Amazing "return to form" albums

• The Beach Boys – That's Why God Made the Radio (2012)

• The Monkees – Good Times! (2016)

Who else has come back with such strong albums after weaker efforts when all seemed lost?

(A previous thread on this is unfortunately locked: DCC Archive - Since we had biggest letdowns of a follow up how about best "Return to form" )

 

Styx - The Mission (2017)

Classic Styx sprinkled throughout the album. If it were released in the late '70s/early '80s, it would fit in nicely with all their classic albums.

 

Queen - Innuendo
Iron Maiden - Brave New World

 

Captain Beefheart - Shiny Beast (Bat Chain Puller)

 

Beggars Banquet by the Rolling Stones.

Imho of course...

 

You beat me to Brave New World.

 

David Bowie - The Next Day

 

The Major Stars-- Return to Form

 

Madness - The Liberty of Norton Folgate

 

I'd say Heathen

 

Dylan - Time Out Of Mind (1997) and "Love And Theft" (2001)

 

Oh Mercy was amazing, coming after the depths of Knocked Out Loaded, Dylan and the Dead and Down in the Groove. The Traveling Wilburys album had hinted at something better, but it wasn't anywhere near the quality of Oh Mercy, which still sounds great today. What a thrill it was to hear it.

 

Johnny Cash - American Recordings

 

The Doors... Morrison Hotel after The Soft Parade

 

Rodney Crowell - The Houston Kid
George Jones - I Am What I Am
Jerry Lee Lewis - Another Place Another Time
Johnny Cash - American Recordings

 

Wish You Were Here by Badfinger ... not only returning to form but seriously upping the ante.

 

The Farm - Hullabaloo

 

A personal caveat for me is that the album should feature significant creative input from the original artists and/or creative team. Neither of the above qualify for me (production and songwriting "credits" notwithstanding on the BBs release). I do like that Monkees album though.

 

Definitely (although I'm a big fan of Satanic Majesties).

 

Cheap Trick '97

 

The Blackening - Machine Head

 

Perfect Strangers (Deep Purple)
Angel of Retribution (Judas Priest)
Dehumanizer (Sabbath)
Facemelter (Y&T)
Infestation (Ratt)

Honorable mention to every "next album" by U2, according to U2 themselves.

 

Ragged Glory. I know people like Freedom but for me, Ragged Glory has the spook that's missing from Freedom.

 

I'd throw in Blondie's Pollinator... after Ghosts Of Download, I had completely lost faith in them

 

The Beatles- 'Abbey Road', follow up to 'Let It Be'!!!