My Aim Is True

I wasn't terribly impressed by this.

This album is "fine", but it's clouded by the volume of other "fine" Elvis Costello albums on this list.

wasnt really for me but not the worst thing ever

2026.01.14.

Alison and Red Shoes.

J’entends parfois Jim Cuddy de Blue Rodeo, ou Frank Zappa dans une fausse ballade… mais en moins irrévérencieux. En plus sincère… et plus positif.

Every time I listen to this album it makes me feel the same way

Very amazing guitar parts, you can hear his love of music

Elvis Costello is like matcha tea to me. I like it sometimes, I want to like it, or Im not interested at all, but I still want to try it. This album was ok, not mad about the listen. I appreciate the hints of bluesy in some of the songs. I think Allison is his best work. Such a smooth, great song. Love the melody and the guitars on it.

Fun, danceable album, but I wish I liked his voice.

I was pleasantly surprised! This album genuinely took me by surprise, I was grooving the entire way through and never once thought to skip a song, hell, I wasn't even looking at the music player! I thoroughly enjoyed myself ☺️ Favorite songs - Allison Sneaky feelings I'm not angry Rating 1-5 ~ 3.8

Catchy enough. Maybe will increase the rating

De chlini Brüeder vom Elvis het me ned so mega abgholt mussi zuegeh. Chli brüeder hin oder her. Aber nice to be back Nedi! (und Noah und Basil und Karin und Leve und Vicki und Maya) Zwei welcome backs to that

de Elive der Zweite hed biz meh gmacht als sin Name hergid und darum gib ich ihm Pünkt der Dritte

Mystery Dance is this album’s winner! Pretty cool how so much emotion is conveyed with so little. First, I sort of judged his vocal style as unpolished and raw. Then I realized he’s doing exactly what he wants, demonstrated by a different style, tone, grit, and range in every song. Awesome!

Got me tapping my foot, but nothing was stuck in my head when I put my headphones away. Recommend best paired with setting up for an afternoon party. Nothing too distracting but still good vibes

Went for too long.

His aim my be true, but I fail to see the point.

it was good but my god are these recommendations boring

Ok, I get it. Elvis Costello can write decent music and songs. Not so sure why almost every album has to be included? Couple of bangers here, Alison & Detectives.

Great songs

Rating: 5/10 Short Review: I don't want to just call this a snooze fest because I think albums require more nuance than being called boring... however

Yep, liked it. Full of energy, nice production, couple of true bangers. Nice!

I'm a fan of Elvis. Started listening when he started recording. I've always felt his strength is with singles. Re-listening to this album confirms that for me. Solid record with a couple of highlight singles.

Last two songs pretty good, brought this up from 2 to 3.

Incredibly boring and monotone album. The album has no variety and feels like a never-ending nightmare.

Saw Elvis Costello in concert in 2024. Had a much larger appreciation for him after

A remarkable debut album but frustratingly inconsistent. There are brilliant songs like Alison and earworms like Watching The Detectives and Angles Wanna Wear My Red Shoes and even Welcome to the Working Week, but Costello sometimes descends into something that sounds like a lazy lounge act. Still, it's a great album that I find myself listening to over and over again and even the bits that are a bit grating at first eventually become part of its overall charm.

Apparently, this guy is a songwriting machine with over 30 albums released - wonder how many more are up for us to listen here. Enjoyed the upbeat fun pop, sounded a little (really a little) like Bob Dylan from time to time.

Viby but not my usual

Don't care for this sort of music

started out strong but i ultimately wasn't too high on it

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 have never heard of this album or artist before so here we go. I am hoping for something really good. Immediately, I like track 1 a lot. I am very hopeful for the rest of the album. I might even retract my statement from yesterday, where I said the first track of an album is almost never that good. It has a very 90's sound to it, it reminds me of Peyton Sawyer. I like track 2 a lot as well. Track 3 has a Beach Boy's kind of vibe to it. I do not like it as much as the first two tracks so far, but it is still very good. Track 4 has a very bluesy sound to it, I like it a lot. This is one of his more politically charged songs. Track 5 is more lyrical and melodic. It sounds nice but I definitely do not enjoy it as much as 1, 2, or 4. The same goes for track 6. I like track 7. Track 8 is another politically charged song, very nice. Track 9 definitely has some Elvis Presley vibes going on, which makes sense considering his name is inspired by Presley. Track 10 is very catchy. This album has been very good so far, but I would be lying if I said it was a perfect, no-skips album. Track 11 is so creative, I love the whispered background vocals. The guitar solos are so peak. Overall, this album has been really good and I hope to see more albums that are this good as I continue this project. Hopefully, a five-star album is coming my way soon.

Added to Megashuffle. Pretty good

Elvis mellan 77 och 80 är oefterhärmlig och hopplöst bra. Vad jag menar med det är att liksom; lägg av Elvis, det är bara popmusik, det behöver inte vara så vansinnigt bra, du sätter standarden för högt, du försöker nästan för mycket. De 3-4 första albumen plus de fristående singlarna (bl.a. hiten "Watching the detectives" som inte finns som albumspår) flyter ihop lite för mig ska jag medge, men jävlar vilken underbart kaxig och energistinn powerpop vi finner de här åren. Elvis uppfinner inget nytt, han tar nåt gammalt och beprövat och blåser ny ungdomlig energi i det. Han gör rocken rastlös igen, en underskattad egenskap. My aim is true är 27 minuter lång, 12 spår, inte en död sekund, en perfekt popplatta. Och Elvis är redan från starten här en lysande låtskrivare, fullfjärdrad. Ingen kan klaga på hans hantverk. Labelkollegan Nick Lowe, (vars plattor från samma tidsperiod också är vansinnigt bra), har producerat en skiva som tog 24 timmar att spela in och kostade bara runt 2000 pund på en åttakanalare. För att citera Pop #10 "Detta är, enkelt uttryckt, en stunds sjuhelsikes rock’n’roll. Dynamisk och demonisk." Subtilt i det småschackrutiga omslaget står det överallt "Elvis is king", det är svårt att inte gilla den kaxigheten och dessutom hålla med. Snubblar på en femma

Som vi tidigare konstaterat är Elvis Costello en sorgligt överskattad artist. Men just den här skivan tillhör nog hans bästa, med reservation för att jag inte hört alla. Det finns mycket energi och han krånglar inte till det. Inledande Welcome to the working week, No dancing, Alison, Red shoes och avslutande Waiting for the end of the world kan gott nämnas.

Klart bättre än den Costello vi tidigare fått framslumpat. Här finns ett skönt somligt rock n roll groove i det punkiga anslaget som jag gillar. Det känns inte på något sätt krystat att dra paralleller till Dpringsteens första album. Förutom finfina samarbetet med Burt Bacharach det klart bästa jag hört med Costello.

Här är Costello riktigt bra. Överlag starka låtar och bra framförande. Sinnebild en av den coola tönten. A-sidan bättre än b-sidan. B-sidan innehåller 50-talsrocken Mystery dance som gärna hade fått lämnas utanför. Skivan för mig på gott humör.

Love the sound design. You feel like you’re listening to a concert!

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.

Did not know this qualified as punk. Decent.

that was fine. Inoffensive, feels older than the time it came out.

Not my vibe

What an amazing album. Definitely one of the albums that shaped me during my formative years.

Honestly impressed by the range of sonic sounds. From buddy holly ass rock, to blues to folky stuff. Pretty good

The first one i think I wasted my time on (im out of order)

Franchement tu retires le fait que l'album fait 2h30 et tu écoutes tout ce qu'il y a avant les demo c'est très bien ! Mais malheureusement il y a le reste qui est fatiguant donc seulement 3

kako je muzika bila sjajna ranije! divno osvezenje :)

This one didn’t do it for me.

Side One much stronger, highlighted by the back to back of Blame It on Cain and Alison. A little more prickly lyrically than I was expecting, high-end 3

nice instrumentals, love the melody

I really liked the vocals and the guitar. Its the kind of upbeat album I could have playing while I work on something creative. I've not listened to Elvis Costello before so I enjoyed getting to know his early work a bit better.

average music with a slightly annoying vocalist 6 Elvis Costello albums? Really?

Such a classic. My copy doesn't have Watching The Detectives but adding that just makes it better

4.5/5 - Costello's incredible debut. Alison, less than zero, (The angels wanna wear my) red shoes, and watching the detectives

not memorable to me :/ favorite tracks: no dancing sneaky feelings i’m not angry waiting for the end of the world

Æ tror kanskje aldri æ har hørt på Elvis Costello, og det her va et rart sted å begynne, men kanskje det dukke opp nokka anna æ like bedre etterhvert?

It's okay. There's a lot more Elvis Costello in this challenge than I think there should be.

Some songs are okay-ish. But as soon as the singing starts I’m out.

Honestly wasn't a fan. Don't like Elvis Costello and this is the most Elvis Costello album that ever Elvis Costelloed.

Just was not the album for me!!

Неплохой альбом, но ничего особенного

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.

Ever heard the theory that Elvis Costello and Lenny Kravitz have the exact same voice? You have now

Best Track - "Less Than Zero"

Very polished 70’s nightclub kind of sound. Then you get to alison, and that one stands out above the rest.

always thought he was more modern than he is

Worst Album Art Award 🏆 Elvis Costello seems to be a natural inhabitant of the four-star zone for me. He'll venture out to other star ratings sometimes, but four is his home.

Elvis Costello albums on this list have never been bad per se, but they have been incredibly inconsistent. This is one of the more mid albums. This entire album just seems so by the numbers, and lacks any real personality. Even at 36 minutes, it felt like it was too long. 2.5 / 5

Fun album, got some songs which really stick out and are memorable!

solid debut album some fun songs in there

Kind of like Britain’s nerdier, punkier answer to Springsteen. A solid album although nothing here wowed me. Best song: Miracle Man

Not really listened to Costello much outside of the bigger singles (and Shipbuilding, which I love). Quite surprised by this - Definitely not punk, not really new wave. But too spiky in both music and lyrics to be really "mainstream" fare. Pretty good.

I could get into Elvis Costello

Es geht.

It's alright. Not so bombastic as the journos claim it to be, and Costello seems undeserving of 5 more albums. Ugh!

I haven't ever heard anything from Elvis Costello that I liked until today. I don't know if this album is just good and I hadn't heard anything from it before, or my tastes have matured. I'll be listening to this again, I think, and perhaps giving him another shot in general ⭐⭐⭐.5

Really solid album, I like how it calls back to 1950s music and all. I think it’s a little bit better than some of this modern music, as a solid four star record.

I like it - some of the songs are better than I thought But didn’t really grab me as an album

I feel like the more you listen to this the better it will get—I also think if some of these songs were released as steely dan I would love them, so I will rate this with that in mind

Nice pumping beat, good voice yet not too blaring, helped me stay awake.

Great!

Less than zero sounds like glory days by Bruce Springsteen. I had heard Red Shoes before.

I think this one aged better than This Year's Model. Possibly because this one tried to be more rock, while the other leaned more into pop. Then again, did we need this many Elvis Costello albums on the list?

-my relationship with Elvis Costello’s music is complicated. it’s definitely pretty hit or miss for me but when it hits, it REALLY hits -this particular album probably falls into the “hits” category. something about his vaguely annoying voice and kitschy country rock sound is kinda doing it for me?? -solid 3-3.5. really good for a debut album -Favorites: Welcome To The Working Week, Blame It On Cain, Waiting For The End Of The World

Pretty fun sounding pop-rock.

Better than Coldplay

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.

Elvis Costello is cool ... but I dont ever feel the need to listen to a full album. Much like that other Elvis guy!

Car ride on the desert of Texas feeling like a cowboy

Found it pretty boring. Nothing really stood out from this

Pretty good, it’s like sublime meets steely Dan

maybe im a hater and i didnt give it enough time.... but i have 0 desires to listen past the first song

Very old fashion but groovy baby!!

bleh. the bob dylan voice always kills me. but at least with bob dylan it's bob dylan

enjoyed thoroughly

Not my vibe but not bad

ik im judging a book by its cover but let’s see what this is about😁STARTING OFF STRONG HOLD ONN. I’m actually enjoying this album it’s the perfect style where it’s upbeat and can get me hyped but not too hyped. Like a mellow version of hyped where I can do a lil dancey dance but not go crazy. Sounds like something greasers would listen to. I think this is the shortest album I’ve ever seen. It was only 36 mins but I enjoyed it the wholeeeee time. The sound/genre is so interesting to me. I really like this album!!

Favourite Songs: Miracle Man Blame It On The Cain Less Than Zero

Great voice and some good songs but nothing amazing overall

This is such a fun album.

It might be the first time I’ve properly listened to Elvis Costello. I really love the clean guitar tone throughout the album.

Yllättävän hyvää. Pitää kuunnella joskus uudestaan. 3,25/5.

As much as I think Costello is overrated (and certainly over-represented on this list), there's no denying this one's great. A classic, fully-formed debut.

Didn’t care much for the vocals, but the first song is a lot of fun. Guitar solos were fun!

najbolji kostelo dosad. zaslužio je jednu četvorku

Very few people know this but Len Houmous of Houmous and Chutney fame actually lost his virginity to Elvis Costello. Not listening to him. But actually to him. It was in 1956 just after Len got back from Korea. Elvis denies it, reckons the dates don’t add up but Len said you’d recognise that voice anywhere. It was actual the subject of Len’s infamous Houmous & Chutney Hit. ‘I know it was you, I could feel your voice’ 3.0 5/13 Alison

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 liked how up beat it was 8/10 favorite song miracle man

Reading the bio, helps to understand the album and where it was inspired. The lyrics are clear to hear. Mix with Pop rock, early 60s rock. Lyrics are politcaly charge, and complaining about the work life, that is relatable even today some may say

Always loved Elvis. This has gotten better with age!

I don’t want to like Elvis Costello. Hard to explain. He feels corny, like a Buddy Holly wannabe… that’s harsh but it’s where I’m starting from. That said, this album grew on me. I understand why hearing this debut of his come out of nowhere was a big deal. It helps that almost all of these tracks are upbeat and danceable. Being 34 minutes is also good. There is a nice groove and nice guitar solos on “blame it on Cain”, and “Alison” has a clean and smooth mix. “Sneaky feelings” and “angels” have an upbeat Van Morrison vibe. He’s got a great voice. The band is also excellent.For a couple moments, I thought the effects used on his vocals were out of place. Overall, it’s a fun album. And I will admit I liked it 4/5

Did not enjoy. Barely finished the first disc.

Has me shimmying 💃

Meh. Not my taste.

Excelente

Definitely see why Elvis Costello has such a fan base. This was a fun album, but felt like there was a bit to much filler for me to really get into it. "Alison" is a killer track. It's a 3 for me.

Very okay.

Like it 3/5

Not awful but if someone played this I would most likely judge them:/

I went back and forth on this album a couple times. There were parts I liked a lot, and there were some parts that felt were almost silly. I feel like Elvis Costello definitely knows what he is doing as a songwriter and an entertainer. Likely these somewhat silly bits are actually done with full intention and to a great effect. If I listened to this a few times, I think there is a good chance it would grow on me and generate I higher rating, but after one listen I'm not quite convinced.

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.

O primeiro disco do cara. Juro que me esforço, mas não agrada.

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.

Okay

He demonstrates his writing style and makes a classic LP. LIsten again.

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.

Feels like some Elvis Costello.

this shit was so fire i can’t lie so groovy such a good mood

Elvis Costello songs always sound like the fake band playing a garage concert or high school dance in movies to me. Like his delivery and the shitty rockabilly sound is meant to add to the comedy of whatever I'm experiencing. The difference is those scenes last 40 seconds, and this album runs for 40 minutes.

I cannot stand his vocal delivery or the fact that half the time it sounds like he's singing into a box or intentionally distorted to try and cover up the awful noise. Also, 50s do-wap rock revival? Just what we needed! /s

Genuinely couldn’t sit through this Felt like a mind numbing time loop

3/5

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.

Given that he's got 7 albums on this list I have a feeling I am going to have a well formed opinion on Elvis Costello by the time this experience is done, but I digress. This debut sounds like a debut. Its a bit rough around the edges. Some good songs here and there. Its fine. Nothing special. The kind of album you accept as a debut and hope it gets better as the career goes on.

Costello is usually hit or miss for me, but this album is full of catchy pop rock tunes. Enjoyed it a lot. Highlights: "Blame it on Cain" and "Waiting for the End of the World"

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.

Chad Costello

My wife said I have to give this at least four stars

Red Shoes

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.

The only Costello album needed on this list.

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!

Easily the best Elvis Costello album we've had. And we've had them all.. Before he began to shubidiwubwub his way through songs. One of the worst looking covers though

Eh

Really loved this the whole way through. Fun, creative, great sound and production, just a solid one.

Well it's either annoyingly immature within its own style, or I just don't get it, at all. At the time, I'd see potential in his voice, just not the songs. It feels so silly. Perhaps at a time it was revolutionary or refreshing, I don't know. His energy doesn't match what's going with the band, to me. It's like he's singing with a tape. Not sure what the direction of the music is, too.

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

why is the maker of this list obsessed with Costello?

Fun listen, not many thoughts after my first listen

If someone played a song here and told me this is Franz Ferdinand, I might've believed them before I listened to this. The good aspect is that this albums sounds a few decades ahead of its time, which is very impressive. The bad aspect is that it still sounds like generic try-hard pop. The name, the look, the singing, all come off to me as an attempt to craft a specific, marketable image. Call me old fashioned, but what I seek in music is authenticity, and this album and artist took a conscious choice to go the other direciton. I'll split the middle and say that in 2025 this is a listenable album, but not something to seek out or come back to.

This was tricky, some of this I enjoyed to the extent of a 3 but mostly found it 2 quality.

this album ranges from meh to actively annoying. props to the bassist though, especially on the closing track. 2 stars.

Pretty enjoyable album. Handful of hits, another handful of great songs, the rest all fills in nicely without being overly remarkable or memorable. But a great debut album. Solid 3+.

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.

The Neil young of England but without the talent of Neil. Ed Sheeran for all his faults can spin a tune. James Blunt’s you’re beautiful has a memorable melody. Even Agadoo might get you dancing. The inexplicable popularity of the wrong Elvis. Over rated. 2 or 3 good to great songs does not a genius make. And his one great song isn’t till his seventh album. Not even excellence till then. That he flukes a couple of great songs is no excuse. I really don’t know what Dave Edmunds and Nick Lowe were thinking. It’s not even good cliche. And many of the rest of the reviews here make the observation that it’s all the same. And they’re right. You get one good song per album (this one is Alison) and the rest are variants on the theme. We all know what we throw against the wall to see what sticks. Not much of this does. No more Costello on this list. Seriously. He’s A racist pos on top. In vino veritas, Declan. You say you can’t apologise enough. No, you can’t. And that’s just for this travesty. Ray Charles deserved better too. Shout out to a band who is far better than the material they are given. What a waste of the Attractions. Steve Nieve could have done so much better.

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.

No standouts

This was enjoyable enough. It has a nice live feel to it. Didn’t particularly rock my world, but it wasn’t bad.

theres one million elvis costellos albums on here and they're all the same. some of them he says the n word on

This guy has good personality but his music doesn't drive me crazy.

I liked the track Less Than Zero. The rest was fine at best. This is a medium to light 2.

Repetitive meh.

Still not a fan of E.C., but there’s a few good ones on this album.

Old school cool - perfect listenable but nothing that really moves me

The presence of Alison takes this from a 4 to a 5.

One of my all time favorite albums.

This has a lot of older rock and roll feel but also almost some punk vibes.

Not the biggest Costello fan, but I liked it

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.

Lots of classic songs on this, but overall uneven. It's punkish but ultimately closer to classic rock than many of Costellos contemporaries.

Felt like I was listening to the same thing again and again. 2/5

Rock and roll vibes, some good songs, wanted to stand up and dance at some.

Classic

I made it to about 3 songs in and did not like it at all. Very one dimensional voice. Bland production, and overall not exciting.

Good album prefer thisyears model

Not my kind of music

liked some of the songs but everything blends a bit and it starts to drag despite being so short

Eh it’s not bad or anything but it’s just barely a 3

More like a 2,5, but I don’t hate it or anything.

6,92

”I mean, it’s fine, it sounds old… I don’t know much about music, what else was released in 1977?" -A friend reacting to this

It's aight

Bruh

Toujours cool

Encore lui ??? Faut lâcher là Musique de générique de série as usual, la note change pas quoi

I like this album. I wonder what it would sound like with some overdrive

This album is an easy listen but pretty uninspiring. It's a boring, made for radio album. If someone told me Costello was their favourite artist, I'd think they have bland taste in music. I will say "watching the detectives" does salvage the album somewhat.

136/1001 Elvis Costello - My Aim Is True Heard before? ✅ Revisit? ✅ Second album of approximately eleventy billion from Costello and whilst I do like this, I don't know why this is on the list.

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!

Lidt skizofrent album, men en del udmærkede sange på.

p good

Very lucky to be assigned his debut as this is my first time listening to a full LP from this guy, and man he is talented. But it doesn't grab my attention at all because it doesn't feel like he does anything original. Didn't remember a single moment besides Watching the Detectives, but oh whoops turns out that's a bonus track!

Some flashes of great songwriting on here, but as a debut it still feels a little rough around the edges in places. Not Costello’s best outing, but not bad.

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

Couldn't get into this one

Elvis er alltid en fryd å høre på.

There are simply too many Elvis Costello albums on this list.

484/1001 🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑

Might be a classic but not really my style

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

No puedo entender la fascinación por Elvis Costello, especialmente de parte del autor de esta lista. Ya es el tercer álbum que aperece de Costello y cada uno es menos interesante que el otro. La voz de Costello no me parece destacable en ningún sentido y las composiciones en este álbum son mediocres, con alguna que otra excepción más o menos aceptable. Tampoco me parece horrible, pero considerar un álbum como este para esta lista en la que además hay múltiples trabajos de Costello ya me resulta ofensivo, habiendo tanta música en el mundo objetivamente mejor y más relevante. Además este álbum es de 1977... Si hubiese sido publicado en 1950 podría tener más valor por ser un poco innovador, pero hacer esto en el 77 es aburrido y anticuado. Por supuesto mi juicio viene dado por el marco de la relevancia de este álbum como para estar en la lista de "1001..." Estoy seguro que a muchas personas les gusta Elvis Costello y tuvo su relevancia histórica, pero no lo considero tan bueno ni tan importante como para colocar varios álbumes en la lista y que encima este sea uno de ellos.

Great album. Just love the energy, the songs.

Elvis Costello is interesting. I like his overall sound, but I feel like there’s an ironic detachment between him and the music. Something about it feels… constructed? Inauthentic? I don’t know exactly how to describe it, but I feel it in basically every song. Allison still a banger though

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’ve known this album for years, but this time I listened to it from an audiophile point of view. Elvis sings very close to the microphone, which gives the vocals intimacy but leaves little sense of room or space. There’s quite a lot of compression throughout the record, limiting the dynamics. The production is rough and edgy, a style that perfectly suits the album’s energy and attitude, but doesn’t really fall within my personal taste.

I love this record so much

Impressive debut. Nothing groundbreaking but nothing my ears disliked. 3/5.

Spent my entire music store career arguing about Elvis Costello with people. I think he’s the most overrated artist that musicians and people whose taste I respect truly admire. I think it’s boring, corny and derivative.

Meh

🤷🏻‍♂️

It sounds like he is just showing off. Yeah dude, you’re good. Probably needed to be 4 stars just for Watching the Detectives

Boomer punk

If it wasn’t for Watching the Detectives, there’s no way this would have been even noticed by music listeners. The fact it’s his first album automatically makes it better than the others I’ve heard here. Mainly because all later albums are just a copy/paste of this one

Early new-wave, with plenty of do-wop/50s rocknroll influences. It's almost a complete 50s revival! Interesting sound, but not grabbing my attention. Waiting for the end of the world is proper post-punk/new wave Best track - Welcome to The Working Week, Mystery Dance, Waiting for the End Of The World 3 stars

Every song on this album is a gem. Love it!

Lowkey incisive.

Nice music.

started paying attention from the middle towards the end. no specific melody, the magic is all in the lyricism and storytelling. deserves another listen

I nearly skipped listening to this album, given that I didn't like previous Costello albums on this list, and there are apparently still several to go. I should have skipped it. He doesn't seem to have any control over his voice, it's like listening to Bobcat Goldthwaite.

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.

definition of alright

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.

Didnt listen to it deeply but it was kinda cute and catchy

An excellent album, very cool. Enjoyed it quite a bit.

Rockabilly avec des nuances country...

Album inégal, mais correct.

this was not the rockabilly dance music I was expecting. it was easy listening, Rod Stewart or something. it just faded into the background.

Not quite good as his other albums on this list, but still good.

Solid stuff by Elvis Costello. I get his popularity, but if I want something in this vein I tend to prefer Joe Jackson.

I’m always impressed with Mr. Costello.

Milestone

This grew on me as it went on. Heavy on the 50s nostalgia which I don't love.

Boring. I’d heard Allison before. It was fine I guess

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

Loved it! But its nothing new :D

Fun. Kind of repetitive. I enjoy Elvis Costello as much as the next guy which is not a ton, but I don't hold anything against him. I appreciated the brevity of the album too haha

I'm never sure what to make of Elvis Costello. He's simultaneously great fun and right up my alley, and supremely annoying to listen to.

Pretty good album. The first half is especially strong. It got a bit tedious to listen through even though is was only 30 something minutes. Still a good experience. 3/5

Oh what a surprise, another 70s rock album. Mediocre music that fits right in with the 70s. I'm sure this album had a major influence on life, universe and everything else - but I don't see it Track 13 is something to watch out for, detectives or not. For track 22, you indeed may call me. And yes, finally! In 25 we can hear a melody, and I know it is right 🧡

Mé

Pretty fun romp. Notes of Rock and Roll, New Wave, and Beach wave. I might be a nice album to put on a beach day or something. Had a fun time but it's not exactly something I would play regularly. 3.5/5

I was prepared to dislike this one to be honest. The songs sounded somewhat samey at the start but I was pleasantly surprised to find some versatility as the album went on. It was quite enjoyable in the back half particularly. I don’t think it was revolutionary by any means, but it was a good 36 minutes.

Not a fan of Elvis Costello. Also, one of the worst album covers I have ever seen

Great album

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?)

First thought: Oh god, another Declan MacManus album. From this point on, I refuse to use the first part of his name on principal since he stole the real Elvis' name as a marketing gimmick. I have just left this album on loop and it's grown on me almost to the point of enjoying some of it? Apparently this album was instrumental in creating the New Wave style of music that is similar to REM, Devo, Duran Duran etc that replaced punk music as the underground sound. The thought that this is considered "underground" makes no sense, but the UK has always been culturally weird. (yeah, I said it) I do like the song Less Than Zero, Waiting for the End of the World and Watching the Detectives. The rest are meh. Understand the historical significance of creating the New Wave genre of music, still don't like Declan Macmanus' music, but this album was better than Blood and Chocolate.

Pretty standard ES based on what we’ve already had.

I mean, he’s alright, but come on, does he really need to be on the list, again?

Well there was a surprise, a not so annoying EC album. He clearly hadn’t developed his full annoying vocal lilt, and was deploying a more trad rock style. Bearably short. This doesn’t however get you off the hook list. THIS MAN DID NOT DESERVE MORE THAN ONE ALBUM ON THIS LIST!

:)

Great attitude and songs

Again, pretty solid Elvis Costello album! Bumped 3.5 up to 4

Honestly, not terrible, just terribly boring. It might just be bad luck that this came up after three boring albums in a row. Did not finish.

Helt greit! Hatt en del kjedelig album i det siste, så gøy med noe mer rocka. Usikker på om jeg hadde hørt på nytt

Great album, enjoy Costello

Alison worth the ticket alone, but enjoyed some of the early reggae punk vibes

I'm not really into Elvis Constello but I also can't help but enjoy the songs at the same time?

Enjoyed this aye, some solid tunes

Great

I wasn't familiar with this album or artist so I really didn't have a lot of expectations. I didn't hate it but i also didn't love it. I think there's much better from the time period. Some songs are bangers tho, I especially liked I'm not angry and the Devil shoes one.

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?

No. I've heard enough Elvis Costello. This is a snooze fest. 2.5/5

3,5

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.

2.7

This album - and Elvis Costello in general - has a signature sound. It’s not one I’m immediately drawn to but there are a few moments I can appreciate and I wanted more of…like the Mystery Dance, and Watching The Detectives, for example.

This a good record, but not a great one. "Watching the Detectives" is the best song. I've realized, 78 albums in, that this list is way too biased towards stuff that I've already heard or didn't need to hear. And it's just so Anglocentric. Yawn. I'm giving up writing these lengthy reviews and just opting for the star rating method, coz to be honest, this list isn't really worth giving up an hour a day to come up with pithy takes on each record. I have my own list anyway. It was fun while it lasted.

Elvis Costello's debut is a little rough around the edges, but still a very cool and versatile endavour.

Not something I'd typically like, but something about this had me enthralled.

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.

Liked pretty much everything past Alison. Good but not my style.

Is there a reason these have all been 40-50 years? This one (Elvis Costello) is another fond memory....

Elvis Costello is someone I feel like I ought to like a lot more than I do, but his stuff mostly underwhelms. Too many tracks that sound like they would have been warmly received in the late 50s rather than the late 70s in particular. It just didn't do much for me.

The idea that, out of the 1001 albums you MUST listen to before you die Elvis Costello is on the list twice, seems far fetched. Even dubious. Maybe Stevie Wonder put me in a good mood, but this album was actually fun to listen to for me and i don't know how to feel about that after i hated on him so much. And I'm the topic of why he deserves to be here again, this time i heard some Weird Al in his singing (who's entire discography should be on the list) some Billy Joel who i guess isn't an influence but a contemporary, some of The Matches (who have at least one perfect album), and a few other bands. So i get it. I guess it also makes sense that i like this Elvis album more than the other one since it's not from the 80s. I think it's not quite a 4 but i consistently enjoyed it. I should've given the other one a 2

This is bar music for sure

I think I like the idea of being a guy that likes Elvis Costello more than I like the music of Elvis Costello

Why is this album so weird about women? Make it stop. I really want to overlook this and not let it impact the rating, but there is too much of it; I cannot.

Tja, helt grei rock. Svingte greit til jobben, falt litt sammen i bilen. Klink 3

1 might be harsh but i have no patience for this boring shit today

This was actually pretty good. The vanilla ice cream of rock and roll. It mostly all sounds the same. It’s not bad but not spectacular

Not bad but not my jam

Elvis Costello generally doesn’t really do it for me. I found it a little plain

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.

More Costello. Fine the first time, but I didn't need another of his albums in my life. Boring, dragged on. Didn't appeal in any way really. Maybe good background music.