Top 5 - Best Debut Albums
Some bands hit out the gate with there best right away, while others continue that success for a long time to come. And, some, have a not so stellar intro, but achieve success later. This list is not about that so much as the celebration of the debut albums that just absolutely hit, whether the band ever found success again or not. I could mention bands like Hootie and the Blowfish who’s Cracked Rear View album was everywhere for a while, but then the band never really found more success, that album was pretty corny to begin with, in my opinion. As I was comiling this list, I was pleasantly surprised on how many great albums there are. Here is my Top 5 Debut Albums of all time, as ranked by me, with a few honorable mentions thrown in.
5. Ramones, ‘Ramones’ (1976) From the classic album cover to the classic NY punk sound, the album features so many classics from start to finish. To me it often feels like a greatest hits album out of the gate. Blitzkrieg Bop, Beat on the Brat, Judy is a Punk, I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend. Not bad for an investment of about $6K.
4. The Cars, ‘The Cars’ (1978) Another debut album that could just as easily be called a greatest hits album. From Side A’s Good Times Roll, My Best Friend’s Girl and Just What I Needed to Side B’s You’re All I Got Tonight, Moving in Stereo and All Mixed Up. The best part is it kicked off a string of five great albums.
3. Led Zeppelin, ‘Led Zeppelin’ (1969) A debut album by a band that feels like they’d been together for a decade, but with a new energy. That’s what you get when you take one part rock guitar god, one-part amazing session player that’d been around for a while, splash in a high energy bombastic drummer, and a fresh faced singer with pipes that were from the gods. Every song is in classic rock heavy rotation.
2. Pearl Jam, ‘Ten’ (1991) Seattle’s own near perfect record with Ten, ten tracks of wailing guitar solos, warbly vocals, and stadium classic rock feels. Once, Jeremy, Black and Even Flow.
1. Pretenders, ‘Pretenders’ (1980) The perfect debut for Chrissie Hynde who waiting patiently to put her songs and feels to vinyl. Fantastic mix of New Wave (Mystery Achievement and Precious) and classic rockers like Stop Your Sobbing (Ray Davies) and Brass in Pocket. It had attitude in abundance, curves and great lines.
Because I limited myself to 5, here are the multitude of near misses:
Guns N’ Roses, ‘Appetite for Destruction’ (1987), Televsion, ‘Marquee Moon’ (1977), Van Halen, ‘Van Halen’ (1978), The Doors, ‘The Doors’ (1967), The Stooges, ‘The Stooges’ (1969), N.W.A, ‘Straight Outta Compton’ (1988), Elvis Costello, ‘My Aim Is True’ (1977), Black Sabbath, ‘Black Sabbath’ (1970), Metallica, ‘Kill ‘Em All’ (1983), and Big Star, ‘#1 Record’ (1972).
What is your pick, or who did I miss? Let me know!
