Best "Rock/Pop" Debut Album?


I've been thinking about this for a while and recently rifled through my catalogue to look at some contenders. The criteria I used for selecting the best debut album is based on both impact to the genre and overall musical quality. For example some of the great Rock/Pop bands of the last 45 years didn't exactly come out of the gate swinging grand slams. For example, as great as the Beatles, Stones and even The Who were or are, they're first offering was largely based on covers of American blues and doesn't represent them hitting full stride. Same full stride scenario could also be said for great bands such as Zeppelin, Tull, Aerosmith, Talking Heads, Prince, CSN&Y etc.

Without further ado here is my list:

1. Yes - "Fragile" (Unbelievable debut album. Ushered in a classical sensibility to Rock music that hadn't been tapped into as deeply prior to their arrival on the scene. The muscianship and composition on Fragile is stunning. I put this album as number 1 on my list because of the incredible muscianship and maturity of this first offering)
2. Steely Dan - "Can't Buy A Thrill" (Damn near a flawless debut album. The Dan's influence was huge and made it difficult for critics to even figure how to categorize their style of music)
3. Chicago "Chicago Transit Authority" (Wham they came out of left field and combined horns, percussions and hot guitar licks the likes of which the music scene hadn't witnessed before. Right out of the gate their debut album sounded like it was a veteran work of art)
4. Nirvana - "Nirvana" (What can you say about this debut? It was a solid musical offering with a huge impact on music. Their debut was an invitation to the Grim Reaper for Old School and Hair Spray rock bands. It's influence is still being felt to this day)
5. The Doors - "The Doors" (Unbelievably good debut album. Light My Fire is one of the best Rock songs of all time IMHO. Right out of the gate The Doors brought a style and sound all their own)
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When I think back to hearing Purple Haze for the first time (wasn't it the first cut on side 1?)I can still bring that feeling back, sitting in my room with the black light, posters, and ear bleed spl levels. Didn't need any doobies to get me there. Very powerful experience. oops, I almost forgot: and my mothering screaming her head off to shut the f......music off. She didn't use those words, but can you identify?
Right out of the gate?

Gotta include Dire Straits debut album. . .completely different sound for the time and Mark Knopfler has managed to stay relevant.

Huge "YES" vote for Elvis Costello's "My Aim is True". The vinyl re-issue speaks truth to power on the quality of the record and musicianship (something less than appreciated during the era when the angry young man was new on the scene). Lot's of staying power musically as well.

From the obscure file, Lowell George's (he of Little Feat) "Thanks, I'll Eat it Here" is a musical pleasure and sonic wonder. Warner Bros. seemed to care about quality long after others stopped.
Forget debut albums. What abouty debut songs that changed the world.... ;)

"Maybellene", Chuck Berry
"Terraplane Blues", Robert Johnson
"Cry, cry, cry", Johnny Cash
"That's alright", Elvis Presley

Lot's of laughs

CHris