering: Bob Ludwig; Production
Mixing: Jon Jacobs
Geoff Emerick; Production
Keyboard: Steve Nieve; Performer
Percussion: Pete Thomas; Performer
Piano: Steve Nieve; Performer
Slide Guitar: Elvis Costello; Performer
Composer: Elvis Costello; Composer
Post Production: Kevin Killen; Production
Remixing: Kevin Killen; Production
Electric (sensonics) Drums: Steve Nieve; Other
Researcher: Matt Macmanus; Other
Vocals: Elvis Costello; Performer
Post-production & Remix By: Kevin Killen; Other
Primary Artist: Elvis Costello And The Attractions
Elvis Costello & The Attractions; Main Performer
Producer: Elvis Costello
Geoff Emerick; Production

12. I Want to Vanish

by Elvis Costello, The Attractions

Acoustic Guitar: Elvis Costello; Performer
Lyricist: Elvis Costello; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Sam Gibson
Ciaran Cahill
Anthony Lycenko; Production
Bass: Bruce Thomas
Roy Babbington; Performer
Bass Clarinet: Pete Whyman; Performer
Cello: Jacqueline Thomas; Performer
Clarinet: Ruth Causey; Performer
Drums: Pete Thomas; Performer
Composer: Elvis Costello; Composer
Electric Guitar: Elvis Costello; Performer
Keyboard: Steve Nieve; Performer
Orchestration: Steve Nieve
Elvis Costello; Composer
Engineer: Jon Jacobs
Geoff Emerick; Production
Mastering: Bob Ludwig; Production
Mixing: Jon Jacobs
Geoff Emerick; Production
Electric (sensonics) Drums: Steve Nieve; Other
Percussion: Pete Thomas; Performer
Piano: Steve Nieve; Performer
Primary Artist: Elvis Costello And The Attractions
Elvis Costello & The Attractions; Main Performer
Post Production: Kevin Killen; Production
Producer: Elvis Costello
Geoff Emerick; Production
Slide Guitar: Elvis Costello; Performer
Strings: The Brodsky Quartet; Performer
Viola: Paul Cassidy; Performer
Violin: Ian Belton
Michael Thomas; Performer
Vocals: Elvis Costello; Performer
Remixing: Kevin Killen; Production
Electric (sensonics) Drums: Steve Nieve; Other
Post-production & Remix By: Kevin Killen; Other

Technical Specifications

Volume

1 volume only

Tracks

12 tracks available

Type

ALBUM

Format

Digital Media

Duration

48 minutes and 3 seconds

Explicit

None

Coverart

Available and up to 1200x1200 px

Booklet

Not available

Max Quality

CD Quality (Lossless)

16bit / 44.1 kHz

Stereo

Audio Extension

Lossless: FLAC, M4A, WAV, WV, AIFF

Lossy: AAC, MP3, M4A, MP4, OGA, OGG, OPUS, WMA

Archive Format

Available in these formats: ZIP, TAR, RAR

Lyrics

All tracks have lyrics

Synchronized Lyrics

9/12 tracks have synced lyrics

Genres

Pop/Rock, Adult Alternative, Singer & Songwriter, Pub Rock

Label

Rhino - Warner Records

Music Distribution Service

Warner

Country

United States

Language

English (United States)

Popularity

Release Date

May 13, 1996

Track Preview

Available

Delivery Charge

Free

Delivery Method

Digital download link via Email or Personal Dashboard on this site

UPC

603497078165

Shopping cart

Notification

All This Useless Beauty

1. The Other End of the Telescope

2. Little Atoms

3. All This Useless Beauty

4. Complicated Shadows

5. Why Can't a Man Stand Alone?

6. Distorted Angel

7. Shallow Grave

8. Poor Fractured Atlas

9. Starting to Come to Me

10. You Bowed Down

11. It's Time

12. I Want to Vanish

Technical Specifications

All This Useless Beauty

Product information

Release options

1. The Other End of the Telescope

2. Little Atoms

3. All This Useless Beauty

4. Complicated Shadows

5. Why Can't a Man Stand Alone?

6. Distorted Angel

7. Shallow Grave

8. Poor Fractured Atlas

9. Starting to Come to Me

10. You Bowed Down

11. It's Time

12. I Want to Vanish

Technical Specifications