Bands That Peaked with Their First Album

[TheMojoPin]

What are bands or acts you can think of that put out what is generally considered their best album as their first album? This doesn't mean necessarily that they turned crappy afterwards, but nothing they did is considered as great or good as the first. One-off albums don't count: these have to be from bands or acts that had at least two full length studio albums released.

http://image.maniadb.com/images/album/165/165013_1_f.jpg

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radioassets/photos/2007/10/24/30439_2.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nWBX5cMJr54/Rxn4pDix-rI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/9INsODAxHA8/s400/Elastica--Frontal.jpg

http://thimk.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/illmatic.jpg

http://www.bloodshotrecords.com/files/imagecache/album-image/files/album-images/album_main_bs071.jpg

[HBox]

http://betterpropaganda.com/images/artwork/Turn_On_The_Bright_Lights-Interpol_480.jpg

[paulisded]

I agree with all of those choices but Ryan Adams. You can't really put in somebody who had a prior career. If that's the rule, then I guess you'd have to also include George Harrison's All Things Must Pass.

[TheMojoPin]

I agree with all of those choices but Ryan Adams. You can't really put in somebody who had a prior career. If that's the rule, then I guess you'd have to also include George Harrison's All Things Must Pass.

That counts. Let's treat prior bands as seperate entities.

[TheMojoPin]

Maybe the ultimate:

http://www.clashmusic.com/files/images/roses%20cover.jpg

[Snoogans]

all of them

[A.J.]

Derek and The Dominoes.

[MC Pee Pants]

Presidents of the United States of America

[grlNIN]

http://betterpropaganda.com/images/artwork/Turn_On_The_Bright_Lights-Interpol_480.jpg

No No No.

[Snoogans]

Presidents of the United States of America

they actually had a second album?

[underdog]

http://betterpropaganda.com/images/artwork/Turn_On_The_Bright_Lights-Interpol_480.jpg

I do not agree with this, but I think I'm the only one.

[TheMojoPin]

all of them

Not true. Look at bands like the Beatles or the Rolling Stones. Look at Radiohead or Wilco.

[Snoogans]

Not true. Look at bands like the Beatles or the Rolling Stones. Look at Radiohead or Wilco.

ALL OF THEM

Especially Michael Jackson. He never sold anything after that first shit

[paulisded]

That counts. Let's treat prior bands as seperate entities.

Fair enough.

A few choices - The Cars, Velvet Underground (not to underplay the greatness of the other releases), John Lennon (never topped Plastic Ono Band), Romantics, Modern English, Buzzcocks, G&R, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Franz Ferdinand, Son Volt.

[grlNIN]

Not true. Look at bands like the Beatles or the Rolling Stones. Look at Radiohead or Wilco.

Wilco is such shitty old white people rock now you might want to abandon that argument.

[TheMojoPin]

I do not agree with this, but I think I'm the only one.

I like the 2nd one more myself but I think it should count. The first one has better reviews and is generally considered the better album.

[TheMojoPin]

Wilco is such shitty old white people rock now you might want to abandon that argument.

Quiet, you. Despite the haters, their 4th album is generally considered their best.

[epo]

Wilco is such shitty old white people rock now you might want to abandon that argument.

This is why girls shouldn't argue about music with men.

[TheMojoPin]

http://merlin.pl/Enter-The-Wu-Tang-36-Chambers_Wu-Tang-Clan,images_big,4,74321203672.jpg

[HBox]

No No No.

I do not agree with this, but I think I'm the only one.

Yes Yes Yes. Their 2 follow ups don't even come close, which is more of a comment on how good Bright Lights is than how bad Evil and Our Love to Admire are.

[Snoogans]

Quiet, you. Despite the haters, their 4th album is generally considered their best.

what are they fuckin guidos?

[Snoogans]

Richie Valenz

[hanso]

Candlebox

[grlNIN]

Yes Yes Yes. Their 2 follow ups don't even come close, which is more of a comment on how good Bright Lights is than how bad Evil and Our Love to Admire are.

I won't argue the third but the second album was really good-which wouldn't allow me to say that they peaked.

[HBox]

I'm gonna go out on even more of a limb here:

http://z.about.com/d/rap/1/0/w/9/-/-/KanyeWestTheCollegeDropout.jpg

[grlNIN]

Quiet, you. Despite the haters, their 4th album is generally considered their best.


Your thread sucks.

Make it at least the second or third album then, or else you're just hosting a thread for albums that are in the vein of one hit wonders.

[drusilla]

Wilco is such shitty old white people rock now you might want to abandon that argument.

i never understood the love that wilco got.

[TheMojoPin]

I'm gonna go out on even more of a limb here:

http://z.about.com/d/rap/1/0/w/9/-/-/KanyeWestTheCollegeDropout.jpg

I think that's very debatable just from the cirtical acclaim standpoint. I think the followup got much more attention and praise.

[TheMojoPin]

Your thread sucks.

Make it at least the second or third album then, or else you're just hosting a thread for albums that are in the vein of one hit wonders.

No, dammit. Every band peaks...but not all of them do right out of the gate.

[grlNIN]

i never understood the love that wilco got.

Once the guy got sober it went down hill.

[grlNIN]

No, dammit. Every band peaks...but not all of them do right out of the gate.

Most of the bands you listen to did.

[Snoogans]

http://xtremzik1.free.fr/Pochettes/Afroman_-_The_Good_Times-front.jpg

[TheMojoPin]

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/47/147926912_28e144d74c.jpg?v=0

http://algotranqui.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/dummy-portishead.jpg

[TheMojoPin]

http://xtremzik1.free.fr/Pochettes/Afroman_-_The_Good_Times-front.jpg

NOBODY EVER THOUGHT THAT WAS GOOD, FOOL.

[IMSlacker]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/60/GunsnRosesAppetiteforDestructionalbumcover.jpg

[Snoogans]

NOBODY EVER THOUGHT THAT WAS GOOD, FOOL.

colt 45 and 2 zig zags, baby thats all we need....we could go to the park after dark, smoke that tumbleweed

[HBox]

http://surrealistlovescene.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/radiohead-pablo-honey.jpg

Deep down you all know its true.

[TheMojoPin]

http://cdn.pitchfork.com/media/1130-silent-alarm.jpg

[Ritalin]

Two words: Violent Femmes.

[epo]

Presidents of the United States of America

Candlebox

NOBODY EVER THOUGHT THAT WAS GOOD, FOOL.

I just thought Mojo's quote applied to these two cases as well.

[TheMojoPin]

Two words: Violent Femmes.

Perfect example. Nice.

[underdog]

I like the 2nd one more myself but I think it should count. The first one has better reviews and is generally considered the better album.

That's because you can't be indie or a hipster without complaining that the first album was the best.

You know why the first album is the best? Because it's the first fucking time you heard the band. Of course you're going to compare everything to that album and look back on it with rose-colored glasses.

This thread sucks.

[epo]

http://surrealistlovescene.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/radiohead-pablo-honey.jpg

Deep down you all know its true.

Lies. That was clearly a case of a 2nd album peak.

[underdog]

http://surrealistlovescene.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/radiohead-pablo-honey.jpg

Deep down you all know its true.

That's just crazy talk.

[TheMojoPin]

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yuGx2p_Kpck/Ri1xjx-VFsI/AAAAAAAAAII/BXjntVwVRns/s400/Black+on+Both+Sides.jpg

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B000FJA9OI.jpg

[hammersavage]

i never understood the love that wilco got.

I will now ignore you tonight

http://surrealistlovescene.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/radiohead-pablo-honey.jpg

Deep down you all know its true.

Makes no sense at all

[HBox]

That's because you can't be indie or a hipster without complaining that the first album was the best.

You know why the first album is the best? Because it's the first fucking time you heard the band. Of course you're going to compare everything to that album and look back on it with rose-colored glasses.

This thread sucks.

It rarely works that way. Case in point:

http://surrealistlovescene.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/radiohead-pablo-honey.jpg

[hammersavage]

Yes Yes Yes. Their 2 follow ups don't even come close, which is more of a comment on how good Bright Lights is than how bad Evil and Our Love to Admire are.

It was Antics. I think Antics is as better or at least as good. But the last album was way downhill.

[epo]

http://onealbumaday.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/the-black-crowes-shake-your-money-maker-album-cover.jpg

[HBox]

I can't believe anyone thought I was serious about Pablo Honey.

[drusilla]

I will now ignore you tonight



jerk

[hammersavage]

I can't believe anyone thought I was serious about Pablo Honey.

There are so many dumb people who post here, its hard to weed out the jokes from the terrible opinions.

[HBox]

It was Antics. I think Antics is as better or at least as good. But the last album was way downhill.

I always make that mistake and I don't know why.
:wallbash::wallbash:

[hammersavage]

jerk

i tease

[epo]

I can't believe anyone thought I was serious about Pablo Honey.

Just Jon needs to install Sarcastic Font for the site. (http://www.glennmcanally.com/sarcastic/index.htm)

[underdog]

It rarely works that way. Case in point:

People complain all the time about wishing Radiohead would go back to the "Creep" sound.

It was Antics. I think Antics is as better or at least as good. But the last album was way downhill.

I love their last album, but maybe I'm guilty of what I'm complaining about. It was the album that got me into the band, so I'm comparing everything else to it.

[underdog]

I can't believe anyone thought I was serious about Pablo Honey.

I still think you're serious.

[HBox]

I still think you're serious.

Surely you can't be serious.

[TheMojoPin]

http://www.thebostonbachelor.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/the_jesus_and_mary_chain_psychocandy.jpg

[HBox]

People complain all the time about wishing Radiohead would go back to the "Creep" sound.

There are a lot of dummies in the world. But Radiohead now critically and commercially are much bigger than they were in the Pablo Honey/The Bends days.

[hanso]

I just thought Mojo's quote applied to these two cases as well.

Candlebox 1 Was there best by far.
Apx.3-4 hits The whole album is great imo.

[TheMojoPin]

Candlebox 1 Was there best by far.
Apx.3-4 hits The whole album is great imo.

I think epo is pointing how the idea is to apply this to albums that are beloved by the fans as well as critically to the point that they are generally agreed on as good or great albums. I know Candlebox had a lot of fans, but you're not really going to find an album of theirs that was critically acclaimed to that point.

[TheMojoPin]

Yea or nay?

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TRGQGx2cY5k/SkbGxe5rnzI/AAAAAAAAAn4/ttvKzcIOznQ/s400/Elvis%2BCostello%2B(My%2BAim%2BIs%2BTrue%2B-Front).jpg

[hanso]

I think epo is pointing how the idea is to apply this to albums that are beloved by the fans as well as critically to the point that they are generally agreed on as good or great albums. I know Candlebox had a lot of fans, but you're not really going to find an album of theirs that was critically acclaimed to that point.

Having like 4 song that get radio play off an album puts it there imo.
Change-You-Far Behind-Cover Me.
Any station worth there salt played/plays these songs

[TheMojoPin]

Having like 4 song that get radio play off an album puts it there imo.

Radio play does not equal critical acclaim.

I'm just saying, the idea of thread was to consider albums that are generally considered a band's best album while also being a significant critical success. If we were going just by sales or radio play then we might as well be talking Creed or Collective Soul records.

[TheMojoPin]

http://oitomboy.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/the-pogues-rum-sodomy-and-the-lash.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YkHSWrMMI1Y/SX5mGpwT8VI/AAAAAAAAAf0/aXvylogWDv0/s400/Specials_uk_front.jpg

[paulisded]

Yea or nay?

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TRGQGx2cY5k/SkbGxe5rnzI/AAAAAAAAAn4/ttvKzcIOznQ/s400/Elvis%2BCostello%2B(My%2BAim%2BIs%2BTrue%2B-Front).jpg

Nay, the next two surpassed this one. In fact, make it three as Get Happy was also a classic.

[KnoxHarrington]

http://www.black-sabbath.com/images/covers/blacksabbath.jpg

[K.C.]

Though, I don't agree, I actually know a lot of people who would say:

http://www.moesrealm.com/img/album_covers/gish.jpg





One I will say absolutely happened, though, at the risk of incurring the wrath of one David McDonald is:

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2008/12/pearl-jam-ten-490.jpg

[TheMojoPin]

http://www.thewhitenoiserevisited.co.uk/images/screamadelica.jpg

http://www.skatetronics.com/interviews/onthemic-fishbone/fishbone%20logos/album-fishbone.jpg

[HBox]

One I will say absolutely happened, though, at the risk of incurring the wrath of one David McDonald is:

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2008/12/pearl-jam-ten-490.jpg

I'd say they peaked at Vitalogy but those two along with Vs. are so close.

[epo]

Having like 4 song that get radio play off an album puts it there imo.
Change-You-Far Behind-Cover Me.
Any station worth there salt played/plays these songs

So you are gonna tell me that good radio stations played fucking Candlebox? They were a lazy-Pearl Jam knockoff and a critical disaster.

Claiming that Candlebox was "good" would be like claiming that Seven Mary Three was original.

[sailor]

http://www.black-sabbath.com/images/covers/blacksabbath.jpg

yeah, joe siegler sucks.

[KnoxHarrington]

http://www.progarchives.com/progressive_rock_discography_covers/5016/cover_50561825112009.jpg

That would be Chicago Transit Authority's debut album. Not great, but not bad either. And certainly better than the pussy shit they'd be putting out later.

[landarch]

colt 45 and 2 zig zags, baby thats all we need....we could go to the park after dark, smoke that tumbleweed

And as the marijuana burns we can take our turn singing them dirty rap songs

stop to hit the bong like Cheech and Chong, and sell tapes from here to Hong Kong.

So roll roll my '83, Cadillac Coupe DeVille

Feelin high as hell, flyin through Palmdale, skatin on Dayton rims.

[keithy_19]

I know some will disagree with me, but Weezer's Blue Album. Pinkerton is a close second, but their first is their best in my opinion.

[Suspect Chin]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/63/SnoopDoggyDoggDoggystyle.jpg

[TheMojoPin]

I know some will disagree with me, but Weezer's Blue Album. Pinkerton is a close second, but their first is their best in my opinion.

That's a weird situation since the 2nd album didn't get much in the way of good reviews when it came out but mow in hindsight it's the more critically acclaimed.

[EliSnow]

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B000FJA9OI.jpg

My knowledge of music is not as vast as bunch of you but I have to agree with this one the most, especially because of how great this album was.

I'll throw out there:

http://superblast.typepad.com/.a/6a00e3933a03dd883400e5532cc09e8833-350wi

[paulisded]

My knowledge of music is not as vast as bunch of you but I have to agree with this one the most, especially because of how great this album was.



It's also Sweet's third album, so it shouldn't be listed here.

[IMSlacker]

It's also Sweet's third album, so it shouldn't be listed here.

Oh, Mojo.

[keithy_19]

That's a weird situation since the 2nd album didn't get much in the way of good reviews when it came out but mow in hindsight it's the more critically acclaimed.

It's such a one-two punch. It's hard to think of a band that has done a better job right out of the gate.

[epo]

It's such a one-two punch. It's hard to think of a band that has done a better job right out of the gate.

Umm...there are plenty.

[TheMojoPin]

It's also Sweet's third album, so it shouldn't be listed here.

Oh yeah, good point. I always forget about the earlier ones because they're so horrible.

[TheMojoPin]

It's such a one-two punch. It's hard to think of a band that has done a better job right out of the gate.

I can think of many.

[paulisded]

Oh yeah, good point. I always forget about the earlier ones because they're so horrible.

Exactly. Having Richard Lloyd, Fred Maher, Robert Quine and Lloyd Cole as your band definitely raises your song and recording standards.

[hanso]

Radio play does not equal critical acclaim.

I'm just saying, the idea of thread was to consider albums that are generally considered a band's best album while also being a significant critical success. If we were going just by sales or radio play then we might as well be talking Creed or Collective Soul records.
I don't see that in the intro to this thread.









So you are gonna tell me that good radio stations played fucking Candlebox? They were a lazy-Pearl Jam knockoff and a critical disaster.

Claiming that Candlebox was "good" would be like claiming that Seven Mary Three was original.
ANY alt. rock station plays them even now. So 7m3 were cover also ok

I can do w/o out all the critical acclaim nonsense. Good music is just that.

I will leave you all to chat over john prine and leonard cohen if thats the case.

[TheMojoPin]

I don't see that in the intro to this thread.

I figured it was understood.

[grlNIN]

Oh yeah, good point. I always forget about the earlier ones because they're so horrible.

So you just broke not only your own rule but did the exact same thing you nagged me about earlier in the thread?

Someone better check every album he posted from his itunes collection, they're probably all wrong.

[TheMojoPin]

I simply forgot it wasn't his first, sillypants.

[lleeder]

The BEATLES

[IMSlacker]

The BEATLES

You really get drunk quickly.

[epo]

ANY alt. rock station plays them even now. So 7m3 were cover also ok

I can do w/o out all the critical acclaim nonsense. Good music is just that.

I will leave you all to chat over john prine and leonard cohen if thats the case.

Any bland, shitty "alternative" commercial radio does play Candlebox, which is one reason I can't listen to that shit...and one reason that commercial radio is a complete failure.

Its not about criticial acclaim and while I understand that music is qualitative...Candlebox is nothing more than derivative shit. They weren't original (fuck their drummer was a Pearl Jam alum), and they weren't good.

To claim that their "first album was their best" would be like claiming that Jeffrey Dahmer's first murder was his best. Just hideous.

[paulisded]

Any bland, shitty "alternative" commercial radio does play Candlebox, which is one reason I can't listen to that shit...and one reason that commercial radio is a complete failure.

Its not about criticial acclaim and while I understand that music is qualitative...Candlebox is nothing more than derivative shit. They weren't original (fuck their drummer was a Pearl Jam alum), and they weren't good.

To claim that their "first album was their best" would be like claiming that Jeffrey Dahmer's first murder was his best. Just hideous.

I couldn't agree more.

[Jughead]

I

[tele7]

Gin Blossoms

[Suspect Chin]

I think classic rock gets a lot of respect amongst young people.

*Response to Jug's post, which he apparently had second thoughts on.

[hanso]

The only album by Candlebox that was critically acclaimed is Lucy.
Lucy sucks balls. The critics don't know shit.

If your going to go by what the critics say. You may was well go by Billboard top 100.

They both are too far a reach.

Critically acclaimed & best = Fail

[yojimbo7248]

My knowledge of music is not as vast as bunch of you but I have to agree with this one the most, especially because of how great this album was.

I'll throw out there:

http://superblast.typepad.com/.a/6a00e3933a03dd883400e5532cc09e8833-350wi




Good one. Liz Phair never lived up to potential of first album. I am thinking Arcade Fire is another band/artist that for whatever reason created a first album that was way above their talent level. I know it is way too early to tell but I doubt we will see anything better than Funeral from them.

[hanso]

I'd rather listen to Grunge/Classic/Alt rock which a lot of stations group together. Then any other genre on commercial radio.

[yojimbo7248]

Yea or nay?

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TRGQGx2cY5k/SkbGxe5rnzI/AAAAAAAAAn4/ttvKzcIOznQ/s400/Elvis%2BCostello%2B(My%2BAim%2BIs%2BTrue%2B-Front).jpg

Are you serious?! Great album, don't get me wrong but Imperial Bedroom is stronger if I was going to choose an early one. Yeah, he has had his ups and downs but he has had a great career and now way can you say he peaked in 1977

[IMSlacker]

Good one. Liz Phair never lived up to potential of first album. I am thinking Arcade Fire is another band/artist that for whatever reason created a first album that was way above their talent level. I know it is way too early to tell but I doubt we will see anything better than Funeral from them.

I like Neon Bible as much as Funeral. Also, their third album is on it's way. We probably should reserve judgement on band who are only two albums in.

[yojimbo7248]

I like Neon Bible as much as Funeral. Also, their third album is on it's way. We probably should reserve judgement on band who are only two albums in.

yeah, good point. can't wait to hear next album

[zildjian361]

Yea or nay?

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TRGQGx2cY5k/SkbGxe5rnzI/AAAAAAAAAn4/ttvKzcIOznQ/s400/Elvis%2BCostello%2B(My%2BAim%2BIs%2BTrue%2B-Front).jpg

Defintly NAY check out Elvis Costello With, wednesday night's on the Sundance channel at 10 pm

[hammersavage]

I like Neon Bible as much as Funeral. Also, their third album is on it's way. We probably should reserve judgement on band who are only two albums in.

yup

[TheMojoPin]

Are you serious?! Great album, don't get me wrong but Imperial Bedroom is stronger if I was going to choose an early one. Yeah, he has had his ups and downs but he has had a great career and now way can you say he peaked in 1977

Hey, that's why I asked "yea or nay." I've seen it claimed many times that his first is his best. Personally, I think it's This Year's Model.

And again, someone peaking with their first album isn't necessarily a bad thing. It can mean that that first one was an A+ and then they have a bunch of A's and B's.

[Kublakhan61]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/1d/Safe_as_Milk.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/54/Slanted_and_Enchanted_album_cover.jpg

Both acts had a great number of subsequent records but were any better than these two debuts?

[ChrisBrown]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/1d/Safe_as_Milk.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/54/Slanted_and_Enchanted_album_cover.jpg

Both acts had a great number of subsequent records but were any better than these two debuts?

I'd say Trout Mask Replica is the best, most important, quintessential CB album

[TheMojoPin]

Good call with Pavement, though.

[SatCam]

I'm gonna go out on even more of a limb here:

http://z.about.com/d/rap/1/0/w/9/-/-/KanyeWestTheCollegeDropout.jpg

http://www.skatetronics.com/interviews/onthemic-fishbone/fishbone%20logos/album-fishbone.jpg


to say that those two albums were their best works is an insult to the artists

[TheMojoPin]

Actually, I'll go back on the Fishbone one since it's technically an EP and not an LP, and their first LP is considered one of their worst albums.

Plus I never said I thought that was Fishbone's best album. I like Reality of My Surroundings a lot more.

[Curt]

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t2mraOJy_Mk/SsBMERMUQuI/AAAAAAAAAMA/aUR_00XtCXo/s400/OriginalPirateMaterial.jpg

Although I really liked A Grand Don't Come For Free he never really matched this.

[mikeyboy]

http://2manyweirdos.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/592px-rem_murmur_cover.jpg

[TheMojoPin]

Dammit, I think Mikey is right.

[topless_mike]

http://www.ugo.com/music/best-album-covers/images/entries/rage-against-the-machine.jpg

[MetalAcorna]

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j40/MetalAcorna/staticx.jpg

[topless_mike]

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j40/MetalAcorna/staticx.jpg

i have to agree with you. they fucking rock all kinds of ways, but only on that album. the other albums reek like crankyass.