Reviews (page 10 of 12)
I like the fairly basic makeup of this album. Somewhere in his vocals a stimuli looms secretively.
2.5/5. Let’s just say I have heard better bad music.
Easy listening but nothing much to it.
I have this album in my record collection simply because I like the cover art. The music itself is decent. I like a handful of tracks, but it's not anything I'm crazy about.
Lively and fun, ascerbic lyrics don't match the tunes. Prefer the Attractions as a band, so the next LP, This Year's Model, gets a lot more listens than this. A good start to Elvis Costello's long recording career.
Me recordó a Ben Folds. Supongo que a esa época se escuchaba revolucionaria esa mezcla de rockabilly, funk, punk y hasta reggae, pero no me hace mucho ahora.
I dig how you get some blues, some oldies rock n' roll, and some more modern pop rock all in one place. He's definitely COOL, but his vocals to me sound a little too "put on" sometimes (same way I feel about Joss Stone... I want more authenticity). He does stick to it though, because they play some of his new releases on WXPN and he sounds pretty much the same!
Pros: - Wow very Bruce Springsteen-y! - Funny how production wise this is a throwback. It was released in 1977 but songs like "No Dancing" sounds totally like a 1950's boogie woogie. The album cover is a throwback too. - On the topic of the album cover, how interesting is the choice of the text on top of that checkered background? Weird isn't it? Cons: Misc: - pretty nice album all around!
Short, not bad
Bit of a greatest hits for what I didn’t realise was Elvis’ first album. Never been a massive fan but these are good tunes and they have the pull of nostalgia too. The production doesn’t sound as punchy as I remember it but that may be my speakers. Alison a highlight here, both lyrically & musically.
3/29/22 This album was enjoyable but very background to me. None of the songs I would ever seek out to listen to again. Lots of religious themes which was interesting. Favorite song: Miracle Man
My Aim Is True by Elvis Costello (1977) This debut album from Elvis Costello is good, but not nearly as good as later albums like This Year’s Model (1978) or Imperial Bedroom (1982). In My Aim Is True, he appears to be just getting his feet wet. It lacks the literary lyrical quality and the musical creativity found in his more mature efforts, although there are flashes of true brilliance. I remember passing on Elvis Costello in 1977, since he sounded so out of date. And 45 years later, this particular album has a roughly historical appeal. His voice is energetic, but flawed by excessive vowel bending and overly exaggerated and flippant stylings. His guitar work is capable, but not stellar. Check out “Mystery Dance” for evidence. In a nutshell, Costello gives intelligent lyrical expression to negative emotions, accompanied by bright and sassy rock ‘n roll melodies and chord structures. One can imagine the kicks he got recording “Welcome to the Working Week”, since his day job at the time was as a data entry clerk. “Alison” is overrated as a signature song. For me, the highlight of the album is “(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes”, especially given its authentic and reflective biblical angelology, unchained from centuries of static dogma. His quirky hamartiology speculates, “Blame it on Cain, don’t blame it on me/It’s nobody’s fault, but we need somebody to burn.” Think about why he picked Cain instead of Adan, Eve, or the serpent. And there’s a nice eschatological take (in the closing track “Waiting for the End of the World”) when he sings “Dear Lord, I sincerely hope you’re coming, ‘cause you really started something” (I can hear my mother yelling, “Somebody better clean up this mess!”). There’s plenty here to entertain head-scratching armchair theologians. When he sings “I’m Not Angry”, do not, of course, believe him. I’ve known HR directors who could gain insight from Elvis Costello. It’s all good musical fun. 3/5
Like every Elvis Costello album, a few great songs, a few mediocre songs, and a few terrible songs. Maybe a greatest hits album would belong on this list but the individual albums are all just ok.
Probably one of the better pop rock albums I’ve ever heard.
Great Singer. Good to hear him.
Nerd
chato. é uma pena que esses 1001 álbuns sejam cheio de anglofluentes e pouca diversidade do mundo de outras culturas para além dos americanos e ingleses.
I just wish it wasn't Elvis Costello
b-side is really really solid
I don't really like his singing style. The songs are fine.
Our fourth from Costello, and it's more diminishing returns. He must be the favorite artist of some bloke responsible for this list because I really don't understand the need to include his entire discography. This one's a bit more punky, and apparently his debut, so credit for the guy just sounding like this on his first album I guess. I don't know, I was bored of his style after two albums, even if it's slightly different from project to project, so I'm not the guy to ask. It's not bad, just not very interesting. Favorite tracks: Less than Zero, Welcome to the Working Week. Album art: I like this one quite a bit, even if it's a genuine eyesore. The colors pop, it's hard to read but a nice retro design. 3/5
Never liked Elvis
Old school not bad
"My hopes were so high when I heard the first track. But honestly it went downhill after that. Alison is good and Welcome To The Working Week is the best."
Another perfectly palatable and easily forgotten Elvis Costello album. Perhaps the curator of this list knows something I don't?
Good vibes only!! Tycker Elvis gör rätt mycket med enkla medel. Inte riktigt min stil, annars hade jag nog delat ut ett högre betyg.
Cantautor con algún toque más rockabilly, con voz característica y canciones sin ser un gran alarde de composición y de ritmo. Escuchable, hasta ahí
I like it... kind of repetitive but I like the vibe. 3.5 I guess.
Enjoyed it a fair amount. Nothing crazy but good tunes overall
I guess I'm realizing through this process that a good vocalist is important to me. Songs/melody is fine. Vocals are just terrible in some cases. Three stars for composition reasons, not vocal efforts.
First Listen. Three of the songs are very familiar, the rest, I definitely enjoyed. Standouts: Alison, Angels Want to Wear My Red Shoes, Watching the Detectives. 3/5
Decent. Some of the songs are great, some are middle-of-the-road.
Great live. Great to live. Elvis!
Fairly timeless
Recognized two great songs...fun album!
Nice, beatsy album though I'm not quite sure how memorable it will be for me in the long run
Bom som
Bien, pero un poco pesado.
Obviously a familiar name but realized I had never really listened to him. Only really recognized Allison, but regardless he has a pretty cool style. Like Billy Joel but with more Guitar and rock pizazz
Costello can be better.
A killer first line ushers in an enjoyably upbeat downbeat LP that hinges on the incomparable classic "Alison". Where post-punk and new wave intersects with the 50s.
I knew "Alison" and I guess I was expecting the rest of the album to be along those lines but I also knew that Elvis Costello is more punk/rock than the wistfulness of "Alison". So yeah, it was more punk/rock and that's ok. It doesn't sound like something from 1977 - I guess it's another of those influential albums that cast a very long shadow, well into the 80s, 90s and beyond. "Alison" is still my favourite track though.
Solid production and guitarwork. Alison is a fantastic song. Could use a bit more to help it stand out though.
This album didn't do that much for me. Elvis Costello is another one of those artist that I really respect but am just not that in to.
This was good. Probably a 3.5. More catchy than I expected.
Did not like it
I don't get this guy
decent album but it doesnt feel outstanding to me
Honestly, I listened to this while doing other things, so I don’t even really remember it. I think I liked it alright, though it wasn’t stellar.
Krieg ich latente Jonathan Richman-Vibes von. Aber mit mehr Soul natürlich, dafür weniger Lustigkeit. Ist ganz ok, macht mich aber noch nicht zum Fan, diese hier. 2,8
I must be missing something about Elvis Costello. It's *alright*, but I'm not hearing anything that screams "rock and roll hall of fame". Maybe its the influence he's had?
Not really for me. A nice sound and a fairly happy album. If I heard singles on a compilation or the radio I wouldn’t switch over. But not enough interest for me to re-listen or save any to one of my playlists
I've heard this before, pretty decent. A great opening line
Listened to it once but I was kinda busy and I'm not sure I fully processed it. Enjoyed some of the guitar work. Enjoyable but it didn't wow me - but maybe I didn't give it enough attention.
Comes across as a dork but the music is solid
Some really fun songs on this one, would listen to it again.
Some fun songs. I liked the energy. Good vibes
Catchy riffs, somewhat annoying vocals, conventional chords, some nice melodies, "I'm Not Angry" and "Watching the Detectives"
couple diamonds in the rough, for the most part didn't like a lot of the songs but they've got a few good uns, the good songs are 4's but the bad songs are 2's. Tough choice.
I had high expectations on this one, but I kinda got bored after a while
Not an awful Elvis P impersonation but not so good I need to listen again.
Overall a pretty strong album. Theres a couple of standouts- Watching the detectives, mystery dance, and blame it on cain mainly Welcome to the working week is fairly catchy and straight forward, also very short Some nice guitar on Miracle Man Blame it on Cain is very catchy and has cool guitar riffs. Mystery Dance makes you wanna dance. Watching The Detectives is reminiscent of Master Blaster, cool drum beat. Thematically its also very relevant to todays climate
Enjoyed this. Not very familiar before
pretty good debut album
Elvis Costello is overrated but there are a few good tracks here
Fun and replayable rock album, feels like the B side is overall stronger than the A side.
Nett, aber nichts Besonderes
Kann man so ganz gut im Hintergrund dudeln lassen aber das Cover geht gar nicht...
A rather underwhelming debut I thought, shows very little sign of the great work to come....
Já conhecia.
Costello is one of the artists my parents really dig and I just haven't been able to really get into. Truthfully, I just feel like a lot of his stuff sounds the same. Now listening to this full album challenged that some (we get a blues guitar, we get a reggae beat) but more or less my opinion stands. Listenable yes, but seems to be caught in its time. I did enjoy Alison and other tunes. Funny the album name is a lyric from Alison but not the name of the song.
I have to say, I'm pretty disappointed by this one. I've considered Alison a masterpiece of a song for quite a while now and to a lesser extent also What's So Funny (About Peace, Love & Understanding). I didn't expect everything to be on the level of Alison, but the drop-off in quality between Costello's best songs and average songs is apparently humongous. My second-biggest issue is the very bad sound quality. I've heard few albums in more dire need of remastering than this one. Costello's songs definitely need a much fuller and vibrant sound. Somewhat less twangy guitars wouldn't hurt either. In addition, the album seems to start off with the worst songs of the album, which set the wrong mood. This is a 3.5 for me. It's lifted from a 3 by the brilliance of Alison, but still rounded down for the feeling of disappointment. With a good remaster it would easily be a 4.
I didn't dislike it, but it felt kinda generic honestly.
Doesn't do much for me, but it's not bad, per se. Let's see how it plays out. It's okay.
Elvis Costello is a blind spot for me. I've never listened to anything. I don't dislike this, but most of the album just feels kinda samey to me. I did like hearing Alison, which I only know from New Girl 😂
Cool
.
Ik vind die andere Elvis toch de echte! Deze Elvis is goed, maar meer dan aardig vind ik 't niet.
Fine
rockerillos died so Miley Cyrus could run o algo así no recuerdo el meme pero not bad (tres canciones y lo quité)
My dad used to have this album on vinyl but I've never listened to it hah. The first two songs were so strong and then it fell off and the lyrics were a bit questionable. 6.
3/5
Cruisin' music with an attitude
medio sesentero para ser setentero
SIGNIFICANTLY better than blood and chocolate. JESUS. Listening to this, I actually understand why people like Elvis Costello. Feels like classic summer cruising music for high school. Not something I want to listen to frequently, but could feel awesome in a summer barbecue playlist or similar. 3.5 for me, but I'm gonna round down.
Fine? Not my favorite
Ah, it was alright.
Good new wave. Alison is a classic. 7/10
Pretty decent. Reminds me of like 50s rock with a decent amount of distortion in some songs.
This album felt like it came up in the middle of an evolution or something, like growing pains or the awkward phase in life, it stood out as different and that came with good and bad. I kept getting turned off for a song or two, that shocked when the next one wasn't as bad. Overall, a strange, but fun, album that won't stick with me despite liking some of the songs. Favorite songs: Welcome To The Working Week Miracle Man Alison
>Suave
Good group of EC songs; one thing I noticed was the excellent rhythm guitar work that I assume was done by Elvis himself. I liked the songs I hadn't heard before. Highlights: -Allison -Watching the Detectives
Although there are some standout songs I don't think this is the strongest of his albums - there's a lot of material in the middle that runs together for me. Still foreshadows a great talent.
fun sound, some songs couldn't really get into but definitely some very interesting bops
3.5
couldnt tell if it was cool or randy newman
interesting sounds, a little samey sounding. liked mystery dance and im not angry
Rock on, elvis
Always felt like I should like Costello more... maybe my pallet has matured enough. This is good!
Easy to listen to. Nothing remarkable.
Sounds like he’s scared of making something new. Same thing you’ve heard before repeated ad naseam.
chybione
Näitä näitä tusinarokkeja vuosikymmenten takaa jotka eivät nykyään oikein säväytä mitenkään.
Sounds like a Springsteen knock-off, but isn't just as annoying as Bruce. Really mid
An intriguing view of pop-rock, this album shows the swing of 70s rock and old-school jukebox vibes in their essence. The personality Costello shows off in this debut album permeates in each track, ranging from melancholy to dancing tunes to the 50s Elvis Presley style of swinging melodies. I personally did not find anything that truly stood out much if I were not researching nor reading the lyrics and although it is credited with being a fantastic debut, it wasn't doing much for me. Overall, I can understand the vibes of "Watching the Detectives" and "Alison", but the tunes can be played in the background of a party, and it wouldn't make much of a change in enjoyment.
it was alright, not my favourite, would’ve given it 2,5*
harmless punk with soulish and 50s rock and roll influences, ive been told to expect much more of him, so im trying not to get bored, but he could contribute a bit the band has a good grasp of the wide range of genres, but I get the impression that the vocal performances are a bit monotonous
Gold fm visą laiką tokius groja.
A: One guitar, one man and a dream... Helt okej mjeh mummojazzrock. Nån enstaka lite bättre men jepulis 2/5 D: Svär att han är en cowboy. Det förklarar allt. 2/5
Oh my god, how many Elvis Costello can one possibly need to listen to? I never really enjoyed it, all of his albums sound the same and I haven't really been a fan of any of them. I guess if I just needed to listen to one this one would, it would be ok, but now i'm just so fed up with this. Maybe his lyrics are good if you can focus on them, I can just focus on the feeling that I've heard this all before. I honestly thought this was ok and maybe even better than the others, but I'm fed up with him. Strong 2 stars.
It was okay. Alison is a decent track. Nothing else leapt out at me.
niet leuk ook niet kut. heel erg mediocre
Costello is a bit hit and miss with me and this is closer to miss….
oh man, not Costello again :\ This is my 5th or 6th Costello album!!
2D songwriting, forgettable production
The first Costello album I got, I figured he was destined to get nothing but 1's out of 5. This was less egregious. I still don't like his voice, but his debut album sounded less like a muppet singing. Maybe over time his voice became a caricature of itself. In any case, I didn't like this, but it wasn't horribly offensive to me. 2/5
Not bad a little bland in places. Very 12 bar his voice and lyrics stand up. Not one song on here matches pump it up no real riffs Not horrible but not for me
Props to him for inventing 2010 hipster music I guess. Imagine making such generic music in the 70s of all decades.
You always know immediately when it’s Elvis Costello, & this is a peak massive collection. But I could never really take to it.
It’s an okay album. I’m somewhat neutral but Elvis Costello’s performance is good. 2.8/5.0
De bonnes idées mais ensemble ça va pas … 2.5/5
We're watching the detectives ... So bad it almost got good a few times
I just don't care about Elvis Costello lol. I liked Mystery Dance, probably because it reminded me a lot of the real Elvis. This album as a whole was fine.
Bleh
Hanzo
No creo que este tipo de discos sea mi estilo y no le entendí :3
Absolutely vapid, boring, completely uninteresting, no redeeming qualities. Why is this guy so overrepresented on this list when someone like Tori Amos only has one album? I call shenanigans!
Mid tbh
I am clearly not white enough for this kind of music. And I am very white.
2/5
If this guys name was Michael or something I swear he’d be way less popular
if I heard this in a pub I wouldnt be mad
Going into this project, I didn’t care one way or another about Elvis Costello, but now I absolutely fucking hate this lame cunt.
Verbal Meme: Bernie Sanders staring at you Text: I am once again asking how many Elvis Costello albums are on this fucking list This actually isn't bad....way better than Brutal Youth and whatever the fuck else we had in the past month by him. Still like a 2.5 star album in my book. Would totes round up if this was the first album by Elvis and his crew on the list.
Music for old people. Cliche after cliche. I don't understand his appeal.
broooooo
liked miracle man and blame it on cain otherwise not me
album carino ma con canzoni ripetitive, non il mio ma da riascoltare più attentamente
no takie ok momentami wkurwiajace ale szybko mi przelecialo
not for me but alison is of course a banger
aburrido
it's music and i listened to it
This album sucked I don't know why it is listed in1001 albums not going to lie but I understand the significance of it.
L: 4 M: 6 F: 5 O: 5 (Note - relisten)
Not my thing. Even if its very well composed I still think that is very repetitive
Really trying to keep an open mind with this project. This wasn’t bad by any means but not something I would gravitate towards for casual listening. Decent production and a fun sound, just not for me.
Didn’t hate it but eh
Not keen. Lots of different genres that sound to me like ska, rockabilly and a bit punk like. Saw someone online describe it as "pub rock" which I think is a spot on description.
Fine but forgettable
Un poquito mejor que la mierda que venía escuchando. 4/10
Not crazy about this
не плохо, но ни о чем
Not my cup of tea.
Best album ever
I likes Alison, the rest of the album wasn't really for me.
Oh good, ANOTHER Elvis Costello "masterpiece" to suffer through. That's six albums now, if anyone is counting. I can hear the sad hipsters bristling as we speak: "There are only TWO Elvis Costello albums! The other four are Elvis Costello and the Attractions!" I don't care about your dumb technicalities. It's the same shitty music, the same shitty voice, the same shitty sound, the same shitty experience. It's shitty times six.
Was alright but nothing particularly stood out to me listening to this. Didn't love it or hate it. Not as good as some of his other stuff like She
This came out in 1977??? The same year as Rumors??? FOUR YEARS after The Dark Side of the Moon??? What was Elvis Costello doing between 1967 and 1977??? If you told me that this came out in 1957 I would believe you!!!! Anyway, its fine I guess, apparently Costello is known for his songwriting which I unfortunately cannot assess very well from a single listen, I'll have to listen more in the future I guess. Not really for me but not criminal 2.5/5
Second Elvis Costello album so far on the list. I liked the last one. Let’s see abt this one. Working week is fine. Pretty catchy. Simple background track. Definitely old. I like miracle man a lot more. Really good song writing. Good guitar. No dancing is fine. Again, definitely old. Cool harmonies. Good rhymes on blame it on Cain. Don’t really understand the song tho. Pretty good either way. Alison is a banger. Classic love song. Red shoes is pretty fun. Catchy but dumb lyrics. I can’t believe this is from 77, sounds like it should be 60s. I like less than zero a lot more. Really good guitar. Better lyrics too. Mystery dance is exactly what I expected an Elvis Costello song would sound like prior to listening to any. It’s fine, just generic. Really cool guitar on pay it back. I’m not angry is fine too. All of the songs are starting to blend together. He definitely has a good/unique voice. Again cool guitar on end of the world. This one is really well written. One of the best songs on the album. Way too much going on with watching the detectives. Not a huge fan of this one. Would’ve liked a better closing song. The album as a whole was not as good as the first Costello album for sure. It was just fine. 2.2 stars. Did not last the test of time.
The best way to describe Elvis Costello's music is irritating. This is probably the least irritating of his music so far, but wow I cannot stand him. Points for an album cover that goes this hard Best Song: No Dancing Rating: 4.5/10 Stars: 2
The first of 6 Elvis Costello records this list is making me endure. I hope they aren’t all like this.
Det her album var faktisk mit første med Elvis Costello (Ved en fejl dog) - nu har jeg altså fået nok af det sløsede pis!
Sigter godt, men rammer skidt
Beetje irritante plaat.
This is fine. Like Buddy Holly died and years later its good to pretend to be him. It's a fine ballad and light rock/swing. Like I enjoyed it, but its not an amazing album. If it came on I'd sway to it, but not listen to to it again.
look it wasnt bad but as i was listening i was thinking that i did not give a shit about this album. they all sounded the same. i did not find it interesting at all
Meh. It's good and fine.
Final thoughts: each track is aggressively okay-to-good altpop/new wave. and as I get further into the list, I'm realizing okay-to-good is not good enough. there's a finite amount of space on the 1001, ElvCos is well represented even without this, and it's simply a solid-at-best debut 3/5 personal enjoyment 1/5 whether or not it's necessary to hear this before I die ******************************************************************************* --Welcome to the Working Week...fun opener --Miracle Man...decent rocker but this could be from any pub band in America or across the pond --No Dancing...we open up the production a bit. Costello is in good voice --Blame It on Cain...a 50s/60s throwback. unlike the previous track, I don't buy the vocals here --Alison...not my thing --Sneaky Feelings...sweet bass groove. nice piano addition --(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes...not bad but a little aimless. like he wrote it 30 minutes before recording --Less Than Zero...this is far more deliberate. great chorus --Mystery Dance...a Big Bopper-style throwback. it's fun --Pay It Back...another solid but not special rocker --I'm Not Angry..."please don't put in the newspaper that I got angry". sick guitar solo at the end --Waiting for the End of the World...a head-bopper/toe-tapper. nice 'n' dirty drumming --Watching the Detectives (bonus track)...reggae stuff. meh
Grr this guy again
I like some of this, but it’s not as good as his later material with the Attractions, and as an album it’s all just a bit samey. 2.5
The album cover gave me a headache
meh
Jest okej, ale większość piosenek się od siebie nie różni 2,5/5
All songs sound the same, Whiney boy
Not really my cuppa
Fine but middling. Nothing really stood out to me from this album and I don't really remember any of the songs. Probably won't seek this out again. Why is his name also Elvis?
I honestly don't see the appeal of this album. Yes it has a very nervy and funky sound in a sense, but combining punk and pub-rock does not go well together. His voice and lyrics isn't really engaging in my opinion. Maybe if I was a grandpa, I'd have a different perspective on this. I wouldn't say this is hot trash to give it a 1 but it's close to borderline unbearable and I don't think I'll be listening to this album again. Very forgettable.
... They all sounded the same. Music was good.. idk his voice put me off I think he should have gone into country music.
Just annoying really
Not for me
This is really hokey for the punk image he was trying to present at the time. Despite this, there are some interesting chord progressions and memories contained within. I'm surprised this was a hit. I imagine it sounded antiquated to audiences at the time but maybe it felt nostalgic. Overall, it's fine.
I really dislike the voice and manner of singing, will not continue with this album
Welcome To The Working Week - 5/10 (It's this low because it's just a short intro song, but I'm getting heavy Billy Joel vibes from this so I'm excited) Miracle Man - 6/10 No Dancing - 6.5/10 Blame It On Cain - 5/10 (I'm gonna be honest, these songs aren't bad! But I feel bad giving them scores any higher than these because I'm really not enjoying this album THAAAT much at least so far? It's kind of just eh) Alison - 8.5/10 (Okay this song I really like actually this is a calm little tune) Sneaky Feelings - 7/10 (This one is really fun) (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes - 6.5/10 (This sounds like B list Billy Joel, like if I wanted this vibe I would never listen to this, I'd just put on Billy Joel, but again! Not that bad!) Less Than Zero - 6/10 (This whole album sounds the same so far, apart from Alison, which is probably why I like that song so much! I'm not a big fan of samey albums, which is ironic considering I gave Iron Maiden a 4/5 yesterday but THAT ALBUM WAS AT LEAST FUN!!) Mystery Dance - 7/10 (This sounds just like "Great Balls of Fire", like almost exactly, but I mean that's a great song and this one is pretty fun too! Too short tho!) Pay It Back - 6/10 I'm Not Angry - 7.5/10 (Actually sounds different compared to the rest of the album, gets bonus points for that!) Waiting For The End Of The World - 6/10 (Again, sonically different but eh I still dont care for it tooo much) Watching The Detectives - bored/10 (Man it's not bad but for such a short album I'm so numb already that I can't even think) This album was boring as hell and just worse sounding Billy Joel, like it's not bad, and from my song rankings it would probably be a higher score than this, but my actual score is what's at the end here, not so much the star rating. 2.5/5
Decent enough for a first album but it's not a knockout
More background music, next!
not my favorite, zoned out and didn't hear many lyrics
Neato
Wow, the third boring album in a row! Before I joined this project, I had only known Elvis Costello by name - so he must be kind of famous. Earlier on this journey, I reviewed an album of his from the 90s which didn't convince me either. However, the reasons are totally different, so he was probably great in the 80s... Before "My Aim Is True", Costello did his thing as a Singer-Songwriter and on this album he was equipped with a backing band - which as such is a good idea as he has an interesting voice but poor guitar playing skills (the latter I remember from his other record). Still, his voice is not at all times well embedded in the music, leaving the impression of a partnership of convenience. On the other hand, there are a few songs ("Alison", "...Red Shoes") where singer and band align better and give a glimpse of an actually promising and rising artist. As stated in the beginning: Elvis Costello might have been great in the 80s. If so, this still doesn't answer the question why they put his weaker albums on the list.
It's ok, a classic but not my favorite style.
Blame It On Cain, Mystery Dance, and I’m Not Angry were standout tracks for me, I liked them. Less Than Zero was also alright, but for the most part, the album was not that interesting to me. Probably a 3 ⭐️.
A song or two that I might listen to again but otherwise meh. Not that it was bad or anything - I know he’s incredibly respected for his music and contributions- but I just didn’t see anything special here.
Niet mijn ding, saai. Irritant, had geen zin om het af te luisteren. Te onintrsseant om er lang over te schrijven.
Ik weet niet zo goed wat ik over dit album moet zeggen, ik vond het vooral saai en oninteressant.
This is my second Costello album of the project(This Year's Model was first). Given that This Year's Model was incredibly mediocre, I didn't have high expectations for this. Even so, it didn't surpass them; it sounds like a worse, less punchy version of This Year's Model. Lyrics are just ok, and the vocal timbre of Costello really isn't good at all. It feels too basic and devoid of a distinct sound to really warrant being here at all. And if this, one of Costello's best works, isn't essential listening, then he sure as hell doesn't need six albums spanning three decades on this list.
Glad this came up so I can check off another one of the Elvis Costello off the list of the 6 albums on this list that I have to listen to, 2/6 now. I just don't like his voice, its mixed too loud within each track, like he's screaming at me. Its rare that I find a voice annoying honestly (unless its punk) but this guy just, idk, I don't like it. Because of this, I can't even hear the other instruments, which I'm sure are great! My aim is true with this 2/5 stars Elvis, how bout that.
Nah
i'm not really into this kind of rock
Better than the other album of his i listened to but not for me
I do not get the appeal.
Fairly standard Elvis Costello album. Love his voice and there are some catchy songs on this. Cant see myself going back for a full listen though
wasnt really for me but not the worst thing ever
De chlini Brüeder vom Elvis het me ned so mega abgholt mussi zuegeh. Chli brüeder hin oder her. Aber nice to be back Nedi! (und Noah und Basil und Karin und Leve und Vicki und Maya) Zwei welcome backs to that
Went for too long.
it was good but my god are these recommendations boring
Rating: 5/10 Short Review: I don't want to just call this a snooze fest because I think albums require more nuance than being called boring... however
Incredibly boring and monotone album. The album has no variety and feels like a never-ending nightmare.
Viby but not my usual
Don't care for this sort of music
The first one i think I wasted my time on (im out of order)
nice instrumentals, love the melody
not memorable to me :/ favorite tracks: no dancing sneaky feelings i’m not angry waiting for the end of the world
Some songs are okay-ish. But as soon as the singing starts I’m out.
Honestly wasn't a fan. Don't like Elvis Costello and this is the most Elvis Costello album that ever Elvis Costelloed.
Just was not the album for me!!
bleh. the bob dylan voice always kills me. but at least with bob dylan it's bob dylan
Not my vibe but not bad
Reading the bio, helps to understand the album and where it was inspired. The lyrics are clear to hear. Mix with Pop rock, early 60s rock. Lyrics are politcaly charge, and complaining about the work life, that is relatable even today some may say
Meh. Not my taste.
Not awful but if someone played this I would most likely judge them:/
Okay
Genuinely couldn’t sit through this Felt like a mind numbing time loop
Well it's either annoyingly immature within its own style, or I just don't get it, at all. At the time, I'd see potential in his voice, just not the songs. It feels so silly. Perhaps at a time it was revolutionary or refreshing, I don't know. His energy doesn't match what's going with the band, to me. It's like he's singing with a tape. Not sure what the direction of the music is, too.
why is the maker of this list obsessed with Costello?
If someone played a song here and told me this is Franz Ferdinand, I might've believed them before I listened to this. The good aspect is that this albums sounds a few decades ahead of its time, which is very impressive. The bad aspect is that it still sounds like generic try-hard pop. The name, the look, the singing, all come off to me as an attempt to craft a specific, marketable image. Call me old fashioned, but what I seek in music is authenticity, and this album and artist took a conscious choice to go the other direciton. I'll split the middle and say that in 2025 this is a listenable album, but not something to seek out or come back to.
this album ranges from meh to actively annoying. props to the bassist though, especially on the closing track. 2 stars.
This was enjoyable enough. It has a nice live feel to it. Didn’t particularly rock my world, but it wasn’t bad.
This guy has good personality but his music doesn't drive me crazy.
I liked the track Less Than Zero. The rest was fine at best. This is a medium to light 2.
Repetitive meh.
Felt like I was listening to the same thing again and again. 2/5
Not my kind of music
”I mean, it’s fine, it sounds old… I don’t know much about music, what else was released in 1977?" -A friend reacting to this
Bruh
Very lucky to be assigned his debut as this is my first time listening to a full LP from this guy, and man he is talented. But it doesn't grab my attention at all because it doesn't feel like he does anything original. Didn't remember a single moment besides Watching the Detectives, but oh whoops turns out that's a bonus track!
Couldn't get into this one
Might be a classic but not really my style
Spent my entire music store career arguing about Elvis Costello with people. I think he’s the most overrated artist that musicians and people whose taste I respect truly admire. I think it’s boring, corny and derivative.
Meh
🤷🏻♂️
definition of alright
this was not the rockabilly dance music I was expecting. it was easy listening, Rod Stewart or something. it just faded into the background.
Boring. I’d heard Allison before. It was fine I guess
Oh what a surprise, another 70s rock album. Mediocre music that fits right in with the 70s. I'm sure this album had a major influence on life, universe and everything else - but I don't see it Track 13 is something to watch out for, detectives or not. For track 22, you indeed may call me. And yes, finally! In 25 we can hear a melody, and I know it is right 🧡
Mé
I wasn't familiar with this album or artist so I really didn't have a lot of expectations. I didn't hate it but i also didn't love it. I think there's much better from the time period. Some songs are bangers tho, I especially liked I'm not angry and the Devil shoes one.
No. I've heard enough Elvis Costello. This is a snooze fest. 2.5/5
Elvis Costello is someone I feel like I ought to like a lot more than I do, but his stuff mostly underwhelms. Too many tracks that sound like they would have been warmly received in the late 50s rather than the late 70s in particular. It just didn't do much for me.
This is bar music for sure
I think I like the idea of being a guy that likes Elvis Costello more than I like the music of Elvis Costello
More Costello. Fine the first time, but I didn't need another of his albums in my life. Boring, dragged on. Didn't appeal in any way really. Maybe good background music.
почему половина песен про то как ему изменяет девушка с богатым мужиком
Why is there so much Elvis Costello on this list
i think these ones are boring and kibda old for me
Another album by Elvis Costello. I hope he doesn't release too many more in this project. I'm not particularly fond of the music. I didn't listen to it very closely, but when I did, I noticed that I don't like Elvis's voice. 2/5
Some good, some mid, rangly jangly, I couldn't remember anything from this album and I just listened to it
I also enjoy gin and cocaine!
Ikke helt min greie, men var helt ok.
Technically sound but it wasn't for me.
Dårlig å kalle seg Elvis når man ikke er Elvis
Greit nok det her, kan se for meg at det var ganske fett i 1977. Hørt i dag så blir det ikke så spesielt, men plager meg ikke liksom. 2/5
Sikkert nyskapende for sin tid, men nå var det litt kjedelig
A couple of well known songs to enjoy, and Elvis is creative and highly productive, with elements of Pop and Punk and Country and Rock but I don't hugely enjoy it, and making me listen to 5283278930 of his albums in this book isn't going to change that.
Rather boring.
I always thought it was a weird coincidence that there was a second Elvis that got famous making music, but learning that he just started going by Elvis because there already was a famous Elvis makes Costello's music make much more sense. Nothing here is bad, and the album is a pretty good listen, but nothing is particularly interesting or unique either.
I think it’s official. I’m just not an Elvis Costello guy. This dude could be singing the greatest song of all time and I’d hate it- I can’t get past his voice. He sounds like a cartoon dog. His voice would probably work better if his songs were less Pop. But they are not. I actually enjoy the backing band. But like I said- I can’t get past the voice. TWO STARS
2,5/5 Some songs were nice, others a bit bland to my taste. I was a bit bored of him repeating the same line over and over again at the end of multiple songs until the song faded. It was just repetitive to me. I was pleasantly surprised by 'blame it on cain'. I discovered the storyline of Abel and Cain from the bible. I'm not religious but am interested how people interpret different lessons from these stories. over-all I had some vibes but it wasn't my cup of tea. favorites: Alison, Watching The Detectives and (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes.
I hate to be down on somebody’s body of work - but just not my thing. For me lacks complexity and not music that I can find an occasion for where I may be able to warm to it more.
Try as I may, I've never been able to give a shit about Costello
2.5 - Meh
I have never disliked Elvis Costello- it’s just not something I would listen to on purpose.
Meh. Watching the Detectives was okay.
never much liked his stuff. Alison and Watching the detectives are the hits, very different songs but heard them a lot. I actually like The Angels Wanna Wear My Red Shoes. but a lot of the album was very samey. like Van Morrison at 128BPM with an offset guitar,
Interesting.
kinda boop, but probably wont go back
I've always heard about Elvis Costello, but had never listened to him. This was okay, but I'm not sure why it's vital or how it spawned his career...?
Elvis, you are no Elvis! But you try on some songs. You also try to be a bluesman, a punker. Makes me wonder, can you just be you? Feels like a cover artist with original material, but still trying to sound like others. IT doesn't work for me. Not horrible, but I might change the station if it came on the radio. 2.25 rounded down to 2.
I've listened to several albums now, and I still don't like Elvis Costello.
There’s just something so corny about Costello that I can’t really get over. I disliked the entire album except for the last two songs. Maybe it’s the genre hop to ska that sold me on Watching the Detectives but I actually enjoyed that song and felt like his style and guitar playing worked better in that space. It felt less preachy and less showboaty. I think my reoccurring issue with him is that it feels like he’s trying so hard to be hip and cool and deep at the same time. A lot of people are cool because they put it all out there and don’t care what people think, and some people are cool because they out none of it out there because they care what people think. He both cares what others think and puts it all out there, and I think it’s just a corny combination. When he tries less I like him more. He wants to be Billy Joel and Bob Dylan at the same time but isn’t being the charm of either.
I think Alison is a good song, I’m just sick of Elvis Costello at this point. What is the point of a solo project when it doesn’t sound any different from the band? Please tell me there’s only five of his appearances on this list.
Yep. That's more Elvis Costello.
Some good songs
1 y I know. Alison, the rest ehhhh
Alright album, nothing stood out. Felt like a classic rock album my dad would play, but no bangers.
This guy made a career out of writing and recording slop that all sounds almost identical to the rest of his discography, and hacks like Colin Larkin (author of the 1001 Albums book) looked glisteningly into the trough. "Eat up, little piggy, and I may just bless you with some more Britpop", Colin says to us.
I don't know it didn't speak to me
Not for me.
Ehhh it's pretty dorky but some of the tracks have a fun rockabilly sound
I don't like being so reductive but... Sad boomer music.
It’s ok
Gear: ZMF Bokeh Artwork: ♟️🟨😵💫 Production: 🙄🤔🤷 Music: 🎸🤠🧸 Rating: 🪑(🪑)/5
This album makes me wonder if the list really needed to be over 1000 albums long. 1,5
#664. I looked, and it seems there are 6 of his albums on this list. So now that I've listened to this sixth and last of his albums here, I can go back to never listening to Elvis Costello ever again. Which I am thankful for. 2/5: nope
When did Elvis 2 drop?
Quite revolutionary for that time, a pleasant listening 2/5
I was kinda disappointed when it’s this album. Or maybe it’s just how I feel about Costello in general, I’m always just alittle underwhelmed. I don’t love his voice but I do love that he essentially just rights old school rock n roll. But he doesn’t quite have the pipes to make the music pop and explode like it should. But I will say I do love this album instrumentally. The old RnR sound is super nostalgic for me but it kinda just makes me want to listen to other bands as opposed to more of his music. That being said the diamond in the rough for this album is “mystery dance”. The song is super silly and that makes it really endearing to me, as well as being the only song I saved off the album. Make of that what you will.
Haven't heard this album before. Second album I've ever heard from Costello and I'm convinced he's incapable of creating engaging music. He's like if somebody gave Billy Joel a guitar instead of a piano and took away all his creative variety. Most songs on this album sound nearly identical 2/5
Overrated. His next album is better.
Found the vocals annoying
Für mich ein normales Rock-Album aus den 70ern. Klingt ok, aber nicht besonders aufregend. 2/5
I think this means I'm finally coming to the end of the Elvis Costello tunnel. I'm honestly so sick of this man. There's 3 good songs on here IMO: Alison, Less Than Zero, and Watching the Detectives. The rest is painfully mid.