Elvis Is Back

Elvis being back to me reads like a threat. One of the main things this list has taught me is that I really do not like Elvis Presley, his music is just him pilfering from more interesting artists and smoothing off all the rough edges, leaving a boring imitation. This is apparently the last album of Elvis that I have to subject myself to for this list, thank god. Anyway, this album in particular is better than the other two on the list. It's still a below average snooze fest that I have no interest in listening to again, but that is an improvement. Good job Elvis.

I’m at a 5. I’m very easily charmed, what can I say? It’s just some good rock & roll with a blues lean. Elvis sounds fantastic here, and his delivery is remarkable for a guy who just came back from the Army. The Jordanaires fill out the lower half of the soundscape nicely with the harmonies, the band behind him can really play (including Boots Randolph who kills on sax), and with everyone so locked in, there’s just the confidence of a hit record here. Yes, the lyricism is rather straightforward & a lot of it is about the ladies. That’s just how everyone was writing in the late ‘50s. Elvis & friends just make them feel important, and the variety of matured soundscapes on this album is a welcome change of pace from his ‘50s work. Being in stereo helps a lot. I don’t think there’s too much more I can add; it’s a well-paced album, it doesn’t shy away from alluding to his Army service (namely on “I Will Be Home Again” & “Soldier Boy”), and when everything carries a lift in his vocals & the band to push the song up, it hits practically every time. It’s easy to see why this dude was the biggest star in the world at one point. I get that it’s a bit cheesy, and there is a light air of overemphasis in the ballads, but with headphones in, it just worked for me. I think it’s a really nice listen & a good pick for the list. Hence, a 5.

I have no doubt that if I had been between 13 and 22 in 1960, I would love and cherish this album.

Ich habe das Album anscheinend schon gehört bevor es mir vorgeschlagen wurde und mochte es, ich habe ein paar Lieder gespeichert

It’s ok. The cheesiness that would engulf his later work is starting to form here.

Can not say any bad about it - not my cup of tea, that is all.

It's alright for a couple of songs

That cover of "Fever" is worth the price of admission. 5 keepers in 12 (42%) 1 banger (8%) 50

Una absoluta joya. Suena mil veces mejor que muchos discos actuales.

He was never my king.....not even a prince.

how can elvis be back if he never left us? (i assume this is the army/movies stuff) have to assume this was a hecking reminder that elvis can sing not all these songs have aged well tho :/

Really enjoyed this. None of his cheesy over played stuff. Good innocent 60s rock and roll. Don’t think I recognised a single track other than the cover of Fever

Fairly enjoyed this. Didn't have much of the Elvis I knew already. A nice easy listen. I can see why people like him so much.

Not my favorite Elvis tracks, but his voice still makes it a very good album. Young Elvis > Old Elvis 3⭐️

It was okay. The best track was “Reconsider Baby”. That saxophone solo by Boots Randolph was epic.

Not my favourite Elvis tracks, but his voice still makes it a very good album

I think I love this era of music way more than I like Elvis. I want to give this a 4 based on the instrumentation and the harmonies but this dude married a child. 3 stars.

Oh, great, another Elvis album. At least I'll be done with him after this. This album is mostly unremarkable 50s-style ballads that lack any of the energy of his first album. Occasionally the album picks up, but it never really gets good. Like most Elvis stuff, this has some good stuff and plenty of throwaway songs as well. I don't think this one was that important and needed to be on the list.

This was decent, not my fav of his but it’s good.

He is the King. Sounded like some 1960s crooning.

It’s fine cuz it’s Elvis. Mostly covers I kinda lame but I guess that’s how he do. And I really don’t like when songs fade out and feel incomplete. Fine but not great. 3/5

Elvis is back! Has he ever really left us? Look, Elvis is a shitty person, so I'm going to knock off 2 stars for that. Every criticism of him is valid. This is music from a different time, and it's far better than I imagined. Short, sweet, to the point.

You can still tell why this was so sensational at the time.

As I've gotten older, I've allowed myself to recognize how problematic Elvis was. That said, I'm still a bit of a sucker for the music. It's one example (if not the quintessential example) of "Can you separate the man from the music?"... I believe I can.

Elvis definitely deserves the fame.

Love this

Nonce. SO. MANY. NONCES.

Pretty standard fare from Elvis, but that doesn't mean it's bad at all. Solid 4 Stars.

Hmm jamen det lyder jo OK, for det meste, men jeg synes godt nok det er lidt kedeligt. Der er RIGTIG mange sange med den samme opskrift og det er noget ensformigt i mine ører. Jeg har det nok også lidt stramt med herre-koret i baggrunden på hvert eneste nummer. Jeg kan jo godt forstå folk var over the moon dengang men så ælder det heller ikke bedre... Det må godt få tre.

Det er sgu bare ret kedeligt 2.1

#364: My 4th album on the list, and first record I didn't hear, was Elvis's 'From Elvis in Memphis', where I said Elvis was more of a singles guy than an album guy. this is true and false. This is true regarding Elvis's body of work today, as the world of music is far different than where it was in 1960 and even earlier. This was not true when Elvis was around, where Elvis is Back was seen as a 'complete Elvis album', wherein he sang all the genres and music trends that he was influenced by (minus the Gospel) rather than the rockabilly/rock and roll he was known for. A great historical record, but nothing that will strongly evoke to anyone today like he could back then.

Opening track was good, all else eh to ehhhhhh

Better album than expected as someone that doesn't typically listen to Elvis.

24 yo man dating a 14yo :C no thanks

Though his monumental talent and amazing voice were undeniable (even when he was barely trying, which describes the vast majority of his 60s output), Elvis was always at his best when there was something at risk. Hence, his best studio albums consist of the 1956 combination of Elvis Presley/Elvis, the late 60s combination of Elvis(TV special)/From Elvis in Memphis, and this one. What is at risk here is, of course, his entire career. After his meteoric rise in 1956-7, his two year stint in the army from March, 1958 through March, 1960 threatened to derail everything. It matters not that The Colonel had renegotiated Elvis‘s contract, such that he was always going to be financially secure through his movies, and that RCA spent the 2 years reissuing/recycling old tracks to keep product available to the public; Elvis himself thought that his career was potentially over due to his army service. As such, while Elvis is often viewed as a complete tool of his producers/handlers, in these sessions he was exerting full agency, and offered a lot of input in terms of song selection, arrangements, etc. The result is an excellent album, in a variety of styles, shrewdly calculated to move him from teen idol to more global adult entertainer. His singing (he actively worked on his technique during his army service), is better than ever, and the song arrangements are impeccable. This sounds anything but tossed-off, and is a very enjoyable listen.

Elvis is back from the Army and better than ever! This is the finest era for Elvis's voice, and with this being his first album recorded in stereo, we get to hear him enhanced like never before. The production work is fabulous and the songs are fun and charming. "The Girl Next Door Went A-Walking," "Such a Night," and "The Girl of My Best Friend" are a few favorites. Classic perfection.

Utter dung. Elvis - what were you doing with this album.

I love it when an album that expected nothing from draws me in. I'm going to be giving such albums 4s from now on. (Maybe even 5s on occasion!) And I forgot that Elvis did Fever. That def a standout here.

Elvis was a hero to most But he never meant shit to me you see Straight up racist that sucker was Simple and plain Motherfuck him and John Wayne Nah, who am I kidding. I like this album. I mean, Fever was in fact originally sung by a black guy (Little Willie John), but that's a testament to the racism of America and the music industry, not Elvis personally. And his version inspired the Cramps! Dirty, Dirty Feeling? Also hilarious and a little dark. Sure, there's plenty of doo-wop tunes on here, which just aren't my jam, but I like the man's voice and can sit through the ooh-aah bullshit background songs. In the end, I can't give this a five, but it's a pretty good four for me.

This was pretty good, but I can't help feeling like it is dated. I recognize that's a funny thing to say since Smells Like Teen Spirit is older today than this was when Nirvana released that song. I'm not sure if it's his delivery, the arrangements, or something else, but I feel a distance from this that is probably mostly about hearing Elvis for the first time in the 80s at a formative time for me.

Smooth, pleasant, fun. To me it sounds like the past without sounding dated.

4/5 - We all need some Elvis once in a while, especially early Elvis.

The album is pretty good but I'm tempted to give it a single star on principle. There are so many great and worthwhile albums out there. So what is an album with Elvis's JV squad hits doing here? Were the listmakers that desperate to hit 1,001 and that they'd really just put Elvis's 4th or 5th best album on for padding?

I know a lot of Elvis songs, or at least I thought I did. Of the two Elvis albums I've heard so far on this list I didn't know a single song that wasn't a song I'd heard before. I really liked his version of fever, but honestly I think Elvis could sing just about anything and sound pretty dang good.

I enjoy some Elvis, but ultimately it's all just a mix of songs taken from black soul artists and songs taken from black rock and roll artists

I didn't get into Elvis - I'm sure he was a big thing, probably the first of his ilk, but it just seems so pale to me, but hey I'm a metalhead, if it's not running at breakneck speed it's a ballad :D

Never been the biggest Elvis fan and this doesn’t even have some of his better songs on it in my opinion. Just My Luck is a bop though.

Just not very interesting

Bore off, Johnny Bravo

Doesn’t even have grace or broad black brimmer on ot

Not bad, a lot of rapey lyrics mind you (2.5)

Not his best.

Vocals are incredible. Songs are varied and engaging. Great stuff and a very excellent listen.

Elvis is Back

I'm free from the orb momma. Thank goodness! Yaknow this was very much easy to listen to, and I was surprised by the range of styles on display. I enjoyed all the songs individually, so I shall rate this highly.

718/10001 2026.10.07 🌕🌕🌗🌑🌑

I’m not an Elvis guy. This record is fine. It absolutely highlights his ability as a crooner, incorporating both traditional country styles and African American soul styles. It’s good but I wouldn’t listen to it on my own accord.

I grew up detesting John Wayne and Elvis Presley, the appeal of each of whom I found totally elusive and mysterious, and each of whom the mainstream culture that soon enough would start lionizing nostalgically the villain Reagan insisted on forcing on the rest of us at every turn. My attitudes have softened over time (for Wayne and Presley; they have hardened toward Ronnie). Still ... not interested in this at all. It actually turns out to be better than I expected it to be, but ... not enough to change the picture.

Despite having been to both Graceland and to Elvis's birthplace in Tupelo I am not really all that familiar with all of his work. I'd never heard this album before and I liked it. Maybe this isn't my favorite Elvis phase but for sure it's not my least favorite.

Second Elvis album I've gotten, and I'm starting to think the Kimg of Rock n Roll is actually the King of Down Tempo Crooners in 3/4.

Boring not really anything i would replay dated doo wop

He is indeed back on this one, a really cool mix of blues and crooning that mixes perfectly. This is a more mature sound from the King, not the least because of the production which was cutting edge at the time. Sure it's not as wild as the Sun recordings but that works in its favor - the songs are tighter and Elvis' voice shines through. It's grading on a curve a bit but this one is really solid with some moments of greatness.

Oh wow I'm kind of surprised to see Elvis on this list. I mean I know I shouldn't be, he's one of the most popular entertainers of all time. But I just never gave him that much of a thought. And I have, of course, heard my share of Elvis music but have never listened to a whole album all the way through. I mean, it's Elvis. It's just what you think it is. But I had no idea he had a version of Fever, I've even hear this version a bunch of times and never realized it was Elvis. The production on this album is fantastic though. Everything is recorded and mixed really well. Everything stands out but none of it takes over, if that makes sense. I love the bass throughout and there's some great sax too. But at the end of the day, it's Elvis and it is so Elvis it's almost stereotypical. The guy was a great performer and vocalist but not at all a musician, more of a singer for hire. Does that make the album worse? Not really, tons of the most famous entertainers are the same. After having listened to my first Elvis record all the way through, it did nothing to change my opinion of Elvis. 3/5

Nothing wrong with this one. Every song is good & it turns out that I think I am just an Elvis fan. Giving it a strong 3, as outside of the Elvisness of it there really isn't anything that special about this one. Fever deserves its flowers, I love the minimalist approach, just some hand claps, stand up base, Elvis & your occasional drum fill & it works brilliantly. Giving it a strong 3 or a 7.7 out of 10.

Everyone has an opinion on Elvis. Was he a talented singer? Did he borrow heavily from Black musicians? Was he a product? All of these things can be true. Some of the songs are great, but I can live without Elvis' version of "Fever" for the rest of my life.

"Fever" and "Like a Baby" are super sensual songs. Great album.

short and sweet

lol. Motherfuck him and John Wayne.

Unimpressive album, which is hard to say. Elvis's voice carries every track but most of the tracks are just so so. Loved Dirty, Dirty Feeling and Solider Boy.

Jeg er som minimum nød til at anderkende at denne Elvis er den bedste på listen. Det fede ved det er hvor simpelt det lyder, men hvor mange lag der er i musikken.

Et par okay numre og en masse fløde

Definition of absolute mid. Not bad, not good.

It’s fine - Fever was probably the best song of the bunch

Mostly uninspiring, but when the back-up band lets loose it is pretty fun.

Not my favorite but Elvis was the king for a reason.

It’s an Elvis record. Elvis is good. Not much else to add. 2.5/5

It’s a very average album for this list and not quite sure this is one of Elvis’s albums here.

I think looking at this album from a modern point of view can hurt it. It’s rather short and doesn’t have too much flash, but I can see how during release this could be a required purchase.

Ein Comeback, das sofort zeigt, warum Elvis eine Klasse für sich bleibt: Die Stimme ist geschmeidig, souverän, voller Kontrolle – „Fever“ , „Make Me Know It“ und „Such a Night“ funkeln wie frisch polierte Klassiker. Gleichzeitig schleichen sich ein paar stilistische Loops ein, Momente, in denen das Album etwas zu brav im eigenen Retro‑Sound kreist.

It was what it was and Im sure very exciting at the time. Was ok, nothing wrong with it except it sounded old. Better than rap..

Most people who bought this album will be dead now. There'll be stacks of them gathering dust in charity shops. And honestly, for all he's a nice singer, it's where they belong. Very dated. That's all I could think throughout this. I didn't dislike it. It's Elvis, innit?

Classic. I sometimes forget how much a crooner Elvis was. I also like that he's kind of exploring sounds of the day: doo-wap, country, blues, and and r&b. Its bouncy and fun, and keeps the stoke throughout.

4.2

Elvis is back just in time to influence adolescent Beatles so that they can take rock and roll in interesting directions.

This is my first time hearing Elvis... ever. I come into it with a bit of bias, as I didn't like him as a person. But we'll see how he actually is. 01. Make Me Know It Just a fun lil' song. I have a feeling that's gonna be this whole album. 02. Fever I honestly really love this. It's very Sinatra-esque, and I like this softer track! 03. The Girl Of My Best Friend This is on the radio of the BBQ restaurant I work at. I'm sick of it. 04. I Will Be Home Again I really appreciate the acoustic guitar of this track, love it a lot. Song itself is fine. 05. Dirty, Dirty Feeling Love how fast-paced and exciting this is! The lyrics are disgusting though. 06. Thrill Of Your Love Real generic, even for the time. Don't care for this one. 07. Soldier Boy It's just Trill Of Your Love, but it now has a soldier! I get that he was in the military, and so this song probably has some deeper meaning behind it, but honestly I just didn't care. You have to make me care, Elvis. 08. Such A Night Was just kind of alright... THEN THE CHORUS HIT. Is really fun, even if the actual writing is super lazy. 09. It Feels So Right By far my favorite instrumentation so far. Probably my favorite vocal performance too! 10. The Girl Next Door Went A'Walking Fairly basic, but undoubtably catchy as a motherfucker. 11. Like A Baby Love the sleazy sounding saxaphone, and is fun to see the comparison between love and babies. Otherwise, is just okay. 12. Reconsider, Baby If you told me this had the same backing instrumentation as Like A Baby, I would almost believe you. I'm not sure what I WAS expecting, but I was still disappointed. I don't personally think he's a great singer, so I have no clue how he blew up the way he did. Of course, I'm an 08' baby, so it was a bit of a time gap between then and now. But personally, I was underwhelmed.

Classic, but honestly pretty forgettable

There is a fair variety of songs here and it's a very clear production for the time. Elvis breezes through everything confidently and appeallingly. I prefer, though, to hear what made Elvis stand out to begin with, and doo-wop isn't it.

I just searched my history and was surprised to see that this is the first Elvis entry of the project for me (and I am 457 albums in!) I believe that my parents were Elvis fans (and one of my father's best friends played on one of his tours,) but they did not push Elvis on me as a child the way they pushed the Beatles. And at least in part because of that, I just never understood the whole Elvis phenomenon. I guess understood might not be the right word - I read a lot of rock history books and I know Dylan and the Beatles along with everyone else worshipped him, so I understand that the whole world loved him - but I have just never been taken with his music the way I was with the Beatles as a kid. All of which is to say, I'm not a huge Elvis fan. But this era of Elvis - the relatively early stuff - is one I like. "Fever" will always remind me of Pee Wee Herman's stage show. And whoever in the Jordanaires had the really deep voice reminds me of Adam Driver in Inside Llewyn Davis.

Great crooning from a legend. And it isn’t for me. Nothing at all wrong, but nothing that impressed me. Maybe I’m not much of an Elvis fan. It’s happened to me a too many times where the album ends and the next song, often by the same artist, comes on and I’m impressed with how dramatically improved the quality is. Happened here as well.

Kinda like eating in a 50s diner - not exceptional quality, but has a certain vibe to it

Gudsbenådet stemme, men synes Elvis blir bedre med alderen. Låtene på denne er litt for mye svisker.

Surprising and intermittently delightful.

Meh. Unpopular opinion...Elvis is one of the most overrated artists of all time.

Pretty mild, if you ask me. Not a bad album at all--good band, decent songs--but it's in no way thrilling. I think Loving You is the good album and it's not on the list.

Elvis doing what Elvis does.This is in that era where the silver screen started taking priority of the music, but the album is still very good.

I much prefer uptempo Elvis, so whilst this is alright there’s nothing really special about it. Fever is a prime example, it’s good but not as good as Peggy Lee’s version

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again - I do not get Elvis. This was just a bit dull and uninspiring, but not bad enough for 1*.

I do like Elvis's voice, and I'll certainly sing along to the classics or his Christmas album. However I'm discovering that I'm fairly indifferent to the albums, as they go in one ear and out the other. That being said I don't think anyone is capable of doing a terrible version of Fever - it's just a fantastic song and I enjoyed this version. I had to google who was doing the bass backing vocals on Make Me Know It and Thrill of Your Love, as they were astonishingly deep (I am guessing Ray Walker?). Some of the lyrics of Dirty, Dirty Feeling are a bit eye opening too: I hear you're pretty good at running But pretty soon you'll slip and fall That's when I'll drag you home with me girl I'm gonna chain you to the wall. Blimey, Elvis! 3/5

It's Elvis. Probably not the best of Elvis. Okay I guess

It's okay.