Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Bands that had really good first albums that couldn't outdo themselves?
- Thread starter f'nar f'nar
- Start date
You guys know why this happens, right?
A band forms.. they write, write, and write. They have a surplus of songs in which a producer (or themselves) pick and choose which ones make the record. These are the best songs of their whole career so far--kind of like a 'best of' album, except no one has heard the crappy songs. When they sell a bunch of copies of the record, the label pushes them to record a sophomore album, resulting in a mediocre collection of mostly 'forced' material.
oh, and Killswitch Engage.
A band forms.. they write, write, and write. They have a surplus of songs in which a producer (or themselves) pick and choose which ones make the record. These are the best songs of their whole career so far--kind of like a 'best of' album, except no one has heard the crappy songs. When they sell a bunch of copies of the record, the label pushes them to record a sophomore album, resulting in a mediocre collection of mostly 'forced' material.
oh, and Killswitch Engage.
I totally agree with Killswitch. Even though Howard is a better vocalist, The music on thier older stuff is much better.
And I wanted to add:
Mudvayne
L.D.50 was brutal genius. Everything afterwards was tragic.
and also
Coheed and Cambria
Thier work is not as polar as Mudvayne, but Second Stage Turbine Blade is amazing closley followed by In Keeping secerets... but not as good IMO. Everything after that is passable at best, with a decent track sprinkled about.
And I wanted to add:
Mudvayne
L.D.50 was brutal genius. Everything afterwards was tragic.
and also
Coheed and Cambria
Thier work is not as polar as Mudvayne, but Second Stage Turbine Blade is amazing closley followed by In Keeping secerets... but not as good IMO. Everything after that is passable at best, with a decent track sprinkled about.
Plus, they beat the daylights out of these songs playing clubs for years. The weak songs get dumped or retooled continuously.
And how easy can it really be to write songs as a band while on the road supporting your first album?
gonna have to totally disagree with that there... I've enjoyed almost every song on all of there albums... there are a couple songs that are "alright" but everything else is just amazing...
gonna disagree a little here... the first albums had a bunch of great songs and while the following albums weren't as good they had some of my favorite songs on them. "Mad Season" "Bent" "Unwell" "Disease" I'm sure there is more but its been forever since i've listened to them... should probably go back i'm sure there are several other songs i really like
Okay, wow...I didn't know anyone even heard their first album, let alone their second one. I own both, but the first one is a whole lot better.
I'm gonna throw Korn, N.W.A, Glen Phillips, and The Smiths on the table. Personally, all great 1st albums, but nothing as good afterwards.
Man, I had no idea my fellow TBers listened to such horrible music...
Anyway, for my money-
The Secret Machines first was way, way superior to the follow-up.
For me, Hendrix was all down hill after "Are You Experienced?"
And for anyone who knows them, Life of Agony never topped "River Runs Red".
And, as to Pearl Jam, I look back on "Ten" and it has the least songs I still enjoy listening to. Probably because they were overplayed, but still.
Anyway, for my money-
The Secret Machines first was way, way superior to the follow-up.
For me, Hendrix was all down hill after "Are You Experienced?"
And for anyone who knows them, Life of Agony never topped "River Runs Red".
And, as to Pearl Jam, I look back on "Ten" and it has the least songs I still enjoy listening to. Probably because they were overplayed, but still.
I would definitely agree on the Spin Doctors. Another one I would add to the list is Maroon 5. "Songs about Jane" was a decent CD, but the follow up sucked big time. Another one that fits this distinction is "Unclassified" by Robert Randolph. The first CD, had some great stuff, but the label had to hire a bunch of collaborators to get the second one out.
I have a theory about this. A lot of bands that have a big "breakout" CD, were together for lots of playing and independent releases before, sometimes ten or more years. Even a mediocre songwriter can hit a nugget every once in a while and a good A and R man or producer from a big label usually knows what a good song is. So many times what you get on a first CD is the ten best of ten or more years of song-writing. Unfortunately the follow up is often the second ten or worse. Hootie and the Blowfish is a great example of this, they had built up a long resume of touring and playing together before they were "discovered".
I have a theory about this. A lot of bands that have a big "breakout" CD, were together for lots of playing and independent releases before, sometimes ten or more years. Even a mediocre songwriter can hit a nugget every once in a while and a good A and R man or producer from a big label usually knows what a good song is. So many times what you get on a first CD is the ten best of ten or more years of song-writing. Unfortunately the follow up is often the second ten or worse. Hootie and the Blowfish is a great example of this, they had built up a long resume of touring and playing together before they were "discovered".
Third Eye Blind's self titled first album.
I could listen to the whole thing on repeat (which I did). The second album, Blue, I could only get about 60% through (plus the last song on the disc, which was awesome). The third album, Out of the Vein . . . I can make it about 40% through. Two or three more albums, and they will be unlistenable
Sad, seeing as how they are my favorite band.
I could listen to the whole thing on repeat (which I did). The second album, Blue, I could only get about 60% through (plus the last song on the disc, which was awesome). The third album, Out of the Vein . . . I can make it about 40% through. Two or three more albums, and they will be unlistenable
Sad, seeing as how they are my favorite band.
+1000*puts on flameproof cloths*
imo metallica... there still a good band and a metal powerhouse but when i listen to there first cd i feel something different then any other cd, they had balls back then and showed them on that cd, then imo they got cocky
im not saying there other stuff is bad, i still like alot of it, its just that i feel Kill em all was an epic display of talent and inovation
dont hurt me
they started out as a band that wanted to play faster, heavier, and ballsier than all the others, and that's all i got from Kill Em All. But not as much from ride the lightning and master.
Jaco.
Though having MANY amazing albums and performances later in his career, nothing out does his first CD, so many classics...
Though having MANY amazing albums and performances later in his career, nothing out does his first CD, so many classics...
Ooo, dangerous territory...Jaco.
Though having MANY amazing albums and performances later in his career, nothing out does his first CD, so many classics...
I'll agree that the first disc is amazing. Also the least orchestral overall and if that's the way you like to hear Jaco, fine.
I would argue that his palette expanded considerably on Word of Mouth, which was more of a showcase for his skill as a composer and arranger. It would be very easy to just do the same album over and over and be a success, but he was clearly more than a killer bassist and the recordings corroborate the fact.
Captain Beyond - Captain Beyond
Lucifer's Friend-Lucifer's Friend
Captain Beefheart-Trout Mask Replica-The physical abuse was missing from further records.
Queens Of Thee Stone Age - the latest one is not bad though
Tony Williams Life Time-Hard to ever top "Believe It"
Lucifer's Friend-Lucifer's Friend
Captain Beefheart-Trout Mask Replica-The physical abuse was missing from further records.
Queens Of Thee Stone Age - the latest one is not bad though
Tony Williams Life Time-Hard to ever top "Believe It"
I have to agree with the poster who said Jaco, though his later studio albums were good, just not up to par.
