The Best Videos Of 1989 - '18 and Life'

Perhaps one of the greatest rock debut albums ever, Skid Row came out in 1989. Skid Row was smart in just going with the self-title for their debut. It helped brand them and the album seamlessly - and with the beautiful Sebastian Bach at the helm and amazing songs to boot - success was all but inevitable.

There are so many great tracks on Skid Row, but I think the best video + song combo is "18 and Life." The video matches the story of the song - and each band member gets a chance to be a star against a black backdrop. What could be better?

Comments

[Gogmagog]

Allyson comes out swinging today, and I, for one, love it. Bold statement, for sure, but one that absolutely can't be wrong, because it's her opinion.

As I was thinking about this, and perusing a few "best debut album" lists, I started to wonder what should count as a debut album. Should Blizzard of Oz, or Holy Diver or Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow be counted as debut albums, given the prior experience of the principles on those records? Surely a decade or more of writing and recording major label albums gives an artist a HUGE advantage over some 19 year old up-and-coming newbies. Led Zeppelin I is a phenomenal record, one that I can't believe isn't ranked higher on lists than it is, but Jimmy Page recorded an album with The Yardbirds. Does that mean it should go further down on the list than Van Halen I (or Skid Row)? What about Pearl Jam's Ten? Most of those guys were in other bands (Green River, Mother Love Bone) that had recorded records, but were regional releases in every sense of the word. Maybe, possibly, I don't know.

If Skid Row's self-titled debut really is the best first record in history, that means it's better than (in no particular order):

The Doors
Boston
Van Halen I
Led Zeppelin !
Black Sabbath
Appetite For Destruction
Iron Maiden
Aerosmith
Facelift (Alice In Chains)
Ten (Pearl Jam)
Too Fast For Love (Crue)
Mechanical Resonance (Tesla)
On Through The Night (Def Leppard), which will top nobody's list, including mine, but should be in the discussion, IMHO

Perhaps I don't give Skid Row's debut enough credit because Slave To The Grind is SO EFFING GOOD, but I wouldn't rank it ahead of any of those I listed above.

[Him]

Slow . . . steady . . . clap, Gogmagog. I'd stand up as well. But the top of my tent is fairly low. And it is moist outside.

As you say, it is an opinion. All are entitled to one. And it is certainly not out of the realm (as in, way off base or out of bounds). But I hear what you are saying.

Heck, we could even do another dance. How about "best second acts" (a notoriously tricky thing)? If that is the case, I would certainly place Skid Row's second above their first as well!

[crued]

I can't add to much to the above conversation but I saw skid row last night at the Georgia national fair. And they f*cking ROCKED!!! what was cool was if you pre-purchased your ticket ($10) you got into the fair for free! win/win! Also saw Foghat Monday night what a killer show! i was very surprised. tonight is kool &the gang cool band but I'll pass.

@Gogamoog wow! what a group of debuts that's a toughie

but we can all agree on slave to the grind above their first!