Samejamesbond's Top 20 Debut Rock Albums

**samejamesbond** · 06-25-2011, 04:40 PM

Yes I'm bored, and the forums are practically dead compared to what
they used to be. So I decided to make a short list to debate about.

Every Rock Band has to have a start, but what are the best starts in history?

20. Boston - Boston - 1976
Genre: Heavy Rock

With 17 Million Copies sold, Boston's debut album was the best
selling for its time, and wouldn't be broken until Gun N Roses
Appetite for Destruction. With the powerful vocals of Brad Delp
and beautiful guitar playing of Tom Scoltz, it's easy to
understand why it sold so well.

More Than A Feeling:

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19. Van Halen - Van Halen - 1978
Genre: Heavy Rock

When Gene Simmons of KISS first heard Eddie Van Halen play the
guitar he claimed that Eddie's guitar playing rivaled that of
Jimi Hendrix himself. Eddie brought with him a revolutionary
guitar technique, Guitar Tapping, which involves using both hands
to slide on the guitar and produce unique riffs. Few albums are
as intense as this one.

Running with the Devil:

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18. Pretty Hate Machine - Nine Inch Nails - 1989
Genre: Industrial Metal

Before becoming one of the greatest Metal artists of this
century, Trent Reznor was a janitor a recording studio, where
after after his shifts he'd record himself playing various
instruments. In the end he created one of the best Metal albums
of all time, Pretty Hate Machine. Using synthesizers to distort
the music instead of making it more harmonious, he helped
establish Industrial Metal.

Head Like a Hole:

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17. Ten - Pearl Jam - 1991
Genre: Grunge Rock

Before the legendary Nevermind album by Nirvana was released,
Pearl Jam released the outstanding Ten album at the height of
Grunge's popularity. Grunge, which used detuned guitars similarly
to early Metal bands, was an alternative rock form from Seattle,
which was the first major alternative rock to become mainstream
because of it's depressing lyrics and unique guitar play, which
Pearl Jam nailed at the start.

Black:

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16. Outlandos d'Amour - The Police - 1978
Genre: Light Rock

Legendary Bassist Sting and his Light Rock group, The Police,
they were famed for experimenting with countless styles to their
music, like the Reggae Rock Song So Lonely, or Punk Rock Song
Next to You, they always added a unique touch to every song
rarely seen in music today.

Roxanne:

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15. (Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd) - Lynyrd Skynyrd - 1973
Genre: Southern Rock

Before producing the Legendary Sweet Home Alabama single, Lynyrd
Skynyrd started out with one of the most iconic Southern Rock
albums of all time. Using the beats of common country music to
rock n roll, Lynyrd Skynyrd stood out from other southern rock
groups with their powerful lyrics and distinctive guitar riffs.

Freebird:

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14. Blizzard of Ozz - Ozzy Osbourne - 1980
Genre: Heavy Rock

Ozzy Osbourne isn't called the godfather of Metal for no reason,
using his success from Black Sabbath, he formed his own band that
incorporated a more intense style compared to Black Sabbaths long
guitar riffs. With legendary songs like Crazy Train, it's easy to
see why Ozzy will always be one of the greatest rockers.

Crazy Train:

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13. The Clash - The Clash - 1977
Genre: Punk Rock

One of the most influential alternative rock bands of all time,
which inspired bands such as U2 and Nirvana, had their start in
1977 with an explosion of punk rock. While not nearly as
successful as their later albums, The Clash was still an
excellent album that would lead to the sucess of what was called
the greatest album of the 1970's, London Calling.

I Fought the Law:

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12. Eagles - Eagles - 1972
Genre: Country Rock

Using the popularity of Country Rock from California during the
early 1970s, The Eagles brought it to the forefront with their
excellent mixing of both electric and acoustic guitar that wasn't
really heard until that point.

Take it Easy:

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11. Fresh Cream - Cream - 1967
Genre: Blues Rock

Often cited as the first super group, Cream incorporated the
legendary guitar playing of Eric Clapton, bass playing of Jack
Bruce, and drumming of Ginger Baker; producing a unique blues
sound many bands tried to imitate for years to come. Their unique
sound inspired bands such as Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, and
Judas Priest.

I Feel Free:

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10. The Who Sings My Generation - The Who - 1965
Genre: Heavy Rock

A Band that will never get old (mostly because their music is
always used in CSI), the Who had an iconic start with My
Generation. With it's fast paced guitar and drum play, it was one
of the first heavy rock albums ever. And it's title track, My
Generation, is one of the greatest songs of all time.

My Generation:

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9. Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath - 1970
Genre: Metal

Black Sabbath invented Metal, enough said. Bands like Judas
Priest, Motorhead, Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Anthrax or Iron
Maiden wouldn't exist if it wasn't for this album. The reason
Black Sabbath created Metal? Because their lead guitarist got the
tips of his fingers cut off in a saw accident, forcing them to
detune their guitars for a more intense sound.

Behind the Wall of Sleep:

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8. Kill 'Em All - Metallica - 1983
Genre: Thrash Metal

An album that screamed intensity from start to finish,
Metallica's debut album starts strong and never lets up.
Incorporated the speed of Punk Rock into the Intensity of Metal,
Metallica created a unique sound in their music that any heavy
rocker could love.

Hit the Lights:

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7. The Doors - The Doors - 1967
Genre: Acid Rock

The Legendary Jim Morrison and The Doors started out right with
an album released at the peak of the Acid Rock craze.
Incorporating the organ in much of their rock songs, the Doors
managed to create a very psychedelic sound to much of their music
that few bands could replicate.

Light My Fire:

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6. Please, Please Me - The Beatles - 1963
Genre: Rock

The Debut album of The Greatest Artists of the 20th Century.
Using the genius song writing of John Lennon and Paul McCartney,
Please, Please Me is one of the most iconic albums of all time.
While their later work blows the other albums on this list out of
the water, it's about their debut album, which is still a
masterpiece in its own right.

Twist and Shout:

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5. Nevermind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols - Sex Pistols - 1977
Genre: Punk Rock

The Sex Pistols only released one album ever, and it's epic.
Using the raw speed in many Punk albums, the Sex Pistols
incorporated an intensity rarely seen in Punk Rock bands at the
time. The Band broke up after a two year run after their bassist,
Cid Vicious, overdosed.

Anarchy in the U.K.:

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4. Appetite For Destruction - Guns N Roses - 1987
Genre: Heavy Rock

Appetite for Destruction isn't the best selling debut album of
all time for no reason. Using Axl Rose's booming voice and
Slashing distinct playing style, they produced an album that
revolutionized music as a whole. Before this album, Rock and Roll
was all about having a good time, this album changed everything
and introduced darker lyrics to mainstream music.

Now if only Slash and Axl buried the hatchet and got back together...

Sweet Child O' Mine:

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3. Are You Experienced - The Jimi Hendrix Experience - 1967
Genre: Heavy Rock

Jimi Hendrix is the greatest guitarist who ever lived, EVER.
There's a reason it's called the Jimi Hendrix Experience. Playing
with perfection only Duane Allman has come close to, Jimi Hendrix
created three of the most epic albums of all time, with the most
epic being his debut album, RIP Jimi.

Hey Joe:

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2. Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin - 1969
Genre: Heavy Rock

Before Kashmir, before Over the Hills and Far Away, before
Stairway to Heaven, Led Zeppelin was formed under the belief that
their unique style was destined to fail "like a Lead Zeppelin".
But Jimmy Page and his intense guitar playing, helped propel the
band into legend.

Communication Breakdown:

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1. Ramones - Ramones - 1976
Genre: Punk Rock

Back in 1974 when the band formed, the Ramones had a major
problem, they were horrible at playing the Drums and the Guitar.
So they came up with a genius way to compensate, playing really
fast. Using Johnny Ramone's hate of guitar solos, they created
Punk Rock.

This proves that a lack of talent doesn't make you bad artists.
Now if only Justin Bieber or the Jonas Brothers learned from the
Ramones, the world would be a better place.

The Entire Ramones Album:

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Blitzkreg Bop:

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Beat on the Brat:

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Judy is a Punk:

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I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend:

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Chainsaw:

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Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue:

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I Don't Wanna Go Down To The Basement:

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Loudmouth:

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Havana Affair:

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Listen to My Heart:

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53rd & 3rd:

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Let's Dance:

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I Don't Wanna Walk Around With You:

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Today Your Love, Tommorow The World:

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**RU Joe** · 06-25-2011, 05:25 PM

+1 SJB.
I'm not sure what to say - you've provided quite a comprehensive list of mainstream music here including a lot of the albums I grew up listening to - and with brief histories, no less!
I don't know about cranking out 20, but here's 1 debut album I absolutely adored:

Metal Church have been called 'founders of the North American Thrash Metal scene' and, similar to Slayer, mixed Punk roots {you can hear it in the drums} with their own brand of epic 80's Metal.
David Wayne clearly uses Opera - style vocal techniques which, along with the heavy reverb, make the band sound way larger than life and possibly playing from atop a mountain.

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**Demon-Mask** · 06-25-2011, 05:41 PM

I certainly like the concept behind this thread, but my opinion differs from yours in a number of places.
Ramones - not on my list
The Doors - at least number two
Pearl Jam - probably closer to five
The Beatles - not on my list
Boston - number six
Lynyrd Skynyrd - two places better than Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix - probably more around nine

Okay, come to think of it, my list would be a hell of a lot different. Still, you have good taste, my friend.

**samejamesbond** · 06-25-2011, 09:10 PM

You guys should make your own lists, you've got me curious.

I mean there are other great debut albums I didn't include.
Like Asia, Piper at the Gates of Dawn, Iron Maiden, Killing is My
Business... and Business is Good!, Santana, etc...