What makes First Comes First by The Paddingtons notable?

'First Comes First' received positive reviews upon release, establishing The Paddingtons as a notable presence in the UK indie music landscape. It reached number 14 on the UK Albums Chart, reflecting a strong commercial response that showcased the band's appeal during a period of heightened interest in guitar-driven music. Released in January 2005, 'First Comes First' is The Paddingtons' debut album, arriving after their early singles gained traction in the UK indie rock scene. The album marked a significant moment as the band sought to carve out their identity amidst the burgeoning garage rock revival of the early 2000s.

How many songs are on First Comes First?

First Comes First has 11 tracks, running approximately 33 minutes.

First Comes First

The Paddingtons · 2005

33 min · 11 tracks · indie rock

Raucous guitar riffs and anthemic choruses define this gritty yet melodic exploration of youthful disillusionment.

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Top tracks — play these first

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First Comes First — The title track encapsulates the album's ethos with its catchy hooks and energetic delivery, highlighting themes of youthful urgency and ambition.
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Panic Attack — This track stands out for its frenetic pace and raw lyrical honesty, capturing the anxiety and restlessness often experienced in young adulthood.
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Sorry — Closing the album, this song offers a reflective contrast to earlier tracks, showcasing emotional depth and maturation through its introspective lyrics.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

43 /100

Lowland

Higher than 2% of albums we've rated

The album showcases energetic songwriting with anthemic choruses but lacks depth for long-term engagement.

What we noticed

The album opens with a high-energy track that sets a fast tempo, which is maintained through the first half before slowing down slightly in the latter part.
Choruses are consistently anthemic, often featuring layered vocals that invite sing-alongs, particularly in tracks like 'First Comes First' and 'Panic Attack'.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 5/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Some Old Girl 3:04
2 First Comes First 2:55
3 50 2 a £ 3:03
4 Worse For Wear 2:32
5 Loser 2:14
6 Panic Attack 3:29
7 Tommy's Disease 3:32
8 Stop Breathing 2:18
9 Alright in the Morning 3:08
10 21 2:24
11 Sorry 4:55

What to play next

Listen next

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2008

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21

2004

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indie rock

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