Reviews (page 10 of 13)
Early proto rock and roll is a wild thing. This record is cool as artifact but I'm not sure it's worth much more than that. I just watched the Little Richard: I Am Everything documentary, so hearing Tutti Frutti here resonated with me a bit more than it usually would.
not an impressive debut, also im not too fond of elvis' music in general idk why but yeah his debut album wasn't much
Some good classic stuff on here.
Some classic rock n roll.
Having this album right after London Calling is funny because the album art from it is inspired by this one. I didn't realize Blue Suede Shoes was literally the first song on his first album. Also didn't realize he did Tutti Frutti.
This was kinda fun. I know that he was really just repackaging music black people had been making already, but I can still see the appeal.
Damn, this white boy got a little too much swag. This album is accessible, but not doing anything special outside of that. I’d take Buddy Holly’s or Little Richard’s debut over this any day of the week
Elvis is just getting into his persona with this album. Of course there’s the songs everyone knows like blue suede shoes but I find his slower r n b tinged cuts are were he truly stands out. I may pick this up to have in the back pocket though
I’d forgotten how much of this album was slightly boring, very sentimental Country. The Rock n Roll tracks are alright, but not a patch on the originals. The best song is the version of Blue Moon, which is such a song, I’m convinced that nobody could do a bad version. But Elvis’ version is particularly good. I don’t mind this. It’s just, having listened to the originals that Elvis is gentrifying, it’s hard to get excited for the mid white copies
Didn't get a chance to listen. Haven't listen to much like this before.
So short, first 50s era album in the list.
This guy would rather get his face stepped on than his shoes fucked with. I don't agree!
Rock and roll classic, but many of the songs aren’t that great
The king. Decent album, hated blue moon.
So many classics!
Never really sat down and listen to Elvis but I enjoyed most of this album. Nice vibes. Some tunes are a bit too ballad for me. Blue suede shoes added to favs Interesting version of blue moon
Can’t see the hips shakin, but at least you can hear the voice breakin. Too bad it’s about 15 songs about loving women enough to not let them escape, but the good news is that the guy is a talented singing and would go on to have a very eventful career. This is just ok, but nice to have as a background music.
7/10
A short, succinct rocker which underlies so much more to come. While I’m a little torn on how I feel about Presley taking more than a few Motown staples and using them to rocket to fame, there’s no denying he performs them with the perfect amount of swagger to draw you in. Good to revisit some classics here and tap my toe a bit.
Good album! Especially for his first. Some songs are forgettable. 3.5/5
Lots of catchy stuff on here! Unfortunately, this is such a foundational sound that it feels a bit overdone/obvious now.
Blue Suede Shoes fait un excellent titre d'ouverture, Tutti Frutti est très sympa, le reste tout se ressemble un peu. Ok y'a une valeur historique mais ça n'a pas aussi bien vieilli que d'autres albums de la liste.
Ég hef aldrei hlustað á Elvis Presley plötu. Bara einstaka lag. Hann er alveg fínn þessi náungi. Ég er samt með smá leið á honum af því að hann er svo ofspilaður þannig að mér fannst eiginlega skemmtilegra að heyra "Spotify radio" út frá honum þegar platan hafði runnið sitt skeið.
11/10/23. Never been huge on Elvis since he’s a thief, but he pays his tributes accordingly to the originals! Lot’s of fun, blues driven tracks.
Interesting hearing the start of the Elvis revolution. Elvis's debut album is mix of slow intimate songs sprinkled with high energy hip shaking songs. Not a cohesive album, but a good listen.
Fun 50s music. Not super interesting to listen to in a big chunk...
Enjoyed it. To my ear, it reminds me of Christmas since a lot of radio Christmas songs are of a similar era, and of Hawaii. It's also cool to hear rock and roll that's still so closely related to blues and jazz.
Good album. Many well known songs and some good covers.
Not his best, not his worst
Definitely prefer Elvis’ earlier stuff.
Elvis! Haven't heard a lot of Elvis before. Was pretty good. Not something I'd always listen to.
A decent album. Elvis is good, and there's a couple good songs in here, but not quite peak Elvis yet.
So so, the classic stand out, obviously. But the rest is meh
This is the 3rd or 4th time listening to this album. It's a fine album to listen to. Elvis has so much charisma that it doesn't matter if the songs are a bit weak or if the songs don't suit his style. The album cover is so iconic! It's an unfortunate side effect of having heard a lot of the original covers (Tutti Frutti, I Got a Woman, Blue Moon) that makes Elvis' versions sound weak in comparison, but it would've been great back in the 50s for him to highlight these other artists' works. I don't get the impression that he's stealing from other artists; I think it's very evident in his singing that he's celebrating their work. I give this a 6/10. It's an album I don't mind listening to, but it's not anything super amazing. I'd much rather listen to Elvis' most iconic hits than dive into his album discography. Still, this is a very important album in music history, so it's definitely worth a listen.
🕺🪩
Blue Suede Shoes I Love You Because Blue Moon Money Money
Jeg hørte det meste imens jeg var på arbejde, så det var ikke den bedste lydoplevelse. Men det er jo Elvis, så jeg ved at det kan noget og fortjener at bliver lytter ordentligt igennem.
This one is not easy for me to rate. I'm not much of an Elvis fan, but I appreciate that he and other 50s rockers paved the way for my interesting music in the 60s. I like his rock songs more than the ballads I think. I guess I'm more of a "greatest hits" kind of Elvis listener.
not bad
Some good rockabilly tunes, but I think for me, the context is more valuable than the album. It's good, but not transformational to me. \"Just Because\" is a banger, though.
It's hard separate the artist from the character, a man who still has people professionally impersonating him. You could see his country, R&B, and rock influences all coming together, but I preferred I Got a Woman and Tutti Frutti when left to Ray and Richard. Didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would.
3.2 While iconic and full of great songs it's just kinda mid. Fave songs: I got a woman, blue suede shoes
Not my kind of music but good
Enjoyable, especially for it's age. Not one I would go back to again though. 3/5.
About what I expected. I look forward to hearing these songs in every movie set in the 50s for all time, forever.
Inte min grej. Helt okej men kanske inte en skiva man slänger på i vardagen. 2,5 av 5.
I grew up with a father who loved Elvis. I haven't listened to it in years now, and I have to say this was a welcome flashback. A few great short songs, much filler, and his voice was dynamic but far from as good as people said.
Still a young boy looool
Good album, classic songs, iconic album cover, but a somehow uneven quality. I'd rather recommend The Sun Sessions, the original Elvis recording that changed history.
i always thought I hated Elvis but it turns out that I don’t hate Elvis
I've never much listened to Elvis. There's no denying that the recording quality of this album is not great. It's kind of hilarious how bad it is, but then again, the album is almost 70 years old!! The real driving force of this album is Elvis' lyrics and singing, and he nails it, that's for sure. It's not particularly my cup of tea, but the influence is palpable. His unique singing cues can be heard immediately after with The Beatles, and far into the future with modern Arctic Monkeys. And this is his first album. I don't love it, but I can definitely appreciate the influence and the quality. And I get why so many women swooned (and still swoon) over the guy.
Not my favorite
I like that it inspired the cover for London Calling! It's not bad at all. Not my thing but it's enjoyable.
Total classic but I couldn't stop thinking of how much of this was stolen. 3 stars for the backstory
I mean it's hard to dislike Elvis. I definitely prefer the originals for most of the songs but he's so iconic it's hard to not dance. If I was in the suburbs in the 50s and I hadn't heard blues music ever this would blow my fuckin mind. I would like I Got a Woman a lot more if it didn't have the last verse lol.
While I have definitely heard some of these songs individually, I have never sat down and listened to the full album they originated on. It gave me a bit more of an appreciation for what Elvis was able to do, and how he brought appreciation for a developing genre of music to the average American. Highlights: Blue Suede Shoes - Everyone has heard this one before, and for good reason. It's a fun jam about pretty much nothing at all. One-Sided Love Affair - I had never heard this one before, but it's one of the best examples I've found of the sound and style of early Elvis Presley. Just Because - The lyrics and vocals are light, but the guitar work is ahead of its time and a good sample of what would be to come in rock and roll. Blue Moon - Probably the best song on the album overall with a haunting melody that shows off Elvis's pipes really well. Lowlights: I'm Counting On You - The song itself is fine, but something about the mix is really weird. Sounds like it's being sung in the shower.
Fine I guess. Like it’s not very interesting though I’ll say the instrumentals are really good at times but anyway it’s not very interesting but I understand the function of Elvis now having listened to this album.
Never cared for him - just one of those singers whose voice bothers me.
Really started it all this one. The voice is obviously legendary and some of the singles are timeless. That said, the production is just a bit too simple to get this into the upper star echelons. Rightly on the list nonetheless.
My favorite song from this album is “I’m Counting on You”. I like the lyrics and tune of the song. The most iconic song is “Blue Suede Shoes” because I knew this song before I listened to the album. The album is a feel good/romantic album and the songs have sweet lyrics.
Liked it more than I thought I would. But not all songs are killer
I found it interesting to see the mix of both the country style and the rock and roll mix in one album. I was struck at how short the songs were compared to current music or even music 20 years later. The lyrics were eye opening in the fact of what was socially acceptable during the 1950s.
Anfang skeptisch, aber paar Nice banger sind schon dabei, nur mit den Balladen kann ich manchmal nichts anfangen
Anyone ever feel like Elvis was just trolling the whole world? “It doesn’t matter how much I sing like an asshole, ya’ll are going to buy this shit anyway”. Blue Suede Shoes is undeniable, however.
Surprisingly raw, lo-fi, and maybe even a little bit punk rock.
Song by song it is great, but that is what it is. A collection of songs, rather than an album with a certain direction or back bone. So, probably not a popular opinion, but for that reason I somehow find it overrated and average
3.25/5 some fun songs and I like the rockabilly vibe. Not his best album
I feel bad rating this so low, but I was disappointed. Elvis changed a lot but even compared to the contemporaries he was ripping off, it just doesn't sound exciting.
first listen some classics here
It was good, nothing something I'll listen to again
Not my style
I'm pretty sure this is one of the oldest albums on the list, always good to hear some good old rock n roll. Did enjoy this, maybe partly just for the historical factor of it being the first Elvis album, but the songs are quick and punchy. I like how he lets his vocals fly around a little, worth a re-listen in the future.
It's a pleasant listen, nothing really grabbed me but certainly wouldn't mind it being on in the background. Never sat down and listened to Elvis before so I'm glad this site has led me to it, even if it doesn't seem all that special. Fav Track: Trying to get to you 2.5/5
Ihmm da snowmannn... yeeasss... leetle eeelviss... I mayke da snoww... Fave track: Blue Suede Shoes
Yeah look was never going to be knocked down by this. I get why this is on the list way more than a lot of other albums we’ve had recently, but also at the end of the day I don’t think it’s all that amazing. There’s that voice and attitude, but ultimately these tracks were probably done better by the black artists who wrote them. Not sure if people think this is genuinely a great album, or just recognise its legacy as a piece of culture. Happy to leave it as that, I guess. Fave track: Blue Moon
It’s Elvis
I have never listened to an album from The King. What better place to start than his debut. Classic album cover. Album opens with mega-hit Blue Suede Shoes. Good ol' Blues infused Rock n' Roll. Man had a hell of a voice and the guitar rips towards the back half with a very serviceable solo. Feels like something The Dead would interleave into their sets. I'm Counting on You sounds like the vocals were recorded in a small bathroom with Elvis singing directly into a fogged-up mirror. Stripped down pop song that seems like something I should listen to at a drive up diner. I Got A Woman goes back into the blues-laced RnR with a driving drum and accompanying piano. One-Sided Love Affair has a live recording feel to it. It bops back and forth and is a fine song; my issue with this style of music is the lack of distinguishing factors. Most songs can be lumped into effectively three categories with slightly different lyrics. I Love You Because is one of the better songs on here. Sparse, folksy guitar supporting Elvis' croon. I sympathize with all of the grandmas out there; my panties dropped while listening. I actually really dig the vibe of Blue Moon - Take 9/M. Super chilled out with echoing vocals overlaid. I feel like this could easily be a Mac DeMarco song. Money Honey feels familiar and is a fine enough way to close the album. I'm stricken by the lack of cohesive feel to this album. Sure its all Elvis and stylistically similar, but song to song there is no consistency in the recording style. Maybe that is something of the tech and state of the art of the era, but its kind of jarring to the modern listener. Sounds more like a compilation than a singularly produced whole. That said, I enjoyed this album fine, but would likely not go back for repeated listens unless I specifically wanted to feel nostalgic. I respect The King, but there wasn't much here getting me too excited. I'd say 3 / 5 because anything lower feels wrong and anything higher would falsely suggest I cared for this.
Some classics on here. Overall a good album. It's cool to listen to the earliest of rock and roll. Blue Suede Shoes and Tutti Fruitti (Little Richard version is better) were good ones off the album. Feels like a 3.5 because it is Elvis and is the foundation for rock and roll, but I'll give it a 3 after I take that bias away.
Not sure if I've actually listened to an entire Elvis album but here we are thanks 1001albumsgenerator.com Blue Suede Shoes is a fun little diddy. I Got a Woman is super familiar. Of course the Beatles covered it. But most familiar from Gold Digger. Tutti Frutti is a classic. I'll show you a Blue Moon alright. I liked those songs but the rest don't really do it for me. I know it's probably epic for the time it came out though. 2.5 but I'll give it a 3 for that.
Nice, some tracks are enjoyable but I was not mind blown
3.5/5 I quite enjoyed this album. I wasn't expecting it because the idea of liking Elvis kinda grosses me out. It was very fun to listen to and I can understand why people went crazy for it. I also don't think we've had an actual proper blues album, and it scratched that itch, but then again I have lost track.
When it comes to Elvis I heavily prefer the energetic, rockabilly work over his crooner tunes. His debut has a bit of all his styles, peppering in some doo-wop, R&B and a pinch of Country as well. Pretty funny the Clash were able to basically copy the cover art style and everything was cool. Decent quick hitter here. 3 stars
Da e jo legendarisk
It was Elvis, what can I say? It was good but not great. I did not think there was any depth really, it was very light and very old fashioned. I did think it was fun to listen to but it's not something I would seek out except for a themed event or something.
Solid, revolutionary probably His voice had a lot of range here
Elvis Presley's self-titled debut album is a seminal release that introduced the world to his groundbreaking rock and roll sound. Released in 1956, it features iconic tracks like "Blue Suede Shoes" and "Hound Dog," showcasing his charismatic vocals and energetic performances. The album's production captures the raw energy of Presley's early recordings. While it marked the beginning of his legendary career, some of the tracks may feel somewhat dated to modern listeners. Additionally, the album's style and content may not resonate as strongly with those not already fans of the rock and roll era. Nonetheless, Elvis Presley remains a historically significant album that laid the foundation for his enduring legacy in the music industry.
Don't know how I feel about this one. I've not listened to the album before, never been the biggest Elvis fan. I know how iconic this album is, the question is did I enjoy it? It was OK, good in places.
Can’t say I’m a fan of Elvis but i also can’t deny that he’s got some talent
it's Elvis
It was a really fun album
This is just background music to me but I don't hate it. My friend says that if you play Elvis near boomers it causes them to factory reset.
No strong feelings about this one
50’s rock. highly influential but dated. probably mind blowing at the time. it’s pretty good, but ya. solid 3 stars.
I much prefer the more somber sounding Presley songs, because his voice benefits a lot more from those than him trying to do a bad impression of black artists from the era. Luckily, there are a few of said somber songs on this album, and it makes it so those songs are really quite enjoyable, even if they still aren't his own works, then again is anything by him really? You can also hear some Lennon-like vocals in I'll Never Let You Go, but I have no clue if John Lennon actually took any inspiration from Presley at all. Overall, some good, and some pretty whatever for a decent album all together.
Toimiihan tää näin sopivana annoksena.
Räng-däng-däng ja tutti frutti vaan. merkityksellinen levy mut en ihan kauheen usein jaksais ehkä kuunnella, joten 3/5
An ok album with a few great sounding tracks, varied with some ballads too, Didn't know that many baring the covers which is weird coming from a juggernaut like Elvis buy I guess it is his first album.
Before recorded music had all the tricks a lad with a beautiful voice rolled into a studio and sang like an angel. Such a stunning voice we are so used to it we forget how lucky we were to ever hear it.
La fusión del más clásico rock and roll, el blues más rockabilly y el country en una voz tan carismática como la de Elvis, no deja de ser fresca décadas después. Todo un parteaguas para la música realmente popular.
Another album before albums I think. Good tracks, but a muted, filtered capturing of this performer
Can’t go wrong with some Elvis, opens with one of Elvis’ best songs, only problem was how short this album was
ok
Não é muito meu estilo. Mas duas músicas do album até que chamaram a atenção.
One sided love affair
It's not really great but still a classic. I think Elvis was more of a singles artist than an album artist (but that was the norm at that time)
Good album
“Elvis Presley” is the self-titled debut of the so-called king of rock and roll. Its inclusion as the second-earliest album on the whole list of 1001 perpetuates a narrative that Elvis single-handedly invented the genre, giving birth to popular music as we know it. Instead, of course, Elvis didn’t write any of these songs himself: he combined them with his winning charisma, showmanship, and white privilege to galvanise the whole of the Western world. The most rocking tracks are the best. “I Got a Woman”, “Tutti Frutti”, and of course the “kick-the-door-down-on-popular-music” opener “Blue Suede Shoes” still boast an irrepressible energy. Even if they may not match the originals by the likes of Ray Charles or Little Richard, it’s fun hearing them back-to-back in Elvis’s iconic drawling, yelping twang. Not all of it is a thrill, though. In its infancy, rock and roll was pulling on threads from a number of different genres, but some of these threads are decidedly less rewarding than others. Among all the rollicking blues and swing numbers, there are moments where the energy grinds to a halt. “I’m Counting on You”… “I Love You Just Because”… really? These are cloying, snoozy country ballads, which suffer from a lack of dynamic orchestration, interesting arrangements, or showstopping vocals. Big missteps. All that said, “Elvis Presley” remains mostly a bright, snappy and assured debut. And for an indication of its cultural impact on up and coming musicians, look no further than “Trying to Get to You”. It’s almost identical in chord progression, structure and feel to “In Spite of all the Danger”, the first ever song written and recorded by a teenage John Lennon and Paul McCartney a couple of years later. Seems a reasonable measure of a legacy.
Not a bad album. Made in the area where albums were just made to sell singles. Mostly covers but very good ones
Whatever else you think about the rest of this, what a way to open your first album! After the high note, well, it all varies a bit. The sequencing feels odd almost 70 years later - why go straight to the ballad? - and some of this seems tame. But I guess it was revolutionary in its day. Overall, some nice tracks, but I doubt I'd want to listen to the whole album again.
Elvis is Elvis. This isn't his best album though.
If it wasn't for Scotty Moore's guitar solos & "London Calling" I'd have given it a 2.
It wasn't until this album cropped up that I realized the cover of the Clash's "London Calling" was an homage to this album cover, so that was a fun discovery. As for the music itself, it's a solid mid-'50s rock album. Didn't knock my socks off, but it certainly didn't step on my blue suede shoes. Gonna call this a 3.5.
It’s good, and obviously important. But TO ME, there’s nothing that sets it apart. Songs not original, and while they’re fun to listen to, none of them really showcase the unique magic of Elvis.
Good album with a few great songs
Alto clásico : 3,5
Seminal. Nothing wrong with not being as "good" as its thousands of grandchildren.
Altough many of the songs on this album are covers, Elvis does a good job making them his own.
- Wild how far rock has come - Surprising vocal range, variety of vocal styles - Can’t help but tap your foot
Classic sound, with a good mix of swooning love songs and catchy up-tempo songs. Instrumentation is light and mostly focused on guitar, but the characteristic vocals paired with the celebrity of the artist make this album as influential as it is.
As influential as Elvis was, I can’t help but think of the rockers from the same time period who were doing it better.
Quite the debut album. 3 solid stars.
Favorites: -Blue Suede Shoes -One-sided love affair -Tutti frutti -I'm gonna sit down and cry (over you)
i suppose if i had put any thought into it, i would have realized that elvis presley's debut album would absolutely be included in this list. if there's one album that single-handedly changed the trajectory of american music as we know it, well--here you go! the biggest takeaway was how often artists covered other songs in the fifties. this is something i knew before, of course. and that's just how the industry was then. i can't single elvis out, either. i can enjoy different versions of songs, but sometimes i desire a little something more than just another cover. regardless, elvis' debut album is enjoyable. it's a quick listen that's entertaining without a ton of focus required. he had his legendary voice here. sure, this album is entirely based in rock 'n' roll, but luckily there's enough to distinguish the songs. the little bit of rockabilly keeps things interesting!
I really don't like most of Elvis' music. His voice grates on me, even in its early days. But I understand his impact, both from a genre perspective and a vocal perspective, and especially the impact of his debut album. So we're going to meet halfway here with a flat 3 and call it good.
Hard to get too excited about this. None of it is particularly interesting. At least there’s some variety. Scrapes by with a 3.
Fine
Interesting. Floating around 3.5 In a vacuum it was a good foot tapping album.
It's light and fun, but a bit too sickly for my taste. Where it all began, so hugely important album.
One of the greatest collections of appropriated songs that inspired the classic "London Calling" album cover by The Clash.
Dude was a creep but “Blue Suede Shoes” is a bop. No denying that he’s inferior to the African-American artists he built his career off of. Best songs: Blue Suede Shoes, I’m Counting On You, Trying To Get To You, Blue Moon Worst songs: I Got A Woman (“She knows a woman’s place” is a no-go lyric), One-Sided Love Affair (he sang this one the way I imagine a cartoon bear would in a Disney movie).
Good set of classic Elvis tunes.
a couple complete bangers but just as many, if not more, tough listens
Not really about the albums was he, but of the early ones this is probably the best.
A decently enjoyable album. Elvis has a genuinely great discography, if I’m being honest. This is far from his best, but it’s pretty solid.
Spotify says Blue Suede Shoes has 102 milltion plays. This album was good fun to listen to but no real standout for me except for the better known songs.
Heard it before?: No Enjoy it?: Yeah it’s just a timeless classic, gonna take a few more projects of his to listen to before I know just how good this is Favourite song: Track 1 - Blue Suede Shoes
A hard one to rate. I bet it sounded incredible at the time to most of the world who'd never heard this before, but obviously doesn't have the same effect now. Still a great voice
Högt och lågt. Blue Suede Shoes och Tutti Frutti är bra, men andra låtar blir lite för sega och smöriga för min smak. Kul att se att det var härifrån The Clash fick idén till omslaget för London Calling.
London Calling better. 5/10
nice sunday afternoon vibes
I'll put it frank.. this sucked. The covers felt very uninspired and it shocks me that people were like Elvis at this point. Seriously, he covered a bunch of rock and roll songs from black artists who had way better versions from the same time. Disappointing. 2.5/5
Elvis är ju Elvis. Men det kommer bli mycket bättre så småningom.
nenhuma musica é ruim aqui, mas nenhuma te pega. pra época é bom pra caralho
I mean I guess it was better than I expected?
A lot of very well know Elvis numbers on this one.
Really nice sounding record considering the technology. I finished thinking I missed the edge and scream of little Richard etc, like it was a bit safe.
I wanted to like this more than I did
Alright. Everyone already knows Elvis, so it's impossible to write a first impression review. I grew up listening to the oldies station at home, so by age 13 I already hated him purely from overexposure. I get Elvis. I get that he brought a new and exciting genre to the white folks. I probably would have been just as nuts for him as most teens in the 50s. But I'm a 40 something in the 20s now, and it's a no from me. I just don't like his voice. I hate the typical Elvis uh-huh thing, and I hate when he's not doing it too. It's seriously lackluster and sometimes just whiney. So thanks for all you did, Elvis, but we've got it from here.
Interesting hearing the start of the Elvis revolution. Elvis's debut album is mix of slow intimate songs sprinkled with high energy hip shaking songs. Not a cohesive album, but a good listen.
Elvis Presley off Elvis Presley by Elvis Presley
I think if this album had come up earlier in my 1001 journey I would have rated it higher. As it stands this is my 685th album, and it kind of sticks out like a sore thumb against other Rock albums of its era. I literally had Little Richard doing Tutti Frutti earlier this week. This pales (word use intended) in comparison. A lot more plain. A lot more boring. A lot more white.
Some fun stuff but the original versions of these songs are mostly way better. Breaking ground doesn't always age well.
Although of course outdated and primitive compared to some modern music, this album is still worth listening to if not only for its creative contributions to both music and performance in general.
A-bop-bop-a-loom-op a-lop-bop-boom. Not as bad as I thought it was going to be (though the slow songs are a bit of a slog). Pretty fun to think about this being on the radio back in the day.
It's Elvis
Some of the rockier ones were okay. Really not a fan of the ballads, and I thought his version of Blue Moon was really not very good. As the Beatles had covered a number of these tunes and done them much better, I was left with the creeping feeling that Elvis is really overrated.
I've never heard this album before. I'm not a fan of Elvis, but I am familiar with his standards and acknowledge that he's a phenomenal performer. I'm a little surprised this is included as a "must listen" album. There must be a better example of Elvis magic. This isn't it for me. There are some impressive performances IMO, but it feels like a first album. Nothing in particular shines above what I know Elvis becomes. If the point of "must listen" is hinged upon the influence this album had in 1956, I can't relate. I wasn't there and I can't imagine. I can only judge this album by my personal feeling when I listen to it as a whole and how that relates to everything in my music knowledge. This album is not cohesive, it seems like an odd collection of song. I feel that I have been moved by Elvis before, and I do like some of the songs here, but none of the songs on this album spark much for me. My highlights: Trying To Get To You, Blue Moon, I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Cry
Despite my Elvis phase as a kid, this wasn’t my favorite album. I’d be happy if it was playing in the background because it was good, but it isn’t something I’m going to listen to on repeat
What a voice! I knew I would like this album. So easy to listen to. But, as it was common in pop music back when, most of these songs are covers. And some of the originals are WAY better. That being said Elvis is pretty great.
I really like Elvis. And to start an album with Blue Suede Shoes seems like this would be stronger than it actually is. The cover of Tutti Frutti is just over-indulgent. I'm sure this had an effect on some people, just not me.
Clearly it is iconic and legendary in the what it meant to the changing landscape of music and the beginning of Elvis' career. I'll give it credit for it's role, but overall, not of fan of pretty simple-sounding rockabilly/blues. Fine, but it isn't something i would listen to today.
I like Elvis' Sun Sessions material, some of which is used here. It has a raw vitality and moodiness to it that he never quite captured again as he became a more polished pop act. This album was an absolute phenomenon, which, as we move further away from its release, becomes harder to understand the true depth of its significance. I know that culturally this should be a 5 for its impact. It's one of the keystones of rock and roll, upon which everything else is built, and sort of tipping point for the genre, but the thing that really gets to me is when he covers things like "I Gotta Woman" or "Tutti Frutti," and they just pale in comparison to the originals. Drags the whole thing down. Also, mixing the Sun and RCA material gives it a weird, unbalanced feel. I will give him one thing though; he is a hell of an emotive singer. As a purely subjective listening experience this is a 3 for me (though the Sun material is more of a 4-5).
1956, mad. maybe it's been remastered every coulpe of decades but the quality of this is high well higher than i'd expect for nigh on 70 years ago. don't enjoy the ballads, but the rock and roll stuff is good fun.
I heard a girl did step on his blue suede shoes and Elvis lost his mind and beat her to death. The guilt caught up with him, he ate himself to death and died on the toilet having a wank into a massive sandwich.
I don't really know how to rate this album. On the other hand, apart from Blue Suede Shoes, I found most of it boring and unrelatable. I can't decide whether I love or loathe Blue Moon, the guy sounds like he's singing from the bottom of a well. On the other hand, it's the debut of ELVIS and was undeniably influential.
Most of the songs are pretty fun and entertaining. Some did not age well, with some sexist lyrics though. Majority are mildly good, with classics sprinkled in as well. 6/10
6/10. Yeah, if I lived in the 50's and had never heard of Rock 'n Roll, this would rock my world.
Actually just kinda boring. 6/10
Very typical 50's rock. Not an ounce of fat on this album, I like it.
Elvis is The King of course, but I don’t find this impressive more than that it’s fun to listen to. His ballads are still his best.
A quick 29-min, 12 song album. Mostly really good songs that are a great snapshot of early Elvis but I'll probably always find myself listening to greatest hits rather than coming back to this record as a whole. I can definitely see how this was important but there are just lots of covers and filler that's common for a first record that make it less essential for me personally. Blue Suede Shoes - a classic, still great. Best song on the album. I'm Counting on You - croony, paint by numbers country song. I Got a Woman - not as good as the original but fun cover. One-Sided Love Affair - fun, upbeat 1-4-5 song with interesting vocal affectations. I Love You Because - nice, slow, down tempo love song. Just Because - country skiffle song, pretty good but not a big standout. Tutti Frutti - not as good as the original but decent cover. Trying to Get to You - great vocal performance and cool lead guitar. I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Cry (Over You) - good, simple 2 minute song that just sounds very standard early Elvis. I'll Never Let You Go (Little Darlin') - very down tempo love song. Not a standout. Picks up unexpectedly in the last 30 seconds. Blue Moon (Take 9/M) - best cover on the album. Really nice vocal performance. Longest track on the album at 2 min 44 sec. Money Honey - another great vocal performance. I really like the piano. Guitar is a bit surfy.
Still not a huge Elvis fan, but I appreciated how fast this moves.
So much fun! I had never heard many of these, which made it feel surprisingly fresh. Just judging this as an album of music, it's beside the point whether these records are as good as the sources. The blend of musical traditions gave them a special flavor that's worth experiencing. It all feels very human, and even the flaws made me smile.
Es un álbum con un sonido pionero que resalta el talento de voz y guitarra de Elvis, sin embargo, a momentos se siente como una grabación seca y faltan algunos complementos, de resto es un buen álbum.
Almost where it all started.
You can definitely hear the seeds of a dozen other albums in this one.
Good when it's good but so much average in here and kinda prosaic musically, although that might've been revolutionary at the time.
A little underwhelmed by this - Here's Little Richard came out a year after this and feels so much fresher and full of energy. There's tastes of it here - Blue Suede Shoes and Tutti Frutti have that oomph - but it's a bit too croonery for my liking. Doesn't feel like a revolution. 3/5, closer to a 2 than a 4 though.
Another one I liked more than I expected to. I don't know if I'd listen to this on the regular, but it's quite catchy. 3.25/5
Enjoy the guitar playing and vocal delivery. Probably wouldn't return to it, but enjoyable.
Prefs: Blue Suede Shoes, I Got a Woman, One Sided Love Affair, Just Because, Tutti Frutti, Tryin' To Get To You, I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Cry (Over You), Blue Moon, Money Honey Moins pref: I'll Never Let You Go (Little Darlin')
Undoubtably a important album. Find it hard to appreciate how unique this must have sounded upon release.
This was a fun little blast of a listen. Rock n Roll but without the horns I usually associate with the genre. I'm not really a fan of Presley but he was undeniably electric here. The super short 2 min tracks of the time feel quite odd these days.
Clearly seminal stuff, but also it's Elvis, so it's a bit of cultural appropriation and never going to be as good as the Beatles
faz bater o pe, algumas musicas/solos de guitarra nao deixam concentrar. musicas short
Early Elvis i guess... hard to imagine the impact it made tho
I know around half the songs. More guitars than later crooning material, but I don’t like the change in register of Ellis’ voice in a few of these. Not as iconic as I was expecting. 1968-1973 might be a better period, so a low three.
De wat snellere tracks zijn leuk, de slomere doen me niks
Elvis!
Seguro que es un clásico de la época y mucho de lo que se escucha en este disco vendría a influenciar casi todo lo que vendría después en la música popular. No es un disco que escucharía constantemente, eso sí.
Average.
The elvis movie came out recently and learning more about elvis and how much of a creep he was makes it hard to separate the art from the artist. now that the narrative of elvis and his actions/life are more prevalent in pop culture, i am just jaded in regards to him and his music and don't necessarily like him. that being said, I'll try to be as objective as I can in listening. lol I guess this is his first album so it holds an important place in music history. setting the blueprint for the music to come. one sided love affair is low key annoying, the way he's singing. hearing him sing higher is weird. blue moon is the song from this. overall good album, easy to listen to mostly
I like the rockabilly twang and his delivery on songs like Blue Suede Shoes, I Gotta Woman and One-sided Love Affair. It's easy to se how he would have turned a lot of heads in the mid-fifties. His voice seems off-pitch and wavering on the ballads, which aren't my cup of tea. Great album cover.
The influence of Presley on Rock & Roll is undeniable. But I also see that these are all covers and he didn't write any original material so that must be factored in. I'm not sure if he credited and/or paid royalties to the Black musicians that originally wrote most of these songs either (see Led Zeppelin), but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. For me, the only stand-out song on this album is Blue Suede Shoes and the other songs are pretty meh, but I'm sure lots of girls swooned and fainted when he performed them live back in the day.
For possibly being the album that helped launch or break through rock and roll, there's a lot of slow and sappy country and western on "Elvis Presley." If only it all could have been as exciting as "Blue Suede Shoes." But instead, "I'm Counting on You" and "I Love You Because" are boring, "One-Sided Love Affair" and "Just Because" are a bit annoying, and Little Richard's "Tutti Frutti" is much better. Elvis is electric and dynamic and charismatic, but it's a bit unfortunate that it took this white pretty-boy to popularize a sound that was largely being created by black artists like Little Richard and others. That said, while this album does have an indelible place in rock and roll history, it has some tracks that really pull down the vibe and the score.
Wikipedia tells me this is "the first rock and roll album ever to make it to the top of the [Billboard] chart." Even though I will never actively chose to listen to Elvis, I can't give this anything less than 3 stars for the cultural significance and for bringing rock and roll into the mainstream.
This more like the hip shaking Elvis I’ve been wanting to hear.
Not quite as swing-y as I was expecting Pretty mellow with lots of acoustic vibes
Some absolute classic songs on here, and his performances are out of this world, but poor recording quality and short basic songs hurt this album a little
As Elvis' first album, this was a short and sweet listen, but not much more than that. I can see myself bumping this album while playing New Vegas. Or I'll just stick to the in-game radio...
Overall pretty good, but ya know, it's Elvis 😬 👍
p24. 1956. 3 stars. Primeval white rock'n'roll. Even after this time, the voice is terrific. Fabulous guitar solos from Scotty Moore, and Bill Black and DJ Fontana are rock solid on bass and drums. Set against that, there is an awful lot of filler, especially on the maudlin ballads, and some of the covers don't add anything to the originals. When this is good it's excellent - it's there are just too many average songs to give this anything other than a 3. But that voice...
2.9
Elvis. Don't dislike it, don't hugely like it. For me, the definitive 3/5
People must have been desperate back then. A little energy in simple melodies combined with lirycs mostly about physical affection. I took a sigh of relief when it ended. I understand the cult of Elvis and impact of this album on a generation, maybe more, but I wouldn't consider it a great record. Highlight: Tutti Frutti (for deep lirycs)
Znowu Presley?
A combination of rock n roll and folk songs. Sounds good, but maybe not my cup of tea.
I've never listened to an Elvis album start to finish, though I do like lots of individual songs. Weirdly the album cover makes me think of an Izod ad or something. I'm going to leave aside the problematic nature of the music, album, and Elvis' success off the back of cultural appropriation. While relevant cultural context it's not something I feel like I can comment on intelligently. Sticking just to the music this album just roars out of the gate with Blue Suede Shoes. They definitely knew how to rock and roll back then. The songs are each a little sparkly burst of joy and energy, like fireworks that delight and quickly disappear to make room for the next explosion. Although some of the ballads, like I'll Never Let You Go, are more miss than hit. And there's maybe a little more twang than I would strictly prefer. Overall, though, fun from start to finish.
When an album opens with Blue Suede Shoes, you immediately land in familiar ground. Even if you don't love Elvis, he's ingrained in our psyche and this album is him at his rockabilly best with a brief interlude for I Love You Because.
It’s Elvis
Well .. it has Blue Suede Shoes and is a Culturally Important Artifact. But also it has two of the weakest, most milquetoast covers ever, of I Got A Woman and Tutti Frutti. It made me want to make a theory that Elvis was the first Ed Sheeran. But I couldn't be bothered.
It seems really strange now that an artist could put out an album composed entirely of cover songs and use it as a platform to become one of the most famous people on the face of the earth. It's a testimony the Elvis's charisma that he is able to pull this off. This album doesn't feature many of what I would consider to be Elvis's best songs. Instead we're treated to a bunch of songs that had been released in the years before this album by other artists who did more definitive versions. There are some exceptions. I think Presley's versions of Blue Suede Shoes and Blue Moon may be better than the originals. However, he adds nothing to songs like I Got a Woman and Tutti Fruity. Presley gets a lot of credit for bringing the music of black artists to white audiences, but I'm not sure that that helped the black artists all that much. This album sounds okay. Elvis's style is very distinctive and is already well-developed here. The lack of originality in the compositions works against him here. It's fine that he didn't write his own music, but I can't get over the fact that Elvis got famous doing cover songs that were substantially similar to artists who were still trying to be discovered by the world at large. This album did a disservice to people like Carl Perkins and Little Richard. It makes the album feel a bit shallow, since Elvis's looks seem to have a lot to do with why he was so successful where original artists weren't. He is a talented musician, there's no denying it, and his voice is heavenly. It just feels like he's stealing other people's glory with this album 3/5
Not bad. I like the song Tutti Frutti, there were other songs here I hadn't heard before.
Solid. Gaman að hlusta á heila plötu með Elvis, ekki bara eitthvað best of.
Historical but not great today. Enjoyable in places, but often samey and with poor production.
It's cute how controversial this was. Elvis had a great voice. I enjoyed most of the songs.
Decent. “Blue Moon” has serious “Just You” vibes.
5/10
The King
My mother in-law is a big Elvis fan. So my wife knows a good deal more about him than I would. I do listen to him from time to time, so I was familiar with a lot of these. While I know a number of rock songs were later sung by white artists, hearing "Tutti Frutti" sung by Elvis is just... weird. It's just such an iconic song, and having someone else do it and not change it up more... it doesn't sound right. I'm sure there's stuff of mine that my kid thinks "that's Dad-music." But he has been listening to Rush and Zeppelin, so I don't know. I really consider this "parent music," and it's just nothing I get into. Roll into that people calling him the King of Rock and Roll when they basically ignore a huge percentage of the population, it does take some of the enjoyment out. Still, what he does he does well. It's just not for me.
I totally get why this album is on the 1001 albums list. The historical significance of it cannot be disputed. There are also some great session musicians on here including Chet Atkins and Floyd Cramer. The songs are catchy and pleasant enough. With all that being said this album doesn't really do much for me with the exception of the two blue songs: "Blue Suede Shoes" and "Blue Moon". I found the songwriting on Elvis is Back which came out a few years later to be a bit more interesting.
nenni ekki ad hlusta a thetta
I like Blue Suede Shoes
A few great tracks on this but a number of songs too slow and the same. Was still a fun listen, I had never head the full album before and glad I gave it a go
It was fine. Kinda ended up not listening to the songs as they were pretty cliche most of them and short
name three elvis presley songs i dare you
Can very much appreciate the impact of this as The King's first proper album. I've never listened to it in full but the songs are classics. Blue Suede Shoes was a pivotal moment in rock. The swagger and legacy of the King makes this an important album but Tutti Frutti and the like are overly sanitised and, for that reason, it's 3 stars.
I'll give this some credit as a groundbreaking LP at the time it came out and there are 3-4 songs that have held up pretty well. But not that great an album on its merits.
Pretty good, not my thing but we enjoyed it
Quite honestly, I know I *should* be using words like "groundbreaking" and "revelatory" etc etc etc. But on listening back to this, with about four exceptions, it really just isn't that great. In fact, in places, it is downright awkward. Elvis hadn't discovered his 'voice' yet and flits between some pretty bizarre vocal affectations that sound really quite bizarre in places. And, stone me, the songwriting isn't all that either.
Alright. 6/10
barely average 50s album. I like old fat Elvis, but can see why this was probably a big deal at the time.
Elivs è piacevole e piuttosto moderno per la sua epoca, però alla fine è "pop" anni '50, dopo pochi ascolti stufa.
Det var väl cozy
Don’t understand the hysteria on this one.. just old r’n’r standards!
A classic record to be sure, with plenty of fun to be had. Favorites: "Blue Syede Shoes", "I Got a Woman", "Trying to Get to You"
I enjoy listening to Elvis for the historical angle but it is still enjoyable enough on its own.
6/10
Very Elvis.
That's alright Elvis
Pretty standard elvis album, shows the overlap with original black rock and roll but not really that special
The King, does sound very dated now and he didn’t write any of the songs, but deserves to be in this list.
Gran inicio de una de las voces más importantes en la historia de la música. Me cuesta un poco calificar este disco porque siento que no debo contar I Got a Woman ni Tutti Frutti, que tenían 1 y 2 años de haber salido. 3.5 estrellas que bajan a 3. Songs: Blue Suede Shoes, Trying To Get To You,
О легендах говорят либо хорошо, либо ничего.
Let's first acknowledge the African American songwriters and performers who originally wrote many of the tracks on this album. Elvis - he's cool but he's also a bit of a dick in that rock n roll way. This album is full of swagger, a very self-assured debut. The track that surprised me the most was his version of "Blue Moon". It's weird and haunting. If that were to show up on the Spotify EP of a contemporary bedroom R&B artist, it would be cool. But Elvis was doing that 75 years ago. Young Elvis was also absolutely bringing it with the LP cover design, his name in pink.
So funny that this music was completely scandalous when it came out. I find that I like the ballads more than the rock n roll numbers.
2.8 - solid album. Can hear why it’s influential, but not something that really sticks out to me, especially for the time. Very vocal heavy. My favorite songs on the album were probably the ones I was most familiar with from other artists (e.g. I Got a Woman).
It's ok, I guess. You probably needed to be around when it was released to really appreciate it. Sure, he created the cliches, but they're still cliches.
6/10
I knew a lot of these tracks going in, and I'd like to know more about the originals, just to breath a different sort of life into them. But Elvis does good here.
Lively
Classic 50's rock, very recognizable that it's Elvis even on songs I hadn't heard before. Can definitely see how this sparked such a movement in music
Great Elvis album. Not many super hits, but consistently good. And succinct. I love an reasonably lengthed album.
Elvis innit
Some good tunes I've never given a serious listen to, though also a fair few songs that aren't to my tastes. I never knew I've Got A Woman in the Kanye West song came from Elvis! Will try to listen to this again.
This is culturally significant, but I can't see myself putting any of these in rotation. background instrumentation sounds like a high school jam band
Elvis is poppy blues, very talented singer and musician but I prefer raw blues. 3
I would have never suspected the debut album of the man that rocked the world to be this tame. This album has both some true rock'n'roll classics as well as some slower ballads. Pretty good but not as good as some other R'n'R artists Elvis "borrowed" from.
By today's standards, not even a good acoustic. Back then, so very rebellious. Nod to the King
solo porque su voz es malditamente icónica y las canciones son lo suficientemente cortas para no aburir, voy a darle a este álbum 3 estrellas.
Average songwriting
Great rock n roll but some boring songs in there
It really feels more like a compilation (that switch from Blue Suede Shoes to I'm Counting on You, plus his early crooning makes him sound like a completely different person), but still quite enjoyable with maybe one of the most iconic opening lines of this whole list. Drags too much in the middle and there's some slop like Tutti Frutti, so a ~3.5 rounded down. Saved: Blue Suede Shoes, I'm Counting on You, Just Because*, I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Cry, Blue Moon
Saved Prior: None Off Rip: Blue Suede Shoes, I'm Counting on You, Just Because Cutting Edge: None Overall Notes: Old-timey rock and roll/blues/country. Nothing crazy but still fun and surprisingly varied sound throughout. I guess that's what happens when you don't write your own songs.
3.5
Expected that this is gonna be good and it was. Surely is an remarkable album. Not an Elvis fan, so a strong 3/5.
groovy but a little plain.
I know this is a classic, but I couldn't really get into it as much as I had hoped for. That being said, it's a quick listen and not one song lasted too long. A very distinctive style here. 3.5 not quite a 4 yet for me, but I definitely understand why it's on the list.
Like a county Little Richard with less flair
Jo men det är trevligt. En stark trea.
He has nothing on Little Richard! 3 thanks to the album cover.
it's listenable, but not much more than that
meh, I'm in between with Elvis, not a bad album but nothing crazy either. 3 seems fair.
Very good. Not a big Elvis fan. Overall 3/5 Standouts: I'll Never Let You Go (Little Darlin'), Blue Moon, and Blue Suede Shoes.
I wish I could listen to Elvis without all of the image of poor impersonators coming to mind. The album is good. "Tryin' to Get to You" and "Money Honey" are the two tracks that I might listen to again. "Tutti Fruitti" sounds better from Little Richard. There were a couple tracks that I'd want to skip. This album gets an official "it's okay".
Elvis Presley always feels a little mysterious to me, as he was unfortunately dead before I was born, but had such an impact on bringing a fusion of genres to the masses, Undoubtedly one of the most significant albums in the history of contemporary music, setting the scene for rockabilly. Blue Moon sounds so good.
Not the best
Blue suede shoes is a bop. Tutti Fruity slaps. The rest of the tracks don't come very close to they quality of those two. Generally good though, Elvis has a great voice. Even though there really aren't any interesting themes, it's a solid record.
Fun and you can hear the pop influence but then Sam Cooke came on and likes that way better
Pretty various and has decent and nostalgic tunes!
Not an Elvis fan, it’s good music but he is very over rated and to my ears plundered the material of true Mavericks of the era.
The King of Rock's first album! This platinum album and its singles made Elvis - as well as Rock and Roll - famous. This is a classic, but for some reason I still can't get down to Elvis' music.
Not really my kind of music
This is a real mixed bag. The "Good songs" are I got a woman, Blue suede shoes, Just because, sit right down, and money honey. The "okay" songs are I'm counting on you, trying to get to you, and tutti fruiti. The awful songs are I love you because, one sided love affair, I'll never let you go (It's terrible except the last 30 secs), and blue moon (this song clearly isn't done). If some of these songs came on the radio, I wouldn't change it, but there are some stinkers dragging it down. 6/10.
Elvis was a pretty good singer, it turns out!
I like Elvis, but I love problematic, late-career Elvis - the Elvis that abused laxatives, went on incoherent quaalude rants, married a teenager, flew in his private jumbo jet at 3am to rural Kansas to get a PB and banana sandwich. The idea of Elvis as a King in head to toe sequins who began his concerts with the theme from A Space Odyssey. This is just Elvis. Which is fine. Clear standouts for me are "I'll Never Let you Go" and "Blue Moon", minimal, soaked in reverb, and deeply deeply haunting. Interesting that he pioneered (white) rock n roll but its his ballads that really stand the test of time. B-
Interesting that we get Elvis as a followup to Fats. Fats was to Elvis what Chuck Berry was to John Lennon—his black predecessor and muse who could never expect to achieve the same amount of success as his white protégé. Seems like they had a real great friendship though. This album comes from a time when albums weren't albums, but collections of tracks. It's all over the fucking place. Short and sweet, pretty fun listen.
Quite fun to listen to
Net als het vorige album van Elvis vind ik het moeilijk te beoordelen als album. Het is Elvis en die heeft heerlijke Rock 'n Roll nummers. Lekker om te dansen, dat zeker
Three and a half
Skinny Elvis in his prime!
Good.
Nog zeker niet zo spannend als de wat latere Elvis platen.
Niet spannend, wel ok.
I hate that fat elvis is so popular. I enjoy this sound a lot more. +1* *going to use this shorthand for albums I add to my library in Spotify*
Not a big Elvis fan
Classic early Elvis with mostly blues and rock and roll covers. Blue Moon is probably the best song of the album, it has a dreamy and mysterious vibe, being the others just catchy and basic rock and roll hits for the dancefloor. The originals, especially the ones from Little Richard and Carl Perkins, are better. I prefer their voices over Elvis's, which I appreciate more on ballads.
Es swingt hart, bietet sich an und verlangt alle Aufmerksamkeit, die ich durch die zeitliche Distanz nicht immer aufzubringen vermag. Opa erzählt vom Rock’n’Roll und wie er ihn erfunden hat. Das ist nicht böse gemeint. Songs sind klasse, aber sie bleiben Unterhaltungsmusik. Auch hier benötigte ich die 10er Skala. Im Meilenstein eingeritzte 2.5
This guy fucks!
3 stars