The Most Impressive Debut Albums

I’ve written about great Third Albums already, but in doing so, I glossed over acts that hit a home run right out of the gates. Given how hard it has been historically to get a record deal, and how different recording is from performing live, and how little money most new acts get to invest in their first record, it’s really amazing when an act releases their debut album and it is not just good but great. And to take it one step further, I am amazed to find acts that have already figured out who they are musically, introducing themselves to the world fully formed, such that their debut album stands the test of time not just as a good record, but as a calling card for who and what that act is for their career.

Even the Rolling Stones, the Beach Boys, and Dylan needed some time to get their feet under them in the studio. But not these bands. These bands knew who they were right away, even if they later spread their artistic wings in different directions. So on to the list!

1. Elvis Presley – Elvis Presley
2. Please Please Me – The Beatles*
3. The Doors – The Doors
4. Are You Experienced? – The Jimi Hendrix Experience
5. Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin
6. Black Sabbath – Black Sabbath (1970)
7. #1 Record – Big Star (1972)
8. (Pronounced Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd) – Lynyrd Skynyrd (1973)
9. Bad Company – Bad Company (1973)
10. Ramones – Ramones (1976)
11. Boston – Boston (1976)
12. The Clash – The Clash (1977)
13. Bat Out of Hell – Meatloaf (1977)
14. Never Mind the Bollocks – The Sex Pistols (1977)
15. Van Halen – Van Halen (1978)
16. The Cars – The Cars (1978)
17. The B-52’s – The B-52’s (1979)
18. Beauty and the Beat – The Go-Go’s (1981)
19. Madonna – Madonna (1983)
20. Run-D.M.C. – Run-D.M.C. (1984)
21. Radio – LL Cool J (1985)
22. Licensed to Ill – Beastie Boys (1986)
23. Appetite for Destruction – Guns-N-Roses (1987)
24. Vivid – Living Colour (1988)
25. 3 Feet High and Rising – De La Soul (1989)
26. Shake Your Money Maker – The Black Crowes (1990)
27. Ten – Pearl Jam (1991)
28. Tuesday Night Music Club – Sheryl Crow (1993)
29. Cracked Rear View – Hootie & the Blowfish (1994)
30. Definitely, Maybe – Oasis (1994)
31. Reasonable Doubt – Jay-Z (1996)
32. Hot Fuss – The Killers (2004)
33. The Foundation – Zac Brown Band (2008)

What great debut albums did I miss? Let me know in the comments!