Think about the greatest debut albums ever. Like, The GOATs. You might come up with something along the lines of:
- Jimi Hendrix Experience - Are You Experienced? (1967)
- The Doors - The Doors (1967)
- Patti Smith - Horses (1975)
- Boston - Boston (1976)
- Beastie Boys - Licensed To Ill (1986)
- Guns N’ Roses - Appetite For Destruction (1987)
- Nas - Illmatic (1994)
- Lauryn Hill - The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill (1998)
Am I right? Am I close?
You know who hardly makes these lists? THE CARS. And that's a frickin' shame, because their 1978 self-titled debut album is a straight-through masterpiece that bridged the gap between rock, pop, and the emerging new wave genre. It is, arguably, one of the greatest debut albums of all time.
With songs like "Just What I Needed," "My Best Friend's Girl," and "Good Times Roll", the album was all killer, no filler. The Cars effortlessly blended rock's energy, pop's accessibility, and new wave's synth-driven style. These tracks combined catchy hooks with clever lyrics, setting a standard for radio-friendly yet innovative rock.
Happy Friday, everyone, and enjoy.
