Journal

As I said last week, I suddenly have a short flush of inspiration for these Tuesday Tens at the moment. This one has taken me weeks to collate, gave me lots of ideas, and perhaps even more music to re-evaluate. This week it's about debut albums, and in particular ones I really like or left a lasting impression.

There are many debut albums I really don't like, though - and this even applies to bands I otherwise adore. I can't stand the first albums from (to pick a few examples in my collection) The Afghan Whigs, In Strict Confidence, Spahn Ranch, Type O Negative, to name four. Maybe it's just because I got into all four bands a little further down the line. Maybe they simply weren't that great to start with. Other debuts captivated me for numerous reasons, either when they were released, or when I got to listen to them at a later point, and these are the ten that made this list. And when creating the shortlist for it, I came to the scary realisation that I had created a subject that was far too broad. …

...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead have been an interest of mine for nearly 3 years now - I was criminally late to their party, so to speak, but now they're firmly cemented as my favourite band (that's still together, at least).

I've recently (finally) completed my Trail of Dead collection, and in celebration, I am devoting this evening to listening to all of the albums in order. And I will comment on the way. Because I'm quite sad like that.

So, first up...

...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead

This is only the second time I've listened to this album in full, and I can't help but think it has the feel of a band trying to find their 'sound', for want of a better phrase. While the songs are great, they don't quite have the blistering energy of some of their later albums. Richter Scale Madness is a song that will never be as good on record as it is live, which is a pity. That's not to say it's a bad song though. …