Who Never Topped Their Debut Album?

Girl · 12-30-2016, 07:58 AM

Because it's a topic that fascinated me, let's talk about artists whose other albums just aren't as successful as their first, and why.
Just off the top of my head, Boston, Guns N' Roses, and Filter.

Boston was radio-friendly, and overall was just a really, really safe album. Couldn't tell you when the last time I heard a Boston song play on the radio that wasn't from their self-titled debut.

Appetite for Destruction is a staple in everyone's hard rock/hair metal/80s lists, and for good reason, too. Both installments of Use Your Illusion gave it a run for its money, and both were just as good in my opinion, but neither were as successful as AfD, each selling less than half as many certified copies in the states.

Filter's Short Bus has it's own story, too. This album was fantastic, and brought the punchin'-est, kickin'-est, screamin'-est style that Richard Patrick is known for to the table. Punctuated in the middle and the end by acoustic songs, both very similar to each other, none of the tracks on the album gained as much popularity as Hey Man, Nice Shot, the perfect representation of Patrick's ability as a musician. After that, Filter sort of just dropped off the map, releasing a second album, Title of Record, that just couldn't live up to the success of Short Bus.

grindy · 12-30-2016, 09:47 AM

Roxy Music

Key · 12-30-2016, 09:49 AM

Nirvana

Tristan_Geoff · 12-30-2016, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kiiii

Nirvana

But, In utero?

Key · 12-30-2016, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tristan Geoff

But, In utero?

You must be joking.

Tristan_Geoff · 12-30-2016, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kiiii

You must be joking.

No. It was one of my earliest favorite records. Nevermind is great too. I love Bleach though, don't get me wrong.

Key · 12-30-2016, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tristan Geoff

No. It was one of my earliest favorite records. Nevermind is great too. I love Bleach though, don't get me wrong.

I'm not denying In Utero is great, but in terms of quality debut albums, Nirvana did it proper.

Tristan_Geoff · 12-30-2016, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kiiii

I'm not denying In Utero is great, but in terms of quality debut albums, Nirvana did it proper.

I suppose so. It was a pretty rad debut and has a lot of their best tracks.

Key · 12-30-2016, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tristan Geoff

I suppose so. It was a pretty rad debut and has a lot of their best tracks.

Yeah. If it weren't specifically about debut albums, I'd be more inclined to discuss In Utero, but to me...Bleach is the quintessential Nirvana album. Then In Utero. Then Nevermind. IMO.

Ol’ Qwerty Bastard · 12-30-2016, 10:31 AM

in utero > bleach, not even close.

12-30-2016, 07:58 AM	#1 (permalink)
Girl Groupie Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Washington Posts: 4	Who Never Topped Their Debut Album? Because it's a topic that fascinated me, let's talk about artists whose other albums just aren't as successful as their first, and why. Just off the top of my head, Boston, Guns N' Roses, and Filter. Boston was radio-friendly, and overall was just a really, really safe album. Couldn't tell you when the last time I heard a Boston song play on the radio that wasn't from their self-titled debut. Appetite for Destruction is a staple in everyone's hard rock/hair metal/80s lists, and for good reason, too. Both installments of Use Your Illusion gave it a run for its money, and both were just as good in my opinion, but neither were as successful as AfD, each selling less than half as many certified copies in the states. Filter's Short Bus has it's own story, too. This album was fantastic, and brought the punchin'-est, kickin'-est, screamin'-est style that Richard Patrick is known for to the table. Punctuated in the middle and the end by acoustic songs, both very similar to each other, none of the tracks on the album gained as much popularity as Hey Man, Nice Shot, the perfect representation of Patrick's ability as a musician. After that, Filter sort of just dropped off the map, releasing a second album, Title of Record, that just couldn't live up to the success of Short Bus.

12-30-2016, 09:47 AM	#2 (permalink)
grindy . Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: . Posts: 7,201	Roxy Music __________________ *A smell of petroleum prevails throughout.*

12-30-2016, 09:49 AM	#3 (permalink)
Key . Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 13,153	Nirvana