Album: The "Chirping" Crickets
Artist: Buddy Holly and the Crickets
Release Date: November 27, 1957
Genre: Rock and Roll
Length: 0:28:27
Label: Brunswick Records
Producer: Norman Petty
Rolling Stone Top 500 (2012): #420
Rolling Stone Top 500 (2020): N/A
1,001 Album Book: Yes
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The debut album from Buddy Holly and the Crickets, The "Chirping" Crickets is widely regarded as one of the initial rock and roll albums, introducing the world to the genre. The album didn't chart in the US but peaked at #5 on the UK Albums Chart and the song "That'll Be the Day" topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 1957.
This album marks the foundation of one of the largest genres in music history. While the building blocks in The "Chirping" Crickets are a lot less complex than the genre would eventually evolve to, the ideas are all put in place. The fast paced play styles, focused on rhythm and sound with the instruments rather than the vocalists, while still being able to present the vocalist as the leader of the group was completely new to the world in 1957. The first track "Oh Boy!" presents all of these ideas right of the bat, with a small solo in the middle, call-and-response background vocals, and an overall catchy, frantic beat gives R&B new ideas that eventually led to the foundations of Rock & Roll.
Surrounded by classic Rock & Roll songs such as "Oh Boy!", "Not Fade Away", "Maybe Baby" and "That'll Be The Day" this record has a large focal point on innovation from R&B. The R&B qualities that were taken and changed to capture the sound Buddy Holly and the Crickets would go on to perfect.
One interesting aspect of the tracks throughout the album is the use of an upright bass. Music now all uses the bass guitar for the most part but due to the times this album was released, the bass was still a jazz like upright bass. This feeds into the feel and groove that is uniquely 1950s rock music. The song "It's Too Late" features the sound of the bass heavily and also allows the listener to hear the simple background vocals from the other members in the group besides Holly.
Other than the upright bass, this album marks one of the first uses of electric guitars, although distortion wasn't a thing during these times. The fast beats of the drum set are also an interesting point, as the drummer is now able to showcase his talents while still providing the beat for the group even if he isn't in a solo. This album helped start so many different trends in music that it's surprising it is as unrecognized as it is.
This album and the Crickets went on to influence major artists and set the complete foundation for music as to what it is now. The Beatles, Elvis, the Rolling Stones and any other major rock group the world knows and loves now would not be who they are without The "Chirping" Crickets. Shockingly, the album was removed completely from the 2020 RollingStone Top 500 list, which is complete disrespect for an album that furthered an entire genre and went on to influence countless albums that are contained within the 2020 list.
Sadly, the world only got a few years of Holly's talents as he was tragically killed in a plane crash. The music he put into the world would go on to influence decades to come and his legacy has not been forgotten. I recommend this album for this reason alone, but the music itself is an amazing look back into a simpler time. After listening to this record, I guarantee you will have more of an appreciation for music nowadays and want to explore music history more fully...
Favorite Songs: "That'll Be The Day", "Oh Boy!", "Not Fade Away"
Least Favorite Songs: "An Empty Cup (And A Broken Date)" (Not a bad song, just one of the weaker ones on the album)
Production Quality:
Mix = 9/10 (Incredible production for the times)
Innovation = 10/10
Songwriting Quality:
Arrangement = 10/10
Lyricism = 9/10
Instrumentation Quality:
Vocal Timbre = 9.5/10
Instrumental Timbre = 10/10
Group Chemistry = 10/10
Overall Likability:
My Personal Rating = 9/10
Overall Rating: 9.3/10
Any confusion on how the rating is weighted/calculated, please look at my "About" page.
Remember this is all my opinion! Let me know if you agree, disagree or have any comments!