New York Dolls [LP]

When the New York Dolls released their debut album in 1973, they managed to be named both “Best New Band” and “Worst Band” in Creem Magazine’s annual reader’s poll, and it usually takes something special to polarize an audience like that. While New York Dolls clearly came from a very specific time and place, this album still sounds fresh and hasn’t dated in the least — this is one of rock’s greatest debut albums, and a raucous statement of purpose that’s still bold and thoroughly engaging.