In this series we’ll take a look at the best albums in my humble opinion and mostly off my personal CD collection. We kick of this series with the best debut albums.The debut albums featured here and in the subsequent articles are my own personal preference and everyoneI’m sure will have their own personal favourites and lists and you’re welcome to take up the thread and list out your own.
While I will be attempting a top ten list, the albums will not be listed in any particular order:-
Van Halen:: Van Halen
The band burst into the scene in 1978 with this self titled monster debut. The tome of the album, nay the band, is apparent from its first cut, ‘Running with the Devil’, still on the set and a crowd favourite. The overly flanged and phased sound of guitar cranked up beyond maximum signalled the birth of a band that cold truly take over from where Led Zeppelin left off. It also introduced to the world guitar hero and genius Eddie Van Halen, who literally rewrote the book on what a guy could do with six strings and 22 frets. His experiments with amplifiers and guitar sound are now stuff of legend and his two handed tapping technique, use of the tremolo bar, harmonics, speed and flash have all gone to trademark his playing style all evident on the second track ‘Eruption.’ Their version of The Kinks’ ‘You really got me’ was wild and loud and certainly got everyone’s attention and the opening bars of ‘Ain’t talking about love’ is a guitar chugging sound that went on to define ’80’s metal. Songs like ‘Jamie’s Crying’, ‘ Atomic Punk’ with its speed metal feel and ‘ Little Dreamer’ featured a new playing style and sound.
The sound was big with loud tight drums by brother Alex Van Halen and Michael Anthony’s pulsating driving bass line keeping pace with Eddie’s guitar notes and extended chords by Michael Anthony and the ultimate showman on stage David Lee Roth ensured the band would write itself into the history books.
Despite initial reviews that trashed the album, it went gold soon after release and has sold over ten million copies. It is considered a ‘must have’ for any collection and Eddie Van Halen will always be regarded as one of the greatest guitar players ever.
Led Zeppelin :: Led Zeppelin
Take yourselves back now to 1969. The Beatles have just released the phenomenal Sergeant Pepper, The White Album and Abbey Road in the years between 67-69 and are on the verge of splitting up. A lot of new exciting sounds seem to be rumbling out and Cream, Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, The Who are all spilling out the woodwork. In the midst of all this ace session player Jimmy Page finally puts together his band who release the phenomenal self titled Led Zeppelin album. The cover with the Zeppelin flying overhead sets the tone and as you spin the album, the first sound of what would later be termed Heavy Metal assail your ears.
Jimmy Page, guitarist extraordinaire was a studio veteran having played with super groups like The Yardbirds and on many sessions, recorded and funded the album himself. He was going for a new heavier sound while still retaining his blues roots but the writing, arrangements and lyrical content was moving towards heavy rock interspersed with some brilliant acoustic songs. He also used many innovative recording techniques to capture the band in full flight. The opening cut ‘Good times bad times’ lays down their intentions and John Bonham’s powerful drum sound, John Paul Jones bass and Jimmy Page’s overdriven riffs perfectly complement Robert Plant’s distinctive wail and high pitched vocals which would form the template for many rock and metal vocalists to come. The blues influenced ‘ You shook me’, the trippy ‘Dazed and Confused’ the acoustic ‘Babe I’m gonna leave you’ all set the bar and standards for the ultimate rock song. Chords, Riffs, melodic parts and heavy layered rhythms and searing guitar solos with screaming vocals went on to form the sound we now know as heavy metal.
Dire Straits :: Dire Straits
Another stellar 1978 release, Dire Straits came like a breath of fresh air. Just what was that sound seemed to be the constant refrain. The album that kicked off a sterling career and brought guitar legend Mark Knopfler to the forefront. His Dylanesque voice, storyline lyrics and finger style guitar picking and unique tone brought a whole new dimension to easy listening and rock that was undefinable. One of the few debut albums that received critical acclaim when released and went on to become a multi platinum album worldwide.
From the first bar of the opening track ‘Down to the Waterline’, you can feel this band is special. You can almost smell the places and touch the characters as the music draws you in to the lives and times of all that it speaks of. ‘ Water of Love’ has that cool groove and ‘Setting me up’ and ‘Southbound Again’ uses the rock n roll shuffle to pep things up. ‘ Six blade knife’, and ‘Lions’ strike a sombre note with a heavier slower tone and groove while ‘In the Gallery’ has an upbeat funkier style but its the first cut on Side B the monster ‘ Sultans of Swing’ that lifts the album and sets the band truly apart. Knopfler’s chops with the band keeping pace ensured the song would catapult them to super stardom. The album is a great listen front to back even today and Mark Knopfler whether with Dire Straits or as a solo artist will go down in the annals of history as one of the all time greats…
Steve Forbert :: Alive on Arrival
There are those who’ve heard of Steve Forbet and there are those that haven’t. Those who haven’t, well too bad you’ve missed out and those who have know him as a serious singer songwriter whose songs are rooted in the old folk traditions with a modern touch. He’s a poet and philosopher knows as the melodic Dylan whose finely crafted songs and unique voice touch a chord somewhere deep down. Street busker, folk rocker, pop singer call him what you will, his songs and his music are sublime.
Alive on Arrival, believe it or not also came out in 1978, a year that’s is turning out to be quite the year for stellar debuts. ‘ Going down to Laurel’ ‘A midsummer night’s toast’, ‘Thinkin’ and ‘It isn’t gonna be that way’ all had wistful and introspective lyrics set to an acoustic guitar and instrumentation that’s playful, grooving and a voice that’s sincere. while ‘Big City Cat’ was the big band sound, loud and a rock n rolla while’ Grand Central Station’ was autobiographical in a way since he used to busk there in the early days. Get it if you don’t have it and all his other stuff too, its brilliant.
Jimi Hendrix Experience :: Are You Experienced
What does on say of the phenomenal Jimi Hendrix? This 1967 release, which came out in the same year as that landmark Beatles album Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band launched Jimi Hendrix into the stratosphere. as one of the best debut albums ever, it set the stage for psychedelia and a harder sound through innovative chord structures and rhythm and lead playing enabling a three piece to belt out a lot of music. It had the standard classic hits which still rock today ‘ Purple Haze’ ‘Foxy lady’ And the wind cries Mary’ ‘Red House and ‘Hey Joe’ are still the standards that every garage and bar band starts out playing> Hendrix was a virtuoso and inventive guitar player who had style and stage presence as well. The music borrowed heavily from blues and R&B as well elements of jazz. Long solos, interesting chord progressions, heavy rhythms and melody are the hallmark of this cracker of an album. Not for nothing is Jimi Hendrix regarded as one of the greatest guitar players ever. He set the bar back in the 60’s when there were no real guitar effect pedals and all the technology that goes into recording albums and staging concerts today.
Queensryche :: The Warning
One of my all time favourite albums, this is a monster. Each track pulsates with heavy guitars, a throbbing backbeat, driving bass and searing vocals and the album moves from one song to the next rolling like an unstoppable heavy metal train at full speed. The title track’ Warning’ ‘ Child of Fire’ ” Enforcer and the international hit ‘ Take hold of the flame’ are crowd favourites even today. Twin guitars, screaming vocals, melodic runs and heavy rhythm define the band. Their experimental albums were to come later. This one though is a classic.
Incidentally an Ep featuring their demo recordings before they were signed was also released by the record label later as bootleg versions began to become popular and while technically they predate the Warning album, Warning is their first full length studio cut and was released in 1984.
Incidentally I have never heard this album right through sitting down. Somehow I’ve always stood and head-banged from the first song down to the last. So no, its never played in my car…
Guns and Roses :: Appetite for Destruction
1987 announced a band that would bring back the legendary excess and musicality of the bands of the late 60’s and early 70’s. Guns and Roses with their hard rock sound, melodic content, vibe and energy burst onto the world stage with a debut album worthy of the best. Appetite for destruction had everything, energy, melody, flash, and a band that everyone could see had immense talent and attitude proven by the fact that their debut album sold over 30 million copies. Further testament to the greatness of the record is the fact that decades later at least six of the twelve tracks form part of the band’s current LIVE set. The moment you spin the album and hear the first notes of ‘Welcome to the jungle’ you know the band is special. With ‘Nightrain’ ‘Mr Brownstone’ ‘Rocket Queen’ and the epic ‘Paradise City’ and massive ‘ Sweet Child of Mine’ this is an unbelievable debut album which launched the band into the big time.
Black Sabbath :: Black Sabbath
Featuring the Prince of Darkness, Ozzy Osbourne himself and the other three giants of metal, Toni Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward, Black Sabbath released their self titled album in 1970. Dark, brooding and heavy as hell, this one spawned the title track ‘Black Sabbath’ ‘The Wizard’ and ‘NIB’ with their signature riffs and heavy sound immediately struck a chord signifying the beginning of a new era and a million bands that still dish out pure metal.
America :: America
America’s self titled debut album released in 1971 and amid all the loud hard and heavy sounds coming out at the time, an acoustic laid back folk rock band was like a breath of fresh air. Featuring their trade mark vocal harmonies and guitar parts, the album went to number one on Billboard and became an international hit. Featuring eternal favourites ‘ Horse with no name’ ‘Sandman’ ‘I need you’ as well as the opening track ‘Riverside’ ‘Rainy Day’ where one hears their unique style of singing vocal harmonies and arrangements that enthralled fans for years to come.
The Doors :: The Doors
No discussion on albums is complete with a mention of the mighty Doors. Released in 1967, the album featured perennial hits ‘ Light my fire’ ‘Break on through to the other side’ ‘ In the end’ and ‘ Soul Kitchen’. As the opening bars with the drums and keyboards sets the groove on the opening track ‘Break on through to the other side’, the excitement and curiosity of the listener is drawn to this new sound that uplifts them through the haze and holds the promise of a new world. The pace doesn’t relent as it moves into ‘Soul Kitchen’ but slows down for ‘The Crystal Ship’ and its promise of newer pastures The album heralded the birth of psychedelic rock era as The Beatles’ concept album Sergeant Pepper and Pink Floyd’s Piper at the gates of dawn released the same year. Jim Morrison’s poetry and personality further cemented the band’s cult status. The album sold over 20 million copies and
There are many more albums and many genres that could easily make any list. Being a musician one understands how special the first album is, I still love listening to and playing our own… Anyway these are just some of my favourite debut albums. They also stand testament to the longevity not only of the artists and bands who wrote, recorded and performed the music but to the music on those first recordings. Do give them a spin…