Not the sophomore slump, but third album woes...

Coldplay - X&Y

 

Nothing is WAY better than Queen II. Not in Queen's catalog. Not in ANYONE'S catalog.

 

Third Stage was the first album to be certified Gold, Platinum, 2x Platinum and 3x Platinum simultaneously, and it did so less than two months after it was released.

 

And that polyrhythmic thing that worked so well on "I Zimbra" and all through Remain in Light was mostly the work of Eno. When he left, the Heads were left doing two-chord stuff like "Burning Down the House," which ironically was many people's introduction to the band.

 

No argument on this, but still lacking quality the first two albums clearly displayed for me.

 

Exactly what I was going to say! A lot of bands finally take off, and many manage to make a solid second album as well, but it is clearly very difficult for most bands to come up with a third. They just run out of ideas, or the success of the first two tear the band apart.

 

I like Hat Trick. It's better than Homecoming IMO.

 

It actually started before that, with Unguarded. I owned a record store at the time and can assure you there was a major push to market this in secular stores. A&M supplied us with flats of the album, etc. Love Will Find a Way was her first official secular hit on A&M Records and was a sizeable hit, followed by a successful tour. I don't think Stay for Awhile was a secular release as a single. Behind the Eyes (and wouldn't be number three anyway if you start the clock with Unguarded) was a pretty strong album imo. I don't think she really started falling off until after that album. I think the numbers don't lie though....I guess if you look at that your comment makes a lot more sense. I don't think she ever made a weak album. Her market has simply returned to where it was before she made a run at being a very successful secular artist. But, the public only gives most artists a run of three albums if they are lucky...she was!

 

Gold is still successful imo. As I stated before, and I know you agree, to this day she really hasn't made a weak album. Its simply a case that is so common...no matter how good the work, the public almost always moves on. And her material in hindsite is probably too dated because her producers really made sure her stuff was very hip for the time it came out. Now her post Christian work sounds very dated. Ironic that her simpler material on Myrrh sounds like it is fresh in comparison, if taken at face value. Just good songs recorded in a simple fashion.

 

Here is someone that actually recorded her best album with her third release! Brad...a bit off topic to say the least but if you like Sam Phillips ex Leslie Phillips (and anyone who does, or did...yes, she still records but releases her stuff independently), her newest album Push Any Button is really terrific and is available on her web site. I ordered it on vinyl today and you get a free download version when you order it. The album is more accessible than her material has been since doing secular music. Listen to I'm Not Lonely...great retro instrumentation! Samphillips.com if anyone wants to hear it. T Bone used to produce her stuff but I think she is better now that they have parted ways. She is an example of someone that actually recorded her best album with her third, The Turning.

 

Good points, all. I felt like I was reaching. . .

 

Re Moby Grape '69

My 2nd fave of theirs. Nice mellow feel to it. And I Am Not Willing is one of those songs that maybe doesn't grab you at first, then one day BAM! Helluva Mosley vocal on Hoochie, also.

 

It's a step up from their first two. First two Rush albums have exactly one memorable tune among the both of them: "Fly By Night."

 

Green was the big drop-off, but yes, Document was a couple of strong singles and not much for album cuts.

 

They should have made "Celebration of the Lizard" work in studio and it could have been another majestic album.

 

Toto-Turn Back-Blech! Nice comeback with the next one though.

 

They took a big left turn on Document from the first 3 (and 1/2 if you include Chronic Town).

 

Chicago III.

 

Not a bad album, but not up to the standard set by August And Everything After and Recovering The Satellites.

 

And some of it worked. Another big turn for Automatic, and that worked really well. After that, I feel like they were lucky to get 2 solid songs per album. One of the steepest creative drops I've ever seen for a big rock band.

 

Yup. Frank Zappa correctly predicted their predicament more than 10 years prior (in song).

 

Pretzel Logic would be my choice.
Let's see how many people give me one of these little guys: