Chirping Crickets

Good classic early rock n roll.

The least likely-looking rock 'n' roll star ever, ah what might have been... standouts are Oh Boy, Maybe Baby, It's Too Late, and That'll Be The Day. Good times.

A bit one dimensional but a few catchy songs. Interesting to see how this likely influenced even modern artists.

Yuck

OH BOY! Album feels like I'm at a NJ diner, with my boo thang, slicked back hair, smoking a cig, in the 50's. It's a cute album, considering everything that's come afterwards. You can't deny it's influence on other artists. Is this what an Elvis album sounds like?

I understand its significance, and each song on it's own is good. But albums weren't cohesive yet and the album gets tiring. Longest song is 2.5 minutes.

A rock and roll classic that heavily influenced The Bealtes (crickets - beatles get it?). Great songwriting and the second half of this album really slaps to me. Buddy Holly's songwriting and guitar playing was ahead of it's time. Crazy that he died at 22.

If I were a woman these fellows would be yearning for, I'd think they're obsessed. Hackneyed love songs through and through. Only redeeming factor is that it is undeniably catchy.

Breezy 50's tunes that go by like they're nothing. Perhaps not to be listened to in a critical way. All these songs are about chasing women and failing to get them. Historically significant but so so dated.

In the 50s young white kids were desperate for music of their own , not the old fashioned stuff their parents were listening to. Rock n Roll was the answer and the Crickets were, briefly, at the forefront. Their stripped back instrumental sound and harmonic vocals went on to influence many other acts. This is still great to listen to almost 70 years later.

Certaintly a hard one to rate! Of course it's a dated album - what would you expect? But it's very good at what it does, I really felt telleported to the 1950's. Good songs, they all fit together well, but lacks versatility - and that's what keeps me from giving it a higher rating.

3 Would not buy the vinyl.

I basically remember nothing from this album, barely even what genre it is, and I listened to it just a few days ago... What I do remember is that it wasn't bad, it just didn't leave much of a impression Standouts - 3/5

Awesome album. Very short too, which is perfect. Good old fashioned rock n roll. Wish Buddy Holly was able to keep making music. Damn plane crashes

Well it is part of the foundation of rock n roll and popular music so that's something

Buddy Holly - and the crickets - seminal artist instrumental in all American Rock . Enjoy!

Historically important. A few very recognizable songs. But man, is this ever dated and corny.

First time willingly listening to Buddy Holly at all, can definitely understand how women from the 50s would go crazy over him. I think it's perfectly fine and representative of the time, and I can definitely hear the influences. I'd put it on this list for sure, it's a classic, however not sure if I'd ever listen to this again.

Old school!

love doo wop. so bouncy and dancy

omg like the beatles

It's like a time capsule. A little slice of Americana I liked a few songs off this Rockabilly classic. "Oh Boy", "Rock me my Baby", and of course, "That'll be the day" which will make the playlist. I mean none of those are on the levels of Pink Pony Club, but what is? ~ 3 stars

Oof. That's old.

Influential? Probably. Boring? Definitely.

I imagine this album helped shape the Rock & Roll genre. I thought it was okay. Most of the songs had a similar sound, and it didn't feel like there was a standout track. Favourite Track(s): Rack Me My Baby Least Favourite Track(s): Not Fade Away

I hear about how in the 50’s, people called Rock and Roll the devil’s music and associated it with violence, and then you listen to Buddy Holly and it’s the tamest stuff you’ll ever hear! Anyway, I’ve got nothing to say against this album. I’d certainly believe that this was the coolest thing around back in the 60’s. Favorite Track: Rock Me My Baby

What a interesting album I've never really listened to buddy holly but this was interesting seeing him as the leader of a band it was definitely an album from the 50s lol it wasn't Terrible!

Ok..but dated

The reviews for this album are laughable. On a list of albums you must listen to belongs Buddy Fucking Holly. If not for influencing the mind-numbing unoriginal artists that you insist must be on this list even though they sound like every other artist from the same time period, then he should be there for influencing the bands that influenced the bands that influenced the bands you insist should be on here. 5/5 just to balance out the ignorant shift.

I have to judge this by the specific time and place it was created in, and by that standard it’s a great album. By timeless standards, it’s still really good. It’s great to hear the songs again that influenced so many musicians who came later (many of whom did straight covers out of respect).

Critical stepping stone to the Beatles and others, but like a lot of pioneers from the 50s it’s now 70 years old. Very much of it’s time. Great song writing.

Fun album

Some of the real classics of rock. Not really my thing, but good regardless.

Веселая музыка. но настроение было ни к чёрту.

Legendary album from one of the earliest innovators of rock n roll. Buddy Holly was taken too soon and I wish we could have seen what he made later in his career.

I think you'd be hard pressed to find somebody who intentionally plays this album in this day and age. It's very much a product of its time and while I can see why people liked it in the 50's nearly 70 years later it just doesn't hit the same.

Dude really does have a great voice it’s a shame he lived in this “hoowee mama do ya like my pajamas” ass era of music

Nice

Like an old friend that you almost forgot about. You can hear the massive influence of elvis here. Buddy was moving away from pure country and into rock and roll. This album is full of classics. 4/5 for history alone. I’m not a lover of this era of two minute/3 chord staples. The Beatles show up soon and start to mix it up

I want to live in a world where the guy second from left can be on an album cover again.

De wijze hoe Buddy Holly en de krekels hun liedjes benaderen en indelen blijken uiteindelijk nog decennia na de dood van de leadzanger centraal te staan in de popmuziek. Dat merk je aan nummers als 'Oh Boy' en 'That'll Be The Day'. Ik kan dit zoetsappige tijdperk altijd wel goed hebben, maar het is pittig om deze albums langs een 'serieuze' meetlat te leggen, omdat het allesbehalve een echt serieuze indruk tracht achter te laten. En voor een heel album wordt het op een gegeven moment wel een beetje flauw. Maar tot en met één van de OG earworms uit de popwereld - 'That'll Be The Day' - is het gewoon een puike popplaat, en begrijp ik best wat met name de British Invasion bands in Buddy Holly zagen. 7/10 Highlights: Not Fade Away That'll Be The Day

Toch wel goud dit. Buddy Holly en de Krekels. Holly is natuurlijk een grootheid en pionier van de rock n roll. En That'll Be the Day is natuurlijk een classic en terecht hoog in de lijstje als beste nummer ooit gemaakt. Maar jeetje wat is dit braaf zeg! De teksten zijn super schattige liefdesliedjes. Eigenlijk zoals een puber over een eerste prille liefde. De tracks zijn snel en rechttoe rechtaan. Echt rock n roll. Dat is lekker. Maar ik ben blij dat Little Richard, Elvis en later the Beatles de rock n roll een beetje spice hebben gegeven. 6,5/10 Highlights Oh Boy That'll be the Day

it was ok

Classic album with a clean, beautiful sound. Some of the best songs of the early rockers. Easy to trace the influence on so many artists. Roots music for country swing, rockabilly and rock and roll.

Not bad. Crazy that this was rock and roll in the 50s.

Buddy Holly really was a guy with so much potential and was taken too soon. Early pop rock songs litter this album with it being a clear influence on later bands like the Beatles

Classic

ned so gfühlt, aber eif wege stil sach halt

Its fine. I feel like it deserves some benefit of the doubt for it being a 50s album.

This is my first time listening to all of these songs or this "album." I really love the guitar playing and Holly's voice. 3.25/5

It's not my thing but you get the sense of how historically important Buddy Holly's music is right away, it's simply the feeling that you've heard these melodies and these ways of singing before but in it's most primitive form. I can see where Buddy Holly's singing and brand of melodies were the inspiration for countless pop rock musicians after he died and it's just transparently obvious. It's not my kind of music but its enjoyable still

it's fine.

I think this album is fascinating. The stories of rock and roll and the history of the album almost seem incongruent with the music itself, as it seems so-- innocent?-- I don't know if that is even right. It was a fun listen. As a matter of fact, as soon as it was done, I put it on again.

Not bad, not my thing, but I wouldn’t switch it off.

The story of Buddy and how the studios screwed him even after his death is more interesting than most of this album. The hits are great and the rest is just lesser versions of the same thing. They have one trick and, while it was amazing and new at the time, it’s still just one trick. I do appreciate that, like the Ramones, each song is pretty much 1st verse chorus 2nd verse chorus 1st verse repeats chorus and out in around 2 minutes.

Very aged. Keep saying this about music but this genuinely is the oldest music i have reviewed so far. It still sounds nice but i appreciate a lot of songs from the same time more than this album. Its fine but low probability that i will listen to this again. 2,5/5

Very fine album, it's short and sweet and doesn't drag too long. The songs don't get too repetitive either, but for the time I'd rather listen to other artists. The sound also sounds quite dated unfortunately, though I'm sure this was amazing if you were there for it

Nice little album. Songs very short and whimsical. You can hear the 50s in the sound, but also hear some influences it would pass on to later music. Honestly, it didn't really hold me or seem very memorable, but it was fine for what it is. Overall: 2.5/5

Definitely has an old timey feel. I can't say I fell in love with this album like I have with some of the other oldies on the generator. But it wasn't bad and it was short/sweet.

Pretty chill and pleasant listen, nothing really special by modern sensibilities. 5/10

Good fun 50s do-wop.

12 tracks at 25 minutes. From the time when they speed run songs… still, it’s Buddy Holly though. And fun.

This was a delight. If I’m going to get rock albums from this list this is the kind I want.

favorite track: That'll be the day. Overal score: 6.2/10

Oo wee oo….. pretty strong 3 here, I do love this classic heart-on-sleeve type of stuff

Sounds like American Graffiti soundtrack

Buddy Holly i was not familiar with your game... this shit bangs

Normally with old albums i try to put myself in the mindset of the time of its release to try to contextualize it, and often that makes the listen more interesting. That didn't work for me with this. It's toothless. I'm sure it's a historically important album but i can't see myself ever listening to this again.

This would have been my jam if I’d been born in 1941, but it’s 2025, and I’ve heard it done better by many other people, so it’s just a bit boring.

One of those albums you never knew was THE ONLY ONE from a band and yet know every song.

An up tempo stroll through the beginning of rock & roll

Amazing record for its time. Its hard to review in the context of today because all of the songs have been played to death in so many ways.

Short but good.

Find a new beat my god 😭

It's classic but they still hadn't really figured out what an album is yet.

I know Buddy Holly is important but the music is just too dated for me. 3 stars or C.

Crickets sure do chirp but, when it came to Buddy Holly, here they rock and roll and get a little loud. In less than thirty minutes, he and they fly around the grooves and, with endless odes to romance, into the ears of anyone they come across, thus paving the way for the future of the genre and successive bands that they wouldn't be able to see mature and alter the shape of rock and roll to come. The Chirping Crickets may seem small in contrast to what came next, but that doesn't mean its impact wasn't significant. Favorites: Oh Boy!, Not Fade Away, Maybe Baby, It's Too Late, That'll Be the Day, I'm Looking for Someone to Love, An Empty Cup (And a Broken Date), Send Me Some Lovin', Rock Me My Baby.

Great album. Easy to see how he influenced so many people, and has had such an impact on Rock n Roll through the ages.

É meio triste toda vez que pego um clássico e não consigo ver graça. Mais uma vez voltei nesse disco e não achei grande coisa. Talvez seja a minha dificuldade com músicas desse período, mas acho tbm que é pq falta energia no Buddy Holly pro meu gosto.

Extremely basic and extremely outdated. It's not bad by any means, but music has evolved so much past this. Compared to the options we have right now, this is just underwhelming. But it's very short, so that's nice, I guess. 5/10

Super cheesy by modern standards. But for music of that era, not bad & the type of stuff I was actually looking forward to being on this list.

Average

Alors, accrochez vos ceintures (ou vos bretelles, on est en 57, merde !), parce qu'on ne parle pas juste d'un premier album, mais du seul et unique album studio que Buddy Holly a sorti de son vivant avec sa bande. Autant dire qu'on touche à du sacré, du fondateur, du genre de disque qui a mis un bon coup de pied au cul de la musique populaire de l'époque. Dès les premières notes, pas de doute, on est en plein cœur du réacteur rock'n'roll / rockabilly. Ça sent la contrebasse qui claque, la guitare qui twangue et la batterie qui martèle un rythme simple mais foutrement efficace. Les Crickets, c'est pas compliqué : ils prennent le blues, le rhythm and blues, un soupçon de country, ils secouent tout ça comme un cocktail Molotov musical et paf ! Ça donne ce son, à la fois familier parce qu'il puise dans les racines, mais carrément neuf pour les oreilles de l'époque. La structure des morceaux ? Oubliez les solos interminables de 15 minutes ou les concepts alambiqués. Ici, on va droit au but : couplet-refrain-couplet-petit solo-refrain, et emballé c'est pesé en moins de trois minutes. "That'll Be The Day", "Oh Boy!", "Not Fade Away"… Que des putains de classiques, des mélodies qui te rentrent dans le crâne pour ne plus jamais en sortir. C'est simple, direct, sans gras. Mais attention, simple ne veut pas dire simpliste car il y a une vraie science de la composition là-dessous, un sens inné du hook qui fait mouche à chaque fois. "The Chirping Crickets" est la pierre angulaire, le plan directeur de ce que va devenir le groupe de rock pour les décennies à venir. Regardez la formation : Buddy Holly (chant/guitare solo), Niki Sullivan (guitare rythmique), Joe B. Mauldin (contrebasse), Jerry Allison (batterie). Ça vous rappelle rien ? Mais si, bordel ! C'est la formule magique, le Saint Graal sur lequel vont se construire les Beatles, les Stones et 99% des groupes qui ont suivi. Quatre mecs, leurs instruments, leurs compos. Fini le chanteur de charme avec un orchestre derrière lui, là, c'est un groupe, une entité soudée qui crée sa propre musique. Rien que pour ça, cet album mériterait sa place au Panthéon. Côté paroles, on ne va pas se mentir, on n'est pas chez Baudelaire. Ça parle d'amour, de drague, de rendez-vous, de "est-ce qu'elle m'aime ?", de "pourquoi elle m'a quitté ?". Les thèmes éternels de l'adolescence, quoi. C'est naïf, parfois un peu cul-cul, mais ça colle parfaitement à l'énergie juvénile de la musique. Ça transpire l'honnêteté, l'urgence des premiers émois. On a tous eu 17 ans (même moi, si si !), et ces chansons tapent juste. L'impact de ce disque est tout simplement monstrueux, car au-delà du modèle du groupe, c'est le son, l'attitude, les techniques d'enregistrement, la voix si particulière de Holly avec ses hoquets… Tout a été disséqué, copié, digéré par des générations de musiciens. Les Stones ont repris "Not Fade Away", Dylan a cité Holly comme une influence majeure, Springsteen lui a rendu hommage… La liste est interminable. C'est une déflagration dont les ondes de choc se font encore sentir aujourd'hui. Quand je bossais au magasin de disques, cet album, on l'avait toujours en stock, un classique indéboulonnable, un passage obligé pour comprendre d'où vient tout ce bordel qu'on écoute. Bon, après tout ce panégyrique, vous vous demandez peut-être pourquoi je lui colle seulement un 2 sur 4, note somme toute "moyenne" pour un disque aussi important. Hé bien, soyons francs deux minutes. Aussi fondamental soit-il, "The Chirping Crickets" accuse sérieusement son âge à l'écoute aujourd'hui. Presque 70 piges au compteur, ça laisse des traces. Le son, même s'il a défini une époque, peut paraître aujourd'hui terriblement daté, un peu grêle, manquant de basses par rapport aux standards actuels car la production est d'époque, forcément. Les thèmes adolescents, aussi universels soient-ils, peuvent sembler un peu légers, voire répétitifs sur la longueur de l'album. C'est un peu comme regarder un vieux film en noir et blanc. Tu reconnais le chef-d'œuvre, tu admires la mise en scène, l'importance historique, mais tu ne peux pas t'empêcher de voir les rides, les conventions d'une autre époque. L'émotion brute est toujours là, l'énergie est palpable, mais l'emballage a vieilli. Comparé aux déflagrations soniques et aux explorations complexes de mes groupes fétiches, forcément, ça fait pâle figure sur le plan purement sonore et actuel. Mais ne vous méprenez pas : "The Chirping Crickets" est un disque essentiel. Historiquement, son importance est capitale, c'est une leçon de musique, la genèse de tant de choses qu'on aime. Il faut l'écouter pour comprendre le rock'n'roll et tout ce qui en a découlé. Buddy Holly était un putain de génie, parti bien trop tôt. Mais voilà, dans le cadre de ce carnet de bord "1001 Albums", où l'on juge aussi (et surtout ?) avec nos oreilles de 2025 et notre ressenti personnel, difficile de lui mettre plus. C'est un monument historique qu'on visite avec respect, admiration, mais sans forcément ressentir le frisson viscéral que procurent des œuvres plus récentes ou plus proches de notre sensibilité. C'est l'ancêtre respectable, celui qui a tout inventé, mais qui radote un peu sur les bords. Donc, un solide 3/5 pour le plan directeur du rock'n'roll. Indispensable pour la culture, un peu moins pour la rotation lourde sur la platine aujourd'hui.

wow like the weezer song. honestly not what i expected like wayyy less doo whoppy. good for what it is, but probably won’t listen again. favorite song: n/a

Holy ancient Imagine being older than The Beach Boys Pretty nice actually

Basic by modern standards but undeniably an important part of Rock & Roll's early development. A fun, short listen

I mean really important cool nice one but also hearing a lot of classic rock and getting a bit bored of that

Wikipedia says there is an alternative version without the slightly too sweet Jordanaire style backing vocals. I would love to hear that but couldn't find it anywhere.

A piece of rock and roll history that I'm glad I listened to, but also glad it's over. It's clear the influence the Buddy Holly had, and who knows how much more he could have accomplished if he didn't die at 22. That being said, this album was booooring. 1950s rock just doesn't do it for me.

I took some time to digest this album. It's your typical 50's diner jukebox music that is cool to listen to as a time capsule. I enjoyed my time with it, and I wouldn't "kick it out of bed for eating crackers" if I had to listen to it again.

classic

One of my many great shames as a Texan, is that I can only name two Buddy Holly songs, and both of them happen to be on this album. I listened to a fair amount of oldies when I was growing up in the late eighties and early nineties, but I don't really remember hearing much of Buddy's music. I'm looking forward to fixing that blindspot today! Well, maybe calling my unfamiliarity with Buddy Holly a 'great shame' was a bit of an overreaction. I understand the cultural and historical significance of this album, but listening to it has been one of the weakest lessons I've ever received in music history. There were only three songs that I thought were noteworthy: "Not Fade Away," "That'll Be The Day," and "Rock Me My Baby." Buddy Holly and his band were at their best and most unique on those songs. Buddy Holly's singing on those songs brought a '50's rock and roll touch to his Texas timbre, and the guitar playing was really solid on those songs as well. The rest of the album felt like typical late '50's fare: sappy guitar songs that felt closer to the pop music of the time, and not really in the same ballpark as rock and roll music. One more upside of this album was that it was short, which I really appreciated since this album fell on the boring side of things for me. It's nice to check this album off the list, but it's definitely not something I'd go back to.

Woh woh woh minute Mr McLean; t’es en train d’me dire que LA MUSIQUE au grand complet est morte la journée que ce gars-là est mort? Sans vouloir offenser personne, j’trouve que la musique se porte pas mal mieux sans lui dans les jambes

Oh Boy! Tell Me How you don’t like this album.

As far as oldies go, it doesn’t get much better. Reminds me of my time slanging ice cream cones at the old Scoop Shop.

Sounds a little dated and a little cheesy, but shit it's rock 'n roll from the 50s. 3.5 stars...rounding up for the history/influence.

A classic album. All of the songs tend to sound the same...but they were catchy.

This is ok, I can imagine this was groundbreaking.

Als Weezer een nummer over je maakt, dan weet je dat je best een goede artiest bent (al heeft hij dat nooit geweten). Wijze sound, wijs album 4.1

Classic and great album

I'm going to give this a 3 out of respect for Buddy Holly and his importance to music but I didn't enjoy this one. The bubblegum lyrical content and the doo woop harmonies were just too much. There is some cool guitar work on here, but nothing I want to revisit.

I loved this album. Always really dug the 50s pop rock and this is the best of it.

Not my kinda songs. I enjoyed some of the guitar playing. After the album finished Little Richard started playing and that got me excited haha. (27 known/58 new)

I think even without historical context this album holds up. It's 14 songs with an average length of 2 minutes per song so it goes by like a punk record except for couple slow songs. Billy Holly's vocals hold up and are still interesting and pleasing to listen to. I listened to this album 3 times and I enjoyed it way more than I thought I would.

Rock'n'Roll, but well done. Better than expected.

All but impossible to rate this album less than ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ without coming off like a total idiot but here goes nothing. Why less than a perfect score for this great album? In short there are better ways to be introduced to Buddy Holly's music in 2025. The best way is to buy or stream a copy of 20 Golden Greats (also known as Buddy Holly Lives) that came out 20 years after his untimely death in 1958. It was my introduction to Buddy Holly as a child (I was 8 or 9- I think) and it has his absolute best work & really the only Buddy Holly album you will ever need unless he becomes your favorite recording artist (and there are many that consider him to be the best that ever was in Rock N Roll) then get your hands on 'The "Chirping" Crickets and his three studio albums - it's all great stuff. Anyways, if I was rating this before 1978 this album would get 5/5 but Buddy Holly is too important to BS around with and IMO suggesting you get this album over 20 Golden Greats is some elitist crap as I'm not pointing to his greatest work contained on one album. Now I know Rockers whose interest in Rock N Roll ends with Holly's death (certainly by the end of the decade) in which case get this one (Chirping Crickets) first but anyone reading this that is in the Rockabilly scene knows this so maybe I should get to the point & hit COMMENT. That was not easy & I had to force the words out of my head but the above are my honest thoughts just not expressed as well as I wish I could.

Sounds like rock music from the 1960s. Kinda catchy.

Buddy Holly is so good

Yeah I can see why he was such a big deal.

Honestly I had higher expectations for Buddy.

Not into the doo wop type beat. 2/5 for me.

Classic, rock and roll.. with glasses. Buddy Holly and the Crickets have influenced pretty much any band that came after them. One of the 1st example of four guys playing their own songs. Buddy looking super nerdy, and indie and alternative.. even starting punk rock with his energy and angst in songs like "Oh Boy". This album with distortion and protest lyrics, could be The Clash. The Beatles, got inspiration for a name, The Beach Boys for the harmonies, Weezer for their single and record cover, Elvis Costello for the nerdy look, and any other 4 member-group in one way or another. A Fender and a Gibson on the cover, it's a declaration of principles which still in 2025 is the norm in rock. Actually the Fender Stratocaster in the cover was 1st released just 3 years before this record. All done before turning 22 years old. RIP Buddy !! gone too soon

= the Beatles

Oh! I love Buddy Holly. It's a shame that he passed away so young and that we didn't get a shit ton more music from him. I really enjoyed this album, I listened while I was doing other things. Buddy Holly and the Crickets were masters at what was a new genre, rock and roll. I have a deep and everlasting love of "Oh Boy," "Don't Fade Away," "That Will Be the Day," and "Send Me Some Lovin'." The rhythm guitar on this record I think was the highlight for me, other than the songs that I love.

Funny. Barbershop quartet and RnR?

Such great fun youthful energy. The spirit of early rock and roll. A little bit rockabilly, a little bit doo-wop . The slower songs are not my favorites, but I do think to be fair the context of how new rock was needs to be taken into account. What a gorgeous voice! Sad we didn’t have this talent with us longer.

Somehow haven't heard a full Buddy Holly album before (though I do know some big hits). It's a really sweet and charming album 3/5

It comes in hot with Oh Boy! and Not Fade Away. I like that songs are short and structured. After That'll Be the Day there's not a lot of interesting songs and and it all kind of sounds the same. I have Buddy Holly greatest hits so I don't think I need to buy this. Maybe I'd get the Oh Boy! 45.

First time was a banger, got a bit samey

Solid album, but it's definitely from my dad's generation. I wouldn't put it on repeate, but it's a 4/5.

Bra grejer!

Quite fun! Not perfect because I think this album shined on its hits for me and had some filler. Definitely better than Elvis tho, this was more exciting 50s.

7.4

So many memories started ok

1 stern

The effect of this on everything that would come later cannot be overstated, but listening to it so long after takes a lot of the bloom off of the rose. The real thorn for me is the Mickey Mouse gee whiz backing vocals. At the timez, it was certainly a perfect bridge to what rock and roll was becoming, but it's honestly just annoying now.

Lovely! Sweet and oldie goldie.

Am I the only person, probably because I'm insane, who can't hear this music outside of the context of black people getting harassed in the background? No matter how fun this music might sound, I can't not picture that. Anyways, these are some solid tunes.

Classic early rock and roll sound. Still holds up to this day. You can tell why they where as popular as they where

Buddy Holly's music is fantastic. It will always be fantastic. One of the great things about music is it's ability to transport you back to when you first heard it. This album started and I was instantly a pre teen camping with my grandparents. One of my uncle's had a box of tapes with this and a bunch of other 70's rock type things. Sleeping under pine trees and cooking pancakes, bacon and eggs over an open fire is tough to beat. Anyways, Buddy Holly is pure magic.

# Album Name: Chirping Crickets # Artist: Buddy Holly # Rating: 4 # Comments: Pretty good rock n roll album. It does dwindle in areas but theres a few good tracks on this one. Some of the album has definitely dated for sure. I'd give it a low 4. # Top Tunes: Oh boy / fade away / maybe baby / that'll be the day # Would I listen to it again? Parts of it

This was pretty good. Short and sounded like it was recorded on a tin can, but overall no complaints.

A classic. Although not much of a fan of the 50s rock & roll one cannot deny their meaning to the evolution of modern pop and rock music. Also a couple of nice well known songs on the album.

Cool for its time. You can hear how influential it was on the rock music that followed, but it always bears mentioning how much Black musicians influenced Buddy Holly.

Shitty and boring old jukebox whiny "romance" music.

This was a really fun listen, capturing the spirit of early rock and roll with some rockabilly twang. It’s cool to know this album helped shape the sound of rock and roll during its formative years.

I knew some of these songs but never thought to give a full listen.. I preferred the rockabilly tracks more than the sappy lovesick ballads, but as a selection from the 50s that was kinda the style. A shame that the world lost Buddy Holly at such a young age, would have been interesting to see how his music adapted with changing styles! 3.75/5

The words 'Rock n Roll' feel synonymous to me with grimy, dirty, rough-around-the-edges counter culture music. So it's always a bit disappointing to be reminded that original Rock'n'Roll is basically 50s/60s ballads about a-kissin and a-missin and girls and cadillacs and fairly predictable 12-bar blues numbers. Of course, these are fairly predictable now because people like Buddy Holly made them famous so hundreds and thousands of people copied them over the following 75 years. It's all very pleasant and obviously I recognise that without this there may have been no Beatles or Led Zeppelin etc etc but it's not the kind of album I'm going to seek out for repeat plays all that much.

[4/10] To think this used to pass as the devil’s music

Ok

Very old, but only moderately outdated. Short enough not to be boring. 3 stars because probably influential in some way.

Está música de antaño, es muy apreciada y en este caso valorada muy positivamente. Al ser álbum único, poco se puede cortar

Imprescindible.

Sure

Boooring

Not for me. 1/5

I was like how do I know a bunch of these songs the answer is my rockabilly ass ex.

A true classic album. Great song writing, harmonies, musicianship, along with quality production for its time. These guys weren’t the first to make this type of music, but without them the music that followed may not have been it was.

Some stone cold classics, some snoozes but pretty good overall. Favorites: Maybe Baby, That'll Be the Day, I'm Looking For Someone to Love, Rock Me My Baby Would I listen to it again: Yes

Nowadays mainly cheesy

It may seem like a musical artifact to modern ears, but you wouldn't have modern pop/rock sensibilities without Buddy Holly and the enormous influence Buddy Holly and his Crickets had on The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, and so many other acts that have had an influence on any vocal popular music. It would have been quite interesting to see his evolution as an artist had he lived to die of old age instead of a plane crash. Something tells me he would have turned into a studio/equipment nerd like Les Paul.

JIngly-Jangly Rockabilly done just as expected.

The hits are all-timers, and I can sing along in my sleep to those, while the rest of the album felt less essential.

i dunno man, i do like it. my main issue with Buddy Holly and/or The Crickets is how normal and laid back he seems compared to what Elvis was doing in the late 50's. was that part of his lasting appeal? his approachability? his dork glasses? his songs containing much the same as his contemporaries but with a friendlier voice and homelier harmonies behind him? it's perfectly fine for what it is, but for rockabilly, it doesn't make me feel like i wanna rock. sometimes i wonder if the love people hold for Holly, Valens, and the Big Bopper is reinforced through their death on that plane. not to say that none of these men have no memorability, but if in some morbid way, "The Day the Music Died" was the day that rock and roll got actual lore. blood is what builds the mythos. Robert Johnson sold his soul at the Crossroads, then was poisoned by an angry husband. Sam Cooke was shot in the chest by Bertha Franklin under dubious circumstances. and one cold February night in Iowa, four men went down in a Beechcraft Bonanza in snow and died instantly. that's how tragedy starts art, as ghoulish as it is. you rally around graves.

A perfect record. The Melodies aged so well and it still sounds good. Everyone should listen to it!

wasn't in the mood for this kind of album at the time but I can appreciate it

Correcto

Hard to be objective about something that has become part of the social background. That said, it became part of the background because it has been continuously judged to be worth listening to.

First listen.

6/10. Yeah I mean it's old. It was pleasant. I didn't think it remarkable at all but enjoyed it whilst it lasted. Also the shortest one I've had so far I thought that was worth noting.

This album is an interesting blend between (what I imagine was) a new sounding rock-n-roll vs. an older style of 50s love-ballad esque songs. The more upbeat stuff was great and I can see why this album was included on the list. Oh Boy!, Not Fade Away, and That'll Be the Day were all highlights. 6.75/10 (3.375/5)

3333333333333333

Waiting for an album I have not heard.

Every song sounds the same but what do you expect from the 50s, at least it wasn’t jazz

Lost too soon. I enjoy 50's rock in limited doses and this is one of the better albums.

Not bad. I wouldn't mind if it was on but I wouldn't seek it out.

Leif seemed to enjoy it as well

Absolutely loved this. I have fond memories of Buddy Holly anyway as my Mum had Maybe Baby 7” which she’d stolen from her brother which I now have!! A joyous upbeat album with a sprinkling of heartbreakers. Perfect.

As much as I say I don’t like old rock and roll this is a good album with catchy songs

Great sound pretty different in context when it came out. Good guitar playing and harmonies. Short amd simple lyrics well sang with good backing harmonies. Just outdated with time

Tough one - not my cup of tea. I may understand the impact though.

Short album but quite good. rip Buddy Holly

It'd be interesting to know what the staying power of Buddy Holly would have been had he not died. He was off to such a strong start, but - at the same time - this album sounds a bit like they're trying to impersonate Elvis. Granted, they started so close together that it's probably hard to say that either one was ripping the other off. Still, this is a classic album.

a dozen short songs that have held the test of time

Simply a slice of pure joy.

Good stuff! Hard not to enjoy this.

Solid old rock and roll

no

So many absolute classics here. Buddy Holly was so unique for his time and his lasting legacy on music during and after the 50s cannot be understated. I didn't come to this site for Rock & Roll from the 50s, but I am glad I heard this album again after 30 or so years. Timeless.

My grandfather hated buddy holly, I don’t know why. Anyway the hits are ok everything else feels like filler

It’s just hard to rate because it’s so old. I’m sure at the time it would’ve been a 5, but time knocks it down

The best thing about this is the guitars on the cover.

Never been too big on this style of music but it’s solid nonetheless

Wouldn't have learned it without this album generating, but kinda crazy he's responsible for the basic set up for a band (two guitars, bass, and drums). With everything going on kinda spooky we got a singer plane crash victim. A fun album, but there's plenty of music I'd rather listen to. Shoutout Buddy though. We wouldn't have gotten so many cool whites without him. Rating: 7/10 Favorite Song: That'll be the day

5/10 Like I get this was important at the time. But it’s just the gentrification of blues and rockabilly without the appeal of other artists. Buddy Holly has always kinda been my least fav of this era and this record feels kinda empty because of that. The Dead did pick a couple covers from this one that were staples but they actually added the blues and some soul to them in a way not seen here. Favorite Song: Not Fade Away

60s weak shit. Couple of songs that play later when bands who are good can handle the lyrics

Didnt know that not fade away was a Buddy Holly song

Buddy holly holds up

Oh god, here we go. Kinda wild this is almost 75 years old. No thoughts. Seems fine.

A bit slight still but has everything going for it that the Everly Brothers lacked, a bit of country twang, a bit of rock n roll. Hard to believe that Everly Brothers album was closer chronologically to rock than this. The backing vocals are good & would be great if the main thing had more drive. I haven't listened to enough Buddy Holly to guess whether the songs falling a bit flat is an aesthetic or showing the pressure/limitations of trying to make rock n roll recordings in 1957. music: appreciated. (⌐■_■)

This will surely not be an original review here but: I can understand the importance of Buddy Holly, and can hear how much stems from what he was up to… but now, 70 years or whatever on, it’s a bit of a slog. Sounds kind of like a parody of old time rock despite being one of THE actual old time rock acts. My true listening experience is probably about 2.25⭐️ but I’m gonna do a generous round up entirely because it was wild to hear the Diddley Beat on track 2, just a couple of years after Diddley himself started recording. Talk about influence!

So many classics, such sparse instruments

As expected (psychobilly but more boring)

Cute, fun, and vibrant. Would listen again.

I liked this, I knew most of the songs, and they definitely got stuck in my head afterwards. I would listen again

Another one that reminds me of my aged care job, these are ‘golden oldies’ and I respect that, even if I don’t find them particularly riveting. Simple but sweet subject matter (love) set to simple but sweet melodies (two or three chords). Also, silly thing to say perhaps but I like that a lot of these older albums are under half an hour. I’m a big advocate for the 90-minute movie and now I’m gonna do the same for the 30-minute album. This is not one I’ll revisit though.

The whingy lyrics? Negative 1 star. The boppy vibes? 5 stars. So landing on a solid 3.5 stars for me.

Very easy to listen to. It would probably be best listened to in the summer time. A good few catchy songs. Stand out song - That'll be the day

Never listed to this album before, but it looks like I know most of the songs. I enjoy this album. I think I miss when records sounded like this. And I don’t mean song writing. I mean sonically. There was a sound to these recordings. It’s been lost.

I have nothing to say.

A very good album. I’d listen to this multiple times

Definitely hear how they influenced the Beatles and beach boys. I understand why they’re important but wouldn’t listen for enjoyment. Very short album, short songs.

Not for me. This 50s/60s style, harmonic, syrupy rock n roll just isn't my style. Appreciate it for what it is but not my jam.

Enjoyed this, particularly Not Fade Away which I knew from the Stones version but never knew was a cover. Favourite tracks: Not Fade Away & That'll Be the Day Worth a relisten. 3/5

No high expectations here but it was not bad to listen. Really hard to find a mood where I'd like to play this music. 2.5

3 - not my thing. Some songs are good, jolly listens though.

Good vibes music

Classic 50s bubble gum pop.

The Good: Chirping crickets… the soothing sounds of a mid-summer-night The Bad: who’d wanna listen to an album sung by insects? The Ugly: 12 songs crammed into a 26 minute album… Guess the producers understood that one doesn’t want to. listen to chirping crickets too long, so they made all the songs nice and short… I know that Buddy Holly is revered in the Rock ’n Roll world of the ‘50s, but I can’t but wonder if this is out of respect for his untimely death? If the man never hopped on that flight, and would have kept chirping with the crickets, would we all still be applauding him? For me, and I really like me some rock and roll, I would rather listen to Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, or the great Fats Domino, instead of this… On a positive note, I’ve been humming the Weezer song all day! Ooh-wee-ooh, I look just like Buddy Holly… 2*

Weezer

Fun album from a classic era. Really like the sound and vibe of this one

Im not that big of this album. Not a fan of the instrumental going on but it still has a nice groove.

I rate Not fade away a 2 star because the aototune is bad and i don't like country music. I rate that will be the day a 4 star because i've listend to this song before and i liked it. I rate oh boy a 3 star because the tempo is good and i dont really like country .

Song:Not fade away i like this song but there is not enough lyrics it is really great Song: That will be the day I like this song because it gives me happy feelings like summer being at the beach but of course its winter Song:oh boy ! i like this song because same again it just gives me summer feelings and when they say oh boy it reminds me of trains because it sounds like the horn for my opinion

This album was okay because the beat was catchy. I do not enjoy this style of music.

I don't like this song because the beat is not good.

I like this song because iv heard it before, it's cool. I like the sound of their voice and the instruments in the background. I like the vocals in the background too and the lyrics are nice. I think the lyrics are cute and very my style. I would recommend this to other people.

Do you want to listen to a song that has a lot of guitar? well in Not Fade Away you can! I rate it ⭐⭐⭐⭐. I recommend this song. Do you want to listen to some music with a bit more singing then usual? Well in That Will Be The Day you can! I rate this song ⭐⭐⭐⭐. I recommend this song. Do you want to listen to some music that has a lot of drums? Well in Oh Boy! you can! I rate it ⭐⭐⭐. I kind of recommend it.

I dont like this song because i dont like the beat and it boring for me i do not recommend this songs .

do you want to listen to music? then listen to this. I don't like this album because I don't really like how the instrument sound and the lyrics are weird. i would not recommend this song to someone else because it sounds really bad and I dont like at all. I would give this album a solid 1 stars.

0 i dont like the lyrics and it sounds too country. 0 i dont like the lyrics and i just dont like it 0 i hate it it sound country and i dont like country

the first song was buns I don like it the second song started off uhm weird don got much to say the last song is so bad bro like its buns like its so bad I don't like it at all

I dont like this album because its not my style I also dont like it cause its borning I wont recommend it because its kinda lame

The people on the cover look scary. I thought "Not fade away" was nice. The instrumentation was simple yet sounded good. I didn't care too much about the lyrics. "That'll Be The Day" was good, I liked the music and the lyrics were okay. "Oh Boy!" was great. The music was much more upbeat and fun. I might recommend this album. It's pretty good.

I'm not really sure about the first song I don't really like how he changes the tone of his voice while singing. the second song is okay I don't really know how to explain it but I don't like the style of music. the last song I don't really like because it kinda hard to understand the lyrics. overall I wouldn't really recommend it

Why does the album cover look scary? Overall, I thought this album was not bad. "Not Fade Away" was okay. I liked the backround music and rythm but it's nothing special. "That'll Be The Day" was also okay. I thought the song was just normals. It wasn' t bad but it wasn' t good. "Oh Boy!" was the best I, liked it. It was a lot more upbeat and exiting Overall I thought this album was noting special but not bad. I would rate it 3.5 stars and I would reccomend it to anyone who likes this style of music.

I don't like the idea of music being deemed obsolete, but if there was ever an example this may be it. I like Buddy, but this sounds too simplistic to me (70 years later).

Pretty good for what it is. A few songs I'd heard before but didn't know where they came from. Don't have a ton of buddy holly thoughts

Really great to dig deep in rock and roll history. I loved what I heard. I was able to connect some dots between rolling stones and even grateful dead covers of Holly. I didnt realize what a tragedy it was with Holly dying so young. This dude was a powerhouse. His wiki was incredibly eye opening.

Some fun elements in here. He had a lot of personality in his vocals - charisma really comes through. Style is pretty one-note so the album doesn’t really hold my attention, but good to listen to understand why he was so popular

Foundational but Elvis did it with more gusto before him. Did not know Not Fade Away was written by Buddy.

Short, and it has some good songs, but overall really boring.

I’d like to think that even in 1957 I would have found this corny as hell

I mean, pretty much exactly what I expected

We have to trick the moms into letting the kids bop with us

Great and short album. Especially if you consider how old it is and how many following artists it must have influenced.

OK definitely not my favorite style of music. It all sounds the same. But! Buddy Holly was a really good guitarist. I enjoyed the main single from this, "That'll Be The Day" and "Oh, Boy!" was good too, but the rest sounds fairly vanilla and boring. I appreciate the music for the time. Is it an album you must hear before you die? Sure, but it wouldn't be awful if you didn't. 2/5

It's exactly what you'd think music from the 1950's would sound like. Buddy Holly does have a very nice voice, I must admit. Of course this was probably influential in the development of rock and roll, but it's nothing more than a historical artifact. An album from a very specific point in time. A comforting sound from a time gone by, but nothing more unless you're a diehard fan of this type of music. The songs are fun to hear once in a while and I'm sure it was better 70 years ago, but there's much more exciting music out now. Thankfully it was under half an hour.

So fun! Packed with classics. The sound, while simple, is just irresistible.

Simple and easy

I was led to believe by Michael J Fox that Buddy Holly riipppeeeeddd. He certainly does not on Chriping Crickets. As usual anything pre-Beatles may as well be from another planet. The background vocals on here are laughably dated. But respect to some of the creators of rock and roll… looking forward to hearing prove of that 4.1/10

A historically important moment for the music industry. 2 guitars, multitracking were innovative for the time. The fat double bass and the loose snare drum made “rock and roll” a sound. All the songs are short and catchy for optimal radio play. Buddy Holly had a unique sound and a big personality. This is the model the music industry mimicked for decades.

White rock n roll in its rawest form. And damn fine it is too.

That'll be the day is a bop

A lot of hits on this album but too reminiscent of my parents

This album was a blast.

Rock an roll da década de 50. Lembra muito os beatles no início.

Mercifully this was a very short record. I get it, this is part of the origin and development of rock & roll. But I'm not amused how inoffensive and repressively euphemistic the act was. Thanks Elvis for moving things along.

They really don’t make music like this anymore

This is…precious? Cute? It sounds like a time gone by. Which it is, of course. It just harkens to a diner or sock hop with the 50s rock/bluesy guitar. It's overall fine and a quick listen.

es un comfort disc muy lindo

Fun. Some great songs and good melodies.

Dated sounding but great song writing and enjoyable. The opening track sets the mood and is a great, catchy starter. Probably would only listen again when I’m on the mood to re live the 50s

I have several Buddy Holly albums, but not this one! Excellent.

Classic rock and roll, some amazing songs on there too

Not for me, but it is interesting to hear music that people used to consider popular.

Obviously one of those classic records from one of the pioneer of rock n roll. Just fine to listen to. Short and sweet.

Really great early rock and roll. Easy to see why he was so popular, and why his early death was so tragic.

Exactamente lo que pensé que era. Rock genérico de la época. Zzz zzz Nota: 1.9

If you like classic “rock n roll” then this album is definitely for you. I grew up listening to Elvis Presley a lot as a kid so this type of music is super nostalgic. I wasn’t blown away by the album necessarily but I saved a few songs off the album. Overall a good rock n roll album with a few hits.

I’m not the hugest fan of 50s rock, but Buddy Holly falls under the better group of this genre.

Pretty lovely. Buddy Holly’s voice is very boyish and somehow holds up seventy years later. Had only ever listened to That’ll Be The Day but there are better tracks on here. Standout tracks are: “Maybe Baby” and “Last Night”.

Really enjoyed the somgs that Buddy was the writer or Norman Petty and not so much on the songs written by Roy Orbison and the others. It would have been interesting to hear how he would have evolved had he lived a longer life. Didn’t realize Buddy wrote “Not Fade Away”

I really enjoyed this. Everyone has heard the hits, but the rest of the album is very good as well. The impetus of rock and roll, personified.

I enjoy the sound of the 50s early rock and roll and you don’t get much better than Buddy Holly for that. You can hear the early building blocks of rock and roll which spreads to music of today.

This was a quick listen and I actually really enjoyed it despite my initial pre-judgement. There's some really cool sounds and little nuggets that stray away from being boring / predictable. You can tell how influential he was for future rock & roll. Some songs I wouldn't intentionally listen to again, but there are a few I would.

Way before my time and I guess I have to thank Hollywood, because listening to this makes me think of people dancing and having a good time.

Maybe baby I actually liked this album...

Obviously it's dated, but the songs are still really great. Factor in how influential it was to the music I love and I have to go with a strong 4.

The best thing about this album is that it made me appreciate how far music has come since.

Kinda enjoyed this as far as old school rock & roll goes

Good old school 50's rock and roll! A musical career cut far too short.

Classic. 5

Surprised by how many of these I knew. Classic stuff that I'm glad I've listened to, but not something I'd revisit.

Oh hell yeah, this was fun! Short and sharp. It’s been ages since I went back to the beginnings of (the white knock-off version of) rock and roll. Buoyant and classic hops! The Crickets sound QUITE old-fashioned, but charmingly so. Always worth a revisit.

Not Fade Away is one of my favorites. The influence of Buddy Holly is huge. Not an album I want to flip on regularly but it’s clearly important to Rock and Roll

nice

«Chirping Crickets» — пластинка, не просто давшая начало рок-н-роллу, а сформировавшая его ДНК. Включаешь этот альбом — и словно откидываешься на спинку сиденья огромного «Кадиллака», катящего по солнечным улицам Америки 50-х. Вокруг — мужчины в идеально выглаженных костюмах, женщины в красивых платьях, а в воздухе — запах бензина, свободы и надежды. Каждая песня здесь, как срез эпохи. «That’ll Be the Day» — выстрел стартового пистолета, задавший тон всему поколению. А «Not Fade Away» — пульс, который с каждым ударом напоминает, что рок-н-ролл — это не просто музыка, а новая эра. В мелодиях Холли чувствуется наивная романтика, но за ней — тихая решимость человека, будто предчувствующего свою короткую дорогу. Бадди Холли и его Crickets — это фундамент, на котором спустя годы вырастут The Beatles и весь британский рок. Их звук — как чистый воздух после дождя: свежий, искренний, лишённый пафоса. Это музыка людей, которые ещё не знали, что они станут легендами. Ирония в том, что именно здесь — в этой юношеской простоте — и кроется их величие.

Great album! Really delightful

7/10, buen album, entiendo pq la gente le excitava tanto en su momento, tiene canciones divertidas

I'd feel like a fool for not rating this a full 5 stars.

Influential. Classic. That’ll be the day, not fade away, oh boy. 4.3/5

The lyrics are pretty dumb and the songs a bit repetitive, but they basically invented the boyband so you've gotta respect the hustle at least a bit.

Still a magnificent album after almost 70 years. Yes it's very of the time, but also quite forward for 1957. But what really cooks is the set of songs on here, "Oh, Boy!", "Not Fade Away", "Maybe Baby", "Tell Me How", and "That'll Be The Day" still simmer and shine in a 50s rock and roll vibe. Though I've only had this particular album a few years, I've had The Buddy Holly Collection compilation all my life starting with my dad's cassette copy. His music is timeless to me, an something I never get tired of. As far as this album side one absolutely cooks for me, but after "That'll Be The Day" it does seems to trail off. Holly didn't write any of the final four songs. (though "Empty Cup" was written by Roy Orbison, as well as "You've Got Love" on side one) 9.5 ★★★★½

Some great songs, a good album for its time, but the backing vocals annoy me a bit

I think this is a super strong album, especially for the 1950s, when most artists were really singles focused. My chief complaint about it (also a complaint from the band) is the overly intrusive backing vocals from the Picks. I understand that was somewhat of a style at the time, but it's just overwhelming on about half the songs. Apparently, there's a reissue from a couple of years ago called the Alternative Chirping Crickets which scraps them. Still, there's some great songs here -- Not Fade Away, Oh Boy, That'll Be the Day, Maybe Baby, Looking for Someone to Love are all standouts. 4 stars.

Crusty debut from Buddy Holly and his Crickets. It contains some truly great tracks such as That’ll Be That The Day and Not Fade Away that are true mainstays for all rock n roll time but most of the other songs are not that great and tend to be slathered with super old fashioned and unnecessary Bing Crosby barbershop backing vocals that act as a dead weight to these songs that were already kinda dull and sleepy to begin with. Worth checking out for the famous hits and then applying bug spray to the rest.

Iconic. Foundationof everything. Unfortunately a little dated

Oldie music very nice. That’ll be the day rocks.

Fantastic, not an album I had heard before and still surprisingly fresh in 2025.

3.8/5

Def makes me wanna hit the sock hop and boogie.

All time classic album. You can hear where so many have taken influence from it.

Honestly, the worst thing about this album is that the cover looks like the Mt Rushmore of pallid dorks. The music is fucking awesome, and Buddy Holly was a big swinging dick despite looking like he got kicked out of the chess club for being uncool. It's just wall to wall bangers, and the real tragedy is that Buddy Holly wasn't able to record this stuff just a bit later after production standards had increase. The album has strong country roots, but it doesn't feel like a country album, it feels completely fresh relative to almost everything I've heard from this time 5/5

Short but sweet. 12 songs in 26 minutes. They don't make them like that anymore

Îch finde es schwierig solche Alben fair zu bewerten. So ein Album ist wie eine römische Fibel, die ein Archäologe ausgräbt. Der Fachmann ist begeistert, ein Meilenstein auf dem Weg zur Entwicklung von Knopf und Reißverschluss! Der Laie schaut darauf, zuckt mit den Schultern und denkt WTF, ja ist alt aber ich mache mein Hemd lieber mit Knöpfen zu.

Av tacksamhet för deras historiska betydelse och för fantastiska sång insatser: en fyra.

Given he died at 23 the output of Buddy holly is remarkable. I suspect he would have been one of the few who’d have grown into the sixties had he lived. These songs are quite remarkable. Really the restriction on greatest hits is ridiculous. You’d get all of buddy's great songs. This album is great. But given that’s it from Buddy it’s missing a few and he only really did this album. 5 stars. But should be more.

Well, you can hear why this was so important to early fans of rock and roll. Buddy Holly really does set the template for the genre as it develops; the Fender Strat, nerdy guys playing rock, the use falsetto and verbal ticks (including a surprising amount of growl in his vocals), the tragic early death, and the deluge of posthumous cash-in releases. This is the one Crickets album released in his lifetime (in a time when singles were far more important), and it contains a few absolute classics, but not all of the must-hear Buddy Holly tracks (curse Dimery and his allergy to greatest hits compilations). There is some filler too, but with 12 songs in 25 minutes, it whips along at a cracking pace and doesn't allow time for boredom. I'm all for albums that don't overstay their welcome. Buddy Holly has become so stylized in his rock martyrdom that he is more often remembered as a symbol (like the Weezer song or Don Maclean's American Pie or his 'cameo' on The Young Ones: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0nK6dlbfmU ) but actually listening to the album reveals songs that are energetic and well crafted, enthusiastically and muscularly performed and really compelling. You can dance to it. No wonder the Beatles et al. were all influenced by him. What would Buddy have accomplished in the long term? Hard to say. But his records are well worth listening to. But I would still recommend a greatest hits compilation over this album.

It may be influential and important but that doesn't make it good. 1.8