Most of us have a few
records/tapes/CD’s/MB of memory that are basically collecting dust because we:
1) Were blown away by
someone’s debut album, and so …
2) Rushed to buy the second
album, then went ‘oops!’
In many cases, it seems the
more amazing the first album was, the easier it was to be disappointed with the
second. Maybe it goes back to the adage
that bands have their whole lives to come up with that first album but no time
for the next one. Whatever the cause, a
flop the second time around can be fatal.
Lots of one hit wonders probably released more than one record. We just ignored them.
Rolling Stone’s 20 Best Second Albums
provides a list of happy exceptions, albums that were every bit as good – or even
better – than the debuts. Examples from
the list include second efforts by Neil Young, Springsteen, Radiohead, Elvis
Costello, Dylan, Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, The Band, and Nirvana.
Yeah, I know these acts are
all legendary and most people cherish their entire catalogues, but what if that
second album had been awful? Maybe then the
legend is stillborn. Or maybe the
examples listed nicely illustrate why
these acts became legends. “You that was good? OK, have a listen to this!”
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