Guest Incandenza Report post Posted October 7, 2002 So, I'm less than a month away from seeing Elvis Costello--LIVE~!--in Orlando, and I'm continuing to build up my E.C. collection to be better prepared for the experience. Anyway, my most recent purchase is his debut LP, My Aim is True. This disc is not all it is built up to be. Costello hadn't quite found his voice here, and the album is largely a pleasant, but unremarkable recording of the early period of a soon-to-be terrific songwriter. Rock history currently dictates that My Aim is True is great, but its appeal escapes me. Except for the 50's-style rave-up "Mystery Dance" and the reggae-flavored "Watching the Detectives," nothing here approaches the awesomeness of the masterfuckingpiece that is This Year's Model. Even the much heralded "Allison" leaves a lot to be desired--TYM's "Little Triggers" is a far superior ballad. Don't get me wrong. My Aim is True is a decent record--I'd rank it above Spike in the list of five E.C. discs I own (the other three being Blood & Chocolate, When I Was Cruel and the aforementioned This Year's Model)--but why it acquired the legendary status it has is beyond me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Incandenza Report post Posted October 7, 2002 (the following is a response to something said by Kinetic in the General Chat folder) I haven't got around to the second disc, yet, but, considering how much I love "No Action" and "Living in Paradise" on TYM, I doubt it will surpass them. Equal it, maybe, but not surpass it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Kinetic Report post Posted October 7, 2002 "No Action" uses the distorted drums from "Watching the Detectives" to good use, while "Living In Paradise" is a bit more of a showcase for Costello's motormouth delivery than the This Year's Model version. I prefer both songs on the Rhino reissue disc, personally. I like the "Living In Paradise" version so much that I can't stand the proper album version. It's so reliant on a Big Ass Chorus, which is really un-Costello. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest godthedog Report post Posted October 7, 2002 i've never heard the album myself, but: give it some time, man. almost all great albums take at least a little while before they can sink in. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Incandenza Report post Posted October 7, 2002 Eh. I know what you mean, but This Year's Model hit me instantly, while My Aim is True instilled the same feeling of underwhelment during the second listen that it did the first. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Youth N Asia Report post Posted October 7, 2002 I think My Aim is True is my favorite by Costello...nudging out This Year's Model and Get Happy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest evenflowDDT Report post Posted October 7, 2002 When I first heard My Aim is True I liked it a LOT. While there's till no really bad songs on it, I don't like it as much as I initially did (I actually like Spike better, but the demos, not necessarily the final album). What strikes me as odd is how many of the songs sound like somebody else instead of Costello - he even remarks on this in the liner notes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Incandenza Report post Posted October 8, 2002 So, I've given a listen to the bonus disc on My Aim is True, and while I'll say that the early version of "Living in Paradise" is good--but not better--than the one that appears on This Year's Model, I must assume Kinetic is insane for thinking that the poorly mixed version of "No Action" can even touch that which appears on Model. The awful sounding drums--of whether its the source material's age/condition or an intentional recording, I am not sure--almost drown out the guitar track. There's a difference between having a rawer feel for a recording (which the early version of "Living in Paradise" has) and being just plain lousy (like "No Action"). All in all, I contend My Aim is True is overrated, and This Year's Model is a masterwork. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest DrTom Report post Posted October 8, 2002 I'd have to concur that My Aim Is True is overrated on the whole, but Watching The Detectives kicks ass of j00. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Kinetic Report post Posted October 8, 2002 Feh. I guess I won't be winning this argument any time soon. Just wait until Get Happy! is rereleased. Then you'll know. Oh, yes...you'll know. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Incandenza Report post Posted October 8, 2002 As much as you pimp Get Happy!, I'll pick it up used if I can ever find it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Kinetic Report post Posted October 8, 2002 Good idea. I'm definitely not waiting for Rhino's exceedingly slow rereleases to get these albums. If I can find them around--as I have with King of America and Imperial Bedroom over the last six months or so--I'm buying them. The bonus discs are nice and everything, but I must admit that I barely listen to them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest LooseCannon Report post Posted October 8, 2002 All in all, I contend My Aim is True is overrated, and This Year's Model is a masterwork. That's the way I feel about it. Those are the only two Costello albums I currently own, and while My Aim is True is pleasant enough, it's still among the five most overrated albums that I'm aware of, in my opinion. Especially after Rolling Stone called it "the only Elvis Costello album you need to own." Even looking at it in it's contemporary cultural context, it doesn't strike me as all that great. This Year's Model, on the other hand, is a brilliant album, in my opinion. I'm curious as to what albums people might suggest I pick up when I seek to expand my Costello collection though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Incandenza Report post Posted October 8, 2002 Kinetic--I saw a new, unopened Rykodisc issue of Imperial Bedroom here in town. Should I get it as soon as possible? Cannon--I only have three other Costello albums, so I can only direct you to so much. Blood & Chocolate and When I Was Cruel are both worth your time (especially the former). Also, I'm curious as to what else is on your list of overrated albums. EDIT: I forgot to mention Spike, but other than for a handful of songs, it should be avoided. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Kinetic Report post Posted October 8, 2002 Here's how things break down for me on the snowflake rating scale. I'm only rating the Costello albums that I've listened to enough to form an opinion on and compilations (I have two) don't count: My Aim is True: ****1/2 This Year's Model: **** Get Happy!: ****1/2 Almost Blue: * Imperial Bedroom: ***1/4 King of America: *** Blood and Chocolate: ***1/2 Get Happy! is my personal favorite EC album, but I have trouble saying its technically any better than My Aim is True. I haven't been given any sufficient reason to buy anything post-Columbia, so I just bought the Best of...album for his Warner stuff. That album is good until it gets to the Brodsky Quartet stuff, which I don't care for. It has the awesome "The Bridge I Burned," too, so I'd suggest picking that up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Kinetic Report post Posted October 8, 2002 Half of Imperial Bedroom is really good, but--as is the case with most of Costello's output after the 70s--it gets pretty inconsistent after the first few tracks. That said, "Beyond Belief," "Man Out of Time," "Human Hands," and "Kid About It" are some of my favorite EC songs, so I'd recommend it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest LooseCannon Report post Posted October 8, 2002 Cannon--I only have three other Costello albums, so I can only direct you to so much. Blood & Chocolate and When I Was Cruel are both worth your time (especially the former). Also, I'm curious as to what else is on your list of overrated albums. I don't have a real top five list, but other albums I find highly overrated, and some of these may be unpopular choices, but: The Clash - London Calling Bjork - Post John Lennon's solo stuff and of course, Pinkerton. That's not a definitive list, but just off the top of my head. Oh yeah, I also don't like Portishead's Dummy a whole lot. I like Portishead more, which I find actually underrated. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Incandenza Report post Posted October 8, 2002 John Lennon's solo stuff I can't vouch for the rest of his work, but I believe Plastic Ono Band can't be overrated enough. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest LooseCannon Report post Posted October 8, 2002 I don't think I've heard that one. I can't really tell you what I have heard and what I haven't from Lennon, hence not listing any particular album. But your review leaves me with the impression that I'm unfamiliar with it. Though I'm fairly certain I've heard "Working Class Hero" on a compilation or something. I'm thinking more along the lines of Imagine I think. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest DrTom Report post Posted October 8, 2002 I wholeheartedly agree that The Clash and Bjork are overrated, but Lennon's solo stuff is pretty good. I've always been a big fan of Plastic Ono Band for its beautiful anger and wonderfully acerbic songs. There's a dropoff in quality after that, but I still wouldn't call Lennon's solo material overrated. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Kinetic Report post Posted October 8, 2002 Imagine has the overrated, overexposed title track, "Crippled Inside," and the wonderful "Oh Yoko" which always chokes me up with its placement in Rushmore. I can't say why. I don't think any album in the history of rock music is more overrated than Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. That would definitely need to be included on any list. I can see the Bjork nod, as I definitely prefer Homogenic and think Post gets a little tedious towards the end. I agree on the Portishead point. You're nuts for not liking London Calling, however. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Incandenza Report post Posted October 8, 2002 Imagine has the overrated, overexposed title track, "Crippled Inside," and the wonderful "Oh Yoko" which always chokes me up with its placement in Rushmore. When I went to get a Lennon album, I almost picked up Imagine over Plastic Ono Band, merely for the Rushmore connection. A great song used wonderfully in the film, but I think the Faces' "Ooh La La" provokes a greater emotional response. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Kinetic Report post Posted October 8, 2002 I can't place the song or the scene from the film. Help me out here. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Incandenza Report post Posted October 8, 2002 It's played during the final scene/credit sequence. And you call yourself a fan! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Kinetic Report post Posted October 8, 2002 On a slightly different note, I'd contest that using "Charile Brown Christmas~!" in The Royal Tenenbaums is probably the brightest move any director has ever made in the history of film. I don't consider myself an emotional person, but just thinking about "Charlie Brown Christmas" makes my eyes well up with tears. I suspect that something traumatic happened to me while watching Charlie and Linus pick out that underappreciated Christmas tree. I can't say what. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest LooseCannon Report post Posted October 8, 2002 Sgt. Pepper's *is* overrated. For a while, it was the only basis I had for judging the Beatles, and led me to believe that the Beatles overall were overrated. Not that I hate the album or anything, but it's fortunate that I kept endeavoring to listen to other Beatles albums or else I'd still be stuck with a grossly distorted opinion. I'm utterly unable to remember how songs are used in movies. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Kinetic Report post Posted October 8, 2002 As am I, for the most part. However, I've seen both Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums at least five times, so you start to pick up on subtle nuances like that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest godthedog Report post Posted October 9, 2002 i don't think i've heard anyone pimp 'post' a whole lot. 'homogenic' and 'vespertine' generally get more love, and i think THOSE are the overrated ones. loose: get 'plastic ono band'. now. then throw away all your other lennon albums. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest LooseCannon Report post Posted October 10, 2002 loose: get 'plastic ono band'. now. then throw away all your other lennon albums. Seriously? alright then. And now that you mention it, you're right, Homogenic is overrated too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Incandenza Report post Posted October 10, 2002 Kinetic--I saw a new, unopened Rykodisc issue of Imperial Bedroom here in town. Should I get it as soon as possible? Hmm, nevermind, I guess. Imperial Bedroom is one of the three Rhino re-releases scheduled for next month (along with the supposedly lousy Mighty Like a Rose and the supposedly very good Armed Forces). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
