darling67 Posted July 21, 2013 Share Posted July 21, 2013 Was just watching some youtube videos by The Cars, and it made me recall what a fantastic debut album they released in 1978(!). It gave me an idea for a thread... What do you think are the ten greatest debut albums by rock bands and/or artists? Below are mine—not in any particular order, but perhaps to some extent: 1.) Meet The Beatles - The Beatles. I think anyone would be hard-pressed to think of a more influential and game-changing debut album. Of course, the band had released an album already in the U.K. But this first U.S. album, on their official U.S. label, put them over the top as international superstars, and was the beginning of rock and roll as we know it today. 2.) Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin. With the release of their first album in 1968, Led Zeppelin created a "template" for all hard rock bands that would follow in their wake. 3.) The Cars - The Cars. Ummmm... like, every song on this album could have been a single! 4.) Mr. Tambourine Man - The Byrds. The Byrds took what they had learned from The Beatles, and created a whole new genre of "Folk Rock" with this impressive debut album. "I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better", alone, is worth the price of admission. 5.) Is This It - The Strokes. Still as exciting and fresh today as it was when I first heard it, twelve years ago(!). One catchy hook after another, this debut is a stand-out among releases by all those "post-punk revival" bands of the new millennium. 6.) Murmur - R.E.M.. At a time when lots of bands were trying so hard to be rock stars—and putting image before substance—R.E.M. burst onto the scene with this jangly, moody, hook-laden gem that heartened this fledging guitarist by illustrating that you need not play 100 notes per-second to be a "good"! 7.) The Pretenders - The Pretenders. Incredible debut release… just incredible! 8.) Outlandos D'Amour - The Police. Much like the Pretenders debut above, The Police's debut release took "Punk" and added smart songwriting and top-notch musicianship. 9.) The Doors - The Doors. In my opinion, The Doors were the first "New Wave" band ever. Their first album bid "good-bye" to surfin' safaris, and heralded-in a whole new west coast trip! 10.) Yes - Yes. There really are no "hits" off this debut… those would come a few years after its release (with the addition of Steve Howe to the lineup). But, this album represented Progressive Rock in its infancy. Whether you like "Prog Rock" or not (and I don't, particularly), Yes did it right. I know there are many other debut albums that deserve to be on a "top-10 list"… some that I may have missed or just couldn't include due to limitations. So, I am looking forward to seeing others' lists! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaleb Posted July 21, 2013 Share Posted July 21, 2013 1. Led Zeppelin- Led Zeppelin (1969): Need I say more? 2. Van Halen- Van Halen (1978)- Again, need I say more? 3. Are You Experienced- Jimi Hendrix Experience (1967): Again, need I say more? 4. KISS- KISS (1974): It may have bad production, it may sound a little more old-timey and rock and rolly than what KISS is really about, but I love it and it was the birth of the Hottest Band In The Land! A standout for me is "Let Me Know", which has a very Beatlesque feel, as well as that killer riff at the end (which was subsequently used for introducing Ace's solo at the end of "Watchin' You" and then "She")! And another is the instrumental "Love Theme From KISS". It's much too short, but it is a great jam. And I don't care what anyone says, "Kissin' Time" is catchy as ****! 5. Rush- Rush (1974): Shows Rush as what they were before Neil joined and they officially changed the face of the Earth. Some killer rockin' stuff, as well as some criminally underrated songs such as "Before And After" for example. And their live versions of "Working Man" pale to the original IMHO. Neil adds a bunch of fancy **** on the skins when they play it live with him (as heard on All The World's A Stage), but he doesn't swing in the pocket like John Rutsey did. Plus, some killer guitar tone from Alex Lifeson. 6. Kill Em' All- Metallica (1983): A complete sonic bombast from start to finish. Shows how important Dave Mustaine was to them. And the cover kicks ***! 7. Badlands- Badlands (1989): A great solid album from one of the most underrated bands. Jake E. Lee's masterpiece IMHO. Ray Gillen was one of the greatest singers ever to grace the planet, and Greg Chaisson and Eric Singer laid down a great groove. 8. Pride and Glory- Pride and Glory (1994): Great showcase of great southern grooves and musicianship from Zakk Wylde, James LoMenzo, and Brian Tichy. 9. Jackyl- Jackyl (1992): One of the best and most underrated bands of the past 25 years. They scream rock n' roll. 10. Tesla- Mechanical Resonance (1986): They kicked *** and brought on a pure punch that was lacking in the midst of the glam scene. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quapman Posted July 21, 2013 Share Posted July 21, 2013 How about top ten debut albums released while you were musically cognizant. Anyone can pick the their top ten favorite bands first albums. Or historically important debut albums. It think its more relevant to have bought and played that debut album when it was released to experience it as a "debut" album. So seeing as I was only born in 61, many of my favorites were making debuts before I knew who they were. And I don't think I can even pick 10. But the Cars were one. Boston Foreigner Van Halen - this one just blew my mind when it came out. The Black Crowes - And after all the crap from the 80's this was a refreshing return to real music.. (Sorry to all you 80's fans ) I'm sure I have more but those I recall as new bands I liked. Which to me is how you really appreciate a "debut album". Not ten years after it's release because you like the band. Just sayin... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darling67 Posted July 21, 2013 Author Share Posted July 21, 2013 How about top ten debut albums released while you were musically cognizant. Anyone can pick the their top ten favorite bands first albums. .... Which to me is how you really appreciate a "debut album". Not ten years after it's release because you like the band. Just sayin... Well, it was understood that these lists would be subjective to a degree. So the point is to list those albums, that you know of, that represent to you the top 10 debuts. Everyone will list those that they think represent this, and the rest of us can appreciate the different takes on it. Although great music was being made prior to, "Meet The Beatles", I'd say "Albums as artistic statements" began shortly thereafter. I became "musically cognizant" perhaps around 1975-ish, and so I go back about 10 years or so when looking for a starting point. But I do hear you on the "debut when it came out as opposed to historical significance" point. But many of those that I see, objectively, as "the best debuts" were released either before I was born, or when I was a toddler or a little kid… and so I can't really use that "model". I have several favorite bands who's debut albums I didn't include in my list, as I felt other less-favorite bands' were stronger debuts. So, it's not simply just about listing favorite bands' debuts—not for me, at least. Anyway, thanks for participating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyK Posted July 21, 2013 Share Posted July 21, 2013 Cry of Love - Brother. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fl00dsm0k3 Posted July 21, 2013 Share Posted July 21, 2013 in no particular order Led Zeppelin Korn Iron Maiden Dio Holy Diver The Doors Guns And Roses Appitite For Destruction Black Sabbath Metallica Kill Em All Van Halen King Crimson In The Court Of The Crimson King Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookieman15061 Posted July 21, 2013 Share Posted July 21, 2013 This is cool !! We've never done this one..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STEVIL Posted July 21, 2013 Share Posted July 21, 2013 Mine are no particular order: MC5 - Kick out the Jams. The Stooges - The Stooges. Jimi Hendrix Experience - Are You Experienced? The Who - My Generation. The Stone Roses - The Stone Roses. Sex Pistols - Never Mind The B*ll*cks. Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath. Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin. Jesus and Mary Chain - Psychocandy. At The Drive-In - Acrobatic Tenement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saturn Posted July 21, 2013 Share Posted July 21, 2013 These lists are so tough, but so fun. In no order, a mix of some personal favorites with some of undeniable historical significance: Meet The Beatles Led Zeppelin Boston Van Halen Get The Knack Black Sabbath Appetite For Destruction Dookie Shake Your Money Maker Texas Flood (I know it's mostly just 12 bar blues songs but it introduced me to the blues playing of SRV) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfpup Posted July 21, 2013 Share Posted July 21, 2013 So now that so much ground has been covered, and most of my choices have been posted the challenge must to think of things omitted thus far right? How about this one... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SweetMarie Posted July 21, 2013 Share Posted July 21, 2013 A couple that haven't been mentioned: Fresh Cream Music From Big Pink Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfpup Posted July 21, 2013 Share Posted July 21, 2013 A couple that haven't been mentioned: Fresh Cream Music From Big Pink Those are excellent! For me this one would have to be on there as well... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darling67 Posted July 21, 2013 Author Share Posted July 21, 2013 These are great lists so far! Many are of bands/albums I am seeing I've never paid attention to or heard. So, it's interesting - as well as informative - to see albums listed that I've never listened to. I might have to sample some of these on iTunes... surfpup… Big Star, indeed! That was one I had in mind, but ran out of spots to put it in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaxson50 Posted July 21, 2013 Share Posted July 21, 2013 Meet The Beatles. Jeff Beck Truth. The Jimi Hendrix Experience. Led Zeppelin. Yes. The Who. Fresh Cream... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocky4 Posted July 21, 2013 Share Posted July 21, 2013 Some of my faves that I don't think have been mentioned... Cheap Trick- Cheap Trick (don't laugh) Aerosmith - Aerosmith Heart - Dreamboat Annie Chicago - In Transit Bad Company - Bad Company Living Colour - Vivid Fleetwood Mac - Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac Jane's Addiction -Nothings Shocking (not actually a debut, but it was their first real album) Lynyrd Skynyrd - Pronounced Len Nerd Skin Nerd Pearl Jam - 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted July 21, 2013 Share Posted July 21, 2013 Three more, that have not been mentioned, yet...from my era (the '60's): Although "technically" not their "debut" album, Jefferson Airplane's "Surrealistic Pillow" was their first album, with Grace Slick, and Spencer Dryden...and, the one that most of us remember as their 1st...since it was the debut, with that more familiar member lineup. "Cheap Thrills" Big Brother & The Holding Company w/Janis Joplin...again, not the debut album, but the one that most remember, as their "first" (it was the first on Columbia records). Also, John Mayall with Eric Clapton (The "Beano" cover) album. CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riffster Posted July 21, 2013 Share Posted July 21, 2013 In no particular order: Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath Meet the Beatles - The Beatles Skid Row - Skid Row Iron Maiden - Iron Maiden Appetite for Destruction - Guns and Roses Kill'em All - Metallica Show No Mercy - Slayer Motorhead - Motorhead Metal Health - Quiet Riot Ten - Pearl Jam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fl00dsm0k3 Posted July 21, 2013 Share Posted July 21, 2013 In no particular order: Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath Meet the Beatles - The Beatles Skid Row - Skid Row Iron Maiden - Iron Maiden Appetite for Destruction - Guns and Roses Kill'em All - Metallica Show No Mercy - Slayer Motorhead - Motorhead Metal Health - Quiet Riot Ten - Pearl Jam didn't quiet riot have two albums before metal health Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaxson50 Posted July 21, 2013 Share Posted July 21, 2013 I sure miss the + - thingy....Just saying! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riffster Posted July 21, 2013 Share Posted July 21, 2013 didn't quiet riot have two albums before metal health In Japan, yes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brad1 Posted July 21, 2013 Share Posted July 21, 2013 REM - Murmur Devo - Are We Not Men? ZZ Top - ZZ Top's First Album Ted Nugent Aerosmith Ramones Kiss Van Halen Little Feat Gov't Mule Honorable Mention - Def Leppard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocky4 Posted July 21, 2013 Share Posted July 21, 2013 Also, John Mayall with Eric Clapton (The "Beano" cover) album. CB John Mayall Plays John Mayall was John Mayall's first album Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanH Posted July 21, 2013 Share Posted July 21, 2013 Thumbs up to those who suggested Badlands; Dio - Holy Diver; Sex Pistols- Never Mind the....; Kiss One not mentioned so far is AC/DC's High Voltage but the international version rather than the original Australian import. For me, to qualify, the album needs to have more than a fair sprinkle of tracks that are still played to this day (or in the band's latter days) in the live set. Here's the track listing for High Voltage: Side A It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll) Rock 'n' Roll Singer" The Jack Live Wire Side B T.N.T. Can I Sit Next to You Girl Little Lover She's Got Balls High Voltage Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Natural Posted July 21, 2013 Share Posted July 21, 2013 Dire Straits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vangoghsear Posted July 21, 2013 Share Posted July 21, 2013 I don't know if they were debut albums I first heard, but I am commenting on what I thought when I first discovered these few groups. Queen, I thought they were amazingly unique. Rush's strange time signatures and quirky phrasing was really interesting to me. Boston just wowed me. What a great bunch of tunes. CCR I loved their intros and fun rhythms. I remember thinking, "Wow, how'd you like to be in a bar and hear these guys kick into 'Bad Moon Rising.'" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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