ONTD Original: The Best Sophomore Albums
The sophomore slump can indicate the longevity of an artist's career in the music industry. It is a test that has challenged artists throughout the years and has been the make or break. It can be hard to follow up with a successful debut, but not for these following artists. For them, their sophomore efforts were either on par with their debut, or the defining moment in their careers. Much like yesterday's "best debut album" post, it is impossible to narrow these lists down so feel free to add on to the list in the comments!
Nirvana, "Nevermind" (1991)
Nirvana's second album "Nevermind" may be one of the most impressive examples of how an artist can infact top their debut. If you were alive in the 90's, you've seen this cover or heard a song from this album at least once in your life. Nirvana's sophomore effort was a game changer that defined a generation of music.
Top Track(s): Smells Like Teen Spirit
TLC, "CrazySexyCool" (1994)
TLC had no problems facing the sophomore slump with their second album, "CrazySexyCool." This album defined the trio and was where they landed their biggest hits, "Waterfalls" & "Creep." The album is the groups highest selling album with their third album, "FanMail," following right behind.
Top Track(s): Creep, Waterfalls, Red Light Special
The Fugees, "The Score" (1996)
The Fugees sophomore album, "The Score," launched three successful solo careers, produced a slew of hits and has sold over 15 million units worldwide. This album was above and beyond their debut. "The Score" is a timeless album that defined The Fugees music career.
Top Track(s): Ready or Not, Fu-Gee-La, Killing Me Softly, No Woman No Cry
Brandy, "Never Say Never" (1998)
Brandy gifted us the best r&b album of the late 90's with her sophomore effort, "Never Say Never." Following up a successful debut that introduced her unique voice into r&b, she one-upped herself and delivered the most successful album of her career and one of the most noteworthy r&b albums ever.
Top Track(s): Angel In Disguise, The Boy Is Mine, Almost Doesn't Count, Top of the World, Have You Ever
Eminem, "The Marshall Mathers LP" (2000)
Eminem's second album was the fastest selling solo album in music history and was the biggest selling single disc album in hip-hop history. "The Marshall Mathers LP" is Eminem's most successful album, no if ands or buts. Many considered Eminem a rap genius after he released this rage-induced, story-teller album.
Top Track(s): Stan, The Real Slim Shady, The Way I Am
Christina Aguilera, "Stripped" (2002)
One of the biggest sophomore reinventions goes to Christina Aguilera Xtina's pop masterpiece, "Stripped." The album, which at first recieved mixed reviews for being musically all over the place, earned the pop diva a Grammy and a slew of hits. It wasn't until later on that this album was appreciated for the true magnum opus of her career that it is.
Top Track(s): Can't Hold Us Down, Walk Away, Fighter, Infatuation, Impossible, Beautiful, Get Mine Get Yours, Dirrty
Coldplay, "A Rush of Blood to the Head" (2002)
Coldplay had a high level of hype surrounding their successful debut album, and the band did not let any fans down with their second album, "A Rush of Blood to the Head." The album was packed with hits, helping the band leap over the sophomore slump and leaving them with what is still their greatest moment yet.
Top Track(s): The Scientist, Clocks, In My Head
Alicia Keys, "The Diary of Alicia Keys" (2003)
Alicia Key's sophomore album, "The Diary of Alicia Keys," sold over 618k in it's first week, becoming Key's second consecutive number-one debut in the United States and spawned three top-ten singles. This is Alicia's magnum opus, leaving it the defining moment of her career.
Top Track(s): Diary, You Don't Know My Name, If I Aint Got You
Amy Winehouse, "Back to Black" (2006)
Before the revivalist soul brigade, Amy Winehouse released her second album "Back to Black," an album spawning unexpected hits about alcoholism and abusive relationships delivered by one of the greatest voices of our generation. As the last full length album of Winehouse’s tragically short life, "Back to Black" leaves room for us to imagine what could have been.
Top Track(s): Rehab, You Know I'm No Good, Me & Mr. Jones, Back to Black, Love is a Losing Game, Tears Dry on Their Own
Beyonce, "B'Day" (2006)
Beyonce showed us that she was here to stay as a solo artist on her second studio album, "B'Day." The album is one of her most successful to date and was a defining moment in her career. It was successful in international music markets and yielded six singles, including three commercial hits. This was as strong of a sophomore album as they come.
Top Track(s): Deja Vu, Ring the Alarm, Irreplaceable, Beautiful Liar, Get Me Bodied
Katy Perry, "Teenage Dream" (2010)
Love her or hate her, there's no denying that Katy Perry delivered a solid pop record for her sophomore effort, "Teenage Dream." She delivered a consistent, cohesive album that had little to no weak tracks, if you ask her fans. It is undeniably Perry's best work to date and defined her as a pop megastar.
Top Track(s): Teenage Dream, Last Friday Night (TGIF), California Gurls, Firework, Peacock, Circle The Drain, The One That Got Away, E.T.
Drake, "Take Care" (2011)
Drake has been on an unassailable upward trajectory since 2009's So Far Gone mixtape. While his first album debuted at No. 1 on the charts, "Take Care" did the same thing, as Drake continued to prove that he was a force to be reckoned with for hip-hop. "Take Care" represents the impressive focusing of a young artist, trying new things and polishing what they already built.
Top Track(s): Marvins Room, Headlines, HYFR, Make Me Proud, The Motto, Take Care
Adele, "21" (2011)
I don't know if any artist had as much success with their second album as Adele did with "21." The album topped the charts in more than 30 countries and became the world's best-selling album of the year for 2011 and 2012. In the UK, it is the best-selling album of the 21st century and fourth best-selling album of all time. In the U.S., the album held the top position for 24 weeks, longer than any other album since 1985 and the longest by a female solo artist in Billboard 200 history.
Top Track(s): Rolling in the Deep, Someone Like You, Set Fire to the Rain, Rumour Has It
Miguel, "Kaleidoscope Dream" (2012)
Miguel's second album, "Kaleidoscope Dream," is one of the most impressive R&B albums of recent years. Miguel beat the sophomore slump by serving an album that drew inspiration from R&B, pop, funk, rock and soul styles, as well as elements from electronic and psychedelic music. "Kaleidoscope Dream" received rave reviews from critics, who praised its eccentric style and Miguel's singing and songwriting.
Top Track(s): Adorn, Do You...
What's your favorite sophomore album, ONTD?
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