Everyone knows of the superstitious belief of a "sophomore slump" in the music industry. A brand new budding artist gets all their good stuff out into the world and then....bam they got nothing left. But the record company doesn't settle for that answer and neither will the contract you have with them. So the artist tends to release an album of, for lack of a better word, shit. Some bands almost instinctively know not to release a second album (what did happen to Dogs Die In Hot Cars?). The "sophomore slump" can kill a lot of people in the music biz....but not all. In fact after a browse through my music collection, I have found a few bands whose second album surpasses their debuts in the music world. Now most of this list may be based on opinion so I know I'll receive some crap for some of my choices (see below) but it stands to say that some people actually write better music when given a second chance.
Ash "1977"
An absolute leap in songwriting between this album and their debut "Trailer". "Kung Fu" is a perfect song to make the jump from earlier songs like "Hulk Hogan Bubble Bath" and "Jack Names The Planets" yet still encourage more listeners with a song like "Girl From Mars".
Belle and Sebastian "If You're Feeling Sinister"
The first choice I may get crap for from the fans of "Tigermilk". Don't get me wrong, the first album is good but "If You're Feeling Sinister" is great.
Cake "Fashion Nugget"
A very worthy album that launched Cake into the huge mesh of big 90's artists unlike his first album which spawned one single on all the college/indie radio stations and quickly forgotten once Cake went "the distance".
Chromeo "Fancy Footwork"
Another group who had a good first album but I really sank into this group when they FINALLY released their second album. Some things are worth the wait though especially when you're gonna release music videos with Dave on the side of a pizza van and parodies of Dire Straits.
The Dandy Warhols "Come Down"
This album is as "cool as Kim Deal". Besides their first album is as weird as their last one.
The Faint "Blank-Wave Arcade"
After their emo-esque debut "Media", this album was a refreshing break from the rest of Saddle Creek's humdrum Bright Eyes' wannabes. But we would still have to wait for "Danse Macabre" for perfection.
Foo Fighters "The Colour and The Shape"
This album has a very strange love/hate relationship for me. I was never a big Foo Fighters fan, but they seemed a natural progression from Nirvana. "Everlong" was a wonderful masterpiece but "My Hero" agitated me to the very core of my being. I think "Monkey Wrench" throws me over to the positive side of this album while the first album seems very weak in comparison.
Goldfrapp "Black Cherry"
Another choice that might damage my rep with the die-hard Goldfrapp fans who drool all over "Felt Mountain" as a masterpiece. I admit it's a great album....to fall asleep to, but give me the glammed out Goldfrapp anyday. "Strict Machine", "Twist", "Train".....this was the start of a beautiful relationship. Then she breaks your heart with her newest one trying to revitalize the "Felt Mountain" days.
Hot Chip "The Warning"
A definite improvement over their debut album with singles abound.
Hot Hot Heat "Make Up The Breakdown"
You mean they had another album before this one? Yeah and they would also like to forget their screaming hardcore days of "Scenes One Through Thirteen".
IMA Robot "Monument To The Masses"
I'm just a sucker for this band. The infectious first single "Creeps Me Out" to the ballad-esque "Lovers In Captivity". This album really pulled their sound together while their debut was a little rough around the edges.
Jimmy Eat World "Clarity"
Look out everybody! He's pulling out an emo band! But I have to give my respect to an album that changed my whole view of music from the crap that's force fed down your throat to a wide world of acts that actually have talent, passion, and creativity. This album was a masterpiece in my life and always will be.
Just Jack "Overtones"
I love alot of these British rap acts but Just Jack pulled this album together with more of a pop sound, and it worked very well.
The Knife "Deep Cuts"
A vast improvement over their unusual debut, making an interesting electronic album but still being able to liberally use steel drums.
Ladytron "Light & Magic"
Another electronica act breaking through with one single ("Seventeen") but their are many more hidden gems on this disc.
Nirvana "Nevermind"
You're probably thinking, "ah this list writer is now showing his true colors....he works for Spin, doesn't he?" Nope, I am not a sellout. This is just a better album and very well constructed compared to "Bleach". Yes, "Smells Like Teen Spirit" has been drug through the mud and this launched them into the mainstream world that corrupts and all the other BS. But still, a true masterpiece of music. (I actually tend to like "In Utero" better though, shhh.)
Radiohead "The Bends"
After hearing "Creep" for the thousandth time, "The Bends" was refreshing collection of hits to be had. From rockers like "Just" to the chill of "Street Spirit", everything on this album takes the cake.
Rilo Kiley "The Execution Of All Things"
Their lyrics and music just create an intense atmosphere that was lacking on their first disc, must have been that Omaha experience.
William Shatner "Has Been"
Listen to it and you will understand.
Smashing Pumpkins "Siamese Dream"
Ah, back when they were the Smashing Pumpkins and not Billy Corgon & Jimmy Chamberlin and others who were never in the band in the first place but we'll still call it a reunion. A simple rock masterpiece and soundtrack to most of our 90's lives. Of course "Gish" wasn't bad either.
The White Stripes "DeStijl"
They move from the obscure blues garage sound with lots of cover songs to a definite sound as their own. And they just keep rising from there.
So that's my list. Feel free to bash, add to, or comment in anyway you feel like expressing yourself. And remember not all sophomore album are good but Bloc Party for some reason keeps selling albums.
~StEvO
Ash "1977"
An absolute leap in songwriting between this album and their debut "Trailer". "Kung Fu" is a perfect song to make the jump from earlier songs like "Hulk Hogan Bubble Bath" and "Jack Names The Planets" yet still encourage more listeners with a song like "Girl From Mars".
Belle and Sebastian "If You're Feeling Sinister"
The first choice I may get crap for from the fans of "Tigermilk". Don't get me wrong, the first album is good but "If You're Feeling Sinister" is great.
Cake "Fashion Nugget"
A very worthy album that launched Cake into the huge mesh of big 90's artists unlike his first album which spawned one single on all the college/indie radio stations and quickly forgotten once Cake went "the distance".
Chromeo "Fancy Footwork"
Another group who had a good first album but I really sank into this group when they FINALLY released their second album. Some things are worth the wait though especially when you're gonna release music videos with Dave on the side of a pizza van and parodies of Dire Straits.
The Dandy Warhols "Come Down"
This album is as "cool as Kim Deal". Besides their first album is as weird as their last one.
The Faint "Blank-Wave Arcade"
After their emo-esque debut "Media", this album was a refreshing break from the rest of Saddle Creek's humdrum Bright Eyes' wannabes. But we would still have to wait for "Danse Macabre" for perfection.
Foo Fighters "The Colour and The Shape"
This album has a very strange love/hate relationship for me. I was never a big Foo Fighters fan, but they seemed a natural progression from Nirvana. "Everlong" was a wonderful masterpiece but "My Hero" agitated me to the very core of my being. I think "Monkey Wrench" throws me over to the positive side of this album while the first album seems very weak in comparison.
Goldfrapp "Black Cherry"
Another choice that might damage my rep with the die-hard Goldfrapp fans who drool all over "Felt Mountain" as a masterpiece. I admit it's a great album....to fall asleep to, but give me the glammed out Goldfrapp anyday. "Strict Machine", "Twist", "Train".....this was the start of a beautiful relationship. Then she breaks your heart with her newest one trying to revitalize the "Felt Mountain" days.
Hot Chip "The Warning"
A definite improvement over their debut album with singles abound.
Hot Hot Heat "Make Up The Breakdown"
You mean they had another album before this one? Yeah and they would also like to forget their screaming hardcore days of "Scenes One Through Thirteen".
IMA Robot "Monument To The Masses"
I'm just a sucker for this band. The infectious first single "Creeps Me Out" to the ballad-esque "Lovers In Captivity". This album really pulled their sound together while their debut was a little rough around the edges.
Jimmy Eat World "Clarity"
Look out everybody! He's pulling out an emo band! But I have to give my respect to an album that changed my whole view of music from the crap that's force fed down your throat to a wide world of acts that actually have talent, passion, and creativity. This album was a masterpiece in my life and always will be.
Just Jack "Overtones"
I love alot of these British rap acts but Just Jack pulled this album together with more of a pop sound, and it worked very well.
The Knife "Deep Cuts"
A vast improvement over their unusual debut, making an interesting electronic album but still being able to liberally use steel drums.
Ladytron "Light & Magic"
Another electronica act breaking through with one single ("Seventeen") but their are many more hidden gems on this disc.
Nirvana "Nevermind"
You're probably thinking, "ah this list writer is now showing his true colors....he works for Spin, doesn't he?" Nope, I am not a sellout. This is just a better album and very well constructed compared to "Bleach". Yes, "Smells Like Teen Spirit" has been drug through the mud and this launched them into the mainstream world that corrupts and all the other BS. But still, a true masterpiece of music. (I actually tend to like "In Utero" better though, shhh.)
Radiohead "The Bends"
After hearing "Creep" for the thousandth time, "The Bends" was refreshing collection of hits to be had. From rockers like "Just" to the chill of "Street Spirit", everything on this album takes the cake.
Rilo Kiley "The Execution Of All Things"
Their lyrics and music just create an intense atmosphere that was lacking on their first disc, must have been that Omaha experience.
William Shatner "Has Been"
Listen to it and you will understand.
Smashing Pumpkins "Siamese Dream"
Ah, back when they were the Smashing Pumpkins and not Billy Corgon & Jimmy Chamberlin and others who were never in the band in the first place but we'll still call it a reunion. A simple rock masterpiece and soundtrack to most of our 90's lives. Of course "Gish" wasn't bad either.
The White Stripes "DeStijl"
They move from the obscure blues garage sound with lots of cover songs to a definite sound as their own. And they just keep rising from there.
So that's my list. Feel free to bash, add to, or comment in anyway you feel like expressing yourself. And remember not all sophomore album are good but Bloc Party for some reason keeps selling albums.
~StEvO
Labels: lists, music, sophomore album
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