Elvis Costello & The Attractions: Live At El Mocambo

Elvis Costello's early records are rip-roaring fun. Filled with ska, punk and power pop gems, the aptly dubbed "Buddy Holly on methamphetamine" delivered simple music with a wide range of alternately bitter, angry and politically motivated narrators—sometimes even switching tone within a single song ("Alisson"). The recently re-released 1978 recording Live at El Mocambo captures the young Costello at his best, playing material entirely from his first two albums: My Aim Is True and This Year's Model. The quality of the recording is sub-par, but the energy—especially on songs like "Radio, Radio" and "Lip Service"—is perfectly raw and untethered.

Elvis Costello & The Attractions - "Radio, Radio" (from Live at El Mocambo)