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By Ian Murphy (who else would it be by?)

Rock history has seen some absolutely terrific debut albums. They are the culmination of years of hard work and often tend to be the best material the artists will ever put out. The Ramones self-titled debut might come to mind, as could The Doors 1967 eponymous first album and Guns N’ Roses Appetite for Destruction. But how can we quantify something as subjective as musical taste? For starters, we can see how the particular album influenced subsequent genres and styles. Also, its commercial success must come into play as does general innovation and originality. For example, I omitted Britney Spears’ debut (with a tear in my eye, mind you) because even though it was very successful, it did nothing to further musical innovation or songcraft. As much as 13,492,388 teenagers loved that album, it has no place on this list.

First and foremost, this is a rock list. Even though other genres produced their own classic and influential debut albums, they won’t be shown here. Also what you won’t see here is overhyped critically-acclaimed garbage. You know, the stuff that the critics say is the bees effing knees, but usually is a just a whiny, greasy wannabe in his garage warbling into a microphone in between puffs on his Hipster-approved American Spirit cigarettes. No, you will not find that here. My list is a sweeping, triumphant paean to the true greats, those artists who innovated and paid extra-close attention to their craft. They stayed true to themselves (at least in the beginning!) and as a result produced works of singular beauty.

Below we have a compilation of clearly obvious examples of true musical genius. It happens to be my own personal list, and its assemblage was difficult, as I had to keep off a few favorites like Milli Vanilli’s Girl You Know It’s True (Ooh Ooh Ooh I Love You!). I mean who didn’t want that album when they saw that dance in the music video? Like that classic, there are plenty of other just as deserving, like Menudo’s Los Fantasmas. But since I am the ultimate in musical snobbery, it will not be included. If you
are a stranger to my work, then please understand that I hold my own views miles above anyone else’s, and will not be swayed or convinced otherwise and your over/under-informed opinion pales in comparison to mine! Bearing that in mind, without further eloquence:

TOP TEN ROCK DEBUT ALBUMS

10. The Replacements Sorry Ma, I Forgot to Take Out the Trash (1981) While not the Mats’ best material, it laid the foundation for their great and influential albums that followed: Let It Be (1984) and Tim (1985). Drawing on diverse musical influences, the Replacements forged a new sound that ran underground for much of their career, but came to fruition with the style it engendered: Alt Rock.

9. Guns N’ Roses Appetite For Destruction (1987) In the midst of an era that espoused huge hair and huge guitar wankage arose Guns N’ Roses. To say they brought some fresh air to the music scene is an understatement. This album came from a place of decadence, sleaze, and anger. In short, it was perfect.

8. Pearl Jam Ten (1991) Along with Nirvana’s Nevermind, P.J’s debut blew the staleness off of Rock following the hairy and covered in Aqua Net late 1980s. Great tunes, plenty of balls, and the debut of the “Vedder Voice”, which would be the vocal style dujour in the 1990s.

7. Oasis Definitely Maybe (1994) My personal favorite debut, due to the songcraft and awesomely snotty Brit attitude. Can’t get enough of “Cigarettes and Alcohol” or “Supersonic”. Brought BritPop to the U.S in earnest. Underrated guitar playing by Noel Gallagher. Brilliant stuff.

6. Black Sabbath Black Sabbath (1970) The first legit “Metal” album. The themes were creepy, the guitars incendiary, and the group incredibly weird, but it WORKED. This album was the Please Please Me of the Metal world. Without it, there would be no Master of Puppets or Number of the Beast.

5. Crosby, Stills & Nash Crosby Stills & Nash (1969) Usually when supergroups come together (in this case, parts of The Hollies, The Byrds and Buffalo Springfield) the material is long on musical wanking and short on originality and good tunes. This one delivers on all fronts. Stills is the incredible “Captain Many Hands”, and Crosby and Nash provide incredible nuance, performance and melody.

4. The Doors The Doors (1967) Probably no other debut (or really any other) album covered so much sonic diversity while maintaining good and solid song structure. A fine line to tread, but Morrison and company did it incredibly well.

3. Ramones Ramones (1976) When you combine the sweet melodies of 50s rock, and young angst and play it twice as fast (and five times as loud), you get the Ramones. Total genius. Paved the way for other musicians who didn’t want to write banal and miniature opuses and just wanted to ROCK. Music is subjective, but if you don’t like the Ramones, you’re an asshole.

2. The Jimi Hendrix Experience Are You Experienced? (1967) Got the ball rolling for all the ax men that came afterward, from Van Halen to Satriani to Dimebag Darrell. Guitar playing prior to this album had its moments, but none of it blew you away until Jimi came over.

1. The Beatles Please Please Me (1963) The rubric upon which all future pop masterpieces will follow. Not too shabby for a few working class kids from Liverpool. No Please Please Me? No Pet Sounds. I am sure Mr. Wilson would agree.

In case you are wondering why there is a curious lack of material from 2000 and later, it is because since then, music on the whole (with a few exceptions) has taken an aural nose-dive. More than ever before, people listen with their eyes as opposed to their ears. The bar is incredibly low and image has firmly replaced quality. Or maybe I didn’t include anything from that era because I am an asshole...