Reviews (page 12 of 13)
50s music for the nostalgic pre-boomers of the 70s.
Wish version of talking heads..
I find his music so soulless, uninteresting, unattractive. I don't understand how it got so popular.
Way better than the last album of his we got
It’s ok.Better than average.Reminds me of a lot of 50s songs.Doesn’t really sound “punky” to me the guys are too smooth.They lyrics didn’t really land with me though.
Favorites: -Miracle Man -Allison
Classic Elvis Costello. Not sure why he has too many albums in this list, they all sound almost the same
It's.... Not my kinda bag, man. But even if it was, it felt repetitive and a bit bland.
Inoffensive, but not terrible. I feel like this would have been revolutionary at the time but as wth everything revolutionary it gets copied to genericism
Didn't enjoy this as much as the other EC albums that have come up on this list
Not bad! First Elvis Costello album I've ever listened to. I thought it was pretty fun and his guitar playing was impressive. Not bad!
I’ve always felt like I should like Elvis Costello more than I do. His music is almost there for me, but just doesn’t quite hit. Like a show or movie that can’t get the rights to the song they want so they make a faux sounding dupe. I liked Alison, and a few songs towards the end of the album, but none enough to make me want to listen again. I do appreciate a 13 song album coming in at a tight 36 minutes though.
OK I get it now
It's fine lol - doubt I'll listen to it again to tell you the truth
Great album from start to finish. Felt like the quickest 36 mins of my life.
Okay-ish.
So many hits! Obviously not as exciting as the next album, but the live bands playing the material from the first two albums is my Elvis jam. A little one note, but that's part of the charm. Great record.
So authentic and rawly demo-like that it feels sort of rootsy, but its early genius throughout, with five or six classics in notably different veins. So strong and a harbinger of all the strength and excellence still to come.
I don't think I've listened to any of his music before, so this was fun to listen to
Solid debut album
Definitely a mood based album, but I found it quite enjoyable. It's the kind of album that you would listen to on the way to work to kill time.
One of the greatest debut albums of all time.
I recognize the importance but it's just not for me. The album's second half does a lot of heavy lifting.
First time listening to Elvis Costello and upset it took this long. Excellent album
On the whole this album didn't do much for me outside of a few good songs. I will say, however, that this album truly feels timeless, and wouldn't seem out of place in the 50s or the 21st century.
It was okay... Felt like a cheap imitation of pop and rock and roll from a decade or two before. And yet it didn't feel that special? All a bit cookie-cutter. It got a bit boring too, but I thought the guitar solos in I'm Not Angry made up for some of it. Favourite: I'm Not Angry
Solid debut album! Lots of good songs on here.
I have listened to this album here and there over the years - I think my roommate had this record - and my perception of it has changed a lot. It used to be that I liked "Alison" the best and ignored most of the rest. But now some of the other songs sound way better, like "Working Week", "Blame it on Cain" and "Red Shoes." Must be a good sign if the songs are getting better with age and more listens.
"Alison" is one of the greatest pop songs of all time with its wicked double entendre, and it's what initially drew me to him as a teenager. But "Alison" is only one of the many brilliantly crafted songs on this album. EC is able to balance his cerebral wit with a surprising amount of soul, in a way so few other songwriters can. He is, by FAR, my favorite Elvis.
I wanna like it, but I just can't. It's too poppy and "happy" for my tastes, plus in general it all just feels slightly manufactured, I don't know. I wish I could get into Elvis Costello but it's not for me. It's definitely not bad though.
Surely there are better Elvis Costello albums? Apart from "Watching The Detectives" - which wasn't on the original album - I don't think that I've heard any of these tracks before. Average.
Paskaa muttei niin paskaa kuin viimeksi heh pökäle musiikkia on kiva kuunnella aina välillä, paha vain kun spotifyssä albumin albumiradio on parempi kuin itse albumi heh.
Best Song: Blame It On Cain. Nice blues rhythm, nice energy. Worst Song: (The Angels Want to Wear My) Red Shoes. I hate when I can tell that the artist thought that a particular lyric was going to hit harder than it does. That repetition at the end is just annoying. Overall: This sounds like the kind of music that gets old people BUSTLIN' on a wedding dance floor, while everyone under 50 takes the time to refill their drinks. I'm sure he must have been raucous at one time, but to me he just kind of sounds like a slightly more energetic Randy Newman.
Elvis's first, and one of his best. Some classic songs - Alison being one of my faves
Not a huge fan of the majority of this album, and the only song I liked was Less Than Zero.
8.5/10
Never used to like Elvis Costello that much, but he’s grown on me over the years.
I enjoyed the album. The highlights for me were Welcome to the Working Week, Blame it on Cain, Alison, Sneaky Feelings and Watching the Detectives
En av världens mest överskattade artister. Watching the detectives är bra.
Listened Before? N Pretty good! I don't have any familiarity with Elvis Costello at all other than Alison. THAT song is pretty solid but never caught my interest. The rest of this record is fun and light hearted and has a good relaxed feel to it. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: Watching the Detectives
Every tune a single.
Quite good. Enjoyable but only a 3 as it didn't take it further for me. Guitar and effects were quite good.
solid rock n roll 3/5
Thought this was okay. Not much else to say on it to be honest. High 2
Not my cup of tea. Nothing bad on here but yeah, not for me. I could picture these songs playing in rolling credits for films like 'Big', 'Mrs Doubtfire' and 'Dr Dolittle'
A classic and certainly, Primal Elvis. How can you resist the hits?
I like costello, and this debut album has a lot off decent tracks on it, but I don't love any of them, and find sometimes he can grate slightly.
Il reprend le truc là où Buddy Holly l'avait laissé. Très sympathique. Alison, Pay it back. Très cool sans être complètement renversant.
I can't help but like precisely one of these tracks - watching the detectives - and that's Costello pretending not to be Costello, and aping The Clash. Says a lot, doesn't it? Rest of the album is uninspiring background noise.
I couldn't stand this Only ok song: "Less Than Zero" but even that I probably won't touch again 2025 edit: I gave this 1 star before experiencing a true 1 star album. 2 stars
Didn't really listen, seemed ok
Good shit, although I like Next Year's Model a bit more. 4/5
Never been a Costello fan, and this doesn’t do much to change that, but I like the more interesting guitar licks he pulls out, although I don’t care for the rockabilly or reggae sounds as much. C+
3 stars - cool album
bien qsy 7/10
Not my style
Heard it before?: No Enjoy it?: Not really, as I’ve said I don’t find Costello interesting vocally Favourite song: Track 12 - Waiting For The End Of The World
Always thought he's a dick but this is good.
Solid
I really do try to find what is to appreciate about each of these albums in the project, but I am really struggling with Elvis Costello. This is the third album of his so far, and I know more are coming. What is it about him that gets him on the list so often? I find his voice unpleasant, and not in an interesting way. The songs just sort of go on and on. I can't remember a thing about them when they're over. This isn't bad by any means, and certainly not my least favorite of the three so far, but it just isn't that good to me. What is it I'm missing?
I mean, I guess if I had to listen to an Elvis Costello album, then this one wouldn't be the worst choice for me, but I really don't want to have to listen to an Elvis Costello album...at least not any one that I have heard so far. This album has a nice popiness to it, and I did find the melodies fun much of the time.
Feeling a little meh about Elvis Costello going in but I'm glad to say, I like this one! I like this one a lot! Varied styles from song to song. Hard to pin it to a single decade. A range of feelings. Lots here to like.
Serviceable but totally uninspiring to me. Elvis Costello is still not my cup of tea. I’m pretty sure I didn’t need a third Elvis Costello album before I die.
Beautiful … Declan Patrick MacManus at his best
Starts of really nice with some 50s style rock/pop tracks, but loses a bit of steam on its way to the finish line. Still, it's 3.5/5
Prima
Echt bar weinig onthouden van dit album, vond het denk ik prima klinken??? Maar niets onthouden betekent altijd een 2 dus daar zijn we
Interesting. I think I like it more than This Year's Model? It felt weirdly more punk rock given the shorter songs and the more in your face riffs. Standouts: No Dancing, Sneaky Feelings, Mystery Dance, I'm Not Angry
NO MORE ELVIS COSTELLO!!PLEASE! Hmmm 4 Oh there is the Jailhouse Rock ripoff "Mystery Dance" 3
Okay, look. I like Elvis Costello. He's got fun, punky energy in these early years without being what I would call punk. However, this is the second Elvis Costello album that I've gotten in the last two weeks, and it's too much for me. Please send me fewer Elvis Costello albums so that I can properly enjoy the ones I already have. All silliness aside, I like this album, but I felt like This Year's Model was a better album from this early period. There's nothing wrong with the songs on this album, but they are both less catchy and less interesting than the ones on that album. This one still has the characteristic Elvis Costello style, both in terms of the music and his voice, but it feels less mature here than on Last Year's Model. Taken in isolation, though, this is a fun album that I still find unspectacular. It's a lot more of a blues rock album than I thought it would be, though he does blues rock far better than most white dudes 3/5
fine
A little bit of 60s and 70s rock with a mix of new wave, and you got yourself an album that actually groves pretty well.
Rock setentero. Está bastante bien.
A pleasant surprise, I'd never really listened to EC before but I really enjoyed this album. More than I thought I would!
Unspecial and mostly one-note. Like a slightly more country / acid rock Bruce Springsteen.
Very fun album to listen to. The music had a mix of jazz, honkey tonk country with a punk edge to it especially helped by some of the lyrics, which were also great with real world themes.
Bra debut. Det pubrockiga drar ner det lite för mig.
Jag önskar att den hade funnits i storebrors skivback när jag växte upp. Och lite annat i det här spåret som Nick Lowe, Graham Parker osv. Då hade jag nog fått in det i hjärtat som ett varmt spjut och varit hänförd - nu tycker jag bara att det är bra.
Right up my alley! Idel bra låtar, korta och fina.
Very funky I enjoyed it
JA! Äntligen mer i min smak! Rivig röst, bra GUNG i låtarna och ett simpelt sound. Känslan är att det skulle vara väldigt roligt att spela dessa låtar i en simpel sittning med bara en eller två gitarrer och sjöa lite sång. Direkt när albumet rullar igång med "Welcome To The Working Week" med långsamma ackord och lite harmoniserande sång för att sedan gå igång med tempot känner jag att det blir en fin stund. Albumets mest populära låt enligt antal lyssningar är "Alison" är en betydligt långsammare och mjukare låt än de flesta andra. Visst är den fin men det är inte den som gör albumet i mina öron. Det är det dock inte någon låt som gör utan det är nog bara en stabil helhet där det mesta fungerar rätt bra tycker jag. En annan låt värd att nämna är "Mystery Dance". Den känns verkligen Elvis, men den andra mer kända Elvis med efternamnet Presley. Får en väldig känsla av Presley och tyyyp lite Ray Charles:igt. Bra var det iaf, kul! Bäst: "Welcome To The Working Week" (kändes som den lade en perfekt grund för resten av albumet på nåt sätt)
Enjoyable, but overhyped.
Very confused before realizing this is a different Elvis.
Lepposaa menoa ja hyviä soundeja. En tiedä miksi tämä Elvis ei ole koskaan kummemmin sytyttänyt, mutta voisin kyllä kuunnella enemmänkin.
Menevä levy. Vois kuunnella useemminkin, mut jos aikaa pitäisi musiikin kuunteluun käyttää, niin löytyy parempaakin tietty. Laitamme kuitenkin tänän jatkoon tulevaisuutta, jos sattuis tulee sellanen Costello-fiilis
Not like Elvis at all - great music, good vocals and lyrics. Awesome feel-good vibes
Meh. Most sounds about cheating
Not bad I aint listening to any music by no dude called Elvis Costello gadamm. lmaooo imagine you being born and your mom looking at you saying "Elvis, Elvis Costello" aint no way LMAOOOOOOO
There are several "game-changing" albums that helped shape my musical tastes and My Aim Is True is definitely one of them. This album helped define my love of late 70's British punk/New Wave rock that introduced me to similar sounding musicians and bands from the era, Graham Parker, Joe Jackson, Nick Lowe, Dave Edmunds (w/ Rockpile), Brinsley Schwarz and Ducks Deluxe. This was Elvis's amazing debut album and how many musicians have released 3 consecutive stunners from the start of their career this good? My Aim Is True has two of EC's career defining songs (Alison, Watching The Detectives) that are essential to any era and genre. His next album is even better with the addition of his semi-perma-band, The Attractions, but there's no doubt that wouldn't have been made without the accomplishment of My Aim Is True and it's impact and success..
In Costello's debut, we get a punk-influenced power pop / yacht rock collection of songs with a touch of wild and jazzy rockabilly. Songs are cool and groovy with a stellar, recognizable vocal performance. Enjoyed it all. No bad tracks, but several fail to stand out. Favorites: Blame It on Cain, Alison, Red Shoes, Pay It Back, Waiting for the End of the World, Watching the Detectives
Not quite the perfect album he's about to put out a year later with The Attractions but pretty damn close!
I like it, and I see a lot if influences it clearly draws upon while I can also envision how it influenced a l0t 9f subsequent music. Pretty cool TBH.
4.25
I don’t get Elvis Costello
I've said it once, i'll say it again. Please make this be the last Elvis Costello album. It's not even that bad, his voice just gives me the heebie jeebies
Classic
Forgettable....
10/10 Elvis Costello is the best
Power pop/rock, Singer/songwriter, ok underholdende
This album is a short pop jaunt into Costello's world. It features biting lyrics, punk and ska influences, as well as notable hooks. The key track being Allison, which showcases Costello's ability to write a timeless love song.
Great vibe
not great, not horrible
I didnt expect to like it as much as I did
so so
Elvis Costello is consistently awesome.
Impressed. You hear how Elvis Costello clearly serves as an inspiration for a lot of the artists we have today who channel 70s nostalgia. Alison is a beautiful song.
ээээ ни знаю Нормик
It was fine
Loved it!
It's a really solid album with plenty of pop appeal.
Yes was nice man
Of all his prolific output this is near the top
OK
I'm always thinking that I'm going to dislike an Elvis Costello album, then end up liking it.
Very solid and clearly influential. A lot has come out since that has expanded on this sound that makes it sound a bit dated nowadays.
There's a lot of great songs here but a few that don't particularly grab me. A definite 4.
While not as entertaining as some of his later works, This is an excellent debut by one of the chillest Punk bands to ever cut a record.
It's hard not to like this album and impossible not to like the story about this album. Yup, the record company gave him a £150 advance and a tape recorder and that's all it took to sign a contract. Another £2,000 and, voilà, we have this album. It seems like he is overflowing with song lyrics. The chorus in Less Than Zero has enough words to be verse. Reminiscent of Neil's song Harvest. Great album. Good album and better is coming with his second album. I hope 1001 will Pump it up
I took a look at the album releases in 1977 to get an idea of what I was listening to at that time: Pink Floyd>Animals; Steely Dan>Aja and David Bowie>Low. A friend of mine's older brother, who liked the blues, got this album and when I heard it, I found it too rearview mirror gazing and rockabilly-esque for my tastes. But at that point the Sex Pistols or Clash or Talking Heads had yet to touch down in Sudbury. The sound, other than "Detectives", does owe a lot to the 50s rock n' roll. The song-writing is great, especially the lyrics, and there are no dud tracks. My favourite (outside of "Detectives") is "I'm not Angry" which appears to put me at odds with most Spotify listeners. There are other Elvis albums I like more, but this is still a 5 in my books.
I can't think of a more audaciously good debut album. I also think this is Costello's best album which is saying a lot since he's super prolific with over 25 studio albums. He read the room perfectly in 1977 when he put out this rockabilly/punk record that foreshadowed the New Wave movement that was picking up steam. Alison and Watching the detectives are two of my all time favourite Costello tracks, but this record is chock full gems like I'm not Angry, Mystery dance, Angels, Sneaky feelings, Miracle man and Welcome to the working week. This is just a solid solid record.
One of the great first albums.
Le prime due molto belle.
Elvis Costello is just one of those artists where I respect him and his work, but it just is not my thing. "Alison" is a great track, but other than that it kinda falls flat.
Oke wel echt zeer hard van genoten...ik ga hem geven maar is een nipte hoor
This is a decent album. I'm sure it's great if you miss the 50's. I'm enjoying it, but I wouldn't pick it.
Not bad not my fav
I'm starting to really dislike Elvis Costello...there's the odd great song and then a distinct feeling he's a bit of an arse.
Lots of just quick, catchy tunes. I don’t mind it but nothing to go crazy over. 5/10
only good song is watching the detectives. everything else is boring except maybe opening track
Classic debut album of Elvis Costello, and the start of quite a long sequence of 5* EC albums.
Not as overwhelming as This year's girl but still very attractive.
Definitely the best Costello album on this list, and there is too many. In my opinion this one and this year's model would be enough. With that said, this is a fantastic debut album that keeps you on your toes and your foot tapping.
7/10
Power pop at its very finest. Costello has both wit and wisdom in spades for someone so young.
Well almost anything would sound good after Captain Beefheart. I thought This Year's Model was way better than this. Its fine, if pretty dated sounding. Its like a 50s rock star came forward into the future.
It's good, but tbh none of the songs really hit the spot for me. This Year's Model is great though.
Meh
I went into this with low expectations, but I liked it a bit more than I thought I was going to. I'm not usually too into rock and roll and rockabilly stuff, but this album manages to make it sound a little more interesting. My favourite songs were Alison and I'm Not Angry.
Wieviele Platten kommen denn noch von diesem Spacko? Dieses Projekt hätte keine einzige davon gebraucht. Bei diesem Album wurde sich produktionstechnisch erkennbar viel Mühe gegeben, und doch sind die Arrangements dieser zugegebenermaßen halbwegs passablen Songs einfach nur banal. Akustisch-generische Ödnis. Jeder der Songs auf diesem Album wäre um ein vielfaches besser, wenn er ihn nicht selber singen würde.
the list compiler definitely has a soft spot for costello as this is the second offering we've had from him and one in 1001 is more than enough. that said, it should be this one over the other one as its fairly pleasant listening.
This record reminds me of the 13th time I had to clean the bathtub after shitting so ferociously that I tore my anus wide open. A remarkable way to come out to my parents.
Died on a toilet
New wave retro rock n roll. It's jolly good fun in an unadventurous kind of way.
Starts with a song that could be a sitcom intro, but I think that might be intentional, sarcastically. Fun record, high energy, but not very fresh or unique.
It sounded so good in black and white. No longer as on the mark as it was when purchased on the day of release.
Really fun, but kind of white and dated
Decent groove but I’m not keen on him or his voice.
Brilliant throughout
Great album
Hits the target 🎯
That’s some pretty good pop music. Although every song sounds very similar. 3/5
Yep. Still dislike listening to Elvis Costello.
This is what I would think of if someone said "stereotypical rockabilly album", which isn't necessarily a good thing. I mean, I understand this type of album wasn't exactly common at the time, so I'll give it a couple bonus points there, but considering there are multiple other Costello albums to go, I'm not exactly revving to listen to more. I suppose I didn't dislike how it sounded, though, at least for now.
This is the third or fourth Costello record I've gotten and I'm starting to feel bad. He really should click with me, but I can't get anything below the surface level with him. It's pleasant enough when it's on, just nothing I enjoy enough to go out of my way to listen on my own. Favorite tracks: "Allison", "Blame It On Cain", "I'm Not Angry"
Perfectly serviceable album. Little bit dull. Has some songs I know, has others I'll forget. I probably would give it a two but I have a sort of inexplicable affection for Costello and I'm not sure why, so I'll give a bonus
Allison - really good love song, heartfelt, calm, classic Sneaky feelings - continues the theme of this longing for love Mystery dance - very catchy, rhythmic song Red shoes - catchy melody, classic The album is chill, but heartfelt. A lover's whisper, although he portrays moments of happiness and passion. The instrumentation really emphasizes how he is feeling.
Good album. Better than This Year's Model. More melodic and flows better
I don't know too much about Elvis Costello before this and I was pleasantly surprised by how much i enjoyed this album. Excited to listen to more of his discography.
Classic.
Good not great album.
I don't like Elvis Costello. I don't have a substantive criticism, there's just something about him that rubs me the wrong way. I don't like his voice, his music, his lyrics, what-have-you. And yet, I can't deny that this album is clearly technically solid. The man has talent, even if his style is not for me.
Very aware of Costello and have heard a few songs on that radio, but never took the time to listen to his stuff. Glad I did. I enjoyed this album. Even added Waiting for the end of the world to my music downloads. Loved Waiting and likes Welcome to the working week, Alison and Mystery dance. I will now take the time to get to know better 3-3.5
3.5 I really enjoyed this one. It didn’t do anything amazingly remarkable but I can absolutely see why people really like this album. I’ll definitely be listening again. Favorites: Welcome to the Working Week, Miracle Man, Alison, Sneaky Feelings, Waiting for the End of the World, Watching the Detectives
2.5 Elvis Costello is an artist I've never really been quite able to figure out. I've heard him labeled as both new wave and punk... but yet I really don't hear either. What I hear (and see) is someone trying to put a "modern" spin on 1950s rock, and it's fine I guess, but it's not spectacular either. I feel like I'd rather just listen to '50s artists. Favorite songs: Welcome to the Working Week, (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes, Less Than Zero
I've previously questioned whether the number of Elvis Costello albums on this list might be overkill. However, the inclusion of this, Costello's debut, is clearly very well justified. It comprises 12 immaculately written and performed tracks. Each one is an instant ear worm, but with emotion and depth. Top notch. Rating: 4.5/5 Playlist track: Alison Date listened: 17/09/22
Nice but background
Great album
Good quirky pop tunes, really like, should listen again
My fave album by the Other Elvis.
So good. Have not heard this whole album before. Worth the listen.
really not my vibe. A bit grating.
7/10
3,5 classic ragga roolin maybe a 4,2 on a good day
Pretty Boring, seems like generic rock from the time, nothing to special the opening song was fun though.
isch ok
pretty decent, nothing jumping out as special. inoffensive to the ears
Songs are all pretty similar but it's easy to listen to with some catchy songs.
good album easy listening
You can hear the burgeoning talent in this album, and it really comes to the fore in his next two albums.
I liked it a lot, I can't believe it was his first studio album. It was upbeat with solid tracks.
Loved this already, though I don't know that I ever owned the whole album
Super based album. Much better than the usual ABBA fare. This is going into my regular rotation.
a bit old school
Really good. 3.5/5
Bang-average album by Costello. 'Blame It On Cain' and 'I'm Not Angry' were interesting, but overall the record sounds incredibly bland. Not looking particularly forward to the remaining entries by Costello.
I’ve never quite understood the appeal of Elvis Costello. I’ve listened to a couple of records but I was never blown back. So imagine listening to this record for the first time… And still don’t care. “Alison” is great and there’s some great breaks and musicianship. And knowing the popularity of this guy it doesn’t please me one bit that I still feel totally indifferent to Costello’s discography.
Enjoyable but some of the songs on this album just sound so dated, especially given this came out in 1977
Fun.
Punk, 1977. A record with a great energy and a lot of fantastic songs. It is also one of the best debut albums of the 70s and a really good one for the lovers of punk music. In the end this project is very interesting and enjoyable.
Annoying
Its OK but never gets better than that
Vu le succès de la première émeute anti-Costello organisée par mon rival eltrapeze et moi-même, nous vous invitons à sa deuxième édition qui se tiendra le 19 septembre prochain, à 14h. Pour rappel, nous étions pour la première édition plus de vingt-mille émeutiers à nous être déplacés selon nous, dix-mille selon la police, et vingt-cinq selon Elvis Costello. À notre grande satisfaction, de nombreux magasins ont été vandalisés, des voitures incendiées, et des monuments tagués du slogan "no costello". Nous prévoyons de faire encore mieux la prochaine fois et avons hâte de vous y retrouver. À bientôt chers lecteurs.
Elvis Costello est ici fidèle à lui-même, à savoir complétement insipide. J'en profite pour vous rappeler que la deuxième édition de la manifestation anti Costello aura lieu le Lundi 19 Septembre. A cette occasion, nous distribuerons divers drapeaux et banderoles à l'encontre de Costello. Au plaisir de vous retrouver là-bas, prêts à en découdre.
Not sure about best rock debut ever, but pretty rockin' stuff.
My favorite Costello to date. Really like "Watching the Detectives". 3.5/5
like the album a lot - seems influential, hear remnants of this elsewhere
first, i felt attacked. how dare elvis costello release a song titled "welcome to the working week"? overall, i found myself unimpressed by this album. it was decidedly average, even if it was costello's debut. this album was not bad; it was quite listen-able. but something lacked here, and its absence makes the songs a little boring. i couldn't even tell you what it is! i knew a handful of costello songs before listening, and i suppose they were his best because the album fell flat most of the time. unremarkable. for all costello represents the new wave sound, there was a strong sixties vibe here! it's interesting how well costello captured that pop sixties sound. "(the angels want to wear my) red shoes" was the standout of the album. it's got a slight punk sound--which checks out, considering its short runtime.
Honestly, I'm not sure what to say here. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great. It was just average, through and through. It wasn't offensive, but nothing was really exciting about it, either. It was just consistently just "okay". In this album, I can definitely hear where Costello is likely influenced by and trying to carry over some of the power pop and rockabilly of the 50s and 60s, such as The Beach Boys, The Beatles, Elvis Presley, and Buddy Holly. You can even see it in the album cover art. But again, I think it's all a little too evenly neat and one note, nothing out of bounds or surprising like you might have gotten from the above-mentioned bands. Where they all got their fame taking risks and playing around in these genres, Costello just seems to be mostly rehashing them. Again, I always like to note when an album is someone's debut album, because I think it can say a lot. In this case, I definitely feel like Costello already had a solid idea of what he wanted to do and didn't need multiple albums to find his sound; he had it right away. As I understand it, there's a LOT of Costello on this project, so I'm definitely feeling indifferent about that, but at least my first Costello entry was this, his debut album, so I can maybe do some interesting comparisons with future albums. You know, for science. So far, I'm definitely not seeing what all the fuss is about.
happily impressed, very good listen
Fiery and strong vocals The band sounds hollow and feels super forgettable Costello's lyrics blur the line between "devil-may-care" attitude and sociopathic, abusive asshole who gets pleasure from pissing people off This dude is king of the incels
Ik vond dit net iets minder speciaal dan het album dat eerder de revue passeerde.
I honestly enjoyed the blues infused rock that Costello puts forth here. It’s great storytelling by a great storyteller. Decent guitar here too.
Both nostalgic and ahead of its time.
7/28/2022 - ALBUM #182 Today's Album: "My Aim Is True" by Elvis Costello - The last Elvis Costello album I listened to from this generator was with his band, The Attractions, so it was interesting to hear what his music sounded like solo. On this album, in comparison to the other one, there is far more emphasis on Elvis’s songwriting and less on the sound of the record. That isn’t to say the sound of this is bad by any means, but I think it sounds pretty simple and stripped back in comparison. This tracklist is pretty full of good tunes, with every song holding a pretty decent chorus and a classic rock and roll vibe. There isn’t a ton to say with any of the specific tracks, really, aside from some standout funky vibes on tracks like Blame It On Cain, Sneaky Feelings, and Watching The Detectives. If I told you to imagine classic rock distilled into a scrawny white man with the voice of Frank Zappa, I’m sure you would be able to imagine something pretty similar to what’s on display on this record. It’s really just Elvis’s unbeatable melody writing paired with a chunky rock and roll groove on every track and there isn’t much more than that. I guess that’s what is really standout about this record: for how little it’s doing something new for it’s time. It’s such an enjoyable listen from front to back and it’s such a testament to how strong his songwriting abilities are. Overall, this is a solid rock and roll record with great song-writing and a bunch of banger choruses. Give this one a listen if you want to know more about the 2nd most famous person named Elvis. Highlights: Welcome To The Working Week, Miracle Man, Blame It On Cain, Alison, Sneaky Feelings, Watching The Detectives, Red Shoes, Less Than Zero, Mystery Dance, Pay It Back, I’m Not Angry Score: 8/10 A classic rock and roll record with quite the songwriting punch
Not a week goes by where I don't hear something from this album I'm sure. This album gets off to a great start with Welcome To The Working Week. And who doesn't love Alison? Top to bottom a great album.
It's an album of cool and collected bops
This was not it y'all. I would describe this album as if you went to see a 70s cover band and they played 0 songs you actually know. Not like the music was bad, there just wasnt anything going on that made me wanna listen again. Generic af 2/10
Kinda boring and the guy's voice is annoying.
I dug this one a lot for some reason. It’s got this earnest nerdy rock vibe to it that feels like a precursor to more modern stuff I like, like weezer, lcd soundsystem, the strokes. The songs are fun and energetic but also feel genuine and homespun and have a rebellious youth vibe to them. Allison is an all-timer, Welcome to the working week is a great opener, the stretch from blame it on Cain to mystery dance is pretty killer. I don't love watching the detectives as the closer but otherwise I like the album from top to bottom. Probably a strong 8 for me
This simply did not hit. I liked I’m not angry tho
Not quite pop, not quite punk, not quite rockabilly. But is it really good? Not quite.
Best album in the world
Seemed really basic and repetitive. A lot of the songs sounded similar
p390. 1977. 5 stars Costello when he could still knock out a decent tune. Listening to this, you can see what the fuss was about - razor sharp lyrics, minimal production, and short snappy songs that actually stick in the ear. This is the standard he set himself, and it's just sad to hear the thin meandering whining that he puts out these days compared to this.
Decent sound, decent songs.
Not a fan of Costello. That said, not a bad album.
yeh thought that was right fun. good lark.
Genre: New Wave 3/5 In what was probably my favorite Elvis Costello experience so far (not saying much, but it's the truth), My Aim Is True, his debut effort, is a pretty straightforward new wave/pub rock experience. A lot of his early rock influences creep in here, and his voice is dialed down quite a bit than later albums, with a lot of the songs sounding more like 70s post-Buddy Holly than his 80s Costello tracks. What transpires is quite a run-of-the-mill pop rock experience, but it ends up being way more enjoyable than most other Costello albums due to classy, smooth production and its pared back attitude. The album's opener, the quick and punchy Welcome to the Working Week, is such a great opener that you're upset to find that it's less than a minute and a half, as the album launches into Miracle Man before we get a chance to even acknowledge how good it was. Songs like the rock & roll cut Mystery Dance, or the soft soul cut Alison, provide us with some sonic variety, but not enough to keep this album from sounding like one big continuous New Wave song. Decent, though, and a lot more enjoyable than I was expecting or hoping.
Some goodies but a little too old timey for me
Elvis' most important album deserves to be on this list, the other bajillionty from the book? Nah. Anyways… coming from the punk migration to post-punk, pop and new-wave My Aim Is True is a great blending of the prior influences and some others mixed in to make a good album. 3.5/5.
I find Elvis Costello irritating. And he had been over represented in this list - yet I can’t seem to give him very bad ratings because each album has a few gems - this one has Allison and Watching the Detectives. The rest hints at promise but his voice sounds like a Smurf in a toothpaste tube.
Rock.
At his beginning
Overall enjoyable record. Loved that there was some humour in the lyrics and vocal delivery. Some guitar parts were pretty slick too. Good listen
Thought it was a good but not great debut by Costello Favourite song was “Watching the Detectives” 23/06/22
I've always said Costello > Presley and this cements that fact
Nice clean style but with its own spin on everything. Minus a star because only about half of the album is good.
Some great songs on here but not as polished as some of his later work.
I've always loved this album. The 48 song Spotify version is a bit much for me. Stick to the basics.
Not my normal music, but I enjoyed it enough. Like the upbeat, light music.
This was one of those albums that I could listen to straight through, uninterrupted while walking my dog. I don't remember if I had this album previously as none of the tracks sounded familiar. I can also say that I had never heard this album at all, period. I really enjoyed this album. I would have to listen 1 or 2 more times before I can give my opinion on what I believe the stand out tracks to be but overall the whole thing was very catchy. I could picture just having a lazy day at the beach with a cold beer in my hand and this album playing in the background.
I've heard this before, but maybe I didn't really listen to it. Regardless, I love this album. Alison is an all-time great song. But there's not really a filler song on this thing. There's a great collision of old-fashioned rock n roll with something unhinged that just really works for me. Great stuff.
I had a lot of fun listening to this joint! Costello wears a number of different hats, and does it well. At times he alternately sounds like Graham Parker, the Ronettes, Randy Newman and even the Atlanta Rhythm Section - or do they sound like him? Anyway, short, sharp songs redolent of the pub rock scene, without a whole lot of frippery but plenty of flash. A fantastic record.
Hot take: I might be ready to say that "Watching the Detectives" is my favorite reggae song of all time. Granted, I have not done my due dilligence (like, at all) and making this declaration would probably and rightfully offend the entire island of Jamaica, but... that's a damn good song. And to close out the entire album? Bold move that pays off in spades. It's so much moodier than most of what precedes it and the tempo/rhythm/instrumentation really support the story he's telling. Is dark reggae a thing? It should be if it can be done this well. Alas, I can't say I had the same experience with everything else on this record. In fact, while I like "Allison" something about it's placement in the track listing here didn't work for me. Also, maybe there's one too many tunes that sound like they could have been played by the band at the end of Back to the Future. This could be a shorter listen and I wouldn't complain. But still. Very solid record with an exclamation point at the end of the sentence. Costello has become one of the very few repeat artists on this list that I get excited to listen to again.
Really nice indeed!!!
Nice easy listening but nothing special. Probably sums up his career.
I thought this would be pure crooning before listening, but it's got a fair bit more energy than I expected, which is great. Short, sharp, and snappy songs, that blend into each other quite nicely with a couple of changes of pace. No particular standout, but nothing unpleasant either (although he crosses the line into crooning on Alison). Just fails to squeak into 3/5 territory I think, so a gentleman's 2 for me.
Another good Costello album. He seems like a fun guy and I wish I could party with his younger self.
Nice combination of rock and pop. Picks up towards the end and finishes on a high with Watching the Detectives.
A great debut album: such a range of styles & mature subject matter.
Meilleur que l'autre que j'ai eu, mais ça reste un peu dull.
I like the fairly basic makeup of this album. Somewhere in his vocals a stimuli looms secretively.
LP
Very distinctive voice, but this means a lot of the songs sound pretty similar. Really good songs though, lyrically and musically, with production that lets them shine. Enjoyed it more than I expected, even though I knew enough of the songs to be confident it would be good. 4 🌟
I’ve herd of the guy quite a bit so I hope he’s good… The album starts with welcome to the working week, it’s a good enough song very short and a good reflection of the rest of the album. Next is miracle man It’s good and I don’t mind his vocal style, but it’s just not that distinctive from the opener. No dancing is a good slow down from before it’s also ( currently) the poppiest cut. I especially like the percussion on here. Blame it on cain is another slower paced track this time reminding me of a sorta 60’s-y kinda sound, the slow tempo of this song works well though as it feels like the sort of thing an audience would clap along to in a gig. Alison is a good slow track, I think I recognise the chorus but nothing else. A probable favourite! Sneaky feelings is a good ( but of it’s time) pop song. My favourite moment is probably the simple but effective chorus; while it’s not the best song I’am surprised it wasn’t a single. Now we have ( the angels wanna wear my) red shoes, I think I know this one. I like everything here from the backing vocals in the poppy chorus and the tidal wave of drumming that occurs. Next is the last single to appear on the album Less than zero, one that I don’t recognise, it’s a nice slower song, fine guitar work throughout and I would argue it’s some of his best singing. Mystery dance us just a short 60’s-y song also it’s probably the heaviest on the album with some loud crunchy guitars on the chorus. Pay it back’s piano line is kinda what I think would be played in a cowboy saloon. It’s actually good though with decent instrumentation snd some okay lyrics. I’am not angry has to be my favourite though as it’s the most directly rock inspired, and while you could view it as annoying the whispering of “angry” is quite cool to me. Also it has my favourite line from the album in “ cos there’s no such thing as an original sin”! The album technically closes with waiting for the end of the world it’s got a good guitar lick and the spiralling drums in the pre chorus is cool. Just doesn’t feel like a closer. The album also ends with watching the detectives, a much slower track with powerful drumming and a great guitar line, I think I recognise things one, what an amazing song! It was good the second half is a little better than the first ( but that often happens in albums) also while I know it’s 70’s there’s so many 60’s style tracks which is odd.
Fantastic. Great punk.
2.5/5. Let’s just say I have heard better bad music.
Easy listening but nothing much to it.
Viel Gitarre, watching the detectives bekannt und gut, Blues und Rock, gefällt mir
I guess it's a throwback to 50s but also a way forward?
catchy but not really my thing
Waiting for the end of the world Watching of the detectives, Sinon rien de bien
Liked this one a lot. Never been a huge Costello fan but this album is well done. Great guitar, bass and drum parts. Cool vibe all around.
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.
This album sounds like it could've come out yesterday, what a timeless classic.
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.
One of my all-time favorites. Packed with great songwriting. An incredible debut album. I love how confidently he uses different genre styles throughout the album. There’s some doo-wop on “No Dancing,” country twang on “Blame It On Cain,” old fashioned rock n roll on “Mystery Dance,” and reggae in the beat of “Watching the Detectives.” Most of all Elvis Costello just sounds so cool. He’s a great performer. I remember listening to this in high school and even though I was too nervous to date girls at the time, this album gave me a little window into an adult world of relationships and sex. Hearing Elvis Costello sing about dating with a snarky attitude had a huge impression on me. He was smart and nerdy looking but still had swagger. A lot of songs went over my head — I still don’t know what “(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes” or “Less Than Zero” are about) — but I loved the style with which he sang them. Fun fact: I was Elvis Costello for Halloween in college once and I based my look on this album cover. I’m sorry to say no known photographs exist of this costume but I swear it was really good.
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!
Ok as background music, but nothing that stands out.
Much more eclectic than I was expecting. definitely one to revisit. Cover art 5/5
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.
Most of these songs are so ingrained in popular culture that it's easy to forget that this is a debut album. It almost runs like a Greatest Hits. The pub rock production is great. I suspect the songs were even better when played live. Watching the Detectives should have been the album opener, not the final track. A minor gripe.
I find it hard not to at least be neutral on Costello, it's really hard to dislike him. It's just a fun rock album.
Raw, eclectic mix of styles with Elvis not quite into his stride as he is on Armed Forces say. Still proper music though.
Listened to on 3/29/22 4.5/5 Favorite song: Alison, Welcome to the Working Week, Living in Paradise This album was GREAT - a little all over the place in terms of a vibe but I loves how easy it was to listen to while being fun and upbeat. The lyrics are beautiful and I would absolutely listen to it again and again
Very fun listen all the way through. Really enjoyed No Dancing and Alison.
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
Not bad. Not music I listen to normally but upbeat and fun.
I really dig it
Delightful, and most of what I know him for.
Don't like most of it, but Alison and Red shoes are 2 of my favourite songs ever.
It's quirky, fun, uniquely written rock n roll album that's standout among other classic rock album in 1977~
“A phenomenal debut, capturing a songwriter and musician whose words were as rich and clever as his music.”
idk maybe I am missing something but I had high hopes after first track and then got really disappointed, best track Alison; 2,5
One of my favorite records, there are so many great songs! I love the songwriting, the variety of song styles, his vocals, …
Meh
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
Mildly entertaining
Don't get it - why is this Englishman doing American rocknroll cosplay? Why is every song the same and completely forgettable? Why are there apparently multiple albums by this guy on the list? Definitely not an album I'm be reflecting back on being glad I'd heard, listening to it actually made me angry at how boring it was! 1/5 - I can see how some people may enjoy this - but I never want to hear it again.
I'm glad there's a world where Elvis Costello works. What an original. Obviously, he is cut from the cloth of Buddy Holly, but that era of American music had such an influence on the greatest British acts like Elton John, The Beatles, Elvis and of course this Elvis...Costello. No Dancing is the song that I think ties it all together in terms of where Costello came from and where he's ultimately going. His roots are in a Motown/rockabilly/pop sensibility that will evolve in the same way as Bowie and Springsteen would. Alison is timeless and whatever it's about - it stops you in your tracks and makes you reflect on life a little bit. Great debut album here.
So, he "changed his name to Elvis after Elvis Presley and adjusted his image to match the then-rising punk rock movement." This Wikipedia sentence tells pretty much everything about this album. So he IS Elvis no. 2, and his debut album is much better than the mess made as Napoleon Dynamite. Like Elvis no. 1, it's consistently dull yet for some reason irresistibly catchy. It's like a cheap candy. Enjoyable, but not remarkable or anything. I could say that if his "aim" is to make a punk version of Elvis Presley, then he hit it. His aim was definitely true, whatever that means.
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.
I didn’t hate it
Great Singer. Good to hear him.
Fav songs: - Welcome To The Working Week - Alison - Waiting For The End Of The World
Hi- Welcome To The Working Week, Alison, Mystery Dance, Pay It Back, I'm Not Angry, Waiting For The End Of The World, Watching The Detectives Maybe it's my broken mind, but I have always thought that if Buddy Holly survived the plane crash and went hard, we'd get Elvis Costello (I'm not alone in this, btw)...Anyways, My Aim Is True opens with a confirmed hit ("Welcome..."), a rollicking track that sets the tone for the rest of the record. Mr. Costello continues his tradition of writing excellent girl-name songs (Alison), and follows up with Mystery Dance and Pay It Back, with all of the rockabilly goodness you could ever ask for...Except it doesn't stop there! The 2nd half of this album really opens up and swing-rocks around the club, until closing out with the doo-wop classic Watching The Detectives. Listen to more Elvis Costello!
Mi sta sul cazzo qualsiasi cosa.
Still sounds so fresh! Huge classic from the Costellinator!
Enjoyed some of the guitar to begin with, but I don't like his voice. The album felt very samey all throughout.
One of my favorite albums in this thing so far, I've always liked Costello's music (I'm already a bit biased for him due to his collaborations with Paul McCartney). This album definitely has rockabilly roots and some punk influence, and I love the style. 9/10, favorite songs: No Dancing and Watching The Detectives.
the run of dad rock albums continues. I have no strong opinions about this album except that I'm not a fan of tone of his voice.
Pas mon préféré... agencements plus ou moins réussi de plusieurs styles, je sais pas trop quoi en penser, c'est pas particulièrement original, il chante pas particulièrement bien...meilleure pièce c'est le single reggae qui a vraiment pas rapport avec le reste... genre j'entends ça à la radio et je vais acheter l'album, je suis assurément déçu pcq c'est plus early rock n roll vibes que reggae...branche toi Elvis 😆
Mystery dance était l’fun.
Pas grand chose de mémorable ici. J’aime bien le mix du drum. Pièce favorite: Watching the detectives (qui a été ajouté sur la version US du disque). I’m not Angry vaut aussi l’écoute.
"Music journalists like Elvis Costello because music journalists look like Elvis Costello" - David Lee Roth. 2/5.
It sounds like a great first album of a great artist. Still with a lot of rough edges, and on the balance of the rock 'n' roll and new wave.