Elvis Presley

Morning boost - Uplifting - Roadtrip - Timeless

A classic. Always good.

29/08/2025 I've never given a Presley album a listen to before and if they all pan out like this, I certainly look forward to the next one. Spotify listeners: 21.6 million.

Timeless classic

Great album.

I wouldn't call myself an Elvis fan but it's hard to deny his talent or his impact and it's evident from this, his debut. Culturally as well, there aren't too many artists that have had his impact. Despite not writing his own songs, he was heavily involved in their interpretation and in the studio and alongside his performance, he made definitive versions of songs like _Blue Suede Shoes_, a song written and released 6 months earlier by Carl Perkins. This is a really solid collection of songs with a good energy and vibe and great productions.... and at 29 minutes, it's a really easy listen. A mix of upbeat and slower songs and not a bad one on here. It's not mind-blowing now, as it was at the time but holds up amazingly well.

There’s no doubt this is pure rock and roll. It’s fascinating to hear such an early example. I’m not likely to listen to this very often, but it is cool.

I actually expected this to be better than it was. Being his debut album, Elvis obviously wasn’t dialed into exactly what he would become, but this was pretty hit/miss to me. 3.5/5

this album shows really well the magnificent of elvis music

Pretty good quality music. Jazzy rhythms, liked it. Not much more to say though.

never thought I'd like Elvis Presley but here I am

4/5

Good album a lot of the songs are very catchy. Some songs are a little too repetitive and lack depth. Top two songs are I’m counting on you and trying to get to you

Nice album with great songs. Maybe a bit incoherent but what can you expect from this decade?

great album

I expected bad recording quality. I expected 2nd class songs cause at this time the good songs were issued as singles. Instead I got an albums full of stereo, crispy clear bangers. Crazy how well the album aged. Would not listen to this in my free time though. Plus no original songs -> only 4 stars

Long live the king.

A classic, with an entirely deserved reputation. I can’t even choose highlights because the entire album is mythic…

Juste du gros fun à écouter ça! Quelques pièces très chouettes dont j'avais oublié l'existence : I'm gonna sit right down (and cry over you), Blue Moon... ça sonne cinématogrphie, il y a probablement un paquet de films qui ont utilisé ces tracks Le bouquin dit que cest un peu un collage " Elvis Presley's first LP is a frustratingly inconsistent record", mais on s'en fout tu Autre bémol, en lisant les autres reviews, le contexte de whitewashing. Il y a eu plein d'artistes afro-descendants qui ont fait des meilleurs albums et qui l'ont précédé, ça mérite réflexion

Really enjoyed this, was pleasantly surprised. I didn’t think much of my previous Elvis album but this had some great tracks on it. Top Track - Trying To Get To You

I really enjoyed this one and want to re-listen to pay a bit more attention to the lyrics/cultural background. Very fun album

7/10

Hdj

lavuk beni istediği moda sokabilir sihirbaz piç 4/5 veriyorum 🙏🏻

The King.

Good while working

A big black cloud come! O comes to Tupelo. Comes to Tupelo. Yonder on the horizon…Distant thunder rumble… Rumble hungry like the Beast…

Ok, not an Elvis fan but there’s no denying many of these classic tracks moved the needle on pop/rock.

Had a bunch of classic Elvis songs on it and wasn't too long.

I'm not the biggest Elvis fan, but I think this album shows all the different sides of his music in a way that is the essential Elvis. It's very good.

Pas l'album le plus excitant, mais ça marque sûrement un tournant dans le monde de la musique. Transition du country et du blues vers le rock-a-billy. Univers où la musique populaire c'est des singles pour la radio vers le concept d'album et aussi le concept d'artiste comme une icône. Chapeau, très énergique et dansant.

I think I am genetically predisposed to enjoy Elvis

All the classic hits. Gret lbum

The faster songs are a lot more successful than the ballads, somehow his voice worked much better for the slow songs when he was a bit older (eg Can't Help Falling in Love) But the rock'n'roll songs are great fun.

I was actually decently impressed with this album. I used to be heavily into Elvis when I was a little kid (I owned his greatest hits on vinyl and two beatles records so I know the hits front to back) however I had never sat down and listened to an Elvis record. Simply because I expected it to be one or two hit singles and a bunch of filler. However this album was surprisingly consistent for an album that came out in the pre-pet sounds, pre-sgt. pepper’s world. I’m giving this record a 4 mainly because of the influence it had on the generation that would go on to define classic rock radio, but also because this record was genuinely entertaining and not as much of a one trick pony as I expected. Great record, would love to revisit again.

classic indeed

From a personal enjoyment perspective, I quite liked this album. From a music history perspective, this is super fraught. The majority of these songs were written and better performed by black artists. It simultaneously makes me glad things have changed somewhat, but it also reminds me that SO MUCH racism still exists ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Don't get me wrong, Elvis is great. He's Elvis, for fucks sake. But the sappy ballads on this album are shite, and the rest of it is just good old fashioned rockabilly. Nothing wrong with it, but I'd rather listen to Ike Turner, Bill Haley, Chuck Berry, or Little Richard. Can't give this a five, or a three. So four it is, even though I'm not sure it's deserving. 4

Elvis the King! What’s not to like. A little 1950’s rock and roll all done in 28 minutes. Stay off my blue suede shoes!

On sait pourquoi il a traversé les époques Franchement très très cool à écouter

Fair

I've never known much about Elvis other than Conan loving rockabilly more generally. This album was packed full of really enjoyable tunes and kept me awake during the sleepiest part of my drive. Thanks EP

Elvis is always a bit of fun, though his range is a little limited. Some portion of this review is responding to an argument that he adds nothing and is mostly a whitewashing of Black music. Music is always a process of blending, and he certainly borrows from Little Richard and Chuck Berry, but he's adding his own country twang. Mixing (mostly white) Country with (mostly black) Rock'n'Roll is a pretty formative moment for music, taking us just one step away from what I would describe as recognizable modern music (which in my conception starts in 1963 with Freewheelin', 2 Beatles releases, that James Brown live Album Alex hates, and a lesser Sam Cooke release) Listening notes: Blue suede shoes—a very fun track. I can see why he started to catch on! I’m counting on you—meh. He’s still shackled to slow crooning Sinatra-type stylings 🙄 I Got a Woman—okay so I think (or more properly like Chuck Berry) cracked the code on good upbeat songs. These all have great energy and never stay long enough to get stale One-Sided Love Affair--Banger. Tutti Frutti is fun since it gives a direct comparison to the Black artists Elvis was so much indebted to (and whom, despite urban legends, he credited profusely). Little Richard is better. A soft reminder that Elvis is partially about sanding down the rough edges of rock n roll--in this case I mean that literally: little Richard has a grit in his version, while Elvis sings coolly the whole time. That might have worked for 1950s (white) crowds, but it's not my preference. I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Cry makes the country influences a lot more obvious here. The fact that this would be at home on a Cash record helps show what Elvis adds to the musical potpourri of the late 50s. Okay the slow stuff works a little better on the b side. I’ll never let you go and Blue Moon are solid offerings. Money Honey is maybe the best track on the album, slowing down with fastest stuff but preserving the energy of it. Review: This album works better than I expected (and I wasn't expecting it to suck ftr). In general I find his slow stuff pretty underwhelming (though I’ll never let you go was a little better) but as long as he keeps up the pace, it’s quite good, and it isn’t long enough to wear out it’s welcome. In general, after listening to a little Berry and Little Richard, it's clear that Elvis has a much smoother style, which as a stylistic choice doesn't do it for me. A lot of the album tracks here are really solid. I wish I could try dancing to this before rating. Obviously, Blue Suede shoes is epochal, but Just Because is quite good. This is a low 4, but certainly a four.

Elvistä

I like this! Made me twist on some songs and just get transported to the good old times.

Excellent album to get in the 50s and 60s feeling. Love the short and crisp songs!!

Didn't expect to like this very much. Do recognise the importance but never been a great fan of Elvis Presley. This was however surprisingly enjoyable, can't say I love it but did like it.

Seminal, pretty good

Good solid pop-rock. Short and sweet.

Great album, loses me towards the end when the high energy elvis disappears for a bit but really good anyways

Totally see why it was so huge esp with women

das war mal ein Debut-Album; hat auch sonst einige verändert, nicht nur Elvis

8/10… rock n roll / country

Elvis Presley

Legend

Buen debut de Elvis Presley. En cuanto a lo instrumental canciones de amor acompañadas de una mezcla de rock y blues irresistibles. A nivel lírico Elvis narra el amor, la aceptación de tenerlo, cuidarlo, no cuidarlo y dejarlo ir.

Classic early Elvis. A few stand out tracks and a few fillers. Worth it to hear Blue Suede Shoes alone.

It’s Elvis. Even this he married a 14 year old he’s the king

What can you say? It's The King! The record is a fantastic debut, and a showcase of the alchemy that took place to turn the country, blues, and swing into Rock and Roll. The King showcases many of the styles that would dominate music for the next 5-10 years, inspiring acts like Chubby Checker, Buddy Holly and the eventually bands like The Beatles. Elvis was key in bringing this type of music to broader and white audiences, but he was definitely participating in a conversation of his contemporaries who would not see their efforts rewarded with full length recordings until a few years later (notably Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley). If you are interested in the history of rock and roll, this is quintessential listening.

I'm not a fan of Elvis performing ballads. Elvis and band performing Rockabilly, the historical significance on the other hand are what makes this album worthy of 4 stars.

Enjoyed it much more than expected

This is it. The album that started modern music and kicked off rock and roll. It's early Elvis and before studio recording and such so the album suffers a bit from having a lot of the tracks be very noticeably from different recordings and that's a bit of a shame with modern ears. Ultimately there's a few solid hits on here and while the album is short and sweet it's impact can't be overstated Standouts Blue Suede Shoes I Got a Woman Tutti Frutti 4/5

4.5

Пока не очень понимаю, почему Элвиса считают мега-крутым, но этот альбом слушается определённо хорошо. 7,5 из 10.

I’ve always loved Elvis. The old school rockabilly vibes are amazing. I had never really heard much slow Elvis from this era until this. Some of those songs shine as well. The one drawback for me is in the covers of “I’ve got a woman” and “tutti frutti” just left me wanting to listen to the original versions

You can do what you want but don't heeurgh huuuh give me a 2 star review. Don't worry Elvis, it's 4!

Gros classique à matin, j'ai cru pendant une seconde qu'on m'avait généré London Calling de Clash une deuxième fois. Je m'attendais à ce que ça swing plus que ça, mais tu retrouve quand même Blue Swede Shoes et Tutti Frutti. Mention spéciale à la magnifique reprise de Blue Moon, j'adore le vocal éthérée et mystique. - Re-salut! J'en étais où, déjà? Ah, oui! C'est vrai que moi aussi j'ai de la misère à définir un âge aux utilisateurs du site, j'ai l'impression que c'est tous des jeunots de mon âge! Je travaille pour Uniselect, une sorte de conglomérat de plusieurs entreprises qui produisent/distribuent/offrent des pièces/produits/services en lien avec les automobiles. Présentement, je bosse sur la refonte graphique de Bumper to Bumper, une des plus grosse chaîne de garages au Canada, donc AUCUN stress là-dessus! Sinon, j'ai appris la basse un peu après la Covid, me cherchant un hobby sans écran et loin du graphisme. Mon grand ami Hugo (on a commencé la liste des 1001 albums ensemble, il n'a pas duré bien longtemps) m'a suivi en apprenant le drum, pis on jam ensemble de temps en temps. On a même créé un band, Morbèse Orbide, mais on a jamais fais le moindre show. Ok, je vois le topo concernant Radiohead, peut-être que l'alliénation post-moderne n'a pas fait racine assez creux dans mon cœur d'enfant. Ce qui m'aide vraiment pas, c'est la voix de Thom Yorke qui me fait le même effet que des ongles grattant un tableau à craie (j'imagine que la voix de Geddy Lee doit te faire un effet similaire 😉). Bon, Nardwuar est pour moi un journaliste et interviewer musical de qualité, qui applique une très grande rigueur au niveau de la recherche derrière chaque interview. Selon moi, son personnage permet de déstabiliser l'artiste, obtenant des réactions beaucoup plus authentiques et sincères de leurs parts. Pis en plus de ça, le gars il fait ça depuis 1986!Il a su garder son style propre à lui pendant presque 40 ans, lui permettant de propager un fun chaotique dans le monde de la musique. Donc, quand je le vois se faire manquer de respect par une bande de macaques douchebag tout droit sortis de l'équipe de football d'une mauvaise comédie romantique américaine, ça me laisse un goût amer en bouche! Je sais qu'il faut séparer l'artiste de l'oeuvre, mais dans le cas des Sonic Youth, j'ai l'impression que l’œuvre est l'artiste! (si ça fait sens?) C'est bruyant pour déranger, c'est hargneux, c'est très aigre; bref, j'aime vraiment pas leur vibe en entier! Bon, je sais que t'as dis de faire plus court cette fois-ci, mais on avais beaucoup de points à aborder! (Oublie pas d'aller voir la première partie de ma réponse sur No Other!) Donc, je te relance deux balles: Quelle matière enseigne-tu (j'hésite entre prof de français ou de musique, mais ça pourrais être histoire dût aux voyages?) et quels albums/bands des dernières années me conseillerais-tu d'écouter? Ok, à la prochaine!

Great album, signs of things to come. I loved the production values. An album definitely made for airplay. The King in every sense.

i dont usually enjoy blues/country/rock and roll/rockabilly (idc, however you wanna call it) but this album surprised me for good (given the fact that it’s from the 1950’s)! i thought it was gonna be super boring but not at all; it’s so catchy and funny, even unhinged sometimes. i’ll have to say, though, that some lyrics were a bit misogynistic: “she knows a woman’s place is at home”. anyway, it was to be expected since it’s written in 1956 but it gave the ick, not gonna lie. also, i read all the horrible things that Elvis Presley has done throughout his life (i mean who doesn’t know who is THE Elvis Presley?), so maybe that influenced badly on the way i see his music but OH WELL. overall i enjoyed it so much more than i thought and i can see myself listening to it on my way to university. my favourite ones were I’m Counting On You and One-Sided Love Affair

The King! First time with the album that started his legacy, and this is great listening. Totally reminds me of my father.

Pretty solid and fun, I probably won't be returning to it, but it definitely has earned its place in history (1956!). A lot of lovely little songs.

Loved this and even the analog-ness (is that a word?) you can here in the recording. Like you can hear the reverb in the room the recorded. Lots of musics can credit their roots to this. 4.5 but just doesn’t get that 5 for me.

I'm a bit torn on this one... feels like it should be highly rated given the impact on rock and roll and music generally... but also he's mostly just covering other people's tunes. I dunno, I enjoyed it and guess I shall reluctantly give it a 4th star. 3.5/5

Austin Butler isn’t half bad here.

Very good debut, early Elvis with its break out songs that anyone can listen. Influences are noted and the structure and vibe of the record is undeniable. Loved it.

A treasure chest of greatness

Classic Elvis. I don’t love everything here but most of it’s very good.

I mean it's elvis

Never really listened to him but my family love him. I liked the album and you can’t go wrong at 28 mins.

Iconic album cover. Decent listen.

straight up og country rock w a velvet voice.

Always thought I didn’t like Elvis, but this swings fo sho!

I definately enjoy early Elvis versus later Elvis. Many familar tunes on this album. Yes, he's a bit over the top and bit exagerated, but this is what seperated him from the other crooners of the time. This is a fun album.

I’ve been a fan of Elvis for almost my whole life so it’s not a shocker I liked this one, but it was so interesting to me to notice the quality of the recording and visualize how it was made.

I understand Elvis's place in music history & I love him but alot of these hits are done better by other people. He kills the vast majority of them. Still loved the album.

I'm not much of an Elvis fan, but I do love his early work, especially the songs he recorded for Sun Records. This is an iconic record. It's not just the music, the album cover inspired my favorite Clash record, London Calling. "Blue Suede Shoes", "I Got A Woman", "I Love You Because", "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Cry (Over You)", and "Blue Moon" are my standouts.

Classic. You know every song, or at least think you do.

Excellent album from Elvis.

Elvis's backing band doesn't get enough credit. While he clearly isn't yet the best version of himself as a singer on this album, their version of rock and roll still sounds raucous all these years later - especially on the more uptempo songs. The frenetic energy of the bass player is especially notable, it sounds like its chasing the drumbeat around, and half the time it feels like the whole song is about to spin out of control. The only thing keeping them all together is the smooth, calm and often surprisingly wry tone of this young Elvis, who is just having a blast out there. Less interested in the ballads on this album, because Elvis doesn't yet have the gravitas or melancholy to pull them off.

I can see how this becomes the start of the legend. For a debut album, its pretty damn hip. One thing I noticed is that his trademark vibrato isnt over the top here.. its actually fits and doesnt sound corny even to my ears ~70 years later. I got a woman was the perfect of example of that. Later in his career, that shit got out of hand Genuinely great songs: Blue Moon, I Love You Because, Ill Never Let You Go Controversial take: I Love You Because doesnt sound like the rest of the album. They mustve sped that track up because the vocals do not sound genuine 3.5 stars to my ears. Rounding up because its Elvis.

Interesting to hear his difference voice on various tracks. He has a higher, not-so-low voice that's nice, but he def puts it on

Two years before Johnny B. Goode. That’s all I gotta say.

I've never really been into Elvis, but I definitely see the appeal. There's not a single song on this album I would even call as low as mediocre

Great album. Never listened to it all the way through but you can see why it caused a stir -- and great cover, too!

Blue Moon is such a good song

Really enjoyed, kinda surprised I only really knew Blue Suede Shoes as a bunch of other songs were really fun, really did not like his rendition of Blue Moon

I've always enjoyed Elvis.

Elvis - you know what you are getting.

I've always loved Elvis Presley, his music makes me think of when I was a kid and mum used to listen to him, and cos I thought he was really cute when he was young (I was a young teen mkay). Also his music is overall pretty upbeat and I can't help but bump my hips to it

Where it all started. Singularly great voice, his guitar player is great too. Feels hard to rate this objectively; you have to give it 5 because without it there is no rock n roll etc. But also, in the subsequent years music was made that quickly made some of these songs seem middle of the road, which would have been an insane thought at the time.

Ca swing, c'est certain. Est-ce que ca sauvera l'économie mondiale ? Difficile à dire, je dirais que non cela dit

Some classic hits. Noticed some of the backing vocals having the same vibe as the cover of 'Someone' by RHCP.

I know Elvis Presley already so I knew I'd enjoy this album. I don't love his covers though. Ray Charles and Little Richard do I've Got a Woman and Tutti Frutti a million times better than Elvis does.

I've liked so much that it's unreal. He had a badass aura.

Histórico. Diga o que quiser sobre Elvis, o talento do cara é inegável. Apropriação aquilo, tensão racial isso, ok ok, mas ouve a voz dele bicho. Absurdo. Album de estreia, maluco com 19 anos de idade, com toda essa energia e vigor. Abaixa o punho e escuta o som. Viciante. 4/5

Classic album. While Elvis now has received a to of flack for his "stealing" of black music, I mostly blame the music industry for putting him to that. In all fairness, he could have said more though. It was an industry completely built on this formula. No doubt his career was built on the style and songs of black musicians, but i'm not sure how much control he had in that. his later years he held a lot more way but he collapsed mentally and physically. With all that being said, sonically, this is a good album. People today cannot really understand how this sound shook things in mainstream white culture. The songs are solid, but his ballads and slow songs are where he really stands out. That is true for all his music.

His voice was really interesting throughout - at times entertaining, at other times a little too much (accent wise), but very much like an instrument that added texture. Nice listen.

You can’t go wrong with The King. Great album

There’s something I’ve always found quite warming and cosy about Elvis’ music. It’s generally quite simple rock and roll, and rarely strays too far from a twelve bar blues, but it still doesn’t tend to get old. His self titled album is more of the same. Blue Suede Shoes might be one of his biggest hits, and there are a couple of covers here too (at least I think they’re covers - maybe Elvis did it first? I’m not actually sure…) in Tutti Frutti and Blue Moon. It’s probably not my favourite Elvis album, but I enjoyed it all the same.

Is this the original album art that London Calling was parodying or does it go further back? I know some of the songs from the album but have never invested in an entire Elvis production that wasn't a greatest hits. Some bops on this one. I get the cultural impact but am not blown away. I have no idea how to give credit to Elvis for performing songs as I don't believe he wrote a lot of them and it loses some authenticity for me.

Classic blues Americana. Blue moon was solid. Interesting to hear.

welllll it’s rick n morty time

I think simply having this album on the list is out of necessity because of his impact, but like what made Presley Presley was his performance right? So this feels like it’s missing an important part of the context of the importance of the album to be looking back on it instead of living in its time. Also it seems he was just like the palatable white cover for black music cause of the racism of the time which is why he was successful which is kinda lame. But aside from that, and actually relevant to the album as a package, it has a fun mix of dancy vibe music and quiet love songs (sometimes cute and sometimes misogynistic). His voice is iconic and the mood was fun, I felt like I was going back in time, which of course I was I mean this album is pretty dang old, but it was in a good way instead of how some albums just feel like they were meant for a different person at a different time. Good but I could do without the misogyny.

I don’t think words could express the amount of joy and pride my grandparents would have knowing that this album holds up for a 19 year old male 69 years after its release in 1956 (TO THE DATE WILD COINCIDENCE). This album’s sound is emblematic of the hopelessly unattainable romantic American ideal. It’s hopeless romanticism (and blatant misogyny) is endlessly captivating and terribly idyllic. Nothing can seem to go wrong listening to this record. Call it ignorance, call it naivety, or call it that sense of childlike carelessness we long for from the day we lose it, either way the tunnel vision caused by this album is so narrow the listener is left nearly blind. But it is in blindness where beauty is found. Sorry I’m waxing poetic, I think the album is getting to me. Brilliant album and a true classic. Edit: (5->4) yeah I must’ve been on some kind of trip writing that review because I mean yeah this album was great but sheeeeesh that great? I don’t know… honestly amazingly written review though not to toot my own horn or anything haha.

Today, Marlais received his first pair of proper shoes. And so it’s a divine cosmic coincidence that today’s record starts with “Blue suede shoes” (a reasonable description of his baby New Balance trainers). We spend the first spin of this record largely talking over it; it’s Elvis, we get it. We’ve been getting it since before his millennial revival, even. Cool. We let the thing spin down, then we talk a little about it. What was it that made this the biggest thing on the planet? How much can we say we meaningfully owe to Elvis Presley. A second listen through starts, and things begin to click into place. The bass finds its focus; the guitars spring suddenly to life; the caterwauling – so charged with energy that it cycles between states of wobbling, then teetering, then feels temporarily back under control, until… – becomes a cry through time; but this doesn’t feel the stuff of a hedonistic death drive, but rather its opposite. Something's being born here, it’s completely undeniable. This shift in perspective is not, as you might expect, because we’re listening to the record any more closely; instead, it’s come about purely because we’ve had a minute to reflect on Elvis in history, so to speak – everything from his music’s largely ignored antecedents, to the enormity of his fame, which then must have been totally without precedent. And from that vantage, we’ve imagined ourselves, for a minute, still closer in thought to turn of the century Victorians than we ever possibly could be to mid-70s punks. In that moment we’re caught, anxiously and with trepidation, between youth and young adulthood, between wartime regimes of thought and peacetime motions toward liberalism, and we’re looking for an outlet, or more accurately perhaps a lightening rod – something, whatever it is, that we’re grateful to find Elvis offering us. The significance of that moment can’t be – isn’t, really! – overstated. Hearing Elvis in these songs give shape to adolescent hankering is to feel yourself being thrown back in time – not to the 1950s, but to your own brief spring of limitless potential. And that’s what this Elvis record is, really. An invitation to experience an emotional immediacy you’re encouraged, as an adult, to dull; and a nice reminder that to find the magic in something, sometimes all it takes is to let yourself walk a mile in someone else’s shoes.

Not a big fan but an Icon

Can't go wrong with Elvis (until you can)

Simple and pure, mostly powerful and awfully haunting in places (the eerie "Blue Moon" especially [as Jarmusch recognized and made more haunting still] and "I'll Never Let You Go"). But it is uneven sounding – some distant/hollow/eerie warehouse/abandoned church vibes, some warmer, small club vibes – no surprise given the record was assembled from multiple recording sessions. One can hear so many possible futures are embedded -- he coulda been Roy Orbison (or Buck Owens or Ernest Tubbs), or a country-novelty act in the one-hit wonder category, or a generic pop-music celebrity, or wholesome gospel-adjacent prosperity. He was of course by the all of these potentialities and more, and a self-parody besides. "I'm Counting On You" is excellent and holds up extremely well. I Got a Woman" works well enough, but it ain't Ray Charles now, is it? But some corniness, too, and poor choices (e.g., "Tutti Frutti" and "Money Honey"). One feels all the threads – skiffle and rockabilly, country and blues, with more than a dash of the roadhouse and the old, weird America and our savvy now that it all sounds like David Lynch soundtrack. But the posturing, however authentic and well-intentioned at the time, also comes through, all that was going to lead to the worst excesses of celebrity culture – from the movies, to the jungle room at Graceland and white tux revues in Vegas, and ultimately to American Idol and the Kardashians. One finds it difficult to ignore those uncomfortable implications when aiming to take this on its own terms, in the hope of neutralizing the natural condescension of the backward look. In a similar vein, one must be careful not overrate this for its innocence and seeming simplicity, or even just because the Clash liked the cover (which is merely another form of retrospective condescension). Point is, Elvis (and Peter Guralnick and Greil Marcus) have given us a lot to think about and that's why it's still worth listening of course.

I think sometimes a few too many songs aimed at the screaming girls that are going to be changing his life, but did find some gems that I have not heard before like Money Honey. But some really solid songs and solid album of classic 1950's rock and roll. 4 out of 5

8/10

I love that ‘50s Memphis sound. I’m pretty sure every producer and manager was a villain (if biopics are to be believed ) but I do want to do a deep dive some day.

Younger Elvis is still growing his giddy cheeky sexiness. Found this album really serious. But appreciate the perfectionism.

Elvis clearly belongs on this list, and as his debut, it really hits. I always find "Blue Moon" such an interesting sound, and the other songs are pretty solid and exemplify the time period.

Principios del rock,n,roll. Algún clásico genial.

Elvis is who my mum played in the kitchen when I was younger. I enjoy his more uptempo songs but I wouldn’t choose to listen to him. However, I can very much appreciate that the bands I love & grew up listening to, were influenced by Elvis. Such as The Clash & their homage to him with the London Calling album cover. So although he’s not a preference of mine, I understand his importance. And I did enjoy the majority of the tracks on this album.

This is great, Tutti Frutti is my fave

Good music. Too short of an album

# Elvis Presley's Debut Album: A Foundational Pillar of Rock 'n' Roll Elvis Presley's self-titled debut album, released in March 1956, stands as a seismic shift in popular music. Combining rockabilly, rhythm and blues, and country into a volatile new formula, *Elvis Presley* became the first rock and roll album to top the *Billboard* charts, holding the position for ten weeks[3]. Its cultural impact reverberated far beyond its 28-minute runtime, cementing Presley as a generational icon while reshaping the trajectory of American music. Though its patchwork of covers and lack of original material reveal the era’s single-driven industry norms, the album’s raw energy, genre-blurring ambition, and Presley’s electrifying charisma make it an indispensable artifact of 20th-century art. --- ## Lyricism: Bridging Boundaries Through Borrowed Words The lyrical content of *Elvis Presley* reflects both the album’s revolutionary spirit and its commercial caution. Of its 12 tracks, only two ballads (“I’ll Never Let You Go” and “I’m Counting on You”) were written specifically for Presley, with the majority repurposing songs popularized by Black artists like Ray Charles (“I Got a Woman”), Little Richard (“Tutti Frutti”), and Carl Perkins (“Blue Suede Shoes”)[1][3]. This curation served dual purposes: introducing white audiences to rhythm and blues while softening its edges for mainstream palatability. On “I Got a Woman,” Presley excises Charles’ gospel-infused declarations of devotion, instead emphasizing the song’s swing with playful vocal hiccups and a shuffling tempo. Similarly, “Tutti Frutti” strips away Little Richard’s bawdy double entendres (e.g., replacing “good booty” with “aw rooty”) yet retains the track’s anarchic energy through Scotty Moore’s frenetic guitar licks and Presley’s guttural ad-libs[1][3]. The album’s ballads, meanwhile, showcase Presley’s vulnerability. “I’m Counting on You” pairs his quivering baritone with sparse acoustic accompaniment, its lyrics (“If you should ever leave me / My life would fade away”) balancing teenage melodrama with genuine pathos. These quieter moments contrast sharply with the raucous covers, revealing Presley’s ability to oscillate between tenderness and rebellion—a duality that would define his career. However, the lack of lyrical originality underscores the album’s role as a transitional work, bridging the gap between postwar pop’s formulaic structures and rock’s insurgent individualism. --- ## Musical Innovation: The Birth of Rockabilly Musically, *Elvis Presley* codified the rockabilly sound—a fusion of country twang, blues rhythms, and punkish aggression. Scotty Moore’s guitar work acts as the album’s backbone, merging Chet Atkins’ fingerpicking precision with distorted, proto-rock riffs. On “Blue Suede Shoes,” Moore’s opening riff—a descending chromatic line punctuated by palm-muted chords—creates a tension that Presley’s swaggering delivery amplifies[1][3]. Bill Black’s slapped upright bass and D.J. Fontana’s snare-heavy drumming further ground the track in rhythmic urgency, a stark departure from the era’s polished studio productions. The album’s ballads, however, reveal Presley’s debt to country and gospel. “I’m Counting on You” features a lilting 6/8 time signature and Nashville-style chord progressions, while “Blue Moon” reimagines the Rodgers and Hart standard as a haunting dirge, with Presley’s overdubbed harmonies evoking the spectral longing of Appalachian folk[1]. This genre fluidity allowed the album to cross demographic lines, topping not only the pop charts but also reaching No. 1 on *Billboard*’s nascent Country & Western chart. Yet the record’s most radical innovation lies in its vocal performances: Presley’s melismatic phrasing on “Tutti Frutti” and throaty growls on “One-Sided Love Affair” prefigure the visceral intensity of 1960s soul and punk[3]. --- ## Production: Raw Energy Over Polish Recorded primarily at Sun Studio in Memphis, the album’s production embodies the DIY ethos of Sam Phillips’ “rockabilly laboratory.” Phillips’ signature slap-back echo—achieved by routing Presley’s vocals through a tape delay—lends the tracks a cavernous, live-in-studio immediacy. On “I Got a Woman,” the effect transforms Presley’s voice into a spectral presence, hovering above Moore’s jagged guitar lines[3]. However, the lo-fi aesthetic occasionally undermines the material: “I’ll Never Let You Go” suffers from muddy mixing, burying Floyd Cramer’s piano beneath a wash of reverb. The album’s pacing also reflects its origins as a collection of singles rather than a cohesive statement. Clocking in at just 28 minutes, it juxtaposes barnburners like “Tutti Frutti” with plodding ballads like “I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Cry (Over You),” creating a disjointed listening experience by modern standards[1]. Yet this erratic structure inadvertently mirrors the restless energy of early rock ‘n’ roll—a genre still defining its boundaries. --- ## Themes: Rebellion, Romance, and Racial Cross-Pollination Thematically, *Elvis Presley* oscillates between adolescent rebellion and earnest romanticism. Tracks like “Blue Suede Shoes” and “Tutti Frutti” celebrate youthful defiance, with Presley embodying the “outsider” persona that would later inspire punk and metal[3]. Conversely, ballads like “I’m Counting on You” and “I’ll Never Let You Go” explore vulnerability, their lyrics framing love as both salvation and torment. This dichotomy appealed to teenagers navigating postwar America’s shifting social mores, offering a soundtrack for both rebellion and introspection. Beneath the surface, however, lies a more complex narrative of racial cross-pollination. By covering songs by Black artists, Presley and producer Sam Phillips sought to “sanitize” rhythm and blues for white audiences—a strategy that amplified the genre’s reach while perpetuating systemic inequities in the music industry[1][7]. Carl Perkins’ original “Blue Suede Shoes” peaked at No. 2 on the *Billboard* R&B chart, but Presley’s version dominated the pop charts, illustrating how white artists often reaped the commercial benefits of Black innovation[3]. This tension between cultural appropriation and integration remains central to the album’s legacy, encapsulating rock ‘n’ roll’s paradoxical roots in both Black artistry and white entrepreneurship. --- ## Influence: Redefining Popular Music The album’s influence extends far beyond its chart success. By positioning the electric guitar as rock’s lead instrument—evidenced by the iconic cover photo of Presley mid-strum—it inspired countless aspiring musicians, from Keith Richards to Jack White[3]. The LP’s eclectic tracklist also demonstrated the commercial viability of albums as artistic statements, paving the way for concept records like *Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band*. Even its shortcomings proved prophetic: the reliance on covers and fragmented pacing foreshadowed the music industry’s ongoing tension between artistic ambition and marketability[1]. Presley’s vocal techniques, particularly his fusion of gospel fervor and country twang, became a blueprint for future rock and soul singers. Otis Redding, for instance, cited Presley’s impassioned delivery on “I Got a Woman” as a direct influence on his own style[7]. Conversely, the album’s sanitization of Black music sparked debates about cultural ownership that persist in contemporary discussions of genres like hip-hop and EDM. --- ## Pros and Cons: A Legacy of Contradictions **Pros**: - **Groundbreaking Fusion**: The album’s synthesis of country, blues, and gospel created a template for rock ‘n’ roll, expanding the genre’s commercial and creative possibilities[3][7]. - **Vocal Dynamism**: Presley’s performances—ranging from whispered croons to guttural howls—set a new standard for emotional expressiveness in popular music[1][3]. - **Cultural Bridge**: By introducing white audiences to Black musical traditions, it played a (flawed) role in dismantling racial barriers in the entertainment industry[7]. **Cons**: - **Lack of Originality**: With only two original compositions, the album leans heavily on covers, limiting its narrative cohesion[1][3]. - **Uneven Pacing**: The abrupt shifts between rockers and ballads disrupt the album’s flow, a byproduct of its single-driven conception[1]. - **Dated Production**: While the raw sound captures Presley’s live energy, the murky mixing and excessive reverb undermine quieter moments like “I’ll Never Let You Go”[3]. --- ## Conclusion: A Cornerstone of Modern Music *Elvis Presley* is less a polished masterpiece than a lightning-in-a-bottle document of cultural upheaval. Its contradictions—between innovation and appropriation, cohesion and chaos—mirror the tumult of 1950s America, offering a sonic snapshot of a genre (and a nation) in transition. Though later albums like *From Elvis in Memphis* would showcase greater artistic maturity, this debut remains indispensable, not only for its historical significance but for its unvarnished exuberance. As both a time capsule and a catalyst, it reminds us that revolution often begins not with perfection, but with raw, unbridled passion.

Enjoyed this - considering it was his first LP, the quirks and style of Elvis's vocals are already showing the signs of what made him such a superstar. I like the rockabilly songs and the ballads, it's a nice balance. Considering how massive Elvis was in bringing rock 'n' roll to a wider (whiter) audience, this must've been such an exciting time. The songwriting is obviously quite simple and love-focused by today's standards but that's reflective of the time, and these are all written by other people anyway.

Debut album from the King did not disappoint 👑

The King. Not entirely my thing, but so very good at what he did.

Very Good

The King!

I would listen to this once in a blue moon. It's rocking and sounds great.

I remembered so many of these songs as having an electric guitar, funny to listen to them and hear how much they've influenced what's come after

yep, that's Elvis. I don't really now what to say. it's freakin Elvis, man. like the guy. Elvis/5

I honestly think this is really fun to listen to. Elvis has such a great singing voice and his swagger comes out of the speakers with each track. Considering how ancient the album is, it goes beyond just its hits. Pretty good overall.

Yes please, some classics here. Never listened to an Elvis album in its entirety until today. Love a good rock n roll/pop tune that clocks in at less than 2 and a half minutes, and he is the king for that.

Elvis’ debut. Pure, old school rock’n roll. Cheesy at times. But the hits go incredibly hard. Got swagger. Use of voice is varied and creative, sometimes doesn’t even sound like himself.

It is a very typical Rock'n Roll Album. ELVIS how he bekamen famous .

What can I say, it's the king!

3.5 so round up

I liked this album, it was some sort of bittersweet. 👌

Short and almost sweet

Cooler than I expected.

some classic bangers

It was so nice I listened to it twice. First one down and it was a blast!

The world meets Elvis and it’s never the same again. While Little Richard created and mastered Rock and Roll as we know it, Elvis Presley introduced it to suburban teens and sparked a revolution. This album isn’t as great as you remember. There are a few classics but some of the tracks fizzle. Its cultural impact is undeniable. Its musical follow-through is certainly being viewed through rose-colored lenses. 3.5 / 5

Tout n’est pas fou, mais tout de même. Je reste un gros fan, et c’est émouvant d’assister à la naissance d’un mythe. Il est limite accusé d’appropriation culturelle tellement il lave plus blanc de la musique à l’origine noire, mais j’imagine que ça en fait de moi la cible. Ça attaque fort avec “Blue Suede Shoes”, principal tube de cet album à mon humble avis. “I Got a Woman”, “One-Sided Love Affair”, “Just Because” (sympathique pont), il y a de quoi faire, même en passant au-dessus des vieilles scies beaucoup trop entendues, genre “Tutti Frutti”.

You hear him in films and TV but I never bought a record or sought it out. I like it well enough though. Everything is short, twangy, and toe tappable. Much longer and some very simple melodies may get tiresome. It's hard to understand why it was ever exciting or challenging. Enjoyed it.

Blue suede shows is the clear winner for best song on this album, his vocals sound more developed on this track then they do on the others. Rest of the album sounds like a very young and developing Elvis, not the deep mature voice we think of in songs like Suspicious minds.

# Album Name: Elvis Presley # Artist: Elvis Presley # Rating: 4/5 # Comments: Elvis and the beatles back to back. The whole face off between the two has always been intriguing. Elvis' influence is clear as day to music. But to me The beatles were always on a whole other level. Their creativity and original songwriting trumping Elvis'. Elvis' voice is absolutely iconic though. The man is a performer. Theres some great tracks on this album too. The Elvis we know and love. # Top Tunes: Blue suede shoes / Got a woman / tutti frutti / blue moon / money honey # Would I listen to it again? Yes

Enjoyable, but a bit dated. A lot of these tracks felt like they probably didn't stand the test of time. Fun instrumentals and vocal work, though. 'Blue Suede Shoes' was my fave from this bunch.

8/10

Good! Some old familiars, some I'd never heard. Misogynistic for sure but that was the 50's?

The hype is real, Elvis Presley deserves all of the legacy that he has achieved. In the context of his generation, the more modern take on music, the use of rock and roll, and an incredible frontman in Elvis changed music. I will say the album's order could be a lot better as it switches from rock and roll, to dance and slow songs too much.

4.5/5

It's easy to see Elvis' influence on artists of the following decade. This album is fine 70 years later, especially seeing how this sound evolved. You can clearly see the collision of country and r&b influences here. It sounds great for the era; despite what we know about these being rips of artists that I might agree are better in their own respects.

There's a reason they call him the King. Far from his best album though.

An absolute jive.

This album made me want to get up and dance around my house. Elvis is King.

I can only imagine how mindblowing this record must have been at the time. Still a fun listen, though I don't think it has my favourite stuff of his.

Trodde jag fick london calling först men detta Elvis första är nästan lika bra. Han må inte vart den första men att kalla detta något annat än revolutionerande är en lögn. Tur var det att revolutionens bas är så stabil att det kunde få alla ögon på scenen

Early Elvis, before all the bad things. Blue Suede Shoes is my favorite.

This gets you moving and up beat. Super fun listen

Classic 4.3

Wow we were so cynical, Elvis before he was famous is pretty good stuff

jamming

Obviously legendary but is very much a capsule of its time

Classic

I’m not a huge Elvis fan but he is the king.

Don't consider myself to be an Elvis fan but the album undoubtedly has some very catchy songs

Klassiskt :)

It's fun. I imagine for the day it was pretty revolutionary. Given the legacy, I'll round up.

Such a short album, and so many different ways of reviewing it. Cultural borrowings, advent of rock'n'roll, early career marker etc etc. But let's just stick with the spirit of the list and give it a number out of 5.

It’s Elvis, you gotta love him. One of the founders or rock and roll. Voice is iconic. Guitar work is great. Soul, country, folk all come together in a unique package. Also is Elvis early emo? I think so

Some jams

An oldie but a goodie.

I've been really enjoying all the Elvis albums on this list. There are some classic tracks on this one but I can tell it's his first album. He sings higher than usual on a few of these songs. I wonder too if the producers were mixing his voice differently than they would later in his career. He doesn't always sound completely like himself. But it’s a strong batch of tunes with a lively energy supported by total pros in the backing band. A fun one to play loud in the house.

The king of retro coolness. I'll always enjoy an Elvis track, even if at times his voice can sound a little too over the top with his put-on singing style. This one is a consistently well done album, and "Blue Moon - Take 9/M" might be my favorite recorded version of the song, of all the performers who have done it. Classic album cover too.

Good debut. Sounds good for the time. The beginning of rock and roll captured

7.5/10. It's a short album that spans only 28 minutes and 19 seconds, according to Spotify. However, it's a very important album. It's by the King of Rock 'n' Roll himself, Elvis Presley. It starts off with Blue Suede Shoes, and features classics like I Got a Woman and Tutti Frutti. This is the first 1950's album that I've ever heard, unless I am mistaken. It's a very pleasant listen, and it's nice seeing how far the world of rock music has gone over the course of nearly seven decades. Also, I could've sworn that I've been assigned this album on another day, even though my statistics say otherwise. :)

Oozes cool. “We’ve got one day in the studio, hit it”

Blue Suede Shoes is a rockin tune mama.

Good songs good delivery, 3.8

Great voice and tunes. A bit dated but still fun to hear a lot that influenced later bands.

3.5 rating up to a 4

Bueno

You can sense from this why Elvis was such a success, interpreting rock n roll, country, blues, ballads, throwing them all in the pot and cooking up a very tasty Mississippi gumbo, with only a couple of bland ingredients. Easy four.

I dont give it a five star review just to stay safe but its a great record. All tracks are pretty much singles, I love you because being my favourite song. Its interesting how simple to production and instrumentstion is and what Elvis' early voice sounds like.

Elvis is like marmite, You either love it or hate it. Except I just dont care, it's fine, some songs are a bit shit, his voice gets old quick, but a couple songs are still fun.

I did enjoy this one but then again there are many better artists from this era who deserve his level of fame.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5Tg_-LDyfg

So many covers. I prefer the originals. Elvis', Ray Charles', and Little Richard's.

mooi... enkele rockers, enkele ballads, mooi evenwicht...

Movie not so good

Blue Suede Shoes Trying to Get to You Blue Moon

Oh mamma

I really loved this one. You actually get some idea of why people love this guy from this album; his vocals are incredible and the sound of the band is so energetic, fresh and iconic. The one thing that stopped this troubling the five starts is the really annoying echo/reverb on the vocal on some of the tracks (e.g. I've got a woman, I'll never let you go). It sounds so much better when you get a dry vocal (e.g. one-sided love affair) and you can really hear how he uses his voice as an incredibly versatile instrument that still sounds unusual even after all these decades of his influence on others.

This one’s tough—not because of the music itself, but because of what it represents. The songs are good, not great, which might sound like blasphemy to some. After all, this was Elvis’s debut album, the first rock and roll album to hit No. 1, and the first rock album to sell a million copies. But… In the mid-'50s, albums weren’t the priority for artists like Elvis. If a song was too good, the record company would hold it back for a single release instead. That’s because rock and roll was a singles-driven market, especially among teenagers, who were more likely to buy 45s than full LPs. (By contrast, crooners and folk singers—Frank Sinatra, Harry Belafonte, Nat King Cole—had older audiences who bought albums for home listening.) So, while this album is historically significant, it’s not a must-listen for its musical content. (That would change by 1957, when Elvis’s albums had more substantial material—especially since one of them was a greatest hits collection.) Musically, this is three stars. Historically, five. So I'll meet in the middle. Four stars.

Imagine me speaking in my Southern draw... My mama loved Elvis my daddy loved Elvis. Everybody in my family loved Elvis. Elvis is still alive. He is still eating peanut butter and banana sandwiches on an island in the Pacific. I look back at the old videos of the king and it's just incredible the following he had, how passionate they were. When I was a kid one of my buddies moms had over stuff all over her house. You couldn't even take a crap without Elvis staring at you. When I was really little we found my dad's old 45s and his record player in my grandmother's attic. I wish I had taken better care of it. We were out that record player and all those old 45s. Dad had the original 45 of jailhouse Rock an Blue suede shoes. I remember those being the best out of the collection along with a couple of Chuck Berry and Buddy Holly records. I was so lucky to be able to listen to this stuff and fall in love with it at a young age. Some of the songs on this album arent Elviss best work, but had to be amazing in 1956. Rockers and ballads.

That shit's legend. But it feels kinda outdated, you know. 65 years. New Vegas vibes.

Honestly every time I’ve listened to this album I come away realizing I like it better than I thought I would. I’ve never been the biggest “fan” of Elvis and felt his music, while influential at an almost unparalleled scale, is overly dated and improved upon so much by later artists. This may be true for much of his work, but his debut is still pretty infectious and if you listen closely has some amazing guitar work from start me true guitar legends in Chet Adkins and Scotty Moore. Elvis sounds like he can take over the world here, which he did.

I like Elvis a lot...the upbeat rock and roll and the slower ballad rock. It's all fun!

Listening to this album, it’s clear why Elvis became a cultural phenomenon almost overnight. His charm and magnetism are undeniable, but even more impressive is the originality of his voice and sound, although heavily influenced by blues legends like B.B. King and country icons like Hank Williams. Elvis Presley remains a landmark album, marking the beginning of a new musical era and laying the foundation for the future of rock and roll. It’s essential listening for any music lover, not only for its historical importance but also for the joy and energy it continues to bring, even after all these years.

Elvis is great. No denying. I enjoyed this.

Pretty good but I feel like this album may have some context too it cause the other live album in this list was better. 3.5 goin up but kinda want to fo down.

Very great vibesd!!

Full of energy. Great performances. Incredible voice. This must have been world changingly exciting, for young people, in 1956.

This one is fine - highs and lows but it's a great record in a "this is Elvis" way.

Solid!

Was never a massive elvis fan - some absolute classic tunes on here and it was the birth of rock and roll :)

Meh

The only Elvis album you need to listen to. Moreso as an historical artifact than something that's worth listening to today. Stick to the greatest hits

Been getting into blues stuff as of late. Ngl this is a pretty interesting way to dip my toe in this sort of thing, reminds me of eddy Arnold's country stuff in a way.

Elvis has never really been my thing, but this album gave me a new appreciation for his talent. And frankly, it's sexy!

It's a kind of music that makes you wanna hit the dancefloor and shake your knees. Classic before its times album. It shook the rock and roll and made its wheels spin.

Pre-war Elvis is obviously the best Elvis and his debut is strong. He’s still searching for his sound here. Blue Suede Shoes and I Got A Woman feel fully formed. The ballads less so - there’s a strong Buddy Holly sound to some of them.

Blue Suede Shoes strong rocking up-tempo tune - I guess the kids would call it a 'banger'. Very charming vocals in the rest of the songs, which gives them a lot of life, but would feel out of place in the "clean' music of today. I doubt the rest of the songs can stand up to much of a relisten.

Was a historical classic, but do not listen to much anymore

Il classico. Meno on kova, laulu hienoa ja tanssijalka vipattaa. Mikäs sen parempaa. Ilkeesti vaan meinaan aina itse kyllästyä Elvikseen muutaman biisin jälkeen, se vetää niin överimaneerisesti… melkein kolmonen sen takia, mut sen verran tyylipuhdas ja raikas, ei yhtään ryppyotsainen suoritus, että en voi.

Osa biiseistä on valittu varman päälle, osa mielikuvitusta käyttäen - ja kaikki kuulostaa helvetin hyvältä. Taustabändi Scotty Mooreineen on ehkä paras koskaan. Ja vaikka balladit eivät ole levyn vetonauloja, ne kuuluvat kokonaisuuteen erottamattomasti, enkä hyväksy niiden pilkkaamista: artisti tulkitsee hidastakin materiaalia verrattomalla omaperäisyydellä ja - en keksi muutakaan sanaa - röyhkeydellä. Levy, joka kaikkien täytyy kuulla, ja joka taatusti kestää kuuntelua. 4+

Rock'n'Roll That's it ❤️❤️❤️

Some of the King’s best work

Very Elvis, he was eccentric from the beginning, the album is solid blues rock n roll, and the silliness he brings to some songs really is unique.

Solid sub-30 minute block of OG early Elvis here, nice times. Lot of shakin and vibrato and great stripped back band.

Short and sweet. Not much to criticize, good singer, good music. Mid lyrics I guess. Not exactly my genre, but I can’t complain about much. So 3.5 or 4

Actually really loved this one. I don’t listen to Elvis too much, hardly ever. so it was a nice surprise

Good one. I have listened to this recently.

Good music. IT gets a little repetitive after a while, but its also fun to hear all tehse classics together.

What a classic album. It really shows how Elvis shined right out the gate. Start to finish, it's hit after hit.

I love you because Pretty banger album I won’t lie

I like it

i will say that going into this, i'm not the hugest fan of elvis, but i don't hate his music either. generally speaking, i think there are better and more interesting artists that were his contemporaries, but still, you cannot argue his influence and importance in 20th century music. i haven't listened to this album in particular in a long, long time, so it was a nice refresher. it starts off with a bang with what may be his most iconic song. the rest of the album is solid enough, but in my opinion, the rockers are better than the ballads. nothing here is bad, but most of the album ranges from pretty good to somewhat dull. i do enjoy early elvis the most because of his raw energy, and this album is a pretty good example of that.

I enjoyed hearing blue moon and how his music sounded stripped back I suppose because it was his first album.

lots of iconic songs on here. not sure if they were all sung by Elvis but some songs sounded like a different voice. i really enjoyed it.

The pacey songs are very good. The slower less so.. Until I got to Blue Moon. What a beautiful, haunting track. I've never heard it like this, the original first version. Stunning.

Great to hear these classics again that have been part of my random snippets of music going around in my head since forever. Interesting to hear lots of repetition in both lyrical themes and musical composition

挺带感的R&R

Blue Suede Shoes maybe takes over the top spot for the first song off a debut album. Maybe the difference is that this is a cover of a Carl Perkins song rather than it being the first time anyone had heard it. Elvis might be one of the greatest performers in rock, pop, country and gospel music. I've never heard his version of I Got a Woman, but it is good. Another song with whistling. I like the songs that rock much better than the ballads. Little Richard's Tutti Frutti is the superior version. You can hear where this music came from and what came after. I think that's because Elvis was a performer, not a songwriter. He was interpreting what came before him in a way that influenced so much that came after in a lot of different genres. Damn this guy can cover songs! Great version of Blue Moon.

Need to make it canon that Elvis Presley stole his lettering from The Clash

This was a great album. Some songs I liked more then others but overall it was great and I mean, Elvis is just great!

181/1001 🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑

The King, for such a great artist, I don’t like a lot of his studio album, but this one is just golden

I mean come on, it's Elvis. Who doesn't like Elvis?

The first rock and roll album that brought rock 'n' roll to the masses.

Yep. The king of countrybillycrooning. Sounds like he was still experimenting with his "sound." Fun stuff.

Rockabilly is kinda fun, actually. Had only heard about Elvis from his name alone, but now that I sat down to listen to some of his hits, he really is all that. Tutti Frutti, Blue Suede Shoes and maybe I'll Never Let You Go being the highlights.

Was he whitewashing black artists? Yes. Were they often better? Yes. But this is still historically important and very listenable.

Elvis, what more can I say. Grandparents loved this stuff and reminds me of my childhood. Easy Listen.

Like I said before, give me Elvis and I’ll have a good time. What’s not to like? This is just fun. Sure it’s an album of covers, and sure the allegations of cultural appropriation are real, but if you can put that aside and realize that Elvis wasn’t the only one doing that, it’s fun. The energy, the charisma, the pure showmanship of it all is amazing. He had a great band behind him and they help him shine. Is it the best he’s ever done? No. But it’s a great start and representation of his talent. Four stars. Standout Tracks: Blue Suede Shoes, I Got a Woman, Tutti Frutti, Money Honey

It was difficult to rate this album. Elvis has such a unique voice, by way of some combo of natural talent and intentional technique. But context is important - he was a hit because he could do something other white artists couldn’t do as well. Record labels wanted to bring African American music into the mainstream and wanted to find someone palatable to do that. Important to remember none of the songs on this album are actually his, they all have different composers and lyricists. The original Tutti Frutti blows this one out of the water. Also, some of these songs don’t age well. I don’t appreciate the “my woman knows she belongs in the home” and that whole sentiment in I Got a Woman. All that aside, I can recognize Elvis and his rendition of the music was the start of a cultural shift. It is such great music. (I also listened to ELO’s Out of the Blue today (English** not American overproduction oops) and think I enjoyed this listen more which is why I am inclined to give it a higher rating.) This sound is important and is the blueprint for many rock riffs to come. But maybe let’s re-evaluate calling someone the King when there are so many artists in the shadows who are just as impactful (and honestly even more so) when it comes to the blossoming of rock and roll.

Released in 1956 it’s no wonder Elvis became immensely popular. Elvis is definitely cool and the song choices are just as you’d expect. Ultimately it’s one song that really stands out; “Blue Moon”. The distant guitars makes the entire song have an ethereal feeling and at times this version almost feels like it touches on a psychedelic vibe way before it was close to being a thing. It’s easily the most progressive piece of work he ever did and the obvious stand out track on this legendary debut.

Elvis was an amazing singer. Elvis **is** a **helluva** singer. We can have discussions for days about the people he took his voice from, or the system that caused his in particular to catch on over others', but that doesn't change how much of an incredible performer he was. It's evident even and **especially** as far back as his debut here, which was cobbled together from random RCA and Sun sessions. Truthfully, this isn't my favorite era of Elvis–I'm more excited for FROM ELVIS IN MEMPHIS to pop up–but regardless, it's always such a treat to hear him do his thing and adapt seamlessly to each style he tries while still sounding like himself. Jumpin' rockers, walkin' R&B, weepin' country... I can't help falling in love with his voice. Of course, let's calm down here and address some realities about this album. Primarily, as enjoyable as I think this album is, I believe, firmly, that it's more on this list for historical reasons than for "you **must** hear it" reasons. This **was**, after all, the first 12" record teen-agers bought in droves. Prior, the long-player was strictly the domain of serious classical and jazz, while the teen audience stuck with 45's and singles. As a result of its popularity, it's essentially **the** album we can point to as where rock and roll was popularized, alongside "Heartbreak Hotel" being the single. But as an album experience... Well, remember what I said above: it was thrown together from random RCA and Sun sessions. So, while it's a very enjoyable listen, it's not even where most people would recommend you go to discover why Elvis was as big as he was in the 50's. For that, you'd hafta turn to collections of his Sun recordings, such as THE SUN SESSIONS and SUNRISE. Heck, even the quickie "we need Elvis product while he's away in the army" albums FOR LP FANS ONLY and A DATE WITH ELVIS contain stuff like "Mystery Train" and "Baby Let's Play House". (Shout out, by the way, to the British being lucky enough to get "Mystery Train" on **their** version of this album.) FROM ELVIS IN MEMPHIS was also cobbled from sessions, but at least it feels a bit more purposefully put together. So, yeah, in 2024 there's better ways to understand Elvis than this album, and there's better Elvis album experiences than this album. Hell, there's better ways to take in this era of Elvis than this album (check ELVIS' GOLDEN RECORDS). But all that, of course, doesn't change how fun this album is, from Elvis's singing down to the band backing him. Seriously, let's not forget Scotty Moore, Bill Black and D. J. Fontana; they're as important as Elvis himself is. And if you wanna hear the exact songs, in the exact order, that caused America to fall so in love with Elvis, you're not gonna regret it. I mean, it's only 28 minutes, anyway; you don't have much to lose. All I know is, whatever way you choose to engage with this material, you're bound to be having fun on record with Elvis.

The King may have had many sides to him, but this debut shows him in his best light, as a simple musician from Memphis. 4.5 down to 4.

The Big Elvis, hab schon viel mit dem Fuß (und Kopf) mitgewippt! :D

The King of Rock and Roll gets his start with this album full of covers by mostly Black artists. I feel like it’s cheating. Don’t get me wrong, Elvis was special. I’d give it a 5 if he wrote the songs originally. I guess the question is, “Where would we be today if it wasn’t for him?” Love the energy. I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall in the studio.

Chubby cheeks, cute quiff, adequate voice....for Elvis Presley it was all about charisma and image. And the birth of The Teenager with disposable income. Perfectly orchestrated by Tom Hanks - sorry, Captain Tom Parker - of course. So we can't ignore the cover. The Clash didn't. And the songs were standards even before Elvis looked at them. Carl Perkins had released it the year before but Elvis wasn't missing this from opening his debut album. Of course, in 1955 an album was not really what we know as an album in later decades. A few hits and mainly filler. But hindsight it what this album is all about. Expertly played and sung, no doubt. But its all about charisma and image. And the birth of The Teenager with disposable income.

Never listened to an Elvis album - really enjoyed this !! Reminded me of Buddy Holly at times, who I have always enjoyed listening too. Felt very nostalgic and thinking of my parents in their teens when this ‘new’ sound hit the UK shores. Some years later, as Liverpudlians, they then frequented The Cavern watching an up and coming 4 piece band who clearly had some Elvis influence in their sound. Will listen to more.

Love Elvis, but not a huge fan of his very early material. Still, it’s Elvis.

A classic.

Really good album, wouldn’t say it’s the best qualityyyyyy- but if you like retro and vintage sound quality, I think you will enjoy the way the music sounds. His singing is really good, IMO. The album is a quickie, pretty short but fun to listen to. Would recommend listening to, it’s less than 30 minutes. 8.9/10.

Elvis' self-titled is an interesting album. It's the birth of main-stream rock, and the birth of one of the most famous musicians in history. There's not a ton of big hits here, Blue Suede Shoes being the major outlier, instead you get Elvis before he'd been touched up and fed through the system that made him the icon he is. There's a lot of range in the songs, from upbeat catchy rockabilly tunes, to slow romantic affairs, and even some blues. And Elvis' vocals have more range here than what one might think. Blue Moon especially stands out. Some of the vocals are downright psychedelic. Mixed with the trotting drums, it makes for a dreamy experience. *Heard before.

Neat album for sure just to hear what music used to be like. The most interesting part of this album was definitely how short each song was. I feel like pretty much all of them had the legs to go at least one more verse but they just didn’t. I’m assuming that’s because songs back then just didn’t back then. It wasn’t the norm or anything. Other than that, Elvis really is a captivating vocalist. He adapts well to the energy do the song and his popularity is certainly understandable even almost 70 years later. Enjoyed the album overall. Songs were definitely a bit scant but they were all enjoyable for the most part.

I'm not a huge Elvis fan necessarily (I like his hits) and I do really like old timey rock n roll. But I don't scream like a girl when he gets sweaty. Anyway... this kinda seems like a big album. The King's first album. If you had to pick ONE album for the BIRTH of Rock and Roll.. would this be it? Here's my favorites: Blue Suede Shoes (love playing this one on the ukulele), I'm Counting on You (great Do Wop), I Got a Woman & One Sided Love Affair... both songs have good jumping vibe. I Got a Woman is more guitar based. One Sided Love Affair is more piano. I especially like how he's playing with his vocal style in One Sided Love Affair. Just Because (great! love it) Tutti Fruti - okay hold up. Little Richard recorded his version a year earlier. Elvis's version is good but I'm a fan of the original. Btw, Blue Suede shoes was recorded a year earlier by rockabilly artist Carl Perkins. I Got A Woman by Ray Charles 1954. I Love You Because (don't even like this song that much), Leon Payne 1949. WTF?! Did he write any of these songs? no. I guess not. So there's a valid criticism there but I dunno.. I guess people just played each other's songs back then? Behind Elvis's music is alot of great guitar & piano playing. Not sure if that's him doing it or his band. But the vocals stand out. Elvis has pretty great vocals. There's only one other musician I've heard that is as expressive in his vocal techinque... Dave Matthews. Not just saying that cuz my wife is in love with Dave Matthews. Blue Moon. Written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart 1934. Love Elvis's version. No one will do it better until 32 years later... The Cowboy Junkies, Blue Moon Revisited (song for Elvis) 1988. I would give this album a 5 but try writing some original material.

Wow, Elvis’s first album. Pretty cool to hear where it all began for him! I enjoyed this, it was a fun blend of rock and ballads. What a time it must have been when this type of music hit the mainstream. And while it sucks that it took a white man to make the music of black artists so popular at the time, I appreciate that he acknowledged their influence and didn’t actually consider himself king. Thanks for rocking and rolling, Elvis!

The third Elvis album we've had, but in this case, I don't question why this album was chosen for the list. While there's definitely some blatant musical thievery going on here, the fact of the matter is that it was Elvis who widely popularized rock and roll among white people at the time. It was good music, was marketed accordingly, and paved a couple of roads. I enjoyed most of the album, but do have to point out one complete failure of a track: what was Blue Moon even supposed to be?

Good

I'm always torn by Elvis. In one hand I feel like he's not original enough or even talented to be as big as he was, he didn't write any of the songs and his music is pure formula. But in the other hand his charisma is just so remarkable that I always end up dancing around and enjoying myself with his music, which in essence just means I guess I like this.

Could have been a five but his version of tutti frutti is weak compared to little richard

This is the Elvis you think of when you think of Elvis -- or at least when I do. It's early rock and roll, and he does it well.

I live Elvis so damn much, and this album might just be his best - filled with energy and rock n roll vigor. My favourite track is blue suede shoes. Vocally I think Elvis does improve later in his career, however I still love his voice in this album.

Elvis is a classic that I’ll never get tired of listening to Top tracks: Blue Suede Shoes, I Got A Woman, Tutti Fruitti

Really good album

4/5

I’ve never been a big phan of Elvis. Never wrote his stuff and ripped off black artists, etc. yada yada. His debut is the only album I like of his. I like songs off other albums, but certainly not the whole album. This one is both beautiful and energetic where it’s needed—mostly. The decision to end on “Money Honey” is fucking idiotic and takes away from the previous tracks (“Blue Moon”) perfect ending. I could go on, but it isn’t worth it really. I raise from three to four stars only because of the undeniable influence this album had. 4/5

Sounds vital today, quick pop numbers demonstrating the greatness to come

elvis sings (and plays, to my surprise) with a wonderful mix of intentionality and intuition that i think would have stuck w/ ppl even in a non-white supremacist world. his backing band(s) impress me a little less...often feels like he's left entirely on his own to carry the more energetic cuts. the wrecking crew couldnt come soon enough ig (or even the beatles, who i enjoy the subtle instrumental character of quite a bit on those early records). still, for something so hastily assembled, there is a level of deliberacy in variety of style and the way its sequenced that feels like an actual test run for The Rock LP instead of something entirely from the beforetimes (making sure that tutti frutti opens side B is a move straight out of more polished 60s records). its extremely easy to be cynical about elvis as a cultural figure, to the point where its pretty trite and overplayed for me in spite of being well-deserved. but at least based on this, which represents him in a weird raw form before any of his more acclaimed peaks, the music itself doesnt rly do anything to earn that cynicism. itz just short and p sweet!

Very good

You can see why he was is/was a huge star. Although his cover of tutti frutti, was lacking in my opinion.

i enjoyed this more than i wanted to. its boringly simple and a blatant ripoff but its also pretty fun. low 7/10

Really threw me for a loop how different Elvis' voice sounded between songs. And I will say, Val Kilmer did 'Tutti Frutti' better.

The joy that comes through early Elvis recordings is always palpable and infectious. This was a guy who was having the time of his life figuring it all out.

Elvis' debut, a huge moment for music. I've been listening to all of the number one songs in the country, going back to 1940, and I don't know if people really realize how big of a shift he represented. Same with the Beatles, but just going from big band and crooner stuff, some light doo-wop, to this guy from the South who sang the blues like no white boy had any right to. Unsurprising that we call him the King, and I know there's controversy because so much of what he did was covers of (often) black artists to appeal to white audiences ("I Got a Woman" is Ray Charles, "Money Honey" is Jesse Stone, "Tutti Frutti" is Little Richard, "Blue Suede Shoes" is Carl Perkins), but the other thing to note is that Elvis was sort of a necessary evil. Yes, in a perfect world, those Black artists would've achieved the fame and status in their own right, but we don't live in a perfect world; in fact, America in the 1950's was an undeniably racist world. Someone had to break through that stylistic barrier, and Elvis does a wonderful job with his covers. Imagine if we just had Pat Boone, his covers are often criminally terrible. His version of "Ain't That a Shame" going #1 instead of Fats Domino is, ironically, a tremendous shame - sounds godawful, Pat! Shut the fuck up! Anyway, I think this is an excellent album, an excellent introduction to Elvis. Love him or hate him, he's got the sauce. Favorite tracks: Blue Suede Shoes, Blue Moon, I've Got a Woman, Tutti Frutti, I Love You Because, I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Cry. Album art: Absolutely iconic, I'm honestly shocked sometimes that this is the original cover and not a reissue, it's ageless. Excellent color combo. Spoofed very notably by the Clash with London Calling, it's a bona fide classic. Can't imagine there's a better Elvis cover out there. 4.5/5

blue suede shoes uuuultra banger. tönt uuuhuere geil. im counting on you isch sini country siite. aber de bueb cha siiinge brööder. bgvs hammer classic crooner shit. stiiimmt er het gmacht i got a woman. recht e geili version, aber isch halt scho en song vomne schwarze sänger wo er denn au singt. und vo ihm profitiert. aber geeeili version. schluss huuere geil. one sided love affair cute gsi. i love you because au cüte aber isch nöd de elvis woni gern han. just because mega ländler bluegräss style dingsbums? tutti frutti nimmter au wieder en rocknroll song vomne schwarze sänger und machten afoch au. trying to get to you findi besser, d breaks sind suuper s tönt alles so knackig yees. ich de brüelibüeli über dich? elbis trurig? coole song. ill never let you go hübschi gitarre. blue moon kenni? sön? sön. geld honig?? glaub es lang füre vieri. aber au afoch well elvis cha siinge und s isch huere guet gspielt. d sings sind nöd alli soo geil.

ELVISSSSSS ich los ehrlich gseit fast nur live-apbe vo ihm aber jo schomal en starche ahfang mit blue suede shoes I' counting you vill ruhiger, typisch so 50er 60er liebessong iwie heter am ahfang eig na selber lieder gschribe oder scho det nöd? de elvis het en frau. ich lieb de drive wo sini stimm bringt, ich glaub dur das setzt er sich schochli vo ähnlicher musig ab für mich one sided love affair chli goofy just befause hani jz chli noaml gfunde tutti frutti mega funny, ich liebs BARABALBURAM find s abwechsle vo schnellere und langsame, schnulzige lieder super blue moon findi extrem geil, sini sonori stimm und dezue de hall und sehr reduzierti musig im hindergrund UND DENN SINGTER KOMISCH HÖCH money honey isch es guets lied aber nüt speziells jaa er het scho stärcheri lieder wo au en grössere wiedererchennigswert hend das album het vill lieder, wo nöd schkecht sind, aber über sini stimm hinweg nüt mega speziells sinn ABER ich han trz e gueti ziit gha, für mich es 4i (blue moon uhuere geil)

Listening to the music and looking at the cover art, I kept thinking one word: "iconic". Elvis was a terrific singer and made some terrific singles but I don't think the same quality is apparent on his albums. 4 stars, mainly for the cultural impact and influence that is ongoing even to this day

Uh huh ahuuurrr. Yeah, babe-uh. OK, so it's all covers of rhythm and blues, but he did what he did very well.

I totally understand the phenomenon and how much he shaped music in the last 70 years. I still prefer listening to Sinatra.

3 for the music, + 1 because it’s Elvis.

Not a fan of his but this is some of his better stuff.

Production: 3.5/5 Lyricism: 4/5 Sound: 5/5 Enjoyment: 4/5 Overall: 4.1/5

First rock/pop star phenom so points for that. Yeah all the songs are covers but he still gets to showcase his fantastic voice. Iconic album from the dawn of rock n roll. Rating: 4.0

6,83

"I Love You Because" is so sweet!

Früher Rock, viele bekannte Sachen 4/5

A proper showing from the King of RnR on his debut album.

ljómandi fínt.

I enjoyed it, I understand its problems and the problematic singer but I totally enjoy it

The king