Nirvana
"Bleach" in '89
"Nevermind" in '91

and then the not very good one- "the slump" - "In Utero" in '93.
I personally don't think things would have gotten better them with a 4th.

And some of these bands listed to have "slumped" after a couple of good ones
starting out...like Steely Dan...??? 
Van Halen slumped after their first 2??
I sure don't understand... I guess ZZ Top should make the list too.

jamesg1213


The Police - Outlandos D'Amour and Regatta De Blanc.

I particularly like these. It was fun listening to these guys evolve musically, and I liked Ghost and Synchronicity as well.


Lots of good stuff mentioned here.
Abraxas, Piper/Saucerfull, Ambrosia, etc. When I finally get my vinyl and turntable out of storage, I plan on spending a lot of time listening to some treasures.

Another group might be these guys (later on now in a concert):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwbGjzF3mB0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?&v=QLsjaSLWfwQ&NR

Spirit
Mahavishnu Orchestra
13th Floor Elevators
It's a Beautiful Day

I thought Journeys' first 2 album were great - Journey and Look into the future. I have to agree 100 % with the Tubes - Great albums : also Happy the Man and agree 100 % with Spirit- Moody Blues -

Every successful band that isn't listed here.

Warren Zevon

bapu

spacey

You know Stanley was with him in the beginning don't you? 

Yeah, they were both in Return To Forever with Chick Corea.


In those days (and the last time I saw Stanley with George Duke, 2009 I think) he predominately played Alembics.

Now we know why you got one?

batsbrew

but it doesn't fit the criteria.... 

sure it does, to a tee!!
so, another nomination would be:

Brand X, Unorthodox Behaviour, Morrocan Roll

The early stuff with Phil C was very nice and enjoyable. The later stuff was sad, and the many variations of this band that showed up later were not only sad, but a really bad reflection of the work that was done.
 
I'm also thinking that a bass player that was here was the difference, not the guitarist that continued the band. The show in '99 in SF was ok, and nice, but sad. It had some nice bits, but mostly? ... it was lacking!