The same year Clapton was putting together a collection of mediocre excuses for guitar solos called Slowhand that (let’s be honest) probably sounded dated upon its release, something else was brewing in London.

That something else was a young man named Elvis Costello who called in sick to his day job to record his debut album, which has become an undisputed classic.

Costello has worn many hats, from new wave to alt country, but he’s always unmistakably Costello. Here, he brandishes all that confidence and energy, but with none of the experience, and the world is richer for it. There’s a naivete here in the guitar-heavy rock and roll that doesn’t betray the legend he would become. He’s far from the ironic prophet of new wave he would become on Armed Forces. Rather, these are the songs of a young man piecing together what it means to be a young man. Ever-lauded single Alison finds him lamenting an old flame and the separate paths life has taken them on. Less Than Zero is political in topic, but its tone is less of a protest singer and more of a young man ranting about the corruption he’s just now realizing exists in the hearts of men. Overall, it’s an exciting record from a dude poised to take over the world and a well deserved classic.