Twenty Favorite Sophomore Albums
(My criteria: Each of these second albums is (1) better than the debut in my judgment and (2) if not the best then at least tied for the best that the artist has recorded. I’ve arranged them by release date.)
Astral Weeks by Van Morrison
Bryter Layter by Nick Drake
Kings of the Wild Frontier by Adam and the Ants
Sleep No More by The Comsat Angels
Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) by Eurythmics
Songs from the Big Chair by Tears for Fears
Floodland by The Sisters of Mercy
Lincoln by They Might Be Giants
How Did You Find Me Here by David Wilcox
Hats by The Blue Nile
Beast Box by Luxuria
I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got by Sinead O’Connor
Fact and Fiction by Kristen Hall
My Life by Iris DeMent
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea by Neutral Milk Hotel
Duck-Rabbit by Alog
Eternal Youth by Future Bible Heroes
The Execution of All Things by Rilo Kiley
Melody Mountain by Susanna and the Magical Orchestra
Plastic Planet by Modified Toy Orchestra
— April 18, 2023