29 used & new from $2.29

Have one to sell? Sell yours here
 
 
My Aim Is True
 
See larger image
 

My Aim Is True [EXTRA TRACKS]

Elvis Costello
4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews) More about this product


Available from these sellers.


3 new from $50.85 23 used from $2.29 3 collectible from $14.00

Amazon's Elvis Costello Store

Elvis Costello
Find all the CDs, MP3s, and vinyl, plus photos, videos, biographies, discussions, and more.

Visit Amazon's Elvis Costello Store

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

This Year's Model

This Year's Model

~ Elvis Costello
Armed Forces

Armed Forces

~ The Attractions
Get Happy!!

Get Happy!!

~ The Attractions
Trust

Trust

~ The Attractions
Imperial Bedroom

Imperial Bedroom

~ The Attractions
Explore similar items

Product Details

  • Audio CD (October 19, 1993)
  • Original Release Date: August 1977
  • Number of Discs: 1
  • Format: Extra tracks
  • Label: Rykodisc
  • ASIN: B0000009UR
  • Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #48,854 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

    Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

    #31 in  Music > Indie Music > Alternative Rock > Singer Songwriters
    #39 in  Music > Indie Music > Pop > Singer-Songwriters
    #89 in  Music > Alternative Rock > British Alternative > British Punk

 
1. Welcome to the Working Week
2. Miracle Man
3. No Dancing
4. Blame It on Cain
5. Alison
6. Sneaky Feelings
7. (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes
8. Less Than Zero
9. Mystery Dance
10. Pay It Back
11. I'm Not Angry
12. Waiting for the End of the World
13. Watching the Detectives
14. Radio Sweetheart [*]
15. Stranger in the House [*]
16. Imagination (Is a Powerful Deceiver) [*]
17. Mystery Dance [*]
18. Cheap Reward [*]
19. Jump Up [*]
20. Wave a White Flag [*]
See all 22 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording

Elvis Costello kicked off his debut album with a formal device that would also serve his next two long-players well: the first thing you hear is his voice. That opening phrase--"Now that your picture's in the paper..."--was more than sneakily, if not intentionally, appropriate, since Costello was quickly declared the second coming. It's become de rigueur to dis the pub-rock backing of U.S. band Clover, but their work here is satisfactorily edgy; guitarist John McFee makes some of the arrangements with his wailingly articulate fills. The Rykodisc CD restores the album's British sequence, adds the eternal "Watching the Detectives," and kicks in a slew of bonus tracks, including the intriguing "Honky Tonk" demos. --Rickey Wright


From the Label

Hard to imagine life before this album, isn't it? But yes, there was once a time when all the world knew about this guy was that he had a funny name, wore gawky glasses, and had the gall to splash "Elvis is King" all over his album cover. Once Elvis Costello was a promising new artist instead of a musical institution. And once upon a time, you really had to convince your friends that "Alison," "Less Than Zero" and "The Angels Want to Wear My Red Shoes" were great songs.

Recorded in a mere 24 hours during sick time from his computer job at an Elizabeth Arden factory, MY AIM IS TRUE is one heck of a debut, boasting at least five classics (those named above plus "Mystery Dance" and "Watching the Detectives," the latter a UK single that was tacked onto the US album). And the loose, guitar-driven sound remains unique for a Costello album, since it was the only time he recorded with the band Clover (without their usual frontman, Huey Lewis).

The Rykodisc edition includes a stack of bonus tracks, notably a couple of the bedroom demos that drew Stiff Records' attention in the first place.


Related Artists on Tour(What's this?)
Product Ads

Tags Customers Associate with This Product

 (What's this?)
Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
 

Your tags: Add your first tag
 

 

Customer Reviews

38 Reviews
5 star:
 (31)
4 star:
 (5)
3 star:
 (2)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.8 out of 5 stars (38 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Pop/Rock With Intelligence and an Attitude!, March 3, 2000
By Bob Martinez (Brooksville, FL USA) - See all my reviews
Dylan may have changed the lyrical content of rock and pop, but I feel Elvis Costello with this debut, changed the song structure of rock. These are punchy 3 minute gems with strong melodies. But it's the lyrics that stick to your mind like a character from your past. The album starts off with "Now that your picture's in the paper being perfectly admired.." Well, you know this guy is different..but he writes so good. My favorites are The Angels Want To Wear My Red Shoes, Alison, Miricle Man and Watching The Detectives. But really the whole album is a rock and roll joy! When I first purchased the album over 20 years ago, the lady working at the album store said "My he looks like Buddy Holly, but his name is ELVIS?...COSTELLO? There's a little bit of all of the best of rock in E.C. If you don't like this album, you are not a true rocker. The new CD sound by the way, is marvelous!
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars ONE OF THE BEST DEBUT ALBUMS EVER., October 18, 2000
Costello's debut albums is one of the best in music. It was appropriately the first one I heard of his. When I first heard it , I skipped around settling on such instantaniously catchy tunes like "Blame it on Cain", "Allison," and "Watching the Detectives". It was much later that I took it with me on a car trip and listened to it all the way through. It was on of the most gratifying experiences I've had listening to music. Track after track these tunes would enter my head and remain to replay themselves throughout the day. I really couldn't get this album out of my mind for days. I was a kind of impassioned discovery where each day I had new favorite song on the album. My favorite now seems to be "Imagination". Unlike a few opinions around, this albums is in no way a "lesser" effort. To say that this is beneath his usual creative force is approaching a snoobish-aloofness. He gives more in 24 hours(the time it took to lay down all of the studio tracks) than most can give in mo nths of studio time and doesn't falter for a second. I must give his band some credit too, to actually commit themselves to this hyperactive little English fellow; and they play very well. I really enjoyed the suprisingly textured guitar work on "Allison"and the B.B. King inspired playing on "Blame it on Cain." While truly interested listeners should next go after his more thematic and richer(and yes, even better) albums with the Attractions, this is unquestionably a necessity for any music collection.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars the birth of the cool, May 8, 2006
By SooZee (Downtown) - See all my reviews
When I was a senior in high school, Elvis Costello came out with My Aim is True, and it totally blew us all away with its cynical, on-the-money lyrics and terrific pop hooks. With heavy radio rotation of songs such as (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes (which I made sure to get not long afterward), Alison, and Watching the Detectives, as well as Welcome to the Working Week, Mystery Dance, and Radio Sweetheart, Elvis was suddenly all over the FM dial, and we heard tell of concerts in which the 'angry young man' named Declan McManus spit on his audiences and told them off. A real regret was not getting to see him play live the first time he toured here, which I didn't have the opportunity to do 'til 1983, and a couple of times thereafter - always excellent shows, I might add (alas, no spitting). I have such specific memories of riding in a car singing Watching the Detectives and listening to these tunes while crossing the Long Island Sound by ferry on a trip to Shelter Island in New York on an early summer morning, Elvis' music the indelibly-etched soundtrack to that period that will forever play in my mind. Since this LP, Elvis has gone on, as we all know, to explore and master many genres of music, but - even given his wonderful subsequent work with Burt Bacharach - none hold as much power and meaning for me, even twenty five plus years on, as this LP does. Long live this King!!
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)


Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars elvis costello cd
WAS OVERJOYED WITH THIS SELLER!! I THINK THEY SAID IT WOULD ARRIVE IN A WEEK
AND I RECEIVED MY CD IN MINT CONDITION 2 DAYS LATER . Read more
Published 2 months ago by Ted J. Schwalm

4.0 out of 5 stars Great debut but Elvis would do better...
I haven't heard much Costello, but based on what I've heard I can certainly say his first three albums were his peak. Read more
Published on June 11, 2007 by finulanu

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Awesome
There is just not another way to describe this album. It is simply awesome. It is a tremendous breath of fresh air,bursting with energetic life, and some of the most creative and... Read more
Published on November 15, 2006 by Bowiebuff

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the top 10 albums ever produced.
There is very few albums that compare to this masterpiece. Every track is superb. One of the top 10 albums ever produced. Read more
Published on September 19, 2005 by 1st WiZard's Rule

5.0 out of 5 stars Just great songs
I remember having a very bad image of Elvis, lumping him into the "new wave" phenomenon for years. Then I finally listened to this cd. Read more
Published on March 26, 2004 by Rollie Anderson

5.0 out of 5 stars Pulled the 70's out of its slump
Two of the best things about the 70's were that they ended, and Elvis Costello hit the scene!

In a decade that produced some of the most drab and sedate music, My Aim is True... Read more

Published on September 7, 2003 by Damian P. Gadal

5.0 out of 5 stars Elvis is King
Thank the heavens for My Aim is True! This release introduced the world to a new master of song writing, singing, and impecible delivery. Read more
Published on April 30, 2003 by Damian P. Gadal

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic
Elvis Costello's debut is a 70's classic full of sharp wit and punk-rock-meets-the-1950's style. Though the best known song is "Alison" (useless side note: had I been a... Read more
Published on April 29, 2003 by kyyp

4.0 out of 5 stars Short, sweet and full of energy!
A friend of mine recently loaned me this album during a lengthy hospital stay, with the specific intent of reducing my boredom. Read more
Published on November 23, 2002 by Sarah Hadley

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential in anyone's collection...
Elvis's debut took the world by storm - and rightfully so, as this CD has more passion and energy than most any I own. Read more
Published on December 16, 2001 by Michael J Harrington

Only search this product's reviews



Customer Discussions

This product's forum
Discussion Replies Latest Post
No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 


Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
Search all Amazon discussions
   




SoundUnwound Says...

Go explore the super-connected music universe at SoundUnwound.com opens new browser window - the new music site from IMDb and Amazon.
SoundUnwound Logo

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

My Aim Is True
55% buy the item featured on this page:
My Aim Is True 4.8 out of 5 stars (38)
My Aim Is True (With Bonus Disc)
16% buy
My Aim Is True (With Bonus Disc) 4.6 out of 5 stars (49)
My Aim Is True
14% buy
My Aim Is True 4.4 out of 5 stars (11)
$13.98
My Aim Is True
10% buy
My Aim Is True 3.3 out of 5 stars (25)
$29.98


Look for Similar Items by Category


Look for Similar Items by Subject

Search Music by subject:















i.e., each title must be in subject 1 AND subject 2 AND ...
 

Feedback

If you need help or have a question for Customer Service, contact us.
 Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
Is there any other feedback you would like to provide?

Your comments can help make our site better for everyone.



Your Recent History

 (What's this?)

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.