The 2nd album these days really is make or break for most bands. The general record buying (or downloading) public have relatively short attention spans and it's difficult for bands to build a career like it was back in the day. One of the best feelings is finding a great debut album by a new artist and becoming really immersed in it...but then one of the worst feelings is when that artist stumbles on their 2nd album. It really kills a lot of momentum and you kind of feel bad for them. Case in point for me was the 2nd effort by Candlebox. I really enjoyed and still enjoy their self-titled debut so I was excited when I heard their 2nd album was dropping in October 1995. "Lucy" came out and the first single Simple Lessons was decent, but the album ultimately didn't deliver. It's half-good but a lot of the songs don't go anywhere. They fell into the trap. Their third album "Happy Pills" course corrected appropriately but the momentum built from their debut was gone. I should note that Candlebox are still together and playing shows / releasing music. Nice.
Here is my list then, in no particular order. Additionally, I am leaving out "What's The Story Morning Glory?" as it my favourite album of all time, so I guess by default it is my favourite 2nd album ever as well. I promise there will be a post where I don't mention Oasis. But this isn't that post.
I also have likely 100% forgotten some so I may have to do an addendum piece at a later date.
I also have likely 100% forgotten some so I may have to do an addendum piece at a later date.
The Clash "Give 'Em Enough Rope" (1978)
Technically, in the US this was their first album but it's their 2nd studio release so it qualifies. I got into The Clash kind of late in life. I think I bought "London Calling" in 1999 or 2000 and then subsequently purchased their entire discography. Now, I'm working on getting it on vinyl. "Give 'Em Enough Rope" starts off with the explosive Safe European Home, definitely in my top 5 Clash tunes ever then segues into one-two punch of English Civil War and Tommy Gun. Overall, it's a solid effort that sets the table well for "London Calling".
Smashing Pumpkins "Siamese Dream" (1993)
This was the first Pumpkins record I bought on the strength of hearing Today (or maybe Disarm because I don't think I have ever been that cutting edge) on the radio. When I was getting back into music and discovering newer artists I just assumed their latest record was their first. Like I was the Christopher Columbus of this band's life! So I was pleasantly surprised when I heard SP had a first album called "Gish". Also a great record. But "Siamese Dream" is an epic one, filled with angst, guitar feedback, classic rock riffs and ferocious drumming. Seriously, Jimmy Chamberlain is a complete beast and incidentally has re-joined the band for their summer tour (maybe permanently, it's hard to keep up). The singles on this one are killer, but the deep cuts also resonate strongly with me, specifically, Hummer, Silverfuck and Mayonaise. Also, killer B-sides during this era, captured nicely on the 1994 collection "Pisces Iscariot".
Weezer "Pinkerton" (1996)
This is a noisy, raw, somewhat abrasive record after their first fairly polished effort. But underneath the rawness the songs are there and it came into my life at the right time; 2nd year of University, girl problems, etc. The way Rivers wrote lyrics on this album is sort of the way I used to write short stories. Maybe a little bit too emotional, but as I said earlier, "Pinkerton" was the right record for me when it came out. The reissue that dropped in 2011 or 2012 (I'm too lazy to look it up) is packed with great B-sides that indicated Rivers Cuomo was a song writing beast during this era. I still listen to this one often.
Radiohead "The Bends" (1995)
I knew Creep, sure, but this was my first Radiohead album, given to me by my cousin Kyle in the summer of 1995 (along with Dave Matthews Band's "Under the Table and Dreaming"). I am not sure how I remember this stuff! Anyway, I only knew Fake Plastic Trees and that is likely all I listened to on this one at first, but sometime during the first month of university, I let the whole record play and was blown away. Planet Telex, The Bends, High & Dry, Just, Sulk, Black Star, and the penultimate closing track, Street Spirit (Fade Out). It kind of flip flops for me what album I like better by Radiohead, "Ok Computer" or this one, but this was the gateway into their world for me. There are not a lot of better guitar albums overall that I've ever heard. Additionally, great B-sides during this era. As you can tell, I like B-sides, I may need to do a post on this sometime.
The Black Crowes "The Southern Musical Companion" (1992)
I want to say that this was my first Black Crowes album and then I went back and bought "Shake Your Money Maker". This album is filled with dual guitar goodness from Rich Robinson and Marc Ford on every song. The opener Sting Me sets you up and Remedy knocks you down. A couple of slow ones in Thorn In My Pride and Bad Luck, Blue Eyes Goodbye and then the fury of Sometimes Salvation and Hotel Illness. I know I'm not ranking these albums but this one is definitely in my top 3 of best second albums ever. Never get tired of listening to it.
Smashing Pumpkins "Siamese Dream" (1993)
This was the first Pumpkins record I bought on the strength of hearing Today (or maybe Disarm because I don't think I have ever been that cutting edge) on the radio. When I was getting back into music and discovering newer artists I just assumed their latest record was their first. Like I was the Christopher Columbus of this band's life! So I was pleasantly surprised when I heard SP had a first album called "Gish". Also a great record. But "Siamese Dream" is an epic one, filled with angst, guitar feedback, classic rock riffs and ferocious drumming. Seriously, Jimmy Chamberlain is a complete beast and incidentally has re-joined the band for their summer tour (maybe permanently, it's hard to keep up). The singles on this one are killer, but the deep cuts also resonate strongly with me, specifically, Hummer, Silverfuck and Mayonaise. Also, killer B-sides during this era, captured nicely on the 1994 collection "Pisces Iscariot".
Weezer "Pinkerton" (1996)
This is a noisy, raw, somewhat abrasive record after their first fairly polished effort. But underneath the rawness the songs are there and it came into my life at the right time; 2nd year of University, girl problems, etc. The way Rivers wrote lyrics on this album is sort of the way I used to write short stories. Maybe a little bit too emotional, but as I said earlier, "Pinkerton" was the right record for me when it came out. The reissue that dropped in 2011 or 2012 (I'm too lazy to look it up) is packed with great B-sides that indicated Rivers Cuomo was a song writing beast during this era. I still listen to this one often.
Radiohead "The Bends" (1995)
I knew Creep, sure, but this was my first Radiohead album, given to me by my cousin Kyle in the summer of 1995 (along with Dave Matthews Band's "Under the Table and Dreaming"). I am not sure how I remember this stuff! Anyway, I only knew Fake Plastic Trees and that is likely all I listened to on this one at first, but sometime during the first month of university, I let the whole record play and was blown away. Planet Telex, The Bends, High & Dry, Just, Sulk, Black Star, and the penultimate closing track, Street Spirit (Fade Out). It kind of flip flops for me what album I like better by Radiohead, "Ok Computer" or this one, but this was the gateway into their world for me. There are not a lot of better guitar albums overall that I've ever heard. Additionally, great B-sides during this era. As you can tell, I like B-sides, I may need to do a post on this sometime.
The Black Crowes "The Southern Musical Companion" (1992)
I want to say that this was my first Black Crowes album and then I went back and bought "Shake Your Money Maker". This album is filled with dual guitar goodness from Rich Robinson and Marc Ford on every song. The opener Sting Me sets you up and Remedy knocks you down. A couple of slow ones in Thorn In My Pride and Bad Luck, Blue Eyes Goodbye and then the fury of Sometimes Salvation and Hotel Illness. I know I'm not ranking these albums but this one is definitely in my top 3 of best second albums ever. Never get tired of listening to it.
Counting Crows "Recovering The Satellites" (1996)
A difficult album from the emotional place that lead singer Adam Duritz was in during the recording process, this is also the one where the band "plugged in". No doubt "August And Everything After" is a mellow classic. T Bone Burnett brings out the best roots flourishes in all artists he produces but this release completely fits where Duritz was at. You know, dating and breaking up with the females in the "Friends" cast and that sort of stuff. Produced by Gil Norton of the Pixies' "Doolittle" fame, this album is noisy and abrasive in places but it works. It showed the band could do mellow and rocking equally well. Loved the first single Angels of the Silences and I still do. This one definitely needs a vinyl re-press stat.
A difficult album from the emotional place that lead singer Adam Duritz was in during the recording process, this is also the one where the band "plugged in". No doubt "August And Everything After" is a mellow classic. T Bone Burnett brings out the best roots flourishes in all artists he produces but this release completely fits where Duritz was at. You know, dating and breaking up with the females in the "Friends" cast and that sort of stuff. Produced by Gil Norton of the Pixies' "Doolittle" fame, this album is noisy and abrasive in places but it works. It showed the band could do mellow and rocking equally well. Loved the first single Angels of the Silences and I still do. This one definitely needs a vinyl re-press stat.
Stone Temple Pilots "Purple" (1994)
Still love this record. I do like "Core" quite a bit but "Purple" is my fave STP record a) because the songs are there and b) because of the memories attached to it. I just remember me and my friends driving around with this album blaring throughout the summer of 1994. In terms of the music, this is a step forward for STP in terms of sound; it still has the grunge flourishes that defined "Core" but also has some nice acoustic sounds (Pretty Penny) and trippier bits (Lounge Fly). Plus, you can't go wrong with Interstate Love Song as a summer anthem. Or really as an anthem, period, end of sentence.
Still love this record. I do like "Core" quite a bit but "Purple" is my fave STP record a) because the songs are there and b) because of the memories attached to it. I just remember me and my friends driving around with this album blaring throughout the summer of 1994. In terms of the music, this is a step forward for STP in terms of sound; it still has the grunge flourishes that defined "Core" but also has some nice acoustic sounds (Pretty Penny) and trippier bits (Lounge Fly). Plus, you can't go wrong with Interstate Love Song as a summer anthem. Or really as an anthem, period, end of sentence.
Liz Phair "Whip-Smart" (1994)
My friend Simon got me into Liz Phair and I believe this was the first album I picked up by her. And I think I got it for Christmas in 1994 so likely my parents got it for me. Nice, I guarantee you they went into the now defunct CD Warehouse in Burlington with a list and made someone get it for them. It's I guess what they call "lo-fi" but the song writing is there and Supernova should have been a bigger song than it was. She had to wait until hooking up with Avril Lavigne's producers to get her big hit in 2003 (or 2004), but by that point, I had unfortunately moved on.
My friend Simon got me into Liz Phair and I believe this was the first album I picked up by her. And I think I got it for Christmas in 1994 so likely my parents got it for me. Nice, I guarantee you they went into the now defunct CD Warehouse in Burlington with a list and made someone get it for them. It's I guess what they call "lo-fi" but the song writing is there and Supernova should have been a bigger song than it was. She had to wait until hooking up with Avril Lavigne's producers to get her big hit in 2003 (or 2004), but by that point, I had unfortunately moved on.
The Gaslight Anthem "The '59 Sound" (2008)
I got into Gaslight Anthem in 2009. Not sure if I read about them or if Springsteen mentioned something about them being from New Jersey...but I picked up "The '59 Sound" without hearing any of their songs and promptly played it right through. And then right through again. So many great songs and it's a pretty big leap from their first album "Sink Or Swim" (also good just very raw). These songs remind me of Springsteen but lyricist / singer / guitarist Brian Fallon has his own way with words that pulled me in. He name drops Springsteen, Counting Crows' Round Here and also Tom Petty and you really can't go wrong with any of that.
Pearl Jam "Vs" (1993)
True story, I really disliked Pearl Jam during the "Ten" era. I don't know why, it might be because they were making Bon Jovi less relevant, it might be because I was rebelling for no apparent reason, it might be because I didn't like (and still don't like) the song Jeremy. Who knows? I bought my friend Hutch "Vs" the first week it came out for his birthday. Because I was and still am obsessed with music, I decided to open it up and give it a spin before giving it to him. Not sure how I would have got the shrink wrap back on but anyway. From the opening notes of Go something changed in me and I let Pearl Jam into my world. I played that album likely 2 or 3 times in a row and then the next day, I went and bought another copy for Hutch. There will be a post on Pearl Jam one day...
Third Eye Blind "Blue" (1999)
I mean, I really like Third Eye Blind, I wrote about them in the post "Don't Call It A Comeback" and I went to see them live last summer, so I won't go into a lot of detail here. There are many great guitar jams on this record fused with catchy tunes and the closer Darwin doesn't get nearly enough props in my book.
Foo Fighters "The Color And The Shape" (1997)
Everlong, My Hero, Monkey Wrench, Hey, Johnny Park!, all of these songs are massive. The record itself, for all the turmoil surrounding it (Dave Grohl fires drummer and re-cuts all the drum parts himself) is really solid. There are some nice quiet songs on this one too, plus in this era they cut the memorable cover Down In The Park for the X-Files show or movie soundtrack. It's included in the 10th year anniversary edition of this album and is a great song. I think maybe their next album "There Is Nothing Left To Lose" is my favourite, but this one is up there.
Garbage "Version 2.0" (1998)
I just saw Garbage a few weeks ago, when they performed their first album and its associated B-sides in their entirety. Garbage can still bring it. Their performance was inspired and they ended the night with Push It from this album. Everyone went nuts. The first 8 songs on "Version 2.0" are really amazing, and although I'm not a huge fan of 3 of the last 4 songs, the closer You Look So Fine is one of the best songs in their catalog. I think I listened to this one quite often in the summer of '98. That should totally be a song, Bryan Adams needs to get on it! Also, wait for it (the sound of a broken record), great B-sides from this era also.
Travis "The Man Who" (1999)
Lots of people like to say that Travis is the "poor man's Coldplay", even though Coldplay came out after them. So maybe no one says that they are this. But on this album they do out-Coldplay Coldplay. After their rough-edged first album, it appears Fran Healy listened to Wonderwall and got inspired, turning out some great, textured rock tunes, such as Writing To Reach You, Turn, As You Are, Driftwood, etc. I'm not partial to Why Does It Always Rain On Me? but I can see why people enjoy it. After this one, I really enjoyed Sing from "The Invisible Band" but their later albums left me a little cold until they made a nice comeback last year with "Where You Stand", which took a lot of style notes from "The Man Who".
I Mother Earth "Scenery & Fish" (1996) & The Watchmen "In The Trees" (1994)
Man, I almost forgot both of these! I wrote about both of them in previous posts but they need to be included on the list because they are sooooo good. Incidentally, the Watchmen released a 20th anniversary edition version of "In The Trees" I believe last year, filled with demos, live and acoustic tracks and it is great. And I just read IME is putting out a new single November 6th. Nice.
Okay, I will stop for now, as this is a pretty decent list.
Until next time (I promise I won't be as long between posts, hopefully)...
True story, I really disliked Pearl Jam during the "Ten" era. I don't know why, it might be because they were making Bon Jovi less relevant, it might be because I was rebelling for no apparent reason, it might be because I didn't like (and still don't like) the song Jeremy. Who knows? I bought my friend Hutch "Vs" the first week it came out for his birthday. Because I was and still am obsessed with music, I decided to open it up and give it a spin before giving it to him. Not sure how I would have got the shrink wrap back on but anyway. From the opening notes of Go something changed in me and I let Pearl Jam into my world. I played that album likely 2 or 3 times in a row and then the next day, I went and bought another copy for Hutch. There will be a post on Pearl Jam one day...
Third Eye Blind "Blue" (1999)
I mean, I really like Third Eye Blind, I wrote about them in the post "Don't Call It A Comeback" and I went to see them live last summer, so I won't go into a lot of detail here. There are many great guitar jams on this record fused with catchy tunes and the closer Darwin doesn't get nearly enough props in my book.
Foo Fighters "The Color And The Shape" (1997)
Everlong, My Hero, Monkey Wrench, Hey, Johnny Park!, all of these songs are massive. The record itself, for all the turmoil surrounding it (Dave Grohl fires drummer and re-cuts all the drum parts himself) is really solid. There are some nice quiet songs on this one too, plus in this era they cut the memorable cover Down In The Park for the X-Files show or movie soundtrack. It's included in the 10th year anniversary edition of this album and is a great song. I think maybe their next album "There Is Nothing Left To Lose" is my favourite, but this one is up there.
Garbage "Version 2.0" (1998)
I just saw Garbage a few weeks ago, when they performed their first album and its associated B-sides in their entirety. Garbage can still bring it. Their performance was inspired and they ended the night with Push It from this album. Everyone went nuts. The first 8 songs on "Version 2.0" are really amazing, and although I'm not a huge fan of 3 of the last 4 songs, the closer You Look So Fine is one of the best songs in their catalog. I think I listened to this one quite often in the summer of '98. That should totally be a song, Bryan Adams needs to get on it! Also, wait for it (the sound of a broken record), great B-sides from this era also.
Travis "The Man Who" (1999)
Lots of people like to say that Travis is the "poor man's Coldplay", even though Coldplay came out after them. So maybe no one says that they are this. But on this album they do out-Coldplay Coldplay. After their rough-edged first album, it appears Fran Healy listened to Wonderwall and got inspired, turning out some great, textured rock tunes, such as Writing To Reach You, Turn, As You Are, Driftwood, etc. I'm not partial to Why Does It Always Rain On Me? but I can see why people enjoy it. After this one, I really enjoyed Sing from "The Invisible Band" but their later albums left me a little cold until they made a nice comeback last year with "Where You Stand", which took a lot of style notes from "The Man Who".
I Mother Earth "Scenery & Fish" (1996) & The Watchmen "In The Trees" (1994)
Man, I almost forgot both of these! I wrote about both of them in previous posts but they need to be included on the list because they are sooooo good. Incidentally, the Watchmen released a 20th anniversary edition version of "In The Trees" I believe last year, filled with demos, live and acoustic tracks and it is great. And I just read IME is putting out a new single November 6th. Nice.
Okay, I will stop for now, as this is a pretty decent list.
Until next time (I promise I won't be as long between posts, hopefully)...
