Reviews (page 3 of 14)
Elvis, a debut album of songs by other people. It’s 30 minutes of Elvis’s sound It’s not unpleasant it’s just music from another era. It certainly doesn’t deserve the virtue signaling hate it gets. You know who you are
Elvis is important, sure, and you can’t talk anbout record music without him. Otherwise, I didn’t want to and you can’t make me do it again.
Finding this nearly impossible to rate. Feels more like engaging with history than actually listening to an album.
A hugely important album in the history of western music, and rightfully appears in this list -- regardless of how tired & formulaic some of the songs may feel 70+ years later. Also the whole cultural appropriation thing AKA "hot white guy popularizes burgeoning genre created by African Americans for the white masses". I say that as as a white guy myself - his cover of "Tutti Frutti" doesn't hold a candle to Little Richard. Hot take, I'm sure. But I'll still give the King credit; guy was an amazing singer and a killer showman. Album perfectly encapsulates how rock n roll came in like a tidal wave for audiences in the 50s.
3.5
Understanding and acknowledging the controversy behind this album and Elvis in general should be the norm when it comes to listening to him. With that being said I don't think that should affect someones rating just the understanding of the album. Now for my opinion; I think this album is great, still sounds really fun and catchy for being almost 70 years old. The quality is just a hurdle anyone will have to get over so suck it up, and the music is short sweet and a blast. I can see why girls were going crazy over this guy. Really solid debut.
It wasn't my favorite at all
I'm sorry but I just do not care about Elvis. It was short at least.
I know, I know, appropriation.
I don't recall ever being into Elvis, or really knowing anyone that was into Elvis.
as mais lentas sao as melhores pena q a maioria deve ser roubada de 30 artistas pretos diferentes
ooh mama eu gostei das mais lentas dele ooooh
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.
Still holds up. Sounds like it was recorded in outer space or he was standing 10 fr from the mic. I’m counting on you is favourite.
All though I'm not a big Elvis fan, I can still appreciate his work and what he did for rock n roll. The album itself had some really good songs and I enjoyed listening to it and it's the first time I've actually listened to an Elvis album and not just individual songs.
I mean, there's no arguing that the man was one supremely talented individual in the right place, at the right time. I went into this album expecting it to be a struggle. It wasn't a struggle, but it's also something I would not intentionally choose to endure. At least the songs are short.
viva el rock and roll
I mean, it's definitely Elvis, no doubt about that. He's one of those artists that I can acknowledge as good, but he's not quite an album guy for me. This was just fine. One or two memorable songs, that's it.
yet another example of an album i know is culturally important but just cannot find it in myself to care about
The king.
Definitely understand the appeal a bit more but nothing that I need to listen to again
Pretty solid Elvis album. 4.5
Alright
Great, The King, nice album, swing, great songs, what a voice…
Definitely belongs on this list for musicalsignificance. Incredible that this album came out in the year of my birth! 70 years ago. They were rockin' then. There's such a mix on here. Typical (boring) old 50s music mixed with basic rock n roll.
ふーん、こういう感じか。
This album is essential in chronicling the history and growth of rock and roll. Elvis is a super important figure and his voice is so versatile on the different styles present here. Not a fan of his version of Tutti Frutti. Listening in 2026 this still holds up as a good album. Favorite songs were Blue Suede Shoes, Trying To Get To You, and Money Honey.
alright
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.
It's not nearly as good as his non-album singles around the same timeframe, but this album is actually way more solid than I remembered. On the slow songs, everything else sometimes gets drowned out by all that echo on his voice, but the uptempo rockers all hold up better than his present-day reputation would suggest. Plus, his backing band just sounds *great* most of the time, especially if you're someone who likes folk punk or the Violent Femmes or whatever else gives you a combination of acoustic guitars and fast tempos. There are people these days who will talk about Elvis like he's Pat Boone or something, but this album isn't a watered-down version of anything. Like sure, his version of "Tutti Frutti" is more restrained than Little Richard's, but Little Richard was always one of the least restrained rock singers so that's not really a knock against Elvis here.
This is one of those albums where it’s hard to remember how groundbreaking it actually was. These days it sounds quite tame but back in the day it was shocking and new, for that alone it deserves to be on the list
Elvis Presley - Elvis Presley Lenneth Houmous - Lenneth Houmous 3.0 5/12 I Love You, Because
5: I will happily play this album anytime 4: I may occasionally play this album of my own free will 3: I will happily listen to this if someone plays it in the background 2: I will tolerate this if it is playing in the background 1: I will leave the room if someone plays this in the background No denying the influence this album had over the trajectory of rock throughout the rest of the 50s and beyond, but when I reach for an album to listen to, it is really (if ever) this one.
blue suede shoes - 4.2/5 im counting on you - 3.3/5 i got a woman - 2.8/5 one-sided love affair - 3/5 i love you because - 3.8/5 just because - 3.9/5 tutti frutti - 2.2/5 trying to get to you - 3.3/5 im gonna sit right down and cry - 4/5 I'll never let you go - 3/5 blue moon - 2.8/5 money honey - 2.5/5
Excelente álbum de puro talento analógico, totalmente recomendable
eleven
Great voice, just not my favourite era of rock or pop
Maybe not my favorite Elvis album, but can’t deny the feelings that come with every song I hear by him. Reminds me instantly of my grandfather. I’ll take more of those memories any day.
Not too shabby.
Very influential at the time but not a great listen in the modern era of music
Pretty good album I'd say 4/5 probably early birth of rock
It's okay
Credit where it’s due, the transition from “I Love You Because” to “Just Because” is genuinely hilarious.
It's finally clear where the Clash got the inspiration for their London Calling album cover! A really interesting collection of moods and styles When my kids ask about Elvis, this will be a great place to start
Its aight. The slower songs are actually more if the vibe
🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑 (should be a star higher given historical context but could go half a star lower on enjoyment) Sacrilegiously, this is fine. Elvis has a great voice, inspired some of the best musicians of all time, and, uh, was tactically deployed by record labels to make "black music" palatable, which is why he has soooo many covers. That's obviously bad, but I'm not trying to make a statement with my rating or anything—maybe I'm not woke enough, but that doesn't seem like something I want to pin on Elvis himself. Whoever chose these songs to cover had palatability in mind, though, because they're all pretty bland, man. I feel like the Elvis I like has a bit more of a blues edge to it—at the very least a crunch or a different key. There just doesn't seem to be much going on with this one, you know? 1: Bad | 2: Okay, No Desire to Revisit | 3: Good, Conditionally (OR Inconsistent Mix of Qualities) | 4: Great (OR Technically amazing but missing the sauce emotionally) | 5: Amazing
I can’t tell if I’m biased by a lifetime of exposure, but I was just really impressed by the execution of this album. Extremely solid.
Honestly, Elvis is so overrated that I can't take any of his stuff seriously. He didn't even have that great of a voice. Everybody says it was "groundbreaking"...so, I guess, but, Meh.
I have never taken Elvis seriously in any way (and I didn't get the London Calling joke) but the documentary from the salt mine made me appreciate his talent and charm, and while I fully appreciate the racist roots of his success, he is by no means alone in that. But listening to this, and knowing how groundbreaking it was, I am struck by how mild it really is; there are several straight-up crooner ballads here along with the rock & roll ragers. It's kind of shocking how threatening this bunch of tunes was. I'm giving it a 4 for shaking things up, although this album is nothing special.
Cute! Reminds me of my grandma <3 6/10
Not a best ever. I like him, he’s a great performer, but it seems like a different category.
This where it all started
Peak cultural appropriation music
De AI-gegenereerde 'Elvis sings...' slop op youtube klinkt in veel gevallen beter.
It’s ok!
lovely, this was his funny era
Yeah it makes total sense why this guy was as famous as he was. Also pretty crazy to think these songs were the HITS of this era. Crazy how far we’ve come musically and also how timeless these tunes are.
Not my cup of tea, but appreciate the talent
The one that started it all. Respect.
Clearly fun to listen to. I probably won’t go back to listen again, but I can appreciate where this came from and where it stands in music history.
дада, но скучно, но классика есть классика, хотя бы короткий альбом 2/5
Can't argue with the king of rock n roll.
This all sounded pretty dated. Totally inoffensive, sometimes fun, but not something I’ll go back to.
It’s Elvis. Full of hits. I’m not going to deny the originals did them better, especially looking at you Tutti-Frutti, but a good time. 4/5
Without Elvis and Lonnie Donnegan, no Beatles and no rock music. Like Little Richard, essential listening.
Some of these tracks are undeniable but a bunch have been done better by others and the rest are snoozers
3.5 really
I like the higher Elvis voice better than his later voice. But these songs are ubiquitous. I don't remember a time when I hadn't heard most of them. Now that being said, Elvis was a pawn of racism and the Black artists who originally wrote and sang these songs should have gotten the money he made from touring and releasing them. It's just a more boring, whiter version of the songs as they originally were. People who say that Elvis is the reason that Rock and Roll got mainstream don't realize that they're attributing their own appreciation of the music genre to the marginalization of people of color. "Oh yeah he didn't write any of these but it made it so that my grandma wouldn't be seen as racist to listen to this music and because of that other white people started making it themselves instead of just pop crooners!" Whatever, I'll get off my soapbox. It just makes me mad that people don't see the literal evil of the whole situation. I got so mad during this that I'm giving it a one.
Why anybody would listen to an Elvis cover over the original is beyond me.
I was always more fascinated by Elvis the cultural phenomenon than by Elvis the actual musician. This album reaffirms my stance. It's fine - and short. But it's basically a fine collection of covers rendered in Elvis' unique singing style, which still has quite a few moments here that sound gimmicky rather than good (on One-sided love affair in particular). But the ballads don't sound quite as shmaltzy yet as his later ones would. So yeah... Probably justified this is on this list, but it really doesn't thrill me. And in hindsight it's a bit like being at a vintage car show... If you hear a single Elvis song on the radio today, it stands out as a nice change from today's fare. Same as a single vintage car in the road does. But go to a vintage car fair or listen to a whole Elvis album and you realise that there was a lot of formulaic stuff back in the day as well, some of it of questionable quality.
It's Elvis. Not really for me, but I get it.
Hat mich schon Schmunzeln lassen, aber ist dann nach 28 Minuten auch genug.
Elvis really feels like a "you had to be there" musician. I just can't find my way in.
Le son qui me parle le plus c'est "I love you because". Le reste me semble plutôt anecdotique mais pas nul. Pas d'artifice juste une voix de fou et de l'acoustique. Ça fait du bien aussi. C'est fou comme c'est pas trop mon truc donc je vais mettre 3 mais le talent est indiscutable. La façon dont il joue avec sa voix c'est vraiment impressionant.
Not my style but I have to recognize the quality and influence this guy had
This gets an “it’s fine” from me, but it can’t be overstated how dogshit everything else on the radio was when Elvis broke out. There’s a reason everyone lost their minds over this guy.
Im not an Elvis fan. Listening to this album confirms this. His voice is not enjoyable. He sounds like a different person each track. A slight positive is that this was recorded in the 1950s. I believe he got the time of day because he was white and America is historically racist. Elvis is gross and really not that good.
I get that Elvis was a cultural phenomenon. But as music this doesn't really impress me much. He's not doing anything better than Ray Charles or Little RIchard had already done better. Really think we need to re-evaluate Elvis's significance. Could have been worse - could have been a Dylan album. Really debating between 1 and 2 stars.
Some of the vocal acrobatics are silly
he is so happy to copy “London Calling” cover
Yllättävän menevä 70 vuotta vanhaksi albumiksi, aika ajaton albumi
Few bangers, and great energy, but some tracks are quite slow and off kilter. Still a great first record from the king.
Good stuff. Definitely impactful.
mid. good tracks
6/10
Is it good? Honestly, not really, but Elvis did it first so credit where it's due.
Il est fort mais c'est un connard.
Not sure why they had to record some of the songs inside a toilet cubicle.
Album #157 Elvis Presley: Elvis Presley I wonder if anyone leaving a review on this album didn’t feel the need to mention how Elvis ‘stole’ from black culture. It’s such a reductionist view of art and how it works. Yes, Elvis borrowed heavily from many black musicians, and I’m sure oftentimes he didn’t give credit (if ever). I’m not even trying to defend Elvis specifically, but I hate the idea that if a certain form of art comes from a culture outside your own, you are not able to participate in it. At the end of the day, if Elvis was purely a carbon copy of all those who came before him, then why did he go on to become the most famous man on the planet? Was it because he was white? Though that probably did play a part in why he appealed to White America, he was still incredibly popular amongst non-white people, too. The fact is that Elvis, whether a trailblazer musically or not, was a generational entertainer. He had the look, the charisma, and the musical ability to captivate a crowd like no other; did he steal that as well? Art and music are so much more than riffs and melodies; presentation and aesthetic play just as big a part. So though he was operating on an already established sound, when produced through his own aesthetic, it became a much more appreciated product. Why is it that people want us to be divided, want to draw lines in the sand about who can and can not create certain sounds that they like, just because the people who first made them looked different? You even hear this about someone like Paul Simon, who loved African music and made a tribute album to Africa, collaborating with many local artists; and yet, instead of that being a man putting his own spin on music he loves, it’s theft. It’s like saying that a kid who loved mob movies growing up can’t make his own because he’s not Italian. It’s pretty obvious to everyone with some knowledge of musical history that African-Americans were by far the best rockers in the 50s, so really, who else was Elvis supposed to enjoy and emulate? Why can’t it be a case like Arctic Monkeys being inspired by The Strokes, just two contemporaries, in which one was inspired to create their own music based on the other's? Anyway, I read some reviews that annoyed me, but yeah, the album is pretty good today, excellent when it came out, but ultimately not something I would strive to listen to regularly. Best Songs: Blue Moon, I’m Counting on You, Tutti Frutti Worst Song: Just Because Score out of 10: 6.5
Bet this blew peoples minds in the 50s
Fuckin rock and roll baby!!! Timeless sound but obviously hard to compare to other albums that took the blueprint and ran with it. Long live the King
Early Swinging Elvis is the Very Important Artist but as time goes by I find myself partial to Tortured Fat Elvis. Pills and blubber apparently help a voice age. Go and google Fat Elvis singing Bridge Over Troubled Water live in Vegas or Hawaii or some other 1970s Lounge Lizard Mecca. Unbeatable. Also I'm going to kill myself if I ever hear the phrase cultural appropriation again
I never got the Elvis love. He's a talented vocalist with great range, and I have come to appreciate his curation of other obscure songs by black musicians, but he just doesn't do it for me. Love the fits though.
Great voice, but very, very dated.
Overall: 7/10 This is a very raw album, and I get the feeling most of these covers were done better by other people (the ones I know I can pretty much gaurantee that), but man, Elvis had such a great voice and he was one of the most charismatic people to ever exist. Unfotunately, the man did take black music and watered it down for a white audience. In a way I would say that's not entirely bad, since that music is now enjoyed by a wide range of people. On the other hand, the credit should really go to the people who made it in the first place. In any case, I do think Elvis becoming popular was a positive for pop culture, and I enjoy listening to this album. Fav Song: Trying to Get to You
You might think this one is included here only for historical reasons, but listening to it today, well, the music itself is great. Elvis was one of a kind performer, and an incredible singer. He has the ability of swinging and crooning, both in a natural way. The band is great. I really appreciate the way this album is organized. Feels intentional, not just a bunch of songs. As you can guess, I was surprised that I liked it as much as I did. Long live Elvis, may his legacy be remembered as it should. A solid 4
Best Song: Blue Suede Shoes. This has just about the only glimpse of the rock & roll artist that he will become. Worst Song: I'll Never Let You Go (Little Darlin'). Wretchedly maudlin. Overall: Elvis before he became "The King". Many of the tracks here are actually unrecognizable against the persona with which he later comes to be associated. As much as the "character" of Elvis feels more like a meme in the modern world than a genuine artist, this green and authentic version of the man is far less interesting.
Thank god for this list - now I can finally know what Elvis sounds like.
Including a classic 50s Elvis album on this list is tough because the most radical, world-changing songs were all released as singles in the Sun days. You get some hints of that sound and style here, but there's also plenty to remind you that Elvis was a balladeer at heart, not just some perverse hip shaker. The Ray Charles and Little Richard songs are definite downgrades from the originals, but overall this is just a good rockabilly record.
You can most definitely tell this is from the 50s I think if I was a teenager back then I would’ve liked this more but it’s pretty classic
Great album *score reduced for pedophilia
unpleasant
He’s pretty good value
Super fun ! Bring good energy, like in a club in the 60s
The easy comparison is From Elvis in Memphis — the mature, evolved Elvis who earned a five by proving he could still grow after years of creative stagnation. This is the opposite end of the story: a 21-year-old from Tupelo detonating popular music with a fusion of country, blues, and R&B that genuinely hadn’t existed before and wouldn’t stop reverberating for decades. The record is mostly covers, which puts it in similar territory to the Dusty Springfield debut reviewed just before it. The difference is that Elvis wasn’t just interpreting songs — he was colliding genres with a physicality and conviction that created something new in the collision. You can hear the catalyst quality clearly, the sense that the music is about to escape the room entirely and take everything with it. Is it a fully realized record by the standards of what he’d eventually become? No. The raw edges and the unevenness are real, and some tracks feel more like proof of concept than finished statements. But proof of concept that rewired an entire culture earns its place in the score. The trailblazing aspect is audible rather than just historical — which is the distinction that pushes this to a four rather than a respectful three. Some records matter because of what they launched. This one sounds like the launch itself.
Man this is bad. Lyrics are shit, music is uninteresting. Cheesy. I understand the cultural significance of Elvis, but I can’t stand most of his music. It’s just not good in my view.
Me gustó bastante. Escucho las canciones pensando en la película Priscila y se me parte un poquito el corazón. Muy muy buena imagen para la portada.
Fff
I understand how good this is. Really. I can hear Elvis dancing.
Eh, most of it was covers and the stuff that was his was just all the same rhythm. It’s a very repertory album with covers.
Very pleasant… And, it’s Elvis.
It's wild that this album is 70 years old.
It’s Elvis…I’m not the biggest fan.
Very overrated
pretty good album! felt really consistent and it didn't feel boring. it wasnt my thing but it was enjoyable nonetheless
This site really needs to add half stars because this is the most 3.5 star album on the list.
Surprised by my enjoyment of “Early Elvis,” upon a more considerate listen, despite the passing common familiarity. Simple, stripped down, and resonant of a simpler time. Still would probably never purposefully listen to again.
Not his best but still great to listen to a classic from the king, his influence on everything is so apparent
A classic. Must’ve been insane to hear this when it came out.
I'm sure this is like what I said about Wu-Tang's first album. That it was innovative, creative, etc. But at this point, I just hear a man covering other people's songs. 2.5/5
Elvis is called the King for a reason. Amazing early work.
I was really hoping I would be able to do some kind of gotcha! by liking the original versions of these songs more, but this was actually very good. RIP Elvis Presley, sorry I wanted to be an asshole
I listened to this album on my lunch break, driving to go get McDonald's. I had a lot of reservations going into this album, with Elvis Presly being the prime example of a white artist becoming incredibly successful by performing black music, but that cynical push for palatability is more on the label than it is on Elvis himself, especially this early in his career. His performances of these songs are genuinely musically transformative, and his charisma as a singer and performer is undeniable. Now to be fair, some of the songs don't hold a candle to the originals and just made me want hear those original versions (I Got a Woman and Tutti Frutti), but there is a boyish naive charm to many of the songs, even if it gets jarring to hear him sing in a higher register occasionally on this album. The percussion on this album routinely sounds like a train rolling down a track, which mostly works, though sometimes leaves me feeling like the band is just playing too fast for me to hold onto anything. There are also some moments where Elvis sounds like he's trying a little too hard with the vocals, leading them to cut in and out at an annoying rate. But even aside from the traits of his performances which I have pong heard heralded, I also appreciated the presence of some weirdly low-key and unconventional songs, specifically Blue Moon. I wound up finding a lot more to enjoy here than I ever would have expected; I've gotta give the man his flowers, he really was a hell of a performer. Highlights: Blue Suede Shoes, I'm Counting on You, I Love You Because, Trying to Get to You, I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Cry (Over You), I'll Never Let You Go (Little Darlin'), Blue Moon (Take 9/M)
good album just not really for me
odio a elvis
8. Nothing I was waiting to be over, not my typical genre but very easy listens. Not really adding anything to my playlist from it, but would listen again
Never liked him that much
Tällä kertaa sitä toista Elvistä. Tämä levy oli varmasti aikoinaan kova juttu, mutta nykyään vain... ihan ok.
It’s easy to hear why Elvis Presley became such a massive figure. Even this early on, there’s a lot of charisma in the performances — he sounds energetic, confident, and completely comfortable blending rhythm & blues, country, and pop into something that felt new at the time. You can definitely hear why people point to this period as one of the starting points of rock music. As an album, though, it’s more interesting historically than musically for me. A lot of the songs feel more like snapshots of Elvis’ early sound than a fully satisfying record on its own. There’s energy and charm throughout, but it can also feel uneven and a bit dated at times. Still, Elvis himself carries a lot of it. Even when the material isn’t especially remarkable, his presence is hard to ignore. You can already hear the blueprint for the kind of rock star that would dominate popular music for decades afterward.
classic !!!
Blue Suede shoes is a ridiculous song but actually some of this rules. The guitar solo on "Just Because" rips. "I got a woman" is solid. Yes he didn't write any of the songs and he's repackaging Black art for a white audience, but you don't get a record that sounds like this one accident. Dude could sing.
Guess I'm not an Elvis fan. Its fine. Its early rock and roll sung by the guy with *the* voice. I suppose its groundbreaking for its time, even. But I could take it or leave it, myself.
i like elvis a lot. he really does just have a lovely voice.
149. oh
For me, this will always be the sound of Elvis.
Элвис молодец, сделал большой вклад в музыку но я просто такое вообще не люблю
хорошо
Elvis Presley Вот спокойные треки по типу I Love you Because, Blue Moon - на них я прям залипаю. Напоминают Blue Velvet. Остальные трекичи с этой скаучщей манерой мне не сильно заходят. Хотя Money Honey прикольный. Короче - норм!
RCA studio Debut Elvis
spoko elwis buja nie ma chuja we wsi na takie granie
Quite good album from 1956.
It’s Elvis! One of my Mount Rushmore favs, but not my top Elvis Presley listen. Perhaps consider “ELVIS COUNTRY”
Fine, but for as groundbreaking an album, it didn't feel that way
Influential? Sure, I guess. Hard to take this without the context of Elvis basically making black music more palatable for a white audience, including covers of Ray Charles and Little Richard that are way worse than the originals. Blue Suede Shoes is undeniably great but not a lot else here that really grabbed me, including songs with multiple hundred-millions of streams I had no idea even existed. Most of this barely rocks and has almost no grit or soul to it. Gonna Sit Right Down and Cry is probably the best of the rest but most of this is kinda forgettable.
The birth of rock and roll for white people. Elvis never wrote a song and never used original material, but he knew what was great and brought it to the airwaves and radio waves.
Elvis… Was a hero to most, but, never meant much to me. Never knew clash took this I guess
Should be higher than 3, but for the sake of consistency, this is what it has to be. 3.5/5
His debut album shows his talent and potential
fun but bit samey
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"
ain't nothing but a hound doggggah
i like it but not enough to add alot to playlist
I think this is Elvis‘s first album and it’s pretty clear by his voice. It’s not yet fully developed. Not every song is catchy, but there are times when it’s clear that the song needed a more powerful voice this just ain’t it still good though.
Enjoyed this more than Elvis Is Back. There's a rawness and energy in this, and a little less (but still lots) of the schtick
3.0 - Ok
20th Century Icon
s erste lied lowkey s beste nocher iwie mid
classic
classic iconic greatness. THE KING
The beginnings of something new, that is very old.
3/5
Elvis's debut! This is pretty quaint rock and roll these days, full of cheesy love songs and ballads, but it's still kind of fun to listen to. For me, Elvis's voice is kind of annoying at times. It's interesting to hear how different he sounds from track to track too with 50s recording equipment. It's a short and sweet album, not bad but something I'm probably not going to go back to. A solid 3.
Who doesn’t like a bit of Elvis. Funky and upbeat songs, easy listening
Not a huge fan of Elvis, I know he impacted music a lot but I just can't get past the funny voice he puts on. You can really tell when he sings normally on a few of these tracks then switches back to the uh huhh honey voice. He also didn't write any of these songs!
Perfectly fine
Elvis inventó los hits de 2 minutos, era un n&e muy talentoso. Nomás que algunas canciones están grabadas medio chafa y se les oye mucho eco xd
la guitarra lead está más marciana de lo que recordaba oh mama
Great album by a great artist. No notes.
Love a bit of Elvis
Classic Elvis. Hard to be neutral when his songs and influence are everywhere
I mean, it’s Elvis. So, ya.
Yeah, it’s been awhile. Not sure I really need to hear it again, but ok. Yeah, I know I should rate this higher than 3… but I just can’t. I’m sorry. I know he’s the king and all… but there’s just so much I’d rather listen to. Boolean rating, well yes, I do suppose I needed to hear this before I died just because he’s Elvis.
I think for me to appreciate this album more, I'd need to have a better understanding of what was happening culturally at the time. While not a bad album, I just didn't vibe with it.
Elvis doesn’t really make bad music, but nothing on this album outside of Blue Moon really stands out. He has so many other albums that deserve to be on this list, not sure this is one. Keep his gold records on here but cut this one to make room for new artists.
Too Elvisy for my taste!
it was good
Classic American folk-songs that still sound really crisp and nice; I can see why people back then really liked this guy
I really believe this album was just famouse because he was a white dude taking over black people music. Elvis does have some good songs but there ain't here. Boring Presley was served. Girl, bye.
Not a huge Elvis guy.
It’s fine
50’s Rock ⭐️Tutti Frutti
There is a reason he was called The King!
Has a cover of “blue moon” which is a Manchester city chant so pushed it above a 2.
I’ve never been the biggest Elvis fan so hopefully this gives me the chance to have a second thought. Immediately the album cover is iconic, obviously the inspiration for the Clash’s London Calling Blue Suede Shoes - one of the Elvis songs that I actually liked before listening to it. I mean who doesn’t like it I’m Counting On You - a very 50s ballad and honestly very beautiful I’ve never heard this before but I actually love it I Got A Woman - icl I only knew this song from The Beatles cover (sorry Elvis I’m biased I prefer the Bugs 😭) One-Sided Love Affair - idrk what to say about this one I just think it’s very stereotypical 50s rock n roll I Love You Because - I actually kinda love his voice in this. I think I prefer his slower songs idk if that’s a common thought but it’s mine Just Because - why can I actually imagine how he was moving when he was recording this 😭 this one’s kind of a vibe I’m not against it Tutti Frutti - immediately no lil rich for the win. Feels illegal to listen to a white boy cover this song lwk 😭 Trying To Get To You - again a slower one of his songs I like this one too. I might not be the biggest Elvis fan but I do have to admit he has a DAMN strong voice I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Cry (Over You) - hmm again it’s very stereotypically 50s Rock n Roll I get it was probably influential at the time but today I think it just gets overshadowed by other things I’ll Never Let You Go - I honestly think his voice is better suited for ballads this is beautiful I’ve never heard it before o Blue Moon - a classic but I also first heard it from the Beatles 😭 Elvis’ version is very different to theirs though it’s more simple not a very long song but it felt like it sorry Elvis Money Honey - I knew exactly how this was going to sound before I even listened to it 😭 not too bad though Sorry guys this hasn’t changed my mind much about Elvis I know he has a great voice but I can’t get over the amount of songs he’s stolen from black artists so for that reason it’s gonna be 2 stars. I just think there are other people more influential from that decade that actually wrote their own songs
🕺🕺
A true must hear before you die, if only for the A bomb it set off in popular music. Of course, Elvis wasn't doing anything a number of black artists weren't doing already, and better. And I think he was the first to cop to that. But he did bring this music to the masses, tied with a handsome pouty bow, and his Blue Suede Shoes still kicks ass. Some of the other tracks are pretty mid and his Tutti Frutti is a miss for me. Only Richard could sing that one
I'm not an Elvis fan, and having this come right after Muddy Waters showed exactly how derivative he was. At the same time, with tracks like Blue Suede Shoes you can see why he was seen as revolutionary. If this was the first time you heard Tutti Fruity or I Got A Woman it would blow your mind - but do they stand up to Little Richard or Ray Charles? I don't think so. Really, this is probably a 2, but it gets bumped to 3 for historical importance and that album cover, which truly was influential.
Lots of known classics, it's genuinely a good album.
Really Good Album! Rising of the best
Nunca imaginé que la música de Elvis sea así, muy buena de verdad, me genera mucha serotonina.
Good album that objectively it started the transition of blues and rock black influence music to mainstream so it very important as an album. Thinking before they were all singing super clean an legible abd this white boy comes and sounding different like a bad bunny today almost inelgible and shaking his ass making an immediate impact in music. Its a good album not his best but a couple of covers that lead to people learning about some black artists overnight. The first song really fets you kindo of wow this is cool and it cools down a bit in the next songs which are slower and that kind of took off a bit of my excitement from the initial cord. Still a good album but overall has more importance for what it meant than its music and production.
Yeah, definitely weaker than I expected. Elvis was a Gretest Hits guy.
6/10 Sounds very dated now, especially the slow stuff that just makes me think of my grandparents. His versions of Tutti Frutti,l and I Got A Woman sound strangely anaemic too. However, there's no denying this is a significant recording and, while I've tried to avoid judging things on that, it has to be worth something.
While I agree this is a 'must hear'/essential listening, time and perspective has really dulled this (and most of Presley's work) in my eyes. I've spent a *lot* of time with his source material -- blues, R&B, some old early gospel, rockabilly, to name some -- and all of them did it better. Elvis broke the race barrier, and I understand why it had to be a southern white boy, but most of his oeuvre is better performed by other (usually the original!) artists. "Blue Suede Shoes", "I Got A Woman", & "Tutti Frutti" are the easiest examples on this album. If anything, Elvis was the 'King' of hype. Here's a good-looking white boy from the South that can sing and dance all this music that in any other context almost no one would be listening to because of racism -- they were literally called "race records" for a long time if a black artist was performing on it. The term was later replaced, but it didn't eliminate the racial barriers. You can hear the label executives, "Let's put him on stage, let the girls swoon, and the we'll make all the money." It didn't hurt that he used ('appropriated' may be the best word) some really good music, but his asthmatic/stacatto singing style gets real old, real fast. The abbreviated ballads are saccharine but mercifully short, and his backing band is talented enough and keep the music punctual and tight. (3/5) In recognition of its place in musical history, and it's historic significance. Better came before and after, but this was the first one 'through the door '.
Having never heard of this guy before, I sat down to... Kidding. Just kidding. Presley is obviously one of the most recognized names in the history of music (despite never having a solo songwriting credit to his name), and left an indelible mark on rock & roll music, namely by making it safe for young white people to enjoy the music of old black people. Volumes have been and will be written debating the "cultural appropriation" vs "creation of opportunities" involved in the endeavor, as well as his involvement and furthering of the civil rights moverment of the era. But if you've ever been to Graceland, you can't debate that it sold a LOT of records and made him an incredibly popular icon of the age. As to the album itself, I can say that it isn't a tough listen, though more than a little dated. Occasional vocal gymnastics aside, Presley and his band do an adequate representation of the music it credits, often infusing more energy into old blues standards by speeding the tempo and shaping it into the "rockabilly" he'd become known for. It's fun when it tries to be, sad when it wants to be, and approachably vanilla. All in all, it's a 3/5 in recognition of its "historical significance," but I'd rather listen to the original artists than revisit this...
Variety: 2 Adequacy: 3 Listenability: 3 Uniqueness: 2 Emotionality: 2 = 2.4 rounded down to a 2 "The way he moved, it was a sin, so sweet and true/ Always wanting more, he'd leave you longing for" I must have heard this one over a hundred times growing up. The King could do no wrong in my grandpa's house. Elvis "culture" was still alive and thriving back then in the mid 80s as there was an impersonator boom, references in cartoons, sitcoms, the Weekly World News. You could not escape it. I remember kids in my elementary school going as Elvis for Halloween, and we even had 50s night dances where kids were encouraged to dress up like greasers and teeny boppers and of course Elvis was played heavily. He was maybe not quite the joke he became just a few years later when I remember reading about the crazy sad, lifestyle he lived and I watched comedians I liked do chunks about his "hilarious" death. The Elvis of my early childhood though was frozen in amber circa 1956-57. THE TRACKS Side one "Blue Suede Shoes" - What can really be said about this other than it was a MASSIVE hit. I'm not sure about the timeline but I think "Heartbreak Hotel" was his big smash coming out party, as it were, but this was insanely big as well. It's also worth mentioning that I think a lot of the so-called "albums" from this era are at a giant disadvantage due to the single still being the primary driver. Not sure that would change much until the Beatles and Dylan were well into their imperial phases. It's crazy to me that this album does NOT have "Hound Dog", "Don't Be Cruel", "That's All Right Mama", "Blue Moon of Kentucky", or "Heartbreak Hotel" on it, as those were all singles. Remember this - it'll be important later. Anyway, back to "Blue Suede Shoes." Is it good? Sure. Was I bored with it after hearing it for the umpteenth time? Kind of. It's also no "Hound Dog", but few things are. It also loses some of it's verve after you become a rockabilly fan later in life and have heard songs by guys that sounded a million times cooler and more dangerous than Elvis, and also after you've heard a lot of the originals. "I'm Counting on You" - Never liked this one, even way back when. I know now that Elvis wanted desperately to be a famous gospel singer, and this feels thick with it. That was another type of music that I heard entirely too much of and never cared for. "I Got a Woman" - Now this is the stuff. A little sloppier, and rougher sounding. It doesn't hurt that he's working from a Ray Charles song as a blueprint. "One Sided Love Affair" - This one is just boring. Sorry Elvis fans. This is the sort of "aw shucks" safe kind of fare that would go on to populate all his awful movies. The boogie woogie piano is the star here in my opinion. "I Love You Because" - Elvis in ballad mode is my least favorite Elvis. And the material he's working with does him no favors. This is dreck of the worst sort - it's just uninteresting in any way. "Just Because" This was ok. Sort of Elvis on autopilot though and barely interesting enough to keep it out of the lowlights. Side two "Tutti Frutti" - Very solid stuff on it's own, but c'mon. When you've heard the original this can't help but pale in comparison. It almost seems like Elvis is in a hurry to finish here because he knows he's doing something wrong. "Tryin' to Get to You" - I like my rockabilly raw, with the slap back echo turned all the way upm but this just sounds sloppy. Am I crazy or is the time off big time? "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Cry (over You)" - This was fine. In offensive and safe. This is the sort of pap The Beatles would make their bread and butter for the first coupe of albums. "I'll Never Let You Go (Little Darlin')" - This is the only acceptable crooner-Elvis to me. Voice jumping hurdles, and the perfect amount of accompaniment. I'll take this over "Love Me Tender" any day of the week, even though I certainly see the appeal of that. "Blue Moon" - The weirdest track on here. Gets points for that. But doesn't hold a candle to either Sam Cooke or the Marcels. ( I kind of even prefer the Bobby Vinton version). Maybe I just really love An American Werewolf in London? "Money Honey" - Possibly the coolest Elvis has ever sounded? This is the sound all the best imitators were chasing. Brian Setzer probably wore several of these 45's out. This also sounds like the template for Freddie Mercury's "Crazy Little Thing Called Love". Peak Elvis. Also - look around for a remastered version of this. There are some muddy versions out there that make this sound a good 50% less awesome. HIGHLIGHTS - "Blue Suede Shoes" - "I Got a Woman" - "I'll Never Let You Go (Little Darlin')" - "Money Honey" MIDLIGHTS - "One Sided Love Affair" - "Just Because" - "Tutti Frutti" - "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Cry (over You)" - "Blue Moon" LOWLIGHTS - "I'm Counting on You" - "I Love You Because" - "Tryin' to Get to You" FINAL THOUGHTS I won't get too deep into that whole culture theft thing as I think these things are always more complicated than can be discussed in a dumb music review. That said, sure he capitalized on a lot of black artists' work, most of whom were not properly compensated. How much of that was Elvis and how much was it his record company? A lot of the artists themselves seemed o respect the man, and he even has a still decent reputation as a civil rights supporter, so who knows. Let's just stick to the music as much as we can. The trouble here I think is that he's such an outsized personality that ultimately it really doesn't matter if the music was that great. It was good enough, and as a gyrating hunk of burning love, it was the minimum needed to propel him into the public consciousness. Elvis was a good singer, he could dance. His music, groundbreaking as it was, feels too polished and safe to my modern ears. My biggest gripe with this album though is that it DOES NOT have his best material from the era. All those singles I mentioned before are 1000x more electric than anything on here. I didn't even mention "Love Me Tender". This feels to me like the start of the watering down of Elvis. On his first album! Even at his wildest, Elvis will never sound as crazy as Hazil Adkins, as provocative as Little Richard, or as energetic as Jerry Lee Lewis. While not knocking his talent, I'm not sure he would have been nearly as big as he was if it weren't for that look, and the way he carried himself. He belongs up there with most of the major religious figures in that respect. A 20 Charisma score, with a +2 pompadour of greasiness, and +2 shoes of blue suede. When I was a kid I just excepted him as "the best of the best" and wasn't until I developed my own tastes later and was recommended much cooler music that I realized that even the great ones eventually start to fade if the music can't keep up with the image. PLAYLIST ALTERATIONS - Let's reimagine the King's first album as a 5-star experience: Side One 1. "Hound Dog" 2. "Don't Be Cruel" 3. "Blue Suede Shoes" 4. "Mystery Train" 5. "I Got a Woman" Side Two 1. "Heartbreak Hotel" 2. "That's All Right Mama" 3. "Blue Moon of Kentucky" 4. "Money Honey" 5. 'Baby Let's Play House" FURTHER LISTENING - Here's Little Richard by Little Richard - Hound Dog: The Peacock Recordings by Big Mama Thornton - The Dance Album of Carl Perkins by Carl Perkins - Johnny Burnette And The Rock 'N Roll Trio by Johnny Burnette And The Rock 'N Roll Trio
There is nothing new for me to say about Elvis Presley. I'm gonna try to cobble together a review, but really this artist casts a shadow so large and so dense it has its own gravity. Most of the words that could be said have already been covered. The landscape of music has changed so drastically since the 1950s that this one is an artifact from the before times. Before the Album era. There's only one album on this list that is older that this Elvis Presley album. And here so near the beginning you can see it. This is young Elvis. He's got energy, he's got talent, he's got charisma. He also has other people's songs. Elvis brought rock and roll to the mainstream of culture. He is a focal point. He was a competent enough musical talent that happened to come of age at the perfect time for his blend of talents. And so the fame and success came with it. All the arguments about the origins of rock and roll, the segregation of music reflecting the segregation of America at the time, and the exploitation of teenagers as a new economic force to market to also all get focused on Elvis Presley. And the album is fine. It tops out at a 3/5 for me. It is a sound that is so foundational and ubiquitous that is nearly impossible to hear with new ears. It is, however, a revelation to go back and listen to the original artists versions of these songs as well. This album clocks in under 30 minutes, and its easy to find "Elvis: The Original Artist" type playlists on most streaming services so you got the time and opportunity. It was for me. I hadn't really done that before and did so today. It was like breathing new life into each track. Highlights for me were Roy Hamilton's "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Cry" & Ray Charles "I Got a Woman." Both have so much more life in them. I still appreciate Elvis, he ain't coming off a few of my playlists, but his versions will always be heard with an asterisk.
The king!!
fun, unpolished Elvis with all his youthful energy
“NOW GO, CAT, GO!”
Not a good album. His voice isn’t for me. The playing is good. Some songs taken from black artists lyrics changed to make them suitable for white audiences
The king nunca falla!
Nice album - i listened while nannying a 2 y/old and he did not like it. made me want to dance though and that's all that matters.
It’s Elvis. It’s dated, and it’s not his best material, but at least it’s pretty fun.
he is classic for a reason
yaaasss, real classic worth of listening. loved it. 5-5
One of those that's next to impossible to listen to outside of the 'influence', 'for its time' and 'pathbreaking' and 'changed everything' descriptors that turn it into a sacred artifact in ROCK HISTORY. It's a lively combination of jump blues, high energy RnB, and honky tonk - all the most danceable music the mid 50s had to offer distilled into one super charismatic package.
4.8
Muy bien disco. Sin dudas historia de la música.
Hermoso
I'm not a fan of Elvis.
I get why this would’ve been great in the 50s but as someone else on here said - I would have been amazed by fire in 1500 BC, buts it’s 2026. I think that rings true.
This is an impressive debut by today’s standards. Can you imagine how world changing this was in 1956? Long live the king!
King shit.
most boring thing i could ever say but he just is so good lol. Danny DeVito I get it
its strikingly clear how much as much as he's known for rock and roll, Elvis was also just an old school crooner / balladeer
We all know why this is on the list. Not for its brilliant music or whatever, but for the fact that its the first album from the first BIG rockstar. I'm not really a fan of it, thas a nice groovy vibe to it but deffo not an album album, Blue Suede Shoes is the big standout track, the rest would be found playing on the background. 3/5
Elvis just put out great sounding rock/bluesy albums and this is one of them.
Легенда, что ещё скажешь
Primer disco de Elvis. Nunca me conmovió tanto, excepto temas sueltos.
not as good as Joni Mitchell’s Blue
believe it or not, kinda epic... lyrics are what youd expect but bangers throughout
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
Didn't listen, wasn't in the mood.
Best Song: One-sided love affair
está nice, es Elvis, no pensé que iba a gustarme así, pero tiene una energía única
Trying to imagine living in the 50's when this came out, would love to have experienced the Elvis wave. I'm Counting on You is my favourite.
esto es hermoso
Understand the historical importance. Not going to listen to it very often these days
Pas mon style
i can see why he was so famous lol. pretty good but nothing crazy (maybe at the time it was though) fav song: Blue Suede Shoes
I've never really listened to him before but I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's energetic and fun!
Very much a product of its time, the energy of the first half is pretty damn infectious but things start to fall off towards the end. Overall an interesting look at the start of Presley's career, but not an album you should feel obligated to own or listen to.
Another collection of sessions instead of an album created at one time. His phrasing isn’t really “Elvis” yet until the end of January ‘56, so the inclusion of the random 1954 tracks is curious. Definitely feels like they had Blue Suede and Tutti Frutti and needed to pad out the rest for an LP. Incredible playing by Scotty Moore throughout. Shocker: it's pretty good!
I liked it. Some good songs on it. Loved the way he did Blue Moon. Probably have never listened to a full album of his, because they sold 45s of his best songs, and that's what we bought.
It’s ok, but the songs are very repetitive (i know it’s because of that time). People liked this album because of it’s a vibe. Id listen to it maybe when im going for a coffee or at a cozy bar at night
mama not his blue suede shoes-! tried to like it but... sorry... thank fuck I was born in this generation of music
Muy bueno para la epoca 8/10
Not a big Elvis fan but this is a solid album, would do 3.5 stars if I could
I don’t know what to say about this one. It’s hard to accurately rate a record from this era. It feels so dated. Which is wild, because the music from the 60s, just 10 years later feels very relevant and present. I don’t know, it’s Elvis.
some hits on here for sure, but overall didn't do a whole lot for me. I did enjoy the feeling of the live band in the studio throughout even if the songs themselves weren't my favorite.
This is kinda the same as when we got Run-DMC a few weeks back. It's good for what it is, but compared to what came after, it doesn't hit as hard as it obviously did in 1956. It's hard to listen to it now without thinking of John C. Reilly in Walk Hard. I generally liked the more upbeat songs, and some of the slower ones caught me by surprise when he wasn't doing the "Elvis voice." Listening to this back to back with Nine Inch Nails gave me whiplash, though. Someone who was toe-tapping to "I Got a Woman" when they were 10 would have been 48 when "Closer" was getting radio play. It seems like they're 1,000 years apart.
Very good and a fun album to listen to. Both high energy and some more mellow parts
"Don't Go Touchin' My Blue Jordans"
I hardly need to put myself in the mindset of the time to hear why he was THE name in American music for so long. Possibly my new favorite version of Blue Moon, Elvis is a far better crooner than I remembered.
- Elvis was a sexual predator (pedo & violent abuser). - This album clearly cemented its place in history, full of problematic issues (that you can read all about in that highly rated comment in the reviews). - He has a great versatile silky voice. - Boring lyrics all about love as usual from these earlier rock-and-roll albums. Also, the musical ideas obviously have been overdone by now (2026). And, he didn't even write them... - Short album that still felt way too long.
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.
Favorite Track: Blue Suede Shoes
Sinners has some good points
Dated, sure. Not unpleasant but sounds a little formulaic. I actually enjoyed it more than I thought, was interested to learn that he didn't write any of these songs. There is hope for me.
Early rock n roll. Don’t particularly like Elvis, and this is extremely dated. The bluesier numbers are alright. At least it’s short.
Just some solid white washed Rock n Roll
I have never really gotten the Elvis hype. In the end, his music reflects a white man’s interpretation of the black music he grew up around. It is particularly annoying when people pretend that he was wildly new, assigning monikers like “king”. Racism is a powerful thing, I suppose. The music executives at the time knew there were new sounds ready to break out to a broader audience and they needed a white man to carry them forward. Elvis found himself in the right place, at the right time. All that said, I can see why people went crazy for this album in 1956. Songs like “Blue Suede Shoes”, “I Got a Woman” and “Tutti Frutti”, were likely far from what was coming from most radios at the time. This was certainly an important album to include in the book because it remains an important part of music history. I just think it doesn’t live up to its hype.
I can’t say I know a lot of the “non-hits” from Elvis and they’re fine. I think this album is another prime example of something that was interesting at the time because it was new and shiny, and didn’t have to be particularly earth shattering. Maybe it makes me boring, but if I’m going to listen to Elvis, I’ll take an album with some of the hits.
Ritmos curiosos
I'm convinced this album is popular and notable and important because of racism. Finally, white people en masse could enjoy black people's music. There were a few songs on here I knew but I knew the original versions, not the Elvis ones. I've never been into Elvis and this album didn't change anything for me.
Good album. A mix of upbeat songs with ballads. Basic song construction throughout the album.
Regardless of how you feel about him and his personal life, there is no denying that popular music wouldn't be the same if this album had never existed. And at the end of the day, it is quite good and still exciting to hear over 60 years later.
What to say about Elvis??? His music is about as important as Britney Spears was detrimental to what we hear now. Did he or his agent steal black music to make money off of it, most likely. But he is a very significant person to the sixties and seventies sound Solid album. 7.5/10 Top song Just because
Fun Rock'n Roll album. You only need one Elvis album in your life and it’s this one. One point for the cover which is a classic.
Just OK
It's Elvis!! Great Album
Elvis! 💪
Primitivna varijanta Elvisa. Meni su drugi albumi bili daleko bolji.
primero, no me gusta, segundo siento que (entendible por la época) pero es como de mala calidad el álbum y me molesta mucho. aprecio q es corto y las canciones tb son corticas pero es como aburrido y nah, no va conmigo, y aparte de q es cortico desde las primeras canciones ya quiero que se acabe
I didn't give this album the same attention as others, definitely didn't listen to it all in one go. not a bad album but I can't separate the art from the artist and even if I could his voice is pretty but I don't like the intonations he does anyway
White RnR at its best top A
Not bad
I’ve never actually listened to a full Elvis album before. It’s not a great album but it’s full of influence and history. Elvis really did just bring black music to white people fr
É ok, mas escutar essa versão do tutti frutti depois de escutar a do little richard diz tudo sobre as limitações desse álbum.
Perfección.
I get it’s a classic but just meh
some bops some would-be bops if i was born 70-80 years ago favorite song: just because
possibly a function of this being too "oldsey" for my ears. a ton of classics for sure though.
Ein wesentlicher Baustein des Fundaments für all die gute Musik, die ich heute höre. Handgemacht, kraftvoll, mitreißend, ehrlich, nicht pöbelnd! Immer noch aktuell!
Elvis on hyvä. 3,5/5.
It's fine? Not a style that I really enjoy, though I somehow know every song. Its tough to separate the original from the cliche. I wish I had other music from that time period to compare it to to understand its significance. Though, I'd probably just be mad that it is just whitewashing better artists.
Almost a no skip album, upbeat songs generally are generally the ones that slap most
Enjoyed the classic songs I grew up on
REALLY GOOD! Im surprised i havent heard this album before but i enjoyed it
Got this white boy moving more than I had anticipated. Not my cuppa, but I can appreciate it.
- My mood wasn’t even bad but it improved instantly when the album started this first song is fire - Reminds me of the stuff my family listened to a lot when they were with my grandpa at family gatherings - Songs are hit or miss but the misses are just a little meh - I think I generally like the slower love songs a lot more than the upbeat ones but they’re not bad Rating: 6/10 Fav Songs: Blue Suede Shoes, I Love You Because, Just Because, Blue Moon
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
Its alright
262/1001 Elvis Presley - s/t Heard before? ❎ Revisit? ❎ I got on with this more than the previous albums I've got from him and that's purely down to the fact that there are more upbeat numbers (albeit heavily borrowed) than him crooning away as before.
I really hate Elvis. I don’t know why I have such a strong aversion but I was dreading those 28 minutes… surprisingly, while I didn’t enjoy it, I wasn’t actively in pain the whole time, so I guess that is a positive
Fun. He has such a singular (as far as I know voice). Excited to listen to more. It was nice going through a whole album, I’d heard a couple songs on it before. On subsequent listens over the weekend I love Trying to get to You so much
firstly, i had pulled out The Clash - London Calling about a few hours before I checked the generator. Crazy coincidence. for the album, i get why elvis did not fw the beatles when they came out. it’s definitely about someone’s voice and lyrics overtop of sound styles they’ve heard from the greats, and they’ll keep seeing until they become great. i couldn’t get into this album until the last 3 songs, where i finally started to understand what elvis brought to the evolution from rock and roll. aside from being one of the very first pop sensations, his impact on music feels divided by his physical performance and his records. the ballads are much more unique and interesting just listening to them, but he’s a better entertainer when he copies those of chuck berry and little richard. overall, this was a great album to listen to and try and put myself in the mind of the times
Well going through this list when an album from the 50's shows up I don't get to excited. Sonicly and production wise they are always a little flat Elvis bucks that trend. The recordings seem more alive than others of the period. Now when Elvis shows up on this list I will be more excited. Excellent Listening experience with this album.
Enough Elvis no more please
This is a fun one! I was never really into Elvis but listening to this album you can really get it. So much energy and his vocal performance is incredible. Great listen.
Hard to see what all the fuss is about now really. Its historically important and therefore interesting. But it's not particularly engaging to modern ears (at least not mine). 2
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.
I can confirm this is Elvis.
I enjoyed this album. Love his voice, liked the songs
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.