Best Album Openers

sxesven · #1 26th January 2006, 01:11 PM

So what do you consider the best album openers in the history of the music? You know, those tracks that immediately set the tone and make you want to sit all the way through the album. I'm curious to see which songs people would would choice, so bring it on! Of course, it can be the entire song that makes you feel all warm inside, but also just those first few seconds, or even just that first note that makes it so perfect - doesn't matter, just choose! =D

My choices, limited to 10:

The Jesus & Mary Chain - Psychocandy - "Just Like Honey"
The Arcade Fire - Funeral - "Neigborhood #1 (Tunnels)"
Interpol - Turn On The Bright Lights - "Untitled"
Antony & The Johnsons - I Am A Bird Now - "Hope There's Someone"
Shiina Ringo - Karuki Zamen Kuri No Hana - "Shuukyou"
Explosions In The Sky - Those... - "Greet Death"
Fra-Foa - 13 Leaves - "Edge Of Life"
Refused - Songs To Fan The Flames Of Discontent - "Rather Be Dead"
U2 - The Joshua Tree - "Where The Streets Have No Name"
Cocteau Twins - Treasure - "Ivo"

Mad_Cactuar · #2 26th January 2006, 02:38 PM

In no particular order, although I like Gwen's best.

Ayumi Hamasaki- Catcher In The Light
It actually made the album start off well despite the not so stellar tracks and actually holds up our interest.

Utada Hikaru- Sakura Drops
Amazing song which grabs your attention at the very start and doesnt let go till the end.

Gwen Stefani- What You Waiting For?
Gives you a taste of the upcoming tracks, like a heavily condensed version of the actual album. Shocking, thought-provoking and stunning.

Natalie Imbruglia- That Day
An oddball, compared to the other tracks. But quite raw and colourful and strong. Like a beautiful disaster.

The Corrs- My Lagan Love
Excellent start of an excellent album. Fits the mood of everything and starts the CD well enough, ethereal and peaceful.

*Petit* · #3 26th January 2006, 02:49 PM

I think LOVEppears has one of the best openers ever. The first song implies what to come, without revealing much, and keeps the tension before the chorus of Fly High starts. ANd then I'm hooked at least.

alterna♥ · #4 26th January 2006, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MC Tatsujin

In no particular order, although I like Gwen's best.

Ayumi Hamasaki- Catcher In The Light
It actually made the album start off well despite the not so stellar tracks and actually holds up our interest.

Utada Hikaru- Sakura Drops
Amazing song which grabs your attention at the very start and doesnt let go till the end.

Gwen Stefani- What You Waiting For?
Gives you a taste of the upcoming tracks, like a heavily condensed version of the actual album. Shocking, thought-provoking and stunning.

Natalie Imbruglia- That Day
An oddball, compared to the other tracks. But quite raw and colourful and strong. Like a beautiful disaster.

The Corrs- My Lagan Love
Excellent start of an excellent album. Fits the mood of everything and starts the CD well enough, ethereal and peaceful.

I agree with those definately.
Also,

Ayumi Hamasaki- Duty
Utada - Exodus (the opening is explaining the album)
Namie Amuro - Style

elepop · #5 26th March 2006, 06:27 PM

5:09 am - Ai Otsuka
I am... - Ayumi Hamasaki
A Song for XX - Ayumi Hamasaki
Venus in the Dark - Mika Nakashima
it's only access - hitomi

Quote:

Originally Posted by alterna♥

Ayumi Hamasaki- Duty

That wasn't the opening.

~K+ · #6 27th March 2006, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asongforXX

A Song for XX - Ayumi Hamasaki

This isn't the opening neither.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BanFan

...completely annoying like that guy in High & Mighty Color.

Hear hear.

BanFan · #7 27th March 2006, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~K+

Hear hear.

Their first two singles are the only songs where it's not annoying.
And 'Style~get glory in this hand~'. He just seems a little too amateur compared to Marc and the m.o.v.e. rapper. .-.

Zeke. · #8 26th January 2006, 11:37 PM

Bold & Delicious - (miss)understood album - Ayumi Hamasaki

...not!

chibi_sunny · #9 27th January 2006, 01:44 AM

I actually realized that i like it when albums started out with a short catchy instrumental, just like how Ayu started My Story w/ "Catcher in the Light" or most of her other albums. They can really get you into the mood.

***ImpactBreaker*** · #10 27th January 2006, 03:59 AM

Without a doubt:

1 - Soushun - Hitomi Shimatani - crossover

Free Hand - Answer - SUPERCAR
Catcher In The Light - MY STORY - ayumi hamasaki
Opening - EXODUS - Utada
Identity~intro~ - ID - dream
L'utero - thermo plastic - hitomi
Comodón Johnson - TRAVELER - hitomi
5:09 - LOVE COOK - ai otsuka
Humpty Dumpty - Lost In Space - Aimee Mann
BREAK OF DAWN - BREAK OF DAWN - Do As infinity

sxesven · #11 27th January 2006, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImpactBreaker

Humpty Dumpty - Lost In Space - Aimee Mann

Good one as well (and funny enough, I'm just listening to Lost in Space now, haha). Brilliant opening song.

m-a-z-e · #12 27th January 2006, 12:36 PM

Sarah McLachlan - Surfacing - Building a Mystery
A beautiful song to start Sarah's greatest album imo.

Hamasaki Ayumi - I Am... - I Am...
Perect way to start an album, just Ayu's vocals then the music hits. Coupled with opening RUN and Connected, I Am... has a fantastic start.

Hitomi Shimatani - Heart & Symphony - Sky High
Really makes you believe this song will be a beautiful ballad but transforms into your typical Shimatani dancey song, very good indeed.

Marilyn Manson - Anti-christ Superstar - Irresponsible Hate Anthem
My favourite Marilyn Manson track.

Koda Kumi - grow into one - teaser feat.Clench & Blistah
My favourite intro in any J-Pop album.

Onitsuka Chihiro - Insomnia - Gekkou
Beautiful song, the single version which opens the album will certainly stick with me forever. Chihiro's vocals are goosebump inducing.

Shakespeare's Sister - Hormonally Yours - Goodbye Cruel World
Love this track, from one of my favourite albums ever.

Kate Bush - Hounds of Love - Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)
The best of them all, my most admired artist to date, Kate Bush and her best album 'Hounds of Love' with the stunning track, 'Running Up That Hill' very good start to an unforgettable album.

Ballerina_xXX · #13 22nd February 2006, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m-a-z-e

Kate Bush - Hounds of Love - Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)
The best of them all, my most admired artist to date, Kate Bush and her best album 'Hounds of Love' with the stunning track, 'Running Up That Hill' very good start to an unforgettable album.

Thats my favorite Kate Bush song ever!!!!!!!!!!!It's so amazing!!! Have you heard the Within Temptation cover?

m-a-z-e · #14 23rd February 2006, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ballerina_xXX

Thats my favorite Kate Bush song ever!!!!!!!!!!!It's so amazing!!! Have you heard the Within Temptation cover?

Yes I have! It's very nice indeed. Within Temptation are one of my favourite bands. ^^

sora-kara · #15 5th March 2006, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ballerina_xXX

Thats my favorite Kate Bush song ever!!!!!!!!!!!It's so amazing!!! Have you heard the Within Temptation cover?

Have you heard the Faith and the Muse cover?

IT fricken rocks.

hallelujah_united · #16 28th January 2006, 03:41 PM

I'm quite a fan of Catcher In The Light too. It's a great way to spirit you away into the mood of the album.

Then again, most albums I own have had terrible openers. I almost always skip opening tracks.

Mad_Cactuar · #17 28th January 2006, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hallelujah_united

Then again, most albums I own have had terrible openers. I almost always skip opening tracks.

Same heree. Some of them just don't fit, like Starting Over in Duty. And tons of others. I hate when first singles become album openers. Hate hate hate. Gwen Stefani's an exception though.

alterna♥ · #18 28th January 2006, 03:47 PM

BoA's Korean Album Atlantis Princess has a good opening song called, "Time to Begin", but the song loses it after the introduction and the album isn't that good (but It was good at it's time).

***ImpactBreaker*** · #19 28th January 2006, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alterna♥

BoA's Korean Album Atlantis Princess has a good opening song called, "Time to Begin", but the song loses it after the introduction and the album isn't that good (but It was good at it's time).

exactly! i was going to list that song too, but for some reason I had forgotten its name.

BanFan · #20 29th January 2006, 04:58 PM

RURUTIA - WATER FOREST - PAVANU (Pavane)
It is simply, in my opinion, the best J-pop album intro, ever (I don't listen to American music so I wouldn't know).

5:09 am - LOVE COOK - Ai Otsuka
This song's really cool. I love the instruments and I love songs with really constrating choruses. The best song on the album, and one of Ai's best songs ever.

Soushun - crossover - Hitomi Shimatani
I love the bridge, so Tim Burton-y. I think I like the music more than I like the singing, but once again, best song on the album.

Comodón Johnson - TRAVELER - hitomi
Haha. What a great way to start off this album. It's such a cute/nostalgic little intro. The motocycle's a nice touch too. I never get sick of the "La la la la la"s.

Shuukyou - Karuki Zamen Kuri No Hana - Shiina Ringo
Not the best song on the album, but it's still amazing and gets you prepared for whatever's coming up next. This one never really amazed me, but I like it a lot.

Love Goes On - pop/rock2 - globe
This song's really cool, and is pretty much the theme song for the album. It sounds like they all had fun making it.