Most people talk about slumps when they talk about sophomore albums, but our friends at AbsolutePunk posted a Thursday discussion yesterday on great sophomore albums. We wanted to get in on some of the action today, so I wrote up a list of some of my favorite sophomore albums and I’m hoping you’ll let us know what albums fit that criteria for you. Check out the list below and feel free to reblog this post or comment in the AP.net thread!
blink-182 - Dude Ranch
You can find people who like more than “Carousel” and “M+M’s” on Cheshire Cat if you dig deep enough, but Dude Ranch is the album that opened blink-182 up to new found fame. Enema Of The State is undoubtedly the band’s most well-known, popular, and mainstream release, but such a jump in fan base and touring recognition could not have happened without Dude Ranch. There will always be an argument among some over whether Dude Ranch or Enema is blink’s “key” pop-punk release, and it’s certainly a fair one to have on different levels. And really, “Dammit” serves as one of the greatest set closers of all time. So thank the blink bunny for that.
Brand New - Deja Entendu
The Devil And God is my favorite Brand New album, but there’s no question that Deja Entendu changed so much for so many, myself included. Following Your Favorite Weapon, the album transcended any typical “great record.” It created a new craze and movement and certain level excitement that is so rare. The album is near ten years old now and will go down as a signature classic like Green Day’s Dookie,Jimmy Eat World’s Clarity, blink-182’s Enema Of The State, and those other select albums that change so much so quickly.
The Wonder Years - The Upsides
Every once in a while a band surprises you in a big way, and that’s exactly what happened with The Upsides. There’s no way around saying that Get Stoked On it! is a bad album. Is it fun? Sure. Is it good? The band will be the first to tell you it isn’t. But boy did things turn around fast. Not only did the band change their sound, but they changed their image, focus, and brought new meaning and excitement to a genre that so many felt was stale. Annoying or not, “I’m not sad anymore” become one of the most popular status updates, meme creation, and argued lyric of 2010 for fans of this scene.
Armor For Sleep - What To Do When You Are Dead
I’m a sucker for concept records. There’s just something about knowing that when I hit play on a ten to twelve song album there will be a general theme to carry me all the way through. Dream To Make Believe, the band’s first full-length, is a feat in itself. The production quality might sound a little shaky and you’re clearly listening to a band that has yet to fully develop, but What To Do When You Are Dead shows the band at its finest and is an incredible record. I highly recommend seeing the band in New York City this July one last time if you can make it.
