One of the more highly anticipated albums of 2012 for the PFOS crew is
Miike Snow's second album, set to drop in March. A few singles are
already making the rounds -- e.g., Black Tin Box (the best so far).
But it's tough to follow up a strong debut. The sophomore slump, aka MGMTing, is well documented. It's probably not fair -- maybe the second album isn't all that bad, but just can't meet impossible expectations (a la Foster the People in 2014). I fear this may happen here to our friends from Sweden. They'd need to write a song that cures cancer and puts a $5 bill in my pocket every listen if they wanted to top Cult Logic, and that's a high bar.
They'd also be in rare company if they pulled it off. Which bands -- in the last 20 years let's say -- have actually met (or exceeded) high expectations with their follow up? It needs to be a strong debut -- Nirvana doesn't count because no one knew about Bleach until MTV started playing Teen Spirit two dozen times a day. (Disclaimer: I was 7 years old. Maybe *some* people knew about Bleach.)
Not everyone, but here's a few:
Foo Fighters - The Colour and the Shape (1997)
When Grohl started his side project in 94, he wasn't going to catch anyone off guard. Foo Fighters went platinum six months after its release. But it was his follow up album in 97 that established the band with its own legacy-in-waiting, as more than a re-hashed Nirvana. It's still the band's biggest seller, with (probably) the band's best known song.
Adele - 21 (2011)
Probably the only one here that's beyond reasonable debate. Maybe some purists out there prefer her first album, but I doubt anyone thinks it was a greater overall achievement. 19 was generally successful and well received by critics, but 21 made Adele a household name and feels like one of those pop-ish albums that will still be relevant in 15 or 20 years. And just like with the Foo Fighters and Kanye, her second album leaves the impression she still has a lot more to come.
A few others:
I hope, for the world's sake, Miike can follow in this tradition. One more for the road:
But it's tough to follow up a strong debut. The sophomore slump, aka MGMTing, is well documented. It's probably not fair -- maybe the second album isn't all that bad, but just can't meet impossible expectations (a la Foster the People in 2014). I fear this may happen here to our friends from Sweden. They'd need to write a song that cures cancer and puts a $5 bill in my pocket every listen if they wanted to top Cult Logic, and that's a high bar.
They'd also be in rare company if they pulled it off. Which bands -- in the last 20 years let's say -- have actually met (or exceeded) high expectations with their follow up? It needs to be a strong debut -- Nirvana doesn't count because no one knew about Bleach until MTV started playing Teen Spirit two dozen times a day. (Disclaimer: I was 7 years old. Maybe *some* people knew about Bleach.)
Not everyone, but here's a few:
Foo Fighters - The Colour and the Shape (1997)
When Grohl started his side project in 94, he wasn't going to catch anyone off guard. Foo Fighters went platinum six months after its release. But it was his follow up album in 97 that established the band with its own legacy-in-waiting, as more than a re-hashed Nirvana. It's still the band's biggest seller, with (probably) the band's best known song.
Kanye West - Late Registration (2005)
Some might call this a stretch, because College Dropout was big -- it debuted #2 on the US charts, has a few of his most well-known singles, Rolling Stone ranked it the #10 album of the 2000s (who gives a shit, I know). But Late Registration was just as big -- it debuted #1, went platinum in two weeks, has his most popular single to date. More importantly though, it cemented this guy as a hip hop icon. Other rappers had shined real bright in a debut only to fade after (e.g., Warren G), but this album proved Kanye wasn't going to be one of them. In the words of Rob Sheffield (who gives a shit, I know), "Late Registration is so expansive it makes the debut sound like a rough draft." By not dropping off even a little bit, Kanye trumped his debut.
Some might call this a stretch, because College Dropout was big -- it debuted #2 on the US charts, has a few of his most well-known singles, Rolling Stone ranked it the #10 album of the 2000s (who gives a shit, I know). But Late Registration was just as big -- it debuted #1, went platinum in two weeks, has his most popular single to date. More importantly though, it cemented this guy as a hip hop icon. Other rappers had shined real bright in a debut only to fade after (e.g., Warren G), but this album proved Kanye wasn't going to be one of them. In the words of Rob Sheffield (who gives a shit, I know), "Late Registration is so expansive it makes the debut sound like a rough draft." By not dropping off even a little bit, Kanye trumped his debut.
Adele - 21 (2011)
Probably the only one here that's beyond reasonable debate. Maybe some purists out there prefer her first album, but I doubt anyone thinks it was a greater overall achievement. 19 was generally successful and well received by critics, but 21 made Adele a household name and feels like one of those pop-ish albums that will still be relevant in 15 or 20 years. And just like with the Foo Fighters and Kanye, her second album leaves the impression she still has a lot more to come.
A few others:
Pearl Jam - Vs. -- most people I know prefer Ten, but Vs. solidified the band as a rock powerhouse.
Oasis - (What's the Story) Morning Glory? -- maybe not for the snobs, but definitely for the world's karaoke bars.
Dave Matthews Band - Crash -- seven million people can't be wrong.
Dave Matthews Band - Crash -- seven million people can't be wrong.
Daft Punk - Discovery -- tastes will differ, but hard to say this didn't at least meet high expectations.
Bon Iver - Bon Iver / Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues -- definitely for the snobs, not so much for the world's karaoke bars. I hope, for the world's sake, Miike can follow in this tradition. One more for the road:
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