Louisville Courier-Journal, September 22, 2007

Bibliography   72 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 UK & Ireland weeklies UK & Ireland magazines UK & Ireland newspapers US newspapers US rock magazines US music magazines US magazines US alternative weeklies European magazines European newspapers Canada  •  Mexico  •  Asia Australia  •  New Zealand South America  •  Africa Blogs  •  Fanzines  •  Books Online publications Louisville Courier-Journal   1979 January 28 1979 March 19 1980 March 9 1989 March 11 1991 June 22 1993 March 13 1995 October 7 1998 October 10 1999 October 12 1999 October 13 2007 September 22 2008 May 2 2008 May 9 2013 November 20 2014 June 11 2014 June 18 2014 November 12 Kentucky publications  Bowling Green Daily News Danville Advocate-Messenger Kentucky New Era Lexington Herald-Leader Louisville Courier-Journal Louisville Eccentric Observer Paducah Sun US publications by state  AL  •  AK  •  AR  •  AZ  •  CA CO  •  CT  •  DC  •  DE  •  FL GA  •  HI  •   IA   •   ID   •   IL   IN   •  KS  •  KY  •  LA   •  MA MD  •  ME  •   MI  •  MN  •  MO MS  •  MT  •  NC  •  ND  •  NE NH  •  NJ  •  NM  •  NV  •  NY OH  •  OK  •  OR  •  PA  •  RI SC  •  SD  •  TN  •  TX  •  UT  VA  •  VT  •  WA  •  WI  •  WY — Costello's fourth reissue of 'My Aim Is True' is off target Jeffrey Lee Puckett Overpriced set is not that deluxe. When Elvis Costello's My Aim Is True appeared in 1977, its cover starring Costello as a splay-legged, murderous nerd with no interest in taking prisoners or suffering fools, pop music was changed and challenged. Who was this gawky, uncomfortable creature crashing the punk-rock party? Punk was in full bloom, the Ramones and Sex Pistols leading the brawl, and while Costello looked as if he might have a nice collection of pocket protectors at home and there was no missing that incongruous wedding ring you also got the distinct impression that he had a few bodies in the backyard. But while Johnny Rotten made it clear that it was us — and not them, of course — that he hated so completely, Costello was far more complicated. He was clearly angry with a lot of people but more interesting was the anger and frustration directed at himself. Frustration, in fact, powers the entire record, from the feelings of inadequacy behind "Welcome to the Working Week" to the sexualhomicidal tension that makes "Alison" and "Watching the Detectives" so delicious. Debut albums, in other words, don't get much better, which is why My Aim Is True is getting its fourth reissue surely some kind of record. This one justifies itself with two hours of bonus material, most of it previously unreleased. There's a complete club show from 1977, including sound check, and four out-takes from the album sessions. More revealing are the Pathway Studio demos, featuring only Costello and his guitar, recorded shortly before the album sessions began. The live disc, unfortunately, doesn't live up to expectations. While it features the then newly formed Attractions, Costello's finest band, they sound hesitant and uncertain (especially keyboardist Steve Nieve, who can't seem to figure out what he's supposed to be doing). Nearly everything is half a beat off and short on the ferocity that would make Costello's second album, This Year's Model, essential listening. A similar lack of ferocity is what keeps My Aim Is True from perfection despite its many and venomous charms. The ad-hoc band, featuring several future members of Huey Lewis & the News, is more than adequate but not nearly as inspired as Costello or the songs. Within a year, however, Costello and the Attractions would find that ideal blend of pop smarts, musical aggression and intellectual menace that set standards most bands are still striving to match. But here's the problem: at $30 this is wildly overpriced, especially given the lack of liner notes and the availability of the cheaper 2001 Rhino reissue, also a two-disc set. If the live set were a better performance, sure. Wait for a sale and grab it. But unless you're a completist, this is clearly a case of essential music carelessly packaged for a quick profit. Louisville Courier-Journal, September 22, 2007 Jeffrey Lee Puckett reviews the 2007 Deluxe Edition of My Aim Is True. Images Page scan.

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