Bands changing their sound (cd, debut album, album, shows, quote)

[molarmite]

You always hear about bands having a "sophmore slump" mostly because of them changing their sound. My question is why do most bands do this? I love their first CD and buy their second CD in hopes of having that same great sound, but they change it and disappoint. Is there reasoning behind this?

[sleepy jack]

Bands evolve or want to try something new instead of recycling the same sound until they break up.

[jackhammer]

There are very few bands that can get away with not evolving and still retain a following. In these days of commercialism, I would not be surprised to hear record company inteference playing a huge part in band's music.

[Janszoon]

Originally Posted by molarmite

You always hear about bands having a "sophmore slump" mostly because of them changing their sound. My question is why do most bands do this? I love their first CD and buy their second CD in hopes of having that same great sound, but they change it and disappoint. Is there reasoning behind this?

I don't know if sophomore slumps really have to do with the band changing their sound. I think a lot of the time this is what happens:

1. Band forms, writes music, plays shows, hones their songs, writes more music, plays more shows etc., sometimes for years before they get signed.
2. Band gets signed and records debut album. They pick the best of the best of the songs they have written and fine-tuned over the years to put on this album.
3. Album is successful. Label pressures band to create a follow-up before people lose interest.
4. Under pressure to release something new, band creates an album out of second choice songs that didn't make it onto the first album. Or is forced to quickly write new material without the benefit of being able to play it live a lot and fine-tune it. Or some combination of both options.
5. Presto. Sophomore slump complete.

[Bane of your existence]

Progression?

[joyboyo53]

Originally Posted by Crowquill

Bands evolve or want to try something new instead of recycling the same sound until they break up.

i think this is true for most cases. how many artist do you see paint pictures of apples for their whole carreer?

[DontRunMeOver]

Well, a lot of artists excelled by finding a niche and exploring as many possible avenues as they could within that niche and similarly so have a lot of musicians. Showing breadth is largely just a case of trying to impress people, rather than creating truly quality music.

[Laces Out Dan!]

Originally Posted by Crowquill

Bands evolve or want to try something new instead of recycling the same sound until they break up.

Take a look at Rilo Kiley

[sleepy jack]

Or bands want money

[Laces Out Dan!]

Originally Posted by Crowquill

Or bands want money

qft