My Aim Is True Reviews

All-Music Guide (William Ruhlmann)

Elvis Costello's debut album is a pop landmark that indicates the future that may exist for the spirit of punk in the wider genre of rock music. Backed by the American group Clover (featuring then-future Doobie Brother John McFee but not harmonica player Huey Lewis), Costello displays all the characteristics that would serve him throughout his career: a caustic wit he uses to savage himself and others, a broad imagination -- (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes is one of the best pieces of rock whimsy ever written -- an unsentimental but compelling sense of romance (Alison), and an astonishing verbal facility, all enmeshed with a pop encyclopedist's musical knowledge. One of the greatest first albums in pop history.