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Lou Tilsley's avatar

Is the sophomore slump actually a thing? I’m honestly struggling to think of artists where the second album was a disappointment.

Pet Shop Boys second album was Actually and it’s certainly my favourite of theirs, and one of my all-time favourites. Nevermind by Nirvana also needs consideration. REM’s Reckoning is fantastic… I’m not even mentioning my three favourite bands but all of their second albums are excellent. Spoilt for choice!

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Steve Goldberg's avatar

I agree, I think it’s the exception when there is a sophomore slump. I would also add parameters, like “band or artist who released 5 or more records.” I am kind of anal when it comes to such topics. I like guardrails.

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Mallie Hart's avatar

I may have to add those parameters, Steve. I don't know if I'm down to do part 137 of this series! 😜

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Lou Tilsley's avatar

Should add I’m not averse to showcasing second albums, I just think there will be stacks to choose from.

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Mallie Hart's avatar

Truth!

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Mallie Hart's avatar

So, let's use REM as an example. Do we ignore EPs? As it came out between Murmur and Reckoning. I don't think we should ignore it, as it's more new than repeat, but ...

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Lou Tilsley's avatar

Which EP are you thinking of? I only know of Chronic Town which I think was pre-Murmur. Would that make Murmur the second album?

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Lou Tilsley's avatar

It’s also a great EP so I don’t think there’s any slumping

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Mallie Hart's avatar

Yep. Chronic Town came out 9 months prior to Murmur. So, if we count EPs, then Murmur is the second release. And we all know it’s ABSOLUTELY NOT a slump!

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Mallie Hart's avatar

Sorry, I got my dates transposed, so sorry for the confusion about CT coming out between Murmur and Reckoning!

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Lou Tilsley's avatar

Easily done! I think I would be tempted to discount EPs anyway, personally.

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NickS (WA)'s avatar

David Bowie's second (1969) album is clearly better than his first.

In honor of Chase Roper I'll mention that Lincoln is an improvement from They Might Be Giants debut.

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Mallie Hart's avatar

TMBG is a great idea. But this isn't about being better than the debut, it's about avoiding the sophomore slump.

Example, Arcade Fire. The debut is stellar. But Neon Bible is certainly not suffering from the slump.

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NickS (WA)'s avatar

Got it.

So, for example, Guy Clark's first two albums (_Old No. 1_ and _Texas Cooking_) are both strong.

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Jeremy Shatan's avatar

This is such fun to think about. There are even second albums that were such a leap from the first that many think they are the first! I'm thinking specifically of The Infamous by Mobb Deep. After a disappointing reception to Juvenile Hell, they thought they were done. But then they heard Nas, who's also from Queens, and were, like, we're not going out like that! The rest is hip-hop history.

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Mallie Hart's avatar

I know! As soon as I saw Kevin mention it, I had immediate ideas. There are so many options. This series could go on for a while! Thanks!

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Kevin Alexander's avatar

So, so many options!

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3Albums6OldGuys's avatar

Just found out about this. Love the list. We just did a radio show just this past Sunday on local radio in DC on sophomore albums. Incredible stuff to choose from — and we didn’t even cover these. Frightened rabbit - what a great call. Here’s a link to our show if you want to check it out. https://spinitron.com/WOWD/pl/19455625/Sunday-Midday

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Steve Goldberg's avatar

I feel like it’s actually the exception when the 2nd album is a clear misstep, not the rule. I think to narrow this topic down, I’ll choose 2nd albums that took a band or artist to a new level.

Grandaddy’s Sophtware Slump seems to be the perfect pick for such a topic.

Also, Rush’s Fly By Night. But maybe that’s cheating as Neil Peart joined for that one.

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Chase Roper's avatar

One of my favorite albums of all time is ‘Lincoln’ by They Might Be Giants. Their second album which released in 1988 and I wouldn’t find until my early teen years in 1992ish.

I recently watched a full review of this album Fantano on YouTube, who is also an enormous fan of this album.

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Mallie Hart's avatar

It's a great second album!

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Todo dia uma ideia qualquer's avatar

Chico Science & Nação Zumbi's "Afrociberdelia". That also happened to be their last one together. Chico passed away shortly after its release. Nação Zumbi carries on.

https://www.deezer.com/br/album/1215892

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Kevin Alexander's avatar

This is awesome! Totally Crushed Out is a fantastic pick.

More importantly, I hope you're feeling better ASAP!

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Brian Forkum's avatar

Kings of Leon - Aha shake heartbreak?

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Mallie Hart's avatar

Definitely one to consider.

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Dusty Wright's avatar

Oasis! Come on, their second album is even better than their debut! How about Led Zeppelin II? Yep. Elvis Costello's This Year's Model? Yowzer! Neil Young's Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere? Indeed! And so on...

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Mallie Hart's avatar

Thanks for the suggestions. The Elvis Costello has the most chance of showing up in a future installment.

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Thomas Morra's avatar

https://lilyseabird.bandcamp.com/album/alas

Here’s a contender. Her first album is great but this one is sublime.

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Dan Pal's avatar

In terms of great sophomore albums I'd go with:

-Rapture - Anita Baker

-The Only Place - Best Coast

-After the Disco - Broken Bells

-Candy O - The Cars

-Sheryl Crow - Sheryl Crow

-Whitney - Whitney Houston

-Ingenue - k.d. Lang

-Seal II - Seal

-Solitude Standing - Suzanne Vega

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Kevin Alexander's avatar

Wait, "Rapture" is Baker's second record? I honestly had no idea. That tidbit may come in handy coming up...

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Dan Pal's avatar

Yes! As a matter of fact, we saw her concert in 2023 and she named it after her first album The Songstress!

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Aug 27
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Mallie Hart's avatar

That's a nice list. I'll add at least two to the "potential" list!

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