My Aim Is True

3.5

It had some phenomenal songs but also some duds. Less than zero and watching the detectives were the stand out tracks

Theres some very clear Elvis Prestly influence here and just in general the whole album is full of a bunch of different genre influences so it's kinda hard to describe as one thing or another. I enjoyed it, but I wasn't mesmerized Standouts Welcome To The Working Week Mystery Dance 3/5

Late 70’s. I’ve heard this called pop-punk which i disagree with. It’s catchy but not pop music. It’s angst filled sardonic vocals but enough to want to pick you up and let you go dancing. Not disco dancing but a nerdy guy letting loose and doing what feels right 3/5

Pretty plain I thought. Nothing particularly good or bad. Probably hit harder in '77 when it came out.

I think this is the third Elvis C album. That's too many, for sure. But this one might actually be my favourite. Fave Tracks: Welcome to the Working Week, Alison 3.4/5

Lots of storytelling - sorta like a country song

Quirky early rock and roll aesthetic

3.5

If I have to listen to a Costello album, at least make it short!

Fun album

Never have been a big fan, but this album was okay.

I liked this album a lot more than the other Costello I listened to. It feels like the guy I had come to know as a great musician and storyteller

this is very billy joel... but just a bit more dull still quite good i reckon but just not my type of music very produced

Never heard the album before. Another mid effort from Elvis Costello, another album that shouldn't be on this list. Alison and Watching The Detectives are the standouts and the rest of the album are not. And is it just me who thinks all of his lyrics are creepy? Soft 3 stars

Good stuff. Lots of great tunes and crams and many words in as is humanly possibly. Love his voice.

some good and some bad, most instrumentals are the same and singing is quite annoying. Guitar riffs are cool though. Favorite songs: blame it on cain, alison, I'm not angry. Overall around 5/10

Not to find off 70s punk but okay

Elvis pop punk? Feels swangy in a good way. Doesn't take itself seriously just gets to the music.. Nice... Would relisten I appreciate this album

Ehh it was alright

Not my jam but not terrible

Yeah yummy music in my noise mouths

Some fun little tunes, but nothing that blew me away. Apparently he’s got some really good stuff

Bit of an odd duck, but not bad

I like Elvis Costello, but something holds me back from loving him. Is the that his sound is dated and locked in time? Is it his affectation and attitude? Is it the fact that he talks a lot and seems to say very little? I don’t know. But it’s something. Once I shirk those critiques, I find myself enjoying myself when listening to him. I especially enjoyed “watching the detectives”.

rock, 1978 -> 3

No my thing, won’t be re-listening.

Something about Elvis Costello just doesn't gel with me. I respect him enough as a musician and seems like a stand up person but his music is mostly very lifeless feeling. This record I will say is better than any of the records with the attractions that I've listened to. Allison is an amazing song. Welcome to the working week is fun albeit very jaunty and short.

I thought a lot of this was classy and catchy. Just not good enough to warrant the full 4 stars

elvis costello.

i did not really like this. but because of that one new years eve party film elvis costello has a special place in my coolness heart?

That was fine. My favourite was probably I'm Not Angry.

A cool, early take on punk music

this album kind of sounds like something your captors would play on repeat as psychological torture because it gets stuck in your head - which means, on first listen, it's pretty catchy!

Another that's okay for background music while working but not something I'd opt to listen to otherwise.

Good one that I own.

Nothing especially groovy, but there's still a fun energy to this one.

Same as the Cocteau Twins album i just listened to, I feel like this guy's music should be right up my alley, but it always comes across to me as just "good". Nothing more. Catchy tunes on here though.

So I I think I like the music, but not his voice. The longer this album goes the more I like it. The album finished strong. I really like what can on auto play player “every day I write the book”.

Ca

I bopped along with this. Watching The Detectives was the standout, due to familiarity, but I quite enjoyed the rest of the album especially considering it was his debut. Not enough to put it into 4 star status, but it’s a high 3.

Okay, so this is a shock, to receive two Elvis Costello albums back to back (One was an attractions album so i guess there is kinda a difference but i still see it as the same) Now with My Aim Is True. And to be honest, it is probably my favorite album that Elvis Costello worked on. It has all the elements from all the attractions albums that i liked but here the guitars are far more prevalent and do sound really good. The melodies here were also great and that Elvis Costello cheesiness is still there but a bit toned back. This album actually turned out to be a really solid one and definitely my favorite Elvis Costello album. Best Song: Waiting For The End Of The World Worst Song: Mystery Dance

not the biggest costello fan. it’s listenable, but nothing special

5/10 - It was an album from the 70s

solid

An OK album. I quite like the upbeat melodies and the guitar riffs but quite dislike the singer's voice. In my opinion, the album feels its age, meaning it has this overall dated feel and tone to it that just doesn't last well over the years. Overall, most songs were quite forgettable and I don't know if it merits a place on a "must listen before you die" list. I probably wouldn't listen to it again.

Hey I was named after this guy. I’ve already listened to This Year’s Model, which I liked. I think this albulm has higher high points, but is sometimes grating and sometimes boring. Overall good. Best song: No Dancing Worst song: Sneaky Feelings

I managed to avoid the inevitable obstacle that is Elvis Costello’s presence for as long as possible. Well over a year is a pretty solid record too. I have a feeling I am going to be seeing his name pop up a lot more soon. I don’t have anything in particular against the guy. His music has just never appealed to me, and taking up six spaces on the list with his records is maybe too much. But again, this is where that bias comes into play. Costello is another English musician. And a well respected one at that. He is credited as bringing back the lyrical wizardry of Bob Dylan and putting it through the various punk concepts that were evolving at the time. I can admire some of his writing here. But I don’t think it’s anything on the level of Dylan or Van Morrison, who he is also often attached to. I’ve just never really understood the hype behind him. Every once in a while I’ll see a really positive review pop up for This Year's Model, and I still wonder why people like it so much. I also wonder if maybe I missed the point, and owe myself a reassessment of that album. Either way, this is about his debut. Which is one of the only records he ever put out that wouldn’t feature the group which would be known as The Attractions. Much like what I’ve heard from him in the past, this album is bringing together a varied selection of sounds from different time periods. The basis of this is rooted in that classic rock & roll sound that artists like Little Richard and Elvis Presley popularized. But, since this is still the late 70s, Costello brings in the layered punk-esque new wave sounds that were also growing in popularity at the time to spice things up. And it’s actually not a terrible combination. I won’t disagree that he is a competent musician. I just have yet to be shown something that really impresses me. Now, it’s been a long time while since I heard This Year’s Model, but I think I enjoyed this one slightly more. Rating: 6/10

Alison is probably my favorite Costello song and damn its always good to hear. The rest is pretty okay. If you like his particular style then great, its a little too disjointed for me (I'm Not Angry for example) but overall its fine.

Alison and Less Than Zero are great! The rest is just typical Costello Buddy Holly cosplay

Quite liked the sound though it’s very samey. Alison got stuck in my head. I can see why they added Watching the Detectives, that felt like it had a more distinctive sound.

I found this a strange mixture of genres. I quite liked some of it. The Deluxe Edition is crazy with 48 tracks most of them repeats. Too much!

Another great opening track and another artist whose singles I know well but I've never heard an album. This was a bit up and down in terms of quality I thought. The man can write a fantastic single but I found some tracks to be a bit middle of the road. Another 'Best Of' artist for me.

I think this album suffered being given to us on a Monday. I listened to a bit of it again this morning (Tuesday) and it sounded a lot better. So it was originally a 2 for me but it just snagged a 3 as i was quite enjoying it upon a 2nd listen.

ok

OK British rock

The author of this book must have an Elvis Costello kink, there's no reason to explain how many times ol' Declan has appeared... Anyway, another bland album that has 2 hot songs, in this case "Alison" and "(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes", but is that enough?? Maybe the 1001 author should just have included an Elvis Costello greatest hits album and spare us the misery of 6 of his albums? Oh well, 4 down, the only way is up, right?

Pretty cool, old fashioned sound.

Back-to-back Elvis at 404

Inside 3 but almost 4

I think I like it. I really don't know. It's hard to listen to his voice, it grates, and the chords he chooses, the way they unfold, also grates. But when I follow the lyrics, and see how the whole of the album has it's unified story it's impressive. I've struggled with listening to it several times and I keep thinking it's worth the effort. I could see it being a 4 stars, but let's go three for today (or three for this week, it has been quite the struggle)

This was a fun album at a point in time. Doesn’t have the stamina for greatness.

First time listening to an Elvis Costello album. It’s a bit cheesy, but it’s engaging enough. He has a very distinct voice and the music is playful enough to get along with. Probably won’t revisit this one, but I won’t turn it off if I hear it again.

i'm tired of this guy

Comfy music, not too daring. Apparently this guy was something of a chameleon, but I at least recognized this album as fairly normal. Maybe the more eclectic stuff wasn't as popular.

This started off as a 2 but is now a light 3. There are some good songs but something about “Elvis Costello” seems kinda lame to me.

as much as i dislike elvis costello, this album actually wasn’t too bad.

This is my 4th Elvis Costello album in a month it feels like. They’ve all just been noises that sound the same to me. Nothing stood out. I get it that the guy that wrote this book loves Elvis Costello but I now actively dislike the fucking guy because it shirts just so bland. Love sone of the albums he produced, though, But this album is different. It wasn’t as boring as the others. So, yay, I guess.

It was good, and i Enjoyed it but nothing particularly special and nothing really stood out for me, not sure i’d go back to it.

cover gave me a headache 3 stars

I generally enjoyed this album, but it’s the third Elvis Costello album. I’ve listened to on this list and I’ve been listening to these for less than a month now. I’m not not sure. I understand why he needs so much representation. I didn’t find this one terribly different than the other two I listened to, but I may give it another listen at some point in time.

Perhaps starting to ‘get’ Costello after listening to two albums. I can see his appeal to the adolescent who was too cool for ABBA and too sensitive for punk back in 1977. But the appeal is not there for me. Favourite songs were the bluesy Blame It On Cain and Waiting For The End Of The World.

Many of these tracks are etched into my brain from hearing them a lot as a kid, so I don’t know how much is enjoyment on their own merit vs familiarly. Blame it on Cain / Watching the detectives highlights for me

Growing on me with more listens. It's neat songwriting overall. There are tunes which are much better than others, Blame It On Cain being an example, but it doesn't have the same urgency as This Year's Model. There is an argument that it's a better vocal performance however!

I liked this overall as a sound. I always find it interesting to listen to Elvis Costello because I never think the music makes sense for when it is coming out (1977).

Would rate 3.5 if I could. Fun album, some weaker tracks

liked the vibes

hated the last album i heard from him. this is definitely more enjoyable i hate to say it but this is kind of good

I still don’t like him, but this is better than other albums.

Like a few songs and performed Alison 100s of times

The singles/known songs are good, but the rest is eh

6.5/10. Oh, nice! This album generated only a couple of hours after I listened to it. :) Elvis Costello's music isn't my cup of tea. It gives me R.E.M. vibes, but with some added blandness, and less memorability.

This album was average, nothing terrible but nothing jumped out at me. I thought throughout that I wanted to be enjoying it more but something kept me holding out.

A good album overall. The big hit Allison was my favorite song.

Pleasantly surprised! I actually enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Some songs remind me of Dylan, others Springsteen.

I’m with hellyeah on this one - the most enjoyable Elvis Costello album. I’m still not sold on his voice, but it worked well enough on “My Aim is True.” It’s a small thing, but I also dig using a line from a song rather than a song title for the album title. “Alison” was a deserved hit, but “(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes” was the more grating side of Costello I’m not a fan of. “Less Than Zero” might have been my favorite on the album though.

Best Elvis Costello album on the list. Guess he should have stopped at one album, just like this list should have stopped after including one EC album (six EC albums on this list is obscene).

Decent, but not much stood out

I liked this album, great listen.

All songs were quite similar but it wasn’t a bad listen overall

My Aim Is True is fine, but forgettable. I'm not sure why it's on this list, though I feel the same about a lot of albums. Elvis Costello clearly has some musical ability, but it's not the best or most interesting. He's not bad, but also not great either.

Great song writing, but Costello's rockabilly laced new wavey rock is a sometimes food for me.

Welcome to the Working Week - 6/10 sounds like an intro to a Disney show or something lol Miracle Man - 6/10 no comment No Dancing - 6.5/10 This one is a little catchy! I love the groovy guitars. Blame it on Cain - 7/10 is this one of those albums where it gets better the more you listen to it? because this one is so good Alison - 7/10 I'm a sucker for slow songs with good vocals Sneaky Feelings - 6.5/10 This song sounds like a kids song...can't put my finger on it. Remember when the song slowly fading out was a thing? (The Angels wanna Wear My) Red Shoes - 7.5/10 This entire album sounds like they belong on a kid's show like Curious George. I mean this in a good way because curious George is so good fr. OOH, harmonization! This guy likes to repeat the last thing for the last few seconds of the song LOL Less than Zero - 5.5/10 no comment Mystery Dance - 6.5/10 Okay intro eating. Lyrics are questionable...because do tell me about this mystery dance, sir! Pay it Back - 5/10 Okay pay it back, sir I'm not Angry - 7/10 ooh the part where it got quieter kind of tickled my ears. He ate with that. Waiting for the End of the World - 6.5/10 okay this one is groovy. Beginning lyrics threw me off a little because wdym stick it in? minus .5 for that Watching the Detectives - 4/10 No Comment Overall: 6.2/10

It's not bad; it's just Elvis Costello. So altogether it's kinda average.

Like all Elvis costello

On first listen sounds like the bridge between poodle skirts and punk rock

front-heavy but a fun one

A solid record with a couple of really good songs

like yes but also yeah

it was bad and then really good and then really really bad on the last track 2.5-3/5

Okay, some great songs but overall didn't hold my attention

Catchy power pop. Definite 50s/early 60s influence with its short, spunky songs and old-school production. Highlights: "Miracle Man", "No Dancing" (nice backing harmonies), "Sneaky Feelings" (Randy Newman-esque in piano and vocals)

Mid

I just can't get excited about Elvis Costello.

🎶 Oh Alison, I know this album is killing you 🎶

Pretty good listen 🤠🤠🤠

Ok

Fun style. A couple of standout tracks like Allison and Less Than Zero.

This album cover is offensive to the eyes

I liked it while I was listening but I could not name or remember a song from this album.

didn’t give an in depth listen but a good vibe!

Fine

Not my style but not a bad listen.

I can't disrespect Elvis Costello but it's just not working for me.

Probably wouldn't listen again, why does he want to be American so bad?

hjv

Not my favorite of Elvis Costello. It's still fine, and not a bad debut, but in my opinion, he gets better in the 80's.

i think that his music would work best in the context of a movie soundtrack because the songs are fun but i don't have any desire to listen to a full album of them, nor do i want to concentrate on them individually as works of art. i could see them providing fun dynamic background music for a good shopping mall montage. fav tracks: miracle man; no dancing

I really wasn't into this album and about half way through I was actually going to call it quits because I just couldn't foresee the remainder being good enough to redeem it for me. I didn't really like the reggae/ska (?) elements and it felt hokie. This is already the second Elvis Costello album we've gotten despite only being on our ninth album in this challenge and while I enjoyed the other one we listened to, I wasn't sure if I was really getting why he was considered such a big deal. I was researching on his Wikipedia and saw this: "Costello's debut album, My Aim Is True, is widely considered one of the best debut albums in the history of rock music." I read on about how it influenced so much of punk rock and new wave, and read excerpts from a variety of artists across genres (and other professions within entertainment) who have been influenced by him. Suzanne Vega has said that he's one of the "melodic geniuses" whose music she listens to in order to "stretch [her] sense of melody". This shifted how I listened to the rest of the album; I appreciated the melodies and compositions a lot more, and I could see why this is technically a good, well-made album. I still don't think it's for me and I far prefer "This Year's Model", but I can see now why this has been influential and can recognize when something is good but not my taste.

honestly freaking funnn lol baby’s first costello

i think i liked it idk

Bueno

6.5/10

Cool, has some classics - normal rock

Cool little record - took the “corniness” out of 50s music style. I like it. Certainly better than a lot of other crap on this list. Gave it a three.

Some great moments!

3.6

Probably not an artist I would seek out but the album was good to hear. An easy 3*

Sucks

It was alright. Wasn't terrible, songs were ok but didn't really like his voice to be honest Probably would have scored higher with a different singer 3 ⭐️

not my cup of tea

While this was ahead of its time, in my infants opinion this album doesn’t hold up in the current era. That said you can definitely hear Costello’s influence in modern day pop rock. 3/5

You cannot deny this this is a cool rock and roll record, although it didn't set me alight. Favourite tracks: Welcome To The Working Week, Miracle Man, Watching The Detectives (banger).

I was familiar with "Watching the Detectives". Good song. I gave the album a couple of listens and none of the other songs really stood out. the album has a retro sound that reminds me of earlier rock days. It also seems like Billy Joel, but doesn't have the awesome melodies.

I've long struggled with appreciating Elvis Costello. That said, listening to this album and Armed Forces makes me think that I like his earlier stuff better, and (maybe oddly) the songs work together as an album.

3/5

HA! Just yesterday I got the 5th Elvis Costello album. Not 24 hours later I get the 6th and final one. My views haven't changed in 24 hours. This album wasn't needed. At least it was short.

Not bad but nothing too exciting.

I understand what they were trying to do. A lot of rythm switches and experimental time signatures, but it also has to sound good. 3/5

Enjoyable but I’m unlikely to return. 3.5/5

My first of many Elvis Costello albums! I liked this, it was fun to listen to. But I'm not sure I'd ever go out of my way to listen to it.

Easiest to listen to. I like this album.

I either love his songs or can't stand them, usually. Most of these I couldn't stand. About 2.5 rounded up.

I don’t get how Elvis Costello ends up on every top albums list, with half of his catalog making it onto these lists. He’s not THAT good to deserve such recognition multiple times. The first album I heard from him was awful, and the second one was just as bad. Strangely enough, after giving that second album another try, it sounded much better. The same thing happened with this album. I played it and hated it, even drafted a review about how bad it was, but decided to give it a second chance. On the second listen, it improved a lot. To be clear, I’m not saying it’s good, just average. The constant praise for his albums being on top albums lists everywhere is baffling to me.

Eh

Recognizable songs. Has a honkytonk feel on some songs.

Cool style, but an extremely okay album?

Enjoyable listen, but probably wouldn't put the album on out of my own volition.

Solid debut album

This is the third Elvis Costello album I've had (of six I think...oy vey). I think I like this one better than the other two, but it's just kind of meh. It's not bad, but a lot of the songs sound the same and it gets boring after a while. Not something I'd consider an essential listen. 3/5

Love watching the detectives but the rest didn't really do anything for me.

This album is better than the other one on the list. Hoping there's not a third by him on here. 2.7.

This is less offensive than the rest of his catalog. Personal enjoyment: 3/5 Relevance to this list: 3/5

pretty good but not memorable 3/5

kind of similar to how i feel about Bruce Springsteen.

6 / 10 Pop Rock facilón pero bien hecho. Segundo disco de Elvis Costello, no creo que merezca tanto este tío.

Whilst it’s enjoyable there’s nothing that makes me want to relisten to it at a later date

My first of apparently 7 (!?) Costello albums on here. Nothing special, I quite liked Alison.

This was so incredibly harmless that I don't know what to rate it. I guess someone needs to do background music for garden centers

A good sound typical of his era, reminds me of Tom Petty! Lacks the oomph or emotion that I want, maybe I’m just wanting to hear Petty?

The Elvis Costello track I’ve listened to the most overall is definitely the Kidney Now song from 30 Rock, so this was a fun change of pace from that.

Very Elvis Costello.

Super easy to listen. It's this kind of happy rock you can easily dance to, which infects you with your good vibes. I already knew a couple songs in the album E.M.R.: 4/5

Mira que Elvis Costello té música bona, però aquest àlbum és la definició de mid. ELR: 3/5

Sounds weirdly modern in terms of the music and themes.

Never been a big Costello fan - his style just always seemed.. cultivated to me. But this album has some good songs on it - I'm Not Angry was fun. It's crazy how this was so short compared to the other one, clocking in at only 36 min. And one song less than 2 minutes... just goes to show, as long as the melody and the story are put through, length is just not that important.

Elvis Costello is someone whose music I enjoy at times. I really like some of his songs, but I’ve liked a full album. That remains true with this album. There are a few really good songs and the rest are just filler to me. I think Detectives is probably my favorite song of his.

Overall solid if un-remarkable pop-rock album. Probably not gonna re-listen but I didn't dislike it. Best Song: Allison

Elvis Costello’s debut is raw and contains the elements that would make punk music so interesting in the following years, but if pushed just slightly further, this thing could’ve been great.

Собственно говоря, снова неожиданно неплохо. Я никогда не слушал этого парня, и в целом это звучит гораздо менее натянуто, чем я представлял себе. Это всё еще не совсем моя музыка, но слушать это даже интересно. Лучшая песня - Alison.

I prefer Gram Parker…

Upbeat and enjoyable

Not bad.

clever lyrics as usual. But not engaging to me.

It wasn't my thing but I can see why people like it

This sounds dated even for a 70s album. Has a 50s feel... 3/5

Yeah man 6/10

Decent and a lot of familiar songs. Won’t be listening to it again though

Miracle Man sounds like Mick Jagger singing.

I grew up listening to Alison, which is my dad's favorite song by Costello, and I was familiar with a couple of other songs, but it was my first time listening to the whole album. I get why critics praised it as a debut album at the time, but hearing it a week after This Year's Model, you can tell Costello was still trying to find his sound. The songwriting is a bit of a mixed bag in terms of quality. It's a decent album, but not my favorite of his work.

Most of these songs are pretty decent on their own, but listening to the whole album front to back gets a little repetitive.

My favourite track off of this album was, "Welcome to the Working Week." A classic no doubt, with a few treasures - but the album as a whole comes across as a more generic version of himself. Although some of the songs are timeless, most of the the songs on this album have been forced into obscurity. A good album, no doubt, but not his very best works that make him Elvis Costello.

I honestly can't tell if I like this record or not. Half of it is incredible, half of it sucks. I thought I finally "got" Costello on the first 2 songs, then the album just roller coasters til the end. Hard to rate this, I'm gonna just go 3

kinda fun

Good!

Mid

I like Elvis Costello but am not a big fan of his style of music lol

Album molto carino, con alcune canzoni che ci stanno. I riff della chitarra sono molto belli in tutte le canzoni.

I haven't really liked the other Elvis Costello albums I've gotten from the list, but I enjoyed the 1950s rock and roll sound on this one. 3.5 if I could.

This pretty much bounced off me

3.1 Mid for what I've heard him do. faves: welcome to the working week,alison

In the forty odd years I've been listening to Elvis Costello I have never even considered he was the British equivalent of Bruce Springsteen. For me he had arrived on the scene as part of the post-punk new wave scene with 'Olivers Army' , big glasses and drainpipe jeans. But as soon as 'Welcome to the Working Week' begins it is pure Springsteen & The E-street band with an equally below average voice. Except for the singles. The two singles here - Alison and Watching the Detectives - are unique, brilliant and timeless. Unlike the rest of this sub-par Springsteen-clone album.

yeah it's ok, 50's style jangling 2.9

3.8 + Elvis, you snarky, condescending cockroach, you’ve reared your bespectacled face once again. You started your career with such promise…Somewhere along the way, your anxieties and manias turned your music to seed — happens to the best of us, I suppose. Still, I like the way you reinterpreted classic rock music and doo-wop tropes on songs like “I’m Not Angry.” Some of your best songs are on here: “Alison” and “Watching the Detectives.” So, here, take this last “W” from me. Now, off with you! I’ll give a sigh when I read your obituary.

Gran disco del muy productivo 1977 (Talking Heads, Ramones, Sex Pistols, The Clash, Television, Bowie, Bob Marley, Fleetwood Mac, Iggy Pop, The Jam, Suicide, Mink Deville, Kraftwerk, The Modern Lovers, Bee Gees...). Con estilos y ritmos muy variados desde punk, new wave y birtish pub rock hasta rock and roll, R&B e incluso rockabilly, el bueno de Elvis les gana la partida a tanto nivel compositivo (lírico y melódico) como técnico (con el estimable apoyo de Clover la banda que luego serían parte de los Huey Lewis and the news y que tocaron también para Lynyrd Skynyrd, Thin Lizzy, Lucinda Williams, The Doobie Brotehrs o Graham Parker ). I´m not angry suena a los Dire Straits del Punk. Welcome to the working week abre como un tiro, Blame it on Cain y Sneaky feelings se cuelan por sorpresa en medio de Allison, la joya más conocida, aunque Watching the Detectives se incluye en algunas ediciones de este disco que compite con el siguiente el excelso This Year's Model de 1978 como cénit de toda su carrera (y tiene muchos y muy buenos discos).

She looks so good that he gets down and begs 3.5

Good.

First album thrown at me that I haven’t listened to before. There’s always been some irrational reason that Elvis Costello just doesn’t appeal to me so I’ve never listened to him outside the occasional festival appearance I happened to be standing near. Pleasantly surprised with this one. I can understand the appeal and there’s some good tunes on here but still not my cup of tea as a whole. Will have a listen to some of his other stuff to see if he can hang around.

Elvis Costello - My Aim Is True 3/5 Well, it sounds like Joe Jackson or Billy Joel right off the bat. So, I’ve listened to this a bit and feel disappointed. Now I see this is from 1977 and not like…1981. Now, I have to re-evaluate. This stripped down straight ahead rock. Not full speed ahead, but just sitting there rock. Singer songwriter tunes, but with a band. Good songs, all the songs on here are well crafted. This album lacks the “energy” I want. These are songs that… It feels flat to me. I want more. These are pleasant and good easy listening songs. I’ll return to this, I may appreciate it more when I’m in a different mood.

Solid album with nice grooves and a vintage sound. Some songs are a bit repetitive, but overall a good listen.

I enjoyed this one!

It's fine!

Some good tracks on this one. I enjoyed it.

It's basically Bruce Springsteen but not

Indifférent

Coole Mischung verschiedener Stile mit gutem Groove

With watching the detectives 4 stars.

So far my favorite songs are Welcome to the Working Week and Mystery Dance. Watching the Detectives was also good in a different way. The overall sound of the album clearly had a wide variety of influences, and lyrically had a pretty wide spread too. Some political, some about relationships , and usually cynical. Definitely gives me a new impression of Elvis Costello. 3.5

Bien, pero un poco pesado.

Very decent

3 everything was ok. Nothing to hate. Sounded like Wayne

Solid record but not at the level as some of other Costello’s work. Only a couple standout songs. 3.5/5

I wish I could be consistently into this right now, but I’m not. We’ll have hope for the future that either a re-listen or another album sparks joy, but I’m not making it a prime focus anytime soon.

Don’t get it. Dull. I should start posting one word reviews tbh

Idk I always feel like I’m missing something with Elvis Costello. It’s like good on paper but doesn’t really stand out or leave an impression. Doesn’t feel really unique or interesting to me most of the time

It's a fun album, and it sounds consistently good. it doesn't really stand out though – can't remember how a single song goes in this album right after listening to it

This album isn’t bad. It’s good background music. I found myself doing other things while it was on and not really being drawn to what each song is about. It all seems to blend well together and there are no drastic changes in one song to the other. I don’t think I’d listen to Elvis Costello again but that’s just based on taste Choice cut: Blame it on Cain

Great artist. Great album. One of my favorites.

Decent but doesn’t knock the socks off so to speak

Lindos riffs y energía; aunque no para las 2 hs del disco

It was fine, 3,5. The cover is hideous.

I think it's Elvis Costello that has a goofy voice to me, don't recall exactly what it is from the name alone. If he had a hat on the cover I'd be more sure, but we'll see with a listen. The first few tracks were actually pretty good. Once it got to "Alison" I heard the weird voice I'd been thinking of. Luckily that was really on a couple tracks so maybe those happen to the popular/singles and did him a disservice. Other than that, the other weird thing is some songs just seem to fade out in the middle of it and don't really finish in a traditional sense. Don't think that is necessarily bad, just odd. Better than I expected coming into it, but still has a few flaws. Favorite track "Less than zero" 3/5

Not as good as his next album, Last Year's Model, but one of his 2.5 albums that I jive with. I'll save the explanation of my disappointment with his overall career in reviews for those other albums.

Who the fuck writes a song welcoming me to the working week? Ugh Costello, you’re just so annoying, your insecurities are shining thru on Miracle Man, you’re fine dude you dude stop being an insufferable bitch. That being said, this is probably the best of his work I’ve listened to. Musically, it’s pretty clean pop rock, I just can’t get into Costello. 2.5 star bumped up for the band performance 3 stars

it's ok

Idk his voice sort of drives me insane

Bien, pero un poco pesado.

After about four songs I could understand what he was saying. After reading what he was trying to to accomplish I understand. Before reading I got the Presley vibes and early rock and roll feel but still felt a little out of place with the decade. Feels more 60s than 70s

Wel prima, lijkt op Joe Jackson

Wel oké, niet per se overweldigend goed, maar lekker kort

this is like 3 or 4 Costello albums. Come on already. But, honestly, this wasn't so bad. I feel like I'm either in the mood to listen to Costello or I'm really not, based on my past reviews of his work.

Classic. The best.

Reisst mich heute leider nicht mehr mit. Trotzdem handwerklich klasse.

I still can’t, after 30 years

Not bad, kind of all sounds the same though

At times I was into it, at other times the poor production, amateur musicianship, and Elvis’ singing style was more grating than charming. 2.6

Not bad for a debut album. Quite a mix of musical influences. The lyrics are often angry, bitter, and sarcastic. It was a low-budget recording and production, most tracks were recorded live and the first take was used, so the overall quality is surprising.

Pretty good. Never knew what an 'Elvis Costello' was or sounded like before. Heavier than I expected at the start especially. Liked the intro track, Alison and some of the other bits - maybe Miracle Man, Less Than Zero, Mystery Dance

Probably a 2.5, aka solid, but I’ll round up.

3.4

I get why pstump was influenced. Fav songs Alison

rockin RIGHT from the start

It was fine

Alright, but not super captivating for me. Tolerable, nothing to complain or rave about. Nothing super innovative or unique. Decent.

Meh. I like some Elvis Costello songs but this album doesn't really do it for me. Seems like it just relies on trying to be quirky and evoke a nostalgic 50s sound. I just imagine Fred Armisen in Portlandia singing all these songs. 6/10 (3/5)

Fun listen. Nothing special. No song really stands out (good or bad). 3 stars.

ganz nett

Very enjoyable.

I'm surprised it's 1977. It sounds like it's a 60s revival from the 80s. I like it. I wouldn't go so far as to say weird, but it's different. Actually it kind of goes back and forth, a few songs are kind of standard and boring

This is very inoffensive - a funny contrast to Kanye previously. I get a lot of Billy Joel vibes here but if Billy Joel had a guitar instead of a piano. I don't love it I don't hate it. It doesn't make me want to skip songs or turn it off but it also doesn't do much for me. Some of these songs would be really great movie tracks because they just kind of blend into the background, but I mean that in a good way. I think the last couple of songs are the best.

Solid album. Great artist.

Deceptively simple sounding 50's style rock n roll songs with more modern topics. It's not breaking any new ground, but it's well made and pleasant to listen to.

I know there are a lot of EC albums on here and on all I will say his voice grates on me a bit. This debut has some spikey pop songs released at the birth of punk. It washes over me a bit.

The hits are brilliant, the rest is a bit forgettable. Somewhere between a 3 and 4.

Cute, fun and groovy. Sound that is familiar but not sure if he pioneered it or what.

Elvis Costello is objectively cooler than either you or I.

Costello has always felt like that guy in the background who wanted to be a star, but the THING just wasn’t there. I will say though, after hearing this, the man left a lot more influence than he gets credit for. This is a solid debut that has stayed (for the most part) relevant and stylish over the years.

A good mix of different influences. It’s clear Costello has a knack for many different styles of music. Some very very catchy and well done songs but nothing too terribly memorable. Feels like the the 70’s rock album you think your dad would like but he doesn’t actually like or “get” at all.

One of the things I read about this album is that there weren't any singles, and that makes sense. The whole album is solid and definitely worth the time spent on it, and I'll probably return to it in the future for that reason. Altogether enjoyable

Handgemacht, zum Teil eingängig, ganz ok! 3

Nice to hear, nice voice.

wtf is this cover?

Pop rock, kinda billy joel-esque

Better than the last one

Conocía su música pero nunca me había interesado en escucharla, no está mal

Lo escuché ayer y ya lo he olvidado. Un disco de rock clásico que suena a Buddy Holly con un par de canciones que no suenan a estudio sino a maqueta, lo qye le da cierto encantó, pero no es un disco que puedas volver a escuchar y pensar en lo maravilloso que es. Por cierto, la portada a matado a más diseñadores que el botulismo. Un disco correcto, sin más.

Not my thing.

This was alright not something I would return for but not bad

Better than the last Elvis Costello album on this list. There were some enjoyable tracks on here; enough in fact to give this a 3/5

I liked this album a bit more than the previous Elvis Costello album on this list. The first half was more samey but the second half was more varied and fun. Pub rock isn't really my thing, but if it mixes with some rock 'n ' roll and reggae rhythms, then it's more bearable.

It got better as it went on. Blame Jane is a bop. Some tracks were too duwap for me but I like the more experimental ones. Nice. Crunchy guitars.

Man hört tatsächlich ein bisschen Ted Leo raus und auch ein bisschen Bruce Springsteen. Gefällt mir ganz gut. Werde ich es noch mal hören? Vielleicht. Mal sehen. Bisschen unspannend auch. Aber geht klar.

Just ok. Background music

Elvis just always sounds the same to me, but this one has Alison which is a pretty memorable tune

Probably about a 3 and a half. Very good with some high highs, but a bit repetitive and a lot of songs don’t really do it for me.

All I really knew about Elvis Costello was his cameo in Austin Powers. So much more to be discovered. Great debut album that could’ve come from the 50s with its rock n roll swagger. Really enjoyed it.

it's ok.

Never paid much attention to Elvis Costello but found this album listenable. Kind of liked it

I like a couple of songs but overall no.

Ok flashback

Good-mood music but I lost interest towards the end of the album

Some good, some bad. Not the biggest fan of Costello but there were some appealing songs and structures. Mayyyybe found one track to save out of the bunch.

I enjoyed this one. Nothing groundbreaking clearly borrowing much from styles done years before. Most of the songs have a very similar sound, but I like the sound so I won’t complain. Favorite tracks are Welcome To The Working Week, Miracle Man, Blame It On Cain, and Less Than Zero.

Ok; kind of ambivalent

I enjoyed this album

I always want to like Elvis Costello more than I do, and this album sums that up perfectly. Mostly, it's great, but overall I just don't like it as much as I think I should do. It's still a great album though.

Canciones favoritas: - Welcome to the Working Week - Alison - Watching the Detectives

no fue uno de mis favoritos, debe ser porque no me gusta mucho el punk, pero hubieron muchas joyitas que me gustaron: miracle man, alison, red shoes, mistery Dance, wfteotw.

Just slightly inconsistent to pull it down from a 4. Cool stuff though

Nice Rockabilly, for me good, but nood outstanding. Would be nice to hear it life.

Bah, Elvis Costello maakt gewoon af en toe best prima liedjes. Zeker als het wat rock n roll klinkt. Terwijl ik hem gewoon wilde afkraken en me wilde ergeren aan zijn aanstellerige stemgeluid. Blijkt het gewoon een prima album te zijn. Bah bah bah

It's okayy

Many different genres. Quite enjoyed it.

Like 50’s rockabilly meets early punk music.

Bored, stopped halfway

Yeah not bad

Two songs from this record were on at least one of the mixtapes made me when I was small. The rest is fine to good. Nice to expand my Elvis Costello experience.

Not bad, not exceptional. Some nice pieces.

A staple of classic rock sounds from the 1970s. Good, but not very remarkable. 'Alison' was a track that stood out.

I think we all just need to realize this a polarizing artist. If you don't mind his voice you're gonna like this, if you hate his voice you'll hate this. Not many songs I would write home about but it's a fun listen. I feel like I can hear the fun they had making this album because all the instruments feel playful. Couple of songs I would rather not listen to. 6/10