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Monday, February 28, 2011

Super 8 Debut Albums Blog Hop

Hello, Fire Enthusiasts. So, I was looking for something to post for Monday. I had thought about posting another teaser of my novel. I have done two or three so far. I know some would say that if they wanted to read the novel, they'd buy it. Therefore, I wasn't exactly keen on that idea. I probably will do so at some point, but in the meantime, I found something much, much better. The Super 8 Debut Album Blog Hop, hosted by DiscConnected.

Super Debut Albums? Are you kidding me? I'm all over that.

Now, before we get all crazy, we have to slow down before beginning. Some "debuts" were not debuts at all, but "major label" debuts. By that I mean that the artist or record company hit the restart button on either their material or career. Metal Health by Quiet Riot was pretty darn good, if you discount those Japanese releases. That Jagged Little Pill that Alanis Morissette gave us was kick ass, as long as you forget those Canadian releases that preceded it. Then there is Room For Squares by John Mayer and The Sound of White by Missy Higgins, but each had one or more EPs before hitting it big.

In any event, let's get to the list, shall we?
My criteria: Is it a real debut? How many of the tracks did I skip? Finally, do I continue to play the hell out of it!

Van Halen: I love the Kinks, but after Eddie and the boys covered "You Really Got Me", injecting it with power, you'd almost never want to play your version again. From "Runnin' with the Devil" to "Eruption" to "Little Dreamer" and "Jamie's Cryin'", the album set the table for a monster career.

Shake Your Money Maker: The Black Crowes hit it big in 1990 with this powerhouse. It's got a bit of everything, including some huge hit songs: "She Talks to Angels" and "Hard to Handle" might be the most well-known; however, some of the other tracks are my favorites. "Sister Luck", "Could I have Been So Blind" and "Thick N' Thin" help round out this classic.

Songs About Jane: For me, the bloom has come off of the rose a little bit. Maroon 5 is a bit too safe these days, seemingly making the same music over again; however, "Jane" is a brilliant record. Had they wanted to, they could have released nearly 6 or 7 songs as singles. As it was, they toured for years on just that one album.

Dawn Patrol: I'm still playing Night Ranger to this day. This album came at the beginning of my adolescence, and at the beginning of the hair band explosion of the eighties. "Don't Tell Me You Love Me" and "Sing Me Away" were the big hits on this album, but there's also "Eddie's Comin' Out Tonight", "Young Girl in Love", "Night Ranger" and more.

The Blizzard of Oz: Ozzy has a fantastic catalogue of great songs, but there was definitely something special going on while he was recording and writing with the late Randy Rhoads. What they accomplished with this album as well as Diary of a Madman was magical, making it easier to take that he was no longer in Black Sabbath.

Asia: It almost shouldn't count when a band is formed like a high-priced mercenary squad, but that's what we got here with this supergroup. John Wetton, Carl Palmer, Geoff Downes and Steve Howe all came from other successful groups of the 70's. "Heat of the Moment", with it's infectious drum and guitar work was a staple on a young MTV. "Only Time Will Tell", "Time Again", "Wildest Dreams" and more make this a classic debut.

The Doors: William Blake wrote: “If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear as it is - infinite”. Aldous Huxley took the quote and wrote a book, and James Morrison and The Doors labeled their band and the rest is history. From "Break on Through" to "The End", this is a album that not only started something huge and groundbreaking, but blew The Doors off of the joint!

Boston: Just like the last music blogfest that I participated in, where I proclaimed that the list was only ever going to be about nine of the ten best songs because "Stairway to Heaven" was going to be number one, the same thing holds true here, There is no doubt in my mind that the greatest debut album ever is by Boston. Each of these songs can stand on its own. There's not one track that should be skipped. It is the second best-selling debut of all-time to Appetite for Destruction by Guns N' Roses. I didn't list "Appetite" because I only ever listened to half of its songs. Listen to classic radio long enough and you will eventually hear all 8 of these Boston tracks. And isn't it fitting that this blogfest is entitled Super 8? That's what the debut from Boston should be nicknamed.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope this has sparked some memories and inspired some to investigate these great albums for themselves.

We'll talk soon.

30 comments:

  1. Hi it was interesting to read your list,
    As I am British I have not heard of a few of some chosen by you, so if you were to read mine you would probably say the same, But it's the taking part that count and it shows an insight of other people's taste in music.
    Have a good day.
    Yvonne.

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  2. Awesome list James-many of my essential albums on there, and a lot of yours were dueling for a spot on my list.

    Can you believe I did not even think of Asia? I should be beaten with a synthesizer!

    Thanks for joining in!

    Larry

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  3. Some rocking good choices! I see we both selected Boston.

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  4. How could I forget Black Crows and Maroon 5??? Those are fantastic albums! And of course, The Doors. Let's swim to the moon .....

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  5. Thanks for stopping by, you guys. I look forward to getting home to check out your lists.
    Yvonne - Good to meet you.
    Larry - I promised myself that I wouldn't do another blogfest so soon because I am stretched so thin; however, I can't help myself when the subject is as cool as this!!
    Alex - I hadn't even finished reading our topic when Boston music began playing in my head. There never was any doubt which album would be number one.
    PK - "...uh huh, let's climb through the tide." It'll be interesting to see what I have forgotten.

    -James

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  6. Love your list, James! And I recognize ALL the groups, which is a rare thing for me during this blogfest. LOL! Asia and Night Ranger -- both awesome albums. And I'm surprised Maroon 5 wasn't on more lists. That album was fantastic. I have Jagged Little Pill on my list -- though I've learned today that it was Morissette's international debut, since her first two dance albums only released in Canada. Good to know!

    Hope all's well with you!

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  7. Thanks, Nicole. I'm glad to see we are kindred spirits when it comes to music! I'll get to your list as soon as I get out of work. It's only about 5.5 hours away. *sad face* Lol!
    Have a great week.

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  8. Boston is making nearly all of the lists and for good reason--it was a great debut and was highly touted as such when it first came out. You've got some real classic picks here. I considered the Doors as I was a big fan of that group.

    Lee
    Tossing It Out

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  9. Nice list. Re: Ozzy, I started to include Black Sabbath's first album, although I enjoy their second one more. I could talk about music for hours, and it seems that my closer friends are the ones where we share that common bond. Interesting blog, I'll have to pay you a revisit, thanks for participating.

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  10. Excellent picks. I considered the Doors on on mine. Pluz Ozzy has been amazing for decades! That Black Crowes record is pretty awesome too.

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  11. >>.....William Blake wrote: “If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear as it is - infinite”.

    This, of course, has its Biblical parallel in the 12th verse of Corinthians, chapter 13:

    For now we see in a mirror, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know fully even as also I am fully known.

    Sorry... don't mean to get all "Biblical" on ya, but I was once a MAJOR 'Doors' fan also, and I eventually came to note the similarity in this sacred and secular thinking.

    Anyway, I would certainly expect anyone with a blog titled "Dance On Fire" to include the first Doors album in a 'Debut Albums' blogfest.

    I also want to note that you and I were the ONLY participants to include 'Van Halen' on our lists. Although, in truth, I listed it under my "Honorable Mention" heading.

    Thanks for playing, Bro!

    ~ D-FensDogg
    'Loyal American Underground'

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  12. Thanks, Lee. I was a late bloomer when it came to The Doors. I had ordered their Greatest Hits as well as Queen's and, as fate would have it, I came down with a terrible cold that took me out for several weeks. This was when I was in high school in the mid-eighties. I ended up listening to those records over and over again. That's how I got hooked.

    -James

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  13. El Vox, thanks. I'm one of those who loves to talk about music. Other than country, I pretty much appreciate anything. Every year I really try and find something new.
    I hope you do come back. We'll have to talk some more music...

    -James

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  14. Thanks, Kelly. I'm not a big fan of what The Crowes are doing right now (country-flavored), but I trust that they will come back. They always have something good. Love the American blues-rock, if that's what you would call it. The first few Ozzy albums were great.
    Thanks for stopping by.

    -Jimmy

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  15. No need to apologize, Stephen. I loved it! Thanks for sharing, I hadn't really seen that angle before. If VH only made your honorable mentions, I'm curious to see what did make your list.

    -James

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  16. Very nice list! Thought I'd be the only one with Maroon 5 on the list

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  17. Not at all. If the album is brilliant, you've got to give it it's due. Right? Hopefully they will reinvent themselves. I'd like to see them move
    away from the tried and true and also for Levine to quit thinking that he's God's gift to women everywhere.
    Good to meet you,

    -James

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  18. James, these are awesome. I loves me some Van Halen and Boston (and Barry Manilow, I'm weird that way). No Journey? I'm shocked!

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  19. Hi, Julie. I think Manilow needed another album before things exploded for him. And the Journey lapse is due to it taking a few albums, and more importantly, the addition of Steve Perry before they were on their way.
    Thanks for stopping by.
    -Jimmy

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  20. Yes to the Doors and Black Crowes! There's really nothing like singing "She Talks to Angels" at the top of your lungs while driving alone. Or is that just me?

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  21. Hi, M.P. Thanks for coming by. No, it isn't just you...but that's all I'll say. ;)
    I'm on vacation right now.
    Talk to you when we get back.
    -Jimmy

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  22. Hi friends...Nice blog...great list... AS we are into wedding album deisgning we need some good music ... as per the situation..amazing.. i appreciate this blog list....cheers!

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  30. Very nice post. Thank you very much for your post.

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Thanks for stopping by. I really appreciate you taking the time. I'll get back to you here or on one of the other social networks. It's not like we're not on all of them, right? ;) Also, if you're here to give me an award - bless you. However, your friendship and visits are more than enough. Thanks and blessings.