What is the best debut album by a band or performer?

[proftournesol]

I was having this discussion with Mme T, I suggest Led Zeppelin's first album Led Zeppelin. Every song is strong, it establishes the band's sound immediately. Any other suggestions?

[Batty]

Boston

[ZEN MISTER]

"ARE YOU EXPERIENCED" called time on the tweeness of much of sixties music and ushered in a new era.

ZM.

[ZEN MISTER]

More locally, The Loved Ones " MAGIC BOX" was a quick hello/ goodbye from one of the most original and enduringly strange groups ever to walk the planet. It stills sounds unlike anything else ever recorded anywhere.

ZM.

[davidsss]

Some good suggestions above, I'll add:

The Doors - in mono it is spectacular.

The Rolling Stones - 50 years later it's still a great album.

DS

[RoHo]

If alt. rock is your thing then it has to be Velvet Underground and Nico.

I'll also mention Television's Marquee Moon - wonderful tight, driving, melodic, distinctive power pop. The guitar interplay between Tom Verlaine and Richard Lloyd has never been bettered in the alternative rock universe.

[Gruffnutz]

If alt. rock is your thing then it has to be Velvet Underground and Nico.

I'll also mention Television's Marquee Moon - wonderful tight, driving, melodic, distinctive power pop. The guitar interplay between Tom Verlaine and Richard Lloyd has never been bettered in the alternative rock universe.

Two great suggestions. Both brilliant.

More locally, The Loved Ones " MAGIC BOX" was a quick hello/ goodbye from one of the most original and enduringly strange groups ever to walk the planet. It stills sounds unlike anything else ever recorded anywhere.

ZM.

Listened to this on original issue Reel to Reel the other day. Very good album (tape). ;-)

More recently, 'The Apology Wars' by Blue Line Medic. A tour de force debut.

Edited September 1, 2012 by Gruffnutz

[THOMO]

Joe Jackson's debut album Look Sharp is full of great songs and sounds as fresh and interesting as the day it came out.

[LogicprObe]

Led Zep 1 is a definite.

The other is Mark Gillespie's Only Human.

[Gee Emm]

Dire Straits

Still stands the test of time

Indicative of the rest of their career

[Tony M]

If "Astral Weeks" can count as a debut album, it would have to be up there with the best. Lovin' the left field suggestion of the Loved Ones too.

[LogicprObe]

If "Astral Weeks" can count as a debut album, it would have to be up there with the best. Lovin' the left field suggestion of the Loved Ones too.

Loved Ones is goot too.

Wasn't Astral Weeks his second album?

[Tony M]

I didn't think so, LP, but happy to be corrected. Will check later if someone doesn't set me straight in the meantime - just heading out ATM.

[proftournesol]

Another to consider would he Patti Smith Band - Horses

[New Sensations]

The Strokes - Is This It

The Stones Roses - The Stone Roses

[emesbee]

Chain - 'Toward the Blues'

Some great Aussie blues, with the distinctive voice of Matt Taylor. (This was their first studio album, but I think they may have released a live album beforehand.)

Mike Oldfield - 'Tubular Bells'

Highly original effort from a then 18 year old.

The Bothy Band - 'The Bothy Band' (aka '1975' or 'The First Album')

Regarded as a classic in the realm of Irish music. Full of energy, it set the benchmark for many later Irish bands.

Billy Cobham - 'Spectrum'

One of the best jazz fusion albums around, from 1973.

Osibisa - 'Osibisa'

Jazz/rock meets Africa. Their first album was a standout.

Edited September 1, 2012 by emesbee

[pulinap]

1. Boston - Boston (1976)

2. Lynyrd Skynrd - Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd (1973)

3. Free - Tons of Sobs (1968)

4. Guns n Roses - Appetite for Destruction (1987)

5. The Sex Pistols - Never mind the Bollocks (1977)

6. The Ramones - The Ramones (1976)

7. Roy Buchanan - Roy Buchanan (1972)

Edited September 4, 2012 by pulinap

[soundfan]

Astral Weeks was Van Morrisons second album.

A few come to mind for me though that I hadn't seen listed above:

Leonard Cohen: The Songs Of Leonard Cohen

Santana; Santana

Dire Straits: Dire Straits

REM: Murmur

Arcade Fire: Funeral

Velvet Underground: Velvet Underground & Nico

Edited September 1, 2012 by soundfan

[Saxon Hall]

The Doors, I listen to it all time and never tire of it

The Modern Lovers, actually a compilation of test tracks, demo's and the like put together long after they had disbanded.

[metal beat]

To name just a few.

Interpol - turn on the bright lights

Jesus and Marychain - psychocandy

My Bloody Valentine - Isn't anything

Hips way - self titled

Hunters and Collectors - self titled - how could a band so breathtaking end up so boring.

Massive Attack - blue lines

Credence Clearwater Revival - self titled

Edited September 1, 2012 by turntable

[New Sensations]

Interpol . Yes!

[rantan]

Black Sabbath--Black Sabbath.

I remember listening to that opening with the bells and thunder track on gloomy,rainy days or at 2am with my mates......or on my own.

Wonderful.

[josh0571]

Caravan - Caravan (UK Verve 1968) for me is the best debut rock album ever made (by a band that made two or more albums at least, anyway).

Surprised no one's mentioned In the Court of the Crimson King.....!

[josh0571]

Nice choice! - they didn't make a dud album, did they, and what a voice Paul Rodgers had for an 18 year old or so?!

3. Free - Tons of Sobs (1968)

Edited September 1, 2012 by josh0571

[LogicprObe]

Black Sabbath--Black Sabbath.

I remember listening to that opening with the bells and thunder track on gloomy,rainy days or at 2am with my mates......or on my own.

Wonderful.

Damn!

I forgot all about that one!

Recorded and mixed in a couple of days, by memory.