Which bands have produced the best first two albums?

Taking off from Mikes thread, what bands do you think produced the best first two albums?  So many seem to stumble after a great original effort (though most get back on track starting with their third album).
 
I'm sure I'll add to the list once I have to really think about it, but I'll start off with Boston where the second album was even better than a stellar first!
 
(Ok everyone, let's all watch Jan's post count go up!  LOL! )

Led Zep - I & II

The Jimi Hendrix Experience 1967 Are You Experienced 1967 Axis: Bold as Love 1968 Electric Ladyland


OK, SO THERE WERE ACTUALLY THREE IN A ROW.

Mesh


Led Zep - I & II

+1, Ya, Ja, Da, I agree

batsbrew


The Jimi Hendrix Experience

1967 Are You Experienced 1967 Axis: Bold as Love 1968 Electric Ladyland

OK, SO THERE WERE ACTUALLY THREE IN A ROW.

Not really....Electric Ladyland was Jimi at his peak. So I believe it to be better than the first two. JMO?
It was his #1 album.

A couple that bucked the trend (IMO) -

Jethro Tull's first album was OK, but the 2nd 'Stand Up' is a masterpiece.

Del Amitri's first album is pretty awful, the 2nd, 'Waking Hours' is brilliant.

jamesg1213


A couple that bucked the trend (IMO) -

Jethro Tull's first album was OK, but the 2nd 'Stand Up' is a masterpiece.

+3001


I sometimes forget that JT had an album before Stand Up

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. 

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.  

i think jimi's 1st album is pretty brilliant.

you can completely ignore electric ladyland, and albums one and two still stand.

hmm, not easy, i'd go for Emperor - In the Nightside Eclipse and Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk and Morbid Angel - Altars of Madness and Blessed are the Sick...

Rush - Rush & Fly By Night
Heart...anything....
Yes...anything
Kansas This list could be quite extensive...

looking for best 1st album release, and then followup...

i'd say heart's second album was not as strong as the first...
and rush's 1st album was hardly ground breaking,
yes could possibly in the running, 1st album was great, 2nd was even better......
kansas?
hm.

jury's out on I, tho song for america was REALLY strong

batsbrew


i think jimi's 1st album is pretty brilliant.

you can completely ignore electric ladyland, and albums one and two still stand.

Not trying to give ya hard time...but it doesn't fit the criteria....not when the 3rd album
is better...at least I thought the OP wanted the bands that after their first two- couldn't hang.
 
At least you have an entry...the only band I could think of was Free "Fire and Water" but it was
their 3rd album..sheesh.
 

 
+1 to Iron Maiden: Iron Maiden/Killers - Paul Di'Anno was a much better singer for Maiden than Brucie. I'd argue that Blaze Bayley was better than Bruce too. 
 
I'll go with:

• Motörhead: Motörhead/Overkill
• Rainbow: Rainbow/Rainbow Rising
• Stiff Little Fingers: Inflammable Material/Nobody's Heroes
• The Stranglers: Rattus Norvegicus/No More Heroes

Zappa

Grand Funk Railroad

The BAND

Thought I'd weigh in on this one. First 2 Bad Co. albums (Bad Co. and Straight Shooter). I don't think any album of theirs after that was worth the cost of the vinyl.

Well, that certainly brings FREE into the mix....

J

Ambrosia:  Ambrosia & Somewhere I've Never Traveled.  

I'll add the Cars.

craigb


Taking off from Mikes thread, what bands do you think produced the best first two albums?  So many seem to stumble after a great original effort (though most get back on track starting with their third album).
 
I'm sure I'll add to the list once I have to really think about it, but I'll start off with Boston where the second album was even better than a stellar first!
 
(Ok everyone, let's all watch Jan's post count go up!  LOL! )

Just to clarify--first two albums are good.  It doesn't matter if the third was good or not.  


I don't know if I can handle the pressure!  

The Allman Brothers--didn't have so much as a hiccup until their sixth album.  

Chicago I and II.

Atomic Rooster

The Doors and Strange Days... 

Average White Band

Cactus

The Tubes.

Zappa: Freak Out & Absolutely Free

Wishbone Ash: Wishbone Ash & Pilgrimage (though many people reckon the 3rd album, Argus was their masterpiece)

The Floyd certainly announced their intentions with Piper & Saucerful

Def Leppard (though many don't know how kick-ass their first album, On Through The Night, was).

What about Chicago?

Caravan

I haven't heard every band in the world. I suppose then perhaps the "Eagles" and "Pink Floyd" for me.

??

Depends on which era anyone is writing about also.
Can't equate old recordings with newer recordings where the equipment and technology has gotten better.

Marshall Crenshaw--the eponymous first album doesn't have a bad song on it.  Marshall's second album, Field Day, isn't quite as stellar when compared to the first, but it's still a very strong effort.  

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

Old55


Caravan

Hi,


Not Carmen?


Jack Brittledick was in that band, no?

bapu

Old55


Caravan

Hi,


Not Carmen?


Jack Brittledick was in that band, no?

Not Carmen Sandiego.  Where is she, anyway?  These guys:

http://www.allmusic.com/artist/caravan-mn0000167296

Old55


Ambrosia:  Ambrosia & Somewhere I've Never Traveled.  

Another good one Jan
(or should I say two?)

Chicago Transit Authority  - awesome 1st two albums.  After the 3rd they got a bit lounge-y for me.

bapu

Old55


Ambrosia:  Ambrosia & Somewhere I've Never Traveled.  

Another good one Jan
(or should I say two?)

Ah figgerred ya'd like 'em.  

Gentle Giant.  My favorite is Free Hand(their 7th), but second album, Acquiring The Taste, is actually rated better than their first.  

ricstudioc


The Tubes.

white punks on dope/mondo bondage 
dont touch me there/slipped my disco


wow what a great combo.
bring back the tubes

Cream

IMO.....


Savatage......"Sirens"....and...."Dungeons are Calling" .... Best opening pair for any "Metal" band 
 
Halford ........ "Resurrection"...and..."Crucible"......One of best opening pair for any artist going solo..

Black Sabbath......."Heaven and Hell" ...and ..."Mob Rules"......Best pair for after a line up change.

Mod Bod


Chicago Transit Authority  - awesome 1st two albums.  After the 3rd they got a bit lounge-y for me.

(Guess that answers my question posted a little above this, eh?  )

Here's an interesting situation.  Crosby, Stills & Nash was released in 1969.  Their "second" release was CSN in 1977.  In the meantime, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young's first two releases also fit the bill:  Deja Vu and 4-way Street were also both successful.  

Old55


Cream

We'll have to agree to disagree. I've always thought the first Fresh Cream was a bit of a fluffer. I put it in the same league as Jethro Tull's first album (whereas I do agree with James on dat won).


To me Disraeli Gears and Wheels of Fire were top notch stuff and Goodbye Cream may be one of the best farewell albums of all time (IMHO)

The Wallflowers: 1) The Wallflowers, 2) Bringing Down the Horse

May not be considered "a band" but...

Al Di Meola- His first, "Land Of The Midnight Sun" and
followed with "Elegant Gypsy".

Surely JMO but his first to me was amazing not to mention
the guys with him...unreal.
 
He's almost a year older than me and when the album
came out it was strange...my wife and friends were all
commenting how strange it was that we looked like twins..
I even had the same glasses, beard..the only difference was
my hair was parted down the middle and he could play his guitar. :)