Best "Rock/Pop" Debut Album?

goin out on a limb here and stretching the genre but Damaged by Black Flag was pretty amazing

How could I forget?
Van Morrison - "Astral Weeks". That has to be my favorite debut album ever. A unique magic to that one!

A few other gold medal winners:
U2 - "Boy"
The Pixies - "Surfer Rosa"
The Smiths - "The Smiths"

Aerosmith-Aerosmith (featuring Dream On)

Lynyrd Skynyrd- Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd

and Tvad beat me to it,
Van Halen- Van Halen

What fun. Yes indeed to "Astral Weeks". Marvellous after all these years - it still thrills me.

Many good albums noted here already ... great debut albums often occur when established musicians form a new group - thus Blind Faith, Led Zep; rather than when they start their career - Bowie's first record showed only teasing glimpses of the superstar to come.

"Music From Big Pink" - The Band. How can we forget this one? Accomplished musicians created a new style and cut a timeless and influential album.

"High Voltage" - AC/DC. A 4-on-the-floor groove as basic as it gets, lifted out of the ordinary by Angus's incedinary solos - fun for Dick and Jane. It wasn't a long way to the top from here for these guys - well, maybe for Bon.

"Inner Mounting Flame" - Mahavishnu. This debut album brought a revolution in sound, and a stream of copy-cats. Maybe not quite as good as "Birds of Fire" to follow, but this record paved the way for rock fans to appreciate jazz fusion.

Regards,

THE BEATLES – ‘With the Beatles’ (Meet the Beatles in the US) – perhaps I’m dating myself a bit, but the impact of this LP on the entire world was, and is, unprecedented in the world of popular music. Is it their best work? Hardly (in my opinion Rubber Soul better defines the beginning of their true brilliance), but what a debut!

THE BYRDS – ‘Mr. Tambourine Man’

THE DOORS – ‘The Doors’

THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE – ‘Are You Experienced’ – I remember when this first hit the record stores, looking at the cover and thinking anyone that looks like this has got to be good. I was only 15 at the time and to say I was blown away when I got to hear it the first time at my best friend’s house is an understatement. That same year I got to see him live on the first US tour.

THE WHO – ‘My Generation’ – while it is true that The Who didn’t really start becoming popular until ‘Tommy’ came out I thought they were great from the very beginning and loved their music. Then again I was very much into the music scene, particularly the so called British Invasion. Also saw The Who’s first US tour. They opened for Herman’s Hermits!

CREAM – ‘Fresh Cream’ – although ‘Disraeli Gears’ and ‘Wheels of Fire’ are my favorites, ‘Fresh Cream’ was a brilliant debut of what became known as the world’s first super group.

JEFF BECK – ‘Truth’ – arguably the greatest rock guitarist, if not the most successful

JEFFERSON AIRPLANE – ‘Surrealistic Pillow’ – technically this is their second LP, the first being ‘Jefferson Airplane Takes Off,’ but the original singer and drummer were replaced by Grace Slick and Spencer Dryden. With ‘Surrealistic Pillow’ Jefferson Airplane really did take off becoming one of the most successful San Francisco bands of the late 60’s.

BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD – hard to forget these guys! Third LP ‘Retrospective’ covers all their great songs and was one of my favorite LPs in 1969

CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY – first and only release as CTA

CROSBY, STILLS & NASH

SANTANA

IT’S A BEAUTIFUL DAY – a masterpiece from David and Linda Laflamme whose original group was short lived, but never the less a classic from the late 60’s. They are still performing today.

LED ZEPPELIN – not only a great debut, but to many their best overall

ELTON JOHN – I’m surprised no one else has mentioned this one. A fabulous debut!

GEORGE HARRISON – ‘All Things Must Pass’ – in my opinion the best post Beatles solo effort - in all likelihood because he was overshadowed by John and Paul’s brilliance his own song writing talents didn’t come out until after the Beatles broke up.

KING CRIMSON – ‘In the Court of the Crimson King’

EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER – I’m surprised this LP has never been remastered. No one ever surpassed Keith Emerson’s abilities with the all analog Moog synthesizer. An amazing performer to watch.

YES – I’m going to have to disagree with Jdlepera’s assertion that this LP ‘sucked big time.’ This has always been one of my favorite Yes LP’s and I feel it is a tremendous debut. Their earliest work is in my opinion their best and I’m in complete agreement about ‘Fragile’ in the history of popular music. I always thought their music went downhill from there on, but still enjoyed them.

THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND

THE EAGLES - ‘Eagles’ – a good debut for one of the 70’s best hybrid rock bands (country, bluegrass, rock). Their second LP ‘Desperado’ remains one of my favorites.

STEELY DAN – ‘Can’t Buy A Thrill’ – outstanding first effort of one of the most exceptionally musical bands. A lot of the above listed LPs don’t get a lot of play in my house anymore, but I never tire of these guys. Some of the best recordings of this era. I think they used to mix down on Magnapans.

RICKY LEE JONES – great music and a great recording.

BRAND X – ‘Unorthodox Behavior’

Well, that gets me through the 70’s and I’m sure I’ve missed some, but it’s late and my brain needs a rest.