Elvis Costello:"My Aim Is True" LP -Stiff Records (Portugal) Vinyl EX-/ Cover EX

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 Elvis Costello: "My Aim Is True" LP

Stiff Records (Portugal) Vinyl EX-/ Cover EX

Produced by Nick Lowe

Tracklist

Elvis Costello was as much a pub rocker as he was a punk rocker and nowhere is that more evident than on his debut, My Aim Is True. It's not just that Clover, a San Franciscan rock outfit led by Huey Lewis (absent here), back him here, not the Attractions; it's that his sensibility is borrowed from the pile-driving rock & roll and folksy introspection of pub rockers like Brinsley Schwarz, adding touches of cult singer/songwriters like Randy Newman and David Ackles. Then, there's the infusion of pure nastiness and cynical humor, which is pure Costello. That blend of classicist sensibilities and cleverness make this collection of shiny roots rock a punk record -- it informs his nervy performances and his prickly songs. Of all classic punk debuts, this remains perhaps the most idiosyncratic because it's not cathartic in sound, only in spirit. Which, of course, meant that it could play to a broader audience, and Linda Ronstadt did indeed cover the standout ballad "Alison." Still, there's no mistaking this for anything other than a punk record, and it's a terrific one at that, since even if he buries his singer/songwriter inclinations, they shine through as brightly as his cheerfully mean humor and immense musical skill; he sounds as comfortable with a '50s knockoff like "No Dancing" as he does on the reggae-inflected "Less Than Zero." Costello went on to more ambitious territory fairly quickly, but My Aim Is True is a phenomenal debut, capturing a songwriter and musician whose words were as rich and clever as his music. [Ryko/Demon's 1993 reissue contained several bonus tracks, including the country B-sides "Radio Sweetheart" and "Stranger in the House," plus demos of his first group, Flip City.]  

Condition 

I grade records conservatively and try to be as comprehensive as possible.  Records can look fine, yet sound like crap. For this reason, I listen to every record/song I sell. Any dust you see in my pics is gone when you receive it. I thoroughly clean each LP after I shoot the pics and before I listen to them. I also grade covers and records separately. If you collect for aesthetics, this is important. I care more about the vinyl than the packaging but want you to have no surprises, so I try to explain both with as much detail as possible.

These are used records. That doesn't mean you must tolerate bad vinyl. I can tolerate surface noise only if it's low-level, and doesn't spoil the listening experience. If it's wall to wall, that record is junk and I refuse to pass it along. I want you to be happy with your purchase.

Be advised, though, with me it's more about the music.  I can tolerate a crappy cover on a decent LP so long as it's doing its job; protecting the LP as designed--especially if it has some historic or artistic significance (design, etc.).  In such cases, I am willing to hold on to a damaged cover even though it has outlived its monetary value. I also use center-hole, plain white covers when an original cover is beyond saving. Buyers of anything in the middle get both.

I rate this vinyl as Near Mint (NM / M-):

Always handled carefully.  Few visible flaws.Superb pressing. No skips.  Nice and flat. Very little surface noise.  No groove wear. The labels are clean, vivid and bright, lead-in grooves are clean. The vinyl has a high gloss. Always stored in audiophile inner sleeve.

I rate this cover as Near Mint (NM / M-):

Great color and crisp, unmarked appearance.  Sturdy light card stock import cover, with sharp edges and comers. No issues. Always poly sleeved.

Ships with poly/paper sleeve, new Mobile Fidelity Master inner sleeve and a new poly outer. Will be packed carefully to ensure safe arrival.  

Shipping

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Your record will be thoroughly cleaned, ship in a new audiophile-quality paper/poly inner sleeve and a heavy-duty poly outer bag. I use pro-quality cardboard mailers and expert packing to ensure your order arrives in even better condition than when I took its pictures.

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I love music and records. This is my private collection, one I accumulated over the last 40 years. I bought many of them new and have kept them that way. Some were gifts, some are promo copies I got while working in radio or bought used. All have been cleaned and stored properly. Unless otherwise stated, albums that came with printed sleeves or other promotional items still have them.

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