OT: What is the best opener to an album ever?

[HFCS]

Hello from What's the Story Morning Glory? by Oasis.

Probably my favorite song off of one of my favorite albums of all time. Just sets the tone so well for a classic album at the height of 90's alternative music.

underrated song

 

[acoustimac]

I have two...
More Than a Feeling - Boston
Carry in Wayward Son - Kansas 'Leftoverture'

 

[pourcyne]

Lots of vinyl fans here, it appears. I have two true openers..."Skating Away" from War Child by Jethro Tull..."[sounds of making tea, followed by]...Meanwhile back in the Year One / When you belonged to no one" first words on that side (unfortunately, it's side two).

And though I am no fan (or purchaser) of Michael Jackson, I am SHOCKED, shocked I say, that no one has mentioned Vincent Price's recitation of "Darkness falls across the land" on Thriller. Can't you dig it?

[video=youtube_share;bordM7deZ38]http://youtu.be/bordM7deZ38[/video]

 

[roundball]

This thread had some potential, until guys who know bands that nobody else knows, showed up. Just to show they know more about bands than everyone else.

Agreed. I'm tired of hearing about all of these obscure acts like Led Zeppelin and the Beatles.

 

[ShopTalk]

You know what, Children of the Sun by Billy Thorpe has a great opening:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XR2oct3zeTM

 

[Clonefan32]

"Out on the Weekend" on Harvest by Neil Young

 

[klamath632]

And though I am no fan (or purchaser) of Michael Jackson, I am SHOCKED, shocked I say, that no one has mentioned Vincent Price's recitation of "Darkness falls across the land" on Thriller. Can't you dig it?

The opener on the Thriller album was "Wannabe Starting Something."

 

[Angie]

Lots of vinyl fans here, it appears. I have two true openers..."Skating Away" from War Child by Jethro Tull..."[sounds of making tea, followed by]...Meanwhile back in the Year One / When you belonged to no one" first words on that side (unfortunately, it's side two).

And though I am no fan (or purchaser) of Michael Jackson, I am SHOCKED, shocked I say, that no one has mentioned Vincent Price's recitation of "Darkness falls across the land" on Thriller. Can't you dig it?

[video=youtube_share;bordM7deZ38]http://youtu.be/bordM7deZ38[/video]

That was a great part of the song "Thriller," but "Wanna Be Startin' Something" opened the LP.

 

[Angie]

The opener on the Thriller album was "Wannabe Starting Something."

You beat me!

 

[SWCy13]

I'm gonna throw out Mouth for War off of Pantera's Vulgar Display of Power album. Really sets the tone for what's to come with the rest of the tracks.

 

[cytown]

Artist: Mudvayne
Album: Lost and Found
Track: Determined

 

[Clonefan32]

"Testify" Rage Against the Machine-- The Battle of Los Angeles

 

[GrindingAway]

Damn. Completely forgot about that. Nerdiness allowed. I guess I can't say that Release is one of my favorite end songs now either.

No but it's the correct answer to best concert opener.

 

[WAP311]

This is old and was in my dad's vinyl collection, but "riding the storm out" by REO Speedwagon was always one of my all time faves. The opening with the siren is very cool.

On a different note, the beginning/interludes of Enter the 36 Chambers is awesome. Wu-Tang Clan ain't nothin' to F' wit!

 

[cyclones500]

This thread had some potential, until guys who know bands that nobody else knows, showed up. Just to show they know more about bands than everyone else.

I feel like I'm among the targets of this comment. :wideeyed:

And I do know more. -----> wink:

 

[cyclones500]

I'm generally a fan of 60s rock but I have to go with...

Airbag from Radiohead's OK Computer, the first 10 seconds of that album are the best 10 seconds of the start of any album I've listened too. I like the album but in my opinion the best part of it is the very beginning.

You inspired me to go back & listen to "Airbag." I like the entire song as a tone-setter for that album; and how that intro riff suggests a heavier song until it morphs into the groove of that track.

 

[Psiclone]

Too bad the rest of that album is a major let down after Gimme Shelter.

I have to agree with Welcome to the Jungle from Appetite or Hell's Bells from Back in Black
On a more obscure note the opening track from Ra by Utopia is pretty cool.

Not sure if you're serious re: Let it Bleed. It's one of their best albums, right behind Beggars Banquet.

 

[Psiclone]

Quadrophenia's "I Am the Sea", which is a quiet medley of the four songs that make up the personalities in "Quadrophenia".

Yes, my favorite The Who album. A perfect blend of the various themes on the album with the sound of the surf, leading into "The Real Me" with the killer base.

 

[cyclones500]

Another candidate:

"Fight Test," The Flaming Lips (Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots).

I didn't think the rest of the album held up well after that song, though.

 

[ThurgoodMarshal]

That one came to mind for me, among many. (B-Boys were really good at album openers).

I can only assume that you're talking about the first track off of the Backstreet Boys album which shares the same name, Backstreet's Back.


Looks like I'm pretty late to the party but still wanted to throw in a few of my favorites that I didn't see listed:
"Bring Da Ruckus" by Wu-Tang Clan (36 Chambers 1993)
"Son et Lumière / Inertiatic ESP" by The Mars Volta (De-Loused in the Comatorium 2003)
"Make it Sick" by Attila (Rage 2010)
"Battery" by Metallica (Master of Puppets 1986)
"Cowboys From Hell" by Pantera (Cowboys From Hell 1990)