Reviews (page 2 of 12)
I like Elvis Costello. What a range
Ce mi place! E un album Rick-N-roll pe care-l voi asculta mult
ameeee
I don't think I enjoyed this album quite as much as This Year's Model but it was still good! "Welcome to the Working Week" "Miracle Man" "(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes" "Less Than Zero" and "Watching the Detectives" were all enjoyable, and "Waiting For the End of the World" was probably my favorite on here.
The first handful of Elvis Costello albums are amazing, this thing is funny, catchy, interesting, and flawless
Exceptional power pop. Every song is single-worthy. Just snappy, brisk, and catchy punk influenced jams. A necessary building block in the early days creating the indie aesthetic.
I was just thinking they it was statistically improbable for me to get this deep in the list without encountering Mr. Costello, and here he is. This is an easy one for me because I’ve known all the words for twenty years or more. It wasn’t my first EC album (that was Armed Forces) and I don’t think I knew it was HIS first. But I definitely got that first album vibe of someone coming in off the street and putting down something that’s been bottled up inside of him for years. All the messiness that would later get ironed out with The Attractions is a lot of what I enjoy here. Others have analyzed every song so I’ll say a bit about EC and what he meant to me as a kid in the 90s. Before Wikipedia answers about your favorite artists were not so straightforward… I knew EC was of the punk era but his image didn’t fit with the hardcore punk I knew. He wore his heart on the sleeve as all the emo kids were about too. Yet at the same time he was an adult and a working artist, not some long-ago legend who had flamed out. After starting with the classics I would buy his new albums too, though those never really stayed with me. I guess what it all says is that more than just about anyone I’ve encountered on the list so far, Elvis Costello was someone I wanted to be. I haven’t made any music since giving up the saxophone in 10th grade but I wanted his kind of impact as a writer or journalist or whatever I thought I was going to be. I don’t idolize him in the same way now and I certainly don’t get why he has nine albums on the list. But I’m damn glad this one is here, the start of it all and truly a record everyone should encounter
Excelent
Muy buen álbum el ejemplo perfecto de canciones de domingo por la mañana
Never really got into Elvis Costello and I weirdly got him confused with Billy Joel. This is some good rock and I really dig it. Might just be turning me into an Elvis Costello fan.
My favorite album
One of the greatest debut albums ever. Pretty much perfect.
Loved this since I was a teen. Every track is great. Really varied and interesting. Alison, Less Than Zero, Watching the Detectives all absolute classics. His lyrics and wordplay are top notch
Another Elvis Costello album. This is a good un. Brilliant songs with catchy melodies and smart lyrics.
Now that's a debut album!
Every Costello album on this list makes me wonder "What point of my life did I become a Costello fan and never realized it?" I remember being turned off at some point in my teen grunge era, but now every song hits me. This must be like birdwatching and WWII history. Sneaks up on middle age guys.
Like fine wine, gets better with age.
OOGH I LIKE THIS It's so fun i like that every song has cool lyrics Sounds like the non dark version of alice cooper
I got a cassette of this soon after it was released, and listened to it many, many times. I have always been in awe at the precision and elegance of the arrangements - exquisite lead guitar work, lots of lovely keyboard work, everything fitting near-perfectly together. (The sound now makes me think of Steely Dan - in a good way :-) Amazing to me that Clover (uncredited backing band) apparently worked their parts out in just a few rehearsal sessions with Costello [McManus]. Song after song are so musically bright, lyrically charged. My favourite song used to be Mystery Dance (ultimate punk sexual tension song), these days I just love them all to bits!! It's Incredibly Wonderful, 10/10.
Big thumbs up. Fresh
Still carries as strong a whiff of "where the hell did THIS come from?" as it did in 1977. Backing band Clover's country rock and bar band R&B is polite compared to the rude snarl the Attractions brought to MAiT's follow-up, 1978's "This Year's Model," but it never gets in the way of the songs, and John McFee's guitar is always worth a listen.
I thoroughly enjoyed this album. It makes me want to revisit Costello's early work.
10/10, definitely listen again
Slowly re rating this periodically. I love this album. Its so fun, every song is catchy 10/10 I love nearly every track, favs however: Welcome to the Working Week, Red Shoes, Mystery Dance
Mega Album. Mega Typ. Hab ich gut durch die Küche getanzt!
Varied. Good lyrics. Will listen again
My favorite Elvis Costello album. Good upbeat songs and the ballads aren’t too syrupy.
Highlights: ...Welcome To The Working Week, Miracle Man, Blame It On Cain, Alison, Sneaky Feelings, (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes, Pay It Back, I'm Not Angry, Waiting For The End Of The World Lowlights: --------------------------- This was phenomenal. Haven't listened to much Costello beforehand, but this blew me away. Loved every second.
Everyone should have an Elvis Costello phase; it should include but not be limited to My Aim Is True, This Year's Model, and Armed Forces. Loving these three records can last you a lifetime. On My Aim Is True we don't yet have the extra magic of the Attractions as his backing band but as much as I appreciate the gifts they bring with their excellent musicianship and chemistry to later records (special shout out to the no relations: Bruce and Pete Thomas one of the best rhythm sections of their era), it just goes to show how well-crafted these songs are and that Clover, the backing band on this record, was up to the task. And to think, after that incredible introduction, there's still a massive catalogue to discover.
A must for this list
This album was thrilling in 1977 and it’s stood the test of time really well. It was a hybrid in many ways, the backing music being provided by American country-rockers, and Costello himself directing his traditional song structure instincts towards a punkish aesthetic to match the zeitgeist. But while it could have been a weird melange, it turned out that Elvis’s razor sharp lyrics and angry geek delivery (coupled with an in-the-room-with-you production feel from Nick Lowe) fit the moment perfectly, providing a complementary counterpoint to the more visceral punk sounds and attitudes of the time. It’s important to remember its context as a coming-from-nowhere debut album, and lyrically some of the songs reflect Costello’s emotional immaturity at that time, but the torrent of words and their snappy delivery made it an eye-opening treat then, and it’s still highly listenable now.
Love Elvis Costello. For me, this isn't his absolute best work—I've always loved This Year's Model and Blood and Chocolate—but it's not too far off from it either. This album rules. 9/10
I’ve loved this album for years.
Really liked it
What a debut! This sounds very raw, and I like how it pairs with his style. He sounds really earnest and energized here, also capable of some real bitterness.
i fw this
Brilliant album.
I’ve been sleeping on mr Costello, this album is great. Perfect length, no dragging everything is tight with great musicianship and clever songwriting and all on his debut album. This will now be included in my regular rotation’s
Found a new album to love
Classic record. Great addition
Damn, I think if I had encountered this as a teenager it could have become my entire personality. Very up my street, great energy, great songwriting. Hasn't aged evenly, but a great introduction to the man. Standout track: Miracle Man
Previously known. Perfection.
Pop punk pioneer. I’m not too familiar with his later catalog, but am working on that. But early Elvis is like listening to Tom Waits sing through nasal congestion and not from the bottom of a bag of broken glass. And I mean that as a compliment to both those artists.
Only just started this project & only just realised reviews are public. I'm pretty much treating this like a diary so apologies in advance if anyone stumbles across my ramblings & gets incredibly bored. They were never intended for publication. So I need no introduction to this record. I first heard it in about 1987 after picking up an EC greatest hits & loving it, then deciding in my mildly autistic teenage way that I needed to get all his albums from the start. The only tunes from this that were on the compilation were Alison & Watching the Detectives. Alison isn't typical of the album - it's the only ballad on there - and Detectives sounds like the Attractions, so I was surprised at first by how "safe" the record sounded. I'd heard the range of styles from the first decade of his career & wasn't expecting straightforward west-coast rock & roll pastiche with dashes of country. So it took a while to get on board with it entirely. Several days after writing the above I realise I'm not going to manage to write an essay every day, so a couple of observations so I can push onward: - I remember liking some of the "lesser" tunes at the time; Sneaky Feelings & I'm Not Angry were, I'm pretty sure, early favourites. But decades later I have coalesced to the consensus that Alison, Red Shoes & Less Than Zero are clearly the best (also Detectives, but that wasn't on the UK release that I had) - I read a biography of the man not long after, and a fact I remember from it is that the lyrics to this album contain 2 separate references to premature burial - It's a statement of intent, but only partially. So much of it is R&R/50s pastiche, & the band are so trad, that it's really only the voice & lyrics that foretell what was to come. So although this is a 5-star record for all kinds of reasons, he didn't really get going until the next year when he clicked with the Attractions
I didn't know what to expect, being more familiar with later Elvis Costello. I liked this a lot. Fun, catchy, quick listen.
just perfect.
oh yes!!! big fan
2026.01.14.
Great songs
Just a great rock and roll record. Mr. Costello has a ton of albums on here. Maybe too many? But this one for sure belongs on any serious great album list.
I enjoyed "Welcome to the Working Week", "Alison", and "Blame it on Cain", in the first half particularly. I hadn't really listened to Elvis Costello before and am impressed. It's more original and interesting than I had ever credited him for hitherto. Epilogue: by the end of the album I was loving it.
What an amazing album. Definitely one of the albums that shaped me during my formative years.
kako je muzika bila sjajna ranije! divno osvezenje :)
Such a classic. My copy doesn't have Watching The Detectives but adding that just makes it better
This one is a keeper. The back half of this album is an all-time single side, but this one still tips pretty good in the first half. This review is off the rails already. Better just to go replay the album.
Best Track - "Less Than Zero"
Nice. Young and snotty Costello. So much better than mature Costello. My only criticism would be some of the song are too short. Other than that, a great one.
This is such a fun album.
i loved this one i love the guitar
Really good
Total banger!! 5 *
I really liked the album. I always find Elvis Costello interesting and listenable. I knew Allison and Watching The Detectives. They were still the highlights of the album. I was surprised by but loved Blame it on Cain.
I originally had this album generated on day 21 before joining a group. I was fairly indifferent to it then. I didn’t like it, but also didn’t dislike it, so I gave it a 3/5. Well, it hit different this morning. Something about his blend of pop and rock really works well and I’m starting to see why so many people seem to love his music. It’s really starting to grow on me.
He demonstrates his writing style and makes a classic LP. LIsten again.
I'm a big fan of Elvis Costello who made lots of different music. His debut album shows the known new wave style and "Alison" is the one track so many people know. I'm not sure that this is my favourite work of him, but it's definitely a great piece of work.
Red Shoes
The presence of Alison takes this from a 4 to a 5.
One of my all time favorite albums.
A seminal record for me. Not a bad song on it. Not every song a 10, but collectively an amazing record. With the added trivia bit that Huey Lewis' band at the time Clover were the backing band, though he didn't play on it.
I’m a big Costello fan and this one is quite unique and one of the best. It’s comparable to something like oasis’s definitely maybe in that it captures that exciting, raw newness that can only be heard in a debut album. Beyond this he would make equally great albums but sounding more like the established artist we know to this day. It’s great!
If the whole reason for the list was for me to eventually hear this album then it was all worth it. I am enamored by the album. It's like everything I love now but in 1977. The guitar parts are so well written and fun, the vocals are unique and aren't distracting, great lyrics, I can't stop thinking that if we had Ska a little earlier in the timeline this is just a Jeff Rosenstock album. But also there's tinges of like pop punk, alt rock, dare I say some screamo instrumentation every once in a while? It's so good. This is dethroning Dig Me Out as the best album from the list so far that I haven't heard before.
Yeah this is a great album with so many great songs and personality. He's just as comfortable doing proto-pop-punk as he is doing a slower ballad. Truly a great songwriter. My man Jeff Rosenstock definitely was influenced by this. This deserves a 5/5
This is the second album I hear from Elvis Costello. It has great music. It was cool and relaxing to it. The songs went by fast. 5/5
I love this record so much
Boomer punk
Every song on this album is a gem. Love it!
This is one of those rare albums where the supplementary tracks on the Deluxe Edition are perhaps better than the album itself. The songs are terrific and Costello delivers them well. I preferred the versions with The Attractions that are on the second CD in the deluxe version: these sound rawer, more immediate and a bit more contemporary (to 1977) than do the versions on the actual album, where Costello was backed by American C&W band Clover.
Clean, punchy production perfection. Tough, tight songwriting. Crisp, restrained performances. Hard to admit, I have only known the hits from this record, and there are plenty of them. Pretty hard to be both timeless and absolutely of it's time, but this record is both. 5 stars is not grade inflation.
Loved it! But its nothing new :D
Elvis Costello, and particularly his first two albums, was the artist that got me into music in general, so I've obviously gotta give this one full marks. That being said, this one's charms have worn off on me to an extent. The classic songs are all still obviously classics, no way I could ever get sick of songs like "Welcome to the Working Week", "Alison", or "Red Shoes", but especially in the second half these songs start to feel a bit insubstantial. Hiring a dedicated backing band instead of relying on the News was easily the best move Costello could make for his next album. (Side note: this is the closest we get to Huey Lewis on the list, right?)
Great
Is there a reason these have all been 40-50 years? This one (Elvis Costello) is another fond memory....
Definitely in top 100. Musicians songs arrangements all stunning. Songs still fresh. Classics including at least 2 best ever.
I am now basing my scores entirely on how much I enjoy that first (or first few) listens. As such, this gets an easy 5. Great, immediate, catchy rock - pop songs. Starts off with a bang and Alison is beautiful
A masterclass in sardonic songwriting. Elvis is king.
I knew a couple of the tracks but reminds me how good he is as a singer
Great!
Elvis is King!
Hell yeah. What a great Album
Loved it!
Every artist has a moment when they are at the height of their powers. For some it's a singular album, for others it's a period. Sometimes it's an aberration in an otherwise lackluster career and sometimes it's like the tallest peak of a vast mountain range. This album for me is the very point at the top of Elvis Costello's Mount Everest hovering just above "This Year's Model."
Honestly really great. Looks to the older rock tradition with the likes of Buddy Holly (someone he's somewhat aping with his look and the music.)
Absolutely one of the best debut albums there ever was. Not a bad song in the bunch, and served as a great launchpad into Costello's initial period of great pop albums. Perhaps he's been full of himself all along, but with a catalog like his, he has a right to be. Not every album is as good as this one, but that's okay with me.
I was really surprised to see that this was Elvis Costello’s debut album. It already sounds so sharp and fully formed, like he had been at it for years. If pop-punk had existed in the 70s, this record would have been a perfect fit. Some of the songs don’t even sound tied to that era—they feel way ahead of their time. “Blame It on Cain,” “I’m Not Angry,” and “Waiting for the End of the World” all stood out as highlights. “Waiting for the End of the World” especially caught my ear, with guitar and drum parts that felt like a throwback to the psychedelic rock of the late 60s. It gave the record some extra texture without losing its punch. Overall, My Aim Is True is a killer debut that set the stage for Costello’s career. Fast, clever, and packed with energy, it feels just as fresh today as it must have back then. Favorite song: Waiting for the End of the World
ELVIS COSTELLO
Elvis Costello has been in my life a long time, since this debut was released and I saw him perform "Watching The Detectives" on BBC TVs Top Of The Pops. I was twelve years old and punk was morphing into New Wave. In truth Elvis Costello was neither of these things. Incidentally, "Watching The Detectives" wasn't on the original UK release of "My Aim Is True", which is a quite wonderful debut album. The songs are concise and memorable. The hallmarks of Costello's best work are present in this debut; lyrical wit, a distinctive vocal delivery and great melodies. The production and mix holds up well for a 48 year old album. The standout track is "Alison" a song that Costello has said was inspired by a beautiful checkout girl he saw at a supermarket. He imagined her past as being full of promise and her present as being trapped in a disappointing life with a "ruffian who told her convenient lies." "My Aim Is True" is a clear five star album for me. For those interested; Costello's run of albums, from this release up to "Imperial Bedroom" in 1981 are quite stunning, and there more delights to be found, across his catalogue, beyond those run of releases, right up to the present day. Side one 1. "Welcome to the Working Week" – (5/5) 2. "Miracle Man" – (5/5) 3. "No Dancing" – (4/5) 4. "Blame It on Cain" – (5/5) 5. "Alison" – (5/5) 6. "Sneaky Feelings" – (4/5) Side two 1. "(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes" – (5/5) 2. "Less Than Zero" – (5/5) 3. "Mystery Dance" – (4/5) 4. "Pay It Back" – (4/5) 5. "I'm Not Angry" – (4/5) 6. "Waiting for the End of the World" – (5/5) 7. "Watching The Detectives" - (5/5) Total - 60 Average - 4.62 110/1001
5/5. This is a great album, I checked this one out after listening to his second one and I've slowly grown to like this album maybe not as much as the 2nd one but still a fantastic one. Punk with a Buddy Holly vibe, with intelligent lyrics about someone I would never want to meet. It's angry to a point that it feels a little incel but it also rides the line of sarcasm and satire that is hard to tell, and that's pretty punk. If this was the first time I was hearing this album it would be a 3 at best but it definitely takes a few listens to appreciate. Best Song: Miracle Man, Blame It On Cain, Alison, Less Than Zero, Waiting To The Working Week
The Album feels like a warm hug from my mother. It feels nostalgic and also new. I have never heard any music from Elvis Costello this Album has opened my eyes/ears to Elvis Great music!
Surprised me that this came out in 1977. I thought it was more in the mid 80s. What a first album! I love this. No one hits a vibrato that makes the hair on my arms stand straight up quite like Elvis.
JAKO DOBARRRR iskreno 5⭐️ bas mi je bia dobar pre jebeno groovy i zabavan vrh
Still probably my favourite Elvis Costello album, his debut predates the Attractions, the backing band being Clover, a country rock band who featured, a pre-News, Huey Lewis, but contains stunning songs. Costello’s vocals are at their most biting and snarling, the lyrics spat out. Even on “Alison”, one of his very best ballads, there a bitterness, about the loss of a dream love to the mundanity of life and marriage (perhaps?). The album never lets up starting with “Welcome to the Working Week” and through “Miracle Man”, “(The Angels Wanna Wear) My Red Shoes”, “Less Than Zero”, “Mystery Dance”, all classics. Every time I listen to the album I hear something new. This time the backing vocals on “No Dancing” really jumped out and the bridge section in “Waiting For the End of the World” (“and then the bride, the groom…) over an excellent slide guitar. The music is steeped in the pub rock from which Costello and producer Nick Lowe had just emerged and there is rock and roll, country, doo-wop, Spector-like beats, and other influences all thrown into the angry melting point. “Watching the Detectives”, which was not part of the original album but was added to the US release, features Steve Nieve’s organ and points to the Attractions who would back Costello on the rest of his ‘70s and early ‘80s output. But My Aim is True stands on its own merits and is the equal of anything which followed.
I've always heard of Elvis Costello but never listened to any of his albums. I loved it. It's so modern, I can't believe it came out in 1977. Just so fun and smart and punky and yeah. So great. So many blends of genres and yet still so distinctive. I really really enjoyed this! A hidden gem find for me.
A personal favorite .
Nice Friday afternoon album!
My first full Elvis Costello album -I'm a fan. This was a great listen.
Piano rock is so much better without piano
Hard to believe this was his first album. Every track is excellent. It was great when I first heard it in high school and has aged brilliantly.
Great debut
Listening more carefully for this project, it's so obviously a debut: a mix of different styles to see what comes across best. But it's still brilliant.
My intro to one of my absolute favorite artists!
Fanboy here. Sorry not sorry. Elvis Costello is right up there with the greatest songwriters of all time. Zappa, Dylan, McCartney Pop/Rock icons that EC belongs in the conversation with
More to my liking. Words I can understand and music that allows me to tap my fingers or feet to play along. Haven't listened closely to words yet but will. Typical life and love situations in the songs. Must admit I never really listened to him but I will now. A feel good album for me and my first 5 stars
All Time Class
Great album and a good start to explore Elvis.
Classic.
My favorite cut is Less Than Zero. All are great
Amo a Elvis Costello. Amo su versatilidad y como logra hacer que cada canción en sus discos se escuche diferente a todo lo que ha hecho. Esperen maratón Costello pronto, el tipo siempre me sorprende y me encanta todo lo que hace.
My fave Elvis record.
This is is my favorite of the five Elvis Costello albums we've had so far. Several great songs on here. Maybe just sneaks into a five for me.
Great post punk.
nailed the zeitgeist
Blonde on Blonde encore still not run out of classics! Bob is the greatest lyricist of all time. ❤️You Bob. End of encore Final Bob encore (you did scream for more) I was one of the many who couldn't get past his voice for years, but once I did it opened up amazing songs whose lyrics blow you away, be patient it's worth it Elvis Costello, never tried him before but what a great record this is, can't help thinking he is some what underrated? I could be wrong don't know enough about him. Another reason this list is so great😁
absurdo! outro que dá pra perceber a influência em vários outros artistas. tem uma que lembrei de glassjaw até. tem outra que parece que o propagandhi copiou pra tocar fck religion haha. massa!
I've heard this album hundreds of times but haven't revisited it in years. And for whatever reason I never enjoed it as much as I did this time. Even Allison wich normally makes me yawn, this time I was appreciating it for the perfect rock ballad that it is, focussing on the beautiful bass line, the jazzy guitar figure and the other subtle touches made the song come alive for me as never before. Every song jumped forth from the grooves relealing new elements that grabbed hold of me kept me riveted throughout the 35 minutes or so. I've always felt ECs first 4 albums are about as good a 4 album start of any artist in rock history, rivalling Led Zeppelin in that department, however I there was always something about My Aim is True that made me feel it was a rung below the other three...but not today. Today it takes its place beside the other three as no brainer 5 star albums!
I will likely regret this as there are so many Costello albums on this list but if there are 50% the quality of this then I look forward to all 1000 of them. This is a great album. Costello jumps across genres or sub genres and combines them all into a super well crafted/ well played album. I have no choice but to give this a 5.
otro antiguo jajaj. Me mola. Está topppp. Mystery dance lets moooveeee let loooooose. Nueva fan de este tío ngl i love him. Me encanta todo, hasta la portada. Me lo quiero volver a escuchar.
5 out of 5. Great songs despite the hard to read album cover.
Loved it.
Does not feel like an album from 1977.
I haven't listened to this album since the late 90's. I had a friend who was a big Costello fan and he loaned me this. I thought it was just ok. Fast forward 25 years and I'd like to think my musical palette has expanded. Listening now and this is really strong, especially for a debut. I miss that guy and his eclectic music collection. Extra stars for the nostalgia trip.
Yesssss. Awesome album, hits and lesser known gems. Anyone who's ever been in a relationship can relate to one or all of these songs about anger, jealousy, missed opportunities, secret feelings, etc. Still feels fresh almost 50 yrs later.
The Good: An album by The King! The Bad: Turns out that Costello isn’t an Italian version of Presley… The Ugly: wondering what Elvis was aiming at… Holy moly! Obviously I had heard the song “Alison” as it’s been overly used in tv-shows and movies, and I know I’d heard “Welcome to the Working Week” as well… but the rest… This is probably the most replayed album so far on this journey, I think I am on spin #5 within 24 hours. And while listening to this album I couldn’t but make comparisons with another album that was released in 1977; Mink DeVille’s Cabretta which I doubt will be on this list, but should be!!! Anyway, 1977 seems to be one of those magical years when several of my all-time favorite albums were released. Don’t know if it is the music, or just the age when you start discovering the world that just reminds you of all those great memories… 5*
The most uniquely sophisticated lyricist in the history of rock music, Elvis Costello spawns a universe of effortless wordplay, effective storytelling, and pop-punk compositions that stand alone in their capacity to move you cerebrally and lowdown corporeally. Lyrically, he knows that memorability has to do w/ word choices that surprise as much as they align w/ our expectations. He rhymes vengeance w/ sentence, punctured w/ disgusted, listen w/ ignition, visit w/ limit, parents w/ disappearance, as any deft rapper might. The only comparable lyricist I can come up w/ is Smokey Robinson, who likewise grasps the sticky materiality and objectivity of words. And in terms of the music itself, it boils down to rockabilly meets punkabilly. Superb.
Never thought I would love this as much as I did! Cook mix of several different musical genres. Punk, rock and RnB.
This came out just when I was switching my musical preferences from what you would call classic rock today phase into my punk, post-punk and new wave phase and this is one of the reasons for the change. Standouts are Allison, Red Shoes and Less Than Zero
WELCOME TO THE WORKIN' WEEK!! what an opener... i know it don't thrill you, i hope it don't kill you... lol... MIRACLE MAN... another banger... bam... bam... now this is rock n roll... bop city baby... NO DANCING... hey not every song can be a homerun... but not a bad little doo wop, throwback tune... almost, dare i say it, Springsteen like... BLAME IT ON CAIN... straight up banger... it's like EC is running through all the old versions of RnR... and giving it a punky overtone... ALISON... a standard... and what a vocal performance by Elvis... one of the great songs of my lifetime... SNEAKY FEELINGS... another cool rockin' throwback... i think he may be doing a Van Morrison impression here... THE ANGELS WANT TO WEAR MY RED SHOES, LESS THAN ZERO, MYSTERY DANCE... three of the best songs of the era... PAY IT BACK... another throwback sounding RnR tune... I'M NOT ANGRY... not a homerun, but strong... WAITING FOR THE END OF THE WORLD... straight up Banger... and a classic tune... and the album closer, WATCHING THE DETECTIVES... a reggae tinged, all timer... what a great album... five freakin' stars... he looked like a punk... but was a real rock n roller... Elvis Costello... legend.
In preparation to see Elvis Costello open for Bob Dylan when I was in college ~2008, this was the first album I listened to to get familiar with his music. I loved it from the beginning, and even though I think Costello has a remarkably deep catalog I still think it’s his best. It gets wrapped into British punk and new wave, but I almost look at it as Born To Run’s British cousin. Tremendous songwriting, passionate vocals, and great arrangements throughout.
Listened to this album all Summer in 1978, and still like it a lot. Saw the concert for this album but the venue was not great and concert was too short. I haven't liked anything he has done since then. 5 stars or A.
This one might be his best.
Costello has been on my radar since my high school days - the man is legend in my book and been on my play lists for decades.
I enjoyed this, great album I only knew a couple of Elvis Costello’s songs before listening to this album.
Ugh fucking masterpiece. Love the vibe of this album in particular it is kinda saturated. So damn good
I loved this. Listened to it multiple times.
pretty solid. underrated by me before
Awesome! Like a 50's rock mix of Elton John, Billy Joel & Buddy Holly. Best album yet.
If you’ve heard an Elvis Costello song on the radio it’s probably from this album.
kicking off is the debut album of elvis costello; if you're the kind of guy who loves classic rock, you'll LOVE this album. this to me is a brilliant example of mixing old and (at the time) new, catchy and original alternative rock music with vintage influence. i wonder if costello was a big fan of presley... his music also reminds me of weezer's, like if it was one guy in the 70s instead of a 90s band. he's delightfully strange and almost nerdy, unconventional when compared to the classic rock heartthrobs, but with music so full of emotion. it's an awesome listen.
An unexpected favorite. Right out of the gate I loved this album. The mix of musical styles and influences was great.
4.5
I read Complicated Shadows a few years ago and was disappointed to learn that Elvis Costello (born Declan MacManus) really didn’t have anything in his history, upbringing, or story that justified his being such a significant musician or such a significant asshole. And yet here he is. This is great music made by a tedious person. I love this album, and whether or not he is rehabilitated from his dickhead years, I’m glad I’ve never been locked in a walk in pantry with Elvis Costello.
Very obviously influential on artists to come
Und immer wieder ein Push nach vorne. Großartig!
Possibly the strongest debut of all time. Simply fantastic
- If you don't understand what a great songwriter Elvis is, I can't help you. Another stellar debut album ..... -
There have been a few concerts I've attended where I went in knowing the bare minimum about the artist -- a few hits maybe -- and came away as a fan. Seeing Bruce Springsteen bring the noise for three hours was one. Seeing the Old 97's in a historic ballroom was another. The third? Elvis Costello. Emmylou Harris opened for him. He was astoundingly good as a performer, his stage banter was top notch, and his guitar tech was the hardest working roadie in the biz. And it all started here with this hard-to-look-at-the-cover album. What a tight set of tunes. No skips -- just rock and roll in all its awesome variations with songwriting that's tight as shit. (Seriously, few lyrics in rock history go as hard as "She's filing her nails while they're dragging the lake.") So many good, hookable songs on here. Just turn it on, turn it up, and enjoy. Unexpected bangers: Miracle Man, Sneaky Feelings, Mystery Dance
Very plugged in sound - incredibly listenable. Absolutely part and parcel of a movement. Ear worms for days on this album.
Another excellent Elvis album. Something about his music I just really vibe with.
classic album from MY YOUTH
One of the all-time greatest debut albums.
A true masterpiece 10/10
<3
I asked a witty classmate what he thought of New Wave? He replied, "Old hat." He was wrong.
I like this
Already one of my favourite albums of all time. Brilliant.
Really enjoyed it, recommend it😊
I could never quite get why Elvis Costello had some albums with The Attractions, and some that weren't. They were all intermingled. But I digress... My Aim Is True came out just as the New Wave/Punk movement was making headway into the mainstream. Punk had started in NYC, made its way to London, and was heading out to L.A. in 1977. Even in a year of crowded albums by The Ramones, Blondie, The Clash, and Talking Heads, My Aim Is True stood out. It wasn't just fast and loud, or kitschy, or artsy. It was all that but also bittersweet (Allison), literary (Watching the Detectives), socially conscience (Welcome to the Working Week, and just fun (The Angels Want to Wear My) Red Shoes. There's so much going on, but the album is cohesive. Costello's popularity has never been about his voice, which is marginal though original. It has never been about his guitar playing, which is fine but not exceptional. His main attraction (see what I did there) is his songwriting and My Aim Is True is a tour de force of songwriting.
When I got this album yesterday I laughed out loud. I know that Elvis Costello is kind of the villain of this project for many people; he’s got like eight albums on this list. I’ve been doing this for over a year and still hadn’t gotten a single one of his albums and was starting to wonder when I’d see him. And here he was, AND, it was his very first album. Here’s the thing - I LOVE Elvis Costello!!! Now, I don’t love every single album he’s made. But I love A LOT of them. So I was absolutely tickled to get this one yesterday. Perfect songs, perfectly short (I blasted through this album like three times yesterday). I love Costello’s voice, the lyrics are cheeky and smart. Hooks are there. This is truly a perfect album! Here’s to 7 more Costello albums!
Great album to listen to during a work week. Dude literally invented The Police with Watching The Detectives. So many great tracks and a good cover to boot. It would be an honor to be compared to this guy.
For some reason I wasn't that excited to get this one and am getting around to it about a month late. But I was a fool, it's very good and at least 4.5 stars. I'm rounding up.
Loved it. Great beats, ska vibes, interesting songs - absolutely classic!
Really enjoyed this album and will be looking into more of Elvis Costello's work! Keep the good tunes coming.
It's such a cliche to like Elvis Costello, I hate it.
It can honestly be kind of frustrating that some of the hardest albums for me to write about are the ones that are among my favorites of all time. For real, this album is one of those that I describe as being "entrenched in my soul," alongside stuff like Pink Floyd's THE WALL, The Beatles' ABBEY ROAD, and Weird Al's ALPOCALYPSE. It was one of the first two albums I ever picked up on vinyl. It's been pretty much always one of my first choices whenever I just wanna throw on a random album. Heck, I've barely listened to any other Elvis Costello album outside of a few songs simply because they just don't hit me in the same way that this one does. And the whole time, I've hardly thought about **why** — and I never even really wanted to. I was just happy to accept it as one of my all-time favorites without reason or question. So, like, I'm not even sure exactly what I wanna say here. But you didn't stumble across this review expecting no opinion, so if I could take a stab at it... I think it's because this album is kind of nerdy. Not in the way that, like, They Might Be Giants is nerdy, but more like... I mean, just look at him on that album cover. Scrawny. Bit of an awkward pose. And with the **Buddy Holly glasses**... This man is not cool. If he was in a high school movie, the jocks would be pushing him around. Heck, even at a regular corporate job, the guys who used to be jocks would be doing the same thing. But he is **smart**. He knows his way around words and then some. And it's not even particularly deep poetry; it's just good words, about life and love and all that. And as for the music, well, he was never gonna make it as an absolute rocker, so instead he makes this New Wave pub punk power pop... And gawddamn, he's **so good** at it, and it's so perfect for his voice... And you gotta look at his smirk on the cover, too: he might not be traditionally cool, but hell if he cares. This is the music he wanted to make, and dammit, he's happy with it. I gotta throw a shout-out to The Clovers (the band who backed Costello on this album), too. I think part of the reason why I never really 100% gelled with Costello's later albums is that he switched to being backed by The Attractions, and while they are a good band, don't get me wrong, they're just... A little more forceful than I'd like Costello's music to be. The Clovers, from what I've read, were a country band, so they're a little looser, a little more relaxed... And, I'unno, I just think they're perfect for the material here. They probably couldn't do "Radio, Radio" all too well, but for stuff like "Allison", "Miracle Man", "(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes)" and "Less Than Zero", I couldn't imagine them being performed any differently. This is subdued rocking, but it's still rocking nonetheless. And those, hopefully, were the right words to explain why I was always gonna give this album a perfect 5. 'Coz, don't me wrong, I do believe in those words, but... I'unno. Just like any other album that's truly been entrenched in my soul, I don't know if words alone could completely express how I truly feel for them. Short of listening to this music through my ears, through my perspective, there's no better job I could realistically do. I suppose that's true of all opinions and trying to relay them, really, so... I'unno. Take it or leave it. Just know that whatever I type, without a doubt, my aim is true.
New wave at its simplest (and greatest, potentially). 4.5 bumped up to 5.
Me gusto mucho lps instrumentales y la voz, quiero revisar más albumes
One of the greatest debut albums of all time! This is the best example of “Pub Rock”. I imagine patrons sitting around the bar and having a few beers while Elvis Costello is playing his original songs and being blown away.
Absolutely blew me away. I've never listened to any Elvis Costello before (though obviously I've heard of him) but I had a rollicking good time listening to this one.
rockzinho leve, animado e gostoso de ouvir
Classic. What’s not to love
Shout out to Randy in the group who introduced me to Elvis Costello's greatest hits at a young age. I loved this album and re-listened to several songs. I don't think My Aim Is True was meant to upend the musical world with some sort of artistic breakthrough so much as modernize and elevate music from the 50s and 60s. But that intention works well in this album (which I felt was generally pretty tight) and for me in terms of my personal taste. Probably would give this a 4.5, but averaging up to a 5.
Love this album. One of my favorites.
actually my favourite album yet, such a fun beat and groovy lyrics- watching the detectives, mystery dance and red shoes were some favs
I'll admit that I'm a big Elvis Costello fan so of course I love this. A really fantastic debut. "Welcome to the Working Week" might be the most perfect 90 seconds in rock.
ate down
Very Groovy guitars accompanying a traipsing Costello modulated crooning
4.5 - This really snapped me to attention and it actually has so much character. Enjoyed a lot, second album that's surprised me of his
Top ten desert island album for me. Live this dusk front to back. I distinctly remember my first listen and how enthralled I was at the time.
This is my first real exposure to Elvis Costello and it’s one of those things where you say to yourself “why hasn’t anybody told me about this guy?!” This album is amazing. He’s like a mix between Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, and Buddy Holly. Quality songwriting, different styles and grooves, varied themes, all around amazing stuff, I love it.
I’ve attempted to listen to This Year’s Model several times in the past and it never really did it for me, but wow, My Aim Is True is right up my alley. Very satisfying.
Great
Great album. Yes, he’s is very well represented on this list, but we’re not taking his debut off. My mum listened to a lot of Elvis when I was growing up (I fucking hated him for years) and I wonder if it plays a small part in making me the cynical bastard I am today? The fact this album is rather short and a few songs are pretty similar did make me consider four stars for a while. I think the addition of Watching the Detectives pushes it to Five because it shows how talented and varied has the potential to be.
"My Aim Is True" is the debut album by English singer-songwriter Elvis Costello. Wiki lumps it in the musical genres of new wave, pub rock, punk rock and power pop with elements of R&B and rockabilly. The album was recorded at London's Pathway Studios over a six-hour session with country rock band Clover as the backing band and Nick Lowe as the producer. The lyrics are motivated with guit and revenge descrbing relationship struggles, politically charged situations and misogynistic characters. The album received rave reviews with some labeling it as one of the debut albums of all time. Commercially, it hit #14 in the UK and #32 in the US. "Welcome to the Working Week" opens the album. 50's doo-wop backing vocals and handclaps. A fast beat definitely in the new wave and power pop categories. Costello is expressing frustration at the ruthlessness of business. "Miracle Man" gets more of a guitar groove going. Costello's vocals are more biting and cutting as a man is dominated by his girlfriend. A melancholy guitar opens the ballad "Allison." Soulful. Costello is after a supermarket checkout girl who's in a poor marriage. "(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes" is another song with a melodic guitar open. Lyrically, it's a harder take on "Allison." A heartless woman may persecute men but she's also a victim. A woman seeking freedom (red shoes) but is blocked (angels). "Less than Zero" was Costello's first single. More a 60's rocker. It's about 1920's British fascist leader Oswald Mosley. I'd have to read more to say anything intelligent here. Was he that guy in "Peaky Blinders? "Worth mentioning, "Watching the Dectives" was released on the US album version. A mysterious spy-like guitar and reggae beat. A lover who rather watch tv than....? One of my favorite Costello songs. This album flies by with short, catchy songs. He does cover multiple genres: 50/60's pop, new wave, rock, blues, punk. As with mostly all the Costello albums ive heard, the lyrics are sarcastic, cynical, touching at times and brilliant. I might like his next few albums better but this one is still great. Even today, I still hear all six songs mentioned above fairly regularly on US rock radio.
Welcome To The Working Week: Love the tempo and the background vocals here hell yes. Wow what a great song right off the bat, I WISH IT WAS LONGER. This was a great song. Miracle Man: Love his vocal riffs (idk anything about music but I think I used that correctly) I love this attitude. Great lyrics. Guitar solooooooooo. Ya this is great, I’m loving this vibe or I’m just loving the 70’s, you tell me. This is another great song, back to back. The last song should have been 3 minutes long as well! No Dancing: Omfg these vocals are so good. Wow I’m just loving sitting back and listening to his lyrics and just how much fun these songs are so far. Great pacing in this song. Great song! Blame It On Cain: Damn the soul in this song, classic 70’s. Great voice, this is such a fun song. BLAME IT ON THE CAIN, DONT BLAME IT ON MEHEEEE!!! Love the bridge. Wow this is another great song. Alison: First major tempo change on the album, and it sounds like he knows what he’s doing. OH ALISON, MY AIM IS TRUE (ALBUM TITLE DROPPPPP!). I’m halfway through the song and I totally know why this is one of his most popular songs, so so so so good! Sneaky Feelings: Love the chorus here, great instrumentals, they are fun and light but punchy, which is complimented so well on those emphasized notes within the lyrics. I love those like cymbal high hats oh ya. I STILL GOT A LONG WAY TO GO. Great freaking song brother. (The Angels Want To Wear My) Red Shoes: Woah that harmonization. This just feels so timeless I love the sound of this song. This is great, no other comments. Less Than Zero: This song is the first time I kind of thought back of his style throughout the album and I’ve realized how good of a story teller he is. I feel like it’s so hard to tell a good story, even a non linear one while having a comprehensive chorus and he seems to kill it. EVERYTHING MEANS LESS THAN ZERO HEY. Great song! Mystery Dance: OH SHIT JAILHOUSE ROCK TYPE SHI. OH YAAAAA STANKY LEGG. I know I’d get down to this down at the sock hop omfgggggggg. GUITARRRRRRRR SOLOOOOOOO. I want to know about the mystery dance. This song was so good it needs to be longerrrrrr. So good! Pay It Back: ONE OF THESE DAYS IM GUNNA PAY IT BACK PAY IT BACK ONE OF THESE DAYS. Jeez idek what to say anymore, I mean this is so good. He ain’t paying it back any time soon I know that. I’m Not Angry: WOAH… jeez these instrumentals. So strong and rich. When he brings down his voice and starts to build I’m so interested because I know it leads to a satisfying drop into a reliable chorus. Wow they going crazy on the guitar. What a great song!! Waiting For The End Of The World: More story telling on Costello’s part. Super compelling and fun. Ya this is such a fun song, really good. Watching The Detectives: Woah love the bass here, and then the guitar, hell ya. Ya even better story telling on this one, great instrumental and lyrical effects. SHOOT SHOOT SHOOT SHOOT. Great song! No Action: Woah these drums and the build up. This usually isn’t my thing but I really like this. Not my favorite track on the album but still super good. Living In Paradise: He seems to use a more toned back use in his voice on this track, and it’s super smooth and I like it for the story he’s telling here. HERE WE ARE LIVING IN PARADISE. Ya this is great, I have nothing to add. Radio Sweetheart - Outtake: Love the guitars but LOVE THOSE SWELLING BACKGROUND VOCALS YES. And then back into that swing he brings, so well put together. PLAY ONE MORE FOR MY RADIO SWEETHEART! Great song! Love the call and response, so fun! Jeez why was this thing an outtake?? Stranger In The House - Outtake: Love that piano with his voice, so simple and calming. Love the story telling here, I can’t believe this thing is an outtake, I mean it’s great. And those like chill country like instrumentals are so fitting. This was great! FINALLY IMPRESSIONS: I can’t believe I have not listened to Elvis Costello until now. I’ve always known his name (mainly because of my parents) and I may have heard one or maybe two of his songs before, but I know nothing about him. I love his style and the way he fits into rock, it’s just so catchy and cool. If I had to describe this album using one word I would literally use the word “fun.” This album is just so fun, and it sounds like he’s having fun with it as well. Costello’s story telling also got stronger as the album went on and I even found myself gravitating towards his two outtakes, which were actually flawless tracks. You know your album is good when your outtakes are flawless. I usually have to play a game or do something while listening to an album, not this one though. I just chilled in my bed and listened and it was great. This album had absolutely 0 skips, and was such a fun listen. I could not have died without listening to this album.
One of the many great Elvis Costello albums
4-5
Finally a good Elvis Costello album :)
Being around music for his entire young life, it should be no wonder why his freshman album is so well written and full of classics. It’s stil an impressive feat.
Among the best debuts in rock history, played in a day and featuring a fully mature voice, rich in subtle harmonics and laced with biting and hilarious lyrics.
4.5
I can imagine Elvis Costello ending up in my “controversial artists” list, but for a good reason. It’s not that the quality of his work is ever poor. It’s that Elvis is not afraid to explore different musical genres according to his personal interest over the years. I have seen him several times in concert, some were “amazing!” and some were “meh” to me, because the musical styles were very different. Sometimes he and I are not on the same wavelength. Not the case with this album though! This is his 5 star album for me. He truly hit the target with this one.
I ALREADY LOVE THIS ALBUM
Welcome to 1977 where punk is already becoming post punk and we get a new wave of artists such as Elvis Costello and Talking Heads. I used to wonder what the fuss was about. This is what the fuss is about. Elvis Costello’s sound and style would shift and vary and mature, but this debut album is potent. It’s fun, varied, and energetic. Enjoy!
Hell yeah love this album
It's Elvis Costello. He's always gonna be pretty good. Some classics on here.
I absolutely loved this album It's a brilliant debut, songwriting is great, I've seen the term power-pop used. It's a meld of so many genres and honestly blew me away. I knew I enjoyed Costello before this but hadn't done an album in full.
Wonderful! I was surprised to read that this album produced no hit singles yet three of Costello's best loved songs are on hear. Alison is just a great ballad and Red Shoes is another brilliant song and on the American release the album included Watching the Detectives which I rate almost as highly as Olivers Army. As a debut album they don't come much better than this
Having seen Elvis Costello play an acoustic show recently I was very excited to listen to this album again! I started to play this album on Monday morning at 9:30 and welcome to the working week came on loud!, great song, and a great welcome to another week. So many good songs on this album, I love Blame it on Cain, Alison, and the angels wanna wear my red shoes. This is just a fun pop album that is easy to listen to. Favourite song: The entire album is superb Least favourite: There is not a bad song on the album Album artwork: Cool cover
One of the most accomplished debut albums of all time, and one of my favorite songwriters. Truly terrific.
This has always been a favorite of mine and this listen was great.
Takes me back 👌
Just awesome. What a great debut album. The weakest song on here, maybe Mystery Dance, would be the best song half the albums on this list. Bonus 6th star for the first song I heard on this Monday morning being Welcome to the Working Week.
One of my faves growing up, and it doesn't disappoint after all these years. just a great album start to finish.
Utterly brilliant and made me happy.
This is in my record collection. Fabulous album. Great debut album. Alison was thought of as one of the first punk love songs.
My Aim is True Back when Elvis Costello’s songwriting was exciting and energetic with loads of great ideas, before he settled into writing rather flat and boring ’mature’ music. I do know this album somewhat, but I haven’t listened as much as This Year’s Model and Armed Forces, so it's nice refreshing my memory. It really is a great album - a direct, sharp, neurotic, wired and edgy 32 minutes (if you don’t include the excellent Watching the Detectives), with an engaging and exciting blend of punkish energy combined with classic rock, country, soul, 50s rock n roll and 60s pop influences. Welcome to the Working Week is a great burst of cynical energy, etMiracle Man has that great guitar motif, while No Dancing has the Spector drum pattern and vague soul feel with some nice acoustic guitar texture. Blame it On Cain is great and very Springsteen. It’s not something I’ve connected before and I’m not sure if that’s just because Springsteen has Adam Raised a Cain but I feel like there is a lot of Springsteen influence here, albeit through Costello’s more cynical British lens. Great song though. Alison is rightly a classic, a melody I could imagine Smokey Robinson singing in the early 70s, and just a lovely song, with a tenderness in contrast to much of the more bitter and angry lyrics elsewhere. Sneaky Feelings is a nice counterpoint to Alison’s more simple directness, a sweet little tune with a nice theme of secretiveness and mistrust. Red Shoes is a great track, one that just feels right in it’s construction, melody and lyric. Less than Zero uses the Twist and Shout riff and is another great 50is rocker with a great lyric. Mystery Dance is even more 50s and again has some Springsteen about it. Pay it Back has some great guitar and great energy. I’m Not Angry is perhaps the only misstep for me, the guitar is a little too sub-Mark Knopfler classic rock and feels slightly out of place. Waiting for the End of the World though is superb, a great finish. Love the groove in the riff and the drum sound is excellent. Great track. Overall this is an excellent album, a great distillation of early Costello, some great, if mean spirited, lyrics and some superb songs. 5. 👠👠👠👠👠 Playlist submission: Alison
Yes!!!!
I love this album, from its punk energy to its country rock roots. Elvis's voice was fully formed from the start and the songs are all singalong bangers (even Alison, which is way overplayed on classic rock radio).
Hard to quantify how he knocked it out of the park right out the gate. Pub and punk rock at there elemental forms couldn't contain his musical and lyrical depths and forward looking aesthetic.
Peak Elvis Costello - Alison is easily my favorite song of his. Lots of great stuff on here, no complaints at all
One of the all time great debuts. Alison alone is worth the price of admission
A true classic. What an album!
cool
good stuff
Classic
Hit my taste
sincerely one of my favorite albums of all time. i like a lot of elvis costello's stuff but i can't say i am a super fan. but this one always stands the test of time for me. every song here, to me, is like an exercise in writing short, great, hooky power pop tunes. every song has a hook and they have all gotten stuck in my head at one point or another. of course, it wouldn't be elvis costello without his signature lyricism style, and i really do love the production here from nick lowe.
I never listened to Elvis Costello before 30 seconds into the 2nd track I gave this album 5 stars and I was not disappointed.
Excellent! Great sound.
A pretty amazing collection of crafted angsty punk with pop sensibilities. Engaging lyrics and Elvis' delivery is sneery and gives what is singer-songwriter level content a great punch. There not a bad song on the album, with lots of catchy hooks and great variety.
My favourite Elvis.
Album 478 of 1001 Elvis Costello - My Aim Is True Rating : 5 / 5 Though I've never owned this album, It has crossed my path several times over the past (almost) half century and I have enjoyed it every time. Think I appreciated it more this time. He writes some good tunes.
Having listened to this album at times throughout the years, I was prepared to give it a 4⭐️ review, but quickly found that I enjoyed it more than that. Classic.
His best album.
Incredible record, still in love with it after all these years
It was quite good. I knew almost all the songs already.
Even though I am not fond of Costello's tamber and stylistic idiosyncrasies, his song writing is impeccable. I grew up on this album and it's incredible
Another easy 5 star. The Angels Wanna Wear My Red Shoes, and Waiting for the End of the World are perfect songs for X-Day! They are on my saucer Playlist. Praze "Bob"
own
I am so excited to review another Elvis Costello album. I am so glad there are 57 Elvis Costello albums to review for this exercise. I look forward to each one more than the last. Costello reinvigorated the literate, lyrical traditions of Bob Dylan and Van Morrison with the raw energy and sass that were principal ethics of punk, delivering passion and intelligence with equal measure. I love it when Elvis Costello covers relationships with biting sarcasm and wordplay, combining jazzy guitars with soulful vocals. I love his hats, almost as much as I love Jamiroquai's. His dress style is so rockabilly, which is aces. To think, this was his debut album, in 1977, setting off a career without comparison. His aim was surely true.
Great
Can't go wrong with early Elvis.
One of my favorite albums from that time and still today. Great lyrics, great pace and Elvis At his best!!
I ised to not like Elvis Costello when I was a kid in the 80s they would play his stuff every now and them in Puerto Rico he was not as big but I only liked a handfull of songs over time. I looked at him and he looked goofy and like a character created based on Elvis Presley and Buddy Holly. Now as am adult Im really into his music and his albums as wholes are amazing. Just clean fun pop rock musis for everyone with songs the length of a punk song. Very unique style and good writing. I listened to this 2 times in a day. Would have mever listened to it as an album if it werent for this initiative. Everyone should have some costello in their playlists. Everyone.
my favorite costello ❤️❤️❤️
This one was fun AF! Costello really came out of the gate swinging.
One of my all time favs
Love this album
El debut del legendario Elvis Costello es tan espectacular como sus primeros 10 años de carrera (gracias a la colaboración con The Attractions). A pesar de no interpretar con sus icónicos acompañantes, Costello nos muestra tremenda habilidad para escribir letras irreverentes que llenan canciones sumamente pegajosas, catapultando el subgénero del Power Pop a niveles que previamente se creían desconocidos (Con fracasos comerciales como Big Star y Badfinger). Mis canciones favoritas del trabajo son Miracle Man y Allison.
Never realized how many classics came off his debut album. His whole sound and brand came out fully formed and fully trained. It’s such a lovely tribute to different styles of music. Retro made into something fresh. And so well written. Crazy impressive. Seriously, no wrong notes. Like this a whole lot more than I thought I would. How tf is this a debut?!
What an album. "But the Attractions aren't with him yet!" Yes, I know, and I do love them too. But not only is the pub rock energy of this album so damn good, but the *songs* just can't be argued with. I love it. Probably should be a proper 5-star. At the very least, it gets the bump for this website. 4.5/5
very good, chill and stuff 5/5
The songs that aren’t amazing still have a powerful impact on the listener. Very good music.
This was fun to listen to!
A stunner, he very much is great at combining styles into a great short album. It was like biting into a food you never had before
Great
Unfortunately, for some reason Apple Music has Alison, Red Shoes, and Watching the Detectives blocked in my location. Fortunately, I know those pretty well already, and it gave me an opportunity to listen to the 'worse' 80% of the album... and it's still pretty great. Love it.
"My Aim Is True" is a groundbreaking debut album that catapulted Elvis Costello into the limelight as one of the most compelling and innovative songwriters of his generation. Released in 1977, the album is a masterclass in blending punk, new wave, and classic rock influences into a unique and unforgettable sound. From the opening chords of "Welcome to the Working Week," Costello's distinctive voice and sharp lyrics grab your attention and never let go. Tracks like "Alison," "Watching the Detectives," and "Less Than Zero" showcase his lyrical prowess, tackling themes of love, politics, and society with wit and insight. One of the album's strengths is its musical diversity. Costello effortlessly moves from blistering punk rockers to soulful ballads, showcasing his versatility as a songwriter and performer. Overall, "My Aim Is True" is a timeless classic that remains as vital and relevant today as it was upon its release. Costello's debut announced the arrival of a major talent and set the stage for a legendary career.
I have heard most of these songs before, but didn't realize all these good tracks came from one album. IN 1977! Ahead of his time and great album.
Surprised how much I enjoyed this
Must have been damn ahead of its time
Elvis Costello I like albums with the Attractions a bit better but the band on here sounds great too with more of a 70’s vibe. I like his vocals on this record too maybe not quite as stylized as later albums. Best: Allison Angels want to steal my red shoes Waiting for the end of the world Watching the detectives Least favorite: I’m not angry Tough one to rate because I feel like he is a great artist with great songs but they are not as tied to the albums for me. My favorite album of his is probably Get Happy
5 star album where all the songs play well, even in 2024.
Loved every song on this album. I have nothing has to say about it.
Nice
So 2 days ago, I had THE Elvis. Now THIS Elvis. What an amazing album. SO many have tried to immitate, but he's still out there!
A stellar debut. He would never have this much bite again, but his catchy hooks and ear for unique melodies is riddled through out.
A bouncy good time of an album.
Best songs: Miracle Man, Less Than Zero, Alison
A no skipper, great album and punky I liked it
The album that started it all. Elvis was one of the first of the angry young men to get his thoughts down on vinyl in the immediate post-punk era. This album, while having more of a country rock feel at times (this was recorded before he hooked up with The Attractions) courtesy of Huey Lewis’ then backing band Clover, still has all the EC trademarks: the wordplay, the snarl, and especially the anger at a world not made for him….or us. Great opening statement.
Ballin'
Nice, should listen more to artist
Mixtape memories. 5
Pure, classic rock & roll and punk music here, mixed with some Randy Newman-style singing. Catchy songs. Witty lyrics. I can spin this any time.
Another banger. Loving the space. The energy. The exciting song writing
An excellent debut by Costello; the variety on display leaves the listener excited, and though early in his career, this would signal much to come. Costello's vocals matched with Doobie Brothers & Huey Lewis alums + Nick Lowe's production equal a fantastic listening experience.
Great power pop record
Although Critically Acclaimed®, still one of my all time favorite albums. Not a throwaway on here, but Angels Want to Wear my Red Shoes, Watching the Detectives , and Allison are outstanding. This is Elvis' debut, making it all the more amazing.
It’s hard to think of anything to say about this album. I love it. I love every song on it. I’ve listened to it hundreds of times and it never gets old. I’m the guy from the Walking Dead in Love Actually and this album is Kiera Knightly. I’m just standing outside this album’s door holding up a sign that says “To me you’re perfect.”
great, classic songs, Watching the Detective, not all songs are faves
One of new rock's giants, great song writing. Don't think he gets half as much acclaim as he deserves. Elvis Costello is very definitely 👍👍
Hadn’t heard this album before, but I found there’s really no bad songs on here. What a blast!
Hey I dig it! Ich finds cool und macht spass zums lose. Würds jetzt nid uf mini liked playlist due wells mer glaub relativ schnell würd verleide aber für so es gmüetliches choche im hintergrund chani da echt guet gseh. Ich gib dem es 4.6/5.
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.
Kinda decent debut
Amazing album. One of my favorites. Songs are short and to the point with such simplicity makes for no wasted moments.
I liked it a lot. Timeless
Angry young man pop hooks over clean aggressive guitars. Right in my Q zone. 10/10.
Офигенный позитивный кайфовый качающий драйвовый. Вы угадали, какую оценку я поставил.
Loved the vibe but not really my thing.
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.
Uma pedrada! Não conhecia e já está na minha playlist de favoritos
Classic pre new age punk album
Fantastic
Super
You gave <strong>Transformer</strong> 1 star? <strong>Trans<em>fuckin</em>former</strong>?
Great album! Did not expect that! 4/5
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
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!