Name Five Perfect First Albums

As in no bum songs. Solid from front to back. I’ll go first, and I wonder how long we can keep it going?

The Cars – The Cars
The Sex Pistols – Never Mind the Bollocks Here’s the Sex Pistols
The Ramones – Ramones
The Replacements – Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash
The Jam – In the City

Of course, you might disagree with these. That’s fine too.

19 Replies to “Name Five Perfect First Albums”

  1. Bastard.

    The Cars – The Cars
    R.E.M. – Murmur
    Waxwings – Low to the Ground
    Libertines – Up the Bracket
    Velvet Underground – Velvet Underground & Nico
    Jimi Hendrix Experience – Are You Experienced
    Violent Femmes – Violent Femmes

    I get two extra because you stole The Cars from my mind (I was just thinking about how good it was this week) and because some pedant will point out that Chronictown EP was sort of R.E.M.’s first album.

  2. OK, I’ve scrolled past previous comments in case I have duplicates.
    1. The Velvet Underground & Nico
    2. The Clash
    3. The Damned: Damned Damned Damned
    4. The Libertines: Up The Bracket
    5. Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers: L.A.M.F.
    Bonus: The Rolling Stones (or slightly different US version: England’s Newest Hitmakers). All covers, but I don’t care. Very strong debut that doesn’t sound like it’s struggling to fill space, unlike most albums of its time.

  3. Looking back, Monkeystador shot first with the VU and Libertines. I added one extra, so I’m one short. I’ll go with The New Pornographers: Mass Romantic.

    Not familiar with Waxwings at all. I’ll check it out.

  4. If this list were read by more Memphians, Makerbot and I might find our homes surrounded by angry mobs bearing torches, clubs and pitchforks for not listing Big Star, #1 Record. I can’t speak for Makerbot, but I think it has its not-so-great moments.

    While I’m provoking imaginary locals, I’ll add that Hattie B’s is better than Gus’s. But Memphis BBQ is still king.

  5. You bastards took mine. I’ll try and find five you haven’t named

    Elvis Costello – My Aim is True
    Uncle Tupelo – No Depression
    Son Volt – Trace
    GnR – Appetite for Destruction
    Bash n Pop – Friday Night is Killing Me

    1. Nope! As many as we’ve got.

      And I’ll add The Stone Roses – The Stone Roses and The Strokes – Is This It (With the naked ass and glove cover, of course.)

  6. I knew you guys would have some good ones. I concur with the #1 Record consensus. Stone Roses was on my short list, and I need to listen to more Uncle Tupelo. Also would add:

    Jane’s Addiction – Jane’s Addiction
    Dire Straits – Dire Straits

    Jane’s Addiction was an incredible live album that came out before their first studio LP Nothing’s Shocking.

    Also no objection to anyone putting Len Zefflin I on this list.

    1. The Hives: Veni Vidi Vicious.

      It makes sense that a band who couldn’t get haircuts without the others’ permission would make at least two perfect albums.

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