My Aim Is True

If I’m listening to music on SiriusXM and an Elvis Costello tune comes on, I will almost always switch to a different channel - unless is one of a small handful of tunes which just happen to be from this album. This was a good, solid album. There are influences from Blues, R&B, and Rock. I guess from my standpoint, Mr. Costello peaked with his first album.

Great album.

This is fine rock music, I guess. He has this inflection in his voice that's part Presley, part Buddy Holly, part Billy Joel that kind of bugs me. I was surprised when I checked the critical reviews of this album after my listen and saw rapturous praise. This is so middle-of-the-road to me that I feel like a traffic circle. I will say that I think he's a good lyricist. I wish he was easier to understand when he sang.

Nice Rockabilly, for me good, but nood outstanding. Would be nice to hear it life.

The only Elvis worth trusting

Awesome hooks and a surprisingly memorable and relevant social commentary. 4 stars!

Mehhhh. At least it doesn't drag on. Nothing really special about this record to be honest.

So many greats th at were included on Girls+£+ Girls +$+ Girls

There was a period in my early 20s where I would listen to the album every morning after waking up, partly because “Welcome to the Working Week” is a perfect start the day song, but mainly because it’s wall-to-wall great, punchy songs. An insane start to a career.

A great throwback to 50s music while previewing the rise of New Wave, it features fantastic lyrics and frenetic instruments.

Solid. Saved a few

Nascent but same as he’d ever be.

I wish there were half stars. This is 3.5 leaning to a 4. So I'm giving it a 4.

Kinda decent debut

De eerste twee nummers deden me even twijfelen, het klonk nogal jengelachtig. Daarna werd het beter, een relaxte luisterervaring zoals we het van deze Elvis gewend zijn. De leuke ballad 'Allison' kende ik al van Jan Rot, bij hem was het 'Lenneke', met dezelfde langgerekte beginklank.

Het bekende Welkom to the Working Week is het voorgerecht en lijkt het album muzikaal goed in te leiden. Het zit prima in elkaar. Niet per se een melodietje, maar juist de structuur met zang maken het catchy. En de overduidelijke knipoog naar de maatschappij zal ook wel helpen. Het lijkt mij een nummer dat ook nu nog de popmuziek inspireert. Het merendeel van het album heeft dezelfde (zang)stijl als dit nummer. Al zijn er uitstapjes. Zo meet Elvis zich nog even met die andere Elvis (waar hij zichzelf vast naar genoemd heeft). En dat doet hij niet eens onverdienstelijk.

Bah, Elvis Costello maakt gewoon af en toe best prima liedjes. Zeker als het wat rock n roll klinkt. Terwijl ik hem gewoon wilde afkraken en me wilde ergeren aan zijn aanstellerige stemgeluid. Blijkt het gewoon een prima album te zijn. Bah bah bah

это прекрасно

Ебанный рот как же однообразно и не драйвово

он ненастоящий!

It's okayy

mid

Many different genres. Quite enjoyed it.

Like 50’s rockabilly meets early punk music.

Amazing album. One of my favorites. Songs are short and to the point with such simplicity makes for no wasted moments.

Bored, stopped halfway

Yeah not bad

This is my second Elvis Costello album to get on this list, and I enjoyed this one as much as I did Armed Forces, which I gave four stars to. I love late seventies and early eighties new wave, and My Aim is True was no exception. I know Elvis Costello's voice can be a big turn off to people, but I really love the unique way in which he sings. The guitar, piano, and organ playing were all fantastic, which I've come to expect from Elvis Costello. While his sound is distinctly new wave, he does a great job of creating his own unique tone, drawing influences from R&B and rockabilly, and I loved being able to pick out different elements throughout the album. The songs with the misogynistic lyrics were a little strange, and I hope that he's singing these songs from the point of view of a character he's created. I choose to believe that he is, because if he really held those views himself, I don't think he'd have had a career as long and successful as he has. I still enjoyed those songs, but I preferred it when the lyrics were more political in theme, like "Blame it on Cain" and "Less Than Zero." I don't know what it is about Elvis Costello, but I think his music is really fun to listen to. I'm looking forward to my next album of his.

Two songs from this record were on at least one of the mixtapes made me when I was small. The rest is fine to good. Nice to expand my Elvis Costello experience.

Not bad, not exceptional. Some nice pieces.

Not a big fan.

A staple of classic rock sounds from the 1970s. Good, but not very remarkable. 'Alison' was a track that stood out.

I didn’t like this guy’s voice on the last album. That hasn’t changed. It was only slightly better than the last one I listened to. 3/10

I think we all just need to realize this a polarizing artist. If you don't mind his voice you're gonna like this, if you hate his voice you'll hate this. Not many songs I would write home about but it's a fun listen. I feel like I can hear the fun they had making this album because all the instruments feel playful. Couple of songs I would rather not listen to. 6/10

God fucking damn it. Elvis Costello sounds like he is passing kidney stones every time he opens his mouth. The background music is fine if that is your cup of tea, it’s basically diner music to drink a milkshake and eat a burger to with a goofy ass motherfucker yelling over it. His voice really is extremely annoying and has no redeeming qualities. Now I want a milkshake but instead I just have this aggravating fucker making a fuss. 1/10

So good

Not for me

Love hearing this again. In the late 70's Elvis got lumped in the whole "New Wave" category (not fair) and he set up a new style of music. Sweet

Its funny listening to this after I just tore Morrissey apart for poor singing. Idk why - the scrappy garage feel to Elvis Costello works well here. I think the difference is that Elvis isn't trying to sing great ballads - he's a scrappy guy and owns it. Other than that, I have my standard love-ambivalence relationship with Elvis Costello: I dig him for the first 30 odd min of listening, and then I fall off a bit. I'm a fan of Welcome to the Working Week, Alison, Sneaky Feelings, and Waiting for the end of the World. In another contrast to Morrissey, Alison is a refreshingly honest tale about the heartbreak of seeing an ex with another man, but handles its emotions like an adult (as opposed to Morrissey's The More you Ignore me the Closer I Get).

Elvis Costello kind of gets on my nerves, but not today I guess.

Pretty cool! There's definitely a lot of different kinds of rock influences going on here, which would generally be my thing. Somehow this record doesn't work as much for me as I feel like it should. It doesn't feel like many of these songs go anywhere that interesting. It's all quite gopd, just nothing truly great here (don't really see myself listening to this again).

This was quite enjoyable. Great guitar playing. Lovely songs, simple, effective, timeless songwriting.

Bien, pero un poco pesado.

Less interesting than I expected. The vocals and instrumental stuff isn't awful but nothing grabbed me in any direction.

It's fine rock and roll. It's not your (insert appropriate generation) Father's rock and roll, and that might be all that's wrong with it. I'd probably just go find some first wave rock and roll if I was in the mood. This sounds too clean for me.

Such a great vibe through and through! Costello's sound is uniquely him while indulging in the pop rock/new-wave/punk sound. His sound it not meant to fit into the genre of Prog rock, as it follows a general formula that aids in keeping his sound true to the style. I'm defiantly adding at least half of this album to my punk/pop-rock playlist.

I appreciate Elvis Costello more over time, because I can hear the bridge his music and energy was between the 70s and 80s. This is just a great record.

Okay but not my fav

Pretty solid 70s rock album, felt fresh will listen again

I liked it a lot. Timeless

Didn't listen to Costello much at the time.... Kansas and Journey were big. Talented....

Alison hard carries this album - it feels so generic and like it was written 5 minutes before recording each track

I first listened to this album in its entirety when an AI recommended it to me a couple months ago. It's fair to say this guy is my preferred Elvis. Sort of funny that its most well known track, Alison, is actually the most different from the rest of the album. The standout for me is the opening track, also the shortest, but it's just such a bop.

enjoyed!

Bit surprised. Pleasantly. I have not been much of a fan of the previous 2 EC albums and kinda rolled my eyes when I saw this one come up. But, I liked it. Really solid writing and musicianship. Melodic. All the stuff I like in a good album!

might have been revolutionary for the time idk

Elvis Costello has seemingly always been around. His music is okay, it can be listened to. It always felt that I was "supposed" to like him based on the recommendations from the experts and others, but I never really cared for his music.

Not too bad, but it started to get on my nerves after a while, and a lot of it felt too similar to me

Much like the previous Randy Newman suggested, many upbeat melodies, nice to listen to

Angry young man pop hooks over clean aggressive guitars. Right in my Q zone. 10/10.

Elvis Costello and his unique voice starts to grow on me the more I listen to his discography. His style, so awkward at the first glance, is getting more and more attractive, as is his band. I think I will have to listen again to other positions on this list, maybe I was too harsh for him at the beginning. But for now - a really good album!

Hm, I thought this would be like oldies type music. I think I confused him with someone else. I like this though. Short songs! 13 tracks and only 36 min long. I've really enjoyed the simple genuine rock an roll of this album! Lead guitar, bass, drums, and vocals! Just pure organic music. 4 stars

Medium

Not Minecraft music

Fav song: I'm not angry

Pretty decent album. Costello pretty easy to listen to.

Confusing.

Весела драйвова музика, може це бути якась тематична вечірка, або саундтрек з якогось сіткому Але на повторі не слухала б

Офигенный позитивный кайфовый качающий драйвовый. Вы угадали, какую оценку я поставил.

Pretty nice rock n roll album.

I know I'm supposed to love Costello but he's never clicked for me. Maybe if I had given him a more serious try when I was younger it might have happened, who knows. Regardless, this album is fine I guess but didn't convert me.

This is a great album. It fits along with the punk/glam? rock movement that started in the late 70s through the 80s along with groups like the cure, the clash, the cure, the talking heads, the velvet underground, and the pixies.

Less offensive than I expected.

new to me. absolute bangers on here

Alright, so I have a bit of a controversial take. I think some terminology is not used very well. Bands like Joy Division are often considered post punk. Well, I think Elvis Costello and Joe Jackson are really post punk. It's basically the energy of punk music, plus a bit of a subversive or sarcastic edge to the songwriting, but with the musicianship and production of a more modern era. This is a fun, energetic album, and absolutely worth a listen. I fondly remember Elvis being banned forever from Saturday Night Live for unexpectedly performing "Radio Radio" against the wishes of NBC. That's punk!

Loved the vibe but not really my thing.

2.5-3.0

It’s no lie there are a few songs that could go over your head, but overall this album is amazing. The opening track sets the tone, every track has that same rock-pop feeling with their own theme. I could see myself either rocking out to this album or studying to it.

Great

It's okay. But it's nothing dramatic or special. Not hitting me personally.

I never listened to Elvis Costello, but this album was pretty enjoyable. It is very easygoing which I like. I probably wouldn't listen to this often though

I have not listened to much Elvis Costello prior to this and was pleasantly surprised by this album! It has good rhythmic energy throughout. Certainly easy listening. Songs that I liked included “No Dancing,” “Alison,” and “Sneaky Feeling.” I can hear how this artist/album could have influenced future bands, like Weezer.

Basic: I felt this whole album was very basic white 60s rock. I felt it sounded around 10 years older than what it already was with Costello not really creating anything new through releasing this album. Sounded like I could be sitting in that diner from Back To The Future and this would be just playing on the jukebox in the background with no one listening.

Eh. I just don't care that much. And they all sound the same to me tbh.

Christ. Like ok its not bad, and straight up good musically, and I wanted to like this album. I genuinely see the appeal, I've heard many worse songs/albums, I just........... dont care? His voice is good, the musicality is good, the songs aren't too long, and yet I already forgot what I listened to, it is not sticking to me whatsoever

I like the early Elvis Costello- not so much Punk but early New Wave and perfect pop. I remember when this came out - it was so cool.

***** = Amazing (90 - 100%) **** = Great (75 - 89%) *** = Good (50 - 74%) ** = Average (35 - 49%) * = Poor (0 - 34%)

Generic album, hope the rest are better

Fun, a little poppy, but mostly light rock.

It sounds like he thinks he’s too cool for this when that is absolutely NOT the case.

Idk, sometimes you just like it.

Uma pedrada! Não conhecia e já está na minha playlist de favoritos

Not good. Grating vocals on boring rock and roll songs.

A little uneven but generally wonderful

eh, not my cup of tea

His best album I have heard yet

Could listen to this stuff all day

- Have heard of elvis costello and i feel like i’ve listened to him before -DAMN loving his voice -i am REALLY loving the guitar with his singing its perf -these songs are so catchy and fun, genuinely a good time -another solid 4 star album here for SURE -its dynamic and interesting and those are my fav albums -i’m not angry has a GREAT start -this is such a wonderful album. loved listening to it

Bin eigentlich kein Fan des Genres, aber trotzdem hat es mir gefallen. Gefühlt wäre 4 Sterne aber zu viel, also bleibt es wieder bei 3

This one might be influential, but that didn’t make me like it. Felt like plain pop music. „Watching the detectives“ was the only song that I sort of liked.

Great album. Started a bit slow for me, but by the end I was hooked. While I do feel it is over verbose at times with its lyrics, the multiple genres that Costello is able to hit with espectacular results is nothing short of incredible.

Gives vibes like a mix of beach boys and Beatles with late 70s feel

Songs that have topics? Catchy tunes but some of the lyric’s don’t jive. Maybe another listen is needed.

ah, this one def a classic. Last time I was thinking about Costello I was wondering how tf it worked out so well that his name is literally Elvis and there was no weirdness around it considered one of the biggest musical names of all time is literally just Elvis. hmmm.... I have been very disappointed in the recent Deer Tick albums and I am def hearing where they are getting their inspiration now; just that they are 50 years late in the innovation department. Sounds a lot like Tom Petty, though pretty obvious, I never listened to Costello much. Overall an acceptable listen.

Alison is a classic the rest is okay. very lyrical but tries to cram too many words in.

Rating: 7/10 Best songs: Welcome to the working week

Very catchy songs that take no time sticking with you.

Classic pre new age punk album

eh, not that into it

nörtti, katso laseja..neljä silmä paskiainen.. mee pelaa nörttipelejä saatana... pois täältä tollaset...haluta täällä tollasia... mee takas nörttilään vittu... rillipää paskiainen. mee nörttimaailmaan, suu aukena takas. pysy kaukana vaan. tollane täällä...mee pelaa niit tietsikkapelejä...nörttivuoren maailmanmestari... mystery dance

Fantastic

Not my vibe

Super

A fantastically punky and energetic rock n’ roll record. The production is punchy and the performances are raw, but what shines the most is Elvis Costello’s charming vocals and personality. There is not a dull moment on the album, though one nitpick is that it could have used more variety. Standouts include “Welcome to the Working Week,” “No Dancing,” “Allison,” “Sneaky Feelings” and “Waiting for the End of the World.”

What I’d envisage everyone would imagine American rock n roll to sound like. I could easily see myself in a dusty, sweaty lonesome bar with this blaring in the background on a bluesy weeknight. It’s great.

Not my favorite.

You gave <strong>Transformer</strong> 1 star? <strong>Trans<em>fuckin</em>former</strong>?

Consistently good, and great trajectory with its “Watching the Detectives” finale.

It's got a lot of great attitude, I'll give it that. Nothing I think I'll want to remember and revisit, save "Watching the Detectives." I understand that was tacked on for US rerelease, so he doesn't get credit for it on the album :)

Great album! Did not expect that! 4/5

**

Really loved the sounds. Major frequencies. Totally stellar

Early Elvis Costello is the best Elvis Costello. Prickly, punchy, catchy as hell. Costello would never sound more raw and pure than he sounds on this album. It's a concise, razor sharp sound that must have stood out starkly against the bloated landscape of rock in 1977. This was the first Elvis Costello album I encountered as a teenager and it's one of maybe two albums (the other being This Year's Model) I would recommend to someone coming to Costello's music for the first time. Costello's witty, cantankerous brand of songwriting is still a work in progress here, but still he's writing on a level most songwriters will never match. I have a lot of favorite lines, but the one that stands out to me today is "Our love got fractured in the echo and sway." I mean, wow. Fave songs: (All songs, from most to least favorite): Alison, Watching the Detectives, I'm Not Angry, Welcome to the Working Week, (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes, Miracle Man, Less Than Zero, Pay It Back, Blame It on Cain, Sneaky Feelings, Waiting for the End of the World, Mystery Dance, No Dancing

Wow the author reaallyyy loves Elvis Costello. This is like the third of his albums I've gotten so far. This is also the only one of his albums that I think should be on this list. I think it's pretty good honestly. He really takes the whole rockabilly and garage rock vibes and translates it into a late-70s punk-ish context.

Elvis ain’t fooling around - his aim is true. He shot me right in the sonic sweet spot. This debut album perfectly encapsulates who he is and why he’s here. I love it. The omission of Watching the Detectives for the UK version was not a smart move, but thankfully it was rectified for the US release. Great cover art too!

great album, Elvis Costello is from my teen hood, Alison is one of my favorite songs, just love it!!!! 5 stars

“Now that your picture’s in the paper being rhythmically admired…” This album is a classic for that line alone.

Darlin Companion and there’ll be peace in the valley were the standout tracks

fun. groovy. upbeat and makes you feel like dancing

Lovely stuff.

This was some fun pub rock. Not anything genius musically, but not objectionable. Standout for me was "Mystery Dance", which kinda encapsulates the album when it was at it's best: fun and fast-paced.

Well dude, this is one of my favorite albums of all time, so I can hardly be objective here. 5 stars, every day.

Have heard Elvis Costello, without having ever listened to a full album. Liked it. Few songs I recall hearing before.

Costello slaps.

A couple of classic songs on here. Not something I’d normally listen to.

He has released many fine albums, but this is the one that started it all off, a classic.

I never found Elvis Costello’s music to be that exciting. On his debut album he has a few songs that are a bit mainstream and poppy. To me he just plays into the Elvis thing and tries to do a modern hipster twist that falls flat. This album was fine but aside from Allison I won’t listen to the rest much. 5.5/10

Har grua meg til detta

Incredibly ok

Armed Forces 3/5 ******************* Either Elvis Costello is growing on me or it's just this album in particular that I like more than his other stuff I've heard. I liked the 1950's vibe; it's just fun in general. I liked the drums. No real complaints on this one.

Almost unlistenable. Like someone taking the mick out of 50s rocknroll, but badly. Thought it was one of those random mistakes you see on the 1001 list, maybe the inclusion of a genre pushing album that really doesn't deserve to be here. But looking at the album on wiki now, "wide critical acclaim", "one of the best rock debuts of all time", "frequently appeared on lists of the greatest albums of all time". Shame on you, human race.

"lackluster" comes to mind when trying to find a word to describe this album. a lot of the songs could've been new wave hits if they had better hooks, or bridges, or just anything to give them character. at the same time, the album is not bad or exceedingly boring to listen to (the short length definitely helps). this is my first E.C. album and apparently he appears multiple times on the 1001 albums list so here's hoping he got better later on tracks i liked: Blame It On Cain, Alison, I'm Not Angry (i really wish this site had the option to give half stars, my real rating would be 2.5)

His first and my favorite Elvis Costello album. This is one I would consider getting on vinyl (so I did!) My favorite tunes are "Alison" (love the guitar work), "Watching the Detectives" (is there a better lyric than “red dogs under illegal legs”?) and "(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes".

Big fan of Elvis Costello, and even though there are some great songs on this one, and it’s a solid debut, it’s not top-tier EC. He did good by getting The Attractions. Alison and Watching the Detectives are super solid songs. ...Red Shoes is catchy, very Costello. Blame it on Cain is pretty rocking'. Some throwback rock n' roll tracks which don't hold up as well. Still going with a 3.5 - 4 because I love the above songs, and it's still a good listen, especially to see the progression.

This might be my favorite Elvis Costello album. It is beautiful and melodic with great lyrical imagery.

- this album slaps tbh - sounds incredibly modern for something from the 70s - love the divey vibes, I'd jam to this

- great variety of sound

Really fun and diverse album. I really enjoyed his voice and thought it fit well in the song compositions.

this was a bit hit and miss and when i did like a song it was really good as oppose to songs i didnt really like which were fine but not like fine when you see an attractive person and elongate the i in fine

Another from Elvis Costello. It’s pretty good, I guess. I can’t really talk at length about this one. I like ‘Watching The Detectives’, even if it’s not on the original release. Just for the record, I prefer this to Blood And Chocolate. I’ll probably get that treated to a 2. Bye.

Pretty good, liked a couple songs, and the overall sound.

Global reviews on this one were wild. To me, this is one of the greatest power pop records ever, but all the most upvoted reviews hate it?

There’s a balance between great good and ok mostly a nostalgic album

I'm not an Elvis Costello fan but enjoyed this album - very easy listen and short. 7/10.

i think i listened to this album like three and a half times and it was pretty enjoyable. i only knew radio radio and pump it up before this, but this album apparently has basically all his solo hits. the new wave energy on this album is impeccable, but elvis veers off into punk, ska/reggae, power pop, and other genres effortlessly. I'll definitely listen to these tracks again. favorites: welcome to the working week, alison, mystery dance, I'm not angry, watching the detectives

Good, but this list doesn't need three Elvis Costello albums.

3.5

Digging it. One of the earliest albums from Elvis Costello I've listened to & don't mind it.

Great new wave album. “Allison” is the highlight for me

One of the greatest debut records ever. A classic.

Good album, might need a fifth listen, but it's my favorite Costello album thus far! Catchy riffs, good singing, fun lyrics.

I hope this is the last Elvis Costello album. There's too many of them on the 1001 album list. They're all so mediocre and I don't get why more than one needs to be included.

not a fan at all

I loved this and was surprised (though I don't know why as it is from 1977) how young he sounded. Definitely adding to the playlist.

Good album, liked it.

"My Aim is True" is what I always say to myself when I manage to hit the toilet bowl dead center despite being drunk out of my mind. And wouldn't you believe it, listening to this album feels like an inebriated Elvis Costello is wizzing into my ear from a meter away, with impeccable aim. Impressive as it may be, watersports aren't really my cup of tea, so Elvis, go make yourself useful and urinate on some forest fires or something, leave people's ears be. One toilet bowl out of five 🚽

som massa, rockzao e pa

yes!!!

Very good, although I’ve heard most of it before.

solid debut, some good tunes in there

There was a few okay songs but Elvis Costello is either okay or nope for me.

Now THIS is a debut, bursting with creative energy. Elvis Costello, Joe Jackson, Marshall Crenshaw all embody a really nostalgic, punk-laced classic rock and roll feel that really jives with my overall sensibility. Honestly I think my biggest critique of this album is with the cover art. My Aim is True is so hard to read I felt like I was having a stroke trying to decipher it. All he needed was a drop shadow or embossing on the characters and the legibility issue disappears without sacrificing the aesthetic checkboard appeal. On the other hand, this is the first time I noticed on each black square there is a letter and together it spells out "Elvis is King" over and over again, which is cool. But I mean, album itself? Chef's kiss.

One of the funniest opening lines there is. This is a very good album that falls just shy of a 5 for me.

Back in the day, this was my pick of the best album of 1977 (narrowly edging out the Sex Pistols). This Years Model may be better, but that is splitting hairs. This is a great record from start to finish and one I keep going back to in the 46 years (ouch) since its release. Extra points for naming the album after a song lyric, as opposed to a song title).

One of the all time Top 10 Debut Albums. Every song is great. Enough said!

Elvis Costello is my Mom's favorite so I grew up listening to this album, but I really think it's one of the best debut albums of all time. Every song on here is at least good if not great and their brevity always leaves me wanting more to see where they would go if they were longer. I really cannot believe this was first album as it is just so flawlessly executed His lyrics are punchy and interesting, with his vocal inflections adding further texture to these. Somehow he has created entire worlds in these 3 minute songs. Musically, the songs sound like he is both paying homage to his 50s and 60s rock influences where adding his own sound and flavor. You can hear this in the vocal harmonies of "No Dancing" and the lead guitar parts on "Miracle Man" and "I'm Not Angry". (Side Note: I have wanted to cover "Watching the Detectives" for a while) Each song sounds like its own self-contained world but the entire album feels extremely cohesive. Also, the drums sound fantastic on this album!

this album and "Animals" by Pink Floyd were both released in 1977... Only one makes this list... WTF? this is a late 50s to early 60s rock n roll record but from a decade later. It reminded me a bit of Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers debut wich had a similar vibe... my rating is a 3 just because i think that it's good enough to be put over average but not in great

This is the kind of album that I wish I had the proper historical perspective to appreciate. I can hear it's influences, and hear the influence it's had, but I don't lack the proper appreciation for its momentum in the moment. I do like it, but not as much as I'd hoped.

The music was fine but I was just bored and nothing stuck with me

Another Elvis Costello album that is simply fine.

New wave at its best! I really like it

The sound feels like punk and pop fighting, but also kinda great. In my uneducated head it feels like a precursor to contemporary alt rock. Really rather good.

Not a fan of his, but this wasn't bad.

Love this album Give it a listen Great cover

The lyrics are really good but the music is boring as hell and I just don’t like Mr. Costello’s voice.

Well-written lyrics paired with a subpar singer and a somewhat boring band

It was great and also fun, but ultimately not my style. Maybe if I listen to it more, the rating could change.

EC seems to appear heavily in this list so I was a bit “not him again”. But I enjoyed.

Loistava aamupäivän levy. Klara Bries:in miehistö antaa levylle 4/5 ja itse henkilökohtaisesti pidän levyä jumal-albumina ja annan 5/5

Parasta Costelloa, mitä olen kuullut. Arvostan nasevuutta ja kompakteja biisejä. Ei tää silti vielä omiksi suosikeiksi nouse. 3,5/5.

Costello on simppeliä mut hyvää pop-rockia, mitäpä siinä sen enempää sanomaan. 4/5

I enjoyed it! Easy listening for sure

the real elvis

Out of the 150+ albums I need to catch up on, I chose this one because it’s only 36 minutes long. Just enough time for me to take all my clothes out the closet, get overwhelmed, and then shove it in boxes so that I can do the same thing again in 6 months.

Conspiracy theory: There can only be one Elvis in the world. July 22, 1977 - Elvis Costello releases his first album, receiving instant critical acclaim. August 16, 1977 - Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll, dies in the fetal position on the bathroom floor. There are many possibilities here. Did Costello poison Presley? Did Presley pill pop for years because he knew his successor would come? Maybe Presley sold his soul to the devil in exchange for a set number of years of success. Or maybe the carbon monoxide detectors in my apartment are beeping for a reason. The world may never know.

C Welcome to the Working Week - 3 Miracle Man - 2 No Dancing - 3 Blame It On Cain - 2 Alison - 3 Sneaky Feelings - 2 (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes - 2 Less Than Zero - 3 Mystery Dance - 2 Pay It Back - 2 I’m Not Angry - 4 Waiting for the End of the World - 2 Watching the Detectives - 4 Fun Fact: This is Peyton Sawyer's birth mother's favorite album. Oh, actually, maybe it's Peyton's. No, I'm pretty sure it's her birth mother's. UPDATE: It's Peyton's.

Glorious album from start to finish. Hasn’t aged a day. Perfect pop songs performed perfectly. What more can you ask. Top shelf.

I love this album. Allison is such a classic and the rest of the album doesn't miss. Was between a High 4 and a 5, think I have to go with a 5

This list is a bit Elvis Costello heavy surely he should have been bit more selective on number of Elvis Costello Albums. Original album has no hits on it. No stand out tracks for me

It’s easy for me to rate just about any Elvis album with 5 stars.

Thanks to this list, I now have Elvis Costello trauma worth seeing a therapist over. I'm starting over with healthy boundaries; this album gets 3 songs to make its case and depending on how those go, the review is drawn there or I'll keep pressing. First thing that stands out is how stripped back the recording + production sounds compared to his later albums. Honestly I think I prefer this. Welcome to the Working Week is a fine opener -- his voice is as punchable as ever, but the instrumental is fun. Miracle Man makes for a solid follow-up -- I like the bright guitar tone. Okay this album clears the initial bar for me. Blame It On Cain is a nicely written song with an enjoyable sway about it. Also really enjoy the sweet guitar of Alison and find Less Than Zero to be surprisingly catchy. Mystery Dance is an interesting detour into rockabilly that works better than I would have expected. I'm Not Angry is a solid one -- probably my favorite on here with the guitar work. I do enjoy the dub vibes on Watching The Detectives, though something about it leaves me expecting another song -- just strikes me as a weird not to end the album on. Of the Costello albums on the list, and there are far far far too many, this is a gem. Really enjoyed about 85% of the songs here and appreciated the brevity of this exercise. For me this is a solid to high 4.

A solid debut, but there's definitely too much Elvis Costello on this list.

Sets the bar for pleasant yet forgettable.

Straight on brilliance all spun from a combination of sock hop, rockabilly, and punk. Add in classic lyricism and you've got a keeper.

Didn't love it or hate it, it was alright. A lot of the tracks just sound the same. The song "Alison" was quite enjoyable though and probably the only track i might listen to again.

It wasn't what I was expecting - it was more upbeat and a bunch of different genres. At times it kind of reminded me of Billy Joel?

Boa, schon wieder Elvis Costello.

Highlights: "Welcome to the Working Week," "Alison," "Less Than Zero," "Pay It Back" Honestly hard to pick highlights. Every song is memorable, with striking left-turn harmonic fluorishes and hooks that give precise impact to the cutting lyrics. I noticed how often I couldn't really scan how a lyric was going to be read, or I needed the riff to hit to realize its tenor or meaning. It's deliberate, tight, holistic songwriting at work, again and again in a exciting range of styles with bracing, expressive vocal performance. Too bad it's mainly in service of sleazy GQ dispatches.

inte riktigt min grej, känns lite generiskt

Robert Dimery probably dreams about this at night sometimes. He wants to write a new book. His editor and him agreed on a project, Robert has received a nice sum as an advance, so he turns his computer on and starts writing the title of his new project: *1001 ELVIS COSTELLO Albums You Need To Listen To Before You Die*. A nagging feeling of suspicion suddenly grabs Robert. He checks his notes again and again. Something's terribly wrong. He checks again, a horrified expression on his face. It seems like Elvis Costello has recorded a respectable number of records, it's true, but they're still far less that 1001! That's when Robert jumps and sits up in his bed, his breath cut short. What a horrible nightmare. --------- Changed my mind on *This Year's Model* and *Armed Forces* and will now include them in my own list (one of the very, very rare cases where I don't stand by a review I wrote since I've started to use this app). But it's as far as I'll go to follow Dimery and co.'s literal *obsession* with Elvis Costello (a running gag that has been noticed by a lot of reviewers in here, eliciting quite a few smirks in reponse). *Blood And Chocolate* has some very good moments (example: "I Want You"), but it's too patchy to be included in my own list. "Imperial Bedroom" is too damn chatty. I don't remember the name of that later album from the nineties, but I do remember it was a borefest. And this debut album here sounds very much like an early rock'n'roll pastiche, making it very hard to take it seriously. "Watching The Detectives" is a nice single, though, a reggae track with punky overtones pretty close to what The Police was playing around those years--even if Costello brings his own spin in that formula. But that good song is not enough to mitigate the overall feeling of boredom the rest of this LP inspired me. It's certainly not the worst record ever selected in Dimery's book, so maybe my grade is a bit harsh here--keep in mind that it translates to a 6/10 grade for an assessment that's not related to the purposes of selecting "essential" album (5+1). Let's just say that my 1/5 grading is also a way for me to protest about the fact that at least three slots in the original list could have been given to other artists. Have I forgotten an Elvis Costello album mentioned in the 1001 albums book, by the way? I probably have. Maybe it's my turn to have nightmares about the man with glasses... In the meantime... next please. Number of albums left to review: 532 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 224 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 108 Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more essential to me): 137 (including this one)

Well you know what it didn't rile me as much as usual. I still find it bland really don't get the ES hype. But still surprisingly ok

more boring Elvis Costello

overall: feels like every awkward dance scene in a teen rom com. elvis costello to me sounds like a guy trynna be someone else like drowned in water and thrown across a field? i cant put my finger on it but it just doesnt sound right. the instrumentals arent bad especially for the time. take this album, tweak it for the 90s and it would slap

Not a huge amount to say about this. Enjoyable for the most part, nothing to write home about though. Just a good 70s album, nothing more or less.

this record still annoys me i really liked the weird noise that came out his mouth in less than zero though

Ooooh this hit close!! Listened to this on an evil feeling work day and it was like agh. very good. RAW

Mediocre punk rock album. No hits.

Pitch-perfect spiky pop

Hard no. This turbo sucks. There is nothing new Costello every brought to the table. It's just bad.

Sounds like an album that was brought out for a coming of age film in the 80s, great sounding album with a great cover.

The first of three great albums from Elvis Costello.

Close up on the sign that says 'We never close'

missed the target

Still sounds great!

The definitive Elvis Costello sound, songwriting, and attitude.

There's only one album whose title is tattooed on my body and its this one. 5/5 obvs

day 13. a name I recognize but I have no familiarity with his music. I really like this album! it has a good variety and flow, doesn’t really drag. Just a lot of solid tracks. I don’t really get the hype about Alison though, sorry … 4/5 would definitely come back to again faves: Welcome to the Working Week (loved it!!), Blame It On Cain, Pay It Back

Decent album, I'm just not a fan of Costello's voice

Another album I was dreading this week that was much better than expected, this time thanks to Costello opting to nOt dO waCkY gOofY thInGs WItH hIS vOicE.

Great energy, fun album!

Just like all his other stuff I like it but don't find it too interesting, feels like he has 1 or 2 songs on an album that are really nice to me and then lots of fillers which I don't mind but are very forgettable

Just okay

See previous Costello reviews.

better than other 3 star albums but not quite enough for a 4 star. strong 7/10.

very fun

Decent album, 50s with a 70s rock twist, Watching The Detectives is a great song!

This album would have been 5 stars if it was written by Declan Patrick MacManus and not Elvis Costello. Walk into a Johnny Rockets or Hard Rock Café and I can guarantee you hear one of these songs playing. Middle of the road and as vanilla as it gets from the late 70's. Some good hits but nothing special.

This album makes me think of my dad. Dude loves that Alison song. I do really like this album. Probably not something I would listen all the way through very often. But would definitely listen to some tracks here and there.

This is a music album.

Good classic sound that I enjoyed Watching the Detectives is very reggae like and is awesome

ALLLLLLISSSSONNNNNNNN Sometimes gets a bit too rockabilly for me but pretty solid.

Love this album! I have other Elvis Costello albums but I like this one more.

Very soothing!

8/10

He covers a lot of bases in this first stab of the donkey. Pretty good! Doesn’t hang around. On this first couple of listens, only the opening track and “Less Than Zero” jumped out. The rest sounded amiable, like sitting next to a mildly drunk John Cusack. Don’t like it as much as ‘Blood and Chocolate’.

Living up to my usual tropes re: Elvis Costello, debut albums and Greatest Hits. The tracks from here included on Girls, Girls, Girls are wonderful, the rest very meh particularly those that take a dead end into pop country and rockabilly. Keep trying Elvis!

Catchy and good songs.

meh

captures rock and roll vibe from 70s but not in an obnoxious way, realtively chill. Alison is an all time classic, knew that one before knowing who elvis costello is. Consistent throughout the whole album, with some songs being a bit more fast and jazzy and some more slow and relaxed rock. Watching the detectives is a banger end to an album.

Well produced and very catchy. Most of the songs sound the same but it isn’t a very bad things. Songs have replay-ability. Some songs seemed a little sloppier than others and some were repetitive but the overall vibe of the album doesn’t seem to be super proper which is ok, given the era it was produced in.

Good

Enjoyed watching the detectives, otherwise was a bit bland. 2.5 stars.

A pretty cool style for the time period. Didn't love anything here, but nothing excruciating either Side note; whether intentional or not, this is one of the ugliest album covers I've ever seen with my own eyes

A very strong debut album. You can definitely hear the influence this must have had on the indie rock scene of the 80s and 90s.

Would've been a 3 had it been one of the first albums of his generated. So tired of EC.

First "pub rock" album I've ever heard. Reminds me a lot of a few tracks off of London Calling. Was really hoping for an explanation of what's going on with the dudes knees :⁠-⁠\

Classic

Highlight was “I’m not Angry”. Good rocker. 3.7/5

The perfect Elvis Costello album. I have noted that he features a bit too much on this list but in this case you couldn't ask for a more worthy album. Singer songwriter, punk poet, all around angry young man.

I know a kid called Elvis, after Costello, but of course he'll spend his life telling everyone that. Poor kid. But Elvis Costello is one cool person to be named after. This album features the songs that made him a stand out to me - Alison and Watching The Detectives. And to be sure I'd rather pop on a Greatest Hits rather than an album, this is still fab.

I like the song "Alison" because it was in New Girl

A few gems but not his best.

A good listen

I'm bopping my head, must be enjoyable

Heel leuke muziek, vooral het openingsnummer "Welcome to the Working Week". Het doet me een beetje aan Weezer denken. ***

This was actually quite good, especially liked the last couple tracks

Never hated Elvis Costello, but also never really liked him a lot.

Guess I’m getting old

Els primers discos de Costello amb The Attractions són per conservar i anar disfrutant any rera any. A cada escolta pots trobar nous detalls i noves cançons que destaquin de la resta. Els dos primers són dos obres gairebé mestres, epicentres de l'época més creativa en la història del pop rock

I know this world is killing youuuuu

Good

This is a fine album. Speaks to me.

first listen pretty good album

Pretty fun album. Might check out other albums of his.

Not bad, not interesting - 1977 too, quite nasal

The aim is not true.

I like this record, not crazy about it but it's solid

Cool, as he always is

Elvis Costello is one of those names that I've always known about but never really dug into his discography. Really enjoyed this debut album, comes out swinging with that first track and has a great energy throughout with the punched up rockabilly style. Added a few tunes to the playlist off of this one, makes me want to dig into his other albums.

If I was a divorced dad in 1977 and my teenage son started listening to this on release I would be proud of him. I’ve heard this described as punk, but to me it doesn’t do much stylistically to set itself apart from 1950s pop songs besides having worse vocals. There are some really clever lyrics here I’m sure, but I don’t want to listen enough times to appreciate them. I’ve tried to get into this one a couple times, but I really just don’t get the hype here. Cover art is 10/10 Favorite song: Alison But I prefer when Pat DuBoyce sings it Least Favorite Song: Blame it On Cain

First two tracks are bangers and start the album off really strong. I hadn’t listened to blame it on Cain in a while and forgot how good that song is and I like the energy and angst of that one and the first half in general. The four song run of Alison to less than zero mixes in some chiller songs and shows how crazy the songwriting is for a debut album. Second half slows a little bit for me and overall it doesn’t have something to bring it to a 5 but it’s still as solid of a 4 as you can get and paved the way for a lot new wave and post punk artists. Favorite song: Alison Least favorite: watching the detectives song is ok but white people doing reggae beats is never great

Absolutely loved this album, I know it wasn’t full of hits but this is the perfect easy listening album for me. I must have listened to this 2-3 times while working yesterday. The album has a good range of songs from poppy stuff like “less than zero” to slower ballads like “Alison”, both of which were my top two tracks. Least favorite had to be “watching the detectives” and “red shoes”

Interesting sound. Not sure if I’d ever listen again, but it was just okay and interesting idk. Some cool vocal stuff for sure. 👍: Less than zero 👎:idk they all kinda just bled together

When I’m in a dick riding competition and my competition is Elvis Costello😮. Nah fr tho renaming yourself after another man is crazy work. Shaboingboing Olympics Gold medalist. The album was fire tho. My favorite album we’ve listened to thus far. Debating a 5 here we will see. Heard before: none i think 👍🏼: Alison, angels, pay it back, living in paradise( if it counts)

Perhaps the tightest debut album ever - I remember watching Costello on SNL supporting the release.

A classic! Great songs like Welcome to the Working Week, Less Than Zero, Alison compiled in a work that passes the test of time. You can tell that the music is good when the songs are Influential beyond the musical scene - I think Bret Easton Ellis’s first novel was named after a Costello song- Well, if you want to introduce anybody to New Wave here’s your point of start.

Not bad

Dull with several capital Zs.

It was enjoyable. Didn't leap out at me but solid. This will sound sacriligious but a step above most 70s rock I've heard, felt forward-thinking and modern while also having a comforting familiarity creeping in.

Surprisingly great sound here

Well, fun fact for me reading the Wiki, I used to live a block away from where this was recorded, just about 20 years too late. Elvis has a great singing voice, comes out clearly in the mix. As a debut this is great. Working Week kicks off with some fun, a bit 'doo wop' for me but doable in small doses. Miracle man suffers from some bad bass work (or perhaps bad mixing) and there is a lot of filler on the album. Alison though is just one of the great songs in the world, and the guitar (and bass) work really well here. Watching the Detectives is also a 5 star song. Not enough quality for on this one but some real good tracks

C'est pas mal mais ça casse pas 3 pattes à un canard

bien vu pour Alison

Fantastic

It all feels so contrived. Its OK, but its def not great. 3/5

It's just so mid and bland. The singing style stays the same, there's no variation. Another blah.

Alison, Watching the Detectives - classic timeless songs

Just a not very good version of Springsteen’s first couple of records.

Some fine pop rock/new wave but nothing special or memorable.

My Disdain of Elvis Costello Is True