Avril Lavigne's first album is probably her best quality wise, but Under My Skin and Goodbye Lullaby are nearly JUST as good. However Let Go takes the biscuit. Let Go is perfect, therefore it can only be matched. Goodbye Lullaby and Under My Skin nearly match the quality - I think lyrics let Under My Skin down, and some of Avril's self-written such as 4 Real, and Alice were so bad on Goodbye Lullaby.
Certainly no Pop singer with a catalog. It takes pop singers a while to get themselves together and know themselves artistically plus they're not allowed to do much on their debuts.
Now, for artists who aren't Pop singers in the usual sense, this is a somewhat common belief. I'm not sure why it is but I'm thinking it's because they are typically more mature and they've worked relentlessly up to their debut album for years. They could continue to do great work after their debut and the first (or first major label breakthrough) would still be considered their best.
Certainly no Pop singer with a catalog. It takes pop singers a while to get themselves together and know themselves artistically plus they're not allowed to do much on their debuts.
Now, for artists who aren't Pop singers in the usual sense, this is a somewhat common belief. I'm not sure why it is but I'm thinking it's because they are typically more mature and they've worked relentlessly up to their debut album for years. They could continue to do great work after their debut and the first (or first major label breakthrough) would still be considered their best.