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THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2021 • THE BULLETIN GO! MAGAZINE • PAGE 3 ALL THINGS MUSIC bendbulletin.com/golisten Music’s fab firsts and beyond BY BRIAN MCELHINEY • For The Bulletin Y ou have your whole life to write your first album, and just months to write your second album. If you’re a musician or an astute music fan, you’ve probably come across some variation of this statement before. And for many musicians, it’s painfully true. You start playing an instrument, you discover you can make some pretty cool noise and you start refining that noise into actual songs. If you’re lucky, your songs find an audi- ence. If you’re really lucky, you get to record those songs and release an album. If you’re really, really lucky, you get to make another album. But that initial, wide-eyed period of dis- covery can never be duplicated, and once you’re in the album release-tour cycle, time is not on your side. Many artists crumble under the pressure, delivering a string of mediocrity after an impressive debut. Then there are artists who buck the trend. (Imagine if The Beatles stopped after “Please Please Me.”) They continue to hone their sound, or evolve into something else entirely. Sometimes that “something else entirely” happens on album four, or album five, and it isn’t until that moment that the group or musician comes into their own. The following list will examine some of our (read: my) favorite examples of both of these types of first albums. The first half is dedicated to albums that got it right straight out of the gate. The second half features debuts that have been forgotten by time: They either sound nothing like the artists’ best-known material, or they’re embryonic, ryn Hill,” in 1998, and to date it remains her only solo release. pointing toward greatness to come. EXHIBIT A: NO. 1 IS NO. 1 “Ramones,” Ramones Punk rock’s clarion call, the 1976 debut album from the New York City bruddahs set the template for just about everything the genre is known for: buzzsaw guitars, revved-up tempos, disaffected commen- tary on society (and some unfortunate, tongue-in-cheek Nazi imagery that nev- ertheless hasn’t aged all that well). While the Ramones would go on to release many more albums, the group never again hit the heights of this half-hour blast of energy. Also of note: The Sex Pistols’ 1977 debut “Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols” was so influential, the band never followed it up (sure, that’s the reason). “Illmatic,” Nas New York rapper Nas is still regarded as one of the genre’s best, and his 1994 debut album “Illmatic” introduced the world to his literate storytelling and impeccable mu- sicianship (aided by producers such as DJ New Year, New You NEW CLIENT SPECIAL 20% OFF NEW CLIENT HAIR, SKIN & NAIL SERVICES BOOKED IN JANUARY 405 NE 3RD STREET BAMBOOSALONBEND.COM 541-385-8060 Premier and Q-Tip, and guests such as his father, jazz musician Olu Dara). Since that stunning debut, he’s continued to challenge his audience with his live shows and stu- dio records (including an “Illmatic” sequel, 2001’s “Stillmatic”), but this first volley re- mains his best. Also of note: Fugees’ frontwoman Lau- ryn Hill released her game-changing debut studio album, “The Miseducation of Lau- Create Healthy Habits With the 40 Days! ONLINE VIA ZOOM TUESDAYS 7-8:15pm $40 +Yoga Pass Jump start your 2021 health goals, boost your immunity and awaken the sacred within your soul. Transformation begins February 2nd. Namaspa.com/40-days-to-personal-revolution “Horses,” Patti Smith Punk rock’s poet priestess Patti Smith helped set the template for punk and alter- native with 1975’s minimalist “Horses.” Over simple yet aggressive garage rock progres- sions, Smith snarls and spits sordid tales of New York City’s underground. The album almost single-handedly kicked off the art- punk movement and influenced everyone from R.E.M. to Hole. Bonus: “Cracked Rear View,” Hootie & the Blowfish Did you know Hootie & the Blowfish re- leased five more albums after its hit-filled 1994 debut album? Why would you? Just “Let Her Cry.” “The Cars,” The Cars Along with Cheap Trick, Squeeze and more, The Cars brought big guitars and hooks to the emerging new wave scene of the ’70s and ’80s. The quartet came fully formed with 1978’s self-titled offering, Continued on Page 5 Do you want to learn more about wine? Visit us at Monthly and Quarterly wine club options • PNW Quarterly • Pinot Club • Underground International Cellar • Specialty & Custom New Hours 141 NW Tues-Thurs 11-6:30 Minnesota Ave. Fri/Sat 12-8 Downtown Bend Closed Sun/Mon 541.410.1470