David Browne's review: "In a way, 'When I Was Cruel' is a companion to U2's 'All That You Can't Leave Behind' - a late-period return to form by an act that wandered off the path presumably for good." Grade of A.

Greg Kot's review: "Eerie atmospherics evoke dread, one-chord drones build tension, and Costello sneers, snarls, croons and whispers like a man with unspeakable needs."

John Mulvey's review. "Through all his dalliances with opera singers, string quartets and Burt Bacharach, Costello has musically obscured most of his bile with the trappings of high art. But as 'When I Was Cruel' proves, he's much better at squeezing his considerable rants into the skinny format of rock'n'roll." Rated 6 out of 10.