Bands that had a great second album. We all know the obvious ones Led Zeppelin, Hendrix, The Beatles. What are your votes for great second albums. Some of mine are: Neil Young - Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere Elvis Costello - This Years Model Allman Brothers Band - 'Idlewild South' Badfinger - No Dice
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"
Walter, I found Gram's Grievous Angel to be quite a bit better than his first, mostly because his tendency to go flat is minimized. There are great songs, including his nice duet with Emmylou on The Every Brothers' "Love Hurts", and a great band. Real fine album. Have you heard The Continental Drifters recording of his "A Song For You"? Better than the original (on Gram's GP album).
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.
Good ones tseliot, though After Bathing is The Airplane's 3rd album (the 2nd with Grace; they had a different singer and drummer---Skip Spence, later in Moby Grape---on the 1st album, Takes Off). And Veedon Fleece, from 1974, is Van's 8th album!
loomis, I agree, and that's why I left in off my list. I feel The Ramones didn't get really good as a band until Marky replaced Tommy on drums. It was on their 4th album---Road To Ruin---that they fulfilled their potential. The earlier albums had great material, but Tommy's weak drumming undermined the power of the songs. Marky is a much "stronger" drummer than was Tommy.
bdp, my issue with leave home isn't the musicianship but the songs, which are just a little less inspired than the debut and sound just slightly contrived. by the time of their classics, rocket to russia and road to ruin, they were essentially a pop band, where studio craft (and a better drummer) really did matter.now, for another disappointing second album i'd throw out give em enough rope by the clash, which is surprisingly flat compared to the classics that preceded and followed it. likewise the stone roses, who get hilariously namedropped in "shaun of the dead"
Yeah loomis, the songs and the band are separate issues. I too felt the 2nd album material wasn't up to the level of the 1st. My comments about Marky vs Tommy on drums were intended to make the point that Marky is a more muscular, hard hitting drummer, which benefits both the band and the material.
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.
agree with you on "adventure"--the songs are definitely there, esp. "glory" and "ain't that nothing", but the sound is a bit too polished and new wav-y. i haven't heard too tough to die in years--i remember it being something of a throwback to their punky days; gonna give it another listen.
Walter, it was I who stated I felt Road To Ruin was the album on which The Ramones fulfilled their promise, loomis stating that he felt by that time they had become a Pop band. It is my opinion that they had always been a Pop band, just as are Weezer. The proof that they may also have viewed themselves that way is in their decision to have Phil Spector produce their End Of The Century album. I didn't care for that decision any more than I did The Beatles decision to do the same.
I just realized that I had missed Dirt, Alice in Chains second disc. For me, artistically and musically it is beyond criticism and analysis. It was a moment in time, like all great recordings are, that will never be again, but thankfully will never be lost.
to whoever wrote the moody blues second album was in search of the lost chord you are incorrect since their second album was days of future passed.
other notable second albums
bill Evans - everybody digs isaac Hayes- hot buttered soul led Zeppelin- II jethro Tull - stand up steely dan - countdown to ecstasy santana - abraxas simon and garfunkel - sounds of silence carole King - tapestry laura nyro - eli and the 13th confession Van Morrison - astral weeks Bill withers - still bill
Bad Company "Straight Shooter" My Morning Jacket "At Dawn" Chris Isaak ""S/T" Boz Scaggs "S/T" Son Volt "Straightaways" Rush "Fly By Night" The Police "Reggatta de Blanc" The Firm "Mean Business" Creed "Human Clay" Neko Case "Blacklisted"
Actually their third, but Supertramp "Crime of the century" I think needs to be mentioned. Still remember the record shop decorating the whole store with the album cover. Sensational music.
+1 for The Wild, the Innocent, the E street shuffle. A peak for Bruce. Can he do it again?
Wilco - Being There Everything But the Girl - Love Not Money Big Head Todd and the Monsters - Midnight Radio Bright Eyes - Fever and Mirrors Trip Shakespeare - Are You Shakespearienced?
You must have a verified phone number and physical address in order to post in the Audiogon Forums. Please return to Audiogon.com and complete this step. If you have any questions please contact Support.
