Best debut album

[writing irish]

Just about every great band had a great debut album. Very few released something lame and then later evolved into greatness. Although I guess it's common enough for a band to have a first album that shows just part of their potential...then they kick it into higher gear later. Ramones are a good example of this...the first album was damn good, but I'd say that "Leave Home" and "Rocket to Russia" are the two best Ramones albums.

Tom Waits' "Closing Time" would have been a cult classic even if the man had never recorded another note. But of course, he went on to greater things. Similar thing with the Stones...first album was damn good but deriviative...they found their own voice later.

"Great Second Albums" would be a more challenging thread, but I bet SportsJournalists.com's audiophiles could rise to the occasion.

 

[EStreetJoe]

Southside Johnny & the Jukes - I Don't Want to Go Home

 

[DisembodiedOwlHead]

Just about every great band had a great debut album. Very few released something lame and then later evolved into greatness. Although I guess it's common enough for a band to have a first album that shows just part of their potential...then they kick it into higher gear later. Ramones are a good example of this...the first album was damn good, but I'd say that "Leave Home" and "Rocket to Russia" are the two best Ramones albums.

Tom Waits' "Closing Time" would have been a cult classic even if the man had never recorded another note. But of course, he went on to greater things. Similar thing with the Stones...first album was damn good but deriviative...they found their own voice later.

"Great Second Albums" would be a more challenging thread, but I bet SportsJournalists.com's audiophiles could rise to the occasion.

Some, however, take an album or two to reach their peak. To reference your earlier example, would you dare say London Calling is the lesser of The Clash (self-titled) ?

 

[writing irish]

Have to give the slight edge to London Calling, despite the first Clash album being a sentimental favorite. After that, I'd put Give Em Enough Rope, Sandinista! and Combat Rock in a three-way tie for third. I know Sandinista! gets lots of **** because there's about a side's worth of throwaways on that one, but I think it's very good in spite of that. Of course you have to like late 70s punk-style dub reggae.

Speaking of taking three albums to reach their peak, EStreetJoe's post reminded me, of course, of Springsteen. Born to Run was number three. But damned if The Wild, the Innocent... doesn't hit the spot just as well, sometimes.

 

[DisembodiedOwlHead]

I doubt there's a great debate among Clash fans that the first two albums are 1-2, but I value London Calling miles ahead of The Clash due to the range displayed and the depth of feeling. My favorite album ever.

 

[Diabeetus]

Tubthumping by Chumbawumba :D

 

[sportschick]

The Duchess -- Fergie

Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich -- Warrant

 

[User 1019]

Not the best debut album, but George Strait's second album, Strait From The Heart, is one of the all-time best for me.

 

[ServeItUp]

Technically, "Appetite" is not GnR's debut. When I was in junior high, another guy on the cross country team had tapes by them that would have pre-dated "Appetite" by a couple years, but if we're talking big-label releases it fits.

I would pose "40oz. to Freedom," by Sublime.

 

[Lone_Star_Speed]

Rubberneck--Toadies
Definitely Maybe--Oasis
The Smoke of Hell--Supersuckers
Boy--U2
My Aim is True--Elvis Costello and the Attractions
Cheap Trick--Cheap Trick
Mudhoney--Mudhoney
Dry--P J Harvey
Domestiques--The Delgados
Weezer--Weezer
Show No Mercy--Slayer
Can't Stand the Rezillos--The Rezillos
I Should Coco--Supergrass

 

[king cranium maximus IV]

Just about every great band had a great debut album. Very few released something lame and then later evolved into greatness.

is the exception to the rule, i suppose.

 

[Hammer Pants]

Some of my favs...

Murmur, REM
My Aim Is True, Elvis Costello
Is This It?, The Strokes
No Depression, Uncle Tupelo
Trace, Son Volt
Thus Always to Tyrants, Scott Miller and the Commonwealth

And, you know, about a million more.

 

[Lone_Star_Speed]

Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash--The Replacements
Ramones--Ramones
Group Sex--Circle Jerks
Los Angeles--X

 

[Meat Loaf]

I don't know about the best, but certainly my favorite debuts

Face Value - Collins
Bat out of Hell - Meat Loaf
Too Last for Love - Motley ****ing Crue

 

[Ronnie "Z-Man" Barzell]

The Stooges - The Stooges
Television - Marquee Moon
The Ramones - The Ramones
The Byrds - Mr. Tambourine Man
Captain Beefheart - Safe as Milk
Flying Burrito Brothers - Gilded Palace of Sin
Gang of Four - Entertainment!
Pink Floyd - Piper at the Gates of Dawn
Big Star - #1 Record
Modern Lovers - Modern Lovers

 

[93Devil]

I will second Weezer, U2 and REM.

Also

Smiths - Smiths
Nothing's Shocking - Jane's Addiction
Brushfire Fairytales - Jack Johnson

And even though I am sick of this band now, at the time Under the Table and Dreaming was great.

 

[Write-brained]

No one has said Alanis Morrisette - jagged little pill - yet? Wow. Great ****ing album. Of course it's no where near as great as Ten and Appetite ... from my two favorite bands of all time.

 

[Bob Slydell]

Lone Star stole two of mine with the Mats and Ramones.

I'll stick to the 70s and beyond go with some of my faves:
Murmur, REM
The Clash, The Clash
Appetite, GnR
Ten, Pearl Jam
Dressed up Like Nebraska, Josh Rouse
Heartbreaker, Ryan Adams (solo debut atleast)
Faithless Street, Wiskeytown (full-lenth debut)
Exile in Guyvillle, Liz Phair
Gish, Smashing Pumpkins
No Depression, Uncle Tupelo
Wilco, A.M.
Shake Your Money Maker, Black Crowes
Public Enemy, Yo! Bum Rush the Show
Run DMC, selft titled
NWA, Straight Outta Compton (good times!)
De La Soul, 3 Feet High and Rising.

 

[Mizzougrad96]

Technically, "Appetite" is not GnR's debut. When I was in junior high, another guy on the cross country team had tapes by them that would have pre-dated "Appetite" by a couple years, but if we're talking big-label releases it fits.

I would pose "40oz. to Freedom," by Sublime.

Technically, you're sort of right on GNR...

Live Like a Suicide was GNR's debut EP that eventually became half of the GNR Lies CD... But, Guns were still technically called "Hollywood Rose" when that EP came out.

If you can find a copy of that EP, it's worth thousands on eBay...

I have the original Appetite album with the cover that was recalled and I've been told that's worth several hundred.

 

[Flash]

No one has said Alanis Morrisette - jagged little pill - yet? Wow. Great ****ing album. Of course it's no where near as great as Ten and Appetite ... from my two favorite bands of all time.

Whoa, whoa, whoa ... that was FAR from her first piece of work. She had two releases in Canada long before Jagged Little Pill ever came out.

Always too hot
Never too cold
You take your best shot
Too hot to hold