Siamese Dream, Smashing Pumpkins, 1993
Suggested by: MarkASmith, ID5374758, Domn8tricks
In 1993, Smashing Pumpkins released an album that was to solidify their place in the alternative rock world of music. Siamese Dream eventually became known as one of the best albums of the 90s. This was a relief for the band, under immense pressure after being labelled “the next Nirvana”.
The Temptations Sing Smokey, The Temptations, 1965
Suggested by: salfordexile66
An entire album containing songs that were written and produced by none other than Smokey Robinson, frontman and founder of the Miracles, made the Temptations’s classic-filled second release. It reached No 1 in the US top R&B albums chart at the time, and is regarded by salfordexile66, and many others, as an “all-time favourite”.
Paul’s Boutique, Beastie Boys, 1989
Suggested by: piscolahm
Hip-hop group the Beastie Boys made their first appearance in 1986 and were immediately commercially successful. Their second album, Paul’s Boutique, however, was more experimental; piscolahm claims it “brilliantly showed they were the real deal and [so] produced one of the great hip-hop albums”.
Axis: Bold as Love, Jimi Hendrix, 1967
Suggested by: IgnatiusKWryly, mutie
Not long after Hendrix’s debut album earlier in the year, Axis: Bold as Love was released in December and spent 16 weeks in the charts. Containing some of the wildest compositions he ever recorded, the album also went through a range of studio techniques, including Hendrix’s guitar being played through a rotating Leslie speaker on the track Little Wing.
The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan, Bob Dylan, 1963
Suggested by: RafasRegrets and kev01
The Freewheelin’ opens with one of Dylan’s most treasured compositions, Blowin’ in the Wind, and began an acclaimed songwriting career that led to international celebrity.
Tapestry, Carole King, 1971
Suggested by: GhostWiper and keithgnield01
Carole King’s Tapestry is one of the best-selling albums of all time, having shifted more than 25m copies internationally, and claimed four Grammy awards in 1972. King was involved in the writing of every single track on the album. GhostWiper says: “Almost every song on it is a classic.”
The Bends, Radiohead, 1995
Suggested by: Brian Horsburgh and willonone
There was a certain amount of anger on the comments thread at Radiohead’s second effort not being included in the initial list. It was better received by critics than their debut and also marked a turn in the road for Thom Yorke’s songwriting, according to the band, having grown and matured from an angsty debut record.
2001, Dr Dre, 1999
Suggested by: Max Whitefoot
In it’s first week alone, 2001 sold more than 516,000 copies. Dre featured several other rappers on his second album, including Snoop Dogg and Eminem, and while its lyrics got a mixed reception, overall most of the reviews were positive. Dr Dre hadn’t released a solo album since The Chronic seven years before.
Rum, Sodomy and the Lash, the Pogues, 1985
Suggested by: RadioPartizan and Didescharlie
Didescharlie gives the Pogues’ Rum, Sodomy and the Lash “a million recommendations”. The Celtic punk sound the Pogues are so well-loved for helps to create an album often regarded as the high point of their career.
If You’re Feeling Sinister, Belle & Sebastian, 1996
Suggested by: SonOfTheDesert and DrewJarviesCombover
DrewJarviesCombover claims that “The Stars of Track and Field, and Judy and the Dream of Horses is probably about the best start and end to any album, never mind second albums”.
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