Reviews (page 7 of 13)
I am happy i didn't get this on a monday
Amazing guitar playing! And solid album from top to bottom!
It's been a bit of Hall of Famer week - 4 really interesting albums, 3 of which were new to me - this isn't bad but didnt do a lot for me so was a bit of a return to Planet Earth.
Wasn’t as impressed with this as some of his other albums on the list
50s honky tonky but more jagged, minus points because he sounds like a cross between John Travolta and Bob Dylan
I’m not sure I’ve ever consciously listened to Elvis Costello until today lol. Jk I do remember Watching The Detectives but it’s not something that I associated with Mr. Costello
Meh didn’t do much for me
Elvis Costello really confused my brain when I heard his name. Not because of his music, but for whatever reason when I look at this album cover my brain thinks he is Austin Powers. Also the name "Elvis Costello" makes me think of both Elvis and Abbott and Costello, so I had no idea what this album was gonna be like. Miracle man is good. There's some strange country twang in this album (pedal steel guitar in stranger in the house).
It was alright - a few songs I like and the rest very middle of the road
A fun, rootsy album, although besides “Alison,” most of the tracks blend together for me. This one is right on the line, and would probably be bumped up a star if “Detectives” was included on the original record. But alas, I’ve been judging all of these releases without their non-album singles, so I can’t start making exceptions now.
I was excited when I saw this was my album of the day because I recognized Elvis Costello's name from Pump It Up, which was in my song rotation a couple years ago for some reason even though I'd never heard of the guy. Reminding myself of it by listening now and it's so good. But while listening to My Aim is True, I had a vague feeling that something was missing. Probably because I was measuring it up to my memory of Pump It Up. I still think it's better than all the songs on this album... Also I've discovered that Pump It Up is by Elvis Costello AND The Attractions. Thank you The Attractions for your contributions. I had planned on saying that I got excited a few times during some songs like Less Than Zero but it ultimately didn't deliver for me. Listening to it again now though...it is a bop. So I change my mind on that one. I still can't stand how many times I had to listen to him say "Pay It Back" WE GET IT. I think there was too much repetition overall. Alison annoyed me, but his delivery of "this world is KILL-ING yoooou" and "I THink someBODY BETter put out the big light" makes up for it. Also would like to mention the irony of me listening to " Welcome to the Working Week" on my Monday morning commute. In summary: I couldn't/can't stand some parts of this album, but I enjoyed other parts and it's growing on me a lot more than I thought it would upon further listening. Favorites: Less Than Zero, I'm Not Angry, Miracle Man, Blame it on Cain Nos: Pay It Back, Watching the Detectives
i did not enjoy it much but i know it's not a bad album, so i will give a 3/5 and not listen to it again.
Ani ziębi ani grzeje
Honestly I think he's a little overrated but it's not bad.
I’ve been vaguely aware of Elvis Costello for years but this is really the first time I’ve listened. I honestly liked it quite a bit. The songwriting felt intentional and soulful, while the music was energetic. Not going to add him into the rotation or anything but wouldn’t mind another go-round
Some nice easy listening! I thought Elvis Costello was more like Tom Jones, and I was pleasantly surprised I was way wrong!
A fun little album, nothing too crazy. The two songs I liked the most were Alison and Watching the Detectives.
This was OK, but nothing memorable. I think this guy inspired a lot of modern music, but I'm rating just on the sound. A 3.
Maybe his best album....which isn't saying much
I recognize a few of these tracks by name, but have never listened to this entire album start-to-finish. This was good, but not great.
520/1089 - Probably the artist I've cared the least about discovering in this project. Nothing is particulalry good or bad. Brutal Youth had some interesting piano parts I think? This sounded like standard pub rock and his voice is kinda weird but expressive enough. The reggae-ish Detective song was kinda cool.
I enjoyed the album but it won’t be a part of my regular rotation.
Good
boring
Buenoo, sigue la buena racha. No sé qué tanto lo escucharía. Alison muy buena, el resto bien, lo pondría en algún viaje o algo así
Feel good mais oubliable
Welcome to the working week, indeed. Walks the line between punk attitude and pop structure better than most, but this debut feels like Elvis is still tying his shoes while trying to run. Spins: 1 Playlist Additions - Alison - Less Than Zero - Watching the Detectives
I did kind of enjoy this one!
Well, that's two of 6. And probably the most listenable two of the six.
Buen rocksito, super de chill. Me gusto. No es nada wow, pero cumple. 7/10
omg la guitarra en Alison me hizo levitar. Elvis quien sos y porque te descubri recien!! Buen album para sentirte en los 70' a pesar de que ni siquiera estuve ahí
Every time I see an Elvis Costello album on this list I die a bit inside. When I listened to this it was a rainy Monday as well, so not the best of circumstances. I think we're up to at least 4 now. When will the madness end?! That aside, I think this might have been the most tolerable record we've had from Elvis on this list. Never thought I'd say this, but I actually think this was decent. 'Welcome To The Working Week' is groovy and fun. 'Blame It On Cain' is also good. Not really any song that really sinks the ship in here, all are decent. The whole record has a light and hearty tone to it. It makes you feel happy listening to it. One "critique" I have - which might be unfair - is that the arrangements sounds a bit old for its time. Feels like it belongs 10-20 years earlier.
I would say it’s groovy, overall the tracks are good, but at the end of the day I am not fully convinced.
Decent rockabilly jawn with good vibes
really conflicted about this album. on one hand it kinda bored me here and there because it sounds at times a lot like modern/2000s pop rock but at the same time this is kinda where that sound originated so the fact it bored me kinda proves how important it is, and the lyrics are great but again just the sound is kinda boring me. some songs had more jazz or reggaeton vibes to them and i rly enjoyed those ones but the rest were just kinda. meh. idk im prob gonna put it at a 3 just bc ive grown out of the genre heavily yk at 14 id be obsessed with this but right now. eh.
I enjoy it but it isn’t uber impressive
I can't remember if I ever got same artist 2nd day in a row and that's where we are with another record from Elvis Costello. And tbh, similar to others this is quite alright but nothing amazing, probably another 3 stars
Meh. Not too bad. But no candidate for my record collection.
Wel een van de betere
I already like watching the detectives, but this album is a little same-y. It's not too bad if you like elvis costello. I liked I'm not angry, Alison and No Dancing. 3.5 stars if I could
Quite a fun one ! It was nice to listen to an album I appreciated after a long pause. I absolutely loved the instrumental arangements of most of the songs ! Too bad I didn't like his voice much, which was deceiving. I liked Alison enough to add it to my favorite songs but the rest wasn't really for me. Yet listening to this encouraged me to listen to other of his musics. Veronica was a great discovery. Liked the cover too eventhough it gives me headaches
A late 70’s interpretation of the first generation of Rock and Roll- very easy to listen to even as a first time listener of Elvis Costello.
Yeh pretty good, a cool side of elvis costello I hadn't seen before
Pourquoi un artiste aussi mid que Costello est autant de fois dans cette foutue liste.
This is the Elvis Costello I kinda like, I went into this with low expectations tho, after that other album of his on the list. It was nice to be reminded that the man did know how to write some good songs.
I don’t mind Elvis Costello but this album sounds like a lot of different stuff from the era.
Good enough for a solid three stars. ★★★
4/10
I guess I'd sum up this album in one word: Forgettable. All of his songs sound the same I guess? I honestly couldn't tell one when ended and another began. The whole album just finished so abruptly. So at least it was short. Nothing offensive though.
Not my favorite sound but this album is better than the other Elvis Costello albums I've listened to on this list. His voice is a little toned down which helps. I do like Alison!
I don't know yet. Alison was cool.
Elvis’s first - not as gods as second or quite a lot more…its alright 1. Welcome To The Working Week 2. Alison 3. Good year for the roses* *i know
De novo esse cara... É, tá um pouco melhor esse álbum, mais divertido de ouvir. Ainda sim tá ok, nada de mais pra mim, só animadinho. Nenhum destaque.
3.5
Klarer ikke helt å catche albumet. Mye bra, noe rart, noe fint. Må høre mer på det før jeg vet om treeren står.
Rockabillyopplegg med bluestouch. Funker vel på sitt vis, men i bunn og grunn uinteressant.
Панк рок и ронкнролл Прикольно Где-то я его раньше слышал Звучит плотно и хорошо Не думаю что захочу переслушать 3.1
A couple great songs but I feel it doesn't sound great today and a little uncool
Classic Costello. However, I don’t care for Costello. This isn’t a bad album though, but I probably won’t revisit.
Favorite Elvis Costello album on the list so far (and here's to hoping it will be the last)
iconic, distinct sound / vox. jammy, dancy. though, im confused what he's about.. what's your deal, elvis costello! im not sure im into the vowels? though that's what makes his voice iconic. hahaha maybe this one needs a second listen from me. cool though that it was 1977, i couldnt really tell what year, or even decade this is from. innovative, or nostalgic? who is this album for? and are we leaning even a little bit into parody?
There’s only so much quirky droll Costello I can take, but this is manageable
I loved Allison in a few songs, but it got kind of repetitive after a while. I am a fan of Elvis Costello‘s later work and I could see where he evolved as an artist from this.
I continue to be bewildered by how many Elvis Costello albums are on this list. Just utterly bewildered. I have been thoroughly wildered by his popularity. I keep trying to simply accept the fact that the process of compiling this list was subjective and imperfect and move on...but it sure is hard. I don't want to pick on Elvis Costello as he makes perfectly adequate music, but every single album is largely forgettable and there are six of them on here! None of them are bad, but I've never once in my life had the thought "This Costello chap is great; I should listen to more of his music." Maybe this is it: 1. This book is a compilation of influential albums. 2. Every Costello album is fine but not great. 3. Most music ever created is fine but not great. 4. All the mediocre music of the past 40 years owes a debt of gratitude to the trailblazing mediocrity of Elvis Costello. Did I just solve the puzzle?
A little over the top in the vocal department but otherwise decent album
This is Elvis Costello doing Elvis Costello things. It's fine, it didn't really land quite as well as This Year's Model and despite this only being my 2nd albuk of his, I know there's about 5 more to come and that's already annoying me!
2.9 2x didn't like it as much as i expected
Catchy and poppy. Easy listen.
had no idea who Elvis Costello was or what he did before this and yeah its pretty cool. its very much Rock And Roll which is oddly refreshing to be honest. as i understand he has a lot of stuff on this list so i'm looking forward to that.
My mom used to listen to Elvis Costello before she got hit by a truck. So I guess you could say I have an affinity for him
boringgg
This was fine. If his albums weren’t on this list, I probably wouldn’t listen to him all that much. I don’t think he’s bad, but when you’re talking about the late 70s and early 80s, there’s a lot of other stuff I prefer.
I liked this album. I don't need 7 more Elvis Costello album though thanks
I wish I liked Elvis Costello as much as Elvis Costello likes Elvis Costello
Growing up some of my "Punk" friends were into Elvis Costello. I can hear it now. It's not great but musically not terrible. I wish I could give half stars because 3 seems too low but 4 is too high. Favorite song is Less than Zero because WTF was up with Oswald?
un tres pero de mediocre no esta mal pero no lo volveria a agregar
3 estrelas e meio
será que precisamos ouvir tanto albuns de elvis costello assim antes de morrer? eu acho que não
Solid album, lots of hits. Wish it had “Pump It Up” on it, would take it up a notch.
Elvis Costello is like if you took 50s rock and gave it a slight punk quality. I like it. Buddy Holly with a hint of Ramones. Cool! But I kinda wish it did anything more than that, because it felt kinda samey throughout.
I have never been able to really get into Elvis Costello. I don't hate or even dislike his stuff, but it has just never grabbed me beyond some of the "hits" he had (like "Radio, Radio" and "Veronica.") I also really liked "Shipbuilding" on the High Fidelity OST. Some of this reminds me a little bit of Van Morrison, who I have also never been able to really get into. I wonder if there's a common reason for that. And like Morrison, Costello is held in really high regard by a lot of musicians who I love (and whose tastes are usually in line with mine.) I guess we can't all like the same things all the time. "I'm Not Angry" sounds a lot like an Alice Cooper song to me. This gets 3 from me, but just barely. It was OK. (P.S. - I did not know until reading on Wikipedia today that he is married to Diana Krall. Huh.)
I'm sad to say this was the first one I didn't finish, not because I didn't enjoy it, but life was just busy this day!
It was fun not my style
Elvis Costello, he appears to be a songwriter heavily influenced by rockabilly and 50s rock and roll. I don’t really care for the voice but the instrumentation is nifty. I enjoyed that song about blaming Cain and Allison was cool too. Not overly thrilled, I’ll listen to it again but I doubt it’ll get much higher than this score I gave.
Yeah that was alright
It's a fine listening
Either he’s growing on me or I have Stockholm syndrome. Either way, help!
Sorry not a fan of Elvis Costello. I have listened to all his albums and it's not for me.
It’s a pretty average rock and roll album. It’s fun, it makes you walk faster, but everything sounds the same. It’s got some pretty fun lyrics.
============================================== ============================================== ============================================== ============================================== ----------------ELVIS COSTELLO---------------- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------MY AIM IS TRUE---------------- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------(1977)-------------------- ============================================== ============================================== -----------------CALIFICACIÓN----------------- --------------------★★★☆☆------------------ --------------------(3,166)--------------------- ============================================== ============================================== ============================================== ============================================== CONTENIDO ORIGINAL Lado A 1. Welcome to the Working Week (★★★★☆) 2. Miracle Man (★★★☆☆) 3. No Dancing (★★★☆☆) 4. Blame It on Cain (★★★☆☆) 5. Alison (★☆☆☆☆) 6. Sneaky Feelings (★★⯨☆☆) Lado B 7. (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes (★★⯨☆☆) 8. Less Than Zero (★★★☆☆) 9. Mystery Dance (★★★⯨☆) 10. Pay It Back (★★★⯨☆) 11. I'm Not Angry (★★★★☆) 12. Waiting for the End of the World (★★★★★) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Aim_Is_True#Track_listing) ============================================== ============================================== ============================================== PUNTAJE TOTAL 4+3+3+3+1+2,5+2,5+3+3,5+3,5+4+5 = 38 ============================================== ============================================== PUNTAJE PROMEDIO 38 / 12 = 3,166 ============================================== ============================================== ============================================== ============================================== CALIFICACIÓN FINAL ★★★☆☆ (3,166) ============================================== ============================================== ============================================== ============================================== ==============================================
Pretty decent album, but nothing really stuck with me. Wasn’t too bad.
6/10
i wish we were stuck in the 70s music wise
Elvis Costello's music has never really clicked for me, but I enjoyed listening to this album lot more than I thought I would.
Pretty sharp lyrics in a soundscape that is unfortunately basic to my modern ears, but I still find it strong for a debut. Much prefer it over Brutal Youth.
again, songs are very similar to each other 3 songs stand out but its a very enjoyable LP
There are a few classics on here that I enjoy from time to time ('Alison,' 'Less Than Zero,' 'Watching the Detectives'), but the 50s rock and roll and rockabilly style grates on me after a while.
Another Elvis Costello album that seems fine, but just doesn't do it for me
Elvis Costello always sounds like something I should like and ought to have gotten into ages ago, but for whatever reason is just not captivating to me. Almost feels like, what if Randy Newman sang Bruce Springsteen? Hard to explain but that’s what comes to mind.
This album was fine but didnt stand out to me and gave my brain neither dopamine nor WOW THIS IS SO COOL. Didnt dislike it per se but probs wont listen again
6/10
Wish I liked this more. Liked better than the other album, brutal youth
Al creador de esta app le mola Elvis Costello
Ikke møkk, ikke spesielt bra.
3.5
Elvis Costello is aggressively adequate music.
This may be an unpopular opinion, but I firmly believe that Elvis Costello is a bit overrated. I mean, this album (which is widely considered his signature record) has great individual songs, but it does not feel as a cohesive album. I may be printing my personal opinion all over this, but I think he is a three-star kind of artist at best.
I never understood why Costello was so famous. This album is okay.
rock. roll. rhythm.
More of a 2-star album, but "Alison" is still terrific and bumps it up a rank. I just don't get Elvis Costello. 99% of it doesn't hit at all.
i have no grudge toward quirky new wave men but yeah like thats somehow actually too much. and yes, it's (of course) not as good as this years man, but since it is his debut, it's alright. but its still a 3 for me cause this year's man impressed me too much and this album didn't impress me much apart from welcome to the working week and alison, although i know debut albums are always weaker than later works.
not great, but the best thing i've heard by him thus far.
Pretty good, kinda generic for me
Out of the Elvis Costello albums I’ve heard on this project, this one is the best.
its very roadtrip worthy. that's the first thing that coems to mind. or cooking. or like a hangout with friends and making pizza. for some reason it gives me james potter vibes. i liked it a bunch, but I'm not sure if I'd listen to it again. I mean that in like. It didn't stand out, you know? maybe it's just not my style, or I'd have to give it another listen. But i liked it!! it's pretty good.
This list really likes Elvis Costello. But this strong 1977 debut paved the road traveled by the great Joe Jackson in 1979. My Aim Is True is the only Elvis album that I can listen to in the same sitting. How much better would this album be if it had Lipstick Vogue? Alas, that’s on his follow up album.
Early works by this rock expert.
idk, jst didnt seem my type
twas alright all of the songs kinda sounded the same, but I enjoyed nonetheless
okay and calming but not something id classify as a must listen unless people somehow reference it a lot
not sure what i was expecting but it wasn't this! pretty fun
Not for me
reminds me of Saved by the Bell for some reason
There is more Elvis Costello on this list than Elvis
This was my first approach to Elvis Costello, I only knew a pair of his songs. I really liked this album, short songs with good rhythms, even reggae with "Watching the Detectives" The songs that I like the most are: - Miracle Man - Less than zero - Mistery Dance - I'm not angry Take it eeeasy 🤟🏽
I gave this album three tries. At best, it is unmemorable--unoffensive, but unmemorable. There are songs on here that I would be willing to revisit in the future, but overall this is not an album that I was impressed by. (Can we also talk about the album cover? Red text on a checkerboard background is way too much.)
Idk
Nice album, higher than 3 but not enough for a 4 so… Really liked “I’m not angry.”
some bangers, cool funky vibe
Didn’t really incite strong feelings for me either way on the whole. There were some things I liked however. I thought the instrumentals were pretty good throughout, the drums are played quite energetically and generally keep quite busy. The bass is pretty good throughout, especially in “Less than Zero”, “Alison”, and “Sneaky Feelings”. The vocals are serviceable to good, although Elvis occasionally has a strange twang, particularly in the first half of the album. Highlights for me were the very catchy “Blame it on Cain”, and then the last 3 tracks. Starting with “I’m Not Angry”, we go into a cool harder, heavier groove. This had Elvis’s best vocals for me, complemented by some cool, weird harmonica thing. And the guitar in this song is absolutely sick. “Waiting for the End of the World” keeps a bit of the harder sound, with the guitar wailing between the lines of the chorus. The last track, “Watching the Detectives”, has a sort of moody noir detective sound, over a reggae beat, which works surprisingly well.
It was fun. Sounded modern somehow.
Alison is a tune. Watching the detectives is a tune. The rest are fine. Simpsons: Yes
I liked Living in Paradise
Kinda whines when he sings.
Okay-ish
it's ok, but still cannot fully enjoy Costello's music
Hard to say the extent to which I was actually enjoying this vs. just me being surprised by how modern it sounded! Big influence from this one, and not what I expected, but I don't know if I'll listen to it again.
good guitar, some parts have too much of an american country sound for me, gets better mid way through stand out songs- blame it on cain, the angels want to wear my red shoes, mystery dance watching the detectives sounds like a chilli peppers song
I don't really like Elvis Costello. He's fine, but that's it. But this list makes me listen to his albums. And every listen confirms that he's fine and I don't like him
Enjoyable enough?
My first exposure to EC, so glad it was his debut album. Good music, clever lyrics, fun album. Looking forward to hearing more of his stuff.
The list doesn’t need this many Elvis Costello albums and for that I’m almost going in with prejudice. I’ve had a few already, only about 47 more to go. It’s perfectly fine but it doesn’t really do much for me.
not bad it bad
Almost good, not quite, close but no cigar. I prefered the one before.
3/5, pretty good album! I don't think Costello is as deserving of his reputation of being in the same lyrical world as Bob Dylan, but he's certainly a cut above your average musician in that regard. There's some great rhythms and melodies here and there. Small complaint is how often Costello will rely on the same vocal rhythms over and over again, so the album does start sounding samey after five songs in. His distinctive delivery doesn't help in that respect either.
Elvis Costello, a name I kept seeing referenced during this journey, but can’t say I knew much about otherwise. Upon further exploration of his hits I realized why his sound was so familiar. I enjoyed the listen and the style of this album overall. May explore further at a later time.
Don’t love the vocals but pretty solid
Ah been wanting to listen to more of this guy so glad to get my first of his albums. And nice to start with his debut. Let’s see… To be honest, I thought I might be more blown away. It’s pleasant and clearly a good songwriting. But so far not 🤯 Not much more to say and a 3.5 for me
Ytterligare en artist som är en blind fläck för mig. Gillar det här! ”Welcome to the working week” och ”I’m not angry” är toppen. Samtidigt finns lite trök här också. Men rätt stark 3a ändå!
Það kom að því, Elvis Costello plata sem mér finnst bara fín en ekki stórgóð. Hann er greinilega einn af þeim sem batnar með árunum.
This feels very similar to Men at Work. Honestly I like his solo work a lot better than his work in "Elvis Costello and the Attractions". I like "Welcome to the working week" and "miracle man". Apparently there could have been harmonica on this album, which always makes an album better. God I love the harmonica. I wonder if the movie watching the detectives is based on this song. I didn't really like the movie because it talks about a man who is desperately in love with this girl who keeps treating him badly and he keeps telling her he doesn't like it but she keeps doing it. I keep seeing videos of the one scene where he's trying to flirt with her and it's like "Oh is that my cut? Is that my cut, baby?" and the captions are like "OMGGG GIVE ME A MAN LIKE THIS" or "If he isn't like this, I don't want him". It just annoys me because it's an unhealthy relationship to me? He's obsessed with her and it brings him a lot of pain (albeit the pain is kind of funny sometimes, i.e. him running around the baseball track crying). Anyways at the end of the movie he gives in and I HATE THAT HE DOES. I found something on reddit that said the title is likely from the Elvis Costello song. They thought it was because they kind of have the same story.
Vooral een leuke listen, maar niet per se erg interessant verder. Klinkt als: Jeff Rosenstock
Ruime 3 sterren. Klinkt inderdaad een beetje als moderne Indië/pop/punk als Jeff rosenstock
This was a fun one! Listened to it all over campus.
Chill, easy listening rock. One great love ballad if your name is Alison. I liked it but I didn't love it. Top tracks: "Alison," "Less than Zero," "Welcome to the Working Week" NOTE: I did not include "Watching the Detectives" as it wasn't on the original release. If that was on the OG album, it might give 'My Aim is True' four stars.
No me lo acuerdo pero creo q estuvo bueno
Some songs good, at least one song weird...
3.5/5 Pleasantly surprised! I can hear inspiration from this album from the 70's in a lot of more recent music that I enjoy which is always nice! The first song was a charming 1:23 long and his songs know when they've said what they need to (shown in the typically sub-3-minute length of songs on this album) a pleasant relief from some of the Britpop on this list. I'm looking at you, Parklife by Blur. It was refreshing and groovy with high and low points that kept me engaged. Solid album! Probably not going on any playlists.
Medio aburrido aunque obvio para la época era innovador, interesante
Would have been awesome to listen to if I just came back from Vietnam. Otherwise, unremarkable.
Suffering from Elvis Costello fatigue from this project but just when I thought I absolutely hated him, his debut album shows up and is not only listenable but enjoyable.
I’ve heard of elvis before I thought the album was ok an easy listen but not something I would search for but overall it was alright no stand out songs
eh not my thing but good music still
inoffensive Caucasian slop. Only realized it was over because new band started playing something good. Really tries to appeal to a suburban america that I am just indifferent to. Listened to it a second time (something I wouldnt do if it wasnt so short) to try and see if it could change my mind, but its just... bland.
3/5
Chillomillo rocky music
Not bad, I prefer Armed Forces.
I enjoyed the drums in Miracle Man & (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes! Alison had some great songwriting and storytelling. This was such a fun listen and also incredibly good for being a debut album. I'm honestly surprised I haven't heard of Elvis Costello before. Rating: 3.5->4
Just bang average honestly. 3 stars
it is exactly as boring as i expected
not interesting, nothing to say.
Primera impresión: Tiene un sonido interesante, no es un género que esté tan acostumbrado a escuchar pero es disfrutable (al menos hasta ahora). Mitad: Me parece un álbum fácil de escuchar, se me está pasando rápido. Me gusta pero tampoco me fascina, por ahora se me está haciendo un poco repetitivo por momentos. Además creo que debería prestarle mayor atención a las letras. Final: La verdad es que me gustó, es entretenido y hay canciones que volvería a escuchar. No sé si está entre mis álbumes favoritos pero es llevadero e interesante. Quizás debería reescucharlo prestando más atención a las letras, pero sonoramente es disfrutable. Canciones favoritas: Mystery Dance y Waiting for the end of the world
Elvis Costello is the type of rock music you'd listen to if you had an underlying need to not appear too edgy.
Sopivan menevää poprockia. Osa biiseistä hyviä mut menee vähän taustamusa teemaan Albumi hyvin samankaltainen läpikotaisin.
I've heard some of this music before but never listened to a while album at once. It's OK, but a bit samey. Maybe if I listened to it multiple times I'd start to see the differences. I find his vocal sty;e a little irritating. He sings with an American accent even though I know he's English. Mick Jagger does the same sometimes and wonder why they do this. Musically it's OK and the vocals don't grate too much despite the accent.
Couldn't get into it. I liked Alison, other songs were alright. Solid 3 star for me. His other albums and songs are much better.
Not bad, but not memorable
This was quite fun! Not my kind of thing but I can see the appeal
I do like the Elvis Costello songs I know, although that isn't many of them. That meant that this album overall wasn't as good as I was maybe hoping it would be - not bad, just not as good as I'd hoped. I want to give it a bit of a pass given it's his debut, but then I remember that we're ostensibly talking about the greatest, or most important albums of all time here... And this is pretty average by either of those metrics. I don't really like "it's important because it launched his career and paved the way for better albums" as a justification for noteworthiness either. I can see there's lots more Costello on the list, this is my first... So I'm still hopeful that the rest might be really good. This gets the most average, middle of the road 3 rating from me.
A classic album. I don’t think I have a favorite song, but definitely decent!
3/5. My first brush with the Elvis Costello event horizon (or technically second since one of my previous albums was produced by him.) and it’s some decent enough rock music. Reminds me of some of the clashes stuff in how it occasionally flirts with 50’s rockabilly music. Overall though I wasn’t blown away or in love with this album, it’s just fine.
groovy but gets old fast
I've been here before. The last one I reviewed was a good one, previous to that I was disappointed. I feel kind of in-between, but on the whole I think he can do better.
Some of my favs on this one. Can’t listen to Elvis over and over though. Only every now and then.
Bro was born a decade or two too late
Passable, somewhat laid back rock Fave track: Alison
Eh. 3/5
Decent. Kind of boring. Liked more of this than I thought I would. 3.5/5 Songs added to playlist: - Welcome To The Working Week - Alison - Mystery Dance - I'm Not Angry
Average by Costello standards
Solid nerd-rock : liked the tracks where he leans more heavily into a 60's/blues sound rather than the singles I'd previously heard. Well Done "Other-Elvis", 3.5 star
I like it, but not the day after a different Elvis Costello album. 2 in a row is a bit much
I've found Elvis Costello to be very middling across the various albums I've heard. This still holds - but this one maybe feels a bit more accessible. There's not a huge amount of stand-out tracks, but overall it's pretty decent and has some personality to it. Not too bad. It's a very 3/5 album.
I don't know- I had expected to like this more than I did.
It’s a decent album. Not too much variation in most songs. I do love the song Allison. Watching The Detectives is a good song too. I’ve always liked Elvis, but not near as much as others.
I think this was better than the last Elvis Costello album we had, but I still feel pretty lukewarm about it.
Listened to this on my way to Montreal. I’ll take this over The Byrds any day but it definitely sits in more of a generic pop genre imo.
This was a pretty chill and easy listening album. Nothing amazing, but didn't dislike it either
Never really listened to his music but it's not bad. I imagine if I paid more attention to the lyrics there is some gold there. Seems well composed with great music that fits the vibe. It's nice but I feel like it's just not my thing.
Rating: 6/10
between good and mid gmid
Great
Hmm. At first i enjoyed it, it was pretty nice but after a while i became quite bored. Overall it's a very decent album so 3.5 (and i absolutely agree with the review saying that the cover is incredibly ugly...)
Almost outstandingly mid.
Tight debut - still not a massive Elvis fan - not sure why - JE
I tried going on an Elvis Costello deep dive a couple of years ago, but only really got through the first half a dozen LPs or so. I don't know what it is about the debut but I find the doo-wap and rockabilly-tinged songs on here a bit pastiche. The best song is Watching the Detectives which wasn't on the original UK release of the album so not sure if that should be part of the consideration of it's merits or not. Listening again in January 2026, I had an extra appreciation for Waiting for the End of the World though.
The songs are pretty neat but after two listens through I’m not really getting ‘this guy was a game-changing seminal songwriter’. Maybe I need a few more spins. I hope something clicks for me cuz I heard there’s like five more Costello albums on this list.
Got quite a bit better after a few listens.
Elvis Costello is still one of the corniest dudes in history but there were a couple tracks here that hit. Alison and Sneaky Feeling are good but then you go right back to corn fest with Red Shoes, like…what a completely unnecessary song.
Better than expected
Pretty good, fun and influential. 50s rock 'n roll meets 80s alternative with some punk foundation building? Woulda spun at a party in '77. Alison is a great song.
Ok
amo amo amo que sea cortico, chimba de álbum x me gusto pero igual no tanto
Never heard of him before Maybe the name but no any music I think it’s important to mention this goes into the atemporal vibe thing since doesn’t feel like late 70s Composition: 6 Interpretation: 7 Production: 6 Identity: 7 Originality: 7 Impact: 5 Consistency: 6
Taking 50s doo-op and sock bop into the modern (70s) age. Very well constructed songs but the album can sound a bit samey - also could maybe use one song that is about something other then how women are bitches
not really my favorite maybe just one song I actually liked
favorite - Most of Us Are Sad 7/10
Interesting voice, cool sound and yet, pretty repetitive. It is amazing how many of the songs end with the fade out of a single phrase that gets repeated over and over again. Alison and red shoes are my favorite songs from this one.
Mucho más animado, música de gente que se alcoholiza
Better than I remembered
Another Elvis Costello. Some very strong tracks, some not so. Not his best. 3.5 rounded down Heard before? Some Owned: No: 43/174(24%) Will I get. No
I like Elvis Costello, but this is far from his best album. 3 stars. Fave track - Alison.
Pretty good
Between 3/4 for me. Cool vibe
Another Elvis Costello album 3 days later. I had to procrastinate this one for a week, I really couldn't stomach another one back to back. At least it's only 36 minutes. Starts off super poppy. Second song sounds like the inspiration for other high trouble bands I hate in the late 90s like Gin Blossoms, Third Eye Blind and Matchbox 20. That being said, it's overall not as terrible Costello's later stuff. Maybe he learned the excessive cheese later in his career. 3/5, but a low three.
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.
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.
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.
Catchy enough. Maybe will increase the rating
de Elive der Zweite hed biz meh gmacht als sin Name hergid und darum gib ich ihm Pünkt der Dritte
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
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.
Saw Elvis Costello in concert in 2024. Had a much larger appreciation for him after
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.
started out strong but i ultimately wasn't too high on it
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.
Did not know this qualified as punk. Decent.
that was fine. Inoffensive, feels older than the time it came out.
Not my vibe
Honestly impressed by the range of sonic sounds. From buddy holly ass rock, to blues to folky stuff. Pretty good
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
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
average music with a slightly annoying vocalist 6 Elvis Costello albums? Really?
It's okay. There's a lot more Elvis Costello in this challenge than I think there should be.
Неплохой альбом, но ничего особенного
always thought he was more modern than he is
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
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.
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
Nice pumping beat, good voice yet not too blaring, helped me stay awake.
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
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
Great voice and some good songs but nothing amazing overall
Yllättävän hyvää. Pitää kuunnella joskus uudestaan. 3,25/5.
Didn’t care much for the vocals, but the first song is a lot of fun. Guitar solos were fun!
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
🔥
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
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.
Feels like some Elvis Costello.
3/5
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.
Eh
Fun listen, not many thoughts after my first listen
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+.
No standouts
theres one million elvis costellos albums on here and they're all the same. some of them he says the n word on
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
This has a lot of older rock and roll feel but also almost some punk vibes.
Lots of classic songs on this, but overall uneven. It's punkish but ultimately closer to classic rock than many of Costellos contemporaries.
Rock and roll vibes, some good songs, wanted to stand up and dance at some.
Classic
Good album prefer thisyears model
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
It's aight
Toujours cool
Encore lui ??? Faut lâcher là Musique de générique de série as usual, la note change pas quoi
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.
Lidt skizofrent album, men en del udmærkede sange på.
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.
484/1001 🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑
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