[Music] What is the greatest debut album of all time ?

[herecomesaregular]

I'll adapt my answer to become a clunky "best debut album released in the formative years of my lifetime" because, really, that's what it's all about (and they're certainly not the best albums of all time). Played them to death at the time.

Therefore

- People by Hothouse Flowers (1988).
- Suede by Suede (1993)
- Is This It by The Strokes (2001)
- Up The Bracket by The Libertines (2002)

stand out, off the top of my head. I'm sure there's many more.

The best albums of all time were rarely debuts (Neil Young, Stevie, Sabbath, Prince et al).

 

[zefarelly]

 

[bhafc99]

In terms of creating a fresh sound, having a ‘banger after banger’ track listing, and standing the test of time, it is hard to look past the Stone Roses.

As a close contender though, and with a slight technicality request: Surfer Rosa by Pixies? Given that Wikipedia et al describe the preceding Come On Pilgrim as a ‘mini album’ and Surfer Rosa as ‘first full-length album’…

As another one that opened my eyes to ‘just where music could go’, the first Jesus & Mary Chain album is another landmark for me. And although it’s not particularly ground-breaking musically, the quality and technique of ‘one take recording’ in The Trinity Sessions by Cowboy Junkies is up there.

Rounding off my top half-dozen, I’d go for She Hangs Brightly by Mazzy Star and Unknown Pleasures by Joy Division.

Those are all personal choices from my ‘time’. I’m sure there are ‘classics’ that are more conventional and universal picks though. Patti Smith Horses for example… Lord this is hard!

 

[Binney on acid]

Ruston Kelly Dying star. Sounds a bit like early Jackson Browne, with loadsa pedal steel. Best album I've heard in years

 

[Peteinblack]

Still one of my favourite bands. Seen them a couple of times in the last 3 years, and seeing them again in December. Criminally underrated.

 

[Peteinblack]

As Uncle Spielberg has already mentioned my favourite all-time album, Rattus Norvegicus, I'll offer these two debuts:

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

There are rather a lot of wonderful debuts....



Edit just saw @KZNSeagull beat me to it. And, @Peteinblack, the missus took me to see them a few years ago in Oxford. Emotional. They are still brilliant live. Shame one of the original guitarists is a dick and won't engage, but the ringer was excellent.

In the original 81/82 Chameleons live DVD you can clearly see my little brother in the audience. Sadly as was the way back then the mosh area was not a good place to be with absolute plums not knowing how to behave, and little bro had to shift. He was 19 then. 60 now. Crikey.

 

[boik]

I see Arctic Monkeys and Interpol have already had a well deserved mention.

After that I'd probably choose Silent Alarm by Bloc Party, which doesn't really have a duff track.

Going back, I was going to choose Tago Mago by Can, but technically it's their second album, so maybe Neu! instead.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

This band went completely under my radar at the time. This is from their debut. RIP Mark and Marcus

 

[KZNSeagull]

I will add this one too. In it's time this was just so different and hauntingly beautiful. Many fans don't like this album based upon what they went on to create but, to me, this will always be awesome. The first track:

 

[Peteinblack]

I will add this one too. In it's time this was just so different and hauntingly beautiful. Many fans don't like this album based upon what they went on to create but, to me, this will always be awesome. The first track:

Track two; Wax and Wane

 

[Tim Over Whelmed]

Brothers in Arms - Dire Straits

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

The birth of darkwave. Hard to believe I saw them live 40 years ago.

 

[Blue3]

The Beatles Please Please Me

 

[pocketseagull]

- Is This It by The Strokes (2001)

Always amazes me that their home audience got an inferior version with the blandest artwork imaginable and 'New York City Cops' dropped from the album.

 

[Uncle Spielberg]

Jean Michel Jarre - Oxygene has to be in there as well

 

[herecomesaregular]

Brothers in Arms - Dire Straits

I think you're looking for the Best 7th Album Released of All Time thread?!

 

[Peacehaven Wild Kids]

Some great albums on here but as expected most have just posted their own favourite (nothing wrong with that) but just to go back to the original question in the thread title word for word I’ll throw this in

 

[Cheeky Monkey]

- Is This It by The Strokes (2001)

Deserves a bigger shout. Saw a Noel Gallagher interview the other day when he was eulogising about it.

 

[BN9 BHA]

Brothers in Arms - Dire Straits

Really?
They did exist before the world and his wife bought this.