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Elvis Costello Announces My Aim Is True 49th Anniversary Box Set
Elvis Costello has announced a lavish box set marking the 49th anniversary of his 1977 debut album, My Aim Is True, deliberately sidestepping the more conventional 50th anniversary in a move he says avoids a "preposterous" celebration. The release matters for fans of the singer-songwriter as it offers a substantial expansion of one of the most acclaimed debut albums in rock history, pairing a fresh remaster with a wealth of previously unheard material and archival ephemera.
The box set, titled My Aim Is True (49th Anniversary Edition), includes 52 unreleased songs, demos, outtakes and live recordings alongside a remastered version of the original 12-track LP taken from the analogue master tapes. It also features handwritten lyrics and new essays contributed by Nick Lowe, Rosanne Cash, Peter Wolf and Jim James, among others. The set is due for release on 2 October via UMe, with a live recording of "Watching the Detectives" shared as an early preview; Costello is currently on tour with Charlie Sexton.
In short
- Costello reissues debut album My Aim Is True for its 49th anniversary
- Box set adds 52 unreleased tracks plus remastered original LP
- Out 2 October via UMe; includes essays and handwritten lyrics
Explained simply
My Aim Is True was Elvis Costello’s first album, released in 1977. Costello is an English singer-songwriter whose sharp lyrics and blend of rock, pop and other styles made him a prominent figure in British music.
The album was recorded with the band Clover and produced by Nick Lowe, who later became known as a solo artist and producer. Its songs, including “Alison” and “Watching the Detectives”, helped establish Costello’s career and have kept the record of interest to listeners and musicians.
The new edition draws on recordings and documents from the album’s early period. Its expanded contents offer listeners a way to hear how the songs developed and to explore the album’s place in Costello’s wider body of work.