I've been thinking about this for a while and recently rifled through my catalogue to look at some contenders. The criteria I used for selecting the best debut album is based on both impact to the genre and overall musical quality. For example some of the great Rock/Pop bands of the last 45 years didn't exactly come out of the gate swinging grand slams. For example, as great as the Beatles, Stones and even The Who were or are, they're first offering was largely based on covers of American blues and doesn't represent them hitting full stride. Same full stride scenario could also be said for great bands such as Zeppelin, Tull, Aerosmith, Talking Heads, Prince, CSN&Y etc.
Without further ado here is my list:
1. Yes - "Fragile" (Unbelievable debut album. Ushered in a classical sensibility to Rock music that hadn't been tapped into as deeply prior to their arrival on the scene. The muscianship and composition on Fragile is stunning. I put this album as number 1 on my list because of the incredible muscianship and maturity of this first offering) 2. Steely Dan - "Can't Buy A Thrill" (Damn near a flawless debut album. The Dan's influence was huge and made it difficult for critics to even figure how to categorize their style of music) 3. Chicago "Chicago Transit Authority" (Wham they came out of left field and combined horns, percussions and hot guitar licks the likes of which the music scene hadn't witnessed before. Right out of the gate their debut album sounded like it was a veteran work of art) 4. Nirvana - "Nirvana" (What can you say about this debut? It was a solid musical offering with a huge impact on music. Their debut was an invitation to the Grim Reaper for Old School and Hair Spray rock bands. It's influence is still being felt to this day) 5. The Doors - "The Doors" (Unbelievably good debut album. Light My Fire is one of the best Rock songs of all time IMHO. Right out of the gate The Doors brought a style and sound all their own)
Tracy Chapman Rush AC DC Eels Cracker Matthew Sweet Freedy Johnston Lenny Kravits Little Village REM U2 Live Pearl Jam Chicago Amos Lee Dire Straits Cowboy Junkies Traveling Wilburys
Freak Out--Zappa/Mothers Music from Big Pink--the Band Fresh Cream Are You Experienced If you weren't around before they were released these may not make sense to you. BTW, if it hasn't been mentioned, Fragile was not the first album by Yes--I believe it was the fourth.
Byrds-Mr. Tambourine Man. They had that signature, glorious sound from the first note of the first track of the first album. Blended cream vocals over Rice Crispies guitar for sonic endorphins.
"The Divine Comedy" by Milla Jojovich (yes that Milla) is actually and surprisingly quite good and unique. Plus of course the fact that she is Milla Jojovich and quite hot does not hurt.
REM - "Murmur". Technically, the Chronic Town EP came before, but since the thread title is for "albums", I figure this one qualifies.
Nine Inch Nails - "Pretty Hate Machine". Damn, this is still one fine release. It was rightly mentioned before, but I'm bringing it up again.
The Cars - "The Cars". Quintessential rollerskating pop delight. IMHO, if you can't find something to like before the needle leaves the groove, you really need to not think too much.
Rage Against the Machine - "Rage Against the Machine". This is a sonic kick to the crotch. After becoming hooked, I had to see them live just to know how Tom Morello did what he does.
Tool - "Undertow". Yes, another technicality where the Opiate EP came before. This album brought many of the same feelings that Nirvana's "Nevermind" brought, but in a more cerebral way (rather than something you felt in the gut).
Uncle Tupelo - "No Depression". Arguably, the beginning of the alt-country movement. Punk aggression with back porch sensibility. It's a must have. Seriously.
The XX - "XX". Well, this is actually their only album, but it's an instant classic. There are no "hits" on this release, and much of the material will elicit a "Why didn't I think of that?" Turn off the lights, let your eyes roll back into your head, and take it all in.
Son Volt - "Trace". After the demise of Uncle Tupelo, Jay Farrar created Son Volt and their first release was a logical extension to his musical roots, but in a new direction.
Interpol - "Turn On the Bright Lights". As a huge Joy Division fan, the first listen to this release was like finding my soul mate. Moody and restrained. More like a sophomore release with something to prove after an unexpected pop masterpiece. Interpol had their first 2 albums backwards.
Sleigh Bells - "Treats". Another "best album because it's their only album". If you're looking for a contender in the loudness war, look no farther. Sugary-sweet vocals over pure sonic mayhem. Genius or awful? You decide. I have, and it made this list.
Bring It On by Gomez. "Their sound is versatile and evades typical music genres falling into blues, indie, alternative, rock, folk, psychedelic and experimental."
Here's a twist: How about best debut that's also a swan song? My kick-off nomination in the only-one-album-but-oh-what-an-album-it-is sweepstakes is The La's self-titled (and self-tortured) minor masterpiece from 1990 (hit that's endured: "There She Goes") -- not only the lone album they managed to release during some 10 years of nominal band activity, and to critical raves, but also over the objections and rejection of leader Lee Mavers and without full band participation 'til the end of production, which was left to Steve Lillywhite to pull together on his own.
Tvad and Lindisfarne...keep in mind that a first release album to you wherever you live is not necessarily a first release album to somebody in another country. It is not uncommon for some albums to be available only as an import. If and when an act becomes big, then the breakthrough album may be the "first release" in a particular country, with the previous import albums re-released to take advantage of the newfound publicity.
Maybe the post should be renamed "Best Break-Through Album" in order to avoid this type of confusion.
Dawgbyte, You are talking in RocknRoll right cause I mean no disrespect but in the classical realm there are a few GODS that Wakeman couldn't carry their tune literaly.
OKAY ENOUGH ALREADY! So a few people; including myself, messed up on actual debut records. Does that warrant snobby comments from the Rolling Stone archive list crowd? I think not!
Regarding Keith Emerson being the greatest keyboard player of all time. Hmmmmmmmm, not so fast with that title. Emerson was great and I'm a big fan to this day, but I'd put Rick Wakeman ahead of Emerson for that crown.
We've all seen muscians perform solo's during a concert and over the years I've witnessed some great ones from the likes of Eric Clapton, Pat Metheny, Eddie Van Halen, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jeff Beck, Prince, Muddy Waters and too many drum solos to ever recount. However, of all the solo's I've seen one stands head and shoulders above the rest. Rick Wakeman performed a solo during Yes' Reunion tour in the early '90's that completely blew me away. What separated this solo from so many I'd seen in the past was his attention to composition. He designed the solo not only to showcase his incredible talent, but also to make it rhythmically engaging for the audience. It was a very complex piece executed flawlessly - a true master of his instrument.
It's interesting that many people picked "My Aim Is True". If I were to pick a Top 10 list it would certainly be included. It was really the first "New Wave" album to spin out of Punk Rock and had a huge impact on music.
Van Halen's debut would also enter my Top 10 list, not only because it was great musically, but it came out at a time when critics were beginning to reject "Corporate Rock" bands like Journey, Boston, ELO, Styx, Foreigner and others.
DJ ... actually spun the song twice in a row back to back
I heard a similar thing when I was about 13: a DJ played Moby Grape's Omaha twice in a row. As you said, Alex, the Moby Grape debut album belongs on this list.
elliott murphy-aquashow.....the new york dolls.....sex pistols-never mind the.......buzzcocks-another music from a different kitchen......nick drake-five leaves left.
Hey Zaikesman, all this 70's era nostalgia suddenly reminded me of another debut that I feel must be mentioned...arguably one of the greatest debut albums of the '70s and certainly one that I no problem admitting owning and listening to. "You wanted the best and you got it! The hottest band in the land...KISS!!!!!"
Perhaps not. Even though I was only in 6th grade at the time, I recall it being damned hard to find anything I wanted to hear on the radio in 1976. (Kind of like now, come to think of it.) Some other tunes that felt like an absolute plague then were "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" and "Silly Love Songs". Something I remember more fondly from the previous year was when "Walk This Way" debuted as a single, and I was taping it to cassette off the radio when the DJ got so overwhelmed with enthusiastic response from callers that he actually spun the song twice in a row back to back. For some reason that impressed the hell out of me at my age then, and I've never heard the same thing happen again before or since.
Perhaps some of the "Boston bashers" were changing the radio dial back in 1976 in favor of some of these infectious gems which were recieving equal airplay?:
Theme From "S.W.A.T", Rhythm Heritage Convoy, C.W. McCall Disco Duck, Rick Dees
In light of these ground breaking performances I suppose Boston did come off as rather stupid - what was I thinking back then? I'm so embarrased. Pardon me for the off-topic response...
yes, Boston sounds good today, but back then, the folks who were ther music mavens blew them off....even the movie FM looks radical today. ...i was at a party and the song 'spill the wine' by eb and War came over the radio. most of the folks there did not speak english, but jeez..that song never sound better and people were dancing and going nuts. it was good then (71), but today, it sounds like the gods inspired them.
I distinctly remember hearing Disreali Gears on the 8-track player in my older brother's car on summer camp visiting day in the summer of 1967 or 1968. From that moment until reading your post, I always thought it was their debut album. Live and learn.
I remember when "Boston" came out, I was in junior high school and everybody loved them. I once talked this girl I liked into leaving the school grounds during lunch and eating with me at my house instead. As we walked we talked about music, and she told me Boston was her favorite band. Of course, being the snobbish dweeb I was, I became nearly apoplectic that she could like them better than The Beatles, even though The Beatles had broken up before I was really old enough to be aware of them. Smooth dude, that. Anyway, I was proud that I could play the opening guitar figure from "More Than A Feeling" for my next door neighbor kid who spun that record to death, but I just never could cotton to bands like them and Foreigner. Chalk it up to precocious good taste. Then new wave started to happen (before it got co-opted by the labels), and I began to figure out why Boston sounded stupid even if impressive in their way. These days I have a more expansive attitude toward them, though I'll never own their records. Sad how even a band like Boston now makes 99% of current radio rock sound fake and without craft.
Madonna's self titled Debut in 1983. She's probably one of the top selling female artists of all time...and still going strong. Currently spanning a career of over 20 years, she's had a huge impact on the pop music scene.
The Beatles! Whether it's With the Beatles or Meet the Beatles, I don't see how anything else could be the "winner" of this "contest". Talk about impact! Little kids, and elderly people, are still listening (and singing along!) to this stuff; and it absolutely kick-started rock n' roll into HUGE popularity. Musical quality? Well, I can easily see arguments for other debuts, but it depends on how one defines "overall musical quality".
the monkees were great..the tv show is still funny too. saw them with hendrix as a kid, and later when all four reunited...a great show. worked with nesmith on the repo man dvd not long after....a real gentleman.
The Monkees rule. (Incidentally, ever listen closely to the lead break in "Saturday's Child"? Presages Page in late Yardbirds, "Dazed And Confused"-era early Zep. Not that anybody in The Monkees played it, but I'm not picky.)
Zep 1 Piper at the Gates of Dawn Are You Experienced Nothing Shocking - Jane's Addiction Kill Em All - Metallica The Golden Age of Radio - Thomas Dolby Bjork - Debut Meet the Beatles Crosby, Stills and Nash Aerosmith Pretty Hate Machine - NIN
"Boston"?...Awright, that's it folks! Apparently we have a winner, named 'the best' by critical consensus! (Never read these particular 'many critics', but OK.) Time to go home! Been nice rockin' ya, wouldn't wanna schlock ya...
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