Disappointing follow-up albums

You know how it goes (or should I say: how it went?). One of your favorite bands/artists releases an album that exceeds all expectations or returns them to the media spotlight. You wait/waited with baited breath for the follow-up (or sequel), only to be...well, if not dumbstruck, at the very least disappointed with the drop in quality. How could they let you down like this, when you just knew one more outstanding album would surely lead to world domination? Then, when asked about it, the band/artist says something like, "The producer ruined it/You have to try 'new things'/We decided to go 'back to basics'."

Steve Wyzard wrote: You know how it goes (or should I say: how it went?). One of your favorite bands/artists releases an album that exceeds all expectations or returns them to the media spotlight. You wait/waited with baited breath for the follow-up (or sequel), only to be...well, if not dumbstruck, at the very least disappointed with the drop in quality. How could they let you down like this, when you just knew one more outstanding album would surely lead to world domination? Then, when asked about it, the band/artist says something like, "The producer ruined it/You have to try 'new things'/We decided to go 'back to basics'." If this has happened to you, please list the albums you loved and the disappointing follow-ups. Off the top of my head, here's mine: 1. YES - 90125/Big Generator 2. YES - Going for the One/Tormato 3. RUSH - Signals/Grace Under Pressure 4. E.L.P. - Black Moon/In the Hot Seat 5. LED ZEPPELIN - Physical Graffiti/Presence 6. QUEEN - News of the World/Jazz 7. STYX - Pieces of Eight/Cornerstone 8. ALAN PARSONS PROJECT - Eye in the Sky/Ammonia Avenue 9. PETER GABRIEL - I (Car)/II (Scratch) 10. SAGA - Heads or Tales/Behaviour 11. BARCLAY JAMES HARVEST - Ring of Changes/Victims of Circumstance 12. THE WHO - Quadrophenia/By Numbers

1. Dedalus: Dedalus/Materiale Per Tre Esecutori E Nastro Magnetico (those who know, know)
2. Comus: First Utterance/To Keep From Crying
3. Captain Beefheart and The Magic Band: Clear Spot/Unconditionally Guaranteed
5. Swans: Children of God/The Burning World
6. Robert Wyatt: Rock Bottom/Ruth Is Stranger Than Richard
7. Curved Air: Air Cut/Midnight Wire
8. Blue Öyster Cult: Fire of Unknown Origin/The Revölution by Night
9. Klaus Schuze: "X"/Dune
10. Tangerine Dream: Force Majeure/Tangram (sorry, it just bores me)

Yes: Close to the Edge / Tales from Topograpic Oceans, Going for the One / Tormato

Saperlipopette! wrote: Nektar: Recycled/Magic Is a Child

Jared wrote: Saperlipopette! wrote: Nektar: Recycled/Magic Is a Child It had also crossed my mind, but for some reason I have bit of a soft spot for it.

I don't think that it's horrible, but Recycled is a such a ride packed with memorable moments and so much fun (in a "Proggy-ELO" sort of way). While Ifind Magic is a Child completely forgettable. Never heard the 1980 album of theirs.

ALAN PARSONS PROJECT – Pyramid / Eve
BLUE ÖYSTER CULT – The Revölution by Night / Club Ninja
CAMEL – Nude / The Single Factor
GOBLIN – Contamination / Volo
HAWKWIND – Electric Tepee / It is the Business of the Future to Be Dangerous
JEAN-MICHEL JARRE – Rendez-Vous / Révolutions
KANSAS – Point of Know Return / Monolith

With an asterisk (*)

EMERSON, LAKE & POWELL / 3 – To the Power of Three

Sean Trane wrote: I'd place the cursor on Tangram (which is still good, despite Schmoelling's presence) and its follow-up

TD circa 1980-1985 is amazing. Team Schmoelling!

verslibre wrote: Sean Trane wrote: I'd place the cursor on Tangram (which is still good, despite Schmoelling's presence) and its follow-up TD circa 1980-1985 is amazing. Team Schmoelling!

verslibre wrote: Steve Wyzard wrote: 3. RUSH - Signals/Grace Under Pressure IMO, that's one of Rush's strongest double-punches. Diff'rent strokes!