One of my favorites is “PWEI vs the Moral Majority”, which is the opener to PWEI’s “The Cure for Sanity”. The music is atmospheric along with an overture, previewing the melody to all the album tracks under an extended sample of Jerry Falwell raging about the evils of rock music, ending with “Satan uses this music to hammer, hammer, hammer this message into the minds and the lifestyles of this generation!” and then it drops into a techno dancebeat at the start of “Dance of the Mad Bastards”.
The album has stronger songs, of course, but I love how Songs in the Key of Life gets such a soulful and emotional start with “Love’s in Need of Love Today.”
“Introduction” - Chicago Transit Authority
First album, first song, here’s who we are and what we do. (followed on Side A by “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?” and “Beginnings”)
“Donna Lee” - Jaco Pastorius
First album, first song, here’s who I am and what I do—and y’all are going to be trying to figure this/me out forever. In the context of bass playing in the mid-70s this as well have been from Neptune.
3 of my all-time favorites albums - and each got off on the right foot.
Unlike “School’s Out”, these numbers might not necessarily be my #1 favorite tracks on the particular LP/CD, but they are superb, and they set the tone for what’s to come. Sometimes an album can open strong, but disappointingly fade. But these signal greatness, and deliver on that, song after song.
Peter Gabriel’s So. Not just music video wise with Sledgehammer and Big Time, but you gotta love Stewart Copeland’s Hi-Hat at the beginning of Red Rain.
Speaking of Genesis their Invisible Touch album was released in ‘86 as well. Phil also hits it out of the park at the beginning.
