Reviews (page 4 of 12)
najbolji kostelo dosad. zaslužio je jednu četvorku
I liked how up beat it was 8/10 favorite song miracle man
Always loved Elvis. This has gotten better with age!
Has me shimmying 💃
Excelente
I’ve written this review like three times now and I’m not interested in doing so again. Something about being most familiar with Elvis Costello from that one time he was on 30 Rock. Something about Alison being a stellar But this album is really good. I will edit this review later, but something about a UK Bruce Springsteen, but less bad.
The release of this album, for me, was the beginning of a musical Renaissance. Disco was beginning to fade into obscurity while punk and new wave were beginning to take hold. While this album was a musical landmark it was not his best album, that belongs to his next album the masterpiece This Years Model. It does contain four of his very best songs Mystery Dance , I’m Not Angry, The Angels Wanna Wear My Red Shoes and No Action. Unlike others I’m not a big fan of Alison, Watching the Detectives, or Blame it on Cane.
7/10 Favourite: Alison Least Favourite: Pay it Back
I think Grandpa would like this one. Def want to pull it out on a roadtrip.
Chad Costello
My wife said I have to give this at least four stars
This is the only Elvis Costello album that belongs on this list. Any others are just superfluous. Any other Costello albums should be replaced by one of Joe Jackson's first two albums ("Look Sharp" or "I'm the Man"), The Boomtown Rats' "The Fine Art of Surfacing", or anything by The English Beat.
Overvejer at bidrage på Patreon bare så jeg kan tilføje endnu et Elvis Costello album
Bangerparade! Kan godt være der er lige i overkanten mange Elvis Costello plader på den her liste, men den her kan man simpelthen ikke argumentere imod!
Really loved this the whole way through. Fun, creative, great sound and production, just a solid one.
Quite liked a few of these songs. Solid buy.
When I started discovering music I absolutely loved this. This was one of the first ever albums of costellos that I listened to. Loads of catchy tunes and that voice! Pretty amazing for a debut if you really think about it. Alison hits you out of nowhere. Still one of his best tracks. Costello goes on to have a pretty awe inspiring career. Looking forward to getting another one of his later in the journey.
quite dug it actually
This is the best Elvis Costello album I’ve had so far. I’m still trying to figure him out and “where he fits in.” I went in to this one trying to just take it at face value and I enjoyed that.
It's all Elton John's fault. I was hanging around the Maroubra Bay newsagents, late 1977, reading what I'd like to think was Melody Maker but in reality it was probably Rolling Stone. Elton had just won an award for best male artist and in his acceptance speech graciously said " this should have gone to Elvis Costello". Just the name alone piqued my interest and off I went to find My Aim is True, thank you Elton. I think I got the American pressing as it had Watching the Detectives, so my first hearing was not the original British album. Obviously it had a huge impact at the time, so how does it hold up? It's a classic first album work in progress. The gems are stunning, obviously Watching (although really a separate single), Angels Wanna Wear My Red Shoes, Blame it On Cain and Welcome to the Working Week. There is a constant theme of anger, rejection and loss which makes up a lot of the lesser tracks like I'm Not Angry, Pay It Back, No Dancing etc. And then of course he drops a classic, a timeless standard in Alison, which in stark contrast to most of the record exudes a warmth, a longing and true love. Nick Lowe did a great job producing, he knew what he had, and Clover are to be commended for their work, especially John Mcfee, giving it that country feel with sublime guitar work and some great pedal steel. Yeah well done EC, no Attractions and some mixed songwriting, but man can we see where you are going. And the wife lurves it.
I think David Lee Roth was on to something when he posited that critics love Elvis Costello because they all look like him. I don't think he meant that in a kind way, but I'll put my hand up to relating much more to Elvis C. than Diamond Dave. 'My Aim Is True' is a bit of a Rorschach test about your opinions on Elvis Costello. Of my mates doing this project I am guessing that Glen (with whom I went to see Elvis at the State Theatre some years back) will love it, and Dave (whose dislike of Elvis Costello is legendary) will hate it. I, unsurprisingly, lean towards the "love it" end of the spectrum. This is not my all-time favourite Elvis album, but definitely makes top five, and I can happily listen to it all the way through any day. Nick Lowe's "bash it out" production philosophy works well. Clover were a competent enough band to keep up, with enough rough edges to give it some rock and roll grit. I think Elvis did better with the Attractions on subsequent records, but the unpolished energy here is energizing (although I can understand why Elvis himself might wince a bit at the quality). I like the energy, the short and punchy songs, the good tunes and the rockin' feel. And 'Alison' is a song for the ages.
Not the biggest Costello fan, but I liked it
6,92
I like this album. I wonder what it would sound like with some overdrive
p good
Elvis er alltid en fryd å høre på.
After so much late-era Elvis Costello exposure, I was really worried about listening to this. I loved This Year’s Model, but everything else is diminishing returns. So I was concerned that maybe those burns and returns would make me dislike his entire discography. Thankfully, that isn’t the case. My Aim is True *is* a worse record than This Year’s Model. It’s a lot more referential, a lot more of a pastiche album to ‘50s rock ’n’ roll, and a lot more sparse. But the songwriting is there. Minus a couple of tracks, I really, really enjoyed this record. Not that it’s groundbreaking or anything. Again, it’s a pastiche record, so it’s a bit thin on substance. But it’s fun, and it’s well-written, and I like Costello as a lyricist a lot, and the music is updated enough for the punk era that I could groove to it. (Plus, as a former emo girl who loved Fall Out Boy, I can now see the very obvious influences, which made me appreciate this a lot more.) And all of that praise is ignoring the fact that “Alison,” one of the best songs I’ve ever heard, is on this record. But as I’ve said in many past reviews, I’m not a fan of supporting an album on this list only for one song. Thankfully, that isn’t a problem here. Nothing else is the peak of “Alison,” but there’s a lot of good. I’d feel the exact same way about My Aim is True if “Alison” wasn’t on here. Elvis Costello just peaked early, as so many musicians do. I think if The Attractions hadn’t expanded his vision, this follow-up to this would’ve started to show his diminishing returns. But this and This Year’s Model work. Great record.
i was really scared to listen to this considering how annoying blood and chocolate was, but i actually really liked this one. i hope the rest is his solo stuff, cause he seems to be better on his own
Great album. Just love the energy, the songs.
It sounds like he is just showing off. Yeah dude, you’re good. Probably needed to be 4 stars just for Watching the Detectives
Lowkey incisive.
started paying attention from the middle towards the end. no specific melody, the magic is all in the lyricism and storytelling. deserves another listen
Zippy and sharp - Elvis is an angry nerd! This record (and his early music in general) nails a simultaneously very British and very American sound, bombastic but nervy. Favourite tracks: Welcome To The Working Week, Alison, Less Than Zero
I can really hear the Nick Lowe influence on this album, something I didn't really notice until now, after listening to this album for 45 years. It's a very solid album.
An excellent album, very cool. Enjoyed it quite a bit.
I’m always impressed with Mr. Costello.
Milestone
My Aim Is True is just a good listen. Every song works, and before I knew it, I was bopping through the whole thing. Nothing felt out of place or dull. Alison still stands out as the one that really sticks, but the whole album just feels easy to enjoy. 4/5
Great album
Great attitude and songs
Again, pretty solid Elvis Costello album! Bumped 3.5 up to 4
Alison worth the ticket alone, but enjoyed some of the early reggae punk vibes
You know, it's funny. I vividly remember a late 20s obsession phase with this album, but somehow it's only now that I really clock what's happening: a Clash-era britpunker is doing a full-on pastiche of Phil Spector malt shop greaser jukebox sock hop doo wop. It's not even subtext, it's about as subtle as blackface! It's Rocky Horror! The joke, though, is that the twerp doing it is actually a genius broadsheet raconteur, so he's able to sort of indeliably pickle this cultural moment in a way that echoes out forever. "Watching the Detectives" is a perfect cultural wrapup, now we have that Jamaican wave breaking over the chip shop horn rim checkerboard business, innit?
4/5. Master lyricist
On the way to work today, I heard Billy Joel's It's Still Rock N Roll To Me. Why is this relevant? Costello gives me Billy Joel vibes & Elvis sounds like that old style of rock with a slight punk aspect.. The punk is there but only if you squint real hard. I dug this, fun interesting song writing.. just great songs.
Elvis Costello's debut is a little rough around the edges, but still a very cool and versatile endavour.
I still did not recognize any of the songs, but it was enjoyable. I liked the last two songs the best. Waiting for the End of the World had a great swing sound to it.
Solid record. I really like the sound and the songwriting. I don't remember enjoying costelo this much in the past despite listening quite a bit - I guess this is probably my favourite era.
This is a fun one. Songs and total play length are nice and tight and the vibe is energetic and upbeat. Elvis's voice is an acquired taste that I've acquired. Saves the best song for last
He's so great
Alison was definitely my favorite.
liked it
8.23/10 liked! 4/5 Favs: blame it on cain and less than zero
This guy is good at many different genres it was like a love letter to music
Elvis Costello was before my time of listening to music, for the most part. Plus, he was kind of all over the place musically. Was he punk? Was he new wave? Was he rockabilly? Was he just old-time rock ‘n’ roll? He was kind of everything. On his debut album, My Aim Is True, his backup band was a country-rock band named Clover. The bad news for Clover is that they appeared in London during the punk movement, so they looked like everything punk was against over there, hippies. But they could play some rock ‘n’ roll. I think Elvis Costello’s aim wasn’t to be punk or hip or anything, I think he just wanted to play the kind of music he grew up on, which was 50’s rock’n’ roll. In 1977, you had disco, big arena rock bands and the youngsters just wanted simple rock ‘n’ roll, hence punk. Unlike most punk bands, Costello could write great songs with catchy lyrics, and with the Clovers, they could play the songs well. I had quite a few of the songs stick in my head and bubble up throughout the day. You could see Costello was going to be someone pretty important because he had what some people like to call “it.” A song called Mystery Dance is on the album, and its just a minute and a half long, but it’s got more packed into it than anything on the Guided By Voices album that still haunts me. I’m excited to check out more Costello as the 1,001 list continues. My favorite songs on the album are Mystery Dance, Welcome To the Working Week, Sneaky Feelings, Less Than Zero, and probably the best song is Watching the Detectives. It’s mostly a reggae song, and I dislike reggae, so you know it must be good. But truly, all the tracks are good, as it's just good old rock ‘n’ roll with catchy hooks and great lyrics. This album was a real treat after GBV and Frank.
Oh there's some songwriting going on here. Alison and Watching the Detectives on the same album! The filler is very high quality - check out Angels Wanna Wear My Red Shoes.
Wow! This was the first time I've ever played this whole album through – I knew the hits but not the others, and this was a great album start to finish. Honestly surprised it's from 1977 – it feels very modern and fresh.
I enjoyed this album. Not a classic but solid.
this is definitely the best i heard from him, there’s more emotion and creativity used in this, i might have to listen to it again, it was a funky record, so much of this guy on this list though, i enjoyed it
4.1
Solid Elvis Costello, I think his most classic sound
Particularly enjoyed Welcome to the Working Week, Sneaky Feelings and the storytelling in Watching the Detectives. Generally enjoyed this album but can’t see myself listening to it multiple times.
I enjoyed this. It was some fun kind of pop rock and roll. I don't really understand why it's in the 1001 albums list though? Was tossing up between 3 and 4 stars but gave it 4 because I really liked Watching The Defectives.
*would give this a 4.5 if I could *liked the sound and feel of this record
I remember when this album came out though I never had it on vinyl. I suppose if punk was a reaction to heavy and art rock this was a reaction to punk. Clear clean sound, more traditional rifts. Not a bad track on the album. What's not to like?
Blame it on Cains a bit of a bopper—dig it, dont remember paying attention to it before this project. Alison might be a top 100 all time for me. Sneaky Feelings has Billy Joel energy for me Angels Red Shoes is Watching the Detectives? Less then Zero, interesting lyrics—had to look up Oswald Pay it Back—catchy hook! Im not Angry Anymore—still sound pretty angry; love the contrast. Guitar riff is siick, drums too—floor tom has a jungle vibe. Really like it Watching Detectives, love the storytelling. Love the bouncy keyboard and the contrast to the lyrics No Action “telephone junky..” sounds like something from Angels Red Shoes? Elvis def has some honky tonk influences, comes thru on a couple songs, incl Living in Paradise
Enjoyed this album from Costello.
A very timeless album. A rare album to have no bad songs.
“Less than zero” and especially “Alison” were my jams in college. Haven’t been impressed by any Costello album on this list yet, but this is my favorite of his.
4/5 I actually liked this a lot more than I was expecting. It's a pretty simple sound and all 12 songs are a solid execution of that style. It could honestly be a little higher but the production just gave me a headache, it felt really tight and at times tinny/screechy. Other than that, the insturmentals and atmosphere is fun and the songs are generally well written. I had fun with it.
A retro vibe and strong songcraft.
My songs are clue....d into my brain; lovely wordsmith.
Fresquito y disfruton Sr Costello
Whew, cleanses my palate after yesterday's 1976 entry--interesting lyrics, stripped down musicality, direct presentation, love it. Garage banded Watching the Detectives, but could have done any of these songs joyfully. How much of this album is embedded in your brain, invitations to sing along to the words emphatically? Great.
Great tunes. I was re-watching an episode of the West Wing the other day and Jimmy Smits playing Santos was singing Alison. It was such a lovely reminder of what genuinely talented guy. I know watching the detectives was only on the reissue but that is a fantastic tune.
Elvis Costello is often brilliant, and when he's not, he still better than most. This album has some very high points, a couple of classics, and a few tunes that aren't quite filler, but don't rise to the excellence of the very best stuff on here. A prolific and inventive artist, this is a snapshot of Costello in a great era of his songcraft.
I was traveling yesterday and couldn't listen to this one. But no worries, I know this album well. It's a great debut and things would get even greater on the next one. Instead of listening, though, I wound up going down a Wikipedia rabbit hole researching his backing band, Clover. Pretty cool to see how many other artists they worked with over the years. Anyway, thumb's up. Not sure if it's a 5 but it's a solid 4.
Great Songs: Miracle Man, Alison Good Songs: Welcome to the Working Week, No Dancing, Blame it on Cain, (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes, Less Than Zero, Pay It Back, I'm Not Angry, Waiting For The End of the World, Watching The Detectives Mid Songs: Sneaky Feelings Bad Songs:
Excellent debut from Elvis Costello. What if Buddy Holly was a cool nerd (ok he was)? Who also listened to punk, and had an early new wave flair? That is this album.
I don't care what ya'll say I love this little dork. 8/10
Pretty fun record! So e days I really like Elvis Costello, other days I really don't... But today I liked it! Core band songwriting is great, feels like a cohesive album, Allison and Watching the Detectives are highlights.
Day 37, 6th record I own (seems like the first US pressing as "Watching the Detectives" comes at the end of side A) along with every other 70s and 80s Elvis Costello record on this list. My dad and I rode a train down to Miami* to catch him perform early songs for supposedly the last time. It was a killer show and Elvis was having a great time. Never realized this was released shortly after the passing of Elvis Presley. *Probably Iggy Pop was backstage as the two gents of rock n roll are buds and Iggy lives in Miami.
Po raz kolejny, na przekór wszystkim, kocham Elvisa Costello. Nie wiem po co tu tyle jego płyt ani dlaczego wcześniej o nim nie słyszałam, ale nie narzekam. Jest w nim coś teatralnego. Filmowego. Jak ścieżka dźwiękowa do filmu dla nastolatek z lat 80. 8/10
This was great. The mix of different rock genres works great on this album, with elements of rockabilly, punk, and classic 60s style rock. Elvis Costello has a damn good voice for this and the instrumentation is on point.
I enjoyed this - it's like early ska
Never consciously listened to Costello before. Like it.
I was just thinking about EC yesterday so I'm really happy to see this today! He takes me all the way back to high-school.
Ain't that fresh. From the get-go you feel like it's going to be a quality work, and it doesn't disappoint. The vibes, the artistry, the music, the lyrics. My first time hearing about this guy, and what a beautiful debut, even though it's almost fifty years old!
Welcome To The Working Week - 8.5/10 Miracle Man - 9/10 No Dancing - 8/10 Blame It On Cain - 8/10 Allison - 8.5/10 Sneaky Feelings - 7.5/10 (The angels wear my) Red Shoes - 7/10 Less than zero - 7.5/10 Mystery Dance - 8/10 Pay it back - 7/10 I’m not angry - 7.5/10 Waiting for the end of the world - 9/10 79/100
3.5 stars I first heard this album 21 years ago and I’ve been a sucker for it for years. It’s not the best of his first few records, but it’s a great start. The songwriting is varied where it doesn’t feel like there are any throw away tracks, even if there are weaker ones. I’m trying to honor the spirit of the premise for this generator, which is that we are basing this on the original release from the original country. “Watching the Detectives” would be the best song on the album, but it’s not truly from this album. It was recorded 3 months after the album was released and features a different band (the Attractions). I approve of it being added on the US version, but I don’t credit that as the album itself.
I like. 4/5
Molto divertente
Pretty good debut. But why is he considered punk? I’ve always been confused by that. 4 stars
Bra attityd, bra låtar
Den här snubben är en riktigt kool katt.
Very good. I didn’t know what Elvis Costello sounded like. I thought this would be cornier (like a whole album of mystery dance, which I wouldn’t enjoy), but it sounded pretty great. This is probably an offensive comment, but this is what I expect Bruce Springsteen to sound like, although I feel like when I listen to Bruce I end up disappointed. This was not disappointing
Good!
Прямой как стрела. Резкий как понос. Человек направил всё, что было у него внутри, чтоб выпалить такой сфокусированный, стремительный и дивно харизматичный релиз. Грязный класс.
7/10 One thing that has struck me listening to all these albums is how poor a lot of artists are at knowing when to STOP. When those 18 tracks should have been 12 or that 6mins35 track shoulda been a punchy 3mins 20. Elvis gets this and that's what makes him a great songwriter. There is no flab here, no guff or padding. Ok, so the songs lack the impact they may have originally, but he gets a lot of credit for being a master of the trade.
Two big hits and a bunch of very bitter, well-written tunes. It's a tight 36 minutes and while all of the songs here don't reach the highs of the highlights, it's a consistently good album. I wouldn't come back to a lot of these songs outside of a full album listen. But hell if I won't listen to Watching the Detectives until I get sick of it entirely. Only for about a week then I'm back to listening to it on repeat again. I love this fucking song SO much. Reminds me of one of the most irresponsible times of my life in the best way possible. Overall, it's great but I can't give it a 5 just because it has an absolute belter of a closer. Highlights: Welcome to the Working Week, Alison, Watching the Detectives
this is what every 70s Capital R Rock band wishes they sounded like. It gets 4 because Elvis did it even better
Fun, catchy, bar band roots rock - it’s a collection of mostly simple but catchy rock songs that boogie, swing, twang, and groove. It is for sure not high art, and Elvis Costello’s songwriting would get substantially more sophisticated in the albums that would follow, and the performance would have more bite with the addition of the Attractions. But this is a great and fun introduction to one of the great songwriters of the late 70s and 80s.
Solid album with rage, rock, county. Will have to relisten to it.
Elvis Costello seems curiously untrendy among modern bands and listeners to the point where he’s almost underrated in the British rock canon. This is an excellent debut that has touches of rock n’ roll, ska and punk, though it feels more traditional and digestible than other punk of the era.
Da vibes elvis presley, antiguo roquero🤟🏻
This is about my 17th Elvis Costello album so far (did Dimery confuse him with the real Elvis!) Either my expectations are now so low that's anything listenable by Costello is a pleasant surprise, or this is actually a decent record. Nothing mind-blowing or anything, but catchy rock and roll delivered with a little bit of an attitude/snarl that got me tapping the steering wheel like a dad. Only the last track is a mis-steps. Maybe he was warning listeners of the disappointments that lie ahead?
Solid debut, built from here too
I dig it.
А вот это прям хорошоооооо! Ну вот отлично! Хорошо прям!!!
I liked the 'tude of this album, a lotta good 'tude.
This album sits proudly in my collection of vinyl records. He would quickly go on to record better albums, but this is a striking debut. It's interesting how this straddles the line between contemporary pop rock and punky new wave.
Yeah that was enjoyable
4/5
Everyone's favourite overrepresented artist on the list is back with his debut! I think Alison and Red Shoes are fantastic songs although I don't love this as much as This Year's Model - his more new-wave sound with The Attractions has a bit more bounce and fun vibe. This is a decent album but not that exciting beyond a few songs, with better to come from Declan
Prometía mucho y ha cumplido. Estupendo comienzo
03/08/2025 It wasn't my favourite thing ever. But it wasn't bad.
I haven’t listened to Elvis Costello in years, I forgot how much I enjoy this album. Man 1977 was a good year for music.
Great!
fyrsta plata hans. nýbylgjurokk, mjög gott. 4,5.
Steve Buscemi once said in a reddit AMA that his favorite artist is Elvis Costello so I guess I can't hate the guy's music
Funsies
Great album, peters off a bit towards the end.
elvis lives!
Grande Elvis Costello. Bel sound tradizionale.
Dope
Pretty damn good for a debut album but not perfect. The singles from this album ("Zero"/"Alison"/"Red Shoes") plus "Welcome To The Working Week", "Mystery Dance" and "Waiting For The End Of The World" are all knockout punches, full of stunning wordplay and inventive song structures. However, the also-rans on this album (like "No Dancing" and "I'm Not Angry") are shadows of other, better EC tunes and can be skipped without missing out on much.
Elvis is unique as a singer and the writing on this and his other works is creative and interesting. I bought this album back in the days when I couldn't afford it.
I prefer This Year's Model quite a bit, but this is good too
When I was a kid, my parents had a mix tape with "Alison" on it, and I absolutely loved that song. Later, I would sing it at my friend Allison to annoy her, even though she had never heard the song. Years later, I had completely forgotten all about "Alison", Allison, and Elvis Costello, who was one of those artists I knew of on the peripherally, but had never really explored. This is exactly what I love about this site and this project; if this album hadn't come up, I'd probably continue my life only knowing Elvis Costello for "Alison", and man, would I be missing out. This album rocks, and reminds me a lot of the music my parents would play for me when we went on road trips. I don't think many songs on here really jumped out to me except for "Welcome To The Working Week" and "Watching The Detectives" (and "Alison") of course, but I didn't really feel the need to skip any of the songs on here either. In baseball, there's a running joke about players belonging in the "Hall of Fame", and players who belong in the "Hall of Very Good". This album belongs in the "Hall of Very Good".
Great.
Solid. Fun.
Great pop rock record! Always loved how the drums sound.
Just classic. Every song listenable.
fun upbeat pub rock proto new wave album.
Cool
What can I say, it’s great. Elvis’ energy and attitude still hits as hard as it ever did.
High 3/low 4, a time travelling album
This one is a good album, enjoyable, but just that. It's nothing really special, but something nice to listen to.
Excellent
Very solid album, again surprising how much I liked it, especially swept away by the beats and production. Lyrically was pretty solid too.
Welcome to the working week rules Watching the detective too Overall classic, but probably only going to relisten to those singles
Good stuff. I'm Not Angry is my fav track. 8/10.
I thought I disliked Costello but i found this to be a pleasant surprise. I enjoyed hopping around from the 50s to the 90s and everywhere in between, including shades of Bruce?? My main complaint with the album is that our boy does not know how to end a song. Just kind of repeats himself for 30 seconds as the song fades out. But still! A success.
Elvis Costello seems like he's big with the crowd of people that flatter themselves for having correct political opinions and intelligent music tastes so naturally I took quite nicely to this album. Seeing as how he's somehow at the cross-section of Springsteen and punk/new wave, this shouldn't come as that big of a surprise. I like fishing, the movie Patton, and No Kings protests. Pat me on the back and give me a lollipop.
It feels like the rock and roll error got a needed modernization and has a great sound and feel.
This was AMAZING! So much fun! I had never heard of Elvis Costello before, but I love his style. These songs are so fun, not too long, and just great! The guitar tone is soooo good! He gives me Beatles vibes. I love it! Liked Songs: "Welcome to the Working Week" , "No Dancing" , "Blame It On Cain" , "Alison" , "Sneaky Feelings" , "(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes" , "Less Than Zero" , "Mystery Dance" , "Pay It Back" , "I'm Not Angry"
I imagine Elvis and this album are divided amongst many folks. Love him or hate him, this album deserves to be in the discussion as one of the more enduring debut albums. The songwriting, lyrics and fusion of so many genres is just great. Hits that became hits later. And all at the age of 22. Add to that the fact that it was recorded in just six 4-hour sessions with the entire thing mixed in just five hours! Brilliant. Not quite 5-stars, but that’s only because I’m holding out for his second and third albums which I’m assuming will be in the cue soon. 4.5/5
Wow, this sucks!! Just kidding 😉 a fun blend with elements of old school rock n roll with a more modern sound coming through. Can't go wrong!
A lot of pleasant songs
Solid Album. There are only a couple of songs I'd like to skip here.
Holds up well - not my favourite Costello LP but still a strong album.
Catchy music that sounds old (fifties-style riffs) but not old... he's carved quite a unique niche for himself. 3.7
3 a 4
Solid songwriting from Costello. Tender and petulant at the same time.
Young punk Elvis rippin shit up right out of the gate. He's had a million 'phases' but he started out strong and never really let up. My favorite of his is King of America, but how many first albums are this re-listenable?
It has been about 6 months since the last Elvis Costello album. I really liked this one. No Dancing, Blame It On Cain, Alison, and Watching the Detectives were all pretty jazzy, punky tracks. Watching the Detectives also had a reggae edge. Apparently it is his debut - the album as a whole is very, very accomplished. I appreciate he's not for everyone, but this is such an easy album to listen to. Also a double rainbow was in the sky as I was listening, which made me forget the rain.
Didn't finish but enjoyed what I heard. Fun sound.
72/100.
Classic
I haven’t listened to Elvis Costello much before, and that’s the joy of this project. This album was fun and upbeat and really surpassed my expectations. It didn’t overstay its welcome either, was just an overall pleasure.
Upbeat, rock, buenisimo, las canciones varias bastante parecidas, would listen again, would recommend, 8/10
There’s something undeniably fresh about Elvis Costello’s debut. The album bursts with energy and has a certain lightness in its sound that almost recalls L.A. surfer rock, without losing its edge or British sharpness. The lyrics are witty and sarcastic, but the music remains accessible and melodic. A strong and versatile debut that still holds up today. 4/5
Impressive debut album the first EC album I can truly say that I have enjoyed will be listening again.
El debut de Elvis Costello (1977) abre boca para lo que sería su gran obra maestra, el This Year's model (1978). Divertido, dinámico y variado. Por ponerle un pero, creo que es demasiado corto. ¡Cómo mola el New Wave!
I really rate this album, it’s short and to the point the way LPs were and should still be. A very assured debut from young Declan and a sign of things to come. I know his vocal style isn’t to everyone’s taste but his songwriting is first class and the band are pretty tight too.
Eu nunca considerei o Elvis Costello como um grande cantor ou músico, mas o cara sabe escrever. "My Aim Is True" é um disco bem simples, de canções curtas, mas cheio de energia e boas melodias. "Alison" é uma balada muito bonita e um bom aperitivo para o que ele viria a fazer nos próximos anos. O álbum seguinte é ainda melhor.
I really liked this. Good songs, a lot of Rock and Blues influences that I enjoyed. Alison and Mystery Dance were my favorites.
Stilbildend für den new wave der späten Siebziger und der Anfang einer großen Karriere. Einer der besten Songwriter aller Klassen 4/5
Elvis is a great songwriter and performer. He takes tried-and-true rock-and-roll motifs and adds nuance and complexity. His lyrical cleverness is unsurpassed in the pop genre. Always enjoyable listening. This is a 4.
The first impression this album gives, as soon as "Welcome to The Working Week" starts playing, is that it's an album from the 2000s... except it's 1977! As the tracks go by, the evidence of the album's real year becomes clearer, but it's still an album with a sound that's way... way ahead of its time. Despite being simple, it's catchy and fun. No technical or lyrical excellence, but it's really cool. 4 stars is fair.
Love Elvis
Second Elvis Costello album I've seen pop up on the list. Anything has to be better than "Blood And Chocolate" which was pure shit. This one sounds wayyyy better and more in his wheelhouse, a lot must have changed in 9 yrs between "My Aim Is True" and the "B&C" album. Very respectable listen counts across this album. I liked "No Dancing", LOVED "Alison" which is a classic, "Red Shoes" is a radio staple, "Less Than Zero" is a standout, "Waiting For The End..." is solid, and "Watching The Detectives" is an absolute killer of a final track and radio hit! He had influence, became a household name, still has a ton of songs on the radio including 3 on this album. Worthy of a spot on the T1001.
One of the albums that opened up the revival of the 50s sound on the pop chart. This led to some of my favorite albums like Born in the USA and An Innocent Man. I think this is okay. But if I listened to it more, it would be one of my favorites. 4/5
Was good, fun songs. Felt like songs people dance to in movies.
Classics again, solid but so 80s… 30 years early for my taste :)
Album 6004 by Elvis Costello, and yes, this one is quite like all the others - good. Good enough, in fact to just about sneak a four. Maybe if this was the only one of these on here, I'd be mildly blown away, instead of wondering just how much Dinery is in the pocket of Big Costello.
I am a long time big EC fan and I think Alison is one of the best songs ever written. This was quite a debut but the songs are not all as strong as most albums to come. Also, it’s not the Attractions!
Awesome. I love the brakes in the red shoes one. It’s a little Springsteeny to me.
This is obviously a very fine album. But somehow I'm missing something, I'm not really getting it. I always have that with Elvis Costello. It has excellent dynamics - 12 very varied songs in 32 minutes. And it has surprising musical features for an English 1977 album - listen to the jazzy guitar in Allison, or the sixties-vibes of No dancing. But to the end it becomes a bit blurry. Closer 'I'm not angry' makes up for that - it might be the best track of the album. 7/10
I feel like this album is much more bearable than the previous Elvis' album I've had to go through. Colorful, with a various texture and rhytm, some enjoyable bits. Weaker 4, probably.
Album extremamente divertido e grudento. Vou revisitar muitas e muitas vezes!
My favorite Costello album.
I hadn't listened to much of this guy before going this list, and now feel inundated. This is probably the best of the bunch, though.
I have mixed feelings about the Elvis Costello I know. I'm liking this though. He's like a pop Bruce Springsteen. I like this album. He's like if Billy Joel didn't suck. But the ska...all the ska. What is wrong with 70s and 80s British bands?
this was surprisingly cute! its giving grease I listened to this twice on repeat and I enjoyed it equally both times :)
Got a bunch of the big tracks (Allison, The Angels Want to Wear my Red Shoes) and is mostly fun and danceable.
Post-punk classic & awesome debut. Sets the tone for his early career with enough different styles to investigate.
Some really witty lyrics in there with catchy songs! Highlights: Less Than Zero, (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes & Watching the Detectives
Enjoyed this! Fun, felt nostalgic even though I didn’t know any of his songs. Favourites: blame it on Cain, Alison, watching the detectives
Watching the detectives is a great song. Great album to match, lots to enjoy
so good but it could be nostalgia? Love an album that mixes genres
Enjoyed it way more than expected, will check out some more. 4.5 stars.
Fun ,bluesy rock and roll
HE SAID IT!! HE SAID THE NAME OF THE ALBUM!!
"This Year's Model" is one of my all-time favorite albums, I first got into it in college, and as typical, listened to other key Elvis Costello albums, including "My Aim Is True". I think at the time, I didn't care as much for the album since it lacks the distinctive sound on This Year's Model, but with the distance of time (longer than I care to admit), it really shines. Elvis Costello is a great song-writer, and its evident from his debut. There are some great tracks here, it just doesn't reach the heights of his follow-up.
Started strong. Good sound and songwriting but by the last few songs I felt like I’d heard them earlier in the album. A welcome departure from the KISS album I previously got.
Oh man this album rocks hoo. Wanna give it a four but how could I have also given James Taylor a 4. Hmmm oh well
Inject this directly into my veins. Take the punk, new wave vibes of Elvis Costello but strip it down and add ton of naivety and grit, throw in a production quality that's maybe a step below what he'd achieve later on and you have a hell of an album. It mixes genres (pop rock, new wave, blues, punk, and soft rock) and energy levels, varies itself in themes, and always feels genuine. The production, a little rough though it is, does feel pretty appropriate for the entire venture. There's something about the music this man created that really has stuck with me throughout this project. I haven't loved all of it ("Blood and Chocolate" didn't particularly blow me away), but it's always been interesting and pushed some boundaries. I'll never hate that, and I certainly don't hate this. Four stars. Standout Tracks: Welcome to the Working Week, Blame it on Cain, Alison, Sneaky Feelings, (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes, Less Than Zero, I'm Not Angry
Short 'n' sweet, featuring "Alison," the greatest incel anthem of all time. I loved this album a couple decades ago but hadn't listened in years, and I was surprised how much stuck with me.
Likeable; energetic; geeky; smart. Really interesting blend of classic rock'n'roll and other influences.
Elvis Costello was something of an oddity and impossible to pigeon hole when this debut album was released in 1977. He sported Buddy Holly style specs, a greasy quiff and a punk sneer. Was it punk or rock ’n’ roll? Maybe we should just call it punk ‘n’ roll. The songs are great though, already showing the remarkable talent that would dominate the UK charts through the late 70s and early 80s. The music doesn’t quite match up, and it was only after this album was released that the Attractions band was formed.
Elvis Costello surprised me. It's a pretty solid album
Enjoyed this, feels much more modern than the late 70s
Fav: Blame It On Cain Least Fav: Sneaky Feelings The first of many for Costello, if all of his stuff is this good then I’m not complaining
Nothing groundbreaking, but a fun record
It's really hard not to like this, the songs are just so catchy and easy to listen to. This was my first time listening to an Elvis Costello album, and I really enjoyed it. 4.5 stars
I’ve dabbled in Elvis Costello, but this time I went through the entire album. Only ever listened to greatest hits. Really good stuff on here! Some of the songs had a Grateful Dead jangly vibe to them. I dig it!
Day469 - romeo was restless he was ready to kill. mystery dance should have been the first song on the album.
A strong debut, this album sounds interesting due to the strong punk and rock influences in the songwriting that somewhat clash with the more country style of the instrumentals.
Good solid rock
Honestly better than I expected. The guitar solos are better than I remember Elvis Costello being and there are so genuinely good songs on this album. Not to mention the cover is a brutalist masterpiece.
I’m Not Angry
cool funky album working week and alison are damn classics but the whole album is a fun vibe. ahead of its time.
Too gen-x. I'd rather listen to The Boss.
Kinda fun , I skipped initially but went back and enjoyed it first song right off the get had the energy for the whole album
Have loved this album ever since the first time I heard it back in college. Overall I enjoy it more than later albums that lost some of the punk feel. 4.5 stars
I worked at a natural food store in college where this album was about all that I and the hippies I worked with could agree on musically. I heard it A LOT that year. Then the store closed. I still like this album though.
i get a great vibe off this guy. clearly better than this years model
I don't know why it takes me longer to rate these Elvis Costello albums than others. I'm not as familiar with his music as other legends on this list, and I know I like it, I know I should like it, and I know I want to like it more. I preferred this album to "This Year's Model." His discography feels like something I want to spend some time with...longer than a day, and I could see this sliding up higher on the scale. I need to dig through my Dad's records, I feel like I remember seeing this album cover in there and that would be the best way to give this repeat listens. One of my favorite album covers yet, actually.
Some good fortune that the US release has watching the detectives. Great album
absolute jam of an album
The first half of the album is kind of standard 70's rock, it didn't really blow my skirt up, but the last 5 or so songs are really good and brought me up to a 4/5
Modern take on classic rock and roll. Fun album that holds up.
Really fun power pop! A few songs drag but more bangers than not.
I never really 'got' Elvis Costello - rockabilly but not rockabilly, punk but not punk, kind of stuck in the middle. If you heard this in the midst of a lot of the '77 stuff, this would probably be a breath of fresh air. He can obviously write a good song, and Alison's a classic, but I always feel like the songs don't go anywhere. An odd complaint given his contemporaries, but you know what? It's fine - short, punchy power pop doesn't need to go anywhere. I think I gotta give it a 4 even though I don't love it, just because it is really solid.
Dare I say he's the better Elvis in my books
When this LP was released, it caught everyone's attention. A unique sound, voice, and nerdy look was so different from the other music that was out there in the ether of 1977. You can hear producer Nick Lowe all over it (a good thing). Got a ton of airplay in Boston and on my turntable, and, despite its importance at the time, not every song maintained its reputation. Best songs looking at it and listening to it now? - Alison - Welcome To The Working Week - (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes - Watching The Detectives ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ________________________________ 🎧 LPs reviewed: 74 🎧 LPs left to review: 927 🎧 LPs I found great/relevant enough to be mandatory listens (5): 17 🎧 LPs I *might* include in my own list (4): 19 🎧 LPs I will certainly *not* include in mine (1-2): 20
Fun times with nostalgic feel. Still it feels like it gives something more to the style from the past and not just recreating it.
so apparently this is costello's debut. Def has some punk influence, but more bluesy if you ask me. I enjoyed this one, nice to finally hear his music
In Melody Maker, Allan Jones wrote that "hell, you can dance to it, swoon and romance with it, smooch and romance to it".
My sort of Elvis C. Love the band sound, the interesting songs. Thoughtful, creative, with a punk vibe.
Infectiously fun.
4/5
Nowadays, “pub rock” brings to mind an overweight bloke in a too-tight t-shirt belting out semi-intelligible Stones covers. But in the early-to-mid '70s, it was a back-to-basics movement, a reaction against prog rock’s excesses and glam’s theatricality—a return to tight, no-frills rock & roll. On My Aim Is True, pub rock becomes a launchpad for something sharper and more literate. Without The Attractions yet by his side, Costello tightens the genre’s raw energy with biting lyrics and a taut, nervy intensity. "Less Than Zero" snarls with political venom over a sharp, circular riff, "Blame It on Cain" swings with a rolling, almost Sun Records-style rhythm, and "I'm Not Angry" crackles with staccato guitar work and a relentless, pummeling drive. Then there’s "Alison", a ballad that lingers between tenderness and creeping menace, carried by its slow, soulful sway and Costello’s weary, near-whispered delivery. The production, handled by Nick Lowe, is raw yet crisp, keeping the guitars punchy and the rhythm section tight, with occasional splashes of country and rockabilly creeping into the mix. Even in this early phase, Costello’s lyrics cut deep. "I would rather be anywhere else than here today," he spits on "Less Than Zero", a line that drips with both contempt and world-weariness. His voice is sharp, nasally, aggressive—somewhere between Dylan’s phrasing and Buddy Holly’s hiccupy delivery, wrapped around dense, poetic, and razor-sharp lyricism. If Dylan made rock more literary, Costello made it fast and venomous. My Aim Is True is rawer and looser than what came next, but its impact is undeniable. Its DNA runs through Julian Casablancas’ sneering, rhythmic vocal delivery, Brandon Flowers' literary lyrics, and even Wilco’s alt-country sensibility and stylistic shifts. There’s a thread from here to Fountains of Wayne’s power-pop wit, proving just how far Costello’s influence stretches. Later reissues include "Watching the Detectives", but it never feels like a hit tacked on for sales. Instead, it’s the perfect closer, pulling together sinister lyricism, reggae-inflected tension, and cinematic storytelling—a preview of the songwriting ambition that would define Costello’s next moves. This is the sound of punk’s attitude meeting pop craftsmanship, a key blueprint for new wave’s rise. It lacks the sonic bite of his later work, but its energy, wit, and sheer songwriting brilliance make it an essential debut.
Enjoyable
I’ve known of Elvis costelllo forever but never listened to any of his stuff. Really enjoyed this — sounded like Ted Leo before there was a Ted Leo.
This was an awesome album! I've never listened to much Elvis Costello but this was a cool album and I enjoyed it a lot! It was very boppy it moved along and I didn't feel like it got stagnant!
Nice, but pretty short.
Elvis Costello – My Aim Is True (1977) ist das Debütalbum des britischen Singer-Songwriters Elvis Costello. Aufgenommen wurde es in den Eden Studios in London mit dem Produzenten Nick Lowe. Das Album vereint Elemente aus Rock, Punk und New Wave und zeigt Costellos charakteristische Mischung aus scharfsinnigem Texten und eingängigen Melodien. Die musikalische Umsetzung ist direkt und prägnant, ohne sich in überladenen Arrangements zu verlieren. Die prominente Begleitband, die Attraction, spielt einen wichtigen Teil bei der Erzeugung des kraftvollen und zugleich klaren Sounds. Zu den herausragenden Songs zählen „Alison“, ein emotionales Liebeslied, und „Red Shoes“, das mit einem markanten Gitarrenriff aufwartet. Auch „Less Than Zero“ sticht durch seine energische Darbietung und politische Message hervor. Das Album etabliert Costello als wichtigen Künstler der britischen Musikszene der späten 70er-Jahre und zeigt bereits die Vielseitigkeit, die ihn auch auf seinen späteren Alben auszeichnen sollte. Es ist ein solides, gut produziertes Werk, das die Grundlagen für seine weitere Karriere legt. My Aim Is True ist ein gelungener Auftakt in eine erfolgreiche Karriere, der Elvis Costello als talentierten Songwriter und Musiker vorstellt, der es versteht, eingängige Melodien mit tiefgründigen Texten zu verbinden. Es gehört zu den wichtigen Alben der späten 70er-Jahre und bildet einen guten Einstieg in sein Schaffen.
Elvis Costello kicks ass. A unique sound, and extremely well done. Always loved his work.
Liked this more than I thought I would; throwback vibes and strong songwriting.
This was actually very decent
This is Costello's debut album. Very strong for a debut, and possibly his best album yet that I've heard on this generator. This was before his downward spiral into fucking new wave and shit. On this album, he has bits of country, rockabilly, 50's rock and roll, pub rock, and punk. A pretty solid power pop record. I'm impressed. Typically I hate Costello, but I can get behind this album. Favourite songs: Waiting for the End of the World, Mystery Dance, Pay It Back, Blame it on Cain, I'm Not Angry, Alison, Sneaky Feelings, Miracle Man Least favourite songs: Less Than Zero 4/5
8/10 Elvis Costello at his most Elvis Costello. Alison is one of my favorite songs period. This has a bunch of singles that are great as well. This is my favorite Elvis Costello album.
I really enjoyed this, although, I did get a bit tired of his voice. But that happens a lot when I listen to a whole album.
This is really good. Lots of energetic storytelling. Punk sensibilities with a relatability that sucks you in. The rhythm, the playing and the song craft are all top notch
he's got better songs but iunno if he's got a better album. great musicianship from Clover and spunky production from Nick Lowe. two cost'lo records down, only four to go.
4/5
This was a solid first effort for Elvis. Liked Songs Added: Blame It On Cain Alison (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes Watching The Detectives
I’m at a 4.5 that I’ll bump down to a 4. It’s a good album – certainly a much better one than “Brutal Youth” was for me, and for a while, I was at a 5. However, I think the album does sort of stagnate to the point where even though the individual tracks are good, it does become… not “boring” per se, but there is an impatience & a desire for something that feels different, which slowly grew for me to the point where all the nitpicks started to add up, and the entire album suffered because of it. I do like every single track here; there’s not a bad one at all, and for the most part, I think there’s a strong harmony between the lyrics, vocals, and instrumental, even if it’s occasionally skewed to be a bit cheesy in one of those 3 aspects. However, my ear became especially attentive towards the general structure of each track, and that’s where the impatience grew – Elvis Costello’s criminal sin on this album is that every single track, for the most part, has the exact same structure, down to the outro. Verse / Chorus / Verse / Chorus / Verse / Outro (with one repeating line for about 30-45 seconds). At some point, my attentive ears couldn’t ignore it, and it just became the thing I noticed on every track. Does that mean it’s a bad structure? No, not at all – realistically, almost every modern pop / rock song has this sort of structure. It’s all about how you disguise it & make it sound entertaining, and for as good as the instrumental/vocals/lyrics are on this album, I don’t think it’s disguised enough, nor is it quite entertaining enough (i.e., full harmony of the 3) in a way that keeps each track as fresh as it could be, hence my slow, boiling impatience for something different, because I gave it a lot of leeway before it finally bit at me. With that said, the album is still remarkably good, and honestly, I wish I could leave it at a 4.5, because I don’t think the repetitive structure is *that* big of a boon on the album. It is, however, enough to stop me from giving this a full 5. I’ll still give it a lot of praise – for 1977, this does feel like a great showcase of both the past and what was to come in the 80s & arguably the 90s; I hear a lot of Rob Thomas in Elvis Costello, and Matchbox 20’s general soundscape is something I’ve been waiting for throughout this entire stretch. This album did get remarkably close to that, in a 70s form, and I think it does a great job of making hybrids between rock / pop & everything inbetween, even though I do wish it leaned a bit more into the full blown rock side of it. I liked this a lot – if it weren’t for the structure thing, I’d be at a 5, but it’s just too prevalent an issue for me to ignore, hence the 4. A very very good 4, though.
Very good easy listening
Good, classic
Not bad early rock
Haven't listened to this album in full before but love Elvis Costello
A few songs on this sound just a bit like they were recorded on a potato, but the boppery shines through.
I think I have been an Elvis Costello can all my life and just have not realized it. Love the tight songwriting that has an edge yet retains its pop sensibilities.
7/10
fico feliz que veio literalmente o primeiro dele pra começa, visto que ele tem varios na lista. new wave né galera. é bom. tem uma pegada nerd (?) desajustado e meio rebelde. é bacana, tem umas pedrada. eh um bom debut!
Some timeless songs. More like a 4.5 than a 4
This is a really good album, one I've listened to quite a bit. What keeps it from being 5 stars for me is the lack of variation — the songs largely sound pretty similar to each other, given the pretty narrow sonic and stylistic range on offer. But I'm a fan.
All of the songs sound like Welcome to the Working Week, but the good news is that I really like that song. Nostalgic and delightful.
I liked this quite a bit. It's hard to pin down what this kind of music is. It's definitely not rock and it doesn't feel like punk to me. If different music was food this would be American gastropub. It's bold and punchy without being too far from the norm. Alison is great. 4 stars
Guys, I think I like Elvis Costello. Its upbeat and catchy. Fells like he beat the 80's by 3 years. Solid.
I found this to be a really interesting snapshot in time. By no means is this punk, and it's clear that Elvis Costello takes a lot of influence from the rock and roll of the past. But there's this sort of acknowledgement that punk is here, and it feels that just a dash of it is sprinkled here. It's punchy, it's poppy, it's clever, and sounds really well-formed for a debut. Fav tracks: Welcome to the Working Week, No Dancing, Alison, (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes, Less Than Zero, Watching the Detectives
Great album, maybe not my favourite Costello one but has the recognisable sound I quite like. Good songwriting - I'd almost give this a 5 just because of Allison.
Enjoyed this one 👌 but then I like Elvis Costello already especially Alison.
Really liked it honestly
Good but for every great song with unique interesting songwriting structures which there were quite a few, there was a very formulaic one which brings the album down for me
Хороший стиль, интеллигентно и энергично
Super groovy, big fan. Nice easy listen. Feels to me somewhere inbetween Dire Straits and Talking Heads. Would defintely re-listen.
First time I heard this album I was hooked. Like nothing I had heard of before
Disfrutable, sencillo de escuchar, muy dinámico, te deja con deseos de escuchar más de este maravilloso cantante y compositor.
Fantastic Debut, just listen to those choruses! Power pop and new wave at its best, Costello's mean streak sets him apart I do think he raises his level once he's backed by the attractions, and there's a few songs like red shoes and pay it back that i'm not crazy about, so this will only be a 4 stars, but still a great album
4.5
A very enjoyable and diverse album, especially for just 36 minutes.
Overall: 7/10 I'm a huge Elvis Costello fan already. I think I would like this album more if the quality of his music didn't improve as much as I feel it did in the future. The songs are catchy and fun but nothing really sticks out to me as exceptional. Still, it's a great introduction to Costello's music and a pretty good album overall! Fav Song: Less Than Zero Least Fav Song: Mystery Dance
Great songs throughout and I really like his voice. After reading I understand that he is quite big with the older generation. I think I have heard the name before but couldn't name a song he made. After this listen through I will definitely listen to his songs again!
Elvis Costello is one of those musicians that is going to be controversial. Not so much for his politics or lyrics or message, but because I have the feeling, based on bands and musicians I love and hate, that his voice is either going to please someone or turn them off. He also has a certain quality within his music that is unique, also likely polarizing, and thus, while I really like and always have liked, his vibe, I am not sure he is "for everyone." With that said, if you get taken in by this album, you will be an Elvis Costello fan for life. It is probably worth a listen just to find out, although it is likely some of the songs will stick with you even if you are not sure what to think.
Looks like a dork who I'd lunch money from but the music was alright
What a fun album. Costello is a heck of a lyricist and composer. I don't know much about him, his career, or more than a few of his singles. Most of what I know is from this album. I was surprised that it was released this early. It seems more advanced than a lot of what was available musically at the time.
I came to this one expecting nothing, I left quite pleased, pretty good album
Loved it !
Very good 4.2/5
much preferred over this years model
Ha. Right after saying it’s a bit hard to hear Buddy Holly’s influence on popular music when listening to yesterday's album, we get one where the Buddy Holly influence couldn’t be more obvious. Even his image on the album art seems like an intentional nod to Buddy Holly. There are quite a few other obvious influences on this record - I hear Motown in “No Dancing”, soul in the beautiful central ballad “Alison”, reggae on “Watching the Detectives” and a healthy dose of new wave throughout. The synthesis of genres is very fun to listen to and very unique. While the musical style takes root in those from 15-20 years before its release, the lyrics are decidedly modern (for 1977) and interesting. I quite like the contrast between the two. I liked this a lot more than I expected. “Miracle Man”, “Alison”, and “Less Than Zero” were my favorites. “Mystery Dance” fell a bit flat for me but I don’t really have any other complaints about this album and will definitely listen to it again. Strong 4 ⭐️, 9/10.
What a debut! Costello came out of the gate running. Pure anger, spitting power pop. BT: Welcome To The Working Week, Alison, (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes 4⭐️
Sehr abwechslungsreicher Pop
I've still got 2 more albums to catch up on. This one is felt kind of average but then I realised it's a debut and does set a pretty high bar. Unfortunately, for me, Watching The Detectives is just such a standout track it kind of takes away from the rest of the album. Other fave: Alison
My final Costello album - he's very overrepresented on the list, but that's Dimery's fault, not Costello's, so I won't hold it agains the album. Once again, it's solid pop rock - and very impressive for a debut made while holding down a data entry job! It's a nice trip through a selection of rock sub-genres. Kinda want to bump my review of "Blood and Chocolate" up to a 5 to signify I like it more than his other stuff... Fave tracks - "Watching the Detectives" is like an order of magnitude better than everything else, but arguably it's a bonus track. "Alison", and "I'm Not Angry" from the other tracks. Liked the straight ahead rock n roll of "Mystery Dance", too...
Know the name, hadn't listened to him before. Super solid. Favorite might be Waiting for the End of the World? it's definitely the one that made me stop and pay attention each time through the album.
Not my direct taste, I can appreciate the work.
The only Elvis that matters.
Favorite Track: Welcome To The Working Week
Well... every time I listen to Elvis Costello, his material always feels like something I should really get into, I just don't all that much. That being said this is actually one I enjoyed pretty well. It's just shy of a 4 for me, but it will get a 4 on the app. Some of my favorites were "Blame It On Cain", "I'm Not Angry", and although it technically doesn't count, "Watching The Detectives" (7.75) ★★★½
Have heard this a long time ago, but upon relisten my rating is still 4 stars. A bit uneven, but the best songs are absolutely magnificent.
Really cool pub rock classic. Highlights are "Alison", "Mystery Dance", "The Angels Wanna Wear My Red Shoes" and "Watching the Detectives". 4.5 stars
His aim is decent. It’s not exactly his grand masterwork (that would be either Armed Forces a few years later or Painted From Memory with Burt Bacharach in 1998) but this is a good debut and introduction to Costello with pockets of sharp shooting, snarly brilliance from the off like Welcome To The Working Week and other tuneful highlights such as Alison, Red Shoes and I’m Not Angry. And reggae-rific best song Watching The Detectives which was originally a non-album single. Light 4.
Such a good album. Going to listen to it a lot more
I never really enjoyed any of the Elvis Costello I listened to in the past. Apparently, I needed to go further back in his catalogue bc I enjoyed this.
Welcome To The Working Week // No Dancing // Blame It On Cain // Alison // Sneaky Feelings //