Worst Debuts From Bands That Got Better Real Fast

[@kevinm5957]

Really enjoy the Pardo-Popoff shows. Easily my favorites on the channel. Great job guys. I like to think I know music, but I learn so much from your shows.

[@blaisebarshaw2534]

So much musical knowledge with these two. The more the guests, the diluted the knowledge gets IMHO.

[@ik8034]

I would suggest the first Genesis album "From Genesis to Revelation". Trespass onwards are just classics.

[@StivGators]

I'd suggest watching the whole chat before commenting ;-)

[@ik8034]

@@StivGators lol, thanks, I finished typing it just before Pete mentioned and then edited. 😀

[@TheMentalblockrock]

agreed! 100% The first Genesis album, not very good at all yet Trespass great from the very first phrase "looking for someone?"

[@adriangoodrich4306]

@TJRROCKSPONGE I really like it. "Stagnation" is one of my favourite Genesis tracks. And you'd hardly call "The Knife" folky...? Agree totally about "Calling All Stations".

[@mikereiss4216]

I like it but I can understand most not liking it. It's a real odd duck in their catalog for sure.

[@wojosquad4680]

Pablo Honey is one for me The Bends is such a step up and Ok compter is phenimional, Kid A and In RainBows are two of my favorite albums of all time

[@chadcassidy1580]

Which is opposite for me, crazy lol the first 3 Radiohead albums are the only ones I like

[@Cookie-hg4xb]

​@@chadcassidy1580 I agree , Kid A and In Rainbows for me are so overrated it's not funny. In fact I think they are terrible albums.

[@ronan82]

​@@Cookie-hg4xbWith you on that.

[@germanpozzolo6239]

@@Cookie-hg4xbusted se tiene que arrepentir

[@nicholasrosebush6182]

In Rainbows is by far their best record.

[@DonHornsby]

Awesome. You know you will have some classic music discussion when Martin Popoff and Pete Pardo are in the house. Love these videos. And Martin is always great with his descriptions. "It sounds like a garage or basement jam before anybody wrote any songs" or "...he's just strumming away with some sort of electric guitar with a bad tone on it." Among my debuts that were not great but hinted at the greatness that would come: 1. Yes 2. Genesis - From Genesis to Revelation 3. Creedence Clearwater Revival 4. Grateful Dead 5. The Sweet

[@anthonyitzie4652]

David Bowie’s 1967 debut is my number one...it was like he was trying to do Anthony Newley....then went on the have 12 of the best albums in rock and roll history

[@teresagalvin2343]

Great call.

[@pheonix5597]

Oh bullshit, THAT album has some GOOD songs on it, like We Are Hungry Men, Karma Man, Silly Boy Blue and Let Me Sleep Beside You, .. . anybody who doesn't like THOSE songs is in critical need of a taste transplant.

[@danielprudhoe647]

@@pheonix5597 In your opinion.

[@dancalmpeaceful3903]

Yeah that first album is definitely different....every album after that was incredible. It takes patience to listen to the first album. However, if you do SERIOUSLY like Bowie - there's a CD out there called "David Bowie - Early On (1964-1966)" on Rhino label. If you like early British type of pop from the 60's - you'll dig this. I think it's quite good. Many years later, Bowie was going to release an album called "Toy" which features many of these old songs but done in a present-day format (including material from his first album) but he decided to scrap it. You can get bootlegs of it though. I think it's great myself.

[@pheonix5597]

@@dancalmpeaceful3903 "that first album is definitely different" .. . well now, how many of Bowie's OTHER LATER MORE FAMOUS alums SOUND ALIKE?

[@hrothgar64]

British broadcasting legend Danny Baker once said that if music had a "Golden Age", it would be between Woodstock and the release of Anarchy In The UK. In that time period, you saw (as hinted in the show) metal, prog as well as glam, electronica, the rise of singer/songwriters, soul becoming an albums genre with Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye, as opposed to just 3 minute singles, funk, reggae's first international superstar and the birth pangs of what would become disco and punk. All that happened between August 1969 and November 1976. A period of just over 7 years.

[@mjwbulich]

That was rock music's golden age. Before that you had jazz. Now we have moved passed rock and hip hop is the dominant genre. I 100% agree with the sentiment though. The 1970s was absolutely the high water mark for rock and roll.

[@kevinthetruckdriver353]

My top choice: The Moody Blues Debut: 1965's The Magnificent Moodies Album two: 1967's Days of Future Passed

[@genegantii8638]

id agree with this,definetly 2 different bands in sound and style

[@jml-rj5re]

Winner.

[@BlitherVids]

This is the definite winner right here. No other band ever had a worse debut album followed up by a legendary classic second album like The Moody Blues did. How bad is their first album? They pretended it didn't exist for a solid thirty years. Their eighth album is called Seventh Sojourn and their ninth album is called Octave. Their first compilation album had 26 songs on it and not one was from the first album. Their 5-disc box set called Time Traveller was intended to showcase the history of the Moody Blues and yet STILL CONTAINS NOT ONE SONG FROM THEIR FIRST ALBUM. It wasn't until 1997's The Best of The Moody Blues compilation that Go Now was finally released on anything other than the first album. Maybe they suddenly discovered that there was this new thing called the Internet and that people would find out about their secret crappy first album?

[@kevinthetruckdriver353]

@@BlitherVids - *The Magnificent Moodies* album (the Moody Blues early R&B recordings - singles & EP's) would of remained unnoticed by the public if it wasn't for Denny Laine became a name with Paul McCartney and Wings band.

[@kevinthetruckdriver353]

@@BlitherVids - Also Guitarist Laine & Bassist Warwick left. In came Guitarist/Vocalist Haywood & Bassist/Vocalist Lodge that change the sound of the band from R&B (their roots) to Art Rock (Progressive).

[@hampton61000]

Love you guys! Everything presented was very educational, as well as fun. Delighted in this collaboration, so please keep it going! I’m a HUGE Jethro Tull fan, and I agree with the assessment of THIS WAS. But as you know, Tull always had elements of blues in all their subsequent releases. But all these other bands? Complete makeover in musical stylings! Looking forward to the next video on this theme!!

[@thewal1ofsleep]

I like Motorhead's debut alright, but damn Overkill is a massive leap forward. It sounds just as fresh and vibrant today. Completely timeless.

[@nicksmart5469]

Larry Wallis and Lucas fox deserve more credit

[@preving]

Motorhead's debut was good but Overkill and Bomber are just FANTASTIC! The funny thing is I like Bomber more than Overkill but that's just me

[@nicksmart5469]

@@shaynewest8757 it’s got elements of hawkwind sure but also pink fairies (obviously) a Motown cover , Eddie Cochran / Dave Edmunds influenced rock n roll and paved the way for punk .it’s all good! Sure they hit the big time with fast Eddie but the debut shouldn’t be written off ! There are so many bands ashamed of their pasts it’s shocking! Human league, kraftwerk, ufo, scorpions, pantera ! Disgusting

[@nonrevnosnibormetalbeerrev6251]

@@nicksmart5469 pantera were awesome as a metal band, I hated all the albums after they changed

[@nicksmart5469]

@@nonrevnosnibormetalbeerrev6251 I’m actually not that familiar with their early stuff but they are somehow “ashamed” of their past as none of the early work features in the set ! Other bands like this are kraftwerk, human league, scorpions, ufo etc ! It’s shameful 😡

[@Kinnakeeter]

I have to disagree with Martin on Aerosmith's debut album. I loved it

[@d.reeves9263]

That's such a great album!

[@lonestar6709]

It was still curb stomped by the second album though. Same with Judas Priest. The first album was good. The 2nd was way better.

[@SpyneMetal]

I love Aerosmith’s debut, too!

[@paulharper9711]

Yeah, Aerosmith’s debut is a deep bluesy solid rock album. I actually have it tied with Toys as my 2nd favorite Aerosmith album.

[@Baz63]

Agreed !

[@Finatic13]

The Thin Lizzy debut is my favorite!! I love that its all over place, shows a variety of talents. Eric Bell was fantastic!

[@kevindudley9617]

Cool idea for an episode. I would like to see this continued on into a series of sort.

[@jmagowan12]

I love the early Lizzy albums, its that each version of the band is almost a different band early as I see it. I am Irish, in & grew up in Ireland and I adore celtic Rock.

[@NotData]

Great video with excellent insightful commentary. Did you consider The Magnificent Moodies (aka Go Now The Moody Blues #1 in USA)? Many of the things you said about The Sweet and Genesis could apply here.

[@jameskelly8724]

The Sweet got seriously better fast.

[@rumblehat4357]

The Sweet were awesome.

[@Johnny-lr5jt]

Yes, the Sweet quickly and wisely abandoned bubblegum pop for hard rock, and were one of the BEST.

[@craigusselman546]

They went from wimpy manufactured pop To real badass sugary rock and bless them for it.

[@planetbarrett6055]

I don't know why people never liked that Debut Album from Journey, those first 3 Albums with Rolie on Vocals are Amazing!

[@rustinpolaris4074]

They’re the only ones that matter.

[@yykaakoonee]

The debut album is the only one I can listen to!

[@stevenhanson1454]

Journey's first 3 albums were the Journey I discovered. They were cohesive and make a great trilogy. I separate these from the later stuff. I prefer the first 3 w/ Rolie they had an experimental Grand Funk feel.

[@planetbarrett6055]

Though, Infinity is my favorite Journey Album, Escape and Departure are other great Albums. But I wouldn't have loved Journey, without those 3 Albums.

[@mutant_blues]

I was never interested in the rest except these three.

[@themetallian2112]

This was really enjoyable! a Part 2 would be awesome!

[@aweekback1]

You guys are great!!!! Thank you for cheering us up..

[@NelsonMontana1234]

The first Tull album is GREAT. Totally disagree. They simply changed direction. In fact, I'd say the first is one of their best.

[@JosephFrancisBurton]

True, they changed direction but got much better by Stand Up, in particular Ian’s singing and flute playing. If Ian is to be believed, he had only been on the flute for a few months by This Was.

[@jameskelly8724]

This was is my favorite Tull album, because it's so blues. They would have improved whether they changed direction or not. Then maybe This Was might be my least favorite? Hard to imagine...

[@KevinHallSurfing]

Saw the cover in a record store window and thought it was "odd" so I bought it and took it everywhere turning on the local underground music scene to this unheard of group. But that's the difference, there was no Jethro Tull to compare it to and it certainly had everyone waiting keenly for 'Stand Up'.

[@jonovan3316]

I completely agree. I listened to this album pretty much the entire summer after it first came out in the US in '69 and it was groundbreaking at the time as far as Rock Music goes with its bluesy feel and a hint of jazz thrown in. Yes, their music took a whole different direction after that and they became HOF caliber, but I just LOVE this album.

[@dancalmpeaceful3903]

Yes - Pete and Martin have to be careful how they tread here...there's a difference between an album being outright bad VERSUS it being a good/great album BUT NOT ultimately the DIRECTION the band would eventually take. The criteria of the show should have been OUTRIGHT bad FIRST albums - regardless of what direction the band took later. With Tull, I completely agree...it is a great FIRST album..but they changed direction....which was fine. I think the first YES album is great...but once again...definitely NOT a sign of the direction they would take. Frankly, I do not like the 2nd album much...but I'll probably give it a try. I'll be getting "Tales from Topo..." in the mail shortly...so I am looking forward to that along with "Relayer" as they were the only two of the classic time period I was missing....

[@LeatherRebel75]

I actually disagree about the first Aerosmith. Sure, it's a little on the raw side, but it's still a collection of excellent songs.

[@zex7689]

Love this album because of the rawness

[@colinrgage]

One-way street is a great song

[@billymac72]

I couldn’t disagree more! Depressing? That album rocks, including One Way Street. Write Me, Mama Kin, Walking the Dog....all great, all feel good stuff. Which is to say nothing about one of the band’s most famous songs, Dream On. Look, I get it if you’re a fan and it’s not your fave, but to put it in the top 5 “worst” debuts out of all the actually crappy debuts to choose from? Not sure how one can call themselves an Aerosmith fan and believe that. And I dig Get Your Wings, but is it really better produced? I always found it kind of murky sounding by comparison.

[@billymac72]

@@colinrgage totally! Love that tune...catchy as hell.

[@JohannesYtterstrom]

Today I actually prefer Aerosmiths debut to Get Your Wings. Probably nobody will agree with me but I like it's laidback groove. I like that Steven Tyler sounds very different than on any later album. I like that only two songs are "hits" and the rest something you'll only hear when going after the whole album. I like every song on it. I do agree that Get Your Wings is a big leap forward in a way but I still like the debut better.

[@lucone2937]

Billy Joel had a messy start with his debut album "Cold Spring Harbor" in 1971. There were some errors in the album's mastering.

[@truckerkevthepaidtourist]

yeah he was still finding his way after Attila

[@RaiderfanCali]

@@truckerkevthepaidtourist Kind of funny you bring that up

[@truckerkevthepaidtourist]

@@RaiderfanCali many forget has hard rock start😉

[@RaiderfanCali]

@@truckerkevthepaidtourist I remember seeing that hideous album cover too. Never heard album

[@truckerkevthepaidtourist]

@@RaiderfanCali well thanks to KZbin💃🙌 you can look it up there are some pretty good hard rockin riffs that are found but it's very uneven.

[@mattshaw5179]

Great video! I could definitely watch some more of this!!

[@thomasbeck2934]

Supertramp’s self titled debut Doobie Brothers self titled debut I always “kinda liked” the first Genesis album. While not Genesis, per say; I still get enjoyment from an occasional listen. I think “The Conqueror” is also a notable track.

[@planetbarrett6055]

Genesis to Revelation is Not a Terrible Album at All. Yeah the Band hasn't Found their Sound, and They Sound like the Moody Blues. But it's Still a Great Album.

[@trevertravis8963]

I love Supertramp's debut.

[@michaeloedy1568]

When Martin gets negatively excited, his Canadian accent really comes ooot.

[@robertreams1231]

Yah....a boot everytime.

[@bubbadagger]

I dont know what ya mean there bud.ya friggin lost me

[@fandorwow5141]

Can you describe the canadian accent please? I can I easily identify the French Canadian accent but not the Canadian accent ?

[@bubbadagger]

@@fandorwow5141 its different from coast to coast .i live on the east coast in Cape Breton .the accent kinda sounds like a mix of east coast usa and irish.

[@fandorwow5141]

@@bubbadagger Merci beaucoup pour la réponse. By the way, perhaps you know that Cap Breton in France is not in Bretagne but in south west. Salutations from Paris.

[@fearhim2]

Dokken -Breaking the Chains meh, it’s ok. Dokken -Tooth and Nail Amazing!

[@anthonyrivers1619]

Breakin the Chains just plods along - then you put on Tooth and Nail!

[@fearhim2]

@@anthonyrivers1619 Paris is burning live(?) is the only high point for me on BTC.

[@anthonyrivers1619]

@@fearhim2 agreed

[@Daniel-415-Ponce]

I love the title track and "Paris Is Burning," but the rest of the album is just filler to me. (I have never heard it, but some fans claim that the original debut record by the band recorded and released in Europe was a superior version of the album.)

[@seangagnonProvidenceR.I.]

Great pick. I’m all about that early 80’s metal , Tooth and Nail one of my favorite albums .

[@ericagifford3688]

You 2 are soo good together, always enjoy Pete and Popoff shows the best

[@scottmcgregor562]

The early 70s were definitely a strange and fascinating period in music. Bands like the Dead, the Allman Brothers and the Byrds that were known for their electric jam explorations started experimenting with softer and and acoustic sounds. Bands like T.Rex and Humble Pie dove head first into electric blues rock and harder edged rock with amazing guitar riffs.

[@andrewrobinson427]

The dynamic duo. Love the chemistry and how you guys know your stuff

[@ChromeDestiny]

I think Jefferson Airplane Takes Off has some good tracks, I especially like the longer outtake version of And I Like It but Surrealistic Pillow was a big improvement.

[@fernandobenitezvalencia2591]

Alice Cooper BAND's debut is perfect. had they been German, lots of krautrock fans would be drooling over it. it kinda reminds me of Amon Duul II. a bit of early Floyd/Beatles/Zappa ideas flowing. when i think of the AC, i only think of this album and then the rest of their 1970-1974 catalogue, which i also love. everything else Alice did afterwards was only for the $$, with good songs here and there, of course. one of the greatest psychedelic albums ofall time, imo.

[@johnspokus]

I love that album too. The chapter about recording in in Dennis Dunaway's book is hilarious. It really explains why it sounds the way it does. They hardly saw Zappa. He was there on the first day in the studio. They set up, one of the Mother's mic'd up the amps and drums. Zappa told them to run through their songs and get some levels, and said he had to take a shit. He went in the bathroom, and never emerged until they were finished playing everything. Tape was running all the while. When he came out, he said , "OK, that's the record". Michael Bruce said he was not happy with his guitar sound. Later they did do some overdubs, but Zappa never came back to the sessions.

[@GuitarHack66]

Really enjoyed this show guys. Well done!

[@matthewgroth537]

First thing that came to mind was Wings’ Wild Life. Not even a bad album, just a forgettable one. Crazy to think that they were able to come up with Band on the Run just 2 years later...and with fewer members!

[@EmileJoulbert]

Some would say having fewer members was key to their success. Paul has referred to Band on the Run as *nearly* a solo album, and Denny Laine described it as *their* album, meaning Paul and Linda's, basically.

[@markfurru3368]

Two prime examples, 34 years apart from one another: David Bowie's 1967 self-titled debut and Avenged Sevenfold's Sounding the Seventh Trumpet.

[@thewidget-nu9ou]

Well, you gotta at least like We Are Hungry Men. Silly Boy Blue, and Please Mister Gravedigger from the Bowie's debute! Now if one doesn't like THOSE three songs then, as far as I'm concerned, they're in CRITICAL need of a taste transplant!

[@petewoodroffemusic]

I love this show; Pete & Martin are so well informed and enthusiast! Pete Woodroffe Music (UK)

[@soylentgreendip]

What about the Beatles... developed so much after the first album (Please, Please Me). Yes it was a hit album but it was super poppy. Compare their first album to preceding to HELP, Rubber Soul, Revolver, Sgt. Pepper and so on.

[@JJ_5289]

definitely! The early beatles stuff is good for what it is, but the later stuff is so much better.

[@piotrb8434]

There is nothing wrong with being super poppy. A big chunk of rock music is "super poppy".

[@krauxnotfaux]

The reason they didn't include that is because they stayed very poppy for several albums after Please Please Me. The key here is getting better very quickly after said album. They did come a looooooong way though

[@multi-purposebiped7419]

Big parallels between Genesis's "From Genesis to Revelation" and Van der Graaf Generator's "The Aerosol Grey Machine". Both made in 1969, both considered untypical and not the real deal, both bands switching labels after that first release to sign with Charisma pretty much on the same day, then both going on to reinvent music in their own style. (I don't consider Trespass to be a transition; quite the contrary, I consider the song Stagnation to be the definitive Genesis prog era sound.)

[@williamjosephdunn5879]

the first one that comes to my mind is Radiohead. I think Pablo Honey is terrible, but The Bends is much, much better and paves the way for OK Computer

[@JohntheMusicNut]

Definitely. Pablo Honey is quite mediocre and made you think one hit wonder. The Bends is the first of a few modern classics for the band.

[@mrp4242]

There are many people who feel like you. Not me, though. I actually like Pablo Honey just ‘fine’. I don’t like it as well as The Bends or OK Computer or In Rainbows, but I think as a whole its a reasonable Rock Album. I got it when it first came out in ‘93 for Creep, but liked many of the other tracks as well like Anyone Can PLay Guitar, How Do You?, etc. I think what actually *hurt* Pablo HOney was that Radiohead then came out with those landmark rocking albums and so their debut was--in retrospect-downplayed. But it received generally favorable reviews when it was released and reached #22 in the UK charts. In the US, Billboard, Rolling Stone, LA Times and Entertainment Weekly all had nice things to say about it. So I think this is a result of much of their later stuff being so good-that many look back at Pablo Honey as being “Terrible.” It’s retrospectroscopy at its finest.

[@davidl570]

@@mrp4242 PH has its moments, but it also has the worst song of their entire career (I probably don't even have to say the title...............it begins with a C).

[@andrewdevine3920]

@@JohntheMusicNut Pablo Honey has amazing songs at the beginning and end, You, Creep (it's a good song, even if I never want to hear it again), Lurgee and Blow out are among the best songs they ever did. It's a shame everything in between is several large bags full of rubbish.

[@DaveAnchovies]

i knew someone was gonna say this, but its got the Creep stain. It also has one of their best songs. Anyone Can Play Guitar. The Bends obliviously better, if not their best and most consistent.

[@timhollis3390]

As soon as this video started I thought of Genesis and Jethro Tull.By the way,thanks so much for doing the XTC ranking that I just watched yesterday and somehow missed for 2 months.I was thrilled to see it since they have been my favorite band since 1982.

[@CardinalsXerces]

Kyuss: Wretch is ok, has a couple of good songs and snippets of really good stuff, Blues for the Red Sun was a blistering classic.

[@treff9226]

An ex girlfriend of mine once said that my "debut" with her was bad and never did get any better.

[@kamranmalik8546]

Also The Moody Blues ‘The Magnificent Moodies’ is another one that comes to my mind as well, I don’t have own this album but I think it was pretty weak in their discography.

[@foobman]

It's indeed weak. I made a playlist on Spotify a while back, where I attempted to have at least one song from each of their album. I wasn't able to find one on 'Moodies'.

[@jazzpunk]

Yes...they were a totally different band at that time (with Denny Laine).

[@mag2469]

Exactly that was the first one to come to mind was the moodies first one.They were basically a R&B band wearing suites and ties.Then denny laine and clint warwick leave and they get john lodge and justin heyward and they release a masterpiece Days of future passed.Talk about a huge leap forward.

[@keithjones6023]

@@mag2469 well they couldn't have chosen anybody better than John Lodge and Justin Hayward!

[@invisiblekid3114]

Awesome video Pete and Martin! A really great topic as well. Being a younger audience, I don't often gravitate towards the earlier albums from bands I love, and often prefer the later stuff. That's why I rarely go back to the debut albums, but do still like them. Some examples include: Iron Maiden debut Judas Priest Rocka Rolla Metallica Kill Em All Black Sabbath debut AC/DC High Voltage ⚡ Megadeth Killing Is My Business

[@janpoelkamp4229]

As a fan of blues rock (Cream, Clapton etc) I happen to love This Was.

[@dancalmpeaceful3903]

I think "This Was" is fantastic....

[@johnspokus]

Blues based progressive rock, which I'm a huge fan of. I know a lot of prog guys that literally hate blues and rock 'n roll, but I'm not one of them, although when I was younger was like that a little bit.

[@samplecode]

You’ve just reminded me to listen to Thin Lizzys first album. Cheers!

[@davidmohr7823]

I'm glad Martin mentioned great Australian band The Angels ("Angel City" in the US). Check out some of their great albums like Face to Face, No Exit and Dark Room.

[@doscwolny2221]

They ought to check out liveline. It’s easily one of the best live albums ever.

[@doscwolny2221]

Oh and night attack is their best album in my opinion.

[@lb6135]

Love them!!! Dark Room did well in Winnipeg while I was living there so that was my introduction. RIP Doc Neeson

[@Scandolo]

I have noticed that you two talk a lot about producers. that is great! Have you ever considered to dedicate a show or some shows to them? Maybe something like: the best producers of the 70's or ranking the albums of Martin Birch, Bob Ezrin or Todd Rundgren, to name a few. It's just an idea, idw you might have done something like that already. Cheers!!

[@connerstines1578]

Had a feeling From Genesis To Revelation was coming up, although I actually like that album. It's a total Bee Gees rip stylistically but I love 60's Bee Gees and all that baroque pop stuff from that era, so it hits that mark for me. Definitely no comparison to the Genesis we all know though.

[@danneeson7056]

Can't say I hear the Bee Gees, Moody Blues a bit maybe. Great album.

[@connerstines1578]

@@danneeson7056 It's got Cucumber castle and Odessa all over it. If you haven't listened to those yet you might. They're great albums though very cheesy(not that that's a real critique) and you'll hear the Bee Gees in From Genesis To Revelation, very pronounced.

[@connerstines1578]

@@danneeson7056 You definitely do get some Moody Blues-esque tight harmonies in there though, that is true.

[@danneeson7056]

@@connerstines1578 I used to have Odessa and still have their first album and a collection of early rarities. I will look for that sound next listen. Thanks.

[@robk4338]

What a great show. Good examples you both came up with. Martin talks about a book on Sweet. That book is a must have. How can I get a copy of it? I have a topic for you Pete, Martin and Btuch. The box of Thin Lizzy called Rock Legends (at least here in Sweden) containing5 CD:s with outtakes, different versions, edited versions, a DVD, a book and lots more. I think you ought to give it a deep dive of all the CD:s and somehow rank it. It would be loevely. Thansk Pete and guests for all great shows you do.

[@TheBerndude]

Excellent episode, gentlemen. I agree with all of your picks, except Aerosmith. Love their debut!

[@jamesfox7878]

Sweet - Desolation Boulevard... I didn't really hear this until I was 12 years old in 1978. As a 12 year old kid, it blew me away! Today, as a 55 year old kid, it still blows me away! So many great songs! On my list of 25 albums I would definitely need if I was stuck on a desert island! By the way, I just turned 55 today! 43 years later and Sweet's Desolation Boulevard still KICKS ASS!

[@JohntheMusicNut]

Happy Birthday James! And Desolation Boulevard still kicks ass!

[@davoshaunessy3428]

Listen to GIVE US A WINK ITS OFF THE CHARTS

[@andypostema4269]

@@davoshaunessy3428 Sweet F.A. too! Sweet had some incredible music after they dropped the bubblegum nonsense and started writing their own songs.

[@romansalmon]

You are awesome. I recommended you to a friend. I like your take on ranking is fair some I don’t agree with,but I most of the time I do.

[@JohnnyRecently]

Martin cracked me up. "You take the very worst Free songs and then you go another five miles that way...and you get to these UFO songs."

[@Veaseify]

He really, really doesn't like Free. I think the retrospective 'they were great they should have been huge' annoys the hell out of him.

[@benedictdonald4338]

@@Veaseify no hard rock fan worth his weight in salt dislikes FREE!

[@Veaseify]

@@benedictdonald4338 To be honest I don't have any of their albums. When my friends used to buy them I would like maybe half the songs on an album (2 on the first album). There were too many plodding tempo songs for my taste. I think the phenomenal singing hides the fact that a lot of the songs are very ordinary.

[@Gershom.]

Awesome show concept. There are many permutations. You could narrow the scope to specific subgenres and thus make a few new shows.

[@bengalgangster]

david bowie comes to mind right away

[@anfrankogezamartincic1161]

Right on,even Space oddity is pretty boring,but the winner is his first.

[@itkojecockot]

yes, the debut was pretty weak..... tried to get into it, but the songwriting just isn't there...... "Space Oddity" isn't a masterpiece by any means, but MUCH better album......

[@giles7662]

Yes, Bowie and Alice Cooper sprung immediately to mind for me.

[@pheonix5597]

Well, you four people above^ sure don't speak for ME. For I happen to find that there are a number of good songs from those earliest two Bowie albums, like namely We Are Hungry Men, Karma Man, Memory Of a Free Festival, Janine, Silly Boy Blue, Wild Eyed Boy From Freecloud, Cignet Comitee, Let Me Sleep Beside You, Conversation Piece and (most obviously) Space Oddity. A lot of other people whom I know seem to like THOSE songs too. I think Bowie had already developed into a talented songwriter by THAT point. The problem with THOSE albums wasn't the songwriting, rather it was the MUSICAL STYLES - they aren't glam rock or soul or experimental/avant-gard or any of the genres recognizable from his later more popular albums. The FIRST 1967 Deram album is largely very British vaudeville and caberate influenced while the second has a very psychadelic and folksy flavor - styles of music that don't tend to be very popular with modern audiences. THAT is what has actually accounted for the general unpopularity of THOSE two albums, not a lack of quality or talent on Bowie's part. Anyway, just because an album did not constitute an artists "big breakthrough" does not mean that it "sucks" or can't have any merit of its own. I think if your able to just take THOSE albums completely ON THEIR OWN and don't bother comparing them to ohhhhh Ziggy Stardust or Young Americans or Let's Dance or whatever then they can be quite engaging and enjoyable.

[@giles7662]

@@pheonix5597 nobody said we were speaking for others, and nobody said that those early albums did not have good tracks on them..just that matters improved rapidly.

[@ralphfiligenzi6180]

Even Steven Tyler joked about his voice on the debut album comparing it to Kermit the frog.

[@philiphalpenny3783]

Interestingly...whenever Mick Jagger sings in falsetto...i can only hear Miss Piggy! Emotional Rescue is me case in point!

[@justamops]

Tangerine Dream? I actually don’t mind Electronic Meditation, but it’s much different from what came after. And yes, I’d watch another show on this topic.

[@Grandizer8989]

Idea for a video, Pete. Best backup singers. Jason Nuestat (sp?), Melissa auf der Mar, and The Edge are my top 3

[@jordanfarquharson5345]

No love for Michael Anthony? Also, don't you mean Jason Newsted?

[@Grandizer8989]

@@jordanfarquharson5345 good one and yes, ty

[@JohntheMusicNut]

Great idea and strong choices. Chris Squire.

[@fatherhanktree2011]

@@JohntheMusicNut Great call with Chris Squire! Also John Frusciante,Phil Collins(as backup to Gabriel) and,surprisingly, Freddie Mercury when he does backing/harmony vocals with Brian May-All Dead,All Dead,and (maybe?) Long Away.

[@fatherhanktree2011]

And a classic backup singer I forgot to mention:Michael McDonald on all those great Steely Dan songs! Of course,also a fantastic solo singer in his own right.

[@stuarteldergill]

I really like that Genesis album. Kind of simple with some nice melodies. Of course they just got better.

[@itkojecockot]

wasn't prog-y and complex as those upcoming ones, but still some good tunes on it......

[@davidl570]

Not by any means their best, but it was still pretty damn impressive for a bunch of fresh-out-of-high school kids!

[@johnforan2973]

What I love about your podcasts is that Martin and Pete are a bit contrasting but so much is learned that we either forgot or we are learning for the first time. I love Martin and Pete podcasts. I am binge watching so much of Sea of Tranquility stuff and others. Great stuff Guys. Love it. I would love a segment where you all talk about bands of the the past that never got the love because of the transition to where the pop and rock was headed? 1995 till now? There are some stuff out there. You may have to dig a bit. We all know that Big Execs stopped the Rock Genre in many big ways post 2000

[@DarrinSnider]

Hah! I spent almost an hour asking why NOBODY was mentioning Genesis to Revelations. Savage! To clarify your question, I seem to remember they specifically changed their sound to get Jonathan King's attention. I would add, if Working Man wasn't 25% of the album, the first Rush album deserves an honorable mention here.

[@i3ar310]

You are right about Rush and Working Man. That song carries the album.

[@digitalbookworm5678]

Hoping you'll do a reciprocal video, please. Bands that started out with one fantastic album and then went downhill fast.

[@bigvrocks2480]

PRETTIES FOR YOU! My favorite all time ACG lp! Loved it the first time I ever heard it (1969). Saw them three or four times at UB/Buffalo and Gilligans, perform the first two lps {Pretties/Easy Action} as a 'Rehearsal/Concert' (and yes, everyone walked out at UB ($2.00 to get in) except my two buddies and me) Even saw them perform 'Nobody Likes Me' a few times as. They were playing 'Psychedelic music' by the way of Death Metal sound! As a matter of fact, the Alice Cooper Group along with the Doors were the only bands that Acoustic Amplifiers endorsed back in the late 60's! And my musical tastes range from The Easybeats, Genesis YES, Sabbath, ELP, Zeppelin, etc to ABBA and on and on! Basically I like everything... (However, although I bought a few Grateful Dead lps in the early 70's, I could never, even as recently as a few years ago, once again attempted to, but could not get into them at all!!!??? Ozric Tentacles, on the other hand, Ed Wynne, WOW!) LOLO! (ps - sorry for any typos or rambling... Enjoy your analysis and guests all the time.)

[@Trifixion22]

Personally I absolutely LOVE the Motörhead debut. Probably my most listened to album from them. Of course, I'm glad they changed their sound and got heavier. But the debut will always have a special place in my heart.

[@powrnap]

Subpar debuts from great acts - Bowie (bad show tunes), The Kinks (showed little of Ray’s songwriting prowess), Scorpions (Michael needed to leave for UFO to free both bands from the shackles of bad psychedelia), Krokus (like their album covers, the early music was crap); Faith No More (as discussed previously by Pete & Martin).

[@madmattdrummer5487]

I love UFOs early space rock sound

[@joshdieckmann595]

It's interesting what albums hit some people, and don't make that kind of impression with others. My album introduction to Aerosmith was "Permanent Vacation", which I really enjoyed (and still do). Not long after that, a buddy lent me his cassette copy of "Get Your Wings" which totally blew me away. I couldn't believe such a heavy, dark, and atmospheric album had come out in 1974. This was before I discovered Sabbath. I went out shortly after that, and bought copies of the 1st 4 Aerosmith albums for myself. The debut, for me, is still quite strong, and has always been a bit of a sentimental favorite. Martin said he didn't care for "One Way Street", but for me, that was a great bluesy stomp that gave the record some variety, along with the darker "Movin' Out". I agree that the subsequent album was a big leap forward, but I do feel that the debut was pretty strong, and I still listen to it quite a bit.

[@sameoldeh]

@ Josh Dieckmann You get it,you understand. BTW, Permanent Vacation is the biggest comeback in entertainment history. Pump came after & it was superb.

[@killerdude35]

Iced Earth's Night of The Stormrider was a huge leap over the debut.

[@kevintynan796]

I love that first Motörhead album, I bought the limited edition white vinyl disc when it first came out. Wherever I moved it was the first thing I’d play to get that home sweet home feel. Not sure if the neighbours appreciated it though.

[@angusiha]

The Cure's "Three Imaginary Boys" doesn't suck, but "17 Seconds" is when they became The Cure. Dinosaur Jr's debut is quite weak, but "You're Living All Over Me" is fantastic. Prong's "Forced Fed" is subpar, but "Beg to Differ" is brilliant. Ministry is a completely different band on their debut, their second one shows some potential, but on their third album they became Ministry Soundgarden's "Ultramega OK" is just ok, but "Louder Than Love" is great.

[@fernandobenitezvalencia2591]

Dino Jr., man. agreed! my fave is 'Green Mind', their 'folk-noise' opus. saw them live back then (91), super loud and raw. J Mascis is one underrated guitar god. Nirvana opened the show that night, btw. they were ok, nothing to write home about- six months later, boom! also love 'Beg to Differ'- Ted Parson's drumming was a huge influence on me. in fact, gonna play that one right now. cheers!

[@DaveAnchovies]

no way...theres an evolution there. most cure fans arent punk fans, but make no mistake, robert smith was a punk rocker for awhile. first album is as classic as anything.

[@angusiha]

@@DaveAnchovies Hold your horse and learn to read. Of course, there's an evolution, that's is exactly my point: EVOLUTION!! Cure only becomes Cure on their 2nd album (R. Smith can confirm you this) BTW: I did not say 3 Imaginnary Boys is bad (but the "as classic as anything" status lives only in your head, sorry). And most Cure fans my age enjoy punk rock. So, again, hold yr horses!

[@angusiha]

@@BunterHiden66 That's right! When I thought of Prong I thought on Helmet also. But Prong came first and influenced Helmet, so I picked them.

[@andyshelton4889]

Did Steve Hunter and the late Dick Wagner play on Get Your Wings?

[@markc4050]

Apparently on Same Old Song and dance and Train Kept a Rollin

[@jazzpunk]

Yes..."Train Kept-a Rollin'"!!!

[@markc4050]

@@jazzpunk ...and crowd noise from Concert for Bangladesh...

[@davidl570]

@@markc4050 Call me naive, but until recently, I thought it was an actual live recording! Guess Steven and the gang fooled me.

[@markc4050]

@@davidl570 Yes they did! But it was a brilliant transition from the crowd to the acoustic opening of Seasons of Wither...

[@jayfabe620]

Japan really blossomed once they dropped the New York Dolls gimmick from the debut.

[@nickgonzalez4081]

Good show!! So much music knowledge between the 2 of you

[@massimobattaglioli6651]

I disagree on This was. In my opinion is a very solid record, with many notable songs.

[@sunsin1592]

I agree, though the sound is a bit more vanilla blues rock rather than the diversity you saw later from Tull.

[@dancalmpeaceful3903]

Yes - Pete and Martin have to be careful how they tread here...there's a difference between an album being outright bad VERSUS it being a good/great album BUT NOT ultimately the DIRECTION the band would eventually take. The criterial of the show should have been OUTRIGHT bad FIRST albums - regardless of what direction the band took later

[@janpoelkamp4229]

Thin Lizzy’s second album Shades Of A Blue Orphanage is often considered worse than the debut. I like both, btw. Can’t name a bad Lizzy album.

[@DavidLazarus]

Regarding Genesis's first album, From Genesis To Revelation, I think it could have been brilliant if Jonathan King had not pretty much ruined it by "requiring" the band to use horns and strings. For me, there are still about a half dozen great tracks on the album. In addition, you can hear bits of what's to come. There's a riff later used in Twilight Alehouse (a b-side circa 1972) in one of the songs. Sadly, I don't recall which off the top. There's other interesting bits throughout. For me, I'd say In The Beginning, The Serpent, Am I Very Wrong, In Limbo and That's me (only included on later releases) are standout tracks. I think the whole album would have been ten times better had Jonathan King not been involved with it. Had they met Tony Smith in, say, 1968, FGTR would have been an excellent album! It's King that tried to turn it into bubblegum pop.

[@johnmichaelwilliams6694]

Popoff and Pardo are are at it again and hoping to see another show with additional picks on this topic. Compare and contrast discussions are always interesting to follow. If solo artists were involved, George Harrison should be considered. For me, his first two releases - Wonderwall Music and Electronic [both on the more avant garde Zapple label] -almost prevented me from buying the three CD All Things Must Pass when it was released. Yes, the LP set could have used a bit of editing but is certainly showcased George's songwriting skills. Thanks, Martin and Pete, for an interesting topic. Please do at least one more in this series.

[@thestevec]

Nice to see The Angels ( Angel City) get a mention on a non Australian website. I agree debut is a bit soft sounding

[@ronaldsmith1484]

59 years old from Cincinnati Ohio..... I know down under they were called the angels..... I discovered them as Angel City..... one of my all-time favorite bands..... I recently purchased 40 Years of hits A3 CD collection..... also 40 Years of live hits a 3 CD collection..... what a great f****** band

[@FrostedSeagull]

Saw The Angels (Angel City) at least 7 times including them playing the often forgotten first, Guns'N'Roses tour of Australia in December 1988. 👍 🇦🇺

[@ronaldsmith1484]

@@FrostedSeagull how lucky you were.... saw Angel City at Bogart's a rock Club in Cincinnati 1980 they were so f****** good!

[@glenunderhill3523]

Steve C you are spot on.

[@purpletemple1]

A band that comes to mind is Quiet Riot, the first 2 albums are okay-ish, but they don't have their sound yet, and Randy Rhoads isn't much "there" yet either. Also the first "The Cult " album Dreamtime, it's a cool album but they're really still very embryonic in terms of own-style. David Bowie also comes to mind with his first self-titled record which is basically a bunch of 60's pop songs that have nothing to do with his next album (Self-titled/ Space Oddity). Another one would be Trapeze and their very "poppy" debut, and quickly morphing into that power hard-rock trio. I actually like the first 2 UFO's, but really more because they're odd and raw, and kind of brainless but not for any real quality reason. I really like their first Live album though :-) Great show!

[@captainbeyond7469]

Another 10 out of 10 episode very insightful and entertaining. I would make a case to combine the first three Deep Purple albums as a single debut and then compare it to the masterpiece “In Rock” like night and day amazing creative development.

[@DBTdad]

At 4:45 Pete says "at 30 years ago", it's seems like a long time but remember Aerosmith's Get your wings album is nearly 50 years old in 2023. In 1974 I was 13 and never could imagine in life at 61 still listening to Seasons of Wither.

[@martinnapier6286]

First to come to mind are David Bowie (dont ever listen to the debut anymore) and thin lizzy (not terrible but very weak considering their amazing follow ups)

[@kolchak357]

Great call on Bowie. I totally forgot about his first album. Couldn’t agree more.

[@2424-u8d]

Pete, will I finally get to hear your take on "Hold On" by Chicago? If that doesn't qualify as the heaviest song in their catalog I don't know what it is. I just enjoy your historical takes on music trends and how bands attempt to jump on board. Is it always genuine? Or is it label pressure. Hell, that could be a s show itself.

[@druefreeman439]

Although I enjoy Empty Sky by Elton John, I would put Empty Sky on somewhere in the top 5 to 10 of this category. The Elton John album is an absolute classic sophomore effort. The transition from the Doobie Brothers to Toulouse Street was massive as well.

[@martinkyle1463]

Rocka Roller is one of the great debut albums to me. They soon followed the excellent Sad Wings with the triteness of Living After Midnight, Breaking the Law, United and Hot Rocking.

[@jasonjames6383]

I'm impressed with the mention of the Angels. Great Australian band and Face to Face, No Exit and Dark Room are all excellent albums. Their debut is pretty ordinary.

[@jasonjames6383]

@Blue Heeler Beyond Salvation is a good album and I like most of their stuff, however, I place Face to Face, No Exit (probably my fave) and DarK Room above any of their other albums.

[@russellcraft7269]

Figured that “From Genesis To Revelations” would be Pete’s number one. Martin is correct that the solid black cover was the original release. Thought “Yes” might make the list, but it was mentioned at least.

[@tepidtooth8539]

I bought that on CD at the mall lol

[@michaelriffee4526]

I absolutely love the debut Aerosmith album. It's one of my favorite debut albums of The 70's. It's still one of my go to albums when I need to hear some Aerosmith.

[@benedictdonald4338]

100%. the debut blows the hell out of "Get Your Wings".

[@sameoldeh]

@Michael Riffee I agree.

[@sameoldeh]

@@benedictdonald4338 The Aerosmith debut is great. Problem was,Columbia Records didn't help to promote them much. Most of their focus was on Springsteen's first album which was released on the same day.

[@davoshaunessy3428]

Roll back the rugs baby I JUST LOVE THOSE LINER NOTES LOVE STEPHENS just needed your love @ 17 yrs old as WELL

[@davidl570]

@@sameoldeh But................wasn't Bruce's debut released in '71 and Aerosmith's in '73?

[@lonegroover]

Aww no I love the Motorhead debut. Saw them touring it in Jan '78 in a little club in the NE of England. Glorious.

[@MyMusicCorner]

I wonder what the Top 10 Songs that never need to be covered would be for Martin and Pete?

[@MackeyWilliams]

Great idea for a segment.

[@rightchordleadership]

I like This Was but Stand Up was a huge step forward.

[@edwardgonczy3170]

I'm with you on this one. When I started playing guitar quickly realized I was never going to join the Hendrix ranks. But I really liked Mick Abrahams. Like his version of "Cat's Squirrel" better than Cream's. So, disagreements with Ian Anderson and Mick realized his dreams with Blodwyn Pig. And Ian pushed a more "progressive" sound with Tull until he lost a great bass player in Glen Cornick to a good band, Wild Turkey. Never that big a fan of the band after "Heavy Horses" and "Songs From the Wood".

[@BenDowdy]

Love Walkin' the Dog! Best song on Aerosmith's first.

[@jazzpunk]

...fun to play in my HS garage band daze. ;-O

[@Kinnakeeter]

I absolutely adore their self titled album. I think it's phenomenal. My favorite song on it would be Somebody

[@DrDan-ue9de]

Another great discussion. Interesting...I guess different bands were bigger in Canada as some Martin’s picks I’ve never even heard of. I was waiting to hear Pete's pick of Genesis based off his album ranking which I recently watched. Other contenders based on Pete (and I agree) are Elton John and Billy Joel's debuts, although they aren't so bad, just not as impactful.

[@tonyjambor1984]

Dream Theater and Megadeth. Both have decent debut albums but nothing like the great second album.

[@LordKlektar]

These are exactly the two bands that came to mind for me too.

[@Rextum]

Funnily enough, Killing is My Business is my favorite Megadeth album and When Dream and Day one of my favorite DT albums. I like the energy, songwriting and insanity of them (especially killing) even if the production is pretty bad on both of them. But then again I am weird anyway😄

[@itkojecockot]

DT's debut was definitely better than Megadeth's one...... "Killing is my bussiness" is a MESS :D:D both songwriting and production

[@stevekosak8624]

@@Rextum I agree I love killing is my business its just plain nasty!

[@miguelbarahona6636]

Killing is My Bussiness is awesome! Loved to Death, Mechanix, Rattlehead, Skull Beneath the Skin...

[@jazzpunk]

Martin's video looks really sharp this morning here...wow, I really like Aerosmith's debut and their 2nd album (including the cover!). ;-O Huge fan of the Alice Cooper Group. I have tried like Hell to like those 1st albums...that said, I do have the Pretties For You LP framed on my wall.

[@joewilson1584]

I’m sorry, but I’ve never found anything to like off Piper at the Gates of Dawn by Pink Floyd. A song or two like Astronomy Domine and Interstellar Overdrive got good when expanded live, but the whole album is a chore to get through. The very next album, Saucerful of Secrets, is really great and underrated.

[@martinnapier6286]

Love saucerful, probably my favourite album from them, remember a day is really underrated. I like piper as it has interstellar overdrive/astronomy domine/lucifer sam but I understand what you mean, glad david gilmour came on board as he made them the best band of all time (imo)

[@dazauto1400]

I loved both Barrett and Gilmour eras but the Barrett era is infinitely more interesting.

[@Warp75]

Bollocks

[@FFF24-7]

If your version of Let There Be Rock doesn't have a "mellow" song, you got the wrong version. The original version we got over here didn't have Problem Child, which is a Dirty Deeds track. We got Crabsody in Blue which I think is a great bluesy comedy number, with Bon on fine, tongue in cheek form

[@liquidvizionsmadferit]

PS. A few obscure picks. Nuclear Assault. Never cared much for Game Over but loved the fuck out of Survive. Meliah Rage. Same thing. Wasn't a big fan of their debut aka Kill to Survive yet I loved the 2nd album Solitary Solitude. Testament. Wasn't ever a big fan of The Legacy where as I loved The New Order. (I know. This one isn't that obscure) Ministry. With Sympathy. Yikes... Twitch sounded like a different band (thankfully)

[@Redrum1981]

Awesome episode!! Contrast is awesome theme for a show 👌

[@keithjones6023]

There was a massive difference between INXS's debut album and the later albums Kick, X, and Elegantly Wasted!

[@bengalgangster]

is shaboo shoobah the 1st? then listen like thieves?

[@keithjones6023]

@@bengalgangster No that was their third , love that album. First was INXS and then Underneath the Colours.

[@hudahekizzy8402]

@@keithjones6023 Shaboo Shoobah through Listen Like Thieves is their great period IMO...

[@keithjones6023]

@@hudahekizzy8402 love Shabooh Shabah, To Look at You, Golden Playpen, Don't Change, all fantastic!

[@hudahekizzy8402]

@@keithjones6023 I'll throw Soul Mistake in there as well

[@themadmattster9647]

First Fates Warning Night at Brocken for me. And I'm a huge traditional metal fan (who used to argue with proggers who were snobbish about such stuff all the time). Spectre Within and Awaken the Guardian almost seem like a different band

[@averagejobyt]

Steven said he tried to sound like James Brown on the first album. BTW, I love the first album.

[@dancalmpeaceful3903]

I think the first album is an incredible debut....

[@jgsrhythm100]

Great debut.

[@Joybuzzard]

Ever heard Alice Cooper's 'Easy Action'? Other than some of the vocal parts, it doesn't sound at all like anything Alice Cooper did after, side 2 is pure acid rock. One of my favorite albums, I've never been a big Alice Cooper fan.