More likely to be someone who didn’t release much: Straight Outta Compton isn’t just the best thing N.W.A. did, it’s about 70% of all they achieved.
Of those who have been around a long time, I’d like to nominate Stiff Little Fingers. I’d like to, but I don’t fancy a telling off from @rigid-digit..
Actually, I was hoping you would take the bait. My knowledge of post-Big Wheel fingers is exceedingly limited – I’d love to see your top 10 latterday SLF tracks…
If you insist:
1. My Dark Places (No Going Back, 2015)
2. Can’t Believe in You (Get A Life, 1994)
3. Each Dollar A Bullet (Flags & Emblems, 1991)
4. Guitar & Drum (Guitar & Drum, 2003)
5. Harp (Get A Life, 1994)
6. Half A Life Away (Hope Street, 1999)
7. When We Were Young (No Going Back, 2015)
8. Dead Man Walking (Guitar & Drum, 2003)
9. Since Yesterday Was Here (No Going Back, 2015)
10. (I Could) Be Happy Yesterday (Tinderbox, 1997)
It’s subjective isn’t it? Was “Going Underground” better or “Butterfly Collector”? Maybe, but there’s an energy and attitude (god did I just say that?) to “Art School” that once heard is hard to match. Considering how much I love The Jam I can’t really choose their best, but it could be “Art School”
I was going to suggest the best thing the Brian Johnson version of AC/DC ever did was Hell’s Bells, which is side 1 track 1 of that incarnation’s first album Back in Black.
But I may be splitting hairs.
To be fair, the first UK AC/DC album was High Voltage, and s1t1 was “It’s a Long Way to the Top…” which is also an excellent shout.
Freddy Steady says
Doh. Can’t appear to edit my o.p.
Any band out there who never improved on their first song first album?
Uncle Wheaty says
With hindsight a bit Goth light but they were in the zone.
Carlosthejacket says
off the top of my head I’d say…
Lloyd Cole & The Commotions – Perfect Skin
Sugar – The Act We Act
Sewer Robot says
More likely to be someone who didn’t release much: Straight Outta Compton isn’t just the best thing N.W.A. did, it’s about 70% of all they achieved.
Of those who have been around a long time, I’d like to nominate Stiff Little Fingers. I’d like to, but I don’t fancy a telling off from @rigid-digit..
Rigid Digit says
I must resist. I will not rise to the bait. Mr Robot is perfectly entitled to his opinion (even if he is wrong)
Sewer Robot says
Actually, I was hoping you would take the bait. My knowledge of post-Big Wheel fingers is exceedingly limited – I’d love to see your top 10 latterday SLF tracks…
Rigid Digit says
If you insist:
1. My Dark Places (No Going Back, 2015)
2. Can’t Believe in You (Get A Life, 1994)
3. Each Dollar A Bullet (Flags & Emblems, 1991)
4. Guitar & Drum (Guitar & Drum, 2003)
5. Harp (Get A Life, 1994)
6. Half A Life Away (Hope Street, 1999)
7. When We Were Young (No Going Back, 2015)
8. Dead Man Walking (Guitar & Drum, 2003)
9. Since Yesterday Was Here (No Going Back, 2015)
10. (I Could) Be Happy Yesterday (Tinderbox, 1997)
Sewer Robot says
Hanx!😀
moseleymoles says
Did they ever get more thrilling that this. Track 1, side 1, album 1.
Carlosthejacket says
Nailed it.
madfox says
Gotta say “Uncle Arthur” takes some beating.
Rigid Digit says
Boston – More Than A Feeling
Uncle Wheaty says
That is it.
Dave Ross says
I always go with The Jam “Art School” from “In The City”. It set the scene for what was to come and you could argue was never bettered
count jim moriarty says
You could, but you’d be very silly to do so.
Dave Ross says
It’s subjective isn’t it? Was “Going Underground” better or “Butterfly Collector”? Maybe, but there’s an energy and attitude (god did I just say that?) to “Art School” that once heard is hard to match. Considering how much I love The Jam I can’t really choose their best, but it could be “Art School”
Freddy Steady says
It’s always subjective! Doesn’t ever stop us thinking we’re right and “they’re” wrong.
duco01 says
Jackson C. Frank – Blues Run the Game
His very best song, straight off.
Bartleby says
Martin Stephenson, the brilliant Crocodile Cryer from Boat to Bolivia. Wonderful.
Black Type says
Reel Around The Fountain is The Smiths in microcosm.
Tiggerlion says
Lewis Taylor – Lucky
SixDog says
The march of jackboots goose stepping down the road, military drum beat, crunching guitar riff…
‘I don’t wanna holiday in the sun….’
Track 1, Side 1, 1 album
Game over
bobness says
I was going to suggest the best thing the Brian Johnson version of AC/DC ever did was Hell’s Bells, which is side 1 track 1 of that incarnation’s first album Back in Black.
But I may be splitting hairs.
To be fair, the first UK AC/DC album was High Voltage, and s1t1 was “It’s a Long Way to the Top…” which is also an excellent shout.
Malc says
The Beat – Mirror in the Bathroom
Rigid Digit says
Boomtown Rats – Lookin’ After Number One
Debut is a fine album, but not as good as that opening track. Never sounded so urgent or angry again. Some good moments, but this tops it for me
retropath2 says
Driver’s Seat/Sniff ‘n’ the Tears, track 1 side 1 of Fickle Heart. (Same is true for their “later” album “A Best of SATT” and for the same song.
SteveT says
I only recall one (rather good) Sniff and the Tears track but it wasn’t that one.
I will nominate Steely Dan Do it again from Can’t buy a Thrill.
There might be some Dan aficionados who will say it wasn’t technically their first album but it was the first commercially released I believe.
Tiggerlion says
Joy Division – Disorder
Tiggerlion says
The Beatles – I Saw Her Standing There
Tiggerlion says
The Theme From The Monkees
Tiggerlion says
Madness – One Step Beyond
ganglesprocket says
Little Fluffy Clouds by The Orb?
The State I Am In by Belle And Sebastian?
Swallowtail by Martyn Bennett?
Dry The Rain by The Beta Band?
Johnny Concheroo says
They probably did better it to be honest, but this was the template for their entire career.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5TG8nn5dRI
mikethep says
They were touted as a supergroup before we ever heard anything, and this was a pretty good calling card…
https://youtu.be/JMbuJXQCIvo
Pessoa says
Pavement were terrific but inconsistent, yet this opener is their best three minutes. I love the lolling drums and mood of louche tension.
Harry Tufnell says
First track on “Songs of Leonard Cohen” is Suzanne.
Mike_H says
Stop whining.