Nothing would be more ridiculous than to dismiss Elvis Costello and his music with a neat categorization and definition such as New Wave and Punk. There is simply too much there. Musically, the record is steeped in the grand old traditions of rock and roll. There are traces of Phil Spector, Dion, the British Invasion Bands, and even Bruce Springsteen to name a few, but taken just a step beyond. Lyrically, the record is brimming with absolutely "classic" lines and brilliant observations much too numerous to mention. The subject matter and attitude of the songs is a unique combination of the arrogant, the tender, and the slightly perverse in a very "endearing" kind of contest.
Costello chooses to be a mystery figure, by including no liner notes, no credits, not even the names of the members of his band. Only the producer Nick Lowe is mentioned inside on the label. There are thirteen songs, most of them are relatively short and extremely direct. There is not a weak or unmemorable one among them, and it would be difficult to select the best cuts, but my favorites are "Allison," "Less Than Zero," and "The Angels Wanna Wear My Red Shoes".
Elvis Costello sings that his "Aim Is True" and with this record he is aiming right between the eyes.
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