Here are 11 solid, widely-accepted, non-controversial examples where a band had a huge breakthrough album and then a significantly weaker follow-up, either critically, commercially, or both.
1. Boston Breakthrough:Boston (1976) – one of the biggest debut albums of all time. Follow-up:Don’t Look Back (1978) – big first-week sales, but widely seen as rushed, repetitive and a step down.
2. The Cars Breakthrough:The Cars (1978) – new-wave/classic-rock landmark. Follow-up:Candy-O (1979) – respected today, but didn’t match the debut’s impact or sales.
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3. The Knack Breakthrough:Get the Knack (1979) – “My Sharona” mania. Follow-up:…But the Little Girls Understand (1980) – heavy backlash, steep drop in popularity.
4. Bad Company Breakthrough:Bad Company (1974) – massive, era-defining debut. Follow-up:Straight Shooter (1975) – successful but considered less exciting and had far less cultural impact.
5. The Stone Roses Breakthrough:The Stone Roses (1989) – legendary debut. Follow-up:Second Coming (1994) – long delay, mixed response, momentum gone. (Technically U.K. alt-rock, but classic-rock radio staples.)
6. Meat Loaf Breakthrough:Bat Out of Hell (1977) – all-time bestseller. Follow-up:Dead Ringer (1981) – far lower sales; couldn’t replicate the phenomenon.
7. Asia Breakthrough:Asia (1982) – huge MTV/FM radio debut. Follow-up:Alpha (1983) – failed to maintain the gigantic hype.
8. Blue Öyster Cult Breakthrough:Agents of Fortune (1976) – “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper.” Follow-up:Spectres (1977) – had a cult hit (“Godzilla”) but commercially and critically fell off.
9. Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) Breakthrough:A New World Record (1976) – huge jump in popularity. Follow-up:Out of the Blue (1977) – a fan favorite today but at the time received mixed reviews and didn’t expand their audience as expected.
10. Santana Breakthrough:Santana (1969) – enormous impact after Woodstock. Follow-up:Abraxas (1970) – now considered a masterpiece, but its initial reception and sales were slower than expected after the breakout. (Important nuance: It’s revered today, but historically did underperform early.)
11. Mötley Crüe Breakthrough:Dr. Feelgood (1989) – their peak. Follow-up:Mötley Crüe (1994, with John Corabi) – drastic commercial drop and far less visibility.
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