National Ransom

National Ransom
Studio album by
Elvis Costello
Released25 October 2010
GenreAlternative country, roots rock
Length62:33
LabelHear Music/Universal
ProducerT Bone Burnett
Elvis Costello chronology
Live at Hollywood High
(2010) 		National Ransom
(2010) 		Wise Up Ghost
(2013)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
The A.V. ClubB+[2]
Consequence of Sound[3]
Mojo[4]
PopMatters[5]
Rolling Stone[6]
Slant Magazine[7]
Spin[8]
Uncut[9]

National Ransom is a studio album by English singer-songwriter Elvis Costello, released on 25 October 2010 (2 November in the US) through the Hear Music label. It was recorded in Nashville and Los Angeles with American songwriter and producer T Bone Burnett.[10] The album's cover art is made by Maakies creator Tony Millionaire.

Featured musicians include Costello's recent backing bands The Imposters and The Sugarcanes, while the album also includes guest appearances by Vince Gill, Marc Ribot, Buddy Miller, Jim Lauderdale and Leon Russell.

The album was positively received by critics, earning a score of 79/100 on the review aggregate website Metacritic.

Track listing

All tracks are written by Elvis Costello, except where noted

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."National Ransom" 4:05
2."Jimmie Standing in the Rain" 4:15
3."Stations of the Cross" 4:58
4."A Slow Drag with Josephine" 2:43
5."Five Small Words" 4:45
6."Church Underground" 5:02
7."You Hung the Moon" 3:55
8."Bullets for the New-Born King" 3:35
9."I Lost You"
2:56
10."Dr. Watson, I Presume" 3:41
11."One Bell Ringing" 3:37
12."The Spell That You Cast" 2:32
13."That's Not the Part of Him You're Leaving" 4:43
14."My Lovely Jezebel"
2:31
15."All These Strangers"
  • Costello
  • Burnett
5:53
16."A Voice in the Dark" 3:34
17."I Hope" (iTunes/Japan CD bonus track)
3:33

National Ransack EP

Originally a digital download was given away with orders for the album. The EP was later released separately on 10-inch vinyl.

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Poor Borrowed Dress"
  • Costello
  • Lauderdale
2:32
2."Condemned Man" 4:18
3."Big Boys Cry"Eddy Raven3:45
4."I Don't Want to Go Home" 3:00

Personnel

Charts

Chart (2010) Peak
position
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[11] 38
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[12] 116
Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE)[13] 86
UK Albums (OCC)[14] 71
US Billboard 200[15] 39

References

  1. ^ Stephen Thomas Erlewine (2 November 2010). "National Ransom - Elvis Costello | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
  2. ^ Murray, Noel (2 November 2010). "Elvis Costello: National Ransom · Music Review · The A.V. Club". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on 5 November 2010. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
  3. ^ Melis, Matt (3 November 2010). "Elvis Costello – National Ransom | Album Reviews". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
  4. ^ Sutcliffe, Phil (November 2010). "A Changing Man: Elvis Costello National Ransom". Mojo. p. 103.
  5. ^ Tebo, Daniel. "Elvis Costello: National Ransom". PopMatters. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
  6. ^ Will Hermes (1 November 2010). "National Ransom | Album Reviews". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 5 November 2010. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
  7. ^ "Elvis Costello: National Ransom | Music Review". Slant Magazine. 25 October 2010. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
  8. ^ Wood, Mikael. "Elvis Costello, 'National Ransom' Review". Spin. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
  9. ^ McKay, Alastair (November 2010). "Elvis Costello: National Ransom". Uncut. No. 162. p. 84.
  10. ^ "Elvis Costello and The Roots - Wise Up Ghost". Elviscostello.com. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
  11. ^ "Ultratop.be – Elvis Costello – National Ransom" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  12. ^ "デクラン・マクマナスのアルバム売上ランキング". Oricon. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  13. ^ "Spanishcharts.com – Elvis Costello – National Ransom". Hung Medien. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  14. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  15. ^ "Elvis Costello Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 8 September 2020.