Rain


Ozzy's first two album were respectively great and even better, imho.

Maiden - same thing - respectively good and totally, uh, killer...

Sabbath also had a great run w/ their first 4 albums.

The first 4 Nine Inch Nails album - I like each one more than the previous one.

Alice Cooper - in his case, we should omit the first 2 albums, besides being cool oddities and a few bars of interesting stuff here and there. It's from the 3rd album on that they started making music.

Soundgarden was pretty much the same - it wasn't until Badmotorfinger that they started to write music - even if I dug some of those old songs...

I realize that I can probably think of more bands w/ a relatively average or poor first LP who went on to create a few amazing records afterwards. 

+2.0 on Ozzy's 1st 2 albums....Randy Rhoads just helped taking it to a whole new level.
 

Cure
Three Imaginary Boys
Seventeen Seconds

I can't remember back that far..... the time period seems to be wrapped in some sort of smoky haze.....

But I do recall quite a few good first albums then the second was terrible.... no inspiration..... and the third never happened. 


but that's not the topic of this thread .... just some mindless ramblings that came to mind. 

First albums are often great because the band has all those good songs stored up waiting to go..the 2nd can be struggle because they tour the 1st one for two years and the writing gets relegated to hotel rooms, and 'life on the road' songs replace inspiration.

Mesh


+2.0 on Ozzy's 1st 2 albums....Randy Rhoads just helped taking it to a whole new level.
 

I think I remember reading somewhere that Rhoads wasn't entirely happy w/ Diary of a Madman because he didn't have time to re-record a few things which he intended to replace but were left as is on the album due to lack of time.


Still, it's one of my all-time favorites. First vinyl I ever bought and I went on to buy numerous copies afterwards. I must have bought it at the very least 5 or 6 times. 


The solo to Over the Mountain is what made me want to play electric guitar.

jamesg1213


First albums are often great because the band has all those good songs stored up waiting to go..the 2nd can be struggle because they tour the 1st one for two years and the writing gets relegated to hotel rooms, and 'life on the road' songs replace inspiration.

I think that's why Led Zep II was so good. They were playing half that album when I saw them in late '68. I distinctly remember hearing Heartbreaker (who can forget that guitar breakdown) and Moby Dick, Living Loving Maid & What is. And they were polished then. 

space_cowboy


Cure
Three Imaginary Boys
Seventeen Seconds

Although I have every Cure album, I have Seventeen Seconds & Faith on a single CD that gets a lot of play in the car.  I find that they, like Tangerine Dream, seem to recreate themselves every few years but most of the "new" styles I like.  It almost seems like completely different, yet good, bands during each time period.
 
 

jamesg1213


First albums are often great because the band has all those good songs stored up waiting to go..the 2nd can be struggle because they tour the 1st one for two years and the writing gets relegated to hotel rooms, and 'life on the road' songs replace inspiration.

Exactly why I made the thread.

I hate U2 nowadays.  However, I loved Boy and October.  

10cc and Sheet Music

If you ignore Runt, then Todd Rundgren Something/Anything and AWATS

Piper at the Gates of Dawn/A Saucer full of Secrets

King Crimson ITCOFCK and In the Wake of Poseidon

ELP & Tarkus

Boy George Solid & Tense Nervous Headache.

craigb


Exactly why I made the thread.

Yeah, I was just elaborating on your first post really. Waffling on as usual


Dire Straits were a prime example of that dreaded 2nd album malaise, the debut was a stunner, but 'Communique' is largely forgotten I think.

Oasis managed two very successful and critically acclaimed albums (Definitely Maybe and What's the Story Morning Glory) then tailed off dramatically with the third.

craigb

space_cowboy


Cure
Three Imaginary Boys
Seventeen Seconds

Although I have every Cure album, I have Seventeen Seconds & Faith on a single CD that gets a lot of play in the car.  I find that they, like Tangerine Dream, seem to recreate themselves every few years but most of the "new" styles I like.  It almost seems like completely different, yet good, bands during each time period.
 
 

jamesg1213


First albums are often great because the band has all those good songs stored up waiting to go..the 2nd can be struggle because they tour the 1st one for two years and the writing gets relegated to hotel rooms, and 'life on the road' songs replace inspiration.

Exactly why I made the thread.

I saw the Cure at Numbers in Houston in mid 81 maybe.  Might have been 2-300 people in audience.  It remains one of my favorite concert experiences because you could totally tell that they would be huge.