Editorial Review:

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

Rating: - 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. This was of course the album that introduced us to Mr. McManus, and it's quite good, one of Elvis' best. But I think the next two (This Year's Model and Armed Forces) are a ton better - there's a bit of generic punkabilly (albeit with much more interesting lyrics than most punk or rockabilly artists ever churned out) like Welcome to the Working Week, Miracle Man, No Dancing and Pay ... Read More

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Rating: - 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 original songwriting imaginable. This introduces the world to one of its most distinct voices and artists: the inimitable Elvis Costello. Every track is a gem and will catch you likely the first time around; relistens are always rewarding though, and thus even though the album will become an instant favorite it will not grow ... Read More

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Rating: - the birth of the cool
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 ... Read More

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Rating: - 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. Intelligent and quick witted lyrics, addictive melodies and clean pure energy, this album has it all.

The funny thing is I could issue a similar endorsement for E.C.'s next two albums as well. 1977's My Aim Is True, 1978's This Years Model & 1979's Armed Forces, may very well be the best three consecutive albums ever released by any one artist.

Other artists ... Read More

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Rating: - 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. The songs are nothing short of incredible. Not a bad one in the bunch. The production is stark but that just enhances the power of the tunes to stand out on their own without gimmicks. I'm not sure he ever made another album as complete as this one, though I followed him through several more excellent lps. This one's a definite keeper.