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I love debut albums. Most bands never reach the passion and immediacy that they achieve on that first release.
So many good ones.
Boston's self-titled one has to be up there. Changed a lot of how rock was perceived, produced, etc.
As much shit as I've given them this past week, my choice would be:
Van Halen's "Van Halen"
The first time you heard it, it was like a ****ing sledge hammer slamming against your head. You never heard a guitar sound like that. The swagger and sex and rock-n-roll was huge, massive and loud. Every song was an anthem.
And unlike most rock albums of their specific generations, Van Halen's self titled debut still sounds incredible.
Honorable mention:
Patti Smith's "Horses"
- One of my favorite albums regardless. Horse/Land of a Thousand Dances/La Mer is one of the greatest songs ever. Gloria might be the best cover ever.
Rage Against the Machine's "Rage Against the Machine"
- I still just go nuts every time I hear "Killing in the Name Of" and "Freedom." So much "**** you!" in a time of general apathy and "me first" attitudes.
The Doors' "The Doors"
- I don't need to explain this one.
Portishead's "Dummy"
- Trip hop, as a genre, was really only around for about five years or so, but in that short period some of the greatest albums of all time were produced, which includes Portishead's landmark "Dummy."
the xx's "xx"
- To quote Barry in High Fidelity "A sly declaration of new classic status slipped into a bunch of safe ones...very pussy!" However, the moment I heard this album I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Checked the video...nothing made sense...a handful of pimply faced limey nerds putting out some of the most moving, introspective, minimalistic brilliance I've ever heard.
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