# Name the 5 best debut albums of all time, in order (Please limit your list to 5) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 27, 2016, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-the-5-best-debut-albums-of-all-time-in-order-please-limit-your-list-to-5/755779 "2016-05-27T01:32:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-the-5-best-debut-albums-of-all-time-in-order-please-limit-your-list-to-5/755779/1 "2016-05-27T01:32:23Z")
Here are mine: [ol] [li]The Beatles – Please Please Me[/li][li]Elvis Costello – My Aim is True[/li][li]Eminem – The Slim Shady LP[/li][li]Television – Marquee Moon[/li][li]The Band – Music from Big Pink[/li][/ol] You? mmm ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-the-5-best-debut-albums-of-all-time-in-order-please-limit-your-list-to-5/755779/2 "2016-05-27T01:48:25Z")
These come to mind, but of course so do many others (and this is just post-1960 English-language rock-and-related-genres). 1. R.E.M. - _Murmur_ 2. Beck - _Mellow Gold_\* 3. The Doors - _The Doors_ 4. Led Zeppelin -\* I\* 5. Crosby, Stills, & Nash - _Crosby, Stills, & Nash_ \*I know, Beck had a couple of independent sort-of albums come out before this one, but this is apparently considered his first “official” album ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-the-5-best-debut-albums-of-all-time-in-order-please-limit-your-list-to-5/755779/3 "2016-05-27T01:57:53Z")
1. King Crimson: In the Court of the Crimson King 2. Jimi Hendrix Experience: Are You Experienced? 3. Mike Oldfield: Tubular Bells 4. The Doors: The Doors 5. Pink Floyd: Piper at the Gates of Dawn ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-the-5-best-debut-albums-of-all-time-in-order-please-limit-your-list-to-5/755779/4 "2016-05-27T02:00:29Z")
I was just about to beg for someone to consider including the Jimi Hendrix Experience on their list – so, thank you Biffy! ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-the-5-best-debut-albums-of-all-time-in-order-please-limit-your-list-to-5/755779/5 "2016-05-27T02:16:01Z")
1. [Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of War of the Worlds](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Wayne%27s_Musical_Version_of_The_War_of_the_Worlds) – not only great music, but one of the best – and certainly the most faithful – adaptations of the novel. 2. Led Zeppelin I 3. [It’s a Beautiful Day](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It%27s_a_Beautiful_Day_(album)) – “White Bird” was an instant classic, and the rest of the album is amazing, too. 4. Blood Sweat & Tears --\* Child is the Father of the Man\*. This is the Al Kooper version of the group, with some amazing blues and rock. 5. Dave Mason – _Alone Together_ ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-the-5-best-debut-albums-of-all-time-in-order-please-limit-your-list-to-5/755779/6 "2016-05-27T02:17:22Z")
Hard to limit to just five, put since you requested we follow the rules: 1. Led Zeppelin 2. Appetite for Destruction 3. Van Halen 4. The Ramones 5. Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. Also, not necessarily “the best” just faves of mine. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-the-5-best-debut-albums-of-all-time-in-order-please-limit-your-list-to-5/755779/7 "2016-05-27T02:17:37Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > 1. Blood Sweat & Tears --\* Child is the Father of the Man\*. This is the Al Kooper version of the group, with some amazing blues and rock. Oh yeah, _good_ one! ---
**Author:** ![Accidental\_Martyr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ce7236/32.png) [@Accidental\_Martyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Accidental_Martyr)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-the-5-best-debut-albums-of-all-time-in-order-please-limit-your-list-to-5/755779/8 "2016-05-27T02:26:30Z")
1. The Velvet Underground - _The Velvet Underground & Nico_ 2. R.E.M. - _Murmur_ 3. Ramones - _Ramones_ 4. The Clash - _The Clash_ 5. Liz Phair - _Exile in Guyville_ Plenty more that could be on the list but these are the ones I picked at this moment. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-the-5-best-debut-albums-of-all-time-in-order-please-limit-your-list-to-5/755779/9 "2016-05-27T02:29:57Z")
This is pretty much a futile exercise. I agree with most of the entries so for, so I’l add two more and plagiarise: 1. The Cars 2. Boston 3. The Doors 4. Please Please Me 5. Van Halen ---
**Author:** ![5\_time\_champ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/5/278dde/32.png) [@5\_time\_champ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/5_time_champ)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-the-5-best-debut-albums-of-all-time-in-order-please-limit-your-list-to-5/755779/10 "2016-05-27T02:45:15Z")
[ol] [li]Queen: Queen I[/li][li]Heart: Dreamboat Annie[/li][li]Crosby, Stills & Nash: CSN[/li][li]Grand Funk Railroad: On Time[/li][li]Chicago Transit Authority[/li][/ol] ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-the-5-best-debut-albums-of-all-time-in-order-please-limit-your-list-to-5/755779/11 "2016-05-27T02:58:41Z")
1. Led Zeppelin (Led Zeppelin) 2. Appetite for Destruction (Guns n Roses) 3. Costello Music (The Fratellis) 4. Straight Outta Compton (N.W.A.) 5. Ten (Pearl Jam) ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-the-5-best-debut-albums-of-all-time-in-order-please-limit-your-list-to-5/755779/12 "2016-05-27T03:02:28Z")
Hardcore version Hardcore '81 - DOA Group Sex - Circle Jerks In My Eyes - Minor Threat Live at Raul’s Club - Dicks and the Big Boys (one side each) Jodie Foster’s Army - Jody Foster’s Army ---
**Author:** ![Sunshine\_and\_Smiles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@Sunshine\_and\_Smiles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunshine_and_Smiles)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-the-5-best-debut-albums-of-all-time-in-order-please-limit-your-list-to-5/755779/13 "2016-05-27T03:21:18Z")
Can’t deny anything said yet, so I thought I’d bring some newer junx into the mix: The XX - xx Ryan Adams - Heartbreaker Interpol - Turn on the Bright Lights Modest Mouse - This is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think About The Strokes - Is This It? 6th-man Bonus: Margot and the Nuclear So & So’s - The Dust of Retreat ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-the-5-best-debut-albums-of-all-time-in-order-please-limit-your-list-to-5/755779/14 "2016-05-27T03:41:24Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > \*I know, Beck had a couple of independent sort-of albums come out before this one, but this is apparently considered his first “official” album No… it’s just his first major-label record. Independent records (which included “Loser”) are real. ---
**Author:** ![Truman\_Burbank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@Truman\_Burbank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Truman_Burbank)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-the-5-best-debut-albums-of-all-time-in-order-please-limit-your-list-to-5/755779/15 "2016-05-27T04:44:49Z")
Dire Straits (self titled) Chicago Transit Authority Indigo Girls James Taylor (self titled) Gin Blossoms - New Miserable Experience if I could have one more, it would probably be Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (self titled) ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-the-5-best-debut-albums-of-all-time-in-order-please-limit-your-list-to-5/755779/16 "2016-05-27T04:59:16Z")
Truth - Jeff Beck Group Meet The Beatles (hey, it was their first in the US of A) Layla and Other Love Songs - Derek & The Dominos Life & Times - Jim Croce The Eagles ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-the-5-best-debut-albums-of-all-time-in-order-please-limit-your-list-to-5/755779/17 "2016-05-27T05:35:35Z")
Leonard Cohen - Songs of Leonard Cohen The Band - Music From big Pink Liz Phair - Exile in Guyville Wipers - Is This Real Neil Young - Self Titled ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-the-5-best-debut-albums-of-all-time-in-order-please-limit-your-list-to-5/755779/18 "2016-05-27T05:50:02Z")
> [@drad\_dog](#): > > Leonard Cohen - Songs of Leonard Cohen Good call. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-the-5-best-debut-albums-of-all-time-in-order-please-limit-your-list-to-5/755779/19 "2016-05-27T05:55:08Z")
I was thinking of albums that, when I put them on for the first time, changed me. Who knows, it happened to enough of us, it might have changed the culture. Especially true during the 60s… My kids have no idea what it was like to be so uptight as a product of the Eisenhower era that hearing a Beatles song was like opening a trap door in your brain. My John Birch Society parents were scared of “protest music” and rock ‘n’ roll… and rightly so, as things turned out. Meet The Beatles\* Are You Experienced? Bob Dylan Led Zeppelin The Doors The Velvet Underground & Nico (I’m not uptight anymore, so I did six!) (Before these albums, I’d’ve followed the rules) \*well, first Beatles album my friends and I could get ---
**Author:** ![KellyCriterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b3f665/32.png) [@KellyCriterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KellyCriterion)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-the-5-best-debut-albums-of-all-time-in-order-please-limit-your-list-to-5/755779/20 "2016-05-27T05:58:43Z")
Surprised **Nevermind** is yet to appear in the thread. I wonder when it will. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-the-5-best-debut-albums-of-all-time-in-order-please-limit-your-list-to-5/755779.md?page=2)