Defining Elvis Costello in 1977, when My Aim is True was released, would have been a difficult endeavor. It’s not like they didn’t try. Just about every way you could describe a musician in the late 70’s was applied to Costello and his debut album. The diverse range of the music and the quirky nature of the artist certainly didn’t help matters.
Visual comparisons and namesakes aside, what stands out is the solid front-to-back presence of the recording. Each track is quick and concise, highlighted by literary brilliance and exceptional musicianship. Even without the inclusion of “Watching the Detectives” for US release, there is plenty here for any fan of pop, post-punk, or straight-ahead rock to dig into.