The best sophomore albums of all time

As the years have passed, Smashing Pumpkins’ debut Gish has received more of its worthy praise. Yet, when it came to bringing Billy Corgan and Co. to the masses, Siamese Dream delivered. It was a top-10 record on the Billboard 200, opener “Cherub Rock” earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best Hard Rock Performance, while “Today” and “Disarm” remain two of the band’s signature tracks that enjoyed heavy rotation on MTV. 

With huge hits like “Wonderwall,” “Don’t Look Back in Anger,” and “Champagne Supernova,” Oasis went from a promising alternative rock/Britpop outfit to an international sensation because of (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? It remains the defining moment to Noel Gallagher’s legacy with the band, notably from a song-writing standpoint, though he never rested on those laurels. The album hit No. 1 in the United Kingdom and peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 in the United States.

Dave Grohl recorded the self-titled first Foo Fighters album essentially by himself. As most rock fans should know, it’s absolutely brilliant — producing hits like “Big Me” and “I’ll Stick Around.” However, when it came time for album No. 2, Grohl brought in buddy Pat Smear and Nate Mendel, plus others, ncluding former Foo William Goldsmith and beloved late member Taylor Hawkins. The Colour and the Shape cracked the top 10 on the Billboard 200 and was nominated for the Best Rock Album at the Grammys thanks to hits “Monkey Wrench,” “My Hero,” and “Everlong.”

Madonna’s self-titled first record remains one of the best debut albums of all time. However, the Like a Virgin follow-up definitely proved she had staying power. Thanks to massive hits like the title cut, “Material Girl,” and “Dress You Up,” plus her regular presence on MTV, Madonna became an international pop superstar and an icon on the level of Michael Jackson. Girls of all ages dressed and wanted to be like her, while guys simply wanted her. 

The man who brought us “Brown Eyed Girl” from his Blowin’ Your Mind debut, Van Morrison changed course with his second record. It’s another case of an album that received lukewarm reviews out of the gate, but over time became more appreciated to greater heights. Perhaps mostly because he shed the pure pop tones of that first record for a more progressive, or even soulful, approach with Astral Weeks. Popular “The Way Young Lovers Do” and live favorite “Cyprus Avenue” are just a couple of reasons why this album still resonates today.

Radiohead is undisputedly alternative, but there was some raw, grunginess that could be heard on its Pablo Honey debut from two years earlier. The back-to-back presence of “High and Dry” and “Fake Plastic Trees” was not only pretty potent in terms of musical greatness on The Bends, but examples of the more melodic approach the band took on the album. It was also the beginning of Radiohead’s continued experimentation with its sound, which seemed to get better from album to album.

While this is Young’s second studio album, it’s his first with famed backing band Crazy Horse. It reached No. 34 on Billboard‘s 200 albums chart, and it produced such timeless Young classics like “Cinnamon Girl,” “Down by the River,” and the epic closer “Cowgirl in the Sand.” It’s a rather emotional record but not necessarily dark. What it did was solidify Young as more than just a promising singer/songwriter. It also showcased just how special he and Crazy Horse were as a collaboration. 

While the Pixies’ stellar debut Surfer Rosa influenced the likes of Smashing Pumpkins and Nirvana, Doolittle is the record that solidified the band as one of the premier alternative rock acts of the time. And more than 30 years later, it still stands up quite well. Tracks like “Monkey Gone to Heaven,” “Here Comes Your Man,” “Hey,” and “Debaser” provide a musical blueprint of how to properly fuse elements of raw punk and indie innovation to create something truly special that won’t go out of style.

Lamar certainly made a name for himself with his stellar debut Section 80. But, just one year later, he was back one of the great records of the 2000s — spanning any genre — with Good Kid, M.A.A.D City. Lamar’s major-label debut featured Dr. Dre and Pharrell Williams among a host of producers. His honest and uncensored story of life in Compton earned the rapper four Grammy nominations. The Dre-aided single “The Recipe” and “Backseat Freestyle” showcase Lamar’s genius as a storyteller.

Tribe tended to have a lot going on when it came to its music and lyrical content. Then again, maybe that’s why the group is considered one of the great hip-hop outfits of all time. The Low End Theory overcame rather modest praise upon release to become perhaps the greatest record in the world of alternative hip-hop. Armed with a rather jazzy sound and socially conscious and humorous lyrics, the album eventually earned Platinum status thanks to tracks such as “Jazz (We’ve Got),” and “Scenario.”

In terms of the evolution of heavy metal music, many critics believe this is where everything starts. “Iron Man,” “War Pigs,” “Planet Caravan,” “Faries Wear Boots” and, of the course, the brilliant title track make this the quintessential heavy metal album from top to bottom. Lyrics, music, and the overall aggressive dark nature all added a different dimension to rock. The record went to No. 1 in the United Kingdom and was four-times Platinum-certified in the United States. 

Though not nearly as commercially successful as the Beasties’ debut Licensed to Ill, this follow-up grew to be considered the gem of the band’s catalog. It was so far ahead of its time when compared to the other hip-hop records of the day. From its innovative sampling to precise vocal interplay to witty rhymes and commentary, Paul’s Boutique was enough for critics and rap fans to take the Beastie Boys seriously — and excited them for what was to come. Tracks like “Shake Your Rump,” “Hey Ladies,” “Car Thief,” and “Looking Down the Barrel of a Gun” are just some of the album’s special moments. 

If there’s one Zeppelin record that truly encapsulates the band’s signature sound (memorable riffs and blues-driven musical attitude) that we know and love, it’s this second offering. Thanks to the ballsy “Whole Lotta Love,” poignant “Thank You,” and rollicking “Heartbreaker”https://www.yardbarker.com/”Living Loving Maid (She’s Just a Woman),” Led Zeppelin II was the first album from the group to hit No. 1 on both the U.K. and U.S. charts.

When it comes to breakout records, Adele’s 21 is among the elite in that category. Her debut, 19, went eight-times Platinum, but Adele’s second effort truly introduced the world to the young artist’s amazing vocal abilities. However, it was the way she brought out her emotions lyrically following a breakup that truly hit home with critics and fans. With Rick Rubin and Paul Epworth on the production team, 21 won the Grammy for Album of the Year. The record featured three international No. 1 hits in “Rolling in the Deep,” “Someone like You,” and “Set Fire to the Rain.”

Winehouse put out just two studio albums before her death in July 2011 at age 27, but her Back to Black just might be the best of the century. The record, which produced modern-day classics such as “Rehab,” “You Know I’m No Good,” and the title track, clocked in just under 35 minutes, but it leaves the listener wanting more. Cited by various critics as “neo soul,” this performance from throaty and artfully disturbing Winehouse was brilliantly produced by Mark Ronson and Salaam Remi. It won the Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album.

Public Enemy had already announced its presence loud and proud with debut Yo! Bum Rush the Show. However, the message was passionately louder and bolder on this follow-up. There was nothing quite like it from a rap or hip-hop perspective: speaking the truth, with no apologies, about politics, economics and civil injustice. It was a lyrical assault on the mind, boasted to the heavens by the legendary Chuck D, for listeners of all races to hear. “Bring the Noise” and “Don’t Believe the Hype” pack a powerful 1-2 punch on a record that still resonates today.

Whether considered a concept album or not about a past America, The Band’s self-titled second record is one of those project’s that every rock fan should own. While even novice fans of the group likely know classics like “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” and “Up on Cripple Creak,” the record is an amazing listening experience from beginning to end. Robbie Robertson’s lyrics weave fluidly from one song to the next, while the musical accompaniment never disappoints.

The album that essentially introduced the world to the tremendous promise held by one Bob Dylan. On his self-titled debut, Dylan wrote just two of the songs, but on this follow-up, it was all him. Giving listeners an idea of just how special a songwriter he was ready to become. Come on, the album opens with “Blowin’ in the Wind,” the anthem that has long helped define his career. The record, which also includes classics like “Girl from the North Country” and “Masters of War” is a folk masterpiece that put Dylan at the forefront of a musical movement. 

Tapestry is King’s most celebrated studio album, and the one that’s responsible for four Grammy victories, including Album of the Year. It’s a record that proved a woman can be a strong songwriter. Just how influential was this record? Legends like Barbara Streisand (“Where You Lead”) and James Taylor (“You’ve Got a Friend”) covered songs from the album – while it still resided on the Billboard charts. Oh yeah, the album also featured timeless classics like “I Feel the Earth Move,” “It’s Too Late,” “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” and “Will You Love Me Tomorrow?”

Nirvana was a well-known commodity in the Pacific Northwest even before its 1989 debut Bleach. But the more polished Nevermind came at the right time, when the hard rock scene needed something beyond the Sunset Strip. Nevermind, led by smash single “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” was just what we needed. It featured a darker, grungier, alternative sound (songs like “Lithium,” “Drain You” and “In Bloom”), but developed enough to take over the musical mainstream. It remains a groundbreaking record when the music world needed it the most.