17 classic "self-titled" albums

12 August 2023, 12:00

Classic eponymous albums from The Stone Roses, Blur, The Libertines, Foo Fighters, Weezer and The Doors
Classic eponymous albums from The Stone Roses, Blur, The Libertines, Foo Fighters, Weezer and The Doors. Picture: Press

Are the eponymous LPs the best LPs? Let’s take a look at the evidence… from The Beatles to Blur.

  1. Blur (1997)

    In 1997, Graham Coxon led the band into uncharted, guitar-heavy waters. Kicking off with the maudlin Beetlebum, there’s a quick gear change into Song 2 and Blur guaranteed themselves a life after Britpop.

    Blur self-titled album cover
    Blur self-titled album cover. Picture: Press
  2. The Stone Roses (1989)

    We couldn’t leave this one out, could we? Lengthy, ambitious and epic, this debut ranges from sweet indie pop to psychedelic jams with effortless style. A record so impressive it took them five years to follow it up.

    The Stone Roses debut album cover artwork
    The Stone Roses debut album cover artwork. Picture: Press
  3. The Libertines (1997)

    Pete Doherty and Carl Barat’s second album from 2004, and their last until 2015’s Anthem For Doomed Youth. At the time, it seemed like this was the last we’d hear of the band and it kicks off with the appropriate Can’t Stand Me Now and closes with the wistful What Became Of The Likely Lads?

    The Libertines - The Libertines album cover
    The Libertines - The Libertines album cover. Picture: Press
  4. Placebo (1996)

    As a statement of intent, you can’t do better than Brian Molko’s debut, which managed to spawn five great singles, including Nancy Boy, Teenage Angst and Bruise Pristine.

    Placebo - Placebo debut album artwork
    Placebo - Placebo debut album artwork. Picture: Press
  5. The La's (1990)

    If you’re gonna release a debut and make it self-titled, do it like this. The La’s were a Merseyside band led by Lee Mavers and featured John Power, later with Britpoppers Cast. Their 1990 debut was also their only full-length release, features the classic There She Goes and paved the way for Oasis to bring back 60s-tinged guitar pop in a big way.

    The La's debut album
    The La's debut album. Picture: Press
  6. Elastica (1995)

    One of the key Britpop releases, Justine Frischmann forged a strong identity as a songwriter with this rapid-fire New Wave-styled tracks - 15 in just under 40 minutes! The album includes the wry Line-Up, the melodic Waking Up and the ever-popular Connection.

    Elastica self-titled debut album
    Elastica self-titled debut album. Picture: Press
  7. The Beatles (1968)

    Everyone calls it the “White Album” due to the blank cover, but it was actually the Fab Four’s entry into the eponymous stakes. And it’s an apt title as this sprawling double album showcases the four members’ different styles and characters. Yeah, even Ringo.

    The Beatles - "White Album" cover artwork
    The Beatles - "White Album" cover artwork. Picture: Press
  8. Gorillaz (2001)

    Damon Albarn refined the formula over the years, but his first record in collaboration with artist Jamie Hewlett sets out the template. The hits were 19-2000, Clint Eastwood and the underrated Tomorrow Comes Today

    Gorillaz self-titled debut album
    Gorillaz self-titled debut album. Picture: Press
  9. The Coral (2002)

    The debut album from the Merseyside folk-rockers, this LP gives full rein to James Skelly’s eclectic influences, with the quirky Skeleton Key balancing the sweet ditty that is Dreaming Of You.

    The Coral self-titled album
    The Coral self-titled album. Picture: Press
  10. Foo Fighters (1995)

    The first record from Dave Grohl as a songwriter seems more remarkable now, following the huge success of the Foos. Pretty much recorded by Big Dave on his own, tracks like the epic This Is A Call and Big Me proved he could come out from the shadow of Kurt Cobain.

    Foo Fighters debut album
    Foo Fighters debut album. Picture: Press
  11. The Smiths (1984)

    The band weren’t keen on the finished product, but their debut album gives Morrissey the first chance to create his own lyrical world and Johnny Marr an opportunity to create beautiful music around it. It’s a very idiosyncratic record, but one that received a lot of love.

    The Smiths, self-titled debut album
    The Smiths, self-titled debut album. Picture: Press
  12. The Clash (1977)

    While the Sex Pistols were faffing about with different record labels, their West London rivals got their album in there first in April ’77. Tracks like White Riot, Career Opportunities and Janie Jones defined the year and the cover of Police And Thieves highlighted the reggae crossover that was blossoming in the UK.

    The Clash self-titled debut album
    The Clash self-titled debut album. Picture: Press
  13. Led Zeppelin (1969)

    Ah, but which one? Like Peter Gabriel and Weezer, the Zep were fond of an eponymous title, notching up four self-titled albums until they came up with Houses Of The Holy in 1973. We’re plumping for Led Zep II cos it opens with Whole Lotta Love and includes that beast of a track, Ramble On.

    Led Zeppelin II album cover
    Led Zeppelin II album cover. Picture: Press
  14. Metallica (1991)

    Like The Beatles, Metallica’s self-titled album had a colour, and that colour was BLACK. The band proved that heavy rock could still be a major force in the 90s musical landscape with this mammoth production: Enter Sandman, Sad But True, The Unforgiven, Nothing Else Matters… An absolute stormer of a record.

    Metallica - Black Album cover
    Metallica - Black Album cover. Picture: Press
  15. Weezer (1994)

    Another band that couldn’t come up with titles, the “Blue Album” is still a favourite from the stupidity of the opener My Name Is Jonas through the ponderous Undone - The Sweater Song and the classic Buddy Holly. They have released four more eponymous albums, all in different coloured sleeves.

    Weezer - The Blue Album cover artwork
    Weezer - The Blue Album cover artwork. Picture: Press
  16. Garbage (1995)

    Scottish singer Shirley Manson hooks up with some American musicians and the results are impressive. The brainchild of Nirvana producer Butch Vig, the album contains the hits Queer, Only Happy When It Rains and Stupid Girl.

    Garbage self-titled album cover
    Garbage self-titled album cover. Picture: Press
  17. The Doors (1967)

    Another great debut, self-titled. One of the key American albums of the psychedelic era, it starts with the shuffle of Break On Through (To The Other Side) and climaxes with Jim Morrison’s epic sound poem The End. And it’s also got flippin’ Light My Fire on it.

    The Doors - self-titled debut album
    The Doors - self-titled debut album. Picture: Press

TRENDING ON RADIO X

Heading out on tour in '24: Kasabian, The Last Dinner Party and The Libertines

The biggest gigs and tours to come in 2024

Artists with new albums for 2024: Kasabian, Kings Of Leon and The Zutons.

The most anticipated new albums for 2024

Kasabian press image 2024

Serge Pizzorno: Kasabian's Call single is "built for festivals and big shows"

Catfish & The Bottlemen's Van McCann

Catfish & The Bottlemen's 2024 dates: How to buy tickets

Liam Gallagher Performs At The Festival O Son Do Camiño In Santiago De Compostela in 2022

Liam Gallagher & Friends: Malta Weekender line-up, tickets & pre-sale info