TOP 20 DIFFICULT SECOND ALBUMS
Following up a successful debut album has been problematic for various artists and bands over the years, as our latest rundown proves
BARRY PAGE
In music industry circles there’s a saying that you have a lifetime to write your first record, but only 12 months to write your second. It’s a cliché, of course, and the truth is that a paucity of new material is just one reason that some acts have struggled to follow up a stellar debut album. The weight of expectation can be burdensome, while internal frictions and the loss of key members can be other major obstacles to overcome.
Here, then, are 20 examples of the so-called ‘second album syndrome’, or in some cases the dreaded sophomore slump.
20
ELECTRIBE 101 ELECTRIBAL SOUL (1991)
Fronted by Billie Ray Martin, Electribe 101 scored a brace of UK hits spun from debut album Electribal Memories, and landed a profile-boosting support slot on Depeche Mode’s World Violation Tour, but success was fleeting for the soulful dance act. After parting with their manager – a man who’d bizarrely questioned Chris Lowe’s worth in Pet Shop Boys – the group were dropped by their label, leaving their second LP to languish in perpetuity. Happily, it was eventually released to acclaim in 2022, following a restoration job.
16
BRONSKI BEAT TRUTHDARE DOUBLEDARE (1986)
Replacing a frontman after just one album can be a tough ask (see also Haircut One Hundred and Johnny Hates Jazz), but in the wake of Jimmy Somerville’s exit, the remaining duo of Steve Bronski and Larry Steinbachek rose to the challenge. Hiring friend John Foster paid off with the Hi-NRG sounds of Hit That Perfect Beat and the Caribbean feel of C’mon! C’mon!, but its parent LP would fail to match the success of its predecessor, as their erstwhile singer’s career went from strength to strength.
19
HOLLY JOHNSON DREAMS THAT MONEY CAN’T BUY (1991)
Having been extricated from his ZTT contract, Holly Johnson returned with the UK No.1 Blast album and its attendant hit singles Love Train and Americanos but its follow-up was a commercial disaster and failed to chart. Dreams That Money Can’t Buy certainly had its moments – notably the Kirsty MacColl-assisted Boyfriend ’65 – but critics didn’t respond favourably to the bland and unimaginative dance-pop on offer, and some questionable singles choices sealed its fate.