Elvis Presley – Elvis Is Back! (2xLP, Analogue Productions, 180g, 45RPM)

Elvis Presley's first full-length release after leaving the Army, the aptly titled Elvis Is Back! remains one of the King’s standout albums--and might be his all-time best. While Presley’s records were prone to include inconsistencies (mostly, songs he recorded at the behest of others’ suggestions, either to appeal to a certain audience or tie-in with a film), there’s not one example of musical filler or a single forgettable performance on this 1960 gem. Ironically, Elvis Is Back! stood as the singer’s most complete release for years, as it presents the musician in a focused mode that would soon be derailed by his subsequent work on thematic movie soundtracks.

Pressed on two 45RPM 200-gram vinyl LPs, Analogue Productions’ pristine version soars above the prized DCC LP edition (which regularly commands upwards of $200 on eBay) as well as the DCC gold disc edition (a rare find that fetches $150 and more). No longer will you have to pay a premium to enjoy the magic of Presley’s voice, rhythms, and foundation-paving rock and roll melodies. Mastered by George Marino, the King’s last truly superb studio album has never sounded so intimate, detailed, present, and alive. Images are true, tones are balanced, and the unbeatable warmth that only analog provides breathes through on every cut.

Demonstrating a slightly more relaxed and mature poise here than on his earlier material, Presley dives into R&B (a wonderful rendition of the Drifters’ “Such a Night”), unabated pop (an upbeat cover of Ral Donner’s “The Girl of My Best Friend”), swooning doo-wop (“Soldier Boy”), torch (Peggy Lee’s “Fever”), and authentic hard blues (a standout reading of Lowell Fulsom’s “Reconsider Baby”) as if he owns them all. And he does, his vocal performances deeper and truer, his emotional reach off the charts. Better still, he’s backed by the likes of Scotty Moore, D.J. Fontana, Hank Garland, Boots Randolph, and Floyd Cramer.

Recorded over the course of two marathon sessions (one taking place in Hollywood and the other in Nashville), the sound is wonderfully natural and present, and made all the better by Analogue Productions’ superior pressing. Every alluring shade, texture, and contour of Presley’s voice comes into your room with sheer transparency.

Secure a copy today from Music Direct and order another to keep sealed as an investment for when these sought-after platters go out of print. You won’t regret it.

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