"#1 Record" is the debut album from rock band Big Star back in 1972. The album received overall critical acclaim when the album was released but poor distribution of the album hindered the band from reaching massive success. Big Star was formed by former Box Tops frontman Alex Chilton who brought the band an already successful musician to help create the unique sound the album had for the time. Many people rank this as one of the most underrated albums ever and for good reason, "#1 Record" displays every positive aspect of "Classic Rock" as well as infusing some of the earliest remnants of alternative/indie rock.
The album doesn't exactly reinvent the wheel but they took an established genre and created a really, really, good album from it. The album hits you hard with in your face riffs on the first half of the album and mellows out with many acoustic melodies and synchronized harmonies reminiscent of The Byrds or Crosby, Stills, & Nash. "#1 Record" fires on all cylinders and just about every song is solid or really solid. One of the tracks that I find myself hitting replay on a lot is "Thirteen". The sweet melody, soft acoustics, and nostalgic look back at junior high school really hits home for me and is the most beautifully crafted songs on "#1 Record".
I'm a bigger fan of the first half of the record just because its heavier, but the acoustically dominate second half provides a great deal of balance and really completes the album on that front. The band had all the chops in the world to make more iconic tunes but it just goes to show you that exposure and distribution can make or break a band, not matter how talented they may be. The band influenced many artists including "R.E.M." and "The Replacements" who continually pay homage to Alex Chilton and Big Star.
Final Summary:
Big Star created one of the most underrated albums of the 70's that deserves a lot more exposure than it got. I'd check out the Big Star Documentary "Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me" that is currently on Netflix if you want an in depth look at the band's history. It's hard to create a perfectly balanced record. Everything needs to fall in place ever so precisely in order for that to happen and it did with "#1 Record". Alex Chilton went from one successful bout with the Box Tops and created a masterful album that will be looked back on as one we all may have missed.
Rating: 9.2/10
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