Bands with great second albums

Gram Parsons, "Grievous Angel"
Big Star, "Radio City"
The Feelies, "The Good Earth"
New York Dolls, "Too Much Too Soon"
Silos, "Cuba"
R.E.M. "Reckoning"
PJ Harvey, "Rid of Me"
Ramones, "Leave Home"
Talking Heads, "More Songs About Buildings and Food"

X, "Wild Gift"

@bdp24 

Agreed, the second is much better. Better sound, better songs, better singing, and I say that as a fan of the debut. Yes, I do like the Continental Drifters cover as well. Excellent. Have you heard Return of the Grievous Angel, an entire album of Parsons covers? There is some cool stuff on that, and perhaps a few head scratchers. Overall, a fun record, and one I probably play as much or more than GP, but not Grievous Angel.

@bdp24 
@loomisjohnson 

I am in agreement that Road to Ruin is their best album, but I think all of the first four--and Too Tough to Die--are classics. I also think the Clash's Give 'Em Enough Rope is great, though I have never cared much for the production on that one. I feel kind of the same way about Television's "Adventure," a great record that doesn't get its due because it is always compared to "Marquee Moon," an iconic record. YMMV.

@effer +1

Great call on both counts.