Entertainment For Lively Minds
Silver vs Gold
The recent blog about debuts where the artist in effect just went downhill thereafter (You Had Me At Hello) reminded me of something which has been on my mind for some time. A great deal seems to be made of debut albums, and yes there have been some classics and yes these sometimes excitingly herald a new talent and/or variation of pop music. But I suspect the majority of debuts are not the bext thing the artisit goes on to do.
Specifically, the mention of Astral Weeks reminded me that, whilst I can sort of appreciate it, I simply don't enjoy it nearly as much as Moondance.
So are there other second albums which represent a major imporvement on the debut, even if they aren't necessarily the peak? Some suggestions of my own:
Led Zep - "I" has too much self-indulgent rambling blues stuff, whereas "II" is much tighter, musical and varied.
Dead Can Dance & Cocteau Twins - perfectly good, functional debuts completely overshadowed by beautiful, mysterious follow-ups (which in turn were superseded by subsequent releases).
Burial - eponymous debut is just lots of drumbeats, but "Untrue" has some sweeping emotional music (as pointed out by a certain Word magazine review).
I think it may be a combination of increasing maturity, studio confidence and label-backing. Or something else.
Any other thoughts, or am I barking up the wrong tree?
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Born to Run
Although Bruce's first two albums were really good, I think Born to Run is hard to beat.
Ooh, Have To Disagree With You ...
... his first two albums are by far his best. Both musically and lyrically, they are just magic. I really like a lot of his later stuff, (by 'later' I'm thinking Born to Run, Darkness on the Edge of Town and Nebraska) but Greetings from Asbury Park and The Wild, The Innocent and the E Street Shuffle are in my Top 10 albums of all time.
You can't be serious
There are one or two great tracks, particularly and most obviously Rosalita, but as a whole, the first two albums are anywhere near the consistent high quality of Born To Run or Darkness.
For Your Pleasure
may I offer Roxy Music and probably Floodland by The Sisters Of Mercy (although they are a very differnt beast on each of their albums) by the same token I wouldn't give From Genesis to Revelation house room, were it not included (sans Jonathan King strings) on Archive vol.1 whereas Trespass is my most played and returned to Genesis album and Heaven Up Here is EATB's masterpiece.
second albums all - make of that what you will
A Rush of Blood To The Head, by Coldplay
A marked improvement on the first album, and also their peak so far (the last two albums being complete twaddle). It really is a great album.
'The Bends' by Radiohead...
a vast improvement on their debut.
Only died in the wool folkies ...
...would claim that Dylan's debut was in any way superior to The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan...and they would be wrong - as good as it is.
Kings of Leon ...
... Youth and Young Manhood is a cracking album - fresh, raw and bewilderingly exuberant. It has great tunes and character by the bucketload. I can't say the same for their other albums, however popular they are: to my ears they sound over-processed, with all the character hidden behind a wall of slickness.
But Youth and Young Manhood, to finish on a positive note, is magnificent.
may be a bit obvious
but surely the Beatles? Hard day's Night a major leap after the previous 2.
Catie
The Associates
debut 'the affectionate punch' was a great debut, but the sheer ambition and class of their second proper lp 'sulk'(i'm not counting the equally stunning 'fourth drawer down' collection of eps here)is breathtaking. Its a passionate,diverse,compelling collection of songs.
It's probably fair to say that they never climbed these dizzy heights again, but for a few years in the early 80s they were the most exciting band from the uk.
Blur
Modern Life Is Rubbish sounds like their "proper" debut, free from all the label-induced chart-chasing and alcohol-fueled messiness of Leisure.
This Years Model
However good My Aim is True may be, it didn't have the pure energy of this fabulous fabulous LP. I think the difference is the Attractions input, predominantly those drums and that organ. Maybe not ECs best songs, but the best sound.
Power Corruption & Lies
by New Order. Their first album as NO and without Curtis was a rather grim affair. But PC&L really saw them step out of Joy Division's shadow.
well...
Movement is the only album of theirs that I not only own but love, I bought the recent remastered expanded 2 disc affair, and although there has been much griping about it on a No forum, I'm perfectly happy with it and would've preferred them to stick in that groove, but then Hannet croaked