The First Track

This post was inspired by "Twice As Hard" by The Black Crowes.

Some fans and critics describe debut albums as the most important album for a band--like a job interview. These days it is easy, in the however long it takes to make an impression, for a band to make an impact on a listener. In the end, the band is selling their product and their brand to the listener.

In job interviews, the interviewer can make a judgment simply on what you have chosen to wear to the interview. We can make a parallel of this to the cover art. How does the band present themselves? While an interview might look for professionalism, the prospective listener looks for intrigue, whatever that might be for them.

You may call me harsh or strict but a listener, upon first listen, should be able to make a judgment on a band in the first two minutes of their first track. It should be intriguing. It does not have be their best because what kind of album is it if they go ahead and give you their best to lead off? How does the interviewer react if he or she hires you and you perform consistently worse after the interview?

With that said, the choice of first track is something bands must consider carefully. A listener must consider that in essence making a debut album with be not necessarily easier than making all later albums, but more creatively fluid. Say someone starts a band at 22. That means they have every bit of creative energy and every influence in their first 22 years packed in that debut album. When they make their second album, they are going to be drawing from one to five years of experience (the gap between albums).

Now with the first track it is important for bands to not let a listener just pass them over. My perspective comes from intrigue. Give me your weirdest sound or your sickest intro. Do something people do not usually do. Make me want to listen to all the other tracks. This is the first I have heard your music and I should want to hear more.

In its essence, a debut track should give me an idea of what you can do. Sound like you know what you are doing. Run your show.

TIME TO RANT. Attention: If your first track is an intro or some song where the title has your name in it or explains where you comes from or "how you roll," there's a good chance I will not finish the song. Does a writer focus his chapter or poem by explaining how he write? Does a movie director describe how he directs by interrupting the film? Does an artist provide a written note telling you why he did what he did? No they sure don't. Write and play as you would. I do not need your introductions or explanations. I can tell in your material. I know Arctic Monkeys come from a shithole. I know Zac Brown Band loves the beach. I know Tame Impala likes psychedelic Beatles era. I know Red Hot Chili Peppers are from southern California. Cut the crap and just play. Phew, we carry on.

Make it special because it might be all the time you have with my ears. Good first tracks will grab attention, but keep you guessing and asking questions like where will this go or how can they build on that?

Good first tracks:
"Don't Panic"                             Coldplay
"Dog Days Are Over"                Florence + the Machine
"Jenny Was a Friend of Mine"  The Killers
"Mansard Roof"                        Vampire Weekend
"Backwoods Company"            The Wild Feathers
"Good Times Bad Times"         Led Zeppelin
"Once"                                       Pearl Jam
"Radio Free Europe"                 R.E.M.
"I Will Follow"                          U2

The first track is all about making an impact. Don't waste my time.