Sophomores

[mockney piers]

The albums coming this year thread threw up a lot of names who will be doing their second album.

Critics always talk about the 'tricky sophomore' album and I can think of quite a few bands that have tripped up on this one.

Can we think of bands that did great ones, bands that crumbled and any that recovered from poor ones?

I'll kick of with the obvious 'Second Coming' by Stone Roses (to quote sean of the dead, 'well I liked it').

Good ones...The Bends pooed all over Pablo Honey (and let's face it, they were already taking themselves far too seriously). Midlake went from being another psychaedelia/beach boys clone (a la yeasayer) to something special (albeit a prog version of Steely Dan).

[Jah Lush]

Mockney! A prog version of Steely Dan? I really can't think of anything worse. Mind you, I should think that would come in very handy in the war effort. Play that to any terrorists and they'd be running for the hills with their hands firmly clasped their ears.

[david_carnell]

I'd compare Midlake's second album to an all-male Fleetwood Mac myself.....

The Strokes completely failed with Room on Fire, a follow-up to Is This It, but then that's not surprising given how good the earlier was.

The White Stripes did well with De Stilj after their eponymous debut but then went and topped both with their Senior Year (to follow the theme) album, White Blood Cells.

[giggirl]

The Midlake gig this week has been sold out since the day it went on sale but a few returns have just gone on sale here. You would need to be very quick.

http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/user?query=search&category=misc&search=midlake&region=gb_london&beginmonth=01&beginday=25&beginyear=2010

I think they're brilliant and I wish I was going.

[Brendan]

Nevermind kicked Bleach all over the shop, especially commercially. But then of course there was the move (or ?sell out? to some) from an independent to a major label.

[????]

Recovery - I think Give 'em Enough Rope by The Clash was a poor 2nd album, too heavy rock not enough punk for me.

[????]

Plus The Jam - This is the Modern World is a pretty crap album

[mockney piers]

I was thinking the clash too quids.

I loved the Charlatans Some Friendly, but it was an of the moment piece and they subsequently became tired has beens, Between 10th and 11th was awful.

Four albums and seven years later came th marvellous Tellin' Stories though, showing recovery can happen.

[Mick Mac]

Songs from the Big Chair - that was a good one.

[Mick Mac]

and Steve McQueen - Prefab Sprout

(Sorry I stopped buying albums in 1985)

[mockney piers]

One of the best must surely be Cocteau Twins, from dull gothfest Garlands to the frankly spectacular Head Over Heels.

And then they got better!

[giggirl]

Portishead - ssecond album - big yawn

[????]

maybe...but they didn't improve again either IMO.

[mockney piers]

Yeah, I've given Third a number of listens and just can't get it.

I think This Life killed them off forever :-/

[Mick Mac]

Just for Quids:

The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle is the second album by Bruce Springsteen and the as-yet-unnamed E Street Band, and is described by Allmusic as "one of the greatest albums in the history of rock & roll"

[SeanMacGabhann]

I would make a big case for the Sisters of Mercy sophmore album being their best - "Floodland"

ditto Fatima Mansions and "Viva Dead Ponies"

Arcade Fire's "Neon Bible" was well received but a bit of a wobble after the fantastic "Funeral"

Then you have bands like Massive Attack who cruise the first 3 albums (from an quality perpective anyway) with nary a wobble - sophmore be damned

[Jah Lush]

mockney piers Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Yeah, I've given Third a number of listens and

> just can't get it.

> I think This Life killed them off forever :-/

*Holds hand up*

Actually I really like it.

[SeanMacGabhann]

I LOVE the third Portishead album...

[mockney piers]

Sage nods of agreement on all the above sean, though admittedly that's the only Fatima Mansions I can commment on.

Floodland, there's on that needs to get back in my back catalogue, original has gone missing along with the much loved FaLaA and I'm left with the enjoyable rubbish that is Vision Thing.

[SeanMacGabhann]

I think I have 2 or 3 copies of floodland knocking around - I'll dig one out for you

[mockney piers]

I dont dislike Third, it's just I'm never inclined to put it on except occasionally to try and work out why I'm not gelling with it.

Any more bands like Massive Attack that just haven't put a foot wrong? (let's say minimum of three albums in the discography).

Broken Social Scene, their sophomore 'you forgot it in people' is great, and the eponymous follow up is almost flawless.

[SeanMacGabhann]

My money is on Bon iver struggling with #2

[????]

The Smiths - all excellent albums

[Fear 'n boozin]

The Lonesome Crowded West.

I'm willing to bet Her Majesty the Decemberists isn't a dud, though I haven't listened to it.

Bat Outta Hell II.

[mockney piers]

Interstingly this effect is called 'sophomore slump' meaning after a decade of listening to it I've only just got the joke in Grandaddy's 'Sophtware Slump'. Time for a nod to their brilliant 2nd album, 'Under the Western Freeway'.

They went on to improve in the aforementioned album but got into a bit of a rut after that, lovely but unremarkable albums followed.