Suzanne Vega - Suzanne Vega

Though not the songs that would put her on the pop music map--that would come with 1987's Solitude Standing--Vega's first album, Suzanne Vega, shows her folky song-writing origins and, song-for-song, may still be her best. Produced by Patti Smith guitarist Lenny Kaye, the sound is softly sculpted by Kaye's silvery guitar and an airy, occasional string section, matching the dream-like introspection of "Queen and the Soldier" and the surreal word play of "Small Blue Thing". Vega's philosophical, quiet-but-confident approach would open the door for a second generation of female singer-songwriters like Dar Williams and Shawn Colvin. Her debut remains an unassuming sleeper for one of the 1980s best folk or pop albums.

1. Cracking

2. Freeze Tag

3. Marlene on the Wall

4. Small Blue Thing

5. Straight Lines

6. Undertow

7. Some Journey

8. Queen and the Soldier

9. Knight Moves

10. Neighborhood Girls