Janet JacksonTelevision On The Radio
― I Have A Hot Dog Stuck To My Neck (Old Lunch), Sunday, 29 May 2016 22:44 (seven years ago) link
TV on the Radio great example of a band that drastically improved from first to second album and then got even worse
― flappy bird, Sunday, 29 May 2016 22:51 (seven years ago) link
I really like the first Janet Jackson album, especially Young Love and Don't Mess Up This Good Thing
― soref, Sunday, 29 May 2016 22:57 (seven years ago) link
is there really a big jump in quality between her debut and Dream Street? or did Old Lunch mean that Control was where there a big improvement, because that was her third album
― soref, Sunday, 29 May 2016 22:59 (seven years ago) link
Nobody is going to know who this is, but (Belgian band) Thou went from "Hello in This Sun" which was a mildly interesting mix of Sonic Youth and electronica to the totally wonderful "Put Us In Tune." The latter uses extra Portishead backing tracks, and was a fairly great release on a label that soon failed, folding before Enon, who might have saved them, hit their stride.
― dlp9001, Sunday, 29 May 2016 23:47 (seven years ago) link
xpost I think Dream Street is much better than her debut, and Control is even better still.
― I Have A Hot Dog Stuck To My Neck (Old Lunch), Sunday, 29 May 2016 23:52 (seven years ago) link
have a listicle: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/20-terrible-debut-albums-by-great-artists-20151118
― queen elseq of ærendelle (Whiney G. Weingarten), Sunday, 29 May 2016 23:53 (seven years ago) link
I reject the notion that From Genesis to Revelation is terrible.
― Ⓓⓡ. (Johnny Fever), Sunday, 29 May 2016 23:56 (seven years ago) link
Alice in Chains.
― the joke should be over once the kid is eaten. (chap), Sunday, 29 May 2016 23:58 (seven years ago) link
Nirvana
― flappy bird
They certianly got slicker and poppier, but I prefer Bleach to Nevermind.
I'm not saying the Red Hot Chili Peppers are a good band, but I think Freaky Styley was a significant improvement.
― pleas to Nietzsche (WilliamC), Monday, 30 May 2016 00:02 (seven years ago) link
Til TuesdayMiguel
― rhymes with "blondie blast" (cryptosicko), Monday, 30 May 2016 00:13 (seven years ago) link
the gossip
― like $500 billion in stuffed fart sales and I have an idea (contenderizer), Monday, 30 May 2016 00:33 (seven years ago) link
second to third:
http://cdn.albumoftheyear.org/album/12837-change-the-weather.jpg
http://hellbound.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/619XoeOU9hL.jpg
― nomar, Monday, 30 May 2016 00:36 (seven years ago) link
Spacemen 3AerosmithMeat PuppetsThe ChurchThe TriffidsKinskiIvy
― Elvis Telecom, Monday, 30 May 2016 00:43 (seven years ago) link
joni
― dc, Monday, 30 May 2016 00:45 (seven years ago) link
I only just heard some of that early Underworld stuff recently and was surprised how much I liked it. I mean, I liked it in a completely different way than I like their more well-known stuff but it was pretty decent pop music for that era.
― I Have A Hot Dog Stuck To My Neck (Old Lunch), Monday, 30 May 2016 01:13 (seven years ago) link
electrelane
― like $500 billion in stuffed fart sales and I have an idea (contenderizer), Monday, 30 May 2016 01:22 (seven years ago) link
Germany
― sarahell, Monday, 30 May 2016 01:23 (seven years ago) link
with the addition of Hitler to the German line-up, their 2nd album (literally) blew millions away for several years straight!!!
― sarahell, Monday, 30 May 2016 01:24 (seven years ago) link
an Imperial Phase like none other!
― Elvis Telecom, Monday, 30 May 2016 01:26 (seven years ago) link
Birthday Party if you count Door, Dor as the first. Though that one is even better RSH side over preRSH side innit?
Grateful Dead? Though s/t may be the 1lp the more garage focused can palate. I think Anthem heads off in a load of new directions.
Trying to think how far into the lp sequence Magma become themselves.
Fairport Convention? Though I do love s/t. But Sandy Denny don't arrive before Holidays.
― Stevolende, Monday, 30 May 2016 01:29 (seven years ago) link
Surrealistic Pillow is an album that ought to belong--quantum leap in visibility, two signature hits, new singer--but I love the first Airplane LP.
― clemenza, Monday, 30 May 2016 02:02 (seven years ago) link
Dinosaur You're Living All Over Me
― One bad call from barely losing to (Alex in SF), Monday, 30 May 2016 02:39 (seven years ago) link
^ only because it's true
― like $500 billion in stuffed fart sales and I have an idea (contenderizer), Monday, 30 May 2016 02:42 (seven years ago) link
don't know much about bands that improved significantly between their first and second albums, but if you're talking people who improved significantly between their first and second sexual encounters with me, i know the answer, which is your mom.
― map, Monday, 30 May 2016 02:48 (seven years ago) link
Tortoise
― a man a plan alive (man alive), Monday, 30 May 2016 02:50 (seven years ago) link
Definitely Fairport Convention.
Talk Talk is another one I don't think has been mentioned yet.
― Austin, Monday, 30 May 2016 04:13 (seven years ago) link
but if you're talking people who improved significantly between their first and second sexual encounters with me
tough call between your mom and hitler. perhaps we should poll it
― sarahell, Monday, 30 May 2016 05:09 (seven years ago) link
oh I've polled both of them already, plenty of times
― a man a plan alive (man alive), Monday, 30 May 2016 05:10 (seven years ago) link
lana del rey
― who is extremely unqualified to review this pop album (BradNelson), Monday, 30 May 2016 05:40 (seven years ago) link
Steely Dan
― it's sort of a layered stunt (sheesh), Monday, 30 May 2016 05:51 (seven years ago) link
Rainbow
― it's sort of a layered stunt (sheesh), Monday, 30 May 2016 05:56 (seven years ago) link
Duncan Browne
― it's sort of a layered stunt (sheesh), Monday, 30 May 2016 06:02 (seven years ago) link
the first Underworld album was great though
(obv no dub nob ass, but I caned that cassette)
― glandular lansbury (sic), Monday, 30 May 2016 06:34 (seven years ago) link
Lady Gaga, assuming The Fame Monster counts as her second album.
― Tim F, Monday, 30 May 2016 08:21 (seven years ago) link
funny that nobody has mentioned PRINCE here
― wizzz! (amateurist), Monday, 30 May 2016 08:41 (seven years ago) link
(a one-man band)
― wizzz! (amateurist), Monday, 30 May 2016 08:42 (seven years ago) link
The Genius/GZAThe Coup
― Tuomas, Monday, 30 May 2016 09:21 (seven years ago) link
Blur for sure: reports of how bad they were on their first US tour are not exaggerated.
― Three Word Username, Monday, 30 May 2016 09:33 (seven years ago) link
tim buckley
― Sgt. Coldy Bimore (rushomancy), Monday, 30 May 2016 11:39 (seven years ago) link
Orbital
Cocteau Twins
(though I like both debuts)
Mobb Deep and Gang Starr are supposed to be examples of this but in both cases I've never even heard the first album.
― Tim F, Monday, 30 May 2016 11:47 (seven years ago) link
warren zevon had an abortive, not-very-good debut album years before he released the self-titled one everyone likes
― wizzz! (amateurist), Monday, 30 May 2016 12:09 (seven years ago) link
xxp yeah Blur are the classic example imo; they were just-about-bearable when i saw them summer 1991, 2 *years* later they were pretty much one of the best live bands in the world and everyone said as much. like a lot of people i've warmed to much of the stuff they made around the debut album, but MLIR it isn't.
― piscesx, Monday, 30 May 2016 12:12 (seven years ago) link
Mr Bungle.
― the joke should be over once the kid is eaten. (chap), Monday, 30 May 2016 12:13 (seven years ago) link
No way, Disco Volante is an unlistenable mess.
― Tuomas, Monday, 30 May 2016 12:16 (seven years ago) link
Beyonce
― The burrito of ennui (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Monday, 30 May 2016 12:17 (seven years ago) link
New Order
― The burrito of ennui (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Monday, 30 May 2016 12:26 (seven years ago) link
Surprised that Tuomas knows who Mr Bungle are! I disagree.
― the joke should be over once the kid is eaten. (chap), Monday, 30 May 2016 12:42 (seven years ago) link
Disco Volante is a nightmarish near-masterpiece, the S/T has aged horribly
― ultros ultros-ghali, Monday, 30 May 2016 13:44 (seven years ago) link
Talk Talk
― The burrito of ennui (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 1 June 2016 18:49 (seven years ago) link
Possibly a lot of bands who found their own way after passing through a hardcore phase, note found their own way rather than moving into anything else generic.Or that could be expanded to a number of different genres. Where first lp is band following rules of genre to a large extent followed by them finding out what works for them.
But that probably goes without saying.
Just noticed it being said or paraphrased concerning 2 different generations music. But probably happened 60s -beat/r'n'b into individual sound via psychedelia.70s punk80s hardcore, not sure what it would be in 90s baggy or Britpop or something?
― Stevolende, Wednesday, 1 June 2016 18:54 (seven years ago) link
Another solo artist rather than band: Lou Reed
― Gavin, Leeds, Wednesday, 1 June 2016 19:18 (seven years ago) link
Oh!
At the Drive-In
― flappy bird, Wednesday, 1 June 2016 19:21 (seven years ago) link
Sarah McLachlan.
― Jenny Ondioleeene (Leee), Wednesday, 1 June 2016 20:09 (seven years ago) link
Feel like an argument could be made to include Husker Du and The Replacements here.
the replacements' first two albums are both fantastic, just in different ways. everything that was ever great about them is evident on that debut. and is evident again on album #2, with a twist or two here and there.
― fact checking cuz, Wednesday, 1 June 2016 22:58 (seven years ago) link
Agreed
― Jim Reeves in the Temple (James Redd and the Blecchs), Thursday, 2 June 2016 00:12 (seven years ago) link
Indigo GirlsNeutral Milk Hotel
― nicky lo-fi, Friday, 3 June 2016 23:28 (seven years ago) link
Built To Spill
― nicky lo-fi, Friday, 3 June 2016 23:29 (seven years ago) link
Humble Pie
― Montgomery Burns' Jazz (Tarfumes The Escape Goat), Friday, 3 June 2016 23:37 (seven years ago) link
^ good one!
Actually, Small Faces count in a way don't they? I mean, their Decca singles still hold up fairly well, but the leap from the debut LP on Decca to their first LP for Immediate is quite something.
― Turrican, Friday, 3 June 2016 23:58 (seven years ago) link
Yeah, I wasn't sure about Small Faces since (iirc) the Decca record was compiled/released without their input/permission.
I wasn't completely sure about Humble Pie either, but I just gave the first two a spin, and as admirably heavy as the first one is, Town & Country is so impossibly gorgeous. It's my favorite UK response to the Band's Music From Big Pink (and it's a crowded field).
― Montgomery Burns' Jazz (Tarfumes The Escape Goat), Saturday, 4 June 2016 00:08 (seven years ago) link
I like that Immediate years 2cd Humble Pie set. But thought I listened to the 1st disc a lot.
Isn't the cobbled together Small Faces Decca set the From The Beginning one? I thought the Decca s/t was recorded as an lp.
― Stevolende, Saturday, 4 June 2016 00:29 (seven years ago) link
Yes, you are correct! I had been mixing those two (From the Beginning and the Decca thing) up in my head.
― Montgomery Burns' Jazz (Tarfumes The Escape Goat), Saturday, 4 June 2016 00:33 (seven years ago) link
The TimeD'angelo Hot Chip LCD Soundsystem Girls Aloud SpoonSt. Vincent Cut Copy The Juan Maclean The Divine Comedy OutkastSlowdiveYellow Magic Orchestra Big Star
― Kitchen Person, Saturday, 4 June 2016 01:53 (seven years ago) link
GVSB
― Master of Treacle, Saturday, 4 June 2016 01:56 (seven years ago) link
OutKast is another, like Prince, where I think of the jump between albums #1 and #2 as being less dramatic as those between #2 and #3.
― rhymes with "blondie blast" (cryptosicko), Saturday, 4 June 2016 01:56 (seven years ago) link
I'd put ATLiens ahead of Aquemini these days.
― Kitchen Person, Saturday, 4 June 2016 01:58 (seven years ago) link
ATLiens is and always has been their best work.
― Austin, Saturday, 4 June 2016 03:40 (seven years ago) link
Hot Chip
I like most of Hot Chip, but as a whole album, I like the first one best.
Girls Aloud
Undoubtedly, but the stuff on the first album by the lineup that did the second album pointed clearly that way.
Cut Copy
If you mean from I Thought Of Numbers to Bright Like Neon Love, sure. If you mean from Bright Like to Ghost Colours, nah. They just learnt how to sound a bit more like '90s New Order.
Outkast
The first four Outkast albums feel more like a group wanting to do different things each time out, and getting more skilled as they leave their teens, than any significant leap in quality overall from any one album to another. (Underscored by the shift from the first album being all Organized Noize, and the second one being nearly half-and-half.)
― glandular lansbury (sic), Saturday, 4 June 2016 04:21 (seven years ago) link
Neutral Milk Hotel
― nicky lo-fi, Friday, June 3, 2016 4:28 PM (6 hours ago)
horse hockey
― the world over the crotch. (contenderizer), Saturday, 4 June 2016 05:36 (seven years ago) link