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!
- Elvis Presley – Elvis Presley
- Please Please Me – The Beatles*
- The Doors – The Doors
- Are You Experienced? – The Jimi Hendrix Experience
- Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin
- Black Sabbath – Black Sabbath (1970)
- #1 Record – Big Star (1972)
- (Pronounced Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd) – Lynyrd Skynyrd (1973)
- Bad Company – Bad Company (1973)
- Ramones – Ramones (1976)
- Boston – Boston (1976)
- The Clash – The Clash (1977)
- Bat Out of Hell – Meatloaf (1977)
- Never Mind the Bollocks – The Sex Pistols (1977)
- Van Halen – Van Halen (1978)
- The Cars – The Cars (1978)
- The B-52’s – The B-52’s (1979)
- Beauty and the Beat – The Go-Go’s (1981)
- Madonna – Madonna (1983)
- Run-D.M.C. – Run-D.M.C. (1984)
- Radio – LL Cool J (1985)
- Licensed to Ill – Beastie Boys (1986)
- Appetite for Destruction – Guns-N-Roses (1987)
- Vivid – Living Colour (1988)
- 3 Feet High and Rising – De La Soul (1989)
- Shake Your Money Maker – The Black Crowes (1990)
- Ten – Pearl Jam (1991)
- Tuesday Night Music Club – Sheryl Crow (1993)
- Cracked Rear View – Hootie & the Blowfish (1994)
- Definitely, Maybe – Oasis (1994)
- Reasonable Doubt – Jay-Z (1996)
- Hot Fuss – The Killers (2004)
- The Foundation – Zac Brown Band (2008)
What great debut albums did I miss? Let me know in the comments!
Fugazi – The Red Album. First song First Album as well. The opening line of Waiting Room and the power of the guitars is a slap to the face and the album continues to deliver. Bad Mouth and Suggestion make this album a favorite of mine and many in the punk world. From the ashes of Minor Threat, Fugazi solidified the east coast punk movement of the 80’s.
All Things Must Pass – George Harrison. I know some may disagree, calling this a left-overs Beatles Album but George authored them all and put them together for us as opposed to shelving them. I may be wrong, but I believe it is the best selling solo Beatle album, outselling Imagine by John Lennon and McCartney and Wings Band on the Run combined. It can’t be ignored.
Death – …For The Whole World to See
Recorded a full year before the first Ramones release, this album truly is the blueprint to punk music both in the 70’s and 80’s forms. Death were way ahead of their time but never got the traction they deserved. …For the Whole World to See was recorded on a major label, Colombia, but was shelved when Clive Davis couldn’t see a market for it. And there it sat on a shelf, much like the Nick Drake catalogue, until it resurfaced thanks to a documentary about the band , A Band Called Death. This album deserves to be credited for an artistic movement that changed the landscape of music and pop culture.
Space Wrangler – Widespread Panic
I was told by a few Widespread Panic fans that this should make the list and their arguments were convincing. Encapsulated within are the heart of the bands 30+ years of touring and live shows and beloved by their fans. The album took them from an Athens based East Coast touring band to the national stage. I must admit, I don’t get it but it’s importance to their fans can’t be snubbed.