Here we are in the midst of ’08, a year that will undoubtedly see debut albums by a few bands we won’t know about next year. Or, on the other hand, bands we wish we’d stop hearing about next year. It’s true: Sometimes a group crystallizes their finest moments the first time around, spends the rest of their career trying to somehow tap that early magic. The people at the A.V. Club are smart. They know this, too. In fact, they’ve given us a Top 20. Via A.V. Club:
20 Sunny Day Real Estate – Diary
19 Snoop Doggy Dogg – Doggystyle
18 Supergrass – I Should Coco
17 The Sugarcubes – Life’s Too Good
16 Wu-Tang clan – Enter The Wu-Tang
15 Boston – Boston
14 Marshall Crenshaw – Marshall Crenshaw
13 Black Flag – Damaged
12 The Sundays – Reading, Writing, And Arithmetic
11 Taking Back Sunday – Tell All Your Friends
10 Television – Marquee Moon
09 Kanye West – The College Dropout
08 John Prine – John Prine
07 The Notorious B.I.G. – Ready To Die
06 Nas – Illmatic
05 The Modern Lovers – The Modern Lovers
04 The Strokes – Is This It
03 Richard Hell And The Voidoids – Blank Generation
02 50 Cent – Get Rich Or Die Tryin’
01 Rage Against The Machine – Rage Against The Machine
Actually, the list is pretty tight. We’re not entirely sure we agree with the inclusion of The College Dropout. Since the pointing out of the ones they missed is inevitable, we’ll get it started with a pair of roses: Guns ‘N Roses, Stone Roses. Your move.
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@ zach: horses was def the most “important” release of patti smith’s career, but i think she’s put out too many high-quality albums since to get anywhere near this list. though entirely different in style, some of her “2nd phase” work — most specifically “gone again” and “peace & noise” — is just stunning, not to mention they arrived some 20-odd yrs afters her debut — as opposed to, say, television, who pretty much gave it all on “marquee moon” and didn’t have much left after — though who can really blame them, seeing as how “mm” is one of the best rock records ever made? (that said, “adventure” is underrated, but obviously pales in comparison.) i think if we’re looking at this as “bands whose first albums ruled and who never did anything all that special again,” television might just take the cake. if we’re looking at it like “their first album was best, even though they made some pretty good stuff later,” we might have a very different list on our hands.
Moby Grape. Big Brother and the Holding Company. Teenage Fanclub. Alanis Morrisette. The Doors.
Don’t agree with Kanye or Rage AT ALL
Some additions:
Raekwon – OB4CL/ GZA – Liquid Swords/ Method Man – Tical
Big Star – #1 Record!!!!
The Avalanches – Since I Left You
DJ Shadow – Endtroducing
excellent addition w/ DJ Shadow….in his fairness, it’s hard to follow up one of the best albums. ever.
Nah… I think “The Private Press” is pretty good. It seems a lot better now that it’s had some distance since it’s release and doesn’t have the burden of fulfilling so much hype. I’d say it has only a few less great tracks than “Endtroducing”. I could take or leave all the stuff with vocals, but the instrumentals are stellar. Much more orchestrated and thought out than before. And it’s Shadow’s method of operation to keep developing different aspects of his style with each release. Even “Endtroducing” was simply an extension of his previous work with break beats and sampling, as opposed to focusing on his DJ’ing skills, or focusing on formal theory.
But “Psyence Fiction” (though not a proper Shadow album) and “Pre-Emptive Strike” were pretty great, too. And the “Brainfreeze” series is considered classic in most DJ circles. And he’s done so much production work for rappers before and since “Endtroducing”, it’s hard to really pinpoint that album as his “debut”. I do agree that it was his best recording to date, though.
sorry that got posted twice. you know how things go on the internets . . .
I definitely don’t agree with Kanye. It is very debatable if his first or second album is better. I think The Strokes is a rediculous inclusion also. They are just starting out. Why not put Artic Monkeys on the list then?? If it is just a list of groups that never matched their first album, you could definitely include the Pixies (even though I love all their albums). If it is a list of groups that peaked with their first album, number one should be The Sex Pistols (yes I know they never offically put out another album).
How can you say Avalanches when they’ve only put out one album? Definitely agree with DJ Shadow, though.
I didn’t realize that so many people were blessed with the power of clairvoyance and can already tell me that bands like Vampire Weekend, Arcade Fire, PB&J, Art Brut, Bloc Party and CYHSY have already peaked. I was going to listen to their future output and make an informed decision, but thanks to all of you, now I don’t have to. Unless, of course, I’m mistaken and you’re not clairvoyant but are, instead, exteremly gifted in the art of talking out of your collective asses.
I think practically the whole list is wrong…
The only two they got right (in my opinion, of course) were Snoop Dogg and Wu Tang (and I love the Wu, in full disclosure…). But if the list is to achieve a point, you’ve GOTTA be able meet the two simple qualifications for such…:
(a) was the debut album actually the BEST of their career, or is it just the most sentimentally adored by qualified scenesters?
(b) Does the band have at least THREE full albums published? If no- then they can’t qualify as there’s been no career.
So, yeah, bands like The Pixies and Weezer are entirely more appropriate… just because Pinkerton is your favorite album (mine too) doesn’t change the fact that they truly really actually DID peak on their blue album, in terms of fan loyalty, sales and plain old social familiarity.
Also, on top of that, you can’t count B.i.G. He died before all his other albums were even released. I mean, Tupac could make a better candidate for the list, if that’s what we’re goin by….
PS – Number One totally should have been NICKELBACK. And preferably with a bullet.
can’t agree, Nickelback were never, ever good. They started off sucking and continued in a similar vein thereafter. I would agree on Wu-Tang, but not on Snoop, as ‘Doggystyle’ was actually not very good either. He was just getting way hyped at the time because of his work with Dre. In that manner, I would sub in NWA, as ‘Straight Outta Compton’ was classic, and subsequent work all blew. but that’s just me…
“Straight Outta Compton” wasn’t NWA’s first album. And Efil4Zaggin has better beats, anyway. It’s just sorely missing Ice Cube.
jeff buckley lol
I know I’m gonna get slaughtered and flamed by all the uber-indies and tragically dedicated emo-types but I think just about that whole list is wrong. the only two they got right (in my opinion, of course) were Snoop Dogg and Wu Tang. If the list is to achieve a point, you’ve GOTTA fit two categories:
(a) was the debut album actually the BEST of their career, or is it just the most sentimentally adored by qualified scenesters?
(b) Does the band have at least THREE full albums published? If no- then they can’t qualify as there’s been no career.
So, yeah, bands like The Pixies and Weezer are entirely more appropriate… just because Pinkerton is your favorite album (mine too) doesn’t change the fact that they truly really actually DID peak on their blue album, in terms of fan loyalty, sales and plain old social familiarity.
Also, on top of that, you can’t count B.i.G. He died before all his other albums were even released. I mean, Tupac could make a better candidate for the list, if that’s what we’re goin by….
PS – Number One totally should have been NICKELBACK. And preferably with a bullet.
maybe i’m the only one who liked television’s “adventure” and “the blow up” and all those “eno” bootlegs and… oh nevermind
how about a little old school geek love for Soul Coughing. Ruby Vroom was really fun and innovative but the joke was a bit flat the next few times around.
I’m disappointed in you people, 138 comments and no one has mentioned Liz Phair.
I have to conclude, really, that whoever came up with this list really doesn’t know very much about music in general. Nearly all of these suggestions are terrible. John Prine? Are you nuts? Biggie? What? Hilarious. The Sugarcubes? Very consistent band, they don’t belong either. I nominate – Pearl Jam, NWA as I mentioned above in a response, and another I’ve seen mentioned here – what SHOULD be the most obvious choice of the bunch – Guns & Roses. I mean, if Guns & Roses aren’t at the top of any such list as this – the whole thing has to be considered crap. There is no greater example of a massive debut which stands head and shoulders above all subsequent work than them. Nothing even comes close! People claiming that either Pavement or the Pixies belong on this list are nuts. Jesus and Mary Chain however, certainly belong, Psychocandy is miles better than anything else they ever did.
also, bands or artists with only two albums don’t count. Art Brut is annoying and their shtick was old before they were even well-known, but they don’t belong. Neither does Arcade Fire, or certainly Stone Roses. They never should have made that 2nd album, but its silly to count them.
`ooh, ooh, and Le Tigre also. all releases after their first are crap by comparison
uhhhh feminist sweepstakes was way better than the first album if you ask me and this island was a good commercial album. le tigre? your serious? go home
uhhhh feminist sweepstakes was way better than the first album if you ask me and this island was a good commercial album. le tigre? your serious? go home
SUBLIME
100 percent! agree
Fuck you bitches who said Arcade Fire. And/or Pixies. You don’t fuck with the Doolittle.
Jade N actually had the best point – any artist that only has two “real” albums – like Biggie or Television – shouldn’t be counted. You need a third album to judge if the band recovers or continues to fail. Therefore The Stone Roses are out, unless you want to count Squire’s subsequent terrible string of bad ideas (I prefer to forget).
Guns N’ Roses are so obviously #1 because of the distance they fell, from the greatness of the debut to the bloated mess they became.
Arguing over artists that have more than one great album – whether you call them “classic” is your business – should be handled with care, because this could go on for all time. I personally feel that Weezer, De La Soul, Oasis, Sunny Day, and a ton of other bands peaked with their debuts, but really, how much better is the Blue Album than Pinkerton, or 3 Feet High over De La is Dead?? I actually think De La’s first four albums are great, and that SDRE’s How It Feels to Be Something On is just as good as Diary and the Pink Album, but in different ways. Lists are great conversation starters, but don’t ever assume your opinion is going to end them.
Likewise, the opposite is true. In it For the Money is at least almost as good as I Should Coco, if not better. And have you listened to Rage ATM’s debut lately?? And are you out of high school?? It’s completely dated. Morello’s guitar playing that once sounded revolutionary now sounds chained to the 80′s, especially Living Colour’s Vernon Reid, while Zach’s “raps” come off as teenage redux of Public Enemy (no accident that Reid played on PE’s debut). Evil Empire, while uneven, has their best few singles, and Battle of Los Angeles is the best album – the rhythm section is miles ahead, Zach learned how to flow, and “Maria” and “War Within a Breath” pack the power of 1000 “Fuck you I won’t do what you tell me”‘s.
Whoever said Big Star…. Of the hundred plus comments and the original list, that is by far the most ridiculous suggestion. And I have so many dirty words that I’d like to call you, but I’ll let you use your imagination.
So my additions to the list are…
Lloyd Cole and the Commotions “Rattlesnakes”
Mission of Burma “Vs.” (a little unfair but true)
Mos Def “Black on Both Sides” (unless you consider “Black Star” his debut, in which case he peaked with that)
The Misfits “Walk Among Us” (I’m allowed)
The dB’s “Stands for Decibels”
Nick Cave “From Her to Eternity” (I’m probably alone on this)
Joe Jackson “Look Sharp”
BUT! most importantly, Devo.
I suppose I COULD put more thought into this, but I won’t.
Well, if anyone wants to be a little more specific about rap, Nelly has got to be the glaringly obvious choice here. Fell off the map and/or created nothing but garbage after Nellyville. Sublime shouldn’t count, the dude died.
I’m tired, so tired, of having sex. So tired.
Didn;t sublime release a couple of albums before whats-his-face died?
pinkerton: best weezer.
what’s the story morning glory: slightly better but much more highly acclaimed oasis.
how about architecture in helsinki?
http://youtube.com/watch?v=cAncWH6UwMo
@esarn,
Yeah Brad died, but 40z to Freedom is definately Sublime’s best album, thus a peak.
@esarn,
Yeah Brad died, but 40z to Freedom is definately Sublime’s best album, thus a peak.
I love coming to Stereogum so in every thread (even unrelated) I get people reminding me they hated Neon Bible.
It was a good album people. Get the fuck over it. Take your elitist ass to the corner and be alone with your Captain Beefheart tapes.
Sonic Youth
Me.
I know this comment area’s supposed to be for vitriol only, but legitimately how can anyone add Arcade Fire and Vampire Weekend (or the Shins for that matter)? They only have a handful of albums between ‘em yet. Give ‘em time…
1) Must have at least three records (Gotta Wait another year, Franz Ferdinand!)
2) Must have debuted with a brilliant record, then released nothing else above “pretty good” (So, like, Pixies and Oasis don’t qualify because, like, Morning Glory was fookin’ great, even if it weren’t as good as Definitely Maybe)
This list is for artists that you thought could be artistic icons for fifteen years, but then they didn’t, and you feel kinda silly for thinking they might. You bought the second release, and you were disappointed. You probably didn’t buy the third.
That said, Liz Phair, Violent Femmes, Snoop, Shins, Kings of Leon, and Gomez make my list.
Liquid Skin was just as good, if not better, than Bring It On.
i love how uncontested boston seems to be.
i do agree with the sublime call.
electric six, perhaps? it?s tough to say, because i really enjoyed their first album, but once the other stuff came out, i felt foolish for enjoying them in the first place; their clever irony was turned into immature blah.
I’d have to agree…E6 just started losing it after Fire…then again, I thought for the most part they lost it halfway through fire…
Boston shouldn’t be there. They produced the highest selling debut in rock history (still!), how could *any* band be expected to peak like that again? But Boston had numerous high charting singles from later albums: ‘Don’t Look Back’ ‘Feeling Satisfied’ ‘We’re Ready’ and who doesn’t know ‘Amanda’? All those Top20 singles were from subsequent albums. They were always selling millions of albums, every release went platinum several times over. Just not 18 times platinum like the debut. I think it’s sort of a technicality to include them.
Nirvana’s ‘Bleach’?
Nirvana’s ‘Bleach’?
Destination Goa, volume 1.
The Shins? HELLO? if u think u could add them here, u ahve seriously not heard their latest album….
and RADIOHEAD?RADIOHEAD?!?!?! so u think pablo honey is BETTER than OKCPU???
one word: OHMYGODNESS.
ppl need to listen to the labums first before putting their input here!
and agreed with the killers, bloc party thing.
and do i dare suggest Blur? i dont like any of the others album they released (except 13…it was okay)
Oasis never peaked, they just sucked less on certain albums. And are you talking about Leisure for Blur? Because that was a god-awful album. Hell, Blur may have peaked with Think Tank in ’03 (underrated!)
I have to say Belle & Sebastian, the two albums (tigermilk and if you’re feeling sinister) were recorded together and in the same year, so it counts as one album for me. and afther that period they sucked as hell. I mean… Dear Catastrophe Waitres… are you serious?
Other inclusions:
The Field Mice (Everything after ‘Snowball’ is lame)
I Am Kloot
Death Cab For Cutie (srsly. The first one is far better than any other dcfc-Album)
Rogue Wave
and probably
Morrissey… ‘Viva Hate’ is his best – for me… although… with “You Are The Quarry” he came pretty close to VH.
There’s certainly a bit of alphabetical laziness going on here, snoop doggy dog, sunny day real estate, strokes, sugarcubes, supergrass, and sundays (6 out of twenty? hmmm). I’d take both Supergrass (there’s always a few good tracks on their albums, and their second album is every bit as good as their first) and Sundays off the list (their sadly infrequent subsequent albums maintain the same level of quality, though you wouldn’t want to hear them all back to back for fear of an overdose of wistful).
Although I love all her work, I’d say Aimee Mann’s first album is better than any since, but I think the slant of the list is to suggest an overrated début followed by rubbish.
I’d also bother to disagree with the Belle and Sebastiane basher, Boy With the Arab Strap (3rd album), Life Pursuit (latest) are both excellent, Dear Catastrophe Waitress, despite its awkward title track has cracking tunes Step Into My Office, Wrapped Up in Books and I’m A Cuckoo.
And who put in Amy Winehouse? Her second album is an improvement on her fine debut. Or didn’t they release Frank in the states?
What the F_ck!! Its a great one!! lol
This list makes no senseand if iit did make sense G n R would be a no brainer. I agree with snoop dogg and 50. Wu’s first probably their best along with NAS but both continually put out phenomnal records. Kanye in my opinion gets better each album. Thats that with rap. Anyone on this thread that wants to throw around the idea of arcade fire being on the list is obviously a fucking idiot. Rage on this list makes no sense whatsoever especially at #1. You could easily argue that Evil Empire was their best. This list is too random and unclear…
Think hard before you reply, ladies and gentlemen, or you run the risk of looking like an absolute fool who has missed a blatant joke. This applies to lots and lots of people.
I’m gonna say Radiohead, The Beatles and Hanson.
Shut the fuck up, Karl Rove.
I don’t understand how you could say Pablo Honey deserves to be on here.. as if it was good.
I wouldn’t argue with The Strokes being #1….
And, out of the indie realm, Third Eye Blind… who could refute that
Let’s dig a little deeper…
Presidents of the United States of America (have realized I think 3 or 4 more albums since their self-titled debut)
Smashing Pumpkins
Ben Folds Five/Ben Folds
Toadies
Dave Matthews Band (regardless if anyone on this board likes any DMB, i still listen to under the table and dreaming on a sunny day)
Queens of the Stone Age (tho’ debatable)
Superdrag
@Mikey Mel — I agree with you on the Toadies for sure, but QOTSA is (as you mention) definitely debatable. While Rated R is damn near perfect, I would have a difficult time placing it over Songs for the Deaf. C’mon man — Dave Grohl is behind the kit on that one!
Going to correct myself here — My brain isn’t awake yet. The self-titled QOTSA debut was awesome…But I don’ think it beats Rated R OR Songs for the Deaf.
Bryan, you’re right QOTSA is definitely just a preference choice becuase I like the self-titled so much. Also, I totally forgot about Gish with the Smashing Pumpkins being their debut CD, so that one prob doesn’t count either unfortunately. Got some others though
Badly Drawn Boy (gah every album after the first is so bad)
Kings of Convenience
N.E.R.D.
No Doubt
Phantom Planet
The Shins have been mentioned multiple times, but yea, huge letdown
Spacehog
I completely disagree with Supergrass and Sunny Day Real Estate. In the case of the former, ‘In It For the Money’ was their finest hour, while SDRE peaked witih ‘How It Feels to be Something On.’
And I really liked ‘Late Registration’, if it was a bit too long.
There is no way Pearl Jam should be left off of this list. Ten always has been and will be their most defining album.
Oh man, whoever said Third Eye Blind is a genius, I can;t believe I didn’t remember them. Their self-titled debut is one of the most underrated albums of the nineties, and althougn their later albums don’t suck, theyre nothgin comared to their s/t.
i still stand by clinic, btw