# What are the best back-to-back albums ever produced by the same artist? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 8, 2003, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-back-to-back-albums-ever-produced-by-the-same-artist/193943 "2003-08-08T23:53:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![G.B.H.Hornswoggler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c67d28/32.png) [@G.B.H.Hornswoggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/G.B.H.Hornswoggler)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2003, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-back-to-back-albums-ever-produced-by-the-same-artist/193943/81 "2003-08-12T16:09:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Meka Leka Hi Meka Hiney Ho \* > \*\ ***Weezer:** The Blue Album and _Pinkerton_ > > **They Might Be Giants:** _They Might Be Giants_ and _Lincoln_… after that, it seemed like all they released for years were compilations, including _Then: The Earlier Years_, which included the two aforementioned albums along with _Misc. T_, which was itself a compilation of B sides and whatnot. > > I hear they’ve been making new material lately. Unfortunately, I can’t afford to care. :rolleyes: \*\* Well, actually, **They Might Be Giants** put out several new records over that period, so I think you’re either confused or being snarky for no obvious reason. The sequence: 1986 They Might Be Giants 1989 Lincoln 1990 Flood 1991 Miscellaneous T (B-sides compilation) 1992 Apollo 18 1994 John Henry 1996 Factory Showroom 1997 Then: The Earlier Years (amalgamation of first two records and Miscellaneous T) 1998 Severe Tire Damage (live record) 2001 Mink Car 2002 No! And I’d say their first three records is a pretty good string for anybody. And I’ll throw out a new name, Elvis Costello, for _This Year’s Model_ and _Armed Forces_ (or _King of America_ and _Blood and Chocolate_ – those even came out in the same year!) ---
**Author:** ![vibrotronica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a9a28c/32.png) [@vibrotronica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vibrotronica)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2003, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-back-to-back-albums-ever-produced-by-the-same-artist/193943/82 "2003-08-12T18:17:56Z")
The Stooges: _Fun House_ and _Raw Power_ And even though they were not heard by half of the audience they deserved, The Grifter’s _One Sock Missing_ and _Crappin’ You Negative_ were two back to back lo-fi masterpieces. ---
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2003, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-back-to-back-albums-ever-produced-by-the-same-artist/193943/83 "2003-08-12T18:30:55Z")
Blur: _Modern Life is Rubbish_ followed by _Parklife_. ---
**Author:** ![HookerChemical](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/278dde/32.png) [@HookerChemical](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HookerChemical)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2003, 7:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-back-to-back-albums-ever-produced-by-the-same-artist/193943/84 "2003-08-13T07:27:21Z")
I’m going with OK Computer and Kid A for Radiohead. The Bends doesn’t do it for me. How about Thick as a Brick and A Passion Play by Jethro Tull? It’s either the best two albums ever or, the biggest swing from good to bad, depending on who you ask. I like them both myself. Songs From the Wood, Heavy Horses, and Stormwatch makes three great albums in a row. Opeth’s Blackwater Park, Damnation, and Deliverance makes a nice trifecta. Tool’s Aenima and Laeteralus is a nice pair. Marillion’s Script For a Jester’s Tear and Fugazi combo is damn good. And not to be out done by Shoeless’s obscure British band knowledge, I’ll nominate IQ’s Tales From the Lush Attic and The Wake. You’re putting a gun to my head and making me pare my list of 5 pairs and 2 trios down to only one pick? I’ll go with Tull’s Thick as a Brick and Passion Play. ---
**Author:** ![Dragon\_Phoenix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@Dragon\_Phoenix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dragon_Phoenix)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2003, 7:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-back-to-back-albums-ever-produced-by-the-same-artist/193943/85 "2003-08-13T07:39:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Shoeless \* > \*\*I’ll take obscure British art-rock bands for $500, Alex. > > **Camel** - “Mirage”, “Moonmadness”, and “The Snow Goose”, (one of my favoritest albums of all time). \*\* You, Sir/Madam, are a connaisseur. Except that I think Mirage and Moonmadness or the better albums of the three. Not mentioned yet: **Genesis** Selling England by the pound The lamb lies down on Broadway A trick of the tail Also excellent albums, and very different: **Bryan Ferry** As time goes by Frantic ---
**Author:** ![jovan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/0ea827/32.png) [@jovan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jovan)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2003, 7:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-back-to-back-albums-ever-produced-by-the-same-artist/193943/86 "2003-08-13T07:48:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by fessie \* > \*\*Actually the order is: > > Meddle - 1971 > Dark Side of the Moon - 1973 > Wish You Were Here - 1975 > Animals - 1977 > The Wall - 1979 > \*\* People _always_ forget **Obscured by Clouds** (1972). Although it was originally a film soundtrack, I think there is no reason it shouldn’t count as a regular album. There isn’t really one memorable song on it, but it’s very solid overall. It belongs in the list. ---
**Author:** ![BwanaBob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bwanabob/32/2985_2.png) [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2003, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-back-to-back-albums-ever-produced-by-the-same-artist/193943/87 "2003-08-13T14:54:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by KnightNavro \* > \*\*How about Thick as a Brick and A Passion Play by Jethro Tull? It’s either the best two albums ever or, the biggest swing from good to bad, depending on who you ask. I like them both myself. Songs From the Wood, Heavy Horses, and Stormwatch makes three great albums in a row. > I’ll go with Tull’s Thick as a Brick and Passion Play. \*\* Not bad, but I might have gone with Aqualung - Thick As a Brick. I’m not counting Living in the Past (in between) because the band considers it a compilation album. ---
**Author:** ![paulberserker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@paulberserker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/paulberserker)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2003, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-back-to-back-albums-ever-produced-by-the-same-artist/193943/88 "2003-08-13T15:06:05Z")
queens of the stone age: rated R songs for the deaf 2 pages of posts and nobody threw that one in? surprising. ill second OK computer and kid A ---
**Author:** ![TelcontarStorm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3ab097/32.png) [@TelcontarStorm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TelcontarStorm)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2003, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-back-to-back-albums-ever-produced-by-the-same-artist/193943/89 "2003-08-13T15:41:13Z")
OK, my selections. Zeppelin II & III Fleetwood Mac Rumors & Tusk Matchbox 20 Youself… & Madseason ---
**Author:** ![vivablur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b9e5f3/32.png) [@vivablur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivablur)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2003, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-back-to-back-albums-ever-produced-by-the-same-artist/193943/90 "2003-08-13T17:02:12Z")
Hold up, people…frickin’ Eddie Murphey and _Camel_ are name checked, but not David “second most influential British artist in Rock and Roll history” Bowie?! Hunky Dory, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust, Alladin Sane, Pin-Ups, Diamond Dogs, Young Americans, Station to Station, Heroes, Low, Lodger and Scary Monsters…that ranks with anybody, _ever_. Hard to top the decade long runs of The Beatles and Bob Dylan, but Bowie comes close. One last thing: can I get an “amen!” to the entire catalouge of Supergrass? They rule. ---
**Author:** ![Lizard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@Lizard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lizard)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2003, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-back-to-back-albums-ever-produced-by-the-same-artist/193943/91 "2003-08-14T02:45:29Z")
I can’t believe no one has seconded me on Bob Seger. Am I the ONLY Doper posting from the Midwest?! ---
**Author:** ![Apoptosis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ba9def/32.png) [@Apoptosis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apoptosis)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2003, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-back-to-back-albums-ever-produced-by-the-same-artist/193943/92 "2003-08-14T03:37:46Z")
**The Tragically Hip** _Up To Here_ (1989) _Road Apples_ (1991) _Fully Completely_ (1992) _Day For Night_ (1994) -Apoptosis ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2003, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-back-to-back-albums-ever-produced-by-the-same-artist/193943/93 "2003-08-14T05:39:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jweb \* > **Tool: _Undertow_ and _Aenima_** I prefer Tool’s _Aenima_ and _Lateralus_ although I guess you could include all three. ---
**Author:** ![mouthbreather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a698b9/32.png) [@mouthbreather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mouthbreather)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2003, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-back-to-back-albums-ever-produced-by-the-same-artist/193943/94 "2003-08-14T06:07:11Z")
A few ideas from the top of my head (don’t think any of these have been mentioned yet): •Goat and Liar from the Jesus Lizard •Low End Theory and Midnight Marauders from Tribe Called Quest •Comfort and Magnified from Failure •Chief Assassin to the Sinister and Another Desert, Another Sea from 3 Mile Pilot •Red Medicine and End Hits from Fugazi •Perfect from Now on and Keep it like a Secret from Built to Spill •Pure Guava and Chocolate & Cheese from Ween •This Is a Long Drive for Someone With Nothing to Think About and Lonesome Crowded West from Modest Mouse Also, “me too’s” for these already mentioned: Pixies SR and D Sonic Youth, but I’d go with Daydeam and Goo PE’s Nation of Millions and Fear of… Tom Waits – SFT and RD Charles Mingus: Blues and Roots / Mingus Ah Um. (I can’t say that I know that these were back to back, but both _great_ albums) ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2003, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-back-to-back-albums-ever-produced-by-the-same-artist/193943/95 "2003-08-14T06:13:36Z")
_The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart_ and _The Button-Down Mind Strikes Back!_ were 1 and 2 on the album charts for 8 months in 1960. _Behind the Button-Down Mind_ came next in 1961. Frank Sinatra’s _Songs For Young Lovers_ _Swing Easy_ _In The Wee Small Hours_ and _Songs For Swingin’ Lovers_ were probably the 4 best pop music albums of all time when released 1954 - 56. ---
**Author:** ![Coriolanus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coriolanus/32/18769_2.png) [@Coriolanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coriolanus)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2003, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-back-to-back-albums-ever-produced-by-the-same-artist/193943/96 "2003-08-14T07:21:48Z")
XTC: _Black Sea_ _English Settlement_ ---
**Author:** ![jinty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/dbc845/32.png) [@jinty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jinty)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2003, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-back-to-back-albums-ever-produced-by-the-same-artist/193943/97 "2003-08-14T12:18:02Z")
David Bowie: Hunky Dory & Ziggy Stardust. Queen: Sheer Heart Attack & A Night at the Opera. Queens of the Stone Age: Rated R & Songs for the Deaf. The Pogues: Red Roses for Me & Rum, Sodomy and the Lash. ---
**Author:** ![Coriolanus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coriolanus/32/18769_2.png) [@Coriolanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coriolanus)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 10:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-back-to-back-albums-ever-produced-by-the-same-artist/193943/98 "2003-08-15T10:21:46Z")
Bat out of Hell / Frampton Comes Alive Same artist? Oh. Rubber Soul/Revolver define this thread. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-back-to-back-albums-ever-produced-by-the-same-artist/193943.md?page=4)