Is Today a good place to start with Elvis Presley?

Yes, Today is recommended as a starting point for new Elvis Presley listeners. A blend of soulful ballads and country-infused rock, showcasing Elvis's emotional depth and vocal prowess. When 'Today' was released in May 1975, Elvis Presley was navigating a period of artistic transition, following his acclaimed 1973 album 'Aloha from Hawaii Via Satellite.' This album came during his later career, as he sought to re-establish himself in the recording industry after years of fluctuating success and personal challenges.

Today works well if you're into steady mid-tempo reflective moments, heartfelt storytelling with depth and easy listening for relaxation.

How many songs are on Today?

Today has 10 tracks, running approximately 34 minutes.

Today

Elvis Presley · 1975

34 min · 10 tracks · blues

A blend of soulful ballads and country-infused rock, showcasing Elvis's emotional depth and vocal prowess.

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Top tracks — play these first

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And I Love You So — This track stands out as a heartfelt ballad that showcases Elvis's ability to convey deep emotion through his voice, becoming one of his signature songs.
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T‐R‐O‐U‐B‐L‐E Start here — The upbeat rhythm and playful lyrics highlight Elvis's charisma and blending of rock and country genres, making it a fan favorite.
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Pieces of My Life — This song offers a reflective moment on personal struggles, illustrating the vulnerability that characterizes much of the album's emotional landscape.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

46 /100

Foothills

Higher than 10% of albums we've rated

The album features a mix of upbeat and soulful tracks, showcasing Elvis's vocal range but lacks strong cohesion overall.

What we noticed

The album opens with an upbeat track, 'T-R-O-U-B-L-E', followed by a shift to slower ballads like 'And I Love You So' and 'Woman Without Love'.
Several tracks feature prominent backing vocals that complement Elvis's lead, particularly in the chorus sections.
The instrumentation varies from traditional rock arrangements to more orchestral elements, especially in ballads like 'Pieces of My Life'.
The last three tracks maintain a reflective tone, creating a sense of closure as the album progresses.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 5/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady mid-tempo reflective moments
heartfelt storytelling with depth
easy listening for relaxation
warm vocals for cozy evenings

Maybe skip if you

seekers of fast-paced thrills
prefer standalone catchy singles

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — Shows continued vitality in Elvis's music during a transitional phase.
Themes: personal struggle· nostalgic longing· reflective storytelling
Career context: When 'Today' was released in May 1975, Elvis Presley was navigating a period of artistic transition, following his acclaimed 1973 album 'Aloha from Hawaii Via Satellite.' This album came during his later career, as he sought to re-establish himself in the recording industry after years of fluctuating success and personal challenges.
Stylistic neighbors: Chuck Berry· Little Richard· Buddy Holly