Like the title says: What, in your opinion, is the most impressive album debut of all time for a group or solo artist? I'm talking from the first track to the last, what debut album do you think is the "best"?

My vote is for Van Halen's self-titled debut. Released in 1978, this album is so good, it's scary. Amazing to think it was their first effort. In fact, even though it's their first, it is still probably their best -- 25 yrs later.

Some others that IMO deserve honorable mention:

-- Pearl Jam: Ten
-- Led Zeppelin I
-- Notorious B.I.G.: Ready to Die
-- Guns n' Roses: Appetite for Destruction
-- Wu-Tang Clan: 36 Chambers
-- R.E.M.: Murmur
-- Onyx: Bacdafucup
-- Alice in Chains: Facelift
-- Beastie Boys: License to Ill

Cast your votes here. I'm looking to expand my listening horizons...

 

Zeppelin I for sure.

including G-n-R on the same list as Zeppelin is an insult.

 

Ten - Pearl Jam

While not technically thier Debut, Nevermind by Nirvana was pretty influential too

 

Some of those are too "white" for me, like Zeppelin. However, I like Evanescence: Fallen, which is pretty "white" too.

 

the doors

Black Crows first album isn't too bad either


fltsfshr

 

Wow, can't believe I forgot those 2!!

Thanks for pointing those out. I'm going to have to re-think VH 1, 'cause Ten is pretty deep...

 

Taking it a little more old school than most people may go. I'd vote for Queen. That first album and Queen II kicked ass! Incredible, unique music before they became a big commercial success over here. Awesome songs like Great King Rat and Liar that you'll never hear on the radio.

My other vote would be for Blizzard of Oz with, IMHO the greatest guitarist in the history of rock, the late, great Randy Rhoads.

Staying in the relm of hard rock (which obviously I love ) Dio's first album, Holy Diver is AWESOME.

Other great debuts worthy of mention are the afformentioned Led Zep 1, GNR's Appitite, and in no particular order:

Boston
ELP
Sex Pistols- Never Mind the Bollocks
Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force
The Darkness (my new personal favorite)
Rainbow (with Ritchie Blackmore, Ronnie James Dio, and Cozy Powell)
Jimi Hendrix- Are You Experienced?
Iron Maiden
Jane's Addiction Nothing's Shocking

 

Good calls on Queen, Ozzy, Dio, Boston and Yngwie.

I will def check out The Darkness.

As for Jane's, I prefer Ritual de lo Habitual. If that'd been their first, it would've made my list.

IMO, Maiden's first offering was eclipsed by Piece of Mind...

 

As a HUGE Maiden fan, I'd go for Number of the Beast first! , one of the best hard rock albums ever made, followed by Killers...but since we were talking about debuts, I had to include their first offering.

 

Damn, I feel like I'm in the twightlight zone, because I have no idea of most of the ones y'all talking about.