Top 100 Albums FAQ
98. My Aim is True by Elvis Costello (Columbia, 1978)
Elvis Costello did it right the first time. His debut probably actually belongs higher on the top 100, but here is where it fell when I made the list, so here it will stay. This album is actually one that changed music. It ushered in the era of New Wave, which I am not going to say is a good thing or bad thing. No one ever seemed to do it as well as Elvis Costello.
He somehow is able to incorporate punk, reggae, and classic 50's and 60's rock, and it all works. There isn't a bad track on the album. My personal favorites are "Welcome to the Working Week," "No Dancing," "(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes," and of course the classic track from which the album derives its title, "Alison."
Costello wears the Buddy Holly glasses for a good reason and is often reminiscient of Holly, but Costello is able to let go the rawness of his voice. He isn't afraid to get a little gritty. In fact, "Mystery Dance" is straight out of the 50's, but has a very uncharacteristic and open-ended ending that one wouldn't find in a 50's songs. He even makes the done-to-death genres new.
This album should be in my rotation a lot more often, but sometimes I find myself forgetting that I have it, but right now, it is in my car's CD player, and there it will stay for a while.
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