Reviews (page 6 of 14)
Meh
Blue Tune more like.
Mid album
He was obviously impactful, is still relevant today, and I’m glad that I finally sat down and listened to this record in its entirety for the sake of art history appreciation, but I just don’t find Elvis interesting… like at all.
Not my jam. I know this shit was supposed to be revolutionary, but I can’t get past how he essentially stole all these riffs from black folks in the South.
Not a fan. This album made me sad as I was thinking about some of the original artists who did much better versions of their songs, but didn't get the credit that Elvis did.
What you expect from Elvis
A nice voice but not beating the hack allegations, it’s hard to listen back to this with rose tinted glasses (2.5/5)
Where do I start? Elvis is arguably the best American performer ever. This is the birth of Rock N Roll but it was a couple of decades before I was born. My first reaction is to dismiss this out of hand. This musics sounds primitive but I feel like I need to listen to this album like it was new. I know that adults were horrified but the kids went apeshit over this. It sounds dated and tame today but this must have been as impactful as Nirvana. I like the cultural impact of Elvis but his music doesn’t do much for me. I would argue that he’s the sexiest man who ever lived though.
Elvis did what a lot of great artists do; take things that already exist and condense them down to something with mass appeal. Rock n' Roll and pop in it's purest form. There is some hits, some misses (Tutti Frutti is awful) but each Track is short and sweet, the band is tight and the recording is clear and captures the energy of the time. As a collection of work it's nothing unique but what it represents from that time and place is. Love him or hate him, Elvis' cultural impact can not be denied both positive and negative.
I like Elvis but he almost sounds like a parody of himself on this album and some of the originals are better than his covers! All in all a decent first effort.
Great songs but most of them covers and not all from black people as we would assume with the 50s racism situation that branched into music too. So Blue Suede Shoes we all remember from Elvis is actually a Carl Perkins song.Fair delivery though,Elvis gave it more energy and the vocals are very close to the original (with a touch of reverb), Counting on you is a slow lullaby with some pam pam pam pam choir in the background,quite good actually, I got a woman is also a cover from the superb Ray Charles and frankly i prefer the original,the line ''she gives me money when i'm in need''is just unbeatable ,2:55 minutes and leaves you hanging from Ray's lips throughout the whole song, too much reverb in Elvis's voice on this one, One sided love Affair though an original,Elvis rambling delivery and heavy accent really ruins it, I love you because was originally a country song by Leon Payne with a string band,what a surprise..BUT in this case Elvis wins, Just Because was a bit boring to me, Tutti Frutti it's a sin even touching this.Little Richard was even playing backwards in the piano while singing,no comparison, Trying to get to you was originally writen by Rose Marie McCoy and Charles Singleton.So yes,you guessed it again it's a cover but this one i really enjoyed it as the original was a stripped guitar/vocal song, I'm gonna sit right down and cry(over you) was a Roy Hamilton original(even covered from the Beatles) but Elvis gave it justice by covering it as a more speed-up energetic number,very clever choice cause this fits like a glove into his voice, I'll never let you go( Little Darlin') is a cover again from Jimmy Wakely and His Rough Riders in which Elvis reminds me of the Beatles,very humble here and dreamy,nice version, Blue Moon(Take 9/m) is also a cover(boy i.m struggling for some original recordings here) from the Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart's original(even covered from Sinatra)with a history behind it as the dreamy melody of the song was first conceived for a movie in 1933 and to be sung by Gene Harlow but never was recorded,the same in 1934 for another movie with different lyrics and performer but again didn't happened until it was featured in a movie(I think Manhattan Melodrama) again around that time with different lyrics and a title:''Bad in every Man'',but a gangster shoot outside it's opening forced the creators to re-write it again but this time as a more romantic commercial song ending up with the dreamy ''Blue Moon we all know firstly performed by Ted Fiorito. I think Elvis really nailed it with respect,with an almost whispery,soft,humble and tender delivery and picky almost muted guitar,fantastic, Money Honey was first recorded and released by Clyde McPhatter and The Drifters(oh i have a thing for the Drifters,so good)but i really enjoyed it by Elvis(maybe it was the careful use of reverb on this one). So,after all this analysis i'll give it a 3/5 cause it's Elvis after all but his debut album is mostly a cover album.
The one, the only, the man in the blue suede shoes rocking you out and starting a revolution.
albums were very short in those days! around 30 mins! Enjoyed it though
Hauskaa, menevää, tanssittavaa 50-luvun musaa, myös hitaita balladeja. Kokonaisuus jää vähän laimeaksi.
Obviously we know the celebrity that is Elvis, but want to give some flowers to the musicians behind Mr. Presley. They sure did produce some fun ditties.
Just a good time
The biggest takeaway for me was the influence in other songs
A lot of classics on this album that are overall good to great songs. A little bit of filler but a solid listen
The first rock and roll album- brought the genre to the mainstream and is the predecessor to 99% of popular western music to follow. That said, he blatantly ripped off the black artists that came before him who did all of these songs better. Just listen to ray Charles’s “I got a woman” vs this half assed cover
Actually really really boring. GIVE THE CLASH THEIR ALBUM COVER BACK
Not super sure what to do with Elvis. On one hand he was my grandma's favorite. And since she's passed on its brings back some memories. But he also didnt write a damn thing and his versions are generally worse than the originals. Tutti frutti sounded so strange to me. The little Richard one is way better. But I also dont know all the originals either. Blue suade shoes sounds good to me but its not his. But he sure does have an iconic voice. And the Elvis mania is historic. Its tentatively a good record. If I just move on gor a second its pretty good. Not everything works for me but generally its good. Some of the slower songs aren't for me. But some real hits exist here too. Im torn for sure. I should really find all the originals and compare but thats not what this should be. Its good and its worth a listen even just for historic purposes. Though ill never loose sight of the fact that he was a performer and not a musician or writer
Enjoyable
Some good songs but it really is just a compilation of singles
Is it possible that Elvis is underrated? I grew up in a household raised on The Beatles, Bee-Gees and Broadway showtimes. My mother calibrated her moral compass on the sixties counterculture, so Elvis’ venal anti-hippie conservative persona made him unwelcome in my home. Then he became parody. But now decades later, a gilded Vegas-loving kung fu rock star with a catalog of hits and prone to batshit antics? Sign me up.
4/10 Elvis was obviously a legend, responsible at least in part for the breakthrough of rock ’n roll to a mainstream white audience. Listening to this, you can get a bit of an idea why. He takes some really great tracks like Ray Charles’ I Got a Woman and Little Richard’s Tutti Frutti, sands off the edges and presents it in a pretty boy package that has just enough edge to make it feel rebellious to teenagers, but not so much edge that their parents ban it from the family record player. But to me, that sanding off of the edges just dulls the quality of these tracks. I’ll happily listen to Ray Charles and Little Richard’s versions of these tracks now and again, but have literally no reason, with modern access to music, to ever chose the inferior product that Elvis provided. And that’s before we mention his voice. It just rubs me the wrong way. When he’s crooning, it’s bad enough, but when he puts on that affected seal-like quick legato into his phrasing, I find it massively irritating and inauthentic. As a 70 year old record, it sounds remarkably clean as a recording, the band are largely doing a good job, and I frequently found myself tapping my feet along to the music, but what I enjoyed, I enjoyed in a way that I’d enjoy a decent cover band at a wedding. I’ll enjoy them while I’m there, but would never choose to listen to their versions of classic songs over the originals if I had access to both versions. And there were quite a few tracks that I wouldn’t even bother with the originals either. Extra points for cultural impact and importance, but I this won’t be troubling my speakers again. Blue Suede Shoes - This is obviously a classic. It’s also a pretty straight cover that adds a bit of pace to the original but not much else. Elvis approaches it with a swagger and you can see why he took off. The recording sounds great and it’s a solid rock ’n roll song. I’m Counting On You - This kind of crooning nonsense just doesn’t do it for me. It’s a competent composition, but boy is it insipid and boring. I Got a Woman - Ray Charles wrote it and did it so much better. Elvis puts on his awful, affected whooping style to his vocal which is just terrible. It’s a decent enough performance from the band, but why would I listen to this when I could listen to Ray instead? Ons-Sided Love Affair - Looks like he was the first one to actually record this one! More of that affected vocal that’s just irritating though. It’s pretty thin gruel, although the band perform well enough and there’s some nice bits of piano. I Love You Because - More crooning crap. It’s boring. Just Because - This is pretty uninspired too. The guitarist sounds like he’s struggling to keep up with the pace. It’s just a bit sloppy all round, sounds very thin. I quite like the rhythmic thrust of it, but it’s just not got enough substance to be any good. Tutti Frutti - See my comments about ‘I Got a Woman’. Give me Little Richard over this any day. It’s a good song, but this version just doesn’t do anything to justify itself over listening to the original, just sands off the edges and strips it of drive. Sloppy guitar solo too. Trying To Get To You - Softer, worser, slower, weaker. Daft Punk wrote a song about how to make a better song than this. It’s just boring. I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Cry (Over You) - At least there’s a bit more pace to this. But there’s more of Elvis’ affected gulping vocal that just rubs me up the wrong way. It’s also not very interesting. Can’t help tipping my feet to it despite myself, but it’s more of the same really. I’ll Never Let You Go (Little Darlin’) - Croon. Yawn. Blue Moon - Even slower. Even more crooning. And it’s just the same thing round and round for two and a half minutes. Even Elvis sounds like he isn’t arsed. Money Honey - This just sort of plods along and doesn’t really give me much to chew on. It almost feels like they’re slowing down because they’ve got a bit bored themselves and are just starting to phone it in. Elvis is still giving it a bit of effort, but again, I just find his vocal grating. And we’re done.
I am really not a fan of this sort of music in general, I find it annoying and it gets old fast because it all sounds the fucking same. It gets even worse with this cunt singing. Not sure if I hate him or his voice more.
Outstanding debut by the King himself, his rockabilly roots ever so present here, and demonstrates why he became the King of Rock and Roll.
I've never held Elvis in the same esteem as Chuck Berry or Buddy Holly, but this is a damn good album. I much prefer this to his later stuff. 4/5
Honestly, this album is a little all over the place… a good example of a young artist finding his voice (or perhaps of a music machine pushing the artist in a direction…?). I was surprised at the variance and nuance to his singing from track to track. I enjoyed this more than I expected to, kind of in a bemused way. Fave track: Blue Moon (pared back beauty)
A good record but I think there are better early rock n roll albums. This doesn’t mean that I didn’t enjoy it.
The king! Classic--
Never loved Elvis.
I just don't care much for Evlis to be honest.
Great early Elvis album which introduced me to a few I had never heard before. I don't think I have listened to a bad Elvis record yet.
A few classic songs
Well, it’s certainly Elvis! Excellent fun! I can only imagine the pearl clutching that went on when this smooth, silky, sexy mother fucker rocked into the scene!
Fine old Rock & Roll. Not a bit re-listen album for me
I mean, it's important I guess.
“Well it’s one for the money…” So starts just less than 30 minutes that make up one of the most influential albums of all time. Elvis first album for RCA with that iconic album cover that has been imitated frequently, most memorably by The Clash on London Calling, is a driving mix of rock and roll, country, rockabilly, steeped in reverb and still sounding fresh nearly 70 years later. “Blue Suede Shoes” kicks things off with huge energy and contains a Scottie Moore guitar solo as iconic as any Hendrix or Van Halen. In the next half hour we have “I’m Counting On You”, a country/gospel number; a youthful, bouncing version of Ray Charles’ “I Got A Woman”, which ends with the grinding, hip swivelling, snarling Elvis that so enraged conservative 1950s parents; “I Love You Because”, an archetypical Presley ballad; “Trying to Get to You” which is a lot more Hank Williams-like than I remembered; “Blue Moon” Sinatra-like crooning, drenched in echo. If there is a weak point it is that “Tutti Frutti” doesn’t approach the manic, wildness of the Little Richard original, but it’s not a bad rendition and frankly, what could? The arrangements are simple and direct throughout. The core band of Moore, Black and Fontana are superb. Forget Vegas-Elvis; this is where it’s at…
Toe-tapping. Tutti Frutti is the toe-tappingest and an easy fav. Listening to history was an interesting experience but the music itself was pretty bland compared to other rock and blues from the time.
It’s impossible not to be at least somewhat familiar with Elvis. He was before my time, but I’ve always been aware of how influential and popular he was. I always thought his music was enjoyable, but it felt like the music of my parents, not me. I was vaguely familiar with one or two songs on this album, but I had never really sat down to listen to him until now. I’m glad I did. This album is great, and I found several songs to add to my library. I have a newfound appreciation for Elvis and look forward to exploring more of his discography. Added to Library: • Blue Suede Shoes • I Got a Woman • One-Sided Love Affair • Trying to Get to You • Blue Moon (Take 9/M)
ok
This album was hit and miss for me, I like the more upbeat songs but the slower crooner Elvis isn’t really my favorite. That said some of the faster songs did start to sound a little similar. 2+ stars but not enough to round up to 3.
Not bad, but keep in mind Elvis wrote nothing. He's an entertainer, but songwriters of all colors did the heavy lifting.
Ya know, I really didn't love this. I actually thought I would like it. But, I mean I really didn't......
I enjoyed this, but probably not as much as I thought I would. It's good music, well written and well sang. Elvis was a heck of a performer. But I dunno, something didn't entirely click with this album. It was good, but not phenomenal.
Elvis SUCKS!!!!!
Elvis the pelvis! I know his huge hits but nothing else so lets see! icon obviously and apparently very hot but idk how problematic he was sorry im too woke ive heard blue suede shoes before for sure even if it wasnt elvis singing it im counting on you is really nice i didnt really know he was like a real good singer! but he has a very beautiful voice. i got a woman ok cool good its fine one sided love affair just goofy as fuckkkkk he sounds literally like goofy from mickey mouse and somehow his voice is going through different accents or some shit idk i love you because is really just fucking sweet and i like it more than most slow ballads like this he has a great voice. just because was good tutti frutti i seem to recall as a song of little richards who ive also never really listened to ! but it's pretty fire a little meaningless and repetitive but ok trying to get to you is just absolutely lovely wow it's so warm i love old music like this because its so warm and close and its unique in that way we'll never get that back :-( it's lowkey the best song i'll never let you go little darlin : also really just nice wow i dont know what to say its all just nice Blue moon finally some talk about beer it's all fine literally the pink panther theme in Money Honey not as good as lady gaga's but still pretty good
I love blues rock and as one of the godfathers of the genre, the king you might say, I wanted this to be a 5. But I think it's just a 4 for me.
Listened to this while playing Leviathan Wilds. I played against Sage, and won! Who hasn't heard most of these songs? I'm not the biggest Elvis fan for various reasons...but this wasn't bad.
i only knew the song "blue suede shoes" from the ace attorney games. anyway, it's servicable, but dated, and imitated/referenced/served as inspiration countless times by now.
Highlight Song/s: Blue Suede Shoes and Trying to Get to You Almost done with the rock and roll albums. Was hoping Little Richard was the next one I would get, but no I got the king instead... I'm really going to build up hype for the Little Richard album aren't I? Anyways back to the main topic. This album wasn't a real rocker compared to some of other ones I've listened to; such as Live At The Star Club by Jerry Lee Lewis. The ballads just don't do it for me on this one. It is a bit funny how bloody bleak some of the songs are, I never would've expected those sort of songs from Elvis.
Not a bad debut
"Elvis was a hero to most, but he never meant shit to me." -Public Enemy, "Fight the Power" I've always viewed Elvis as a pop culture sensation, rather than a proper Rock star. He stole just enough from Black artists to make him seem edgy while performing mostly orchestral Pop and Country music. I'll drop an added half-star on this album for inspiring the album cover of The Clash's "London Calling."
How tf can you hate Elvis this album is epic 4.2
Man, 12 songs, 28 minutes, and seismic. I've never listened to this before, but two things struck me: 1) how many songs I didn't know, and 2) how unpolished the album is. The songs sound so different based on their recording session, you can't hear each instrument clearly, etc. I believe it was all recorded live in the room, which I love. There's nothing left to say about Elvis, but it's fascinating to listen to this debut and hear where it all started.
Unlike a lot of his 1950s early rock n roll pioneer peers (sorry Buddy Holly heads), this is still listenable and enjoyable. Don't know if its the myth or the raw talent that makes it so. Makes me want to close the laptop, get into the car, and drive into the country.
I’m a big fan of Elvis Presley‘s 60s songs such as Suspicious Minds, Kentucky Rain, and In the Ghetto, this not so much. I understand that this is another historical album, but it doesn’t make it good. Blue Suede Shoes has not aged well, especially considering that Black performers were doing the same thing with more grit and authenticity. This album is appropriation on the highest level.
Wow! I love every song on this album
Sue my hlistaði ekki
Pas là où tout a commencé, mais presque.
7/10 Favorites: One-Sided Love Affair Blue Suede Shoes
I used to love Elvis growing up. But the more I learn about him, the more I feel like he just stole everything.
Yessir this is so great. Never listened to an Elvis album start to finish. He is such a good singer. Obv understand the problem tho lol
Fun stuff! I remembered enjoying this less the first time around, as I made it here on my first try with 1001, when I did it chronologically (crazy try). One sided love affair is awesome
Classic Elvis voice. God bless him!
I grew up in a family obsessed with 1950s US pop culture. I've heard a lot of Elvis in my life. Listen, he took black music and made it palatable to folks like my family. If you listen to his version of Tutti Fruitti, it's just a pale imitation of the energy and verve Little Richard brought. I've heard a lot of Elvis in my life. He was a commercially viable, marketable white kid that brought black music to the white mainstream. This album is historically interesting but for the real deal you have to listen to the people he copied.
It's what I expect from Elvis. I don't know if I truly 'like' it, but there is a comfort in its familiarity.
For a debut - it's a good start but he's not the King yet!
Elvis's life and career is tainted with controversy, but one cannot deny the cultural and historical significance of this album. It's a bit basic and repetitive, so not a 5-star album by any means, but still an important one and easy to listen to. My biggest complaint is he didn't write any of the songs, but he sure does sing em nice and play a pretty decent guitar.
I really don't want to listen to this but I will try... aaaand it's not my thing
Never been much of a Elvis fan, but have to admit that the youthful energy of Elvis himself and swinging rockabilly background groove by Scotty Moore, Bill Black and DJ Fontana really make my trouser sleeves flap. This is also such hugely important stuff in the rock'n'roll history, and it's not even possible to imagine what rock music would be without this stuff
I had a stamina to listen this until the Tutti Frutti. Then I skipped the rest.
An album full of cover songs. I know he made the stuff popular, but these are kind of lame versions IMO. Elvis is not for me.
Overrate sf*te!
Not sure I really get it. I understand he’s a pioneer of rock and roll, but in the context of hearing all that came after it’s hard discern what was edgy and provocative about this. When the Brits took the blues and cranked up the angst and bravado, that’s when it started to feel like rock and roll to me.
Shout out to my Gram… I know she probably loved this album. Favorite: Blue moon
69 years after the original release. I suppose it was pretty cutting edge at the time but understandably now seems a bit dated. Very much worth listening to as an important historical album (and it does feature "Blue Suede Shoes)
Elvis.... I don't consider him the "king of rock & roll". I grew up with the adults around me listening to him, I have family members who still obsess over him, and I'm very familiar with his work. I've never liked his voice, and I've never understood the hype. Chuck Berry and Buddy Holly had more appeal for me, but maybe Elvis really had that raw sexuality 50's teens and 20-somethings were starved for? that being said, the songs are so-so. I hate to rate it so low, but besides Blue Suede Shoes, nothing really stands out for me. The cover versions were done better by their original singers and/or writers; I will never, ever put this one on again.
I love Elvis. Always have, always will. Personally I'm the biggest fan of his '68 Comeback Era, and although I love the early stuff, I even feel like the best of that era perhaps comes a touch later. That being said, this is still so solid and so fun. If I was a young person back in the 50s, I would be creaming my pants over this man. One of the greatest performers to ever live. It's simple, but it's important, and it's damn good. Side note: listening to those goofy excuses for guitar solos on these old tunes always makes me laugh. They really thought they were doing something, huh?
Morning boost - Uplifting - Roadtrip - Timeless
The big bang
Can see why some of these songs, particularly Blue Moon would have gotten you laid. Iconic.
A classic. Always good.
Iconic stuff. Super ahead of its time when it's great, and kinda sappy when it's not. Overall a pretty good listen though.
Some greats on here. I'm surprised he did Tutti Frutti so fast, it felt a little overdone.
I know, I know, it‘s the King. But…meh. Fav: Blue suede shoes
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
Actually not terrible. First time I’ve listened to a full elvis album and surprisingly it is not that bad
Esto es el estándar del rock and roll. No creo que Elvis Presley inventase el rock, puede que no sea ni el rey. Pero desde luego marca cómo se canta esto y dibuja el personaje del cantante de rock para siempre.
Great album.
Elvis' first album did not include his most popular songs of the time such as Heartbreak Hotel, Love Me Tender, Don't Be Cruel and Hound Dog because they had already been released as singles. As a general rule, an album has been an afterthought in the music business. It was Sgt. Pepper's that made the album viable as artistic expression and a commercial product.
yeah, not my thing. first album that was a one and done listen through. highlights - blue suede shoes, money honey
I'm not an Elvis fan, so I fully expected to hate this. However, it actually turned out to be a decent, fairly enjoyable listen.
Elvis' first album I think. Interesting he hasn't locked into that signature Elvis sound on a few lines. Cool to hear, though not my top favorite Elvis album
Surprising variety on this album. Interesting to hear the so-young Elvis. I liked it, all told.
I have to squint my ears real fuckin hard to get even a faint whiff of that eerie "dawn of rock / old, weird America" power off this knicknack drawer of cornpone cracker horseshit. I guess this was Elvis' first proper "studio album", and by extension the first real rock n roll album to catch fire, so it has profound historical significance, but it's still full of Elvis giggling and hiccuping all over a bunch of lightweight teenybopper garbage. I'm sorry! I feel bad for not appreciating it! It's fuckin' dull!
It passes the threshold test of not being boring. I think it was the first time I really realized that Elvis was a rip off. He took somebody else’s sound and mainstreamed it.
First rock and roll record to hit #1. First rock and roll record to sell a milli. Pay your respects.
Elvis, Elvis Presley ★︎★︎★︎/ ︎★︎★︎★︎★︎★︎ Dammit, there's not a single song by The Clash on this whole-ass record. I've been had. Right, I get it. Father of your rock'n'roll. Maybe the first rock star, right? Kinda a non-dangerous rockabilly. My review: It's fine. Elvis, whether or not he's your hero, never meant much to me. So, like John Wayne, I just let his enjoyers do their thing. Is he all that much more than a sexy Pat Boone, when we ask ourselves seriously? Like a girlfriend said when I pulled the other Elvis's records off her shelf, "Elvis Costello, I sure thought he was important [in the 70s/80s]... Was he though?" And that's where I file Presley. We sure a lot of us thought he was important.
I didn't recognize anything from here. I prefered the louder/fast songs to the slow quiet songs. Even though I don't normally listen to music this sound/style I didn't hate it. Elvis has a beautiful voice. It's definitley one of the older albums on this list, but I'd call it classic before I call it old. 4/10
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.
It was all right
Tænkte meget på den scene i ELVIS hvor der zoomes ind på Tom hanks h or han siger “he’s… white???” Anyway der er nogle fede nok numre på, næsten alle lavet bedre af andre. Rip Elvis men Ray Charles’ I Got A Woman >>>>>>>
Måske et hot take men det var bare overhovedet ikke noget særligt? Man kender ham vel for singlerne og ikke for pladerne. Jeg kendte ikke særlig mange af de her numre, og dem jeg kendte var for bedre udgaver af andre sangere. Meget blandet kvalitet, lyder utrænet, og jeg er ærlig talt ikke vild med hans stemme overhovedet (i hvert fald ikke på det her tidspunkt)
Surely an important album.
dnf
So this was mixed. First song up, 2nd too low on energy for me. The third was good, but probably made John Lee Hooker cry (Howlin' Wolf?). Next song was painful, then a rockabilly up song. I understand this was influential, and do not argue with its inclusion. I'm just not a huge fan of Elvis for more than a song or two, and some of it is gratingly unpleasant.
As I’ve said multiple times, anything pre Beatles may as well be from another planet and I can’t relate to it in any way. I was hopeful the King would be different. He’s not. He’s a cover artist. 4.3/10
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
The fast songs are fun enough, the ballads are a bit dull. But at the end of the day, this is just a bunch of covers of songs that were done better by the original artists. Tutti Frutti, in particular, pales into comparison with the original.
Knew most of the songs, definitely a romantic feel
It holds up as a decent example or rockabilly. +1 for Scotty Moore
this album shows really well the magnificent of elvis music
Its Elvis. Just perfection
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
Old Elvis is pretty nostalgic. Nice listen. His voice is always very solid, no gems though, not a massive fan but can appreciate it.
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
Deserves a lot of credit for brining rock and roll to the masses, but at the end of the day it is a album of covers. Ignoring the racial undertones, most of the versions are not as good as the originals, with the exception of "Blue-Sued Shoes."
3.5 stars.
Nice album with great songs. Maybe a bit incoherent but what can you expect from this decade?
Ну за Элвиса и пятёрочка пойдёт.
It has good songs, but it's not memorable at all.
Elvis sucks. He stole from black people then raped a bunch of girls.
I already knew that the cover of The Clash's London Calling was based on the cover of this Elvis album, but I didn't find that out for years. Decades, even, and the first thing I think of when I see this is how I missed the reference for so long. Rock's cultural relevance has steeply declined in the 21st century, so I can't truthfully say that this inaugurated the *current* cultural era, but the first half of my life was spent in the long wake of this initial boom. That said, I was expecting this to bang a little harder. I kinda hate his vocal phrasing sometimes.
2,2/5
Brilliant
Rock and Roll wouldn't be what it is today without its first superstar
Entraînant, dansant. Mais un peu répétitif. Puis bon coucher avec des mineurs... nope !
Underwhelming skiffle
joah klassisch elvis
great album
Etwas altbacken, trotzdem ein entspannter Vibe, der mal ganz cool ist
It was alright, for a cover album. The black guys did it better though
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
It lacks any of the personality you might find in the songs that are covered here.
Long live the king.
Great. Tune after tune.
An almost sufficient list of covers, maybe interesting at the time but hardly interesting in 2025. 2.4/5 - > 2/5
Même si c'est un incontournable, ce n'est pas l'album que je vais écouter tous les quatre matins. Mais il fait le job et il a un petit goût de nostalgie. On peut pas mettre de virgule donc je mets 3 étoiles mais je lui rajoute quand même son 1/2 point.
Good but ultimately nothing to write home about.
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
This is okay, but sounds and feels really dated in 2025.
This album is great from beginning to end. All the songs are excellent and so full of Presley's energy. Fantastic and so enjoyable, this album is a classic, if you like it or not. Great for Elvis!
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
klassisk! Ikke min stil men klart en klassiker! 3
Not the genre i usually listen to, but it was quite vibey and relaxing
Elvis Presley - ever heard of him? Great cover... and now in a New Orthophonic High Fidelity Recording!!! Astonishing that this record came out in 1956. Needless to say, it caused a ruckus in society. The thing I've always liked the most about Elvis is the variety of songs he sings. He loves slow ballads, loves blues classic, rock-a-billy, rock and roll, dramatic songs, inspirational, gospel, etc. Guy could sing anything and just own it.
Aside from that marvellous sleeve design, I was really rather disappointed by this album. I was expecting something a bit more rousing. Other than Blue Suede shoes and maybe Tutti Frutti (but tht's a bit limp compared to Little Richard's version), it was all rather bland stuff and not what I was expecting from the 'king of rock and roll'. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that while some of Presley's singles released around this time were game-changing, this album really doesn't deserve its place on this list.
He’s… HWHITE?
what can i say... its elvis :) positively surprised by the 'i love you because' duet, bit corny but hey let me have it 'just because' is also very fun. not the biggest fan of the style but probably iconic and important for pop music history idk
I really enjoyed this one and want to re-listen to pay a bit more attention to the lyrics/cultural background. Very fun album
I thought this album would be repetitive with similar sounding songs such as the Beatles earlier work, but it's actually quite varied and each song is short enough not to get tiring
Ikke noget for mig
Elvis the Pelvis covers Kanye West.
there are a few songs that are definitely bangers on this album. I’m not the biggest Elvis fan, so I am not going to leave it great scores. But if you like Elvis, this is a hard hitting album.
An incredibly EASY listen that never graduates beyond that. Melodic and fun for sure, but does almost go in one ear and out the other.
Blue suede shoes is the only real standout Baseline for 50s “rock” I’m a pretty huge Elvis guy but this doesn’t do it for me…
***A good album
Este álbum está en la lista por el significado histórico que tiene. Eso es indudable. Ahora bien, eso no quita que haya discos de esta época mucho mejores que este. Por ejemplo, algunos álbumes de Chuck Berry o Little Richard. Sólido. 3'5/5
7/10
Blue Suede Shoes is great. Guitar on it is special. Rest of album is generic.
Feels like a bunch of Elvis b-sides. I didn't hate any of the songs, they just seemed unpolished and off-the-cuff
el god del panteon del rock
3.5, capaz un poco mas por lo que generó, pero tiene mejores
28 minutos espectaculares
Hdj
Want to make thirty minutes seem like an eternity? Put on this album! I’d rather listen to the original songs performed by the African American artists that put their heart and soul into every note.
This album has some great songs on it, as well as a good deal of filler and sappy ballads. The rockers are great though.
lavuk beni istediği moda sokabilir sihirbaz piç 4/5 veriyorum 🙏🏻
Realized how vanilla bubble gum Elvis was (at least early on) with his souless covers of Ray Charles’ “I Got a Woman” and Little Richard’s “Tutti Frutti” on this album. Would prefer to give this a 2.5 but will settle for a 3.
The King, Elvis, never disappoints It brought me back to my youth
It's a fun album that really captures that 50's vibes. Obviously influential. Fav track: "Blue Suede Shoes" 2.5/5
i really enjoyed this album, i liked tge story telling and really enjoyed vienna and movin out
The King baby!! Nuff said!
The King.
Decent
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…
Overrated.
Average
Wait so I got a woman is a cover of the song that Kanye samples for gold digger
While this music is ancient by Rock ’n’ Roll standards, it still carries a certain relevance and charm today. I was only a few years old when he passed away, but I’ve always loved Elvis, I even made a pilgrimage to Graceland!
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.
like everything else by elvis, this is fine... blue moon is lovely
What a debut! I had never heard his version of Blue Moon, reminded me a little of Chris Isaak!
Pretty good, not my favorite music but the og rock and roll
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.
Meh. Comme dirait Felix, faut respecter l’homme qui a probablement changé tout le cours du rock n roll. Mais c’est pas particulièrement intéressant. Au moins c’est juste 28 min!
De primeras no me ha pillado en el mood, creo que en otro momento habria sido mas disfruton porque tiene pontecial, suena muy divertido. Luego cuando se ha relajado ha entrado mejor, pero con varias canciones seguidas empieza a sonar demasiado repetitivo para escuchar de forma activa y se hacce bueno para tener de fondo bajito, para el fornite buen acompañante. Destacable para un mood de bajon "I love you Because" Se que no esta mal pero hoy no es el dia
I think I am genetically predisposed to enjoy Elvis
It's elvis singing other people's songs
I didn't really care about this at All. Just a bunch of okay covers
I prefer The Beatles.
Pretty rock and roll
This is the first time I have listened to an entire Elvis Presley album. I have heard some of the songs before such as "Blue Suede Shoes" "Blue Moon" and "Tutti Frutti" but not the record. I loved it. Superb album from 1956. Superb in 2025. 5
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.
It's Elvis
Inoffensive but pleasant. Favorite track: Tutti Frutti
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.
Opening with Blue Suede Shoes was very powerful, and must have knocked people’s socks off back in 1956. It’s a good thing Elvis was hot, because he does some weird ass stuff with his voice they wouldn’t fly if he was an uglier dude. Hard to be objective about the debut album of one of the biggest artists of all time, especially as the album format wasn’t really the thing back then. This was fine, heard them all before, some ballads some fancier numbers. Alright!
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
I don't really like Elvis, but I will admit this album is not bad. It isn’t great either, though. It is average. This would have been a bigger deal if I had been alive when it came out.
I really like some of Elvis' songs but this album, not really. Some songs are good (albeit quite basic R&R) but none are written by Elvis so he does not get any marks for song-writing. He is "just" a singer, but with a real signature sound so that's good. Of course, Elvis was very influential so I assume this album belongs on the list. A generous 3 on this one.
hips don’t lie
The poster boy for whitewashing rhythm & blues. Big Mama Thornton and Sister Rosetta Tharpe did it better, louder and first.
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!
Great to hear the first album. Don't really understand the lyrics of most of the songs however I see the influence in music still today. Will probably give it a listen once a year
Énorme classique, j’ai passé un très bon moment Même si certaines musiques sont en dessous et moins mon genre
adouwadouwap
On sait pourquoi il a traversé les époques Franchement très très cool à écouter
It's alright, I'm not sure I'd listen to it again. Something really irks me about his voice.
Clearly a classic and important and such but so many of the tracks on it I much prefer other versions like Ray Charles' I Got A Woman or Little Richard's Tutti Frutti. Elvis versions all just seems so flat. I think I like him best when his vocal style really comes out.
Funny ahaha, not used to listening something like this. I mean it's nice, not something I would intentionally put on, but it is a good album – just not my cup of tea.
exciting, but his voice feels a bit grating at times
Fair
Yellvis Jestly
A musician who was extremely impactful during his time, searheading the rock and roll genre as we know it. With the rich history behind his story, I can't help but appreciate his work. However, I am not a huge fan of his sound. I found his voice to be incredibly unique and appreciated how he used it in a non-traditional way. But, some of the songs felt like filler, with only a few sticking with me. It is an okay album.
One For The Money, Two For The Show 1001 Albums Generator 68 (07/07/2025) It's kind of funny that yesterday I had an album by Elvis Costello and today I have an album by the much more famous musical Elvis. Elvis Presley is a man that needs no introduction and there is already so much annoying discourse about him online. Is he a culture vulture? I guess. I mean, none of the songs on this album were written by Elvis, but essentially all of them were popularized by their inclusion on this album. Is he a highly influential musical figure, without whom any history of music would be incomplete? Yes. Do I find his music interesting? Honestly, not really. It's really crazy to me how dated a lot of Elvis' music sounds, considering some truly amazing albums came out of the 50's. I have always found this style of "pre-Beatles rock" boring, and while Elvis is the king of this specific subgenre, the problems I have with the sound are still certainly present on Elvis' self-titled debut studio album. By and large, this album is divided into fast paced rock songs and slower rhythm & blues songs. I am a fan of much of the former and I dislike much of the latter. With that said, the album starts pretty strong with one of Elvis' most popular songs, Blue Suede Shoes. This song is so fun, and that "one for the money, two for the show" intro is absolutely engrained in my head for all time. I have my problems with Elvis' voice, but I think it really works here. I also love the start-stop rhythm that underlays the verses and Elvis' guitar solos are great here. Tutti Frutti is the most fun that you could have in the 1950's, and I love that Elvis sounds like he's going to explode with excitement. Money Honey is another one that I was familiar with, as I have sampled it before. I really like this one. The constant piano glissandos are a great touch and the build through the verses to the choruses is well done. As far as the slow songs are concerned, not all is bad. I Love You Because is a truly sweet song with simple but effective instrumentation. The whistles that open the song are a great touch and I love the jazzy, traditional clean guitar leads that play throughout the background are pure class. Meanwhile, Elvis' cover of Blue Moon is a beautiful rendition. It does feel a bit boring at times, since there isn't much variation within it, but it is pretty, and Elvis' voice is really quite good. His falsetto is really surprising. There are aspects of Presley's voice that I just do not like. One-Sided Love Affair is a fun piece of Rockabilly that is absolutely decimated by his goofy vibrato voice. For similar reasons, I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Cry (Over You) is impossible to take seriously, in spite of its depressing lyrics. This song also highlights the unfortunate production on this album, as Elvis' voice overpowers the instruments under it. This album is also full of dated, uninteresting pieces of slow country (?), such as I'm Counting On You, Trying To Get To You, and especially I'll Never Let You Go (Little Darlin'). These songs really drag down this album and make Elvis Presley feel much longer than just 28 minutes. Elvis Presley is unfortunately a bit of a disappointment. Despite having some good songs, the overall sound has not withstood the test of time. I wish I liked it more, but it's a 2.5, rounded down to a 2. Favs: Blue Suede Shoes I Love You Because Money Honey Least Fav: I'll Never Let You Go (Little Darlin')
Blue Suede Shoes was the only track I enjoyed. I don't like his voice in general.
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.
Nothing screams the start of rock and roll like a white guy blatantly covering black artists and riding it to stardom. Although my personal favorite example of this is Elvis covering Tooti Fruti, a song about gay sex. I'm giving this a bonus star just for that fact alone.
I felt fine about this. It's weird to hear a lot of songs that I've heard by other artists who did it better. To be honest, I know he contributed to rock, but he's basically a lit review in comparison to original research
time capsule right here. I love the singing, I love the sound of the band. solid musicianship. songs are a bit boring for me tho. neat but I'll never listen to it again.
Elvistä
I like this! Made me twist on some songs and just get transported to the good old times.
I think they gave him too much credit
Bleghh
Short, intense barrage of tracks short and varied tracks. I'm not the biggest Elvis fan, but it's hard not to be somewhat entertained.
Only a couple of his big hits here
Early Elvis
Excellent album to get in the 50s and 60s feeling. Love the short and crisp songs!!
unoriginal ass
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.
I enjoy a good Elvis record so that was good but not my favorite. I think that I like his older music more.
I do see where the Elvis hype came from! Kinda jammin. At the very least vibin. Nothing that stands out too much still, though.
One of the most deserving albums to be on this list? Oh yeah certainly. Maybe one of the most important musicians of the 20th century, just in terms of influence. But this music is just fine! I don't think I'll ever seek Elvis out intentionally outside of New Vegas.
Solid collection of tunes, but definitely not as incendiary as it would've been in 1956, when Elvis could quirk his hips and every pair of panties the nation over would fly off.
It’s a classic for a reason, but I’m docking points for how most of it sounds old as hell and the fact that Elvis didn’t write a single song on the album. (Blue Suede Shoes is always great tho)
None of these songs were in lilo & stitch 🤔
Elvis doing his thing here. Which is not my thing but I respect the game. He keeps such incredible energy although I will never forgive him for his mangling Tutti Frutti the way he does. Truly a landmark album and probably one of the most historically important on this list.
Seminal, pretty good
Good solid pop-rock. Short and sweet.
It’s Elvis obviously hugely influential but not something that I’m listening to now or is comparable with what came after Elvis.
I liked it. It reminded me of my grandma.
i like this album coz i relate to elvis as we are both pedophiles
Great album, loses me towards the end when the high energy elvis disappears for a bit but really good anyways
One cannot deny the influence this album had on future generations of artists. It also brought exposure to artists that may not have made the mainstream music of the day, because they would not have received the radio play that this album received. All and all, it is a pretty good album that is fun to spin now and again.
Totally see why it was so huge esp with women
Pretty good. Not my favourite from Elvis or from that period of rock n roll. Good album though some nice songs on there.
das war mal ein Debut-Album; hat auch sonst einige verändert, nicht nur Elvis
I don't like groomers.
8/10… rock n roll / country
mid
Elvis Presley
The blueprint for rock and roll. Raw and energetic, before Elvis got sanitised.
A hero to most, but he never meant shit to me.
I tried this 1001 albums challenge in 2020 but the chronological way. I remember somewhat digging Sinatra's Wee Hours but really loving this record when it came next. I was 13 then and now I'm almost 19. While I acknowledge that Elvis is a legend in his own right, half of these songs are just songs to me. I did enjoy when he went into a more soulful slow approach. But other than that, it's straight 50s rock and roll. It's not bad but it's nothing too mind-blowing unless you were hearing it for the first time when it released. He is the king though (5/10, 3/5 on this scale)
Difficult to rate this objectively. It isn't as good as the best rock and roll records (Little Richard) but it isn't total manufactured slop either. Blue Suede Shoes is obviously great. Elvis was a distinctive singer and a fantastic performer. He genuinely had the rock star je ne sais quoi, so it isn't surprising he became mega famous. He wasn't just an attractive white face being used to market Black music to middle America. But that was an inescapable aspect of his success. He was also yet another person on this list who had questionable relationships with girls who were much too young. On its merits, this stands up relatively well, so I guess it's a 3.
Legend
It's surprising that each song is barely over 2 minutes long. The music is slower paced than I expected, and seems so toned down without the background screams of teenaged fans.
Great singing, but song structure sounds dated by this point.
My original review from 2019: Hmm, I don’t know. The cultural impact of this album is immense, but...I don’t know. I feel like the original versions of the big songs here are better, and some of the ballads are easily skippable. I do like the reinterpretation of Blue Moon, and One-Sided Love Affair is pretty good, but the album as a whole is...I don’t know. How about 3 stars? 2025: I like Elvis. But not this album. I only got about 50 albums in the last time I tried this 1001 album list, but this was one of them. And I was thoroughly unimpressed. I’ve come to realize that I like his singles, but his albums are just packed with filler, which is understandable when you are pumping out 3-4 albums a year. His early Sun Sessions are great (now called Sunrise I believe), but again that is a lot of his early singles. I’ll always be a Buddy Holly guy, if I had to choose. Probably close to 2.5 stars.
very little cohesion throughout, seems like a bunch of stuffed together singles and a lot of misses
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
Decent Chuck Berry cosplay
was he influential? sure. does he owe his entire career to black musicians of the time? you betcha.
3/5 Elvis has better material but this is was ok. Love that blue moon cover.
basic bitch
Oh this fucking guy. I didn’t know that I wasn’t really an Elvis fan until today.
Never been an Elvis fan. Just never got into him. The only time I listen to him is “Hound Dog” on the Forrest Gump soundtrack and around the holidays mixed between other holiday classics. Was interesting to hear his different vocal tones on the less popular songs I hadn’t heard before. Didn’t realize the range he had and I did dig his slower songs. I’m sure this was influential for its time but since I gave Burrito Brothers a 3, I’ll give this one a 2. At least I listened to it before I died.
I think I would enjoy these songs more if they where song by the actual people who inspired Elvis. I get why this is here but beyond that not much excitement here.
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.
“old as shit” That’s all I originally wanted to say about this album and, I guess, about Elvis too. It’s just so funny to me that this bland milquetoast bop got so hot, it really reinforces the weird state of pop music before then and just how musically stunted everyone was. I can appreciate the historical significance, but that’s about it
Neither here nor there
One of the early rock n roll classics. But I’m going to be honest, I’m not a huge fan of Elvis, I certainly wouldn’t downplay his significance but as far as early rock acts go I generally prefer Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, etc. While nothing here is bad, in fact most of it is good, many of these songs I prefer the originals to Elvis’ renditions (the most glaring example is “Tutti Frutti”) but I am a fan of “Blue Swede Shoes” that’s a good one.
point9.
It’s good. I like the music from this era, but not my favorite
É difícil, e injusto, avaliar/ julgar os discos de Elvis Presley, depois de se ter ouvido a produção de rock dos anos seguintes (meados dos anos 1960 e tudo que veio a seguir), mas sua importância como desbravador e pedra fundamental de um gênero de musica que viria a ser o mais importante, em termos de consumo, não pode ser desprezada.
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
Sort of impossible to listen to an album of what were mostly at the time and now are standards and come away truly wowed. As thieves of Black music go, he's no Page & Plant, but I enjoyed it well enough. Great cover tho.
Must have caused a sensation when it was released. Felt like a time capsule.
Don't like the lyrics or the way he sings. At least now I know where a woman's place is... surprise surprise.
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
Thoughts before listening: Elvis is one of those artists where everybody knows him, including all the hit songs, but I for one never actually listen to him. I'm never sitting around thinking "you know what, I'd really like to listen to some Elvis." So in that sense, I'm excited to have to listen to an album. Review: I mean its Elvis. Its going to be enjoyable. This is his debut album so its rockabilly/rock n roll Elvis and not Vegas headliner Elvis which is a good thing. His faster songs are the ones that work best for me with the ballads coming off as too old school sounding or something. In general, while his voice is certainly iconic, it also can grate on me at times, and this is especially true on the slow songs. Favorite songs: "Blue Suede Shoes", "I Got a Woman", "Just Because", and the one exception to my ballad opinion "Blue Moon". I'll give this 3-stars.