My Aim Is True (studio album) by Elvis Costello

From Brad1770 02/20/2023 12:16

The best song on this album actually doesn’t appear on this album and of course I am referring to the iconic “Watching The Detectives” which was not included on the original UK 1977 release but came out later as a single after ‘My Aim Is True’ but before his sophomore album ‘This Years Model’ and eventually on the US release of ‘My Aim Is True’

You see, “Watching The Detectives” was in fact oddly enough a moderate hit in Australia in 77 cracking the top 40 singles and I remember it well. I recall turning on the AM radio at the time and amongst the ABBA, Sherbet and Skyhooks this weird track, with weird vocals and even weirder artist name kept popping up and I really dug it. I had no clue what reggae was, The Clash- never heard of them and no idea about the darkness of the lyrics references to death and possibly a serial killer. But goddamn I loved that track and still do to this very day. Soon after on the back of WTD’s “Alison” came out and again it was a moderate hit in Australia but really it wasn’t my jive - what’s this slow love crap? I wanted more that weird and wonky “Watching The Detectives” stuff

True fact , when the real Elvis passed in 77 this album went from complete obscurity to UK top 20 within weeks. The old adage that death is good for one’s career rings true for Mr McManus ….the rest as they say is history

This record gives nice throwback to late 50s/early 60s vibe. Of course Costello wears his influences on his sleeve here, you can hear and see a ton of Buddy Holly here with a little of Elvis Presley and early Beatles. The worst track here is Pay It Back, but as a whole this album is incredibly consistent.

This album is such a breath of fresh air every time I listen to it. It is 30 or so minute of just pure light hearted fun that gets lodged in your brain and all the songs are so easy to sing a long to. It is very uplifting as well and so easily lifts me out of any negative mood I am in. The highlight of this album for me is Costello who is phenomenal vocally and delivers his lyrics, which are also great, perfectly. The nuances in his voice are contagious and so easy to fall in love with. This makes every song very easy to enjoy. Then you add on top the great instrumental performances on guitar and drums and you get a non stop thrill ride of an experience. A few tracks could be seen as filler mainly near the end but they don't take you out of the album or lose the style of the music. Overall, I don't know how you could sit through this record and not have a good time as it really is that brilliant.

From Jboy56 12/26/2021 12:52

This is so damn refreshing music amid the angsty and industrial rock of 1977. There are many great albums but this is a great debut in the spirit of Buddy Holly and Beatles.

throwback to '60s 2.3 to 3-minute songs brilliant with a new wave twist

From planetneutral 02/07/2021 01:18

A debut album, remarkable for having some all-time great tracks, but a noticeable number of the songs are relatively mundane.

From Droophus 01/10/2020 05:38

The king of New Wave delivers a genre birthing debut. Along with the Ramones the year before this album would reinvent rock and roll and chart the course for the future.

80/100

Normal album, normal songs

From Charade 11/20/2018 22:20

Fun album, and I'm Not Angry is fantastic

From indieshins 02/25/2018 06:19

Elvis Costello's debut album is a classic. I'll admit, it's not the album that got me into him, but more recently, as I've entered adulthood, started to work part-time and my frustration with romance has grown, this album has really climbed for me. Welcome to the Working Week is my anthem for when I'm frustrated with my dead-end job, while Miracle Man and No Dancing speak to me as a sexually frustrated, awkward young guy. Also love Sneaky Feelings (reminds me of a close friend), and Less than Zero. Meanwhile Alison and Watching the Detectives are among my favourite Costello songs period, the latter boasting some of the most dizzying lyrics ever written. Not the man's crowning masterpiece, but still a masterpiece.