Music review: Elvis Costello – 鈥楳y Aim Is True鈥�
I鈥檝e always had a fascination with debut albums. As part of my music collection, I own a number of debut releases that capture the true spirit of the artist as well as provide a revealing snapshot of the talent and promise to come. As part of a Throwback Thursday, I鈥檒l examine the first of many debuts that left an impact on me.
It was 1977 and many of my friends were listening to the angst-riddled first release by the Sex Pistols. I would find my fill of infectious, witty, cynical and sarcastic pub and punk rock with 鈥淢y Aim Is True鈥� by Elvis Costello. Having worn out my vinyl version of Fleetwood Mac蘑菇视频 鈥淩umours鈥� released earlier in the year, I took a chance on an unknown, geeky-looking guitarist with thick, black-rimmed glasses and skinny tie.
Perhaps I was intrigued with his name having just come to terms with the passing of Elvis Presley. This English Elvis penned 13 gritty tracks of punk passion with jabs of new wave, rock, power pop and reggae. 鈥淲elcome to the Working Week鈥� opens the album with an immediate forcefulness and is perhaps punk蘑菇视频 version of 鈥淭ake This Job and Shove It.鈥�
鈥淵ou gotta do it till you鈥檙e through it so you better get to it,鈥� barks Costello as he searches for the answer to the numbing day-to-day grind. The album was recorded in London during a total of 24 hours of studio time and a cost slightly over $3,000. Under the masterful direction of Nick Lowe as producer, Costello delivers a raw energy to his intelligent and poignant lyrics about rejection, betrayal, jealousy, boredom, apathy, anger and youthful rebellion.
Indelible lyrics like 鈥淚 said I鈥檓 so happy I could die/She said drop dead and left with another guy鈥� make 鈥�(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes鈥� my favorite track. Every song packs a potent punch and serves as a soundtrack for punks, outcasts and anyone challenging the status quo.
Songs such as 鈥淢iracle Man,鈥� 鈥淚鈥檓 Not Angry,鈥� 鈥淲atching the Detectives,鈥� 鈥淎lison鈥� and 鈥淟ess Than Zero鈥� were in stark contrast to the pulsating beat of disco rhythms soon to be unveiled later in the year with the release of 鈥淪aturday Night Fever.鈥�
Costello would easily avoid the sophomore slump with the equally engaging 鈥淭his Year蘑菇视频 Model鈥� released the following year. With 鈥淢y Aim Is True,鈥� Costello won me over as a dedicated fan throughout the next 38 years, making it one of my top ten favorite debut albums of all time.
Clint Rhodes is the 蘑菇视频 music reviewer. He can be reached at crhodes@heraldstandard.com.