Editorial Review:

Amazon.com:
Elvis Costello issued his first three albums within a 16-month span; 2 1/2 Years compiles them, with bonus tracks, in one of the greatest bargains of all time. These are the Rykodisc remasters of My Aim Is True, This Year's Model, and Armed Forces--as revelatory as ever--combined with Live at El Mocambo, a document of a show on Elvis and the Attractions' second U.S. tour (1978) that is available only here. --Rickey Wright

Rating: - As Advertised
If you can find it at a decent price, & you don't have these cd's, it's worth it. I got it used for less than I'd have paid for the 4 cd's separately. The mixes are good, some of the bonus material is worth listening to, & the booklets & notes are nice.

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Rating: - Raw Power Costello Style
This is it! This is the one! Forget the Rhino reissues, this is still the best place for the old school Attractions sound. Reason? El Mocombo (sp?). Simply stated it is one of the most blisteringly honest live albums ever produced! Essentially a bootleg the Mocombo disc gets by on guts and fire alone. Now, I am not suggesting you pay $250 for this box set, especially if you did already fork it over for the Rhino's....BUT! I cannot honestly think of a better way to spend $250.
These old Ryko ... Read More

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Rating: - Note to "Dudes who love to yell OWWWW at concerts"
Brilliant as everyone says. The live album included is killer except for one thing....this dude keeps yelling OWWWWWWWWWW really loudly throughout EVERY song!!!!! In fact, half way through the live set you start listening for the OWWWWW if you haven't heard it in the last 15 to 20 seconds (the way you listen for a snore when a snorer stops breathing for a really long time). And so one of the best live albums ever is ruined by some drunken idiot. An OWWWWWW or two between songs is acceptable if ... Read More

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Rating: - Definitive and Brilliant
For any fan of Costello and almost any fan of rock 'n roll, this set is indispensable. Costello's first 3 albums are included, along with one live disk. All the included albums here have added tracks - many interesting songs not previously released along with alternate versions of standards. One of my favorite new songs is 'Stranger in the House', an early demonstration of Costello's country interests which was left off 'My Aim Is True' because the record company couldn't tolerate the idea of a country ... Read More

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Rating: - Genius! Brilliant! Awesome!
That's three words to describe this collection of Elvis Costello's first 3 albums - packaged here in an excellent box set from Ryko (who also did a rather good job of repackaging the Bowie back catalogue some ten years ago). Sadly, this box set is not available here in the U.K. anymore (hasn't been for at least 2 years) so us Limeys have to buy it in on import - no problem, especially as the U.S. version features Elvis's name in cutout form on the front of the box - this version went out of print in ... Read More