In music business circles there’s a saying that you’ve got a lifetime to put in writing your first document, however solely 12 months to put in writing your second album.
It’s a cliché, after all, and the reality is {that a} paucity of recent materials is only one purpose that some acts have struggled to comply with up a stellar debut. The load of expectation may be burdensome, whereas inner frictions and the lack of key members may be different main obstacles to beat. Right here, then, are 20 examples of the so-called ‘second album syndrome’, or in some circumstances the dreaded sophomore hunch.
Phrases By Barry Web page
20 Electribe 101 – Electribal Soul (1991)
Fronted by Billie Ray Martin, Electribe 101 scored a brace of UK hits spun from debut album Electribal Reminiscences, and landed a profile-boosting help slot on Depeche Mode’s World Violation Tour, however success was fleeting for the soulful dance act. After parting with their supervisor – a person who’d bizarrely questioned Chris Lowe’s value in Pet Store Boys – the group have been dropped by their label, leaving their second LP to languish in perpetuity. Fortunately, it was ultimately launched to acclaim in 2022, following a restoration job.
19 Holly Johnson – Desires That Cash Can’t Purchase (1991)
Having been extricated from his ZTT contract, Holly Johnson returned with the UK No.1 Blast album and its attendant hit singles Love Practice and Americanos however its follow-up was a business catastrophe and didn’t chart. Desires That Cash Can’t Purchase actually had its moments – notably the Kirsty MacColl-assisted Boyfriend ’65– however critics didn’t reply favourably to the tasteless and unimaginative dance-pop on provide, and a few questionable singles selections sealed its destiny.
18 Propaganda – 1234 (1990)
Following the departure of Claudia Brücken and a prolonged authorized battle, Propaganda returned in 1990 with a brand new lineup fronted by singer Betsi Miller. The lead single from second LP Heaven Give Me Phrases gave them a minor hit, however with their gnarly edges largely smoothed out, solely Ministry Of Worry – with Susanne Freytag in a visitor vocal position – hinted at former glories. “I’m joyful concerning the outcomes and I stand by it,” a defiant Michael Mertens advised Basic Pop. “And Betsi ought to have gotten extra recognition than she did.”
17 Spandau Ballet – Diamond (1982)
Capturing the Britfunk zeitgeist, singles Chant No.1 (I Don’t Want This Strain On) and Paint Me Down had stored up Spandau’s chart momentum, however songwriter Gary Kemp had hit a inventive deadlock, and a need to combine jazz-funk tracks with extra esoteric items led to a disjointed second album, leaving Chrysalis bigwigs stony-faced. Tony Hadley hated it and had clashed with producer Richard James Burgess, however jumped on the probability to document a brand new vocal for a Trevor Horn revamp of Instinction, restoring their fortunes.
16 Bronski Beat – Truthdare Doubledare (1986)
Changing a frontman after only one album could be a powerful ask (see additionally Haircut One Hundred and Johnny Hates Jazz), however within the wake of Jimmy Somerville’s exit, the remaining duo of Steve Bronski and Larry Steinbachek rose to the problem. Hiring buddy John Foster paid off with the Hello-NRG sounds of Hit That Excellent Beatand the Caribbean really feel of C’mon! C’mon!, however its dad or mum LP would fail to match the success of its predecessor, as their erstwhile singer’s profession went from power to power.
15 Morrissey – Kill Uncle (1991)
That includes minor hits Our Frank and Sing Your Life, Morrissey’s much-maligned second LP arrived three years after his debut, the hole plugged by standalone singles and the compilation Bona Drag, by which era the singer had a brand new foil in Fairground Attraction guitarist Mark Nevin. Ever the revisionist, Morrissey oversaw a reconfigured 2013 reissue and slipped it into a unique sleeve, however even he conceded its lowly creative value. “It’ll at all times be the orphaned imp that no one needs,” he quipped in his memoir.
14 Boy George – Tense Nervous Headache (1988)
With Tradition Membership splitting after fourth LP From Luxurious To Heartache, Boy George went solo in 1987, topping the charts with a canopy of David Gates’ All the things I Personal. Sadly, follow-up album Offered lacked course and was withdrawn after the failure of lead single Don’t Cry, and Virgin as a substitute green-lit the Boyfriend album, that includes tracks George had initially rejected. “Tense Nervous Headache was self-indulgent, scatterbrained, and painfully out of contact,” he wrote in his autobiography.
13 Kajagoogoo – Islands (1984)
By summer time 1983 chart-toppers Kajagoogoo had loved an unbelievable six months, with scenes redolent of Beatlemania. However interior tensions have been rife, culminating within the firing of singer Limahl, who had been introduced in so as to add business gravitas. Reverting to their manufacturing facility setting, with bassist Nick Beggs on vocals, Large Apple gave them a success, however by the point of the Islands LP, they have been spending extra time in Toni & Man than the charts, and their efforts would quickly be eclipsed by a sure Limahl team-up with Giorgio Moroder.
12 The Teardrop Explodes – Wilder (1981)
One of the crucial dysfunctional acts to emerge throughout the post-punk period, The Teardrop Explodes started to implode while on the precipice of economic success. By the second LP, Julian Cope was more and more paranoid and indifferent, because of his consumption of hallucinogens. Its title emblematic of a extra adventurous sound, Wilder didn’t lack ambition – and in The Nice Dominions featured one among Cope’s most interesting songs – however after the Colors Fly Away single bombed, the LP quickly floundered within the pre-Xmas rush.
11 OMD – Organisation (1980)
Swiftly assembled on the behest of their paymasters, OMD’s second album arrived simply eight months after their storage pop debut, and located Messrs Humphreys and McCluskey in sombre temper, with the funereal Statues proof of their profound unhappiness within the wake of Ian Curtis’ dying. Patched up with a unusual tackle The Extra I See You and a brand new model of pre-OMD recording The Misunderstanding, it has since been lauded as a gothic masterpiece, the one outlier being worldwide hit Enola Homosexual.
10 Depeche Mode – A Damaged Body (1982)
With two hit singles and an acclaimed album beneath their belts, a promising profession beckoned for Basildon’s most interesting; that was till the shock departure of Vince Clarke. Shedding a chief songwriter would end off most teams, however in Martin Gore that they had a brilliant sub, and See You quickly grew to become their largest hit up to now. Extra complicated and bold than its predecessor, with experimental cuts comparable to Monument signposting their future, A Damaged Body was the sound of a band discovering its ft. It wasn’t darkish but, however it was getting there.
09 Yazoo – You And Me Each (1983)
Vince Clarke by no means envisioned Yazoo as a long-term mission, and needed to be talked into making a second album with Alison Moyet, by which era the pair’s working relationship had damaged down (the album title was a understanding reference to their estrangement). No one’s Diary continued their run of hits, however a disinterested Vince – who’d already moved on to The Meeting – left Alf with a lot of the promotional work. Fortunately there was a contented postscript, with a string of triumphant stay dates in 2008.
08 Frankie Goes To Hollywood – Liverpool (1986)
With three chart-toppers to their identify, the world was Frankie’s oyster, however when the abridged title observe of their bold debut LP ‘solely’ reached No.2, it appeared the one approach was down. Largely freed from the bombast and pretension of its predecessor, Liverpool was a extra streamlined affair, and in its harder-edged sound there was a steely resolve to create one thing with out the studio trickery of yore. However 18 months is a very long time in pop and, post-Reside Assist, their viewers had seemingly moved on.
07 Kate Bush – Lionheart (1978)
Issued simply 9 months after Kate Bush’s debut album The Kick Inside, follow-up Lionheart was the results of strain from EMI’s high brass, eager to capitalise on her success. Swiftly recorded within the idyllic French Riviera, the LP spawned a memorable hit in Wow, however the reception from the press and Bush herself was muted. “Regardless that they have been my songs and I used to be singing them, the completed product was not what I needed,” she advised Keyboard magazine. She wouldn’t be rushed once more and would take the manufacturing reins on subsequent LPs.
06 The Jam – This Is The Fashionable World (1977)
With The Jam spending over a 3rd of the 12 months on the highway, a dip in high quality on their second document – launched lower than six months after their first – was to be anticipated. The patched-up effort, that included two Bruce Foxton originals and a canopy of In The Midnight Hour, spent simply 5 weeks within the charts, their least profitable LP. A tepid press reception additionally awaited them, not {that a} thick-skinned Paul Weller cared. “I don’t give two fucks about your assessment,” he spat on feisty lead observe The Fashionable World.
05 Elastica – The Menace (2000)
Filled with punchy pop songs and riffs that have been ostensibly gleaned from their mother and father’ post-punk document collections, Elastica’s chart-topping debut album was a breath of contemporary air within the frenzied cauldron of Britpop, however success would take its toll. Following lineup adjustments, an EP of works-in-progress arrived in 1999, however by the point the primary course was served, appetites had severely dwindled. Whereas praised for its wide-ranging palette, this lacked hooks and flopped. “Make a cup of tea, put a document on…” however possibly not this one.
04 Suede – Canine Man Star (1994)
Suede’s magnum opus was created in a haze of drug-fuelled paranoia, and guitarist Bernard Butler – who was responsible of some slightly hurtful sniping within the music press – left the band following a collection of tense studio altercations. His erstwhile bandmates managed to finish the LP, however changing their talismanic guitarist – one thing The Smiths had notably didn’t do – wasn’t fairly as simple. Luckily, they struck gold with 17-year outdated Richard Oakes, who hit the bottom operating, heralding an thrilling new period for the band.
03 ABC – Magnificence Stab (1983)
A transparent case of profession sabotage, Magnificence Stab arrived inside 18 months of luxurious debut album The Lexicon Of Love, and located ABC swapping their lush strings for gritty guitars. “Why make the previous your sacred cow?” sang a defiant Martin Fry on opener That Was Then However This Is Now. He not solely mothballed his signature gold lamé go well with but additionally the themes of romance and heartache, shifting lyrical focus to his perceptions of contemporary Britain, by the lens of post-industrial Sheffield. With two minor hits, the LP sank beneath the burden of expectation.
02 Sananda Maitreya – Neither Fish Nor Flesh (1989)
The artist previously often known as Terence Trent D’Arby actually wasn’t quick on hubris, claiming his debut album was an important launch since Sgt Pepper, however the Martyn Ware-produced opus packed a business punch, attaining multi-platinum standing and spawning 4 main hits. In contrast, the follow-up was a catastrophe that spent simply three weeks within the UK Prime 40, its singles equally fruitless. Whereas accusations of self-indulgence have been partially warranted, it has since been heralded as a piece of misunderstood genius.
01 The Stone Roses – Second Coming (1994)
By the point of its launch, The Stone Roses’ follow-up to their esteemed debut had attained near-mythological standing, the band having skilfully evaded the attentions of vulturous journalists. Second Coming endured a troubled gestation, after all, with the band waylaid by litigation, and it took a couple of years to search out their groove. However after the exit of impatient producer John Leckie, they made first rate progress, knocking the brand new songs into form by way of limitless studio jams. Once they ultimately returned, the panorama had altered considerably within the wake of grunge and Britpop.
The band had modified, too, having eschewed the 60s influences in favour of a heavier sound. The important response was combined, however in some ways the LP eclipsed its predecessor, each by way of musicianship and number of materials. Comeback single Love Spreads and the 12-bar boogie of Driving South have been redolent of Led Zeppelin’s riffery, however the campfire strum of Tightrope and the folky Your Star Will Shine provided respite from John Squire’s manic fretwork, whereas each Dawn and Straight To The Man hinted at a groove-based path they may have adopted. And there was a real traditional in Ten Storey Love Music, the chart-topper that by no means was. It could all finish in ear-torturing style on the 1996 Studying Competition – Squire later advised The Guardian he’d slightly take away his liver with a teaspoon than reform the band. Ouch.
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