10 Best Debut Rock Albums

With Guns N Roses signaling the end of the hair metal movement, the door was open for alternative rock to take over. Out of Seattle came the defining sound of grunge, with bands like Soundgarden and Nirvana leading the charge. In terms of debuts though, it doesn't get much better than Pearl Jam's Ten.

This record is a great starting point for anyone mildly interested in alternative music. The sound was different while having roots in the 70's music and songs that were centered around an unstoppable groove. On songs like "Alive" and "Even Flow," Pearl Jam had hit on a great middle ground between heavy and melodic. The song "Black" also stands as one of the greatest songs of the 90's, with a spine-chilling performance by vocalist Eddie Vedder.

The lyrics were also a drastic turn to a focus on serious topics like homelessness, existentialism, and even reportage on the song "Jeremy." As such, the album can be heard on many different levels, from rocking out to deep contemplation. While hair metal may have been about one big party, Pearl Jam showed us a different way of rock that was thoughtful while still being a tunesfest.