I know that at the end of the day, you like what you like and don't like what you do not, but at least in some cases, props can be given to artists regardless of personal taste.
I would like to construct a list of debut albums that were, if nothing else, attention grabbers.
I have a number of those debut albums in my mind, but I will start with three and attempt to validate them. All three albums are from the late 70's, a transition period between rock and Punk/New Wave.
In my mind, these three are "no-brainers", as should be when introducing a thread of this type. Having said that, these choices are of course subject to taste.
The first is Pretenders by The Pretenders.
The band has had a number of incarnations over the years (mainly due to the untimely deaths of Pete Farndin and James Honeyman-Scott, and the firing and re-hiring of Martin Chambers), but Chrissie Hynde has always been the centerpiece or driving force behind The Pretenders.
The punk attitude and punk sound, blended with guitar rock and soulful ballards, made for a grab your attention, something new and unique sound that propelled them into the 80's.
All of that gobbledegook aside, this album has a blend of new wave, rock, punk, pop, ballads, cover tunes and 70's rock that was fresh and made you sit up and listen.
Side one
"Precious" – 3:36
"The Phone Call" – 2:29
"Up the Neck" – 4:27
"Tattooed Love Boys" – 2:59
"Space Invader" (Pete Farndon, James Honeyman-Scott) – 3:26
"The Wait" (Hynde, Farndon) – 3:35
"Stop Your Sobbing" (Ray Davies) – 2:38 (produced by Nick Lowe)(cover of a Kinks song)
Side two
"Kid" – 3:06
"Private Life" – 6:25
"Brass in Pocket" (Honeyman-Scott, Hynde) – 3:04
"Lovers of Today" – 5:51
"Mystery Achievement" – 5:23
There are a few songs that are between "meh" and throwaway" here, but the overall sound, Hynde's attitude and listen-ability of the album make it a worthy entry to the list of "Notable Debut Albums".
Chrissie and the boys had it going on and the sound of the album bears that out.
Next up the Police.
I am not an overly huge fan of Gordon Sumner (Sting) or his subsequent recordings, but the initial release of Outlandos d'Amour, was again another breath of fresh air during a time of musical transition of sub-genres.
This album contained a number of songs that had "hit potential", while managing to include sides of rock, punk, New Wave, Garage Band Rock, and ska. The sound was unique, sometimes simple, sometimes highly produced and yet had a recurring theme of a raw rock reggae punk sound.
The album was a weird combination, but it worked on many levels and showed the talent and unique sound that would be present on subsequent albums.
The big pop song hit Roxanne, is a song that most people are familiar with, as is Can't Stand Losing You, but So Lonely, Hole In My Life, (the backbone of the album) Peanuts, Next To You, and Born in The 50's (fun portion of the album) are what makes this album an entry to this list.
The sound, energy, and vibe from this album are what made the Police and their subsequent hits possible.
Now a local favorite that I had the pleasure of hearing before their songs were re-produced.
Way back when, there were radio stations that had demo versions of songs that were released via air waves before there were purchasable copies of band's songs.
I guess Itunes has something like that going on now, and I applaud that endeavor.
In any case, I will bet that I heard My Best Friend's Girl, (the demo version) at least a year before mainstream America had even a clue who the Cars were.
Yes the Cars are the 3rd band on this list, but by no means are they in 3rd place in my mind. I have been hearing them since shortly after their inception and it took me at least a year before I was use to listening to the "re-release" of My Best Friend's Girl, as I was accustomed to the "demo version".
The funny thing is, "Just What I Needed" turned out to be a co-single/hit-of-the-album with "My Best Friend's Girl". A good part of side one of the album was re pleat with hits and the 2nd side has what I consider one of the best back to back songs, can't play one without the other, iterations in rock.
Moving In Stereo and All mixed Up, as a combo, are on par with Funeral For A Friend/Loves Lies Bleeding (Elton John), Heartbreaker/Living Loving Maid (She's Just a Woman)(Led Zeppelin), and We Will Rock You/We are The Champions (Queen) as far as back to back, must play together songs in the history of modern rock.
The album is a blend of New Wave and Rock, but with a techno sound that sets it apart. The hits are numerous and the few AOR tunes make this one of the most stand out debut albums or rock.
Side one
"Good Times Roll" – 3:44
"My Best Friend's Girl" – 3:44
"Just What I Needed" – 3:44
"I'm in Touch with Your World" – 3:31
"Don't Cha Stop" – 3:01
[edit]Side two
"You're All I've Got Tonight" – 4:13
"Bye Bye Love" – 4:14
"Moving in Stereo" (Greg Hawkes, Ocasek; Copyright Lido Music & Oversnare Music) – 4:41
"All Mixed Up" – 4:14
Please list any debut albums that you think are worthy of note, and if you can, detail the impact they had on music at that time.