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Bands/Artists Who Knocked It Out of the Park on Those First Two Albums-Pick # 10

Sea of Tranquility | July 23, 2026



Join Pete Pardo as he lists his favorite first two albums out of the gate from some of his favorite bands. List yours in the comments each day as well!
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Written by Sea of Tranquility

Comments

This post currently has 41 comments.

  2. @thefrogwasaprince

    July 23, 2026 at 4:06 am

    Pick #10
    Kansas – "Kansas" and "Song for America"

    When I started getting heavy into prog (like a couple years ago or so), I only really knew Zappa as far as American prog went. But Kansas was an eye opener for me because it was like a perfect marriage between symphonic prog and hard rock. While I'm not a big hard rock fan, I think these guys did it well. The keyboards and violin help contrast the heavier drums and guitars. So it was perfect for someone like me who loves dynamics in music. And you definitely hear that heavy symphonic sound in spades all throughout their first five albums. But specifically focusing on the first two today, the self titled debut and Song for America are full of gems and don't have the usual signs of "oh this band is still getting things figured out". Right out the gate, there's the classic Kansas sound. There are songs like Bringing It Back that are kinda lame and not proggy at all. But then you have the real proggy stuff like Belexes and Journey from Mariabronn. Catchy, hard rocking tracks while still having that lush progressive sound thanks to the many keyboards from Steve Walsh and Kerry Livgren. And man, what a fucking amazing vocalist Steve Walsh was. He absolutely needs to be in the conversation of best rock singers of all time. Just jaw dropping stuff on here. My favorite track might be the nine minute Apercu, which is pure symphonic prog that goes through many different sections. And an underrated part of the band I think is Dave Hope's bass playing. He does some great shit on Apercu especially. And then you get the finale Death of Mother Nature Suite, a song which is still relevant to this day. Especially with all the data centers fucking up the environment. The way it gets faster and faster near the end building up in intensity… it's a masterpiece, plain and simple. But of the two, there's one I like way more and that's Song for America. That's where the band really gets to stretch out and try some new things. All three of the epics are great, but I especially love Lamplight Symphony. It's also a track they didn't play live much. So it's one I really cherish and the couple live performances we have of it are fantastic. Sort of a prog ghost story, featuring more emotional vocals from Steve Walsh. And that violin from Robby Steinhardt is absolutely killer. The shorter tracks are definitely weaker (although I quite like Down the Road and The Devil Game), but the epics more than make up for them. Kansas are one of the most essential American prog bands, and these are two of the most essential American prog albums along with Masque, Leftoverture, and Point of Know Return. Fantastic stuff.

    Reply
  4. @johnshaner747

    July 23, 2026 at 4:06 am

    Hello people! Welcome to the top 10! Today's picks are two albums I don't own. The band is Black Sabbath. The albums are Black Sabbath and Paranoid. I used to own Paranoid. What a 1,2 punch. And Paranoid is so good. You have the title track, War Pigs, Iron Man, Faries Wear Boots, and Electric Funeral. What an album! As always, enjoy the music and take care. 😊

    Reply
  12. @georgasmussen9318

    July 23, 2026 at 4:06 am

    Great choice, "Rocka Rolla" still gets a bad rap only because it's not "metal" enough. It remains a solid, varied, interesting album and young Rob on vocals is already as good as he will ever be. BTW, both albums sound excellent on the old Castle Communications CD. Unfortunately, the Anniversary Remix is very compressed.

    Reply
  19. @richardkarbowski5224

    July 23, 2026 at 4:06 am

    Back to Italy today with Banco Del Muteo Soccorso and Darwin! by Banco del Muteo Soccorso. Both excellent symphonic prog albums with amazing operatic vocals. For those lucky enough to see their headlining slot at Nearfest 2001, this easily ranks in my top 5 concert experiences ever. They were a late replacement for the previous mentioned PFM, and completely blew the roof off the place, Francesco di Giacomo had the entire crowd in his hands that night…truly transcendent.

    Reply
  22. @1556metalhead

    July 23, 2026 at 4:06 am

    My favorite songs off of Rocka Rolla and Sad Wings of Destiny: Rocka – Rocka Rolla, Run of the Mill, Dying to meet You. Sad Wings – Victim of Changes, The Ripper, Dreamer Deceiver, Deceiver, Tyrant.

    Reply
  23. @Phil_2112

    July 23, 2026 at 4:06 am

    22. Spock's Beard : The Light ('95), Beware of Darkness ('96)

    21. The Black Crowes : Shake Your Money Maker ('90), The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion ('92)
    20. Stray : S/T ('70) , Suicide ('71)
    19. Doc Holliday : S/T('81), Rides Again ('82)
    18. Kansas: S/T ('74), Song for America ('75)
    17. Starcastle : S/T ('76), Fountains of Light ('77)
    16. Atomic Rooster : S/T, Death Walks Behind You (both from '70)
    15. Ted Nugent : S/T ('75), Free For All ('76)
    14. Pat Travers : S/T (’76), Makin' Magic ('77)
    13. Robin Trower : Twice Removed From Yesterday ('73) , Bridge of Sighs ('74)
    12. Molly Hatchet : S/T ('78), Flirtin' With Disaster ('79)
    11. UK : S/T ('78), Danger Money ('79)
    10. Cream : Fresh Cream ('66), Disraeli Gears ('67)
    9. Camel : S/T ('73), Mirage ('74)
    8. Colosseum II : Strange New Flesh ('76), Electric Savage ('77)
    7. Colosseum : Those Who Are About To Die Salute You, Valentyne Suite.
    Both from 1969
    6. Allman Brothers Band : S/T-1970, Idlewild South-1970
    5. Outlaws : S/T ('75), Lady In Waiting ('76)
    4. Black Sabbath : S/T, Paranoid. Both from 1970
    3. Bloodrock : S/T, 2. Both from 1970
    2. Rory Gallagher : S/T, Deuce (1971)
    1. Lynyrd Skynyrd : Pronounced ('73), Second Helping ('74)

    Reply
  27. @keithjones6023

    July 23, 2026 at 4:06 am

    Day 10
    Robert Plant
    Pictures at Eleven 1982
    The Principle of Moments 1983

    Two albums that in a way l enjoy just as much as Led Zeppelin records. Perhaps it's because they are a little lighter which suits me more. Whatever the reason, they both have some great tunes, such as……
    Pictures at Eleven…..
    Slow Dancer, Pledge Pin, and Fat Lip.
    On The Principle of Moments….
    Messin' With the Mekon, Thru With the Two Step, and Big Log.

    Reply
  28. @ziggyzagzi8017

    July 23, 2026 at 4:06 am

    July 22: ALL Hail OZZY! Black Sabbath
    Paranoid
    I got into them via
    Iron Man. But was that the tip of the iceberg!
    Paranoid is a Top 10 Rock album. A variety of themes and melodies, mixing the Heavy with a Voice of anxiety and positive hopes.
    Going back to the debut, Wow!! How in the World?!? R.i.P. Ozzy 🤘⚡🦇🌟🌠

    Reply
  31. @andrewcarr5923

    July 23, 2026 at 4:06 am

    Nina Simone – Little Girl Blue 1959/ The Amazing Nina Simone 1959
    The first two albums from the wonderful singer/songwriter/pianist, standout tracks include "Mood Indigo" "Love Me Or Leave Me" "My Baby Just Cares for Me"/ "Children Go Where I Send You" "Stompin' at the Savoy" "It Might as Well Be Spring" and "Solitaire", her first album is an undoubted masterpiece!

    Reply
  32. @thedarkwizardroom

    July 23, 2026 at 4:06 am

    Day 10=Hi Friends. Good to see you and Pete, Today Coney Hatch and self titled Coney Hatch(1982) and Outta Hand (1983), – Coney Hatch is a Canadian hard rock band who released three albums in the 1980s and released their album Four in 2013 and a live double album on vinyl, Postcard From Germany in 2023. Based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, the band consisted of vocalist and bassist Andy Curran, guitarist Steve Shelski and drummer Dave 'Thumper' Ketchum and later brought vocalist and guitarist Carl Dixon. The band was known for its loud live shows.[1] In 2023, the band played Sweden Rock Festival to positive reviews.[2] The band tours on a limited basis with three original members. Sean Kelly joined the lineup in 2014 replacing Steve Shelski. wiki
    ==================
    I have the vinyls of the albums and their 3rd Friction too on vinyl. Great hard rock and found the records at record show seem to recall in the 90s. Anyway when ever as I really like these albums. Stay tuned for more to fill in later.

    Reply
  39. @RichardBooth-u1i

    July 23, 2026 at 4:06 am

    #10. Jefferson Airplane – Takes Off (1966) & Surrealistic Pillow (1967)

    Founded in 1965, Jefferson Airplane was soon to emerge as the most dominant San Francisco band both culturally and musically. Marty Balin was the lead singer and primary songwriter on the “Takes Off” album. Signe Toly Anderson was the female vocalist on this record only; and Paul Kantner, rhythm guitar, completed the vocal front line.
    Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady were the lead guitar and bass guitar center of the group’s power and creative musical force. Casady in particular dominates the songs as the preeminent American bass player of his time. Listen to his incredible playing…it’s there on every tune !
    Skip Spence, later of Moby Grape, plays drums on this album before leaving the group soon after the album was completed.
    The best songs are: the doomy bleak “Blues From an Airplane”, “It’s No Secret”, “Come Up the Years” & an amazing version of “Let’s Get Together”(Chester Powers) …later made famous by The Youngbloods.
    Signe had her only lead vocal on an old blues tune titled “Chauffeur Blues”(Lester Melrose Memphis Minnie).
    The rest of the record had a mixture of ballads and mild rockers that all sound pretty good. They even had a problem with suggestive lyrics on some of the songs that had to be changed before the record company would release the album. That’s so quaint compared to what we hear today.
    Overall, “Takes Off” is a very good record that nonetheless was greatly overshadowed by the second album masterpiece to come.
    “Surrealistic Pillow”(supposedly named by Jerry Garcia) is one of the best records to represent the “Summer of Love” that was 1967.
    Spencer Dryden became the new drummer. He brought a true skill to his instrument that made the combo of Kaukonen, Casady & Dryden a formidable hard and heavy sound for the Jefferson Airplane. Paul Kantner also added a counterpoint element with his fine rhythm guitar accompaniment.
    But the big change was the addition of Grace Slick as the new female lead singer. She brought with her a beautiful voice and looks to match that made her a focal point for the band going forward. Her picture on the album cover is my favorite of all the female rock stars. Grace also brought two classic songs from her old band “Great Society”…which were: “Somebody to Love” and “White Rabbit”. They were the biggest hits by the group at the time and broke them to a wide audience nationwide.
    Other great songs are: “She Has Funny Cars”, “Today”, “3/5 of a Mile in Ten Seconds”, “D.C.B.A. -25”, “Plastic Fantastic Lover”, “How Do You Feel” & “My Best Friend”.
    The expanded version has lots of great songs with an emphasis on the blues. Everything is great on this album. It’s always fun to come back to Surrealistic Pillow !
    Together these two albums represent a wonderful contrast of styles that shows how dependent they are on each other. The band would continue to evolve album to album. “Bless its Pointed Little Head” was a live album recorded at Fillmore East and West in late 1968 that showed how they became a fine live band. “Bear Melt” at 11:22 is a classic extended jam tune from this band.
    Also check out the 11:04 version of “The Ballad of You and Me and Pooneil” added to their album “After Bathing at Baxter’s”. These two tunes are the best live performances by Jefferson Airplane.✈️

    More trivia…the song from this live album: “The Other Side of This Life”(Fred Neil) was playing on a car radio on the first episode of “The Sopranos” 📺😊

    Reply

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