Best First Album?

[giginthesky]

it was her first worldwide release, "jagged little pill". alanis morisette blew my mind with that album.

[TJNY]

Classic!!

[RickG501]

+10 for Willis Alan
Led Zep
CSN

But, what about "Up in Smoke/Big Bamboo" Cheech and Chong...Dave's not here man.

[Stuco]

Originally Posted by giginthesky

it was her first worldwide release, "jagged little pill". alanis morisette blew my mind with that album.

I have to admit, that's really a great album.

[Just-Jim]

Man, there are a lot of late 70's/early 80's great choices I can't argue with like the Cars, Joe Jackson, Pretenders, Devo, Dire Straits, B-52's, etc.

This one is one of my favorites. I believe it was an import before a different domestic album came out. This import was way better.

[chef0069]

Mahavishnu Orchestra- Inner mounting flame still ripping heads off folks to this day. In yer face Jazz Rock

[studio1087]

I didn't open this thread and read through it at first because all I could think of was The Cars. I opened the topic this morning and smiled. The very first thought that I had was the Cars.

My high school class year was 82. I think I wore out my first 33 RPM of The Cars....still love it.

Joe Jackson Look Sharp is another one. Fantastic stuff.

[outbreak]

stray cats first albums up there for me, as far as i know it started its own music revival

[Durtdog]

You guys have picked some great ones, bringing back some memories.

I'll throw in Steve Earle's Guitar Town.

[Jelly]

Violent Femmes - Violent Femmes
Sex Pistols - Never Mind the Bollocks

[Sollophonic]

Dexys Midnight Runners-Searching for the Young Soul Rebels.
The Clash- The Clash
Gang of Four- Entertainment
Kings of Leon- Youth and Young Manhood

To name but a few

Mind you there are some that break the mould in my opinion

The Pixies. Their first album was ok, but Doolittle their second is awesome.
Talking Heads, I prefer their second album too.
The Jam. In the City, good. All Mod Cons, better. Setting Sons, awesome.

[byrdbrain]

James Carr – You Got My Mind Messed Up
Moby Grape
The Velvet Underground & Nico
Ramones
Patti Smith – Horses
The Byrds – Mr. Tambourine Man
and Pink Floyd's first and best: Piper at the Gates of Dawn

[Guran]

Originally Posted by Jelly

Sex Pistols - Never Mind the Bollocks

+1

[Ironwolf]

Warren Zevon: Excitable Boy

Love "Lawyers, Guns and Money"

[mrbdxmpl]

+1 on the Sex Pistols, The Clash, and especially Patti Smith and Zevon--good calls!

[Hiflyer]

Gene Vincent & The Blue Caps - Bluejean Bop ('56)

[kelnet]

I have to throw Heart's first album in there. Crazy on You and Magic Man are staples of rock radio. And then to follow up with Little Queen for a second album. That's a great one-two punch.
Pearl Jam's first album must also be considered one of the greatest debuts.

And don't forget Meatloaf's Bat Out of Hell

[kelnet]

For best one-two releases, how about:
The Eagles
Desperado

or
Garth Brooks (the debut)
The Dance (Brooks's second album)

[51tele]

Jimi-are you experienced
jeff beck-truth
zz top-first album

[jcayer]

Boston ... Boston

[Eric Karonen]

I'll throw out a few others:

Johnny Winter: Progressive Blues Experiment
Johnny Cash with his Hot and Blue Guitar
Gordon Lightfoot
Rod Stewart's first solo album
Paul Butterfield Blues Band
Stevie Ray Vaughan

[zooyuka]

Originally Posted by bowlfreshener

My top 4 (in no particular order):

Nice!...Spine of God. Unfortunately, Monster Magnet fans are few and a far between.

[bradpdx]

Hmmm... these lists are all very rock oriented, so let's throw in some variety.

1. Leo Kottke - 6 & 12 String Guitar (1969). Not technically his very first album, but certainly his first with distribution beyond a local area. Still mind warping fingerstyle guitar after all these years.
2. Moby Grape - Moby Grape (1967). That first album had some convinced they were the "next big thing". Didn't turn out that way, but the album is just great!
3. Ryan Adams - Heartbreaker (2000). After Whiskeytown everyone knew he'd do something. This album just knocked me out.
4. J. J. Cale - Naturally (1971). Still his best collection of songs, great guitar work.
5. Dire Straits - Dire Straits (1978). Others have said it. Fabulous Strat work all over, great songs, tight and sparse. This album was a breath of fresh air on the radio in those days of overproduced rock.
6. Gillian Welch - Revival (1996). A songwriter has arrived, big time. David Rawling's guitar is always searching, ancient and angular.
7. Hot Tuna - Hot Tuna (1969). This coffeehouse version of Jorma and Jack's little side project is still the purest projection of Jorma's folk and blues chops and still sounds great.
8. Holy Modal Rounders - Holy Modal Rounders (1964). A crazier and more true rendition of old time music has never been done. Grampa Jones does bong hits!
9. Doc Watson - Doc Watson (1960). He was almost 40, but suddenly flatpicking existed. Wow. His style hasn't changed, nor should it!
10. The David Grisman Quintet - The David Grisman Quintet (1977). Still the most exciting "jazzgrass" done. Tony Rice - OMG!
11. John Prine - John Prine (1971). "Sam Stone", "Paradise" and "Illegal Smile". Not bad for your first try.
12. Nick Drake - Five Leaves Left (1969). Difficult to make, but a standard of great British folk songwriting. Beautiful album.
13. The Flying Burrito Brothers - The Gilded Palace of Sin (1969). THE album that showed the world that Gram Parsons had arrived. "Sin City", "Juanita", "Wheels", "Hot Burrito #2" - all classics.

I know I am missing plenty, but this is what I can think of from here.

There must be something from the 80s, but during that decade I pretty much shut out rock and focused upon older country/rockabilly/blues/R&B. I don't recall anything of note, but there must have been something...

[kelnet]

Perhaps this question deserves its own thread, but what defines a "great debut"? Are we talking album sales? Influence? Longevity? Distinctiveness?
How about a blend of all of the above?

[tele0053]

Has anybody mentioned "My aim is true" Elvis Costello's first?

[garytelecastor]

Derek and the Dominos (I know it's Eric, but it was this band's first CD)
The Hellecasters-Return to Hollywood (if you are a tele player this is REQUIRED listening)
Outlaws-Green Grass and High Tides
Willie Nelson & Waylon Jennings-The Outlaws