Reviews (page 2 of 13)
Probably his best.
I knowwwww he’s problematic but damn he’s good for a reasn
big fun
The first, or one of the first "Rock and Roll" albums. Seems pretty tame in 2026 but for 1956 this was pretty wild - or so I read... a bit before my time. :) Classics: Blue Suede Shoes --------- Surprisingly good: Blue Moon, I'm Counting on You, I'll Never Let You Go ------------------- Very Good: ------------ I Love You Because, Just Because, Trying to Get to You, I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Cry Over You, Money Honey Can do without this one: Tutti Frutti --------------------------- I'll give it 5/5 because of it's impact on music and it is still a really great listen today.
We could debate the technical qualities of this album (of which I'll still defend) but to give this anything but a 5 is sacrilege. The King's major label debut was basically a guaranteed hit upon it's release but it's filled with songs that have become standards in American music, especially rock. RCA gave Elvis a little more control than he had at Sun Records when it came to song selections and you can see the various influences Elvis was absorbing at the time; Carl Perkins, Little Richard, Ray Charles, Rodgers & Hart. It was a little bit of everything and that's part of the reason I think Elvis was so perfect for the moment. He could take these familiar sounds and genres like country, R&B, early proto-rock and synthesize it into these songs that were like drugs or an atom bomb or both to kids. He gets a lot of flack for stealing from black musicians and artists and there's certainly some merit to that claim. It's undeniable on the Tutti Frutti recording from this one, for example. But to paint him as some sort of thief is misleading. Elvis didn't invent rock and roll; he probably wouldn't have even called himself a rock and roller until the 60s. Yes, he loved and learned heavily from black musical traditions but he ultimately benefited from a racist industry that rewarded a white performer more than many Black innovators. Elvis's success is something that occurred within that system rather than as an act of deliberate appropriation by Elvis himself. Idk, it's complicated!
It's Elvis
I own this. I love this hodgepodge of a rising star. I love him.
Great, The King, nice album, swing, great songs, what a voice…
The King! His debut album covers a lot of R&B hits, but he’s more on the “borrowing” side as opposed to “outright theft”. That voice is clean, pure, and total American rockabilly. The man put rock & roll front and center in American music with this record.
eleven
This where it all started
Without Elvis and Lonnie Donnegan, no Beatles and no rock music. Like Little Richard, essential listening.
Very pleasant… And, it’s Elvis.
Elvis is called the King for a reason. Amazing early work.
classic !!!
For me, this will always be the sound of Elvis.
Amazing stuff. Good, honest rock and roll. What a way to enter the world of celebrity.
He is the King of Rock n' Roll for a reason. No particular race invented Rock n' Roll. It was a constant cultural exchange in America the melting pot if you will, that resulted in the emergence of the form. Elvis Presley was not an appropriator of other people's culture. His two biggest hits off this album were written by white folk, and in the case of "Blue Moon", written 2 decades before rock was even a thing. Presely was respectful of the other contributors to the form and included covers of their songs (black folk mostly, but others as well) not as some rip off, but to honestly pay respect them as well, even when it wasn't yet the thing to do. He brought the people together, not divided them apart. Little Richard eventually credited Presely for covering "Tutti Fruitti" because it allowed Richard Penniman the opportunity to reach white audiences. It was Richard's signing of a bad deal with Speciality Records, not what Elvis Presley or what Pat Boone did with his songs, that screwed him over. Everything that evolved down the family tree of Rock n' Roll and all of its sub-genres in the modern day is possible because of this barrier breaking album that set everything into motion. Presely did not merely do a simulacrum of the form, to the Blues and R&B of the black community, he added his own way of performing those genres, as well as introducing his own influences from country, rockabilly, and gospel to the form before passing it on to the next generation. Also, this doesn't said often enough, Presely's band gave some fantastic performances, given the limitations of the studio at the time. Without his popularity, who knows if The Beatles would do what they did. For John Lennon said it himself, "Before Elvis, there was nothing..." Favorites: "Blue Suede Shoes", "I Got a Woman", "Blue Moon"
classic iconic greatness. THE KING
Love a bit of Elvis
Lots of known classics, it's genuinely a good album.
yaaasss, real classic worth of listening. loved it. 5-5
Muy bien disco. Sin dudas historia de la música.
Hermoso
This is the kind of stuff that makes me believe i was born in the wrong era of the world. Just by the first note where it makes me want (and did) start dancing I know it's something I could hear for ours, letting out that freaky, intense and crazy self that doesn't have the chance to show much often. I feel like this album was definitely made to make you smile, and it did
5 for the crazy rockabilly vocal energy and guitar in the fast ones
esto es hermoso
"Don't Go Touchin' My Blue Jordans"
Elvis can sing to me any time. I didn't really like the way he scooped on "I'm Going To Sit Right Down And Cry (Over You), so I will list that as the worst song for me.
It's Elvis!! Great Album
White RnR at its best top A
Perfección.
Ein wesentlicher Baustein des Fundaments für all die gute Musik, die ich heute höre. Handgemacht, kraftvoll, mitreißend, ehrlich, nicht pöbelnd! Immer noch aktuell!
REALLY GOOD! Im surprised i havent heard this album before but i enjoyed it
We are going even more cowboy country with this one. I don't think my grandpa actually listened to much Presley but I see how he influenced those he did listen to. Also this guy would've killed it in the Midwest Emo scene. Ending with Money Honey has to be one of the funniest things Elvis has done. 4.5 / 5
I mean, it's Elvis. If you look past the image and listen to the music, especially in context of the time, this is just unbelievable.
Album 1084 of 1089 Elvis Presley - Elvis Presley (1956) Rating : 5 / 5 It’s hard to believe this album is just over 70 years old. Rock and roll has taken a lot of turns since then, but this still holds up just fine. There’s a simplicity to it that really works. No overproduction, no studio tricks, no layers trying to cover anything up. It’s just the music and the performance, right out in the open. You can hear everything clearly, and that honesty is part of what makes it so enjoyable. This is rock and roll in a very pure form. Straightforward, energetic, and confident without trying too hard. It doesn’t feel like it’s reaching for anything. It just is what it is. And beyond the music itself, there’s something else at play here. You’re not just hearing an album- you’re hearing the beginning of something much bigger. This is the early sound of someone who would go on to become more than just a star. He became an icon. Not just for the genre, but for the time and for a whole generation of people who saw something in him they could dream about. Sometimes the value of an album isn’t just in how it sounds today, but in what it represents. This is one of those albums where it’s both. Simple, raw, and still effective all these years later.
Elvis did not write any of these songs, but they're pretty good covers.
Golden oldies.
Historic music legend. Breaking barriers for his time.
Rating: 4.8/5 Short Review: Raw, electrifying rock and roll that feels like the moment popular music shifted forever. It’s loose, rebellious, and full of swagger that still jumps out of the speakers. Favorite Track: Blue Suede Shoes. The performance is pure attitude, and Elvis delivers it with a confidence that helped define early rock and roll.
Годно. Можно слушать, для меня больше как позитивный фон. слушать еще раз - да
Pretty great.
Legendario. Sin más. No hay más que decir.
Cant go wrong with Elvis what can I say. Easy 5 compared to other pieces of shit I was getting earlier. Is this the greates? No. Is this the greatest album I got so far? BY FAR, compared to, fcking Hangmans Beautiful Daughter or Scum this is a masterpiece
Just pure fun.
It’s Elvis!
Welllll I got them Elvis moves!! I was also watching a movie yesterday, 99% sure it was my beloved Remains of the Day, and it had Blue Moon in it!! He's truly timeless, a jive, romantic, everything lovely
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Great vibes Faves - blue suede shoes, tutti fruitti, trying to get to you and I’m gonna sit right down and cry
IT'S ELVIS! This is a great album. The young Elvis rips through some classics with youthful energy & attitude with the band driving the music home. & I could never get sick of hearing Scotty Moore absolutely shred on the guitar!
Toe tapping hip thrusting, there is a reason Elvis is called the King. My music taste are much more contemporary, but I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this album.
Elvis always a classic
Elvis, '56! Raw, energy real It’s easy 70 yrs on to be dismissive, a caricature for either side, either the American dream or race and appropriation. Lacking any form of nuance either way doesn't stop us keyboard historian warriors. So I'm going to stop. Anyway musically I love Elvis, this record 5
Imagine if this album had the #1 singles that were released prior to this album.
Excellent album. The king or rock and roll for a reason
Haters gonna hate but Elvis is now the most underrated artist in rock history. Sad. This album is essential in every way.
Love it!
Never quite understood the appeal of Elvis but this album has proven to be a great introduction to his talent. Later Elvis is not for me but this is a great album and shows that his place in music history is massively important.
I mean, c'mon, the king. OK, he borrowed/stole from black musicians heavily, as did so many white musicians. But he did add his own flare, charisma and style, and he poked 'Merica in the face and said, "THIS!".
Goated album
Elvis back then when he sang Rock n Roll and was badass
lo and behold, the debut album of a very young and energetic elvis presley. seriously, why bother writing an intro? looking back at it, he was quite the breakthrough artist especially at the time. in an american world that was modest and heated. a moment to apologize to all the long-gone mothers of boomers who genuinely were horrified seeing this man in action... he was a hottie. as a gay man writing this, if you were a young lady and you saw that on television, you'd grip to your chair. i feel like this energy and... charisma so to speak is more than enough to explain why this album is notable to me. all the other nerds out there with their one-trick pony doo-wop, then you see this man with a pomp sweating his ass up on stage, strumming his guitar so hard his fingers would probably bleed.
Loved this!
My mom hated Elvis, so I ended up avoiding really listening to Elvis for decades. I think she might have grown up in that town from Footloose, because this album just made me want to dance!
It seems as if every single rock ‘n’ roll album from the 1950s is legendary—at least the ones on this list. Against this backdrop, I find it really difficult to give a meaningful review. Yes, this is Elvis' debut and it starts off great with “Blue Suede Shoes.” Then there are other songs, but does anyone want to know about them? I don't think so. Did I mention the iconic cover artwork?
Still the King
If you like rock and roll or even popular music, this is like being asked to rate the New Testament. Elvis is the King, and your favorite music wouldn't exist without him. Forget that some styles have been satirized or overdone or sound corny to our modern ears, that some songs are weaker than others, or that this isn't a real album per se....it changed everything. Feels hard to rate it, but at 29 minutes of mostly upbeat music, its an easy listen even today. The version of "Blue Moon" is one of those haunting tracks that just sounds cursed....one of my favorite Elvis recordings. You can go a long way with a three piece band and some slapback echo as long as you have a dynamite singer.
Classic. Not an Elvis fan but a great album.
I loved this one!
Generational talent. Generational bangers. Multi-generational impact. I love seeing what an artist's first song release is for "Song 1:Album 1" and this was one of the best ever in "Blue Suede Shoes." Elvis went big for a first album and has all the signature sounds.
The King
Love it.
The production is so bold, the performances strong and beautiful. Technology has come on but contemporary recordings are rarely so rich. Shows what you can do with ambition, dedication and the time, space and lack of distractions.
Wow
First of all, I'm going to start by saying that Elvis did not appropriate black culture anymore than Charlie Pride appropriated white culture. If we all thought like that, then I guess the Righteous Brothers should have stuck with singing Doris Day covers. Anyway this album is an amazing debut by an amazing artist. He grew up listening to r&b and that's what he wanted to sing. Charlie Pride grew up listening to country and western and that's what he sang. This album is the shot heard round the world. Rock and Roll did not originate with Elvis but he brought it to fruition.
Best
really enjoyed it, such a classic. never heard elvis before, but i really liked it.
The start of a genre!
Time does not diminish the power and pure fun of Elvis' music. Great grandfather of much of what you will hear in pop, punk and rock and roll. So good, so good.
Wop-bom-a-loowah, belah-bam-boom. Ba-ba-ba-baby, Hüftprothese. Elvis das Aphrodisiaka einer ganzer Generation. «Just because» ist so typisch Elvis-Voice...stell dr vor, dä bstellt so en Teller Pasta! «Tutti frutti» haut mich aus dem Sessel. Un «Blue Moon» sowieso eines meiner Lieblings-Standards. Kannte diese Version von Elvis nicht und Jeeesus! Was für eine schöne Honigmelonen-Musik...und vom Sound-Bett so avantgarde...könnte von heute sein.
Classic!
This is Rock N Roll
Elvis’ debut is definitely one of the greatest of all time.
Not even a fan but I can recognize that this is a 5 ⭐️ album
Pretty strong stuff. I’m a bigger fan of his gospel material, but it’s clear to see why this took off.
Rock birth. It took a white guy to make black music pop music. So many iconic songs.
Not even 30 minutes of pure fun and rock ‘n’ roll. May not sound like much now, but this was the 50’s!!
black, white, whatever. if I was alive in 1956, I would have gobbled this up. sure, maybe chuck was better (and put out "maybellene" in 1955, maybe the best song ever), and maybe little richard was better ("tutti frutti": 1955), but I'd have needed as much rock and roll as I could get to drown out, I don't know, the fucking rat pack and my parents' ragtime jazz or whatever. rock and roll is a perfectly fucked up righteous synthesis of sounds and sources. don't fight it or fight over it. let it consume you. "blue moon" rules.
Awesome
9 Lov elvis
Never used to rate Elvis, but I was wrong. The guy shat talent. Favourite tracks: yes.
The one, the only, the man in the blue suede shoes rocking you out and starting a revolution.
Outstanding debut by the King himself, his rockabilly roots ever so present here, and demonstrates why he became the King of Rock and Roll.
The king! Classic--
“Well it’s one for the money…” So starts just less than 30 minutes that make up one of the most influential albums of all time. Elvis first album for RCA with that iconic album cover that has been imitated frequently, most memorably by The Clash on London Calling, is a driving mix of rock and roll, country, rockabilly, steeped in reverb and still sounding fresh nearly 70 years later. “Blue Suede Shoes” kicks things off with huge energy and contains a Scottie Moore guitar solo as iconic as any Hendrix or Van Halen. In the next half hour we have “I’m Counting On You”, a country/gospel number; a youthful, bouncing version of Ray Charles’ “I Got A Woman”, which ends with the grinding, hip swivelling, snarling Elvis that so enraged conservative 1950s parents; “I Love You Because”, an archetypical Presley ballad; “Trying to Get to You” which is a lot more Hank Williams-like than I remembered; “Blue Moon” Sinatra-like crooning, drenched in echo. If there is a weak point it is that “Tutti Frutti” doesn’t approach the manic, wildness of the Little Richard original, but it’s not a bad rendition and frankly, what could? The arrangements are simple and direct throughout. The core band of Moore, Black and Fontana are superb. Forget Vegas-Elvis; this is where it’s at…
Not a bad debut
Man, 12 songs, 28 minutes, and seismic. I've never listened to this before, but two things struck me: 1) how many songs I didn't know, and 2) how unpolished the album is. The songs sound so different based on their recording session, you can't hear each instrument clearly, etc. I believe it was all recorded live in the room, which I love. There's nothing left to say about Elvis, but it's fascinating to listen to this debut and hear where it all started.
Pas là où tout a commencé, mais presque.
The big bang
Esto es el estándar del rock and roll. No creo que Elvis Presley inventase el rock, puede que no sea ni el rey. Pero desde luego marca cómo se canta esto y dibuja el personaje del cantante de rock para siempre.
First rock and roll record to hit #1. First rock and roll record to sell a milli. Pay your respects.
Knew most of the songs, definitely a romantic feel
Its Elvis. Just perfection
Ну за Элвиса и пятёрочка пойдёт.
Brilliant
Great. Tune after tune.
This album is great from beginning to end. All the songs are excellent and so full of Presley's energy. Fantastic and so enjoyable, this album is a classic, if you like it or not. Great for Elvis!
el god del panteon del rock
28 minutos espectaculares
The King, Elvis, never disappoints It brought me back to my youth
The King baby!! Nuff said!
While this music is ancient by Rock ’n’ Roll standards, it still carries a certain relevance and charm today. I was only a few years old when he passed away, but I’ve always loved Elvis, I even made a pilgrimage to Graceland!
What a debut! I had never heard his version of Blue Moon, reminded me a little of Chris Isaak!
This is the first time I have listened to an entire Elvis Presley album. I have heard some of the songs before such as "Blue Suede Shoes" "Blue Moon" and "Tutti Frutti" but not the record. I loved it. Superb album from 1956. Superb in 2025. 5
Yellvis Jestly
i like this album coz i relate to elvis as we are both pedophiles
The blueprint for rock and roll. Raw and energetic, before Elvis got sanitised.
The King will live on FOREVER!!!
love it! If only the songs are longer - although, maybe the effect will not be the same
Que Álbum! O impacto sonoro e visual no ano do lançamento deve ter sido estupendo! Celest Wyvern Qing.
This sounds basic by today’s standards, but the impact and influence for the time cannot be understated. The delivery and style of his performance was so cutting edge and set a new tone and standard for what we now know as Rock and Roll.
As a major supporter of other African American artists, Elvis was known for citing the importance of black artists on the foundation of rock n roll while openly recording many of their songs to help promote a colorless world of music. And while majority of songs here were indeed written by other artists, I decided to go all in based on unique style all his own, not to mention legacy and influence.
What a debut. There are probably later albums with more “hits” but I really like this era of the King and how he approached his vocals. Rounding up for influence and the fact that this is what he brought to the world out of the gates.
The perfect pop rock album of the 50s.
“Before Elvis there was nothing” - John Lennon The King of Rock N Roll. His debut album. The start of it all. Second to none son.
Great early album from Elvis and his rockabilly band. Lays the foundation for so much that followed. A classic.
Not a fan. Sounds like a country white boy to me even when I studied him in school. I get it or whatever.
There's a reason he's called the king
Sin comentarios, pero su valía supera muy ampliamente a mucha de la "música" sugerida en esta lista
If you don’t give this album a 5 star you really shouldn’t be on this site.
increible la verdad, especialmente pensando que es del año 56
Это база
Lovely
Quintessential 50's sound, beautiful rockabilly and ballads
What a debut! Such a great album. Not everything Presley did was superb, but this one is excellent in all the right ways.
The king still reigns over Rock and roll.
Ik ben al EP fan vanaf 1972.. 10 sterren Er is maar 1 king. Met dit album is het begonnen bij RCA.
Loved this
This is iconic, and it really gives me the dancing itch. My feet are tapping along with the tunes.
Шик. Разве что несколько утомляет концентрация хитов.
Loved it
C'est le King. La voix de miel qui coule et qui charme l'ours. L'alternance approximative entre pièces rythmées et ballades rehausse le plaisir de l'une et de l'autre. Metallica a copié cette approche sur l'album noir. Le band fait opérer la magie. Ça n'a pas de bon sens comment il est bon.
I had an Elvis wedding. I can’t rate this fairly.
28 minutes to change popular culture forever.
I know many of these are cover songs by superior black artists, but this is the first rock n roll album to hit number one on the charts and paved the way for many of the other albums on this list. That by itself is worthy of five stars. Iconic cover art, too.
Icon
From the first beat of the first song, it is immediately apparent why Elvis was such a sensation
Es increíble como este disco tenga tanta fuerza sin necesidad una producción sofisticada como se hace hoy en día; muchos artistas tomaron canciones de aquí para hacer covers y así rendirle un gran homenaje
The King
Good memories
Vielleicht ist das auch nur Confirmation Bias, aber Elvis Presley ist einfach nice
Short n' Good
Love Elvis!
Just watched the Elvis film and was keen to explore his music more, so perfect timing. He has which a unique voice and sound, that works so well. There is a reason he is called the king!
Love it!
Around 1991, a dear friend made a compilation of 70s Elvis, long before that was fashionable, and he titled it " Still Dead. Still King." This album is one of the key roots of rock and roll - vibrant, impudent, teenage energy.
Always a Great Album
The first rock’n roll album to get to number 1!! Elvis is l/was the King
Only because it is what is and it did what it did
Holds up well for being almost 70 years old. While Charles’ “I Got a Girl” and Little Richard’s “Tutti Frutti”originals are better, Presley’s voice is incredibly good on almost every track. A giant in his time.
What a voice, I get the hype.
I love Elvis so I can't imagine this will be less than 5 Banger, front to back. Come on...
Elvis Presely It’s surprising how good this sounds and how coherent it feels for something right at the birth of Rock’n’Roll, before the album and before the pop star as we came to know them. I suppose it being recorded in relatively few sessions, relatively close together helps it all feel connected, and while Tutti Frutti and Blue Suede Shoes are more or less Rock’n’Roll songs the majority of it is the rockabilly, country and r’n’b that birthed Rock’n’Roll. That gives it both a nice sense of history and also a sense of continuity. Ultimately it’s a very listenable and enjoyable collection, and even knowing everything we know now about Elvis, you can still feel the charisma and excitement coming through on the songs, helped of course by his excellent band, their exuberance and attack giving the songs a real edge. Musically a 4, historically a 5, I’ll split the difference and round up 🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️ Playlist submission: Blue Moon
I'm dancing, you're dancing 5/5
I can say I don’t think I’ve ever listened to a full Elvis album and I enjoyed it
It’s Elvis
legend
Classic
My mom listened to Elvis all the time in the car when I was growing up. It was only when I was much older that I realized her cassettes were all the hits and that I never listened to any albums. What a fuckin blast man! I know he stole it all, but he’s still the King.
Finally I listened to a whole Elvis
It all begins and ends with Elvis!
Classic
Vielleicht ist das auch nur Confirmation Bias, aber Elvis Presley ist einfach nice
He is the King. Tracks are familiar and as expected. A fun listen and deserving placement on the 1001 list.
Fantastic album, great variety, almost every song an absolute banger.
Great album!
hell yeah
This list wouldn't exist without this album. It would've been wild to be a kid around this time. One day there's music as you know it and the next day there's Rock and Roll. Set the world on fire. Elvis was the king.
The basis of rnr
The only bad thing about Elvis is that he is so iconic he completely overshadows the amazing band backing him up. Scotty Moore deserves more praise!
The king is alive
Blue suede shoes: 10/10 I’m counting on you: 10/10 I got a women: 10/10 One-sided love affair: 10/10 I love you because: 8/10 Just because: 7/10 Tutti frutti: 10/10 Trying to get to you: 7/10 I’m gonna sit right down and cry: 7/10 I’ll never let you go: 6/10 Blue moon: 6/10 Money honey: 7/10
Can’t mess with Elvis
whatever man it’s elvis
Awesome early Elvis
Elvis is such a bloody legend! There are some great tracks on this album. Some don't even sound like him.
Elvis is my mom's favorite. I get it! 5/5
Elvis was special. He oozes so much character on this record, it almost sounds like a comeplete charicature. This is my 3rd listen and I've finally started really loving the middle of this album. I find Elvis is still strongest on this album during the slower songs, that take of "Blue Moon" is insane. I listened to it while on the verge of sleeping and it was mind blowing. Also the guitar work on this album is fantastic
Absolute classic!
Elvis was influential. He had major sex appeal/rizz. I mean we all know the words to his many hits. Never listened to this album through all that but I enjoyed it
First of all, brilliant album cover. Reading about the history of Elvis is rather interesting. One can't say simply that Elvis simply "stole" African-American music and made it white in a time where racial segregation was still unfortunately prevalent. Of course, he was strongly influenced by this music, but he had the vision to bring it to a new (white) audience. And it appears he was well aware of the debt he had to the black performers that came before him. There's an argument that his music helped to reduce the boundaries between white and black culture at the time and that seems fair. Then to the rather immense cultural impact Elvis had. He was one of the first sex symbols, potentially. Some quotes from wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_impact_of_Elvis_Presley#Danger_to_American_culture): Frank Sinatra opined: "His kind of music is deplorable, a rancid smelling aphrodisiac. It fosters almost totally negative and destructive reactions in young people" His actions and motions were called "a strip-tease with clothes on" or "sexual self-gratification on stage". In August 1956 in Jacksonville, Florida, a local juvenile court judge called Presley a "savage" and threatened to arrest him if he shook his body while performing at Jacksonville's Florida Theatre... Sounds crazy now, but Elvis shook up the music game quite significantly. The music, from 1956(!), is still a pleasant listen today - albeit somewhat cheesy at times. Can't give anything but a 5*, all things considered. Great stuff.
I knew as soon as I saw Blue Suede Shoes as the opening track it was going to be good I love the 50's style music and the quality of the recording - something about that muffled/crackling sound A few songs I knew already, and the others were just as good! 5 ⭐️
A favorite of mine!
++: Blues 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 +: I'm Counting on You, I Love You Because, I'll Never Let You Go (Little Darlin'), Money Honey 8,5/10
How can I give The Kings debut any less than a 5?
I’m at a 4.5 that will just barely get the bump up to a 5. I’ve never heard a full Elvis album until this point – obviously, I’d be a moron to not know the hits, which is why I’m very glad this is an album with maybe 4 of them at most, and only 2 if you count the fact that Ray Charles and Little Richard did “I Got A Woman” and “Tutti Frutti” way better than Elvis did here. I didn’t know a lot of the tracks on here, and I enjoyed most of them. I’d be remiss to not acknowledge that yes, this entire album is basically a cover album of black music made more palatable to white people at a point where everything was too racist to give those black composers and musicians an inch of credit (unless you were an undeniable superstar, and even then…). With that said, huge credit to the backing band; a lot of these are really well adapted for a faster pace and a more rock-driven soundscape, and when they get a chance to shine on here, they knock it out of the park. I’d also be remiss if I didn’t say Elvis sang these songs pretty damn well. Look, it’s 2024; people know Elvis’s voice by now, whether they’ve heard Elvis himself or someone imitate it. It makes this album a little tougher to digest in that sense, because sometimes, it really does feel like he’s overdoing the whole twangy shtick sometimes to the point of parody on a few tracks. However, when he’s on, he is on like a motherfucker – there’s some serious standout vocal performances here, and in those little moments where everything comes together, I can feel the charisma oozing out of his voice and I can see the appeal of the time take hold. There is something to it all that’s just undeniable unless you’re actively looking to hate it. I just really enjoyed it – it’s cheesy as hell, and it’s extremely prototypical rock & roll by modern standards, but there’s just something appealing about it even with how much of a culture vulture Elvis was. It’s a great album, and even past its place in history as “the first Elvis album,” I think it holds up on a lot of its own merits. Just barely gets the bump to a 5. Certainly no lower than a 4, I think.
Miércoles de volver a las bases del rock. Sí. Todos sabemos que Elvis era la versión blanca de ritmos que se venían gestando desde los sectores marginales y negros, y que su figura vendía más. Pero, poniendo una pausa en la problematización, ¿Cómo ser tan necio de negar su trascendencia en la historia del rock? ¿Cómo reprimir que los pies bailen solos con sus ritmos y su voz tan particular? Muy bien 10
Iconic!
Foundational rock n roll.
Siendo uno de los LPs más importantes de la historia es imposible darle una baja nota a este disco. De la misma forma que es imposible negar todas las acusaciones y polémicas en contra del "Rey del Rock&Roll". Sí, es cierto que Presley fue catapultado a la fama por interpretar canciones al estilo de los más grandes de la escena afroamericana en medio de un contexto de segregación. A la vez, no se puede justificar su comportamiento para con las mujeres (y en el caso de su esposa, una niña) solo con que "eran tiempos diferentes". Sin embargo y a pesar de todo esto, Elvis sigue y seguirá siendo una sombra gigante en la historia de la música pop global, inspirando a cientos de miles quienes posteriormente inspiraron a cientos de miles más a hacer música con un "appeal" masivo. El fue el primer en ser así de grande, llenando de sueños la cabeza de todos quienes quisieron llegar a ser estrellas del escenario. Y eso es algo que siempre tenemos que tener presente, con sus luces y sombras. Ahora, en tanto al LP en sí, estaba hecho para ser exitoso. Todas las canciones transpiran personalidad y carisma, con una voz encantadora que estaba destinada a los panteones más altos del pop y el rock&roll. Este realmente es un álbum que no puedes morir sin escuchar.
The debut. Sounds fresh still and love it's reverb laden haunted ambience.
I think there are some albums we’ll just never be able to comprehend the impact of its release. And this is one of them. It sounds like wallflower wallpaper for the unknowing listener or like safe white imitation of Black music. But this album is nonetheless a huge mark for pop music without which we would have a very different music world.
I'm giving this a 5 more for Scotty Moore's guitar than for anything else. I saw him live with DJ Fontana in the 80s as part of a "sun sessions" tour and I love his style.
I mean, it's a classic. To diminish it by being edgy or refusing to listen is asinine. It's one of the first real albums and really it's closer to country than r&b. This is the album that launched a thousand bands. It's dated and he's more of a singles guy anyway but it's still great.
The first album by the King. Actually, it accumulates some singles, outtakes and other things from the Sun sessions and brings them all together in a surprisingly cohesive album. It's Presley without the bells and whistles, the way he was meant to be heard.
28 minutes of great rock and roll
Raw and powerful. It’s easy to hear what all the fuss was about.
KAMOOO ELVIIZS NONII EIVTEHTY PASKAA
One of my favorite albums we have got. It would have been so cool to see him and be alive when he was at his peak.
Das Debütalbum von Elvis Presley. Ein recht kurzes Stück Zeitgeschichte (Album unter einer Stunde lang). Hat mir sehr gut gefallen.
It was great to hear young Elvis, just starting out. I’m not convinced this is the best album I’ve ever heard, but it was truly a game changer and certainly deserves to be on this list. I love that Elvis just sang what he loved, whether his cover was worse or better than the original is up for debate, and out of that he sparked a whole new sound. For that, and for several tracks that you just can’t help but love, Elvis has to get a 5. This kind of album is why I started listening to this list.
I remember listening to these songs when a kid and my parents tuned in on the radio! Particularly loved Can't Help Falling in Love with You as a kid.
What a great album. In 1955 I only heard the songs that got played on the radio. Some of these songs were new to me. I liked his version of Blue Moon. I remember sneaking into our car sometimes to listen to the radio. My mother wouldn’t let us play that “hillbilly music” in the house.
The King debuts. And all is pipe.
Great
Perfect! Just perfect! I love the variances in the texture in the music!
Elvis Presley
Old school rockabilly that gives a great showing of the star that Elvis will became.
Very fun album!
Funny to have two albums this week with “Tutti Fruiti” on them. Anyway, this is obviously a stone cold classic and one of the most deserving albums on this list. I could listen to this type of thing every day.
4.7 - Honestly this was a blast. There is a lot of joy that comes from this album and it's just great feel good shit. Great voice too
Transformational! Such a talented and brave artist.
Listened to this on the way to Henderson, in the U-Haul. I loved it!
Actually really good for my first Elvis album
I currently live in Memphis—he’s still huge here. Wish he had stuck to the music and dumped the awful movie career. He was type-cast in those awful 1960s movies which were a damning indictment of how Black Listing talented writers/directors/artists in the movie and television business made a big stinking mess of movies made for the mass (lily white bread) audience…As decided upon by white talentless businessmen. Absolutely detailed Elvis’ musical talents. Too bad he got himself literally worked to death for a dead-end career in Vegas. That so cheapened his ability and natural talent. Enjoyed the listen. His voice was really chirpy at that age. I did visit Graceland and my sense of him was that he truly was a decent person who tried to do the right thing. If he had just fired the manager, canned the movie aspirations and spent his late 30s into 40s back here and between Memphis/Nashville/New Orleans working strictly on music with the especially talented musicians from our area—it might have been a better life that suited his character and background.
There is absolutely very little that can surpass this album as one of the greatest of all time. How so? 1) It's Elvis just as he's becoming ELVIS 2) One of the mosts iconic album covers / photographs 3) The Jordanaires (which really is the number 1 reason… but I digress 4) Elvis' best backing band before Tom Parker screwed him up - Scotty Moore; Chet Atkins; Floyd Cramer; Shorty Long; Bill Black; and D. J. Fontana. Anybody that rates this any less than a criminal 4 is out of their mind and has reason to be listening to anything on this list because none of it would be on this list had it not been for this album. 5/5
The album that started rock and roll
The king
What can you say about the legend. Suffers only so slightly from the practice of the time of keeping hit singles off the albums but still great top to bottom.
A perfect rock and roll album
The best Elvis album in my opinion.
Great
He's the king baby. So many fucking bangers.
Even though I don’t play this much, I have to rate it highly for its significance in music history. You can’t dismiss the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.
This is a must-hear for sure for someone who has never heard it. I had not heard this entire album before, but was familiar with almost all songs. It was fun listening to and am still in awe of how much this white boy from the south had such a huge impact on the music we listen to freely today.
Nobody beats the king but the king
Still fresh and what a voice! Highlights: Blue Suede Shoes, Blue Moon, Money Honey 5/5
I mean, c'mon, it's Elvis.
He’s widely acknowledged as the King for a reason. His early records on this album are examples of why. Youthful exuberance, incredible vocal chops from singing in gospel church his entire childhood, kinesthetic awareness…he was more than ready to be in the right moment in R&R history. Perfect
The undisputed King. I can’t imagine what the reaction was when this first was heard. I would not listen to this often, but enjoy the reminder of how great and groundbreaking Elvis was.
This is just a classic album. It's still fun to listen to, and even though I won't put this on normally, any time I do listen to it, I"m going to realize the huge impact and the fact that it is still very much listenable today, unlike some other things from the time.
Listen, I don't care if we're not supposed to like Elvis, his music fucking slapped. 5/5
Wait…Elvis is incredible? 4.5 or 5/5-ill do 5 to honor but it’s what you think Elvis is but not satirical, just great! 5/5
Just the King. Excellent
I like some of his songs but mostly I’m not a fan I think I enjoy his later in life songs the most. It’s amazing how different his voice is in some of the songs.
Fabulous
Really liked this.
Awesome!
He may have stolen his music from Black people but damn did he sound good while doing so.
its Elvis. that.
Great album
It's Elvis
I’ve never heard a full album by the King but it was worth every second. His voice alone was just to deep and soulful.
I was surprised how much I enjoyed it. I have not been an Elvis fan but enjoyed some of the B cuts that sounded more creative and playful to me than the more popular hits.
The first album is still the best. Pure talent that sent rock and roll to the world. But not only, this album shows the versality and brilliance of a unique artist.
Listened
I love Elvis
Genial, rompedor, innovador para su época. Buenísimo.
Elvis is king.
Classic
Top notch debut
This is the debut album from the King of Rock and Roll. These songs are formative to rock and roll, broadly. Elvis had released a number of successful singles before this album. By the time of release, Elvis had already started touring extensively and his fame was growing. Elvis was the first rock star. He became famous for his incredible voice; his boundless charisma made him a star. Elvis' music - including rock, ballads, and gospel - helped to establish the incredible range that exists in modern music. The legends about the King of Rock and Roll may be as significant.
This is a banger. Awesome album.
It's Elvis. King of rock and roll
So fun!
Rocking and Rolling!
Brilliant
This was pretty sick, I know the vocals aren’t all-timer performances or anything but he has such a distinct energy that gel very well with the arrangements, which I love. These are some great versions of these songs, the guitar work from Scotty Moore is absolutely amazing, really knocked my socks off. Trying to contextualize this in the time period really drives home how insane this would have made you if you heard this for the first time.
There’s a lot of revisionist history around Elvis, some of it likely true, but this album is a portrait of a young Elvis, early in his career and on fire. Yes he took the music of Black musicians and made it commercially accessible to White audiences, but that in and of itself was revolutionary. And you can tell he really loved R&B and gospel. And the gorgeous voice… such a range. Take the myth away from the man and you have a great artist in his prime on this album.
TROP COURT !!
LOVE.
This is an iconic album! It’s not perfect and it seems like Elvis hadn’t established his identity as a performer, but it has a lot of energy. I see why it blew up back in the day.
The King. Sun Recordings and early Elvis are A tier
goated
Yes Elvis is problematic but he's got a great voice and music is solid.
Amazing album!
This album literally launch rock n roll, we could argue that without this album and Elvis, the classic rock as we know and love wouldn't exist so just for that this album deserve a lot of credit. Its also the first rock album to reach the top 1 of th billboard The openning track is blue suede shoes wich is one of the most famous Elvis's song and its so catchy groovy and rock that its only better as the openning track. The rest of the song are not as famous today, but they were influencial, like i got a woman who was covered by the Beatles on their BBC sessions. In general its easy to see how this album have a big influence on John and The Beatles. They are softer songs like i'm counting on you, I'll never let you go and I love you because, very rockabily song like Just Because or i got a woman and rock n roll song like Tutti Frutti and Money Honey. All those song and some like Tutti Frutti are inferior to the original, but for the majority, ELvis make them its own musicaly. Anyway from the cover that inspired Clash's London Calling, to the songs that inspired countelss musicians and the Man that inspired whole generations and just is a musical legend, wether we like it this album or not, it as an influence on culture, society and music. Even if only musicaly this album is not the best by Elvis, but for a 1954 reccord, i think this is fair enough
Classic Elvis!
Probably the first hit rock and roll record. Historically it has to be a 5. Although apparently he is accused of stealing black rhythm and blues. Regardless, Elvis was an original and the first inspiration for many many musicians.
Cool
What a voice!
Great classic
I was lucky enough to see Elvis in concert in 1975 as a teenager, in Shreveport, La., before he gained excessive weight. Wow. What a show. My Dad had seen him perform on the Louisiana Hayride in 1950’s in Shreveport. I grew up listening to this album as a kid in the 60s because my Dad was such a fan. Not as good as his Sun sessions, but overall this is a top album. Classic early rock and roll song, Trying To Get To You, written by Charles Singleton and Rose Marie Mccoy is the best on this 1956 album.
SURPRISE 5!!!!!!!!!!!
Banger og masser af klassikere
I think I was able to apply fresh ears to this one and I really got it. This album is crackling with energy and youth and it made total sense to me why Elvis became what he became. I know this seems like a pretty basic take, but I wouldn’t say that I was ever really an Elvis guy.
solid album
Great old music made the year I was born 1956! 4 stars
What else would you expect from the King?
The king. There's no energy like young Elvis. The best.
this stupid ass h0nkey stealong these songs still pisses me off but I can't deny how good it is 😩
Loved this recording. Such a great singer and some of his best vocal performance s that really highlight his range. The band sounds great too.
That’s what we like to hear!!
Hell yes
How can you not give 5 stars? Those mentioning the covering of black artists by Elvis would do well to listen to the podcast "A History of Rock in 500 Songs" to get some perspective.
Kinda one of the albums that started it all.
Still good stuff
Leuk om te horen waar deze legende was begonnen, goede tracks
28 minuter pure bliss