Rip It Up, March 1978

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Rip It Up

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My Aim Is True

Elvis Costello

John Malloy

He looks like Buddy Holly and he plays guitar like Hank Marvin. If you don't know who Hank Marvin is, go ask your mother. From the cover to the tunes to the drum sound, this is a sixties album. And its all about guilt and revenge. That's what Elvis says anyway.

 Well I used to be disgusted
 But now I try to be amused...

It makes a peculiar sort of sense to have the antidote to seventies much couched in the musical vernacular of the early sixties.

But Elvis is no reactionary A current of anger runs through most of the record, but it is a personal anger, not directed at any scapegoat. "Less Than Zero" the single that resulted from a TV documentary on Oswald Mosley, the British Nazi, hides strong feelings beneath a smooth sixties beat feel.

 A pistol was still smoking, a man lay on the floor
 Mr. Oswald said he had an understanding with the law...

And he follows that with a classic teenage song called "Mystery Dance." But he is never far from revenge and guilt, with songs like "Sneaky Feelings," "Pay It Back" and the brilliant "I'm Not Angry."

This is a bloody good little record. At the moment it's right up there with Mink DeVille at the top of my personal playlist. It's easily accessible and it grows on you, and like the Mink DeVille set, it's got a stack of good songs. Elvis has got something to say.

It is easy to see how so many record companies turned Mr. Costello down before he was signed by Stiff. He's too different. He's not safe. He might lose money.

But I doubt it. Judging by the airplay and the press he's getting, he can't go far wrong. And with nutters like Elvis around, there's hope for the business yet.


Tags: My Aim Is True(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red ShoesLess Than ZeroMystery DanceSneaky FeelingsPay It BackI'm Not AngryStiff RecordsRevenge and guiltBuddy HollyOswald MosleyMink DeVille

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Rip It Up, No. 9, March 1978


John Malloy reviews My Aim Is True.

Images

1978-03-00 Rip It Up page 10 clipping 01.jpg
Clipping.

Cover and page scan.
1978-03-00 Rip It Up cover.jpg 1978-03-00 Rip It Up page 10.jpg

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