Elvis Is King: Costello's My Aim Is True

Pop Classics #3

by Richard Crouse

An explosive, groundbreaking album that crowned a new king of rock in just 33 minutes Before Elvis Costello was one of Rolling Stone’s greatest artists of all time, before he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, he was Declan P. McManus, an office drone with a dull suburban life and a side gig in a pub rock band. In 1976, under the guidance of legendary label Stiff Records, he transformed himself into the snarling, spectacled artist who defied the musical status quo to blaze the trail for a new kind of rock star with his debut album, My Aim Is True. In Elvis Is King, Richard Crouse examines how the man, the myth, and the music of this arrestingly original album smashed the trends of the era to bridge the gap between punk and rock ’n’ roll.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction

136 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2015

About the author

Richard Crouse is the regular film critic for CTV’s Canada AM , CTV’s 24-hour News Channel and CP24. His syndicated Saturday afternoon radio show, Entertainment Extra, originates on NewsTalk 1010. He is also the author of six books on pop culture history including Raising Hell: Ken Russell and the Unmaking of The Devils and The 100 Best Movies You’ve Never Seen, and writes two weekly columns for Metro newspaper. He lives in Toronto, Ontario.

Reviews

[Brumaire Bodbyl-Mast · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, brief, glowing biography of one of the greatest singer-songwriters cloudy London ever produced. Focusing particularly on one of his most fascinating periods, stretching from pub rock days (and even before, back to his childhood in concert halls, albeit very briefly) to sudden indie stardom with a raucous group (of whom collaborator Nick Lowe is far and away the most sympathetic and sensible.) The work seeks to demonstrate what exactly sets Elvis Costello apart from the rotten and honestly dull likes of Johnny both by looking at his music and his psychology, (and both in tandem.) In many ways, this album is the best to do that with- prior to his more despicable incidents associated with armed forces, yet still deeply in his edgy persona which contrasted with his actual personality. Some delightful anecdotes about touring, along with some fun tidbits from the author about his own experience with Costello’s music. Overall a fun read- though it’s mostly secondary source work. There’s likely better accounts of Costello’s career in the 70s, though this one is useful in its briefness, and laser focus on My Aim Is True, which most other Costello biographies tend to focus on a large chunk of discography- or at least the first three, some delving into b-sides and pre-Costello work by MacManus is enlightening too, providing context to demo reels scattered across YouTube.

[Joseph Spuckler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elvis Is King: Costello's My Aim Is True by Richard Crouse is the story of the making of a star and a record. Crouse is the regular film critic for CTV’s Canada AM, CTV’s 24-hour News Channel and CP24. His syndicated Saturday afternoon radio show, "Entertainment Extra," originates on NewsTalk 1010. He is also the author of six books on pop culture history.

I found several interesting things in this book. Being the same age as the author and raised just on the other side of the border we would seem to have some things in common. Crouse seems to have taken to the British side of rock where I was raised on the American side. We both seem to be trapped in "what is punk rock." Clearly the Ramones and the Sex Pistols. Elvis Costello gets put in that New Wave, but not really category. He is punk rock in a suit, a Patti Smith with shaved armpits, the attitude without the punk image.

Crouse covers the life of Elvis Costello from when he was Declan Patrick MacManus to when he got banned from Saturday Night Live. The book also gives a good history of Stiff Records and other musicians of the period like Nick Lowe and Ian Dury. Crouse explains the making of My Aim is True and also details the songs. My favorite from the album is "Watching the Detectives." It received the most airplay from my hometown Station of WMMS in Cleveland.

The book is written in two different styles. For the most part, Crouse relies heavily on stringing source material together which can be a bit dry at times. Other times Crouse reminisces and adds his opinions and thoughts on the music which are quite good. It is good to see what effect the music had on the person writing biography. I remember watching with the same excitement of Crouse had when Elvis Costello appeared on Saturday Night Live. There is a special connection when to the book when it deals with shared experiences rather than third party source material.

Elvis Is King is a fair biography that covers more of the events of the time than of the subject of the book. Parts of the book seem almost cut-and-paste mass market while other parts seem to be written by a passionate fan. It is a good book for the die hard Elvis Costello fans, but average for those with only a passing interest.

[Jay French · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought Elvis Costello’s “My Aim is True” when I was in high school. As I lived in a small, Midwestern town in a rural area of Illinois, this made me an outlier in music appreciation. At the time, hard rock was de rigeuer, especially the type made in America. Nevertheless, I was attracted to the wonky look of Elvis, the attitude, the sound, and the songs of being inept at love. This book describes Elvis’ start, early Stiff Records history, and ends with a description of the making of this album, the genesis of the songs, and the touring and recording activities of Elvis as the album was released. Also included is the story of Elvis’ appearance on Saturday Night Live, when he changed the song he was to sing when on camera. Much of the book is based on published sources, which can be lame. In my reading, though, I didn’t know these stories as told, even though I have read a number of magazine articles on Costello and I have read his autobiography. The appreciation of the songs on the album were also well done. I enjoyed this book. It brought some additional perspective to Elvis’ beginnings. Recommended for those who find “My Aim is True” to be a great album.

[Lulu · Rating 3 out of 5]

The tale of Elvis Costello’s career leading up to the release of My Aim is True and some surrounding musical history. It was a bit dry but was still interesting to hear the ins and outs of Costello’s early persona, something I was mostly unaware of (having not been alive for a lot of it…). I almost wish this had more memoir elements, as Crouse’s personal tidbits at the beginning and end really shined.

It’s been a while since I was a Costello, but this made me wanna dive back into Costello mania for sure.

[Corey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fine book on the start of Costello's remarkable career.

[Simon Sweetman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really great examination of the debut album and everything leading up to it.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elvis is King – and I don’t mean Presley. Those of you who were born in the in the ‘70s or before and were into “alternative” music (not pop, metal, or just plain rock) will know what I’m talking about. For the rest of you, you are definitely missing a great artist and album.
Richard Crouse’s Elvis is king. Costello’s My Aim is True was written for ECW Press’s Pop Classics series. Crouse tells us of Declan MacManus, his transformation to Elvis Costello and the making of his first album, My Aim is True. To me, Crouse and many others, it has become a true classic.

Elvis Costello grew up in London, son of Ross MacManus, a musician, and Lillian MacManus, manager of the record shop at Selfridge’s department store. Growing up in a musical family, he listened to many types of music, and by age 15 was writing his own. He debuted in his first band, Rusty, when he was 17. While working as a computer operator, he hooked up with Stiff Records, and the rest was history. My Aim is True, produced by Nick Lowe, was recorded at Pathway Studio in virtually 24 hours.

My Aim is True came at a time which was ripe for a transition in music. Many bands were more interested in themselves than their audience and were beginning to play in large stadiums instead of intimate settings. Rock of the time included lengthy guitar solos. Punk was just coming into being partly as a reaction to this. Elvis Costello’s music was neither rock nor punk but had early rock influences, as well as punk, reggae and jazz influences. Although none of the songs on the album became number one hits, they are all definitely hit worthy and spoke to many of us in the late 70’s who were looking for a different sound.

Richard Crouse’s book is an easy-to-read and well-written and researched story of how My Aim is True came to be. It is very easy to tell that he loves the album as much as I do, and I learned quite a bit about one of my favorite musicians. My Aim is True is probably still one of my favorite albums, and I never get tired of listening to these songs. If you have not heard this album, download and listen as soon as you can, then go and read this book because you will want to know more.

I received this book from GoodReads in exchange for an honest review.

[Wayne McCoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Elvis is King: Costello's My Aim Is True' by Richard Crouse is a true fan account of the early days of Elvis Costello. When I say early, I mean just until a little after the release of his first record My Aim Is True.

We get the early days of Declan P. McManus, including his early work in pub bands, and the influence his parents played. We find the lucky confluence of an angry young office drone and a spunky recording label called Stiff Records. Declan transforms to Elvis and finds fame even though no one can quite corner the genre of music he plays. It's not really new wave, and it's not really punk either. It is a backlash to the kind of corporate over-produced rock of the mid to late 1970s. One chapter analyzes each track on the album. Another talks about the strange tour Elvis finds himself on and how he ends up sharing headlining duties. It finishes with him coming to North America and subsequently getting banned for 10 years on Saturday Night Live.

Richard Crouse is the regular film critic for a few programs on CTV, but I can tell he would argue with anyone who disagrees that My Aim Is True is a true genius of an album. I don't disagree. The book quotes from a lot of other sources and interviews, but it really shines when the author's rabid fandom comes through (and I say that as a complete compliment). I didn't know much about the early days of Stiff Records, but it seems like the kind of madcap setup that we don't see anymore, and more's the pity. Costello is a legend, and this peak into his early days was interesting.

I received a review copy of this ebook from ECW Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

In compliance with FTC guidelines, I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.

As a teenager in the late 1970's, my initial musical interest centered around progressive rock bands such as YES, Genesis, Renaissance, David Bowie, etc,...Progressive rock bands struggled with losing connection with their audiences, as concerts became grander with more special effects. At this time, disco music gained in popularity. I totaling rejected disco, but enthusiastically jumped head first in to the emerging pub rock, punk rock, and new wave music pool. As it turned out, the pool was a bit shallow, and I moved on.

Elvis Costello was mislabeled as a punk rocker, but was a glimpse of what the post punk world would look like. The book is a tribute and analysis of Elvis Costello's break through first album entitled My Aim is True. Richard Crouse analyzes and explains the meaning of the songs on the album, as well as detailing the events leading up to the release of the album. The highlight of the book is the description of the songs' meaning within the context of the time they were written. Some 40 decades later, I finally understand a lyric I have listened to hundreds of times - "Now that your picture's in the paper being rhythmically admired..." Think about it!

[David Zimmerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read, even though anyone could have done it: It's a collection of secondary sources run together in a sensible outline. Loved the story of Stiff Records, a kind of sound-factory-meets-third-place that helped launch the New Wave.

[Justine Teplycky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Check out my review here http://www.newstalk1010.com/blog/just...

[Lauraine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting look at an influential chapter in music history. As a Costello fan, I was intrigued to read about how he came to the music scene, and what influenced him.