Music websites such as Pitchfork have ushered in a new lexicon for music criticism: albums and singles are no longer released – they’re ‘dropped’ (I’ve probably blogged before about how many modern technological verbs are aggressive: emails aren’t simply sent, they’re fired, for example), occasionally ‘leaked’. Also, a band’s second album is always their sophomore effort, never just their second album (first album is always the debut, never, say, the freshman effort). Sophomore is an American term referring to a student in their second year of high school or college. Most Brits probably know the word from American films and TV.

With artists who produce a great first album – The Stone Roses, The Strokes – what apparently follows is the difficult second or sophomore album. But what is more common is a less-than-great first album, and a superb sophomore effort, as the following list suggests. The Difficult Second Album Syndrome (or Sophomore Slump) is a bit of a myth (for a start, Pinkerton is actually great) – certainly compared to the amount of brilliant second albums.

1. Bob Dylan — The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan (1963)
2. Van Morrison ― Astral Weeks (1968)
3. The Band ― The Band (1969)
4. Neutral Milk Hotel ― In the Aeroplane Over the Sea (1998)
5. Carole King — Tapestry (1971)
6. Beastie Boys ― Paul’s Boutique (1989)
7. The Pixies ― Doolittle (1989)
8. My Bloody Valentine ― Loveless (1991)
9. Nirvana ― Nevermind (1991)
10. Belle and Sebastian — If You’re Feeling Sinister (1996)

Previously on Barnflakes
Top 10 Debut LPs