When exactly did the term "sophomore slump" originate? I ask because I was leading today's post with "it's rare when a smash debut is followed by an even better record," until I started thinking about it. The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Elvis Costello, Led Zeppelin, The Beach Boys, David Bowie, The Kinks, Prince, Lou Reed, Roxy Music & Simon & Garfunkel all made better second records, and that's just off the top of my head.
That said, Wet Leg's debut was huge and many loved it. Listeners who don't usually go for this brand of offbeat rock and roll fell hard as well. It pushed a lot of buttons people didn't know they had. Now after three years of what seemed like relentless touring, Wet Leg is back with "moisturizer" and it's not just better, it feels like a different band. There's more singing, more music, different instrumentation, so much so that to my ears, that debut sounds like a collection of demos in comparison.
The leap isn't as jarring as say, Elvis Costello going from "Trust" to "Almost Blue," but "moisturizer" sounds more like a band on their fourth or fifth record. Maybe that's because I just expected the "sophomore slump" and this is far from it.
Am I wrong in thinking that Hester Chambers is singing more on this than on the first? I don't recall her taking the lead on the debut. If memory serves, it was all Rhian Teasdale. I'll have to pay attention next time I give it a spin.
I'm three plays into "moisturizer" and I still want to hear more. That's always a good sign. Songs like "CPR," "mangetout," "jennifer's body" and "pokemon" kept me on my toes. The album is more musical than the first and the band did not skimp on the hooks. "moisturizer" is a very happy surprise.
12 comments:
They seem to have made their backing band official members of the band, with the outcome that the band members have played a big part in the songwriting. There seems to be only 2 of the 12 tracks which doesn't have one of the new members as co-writer.
My preordered vinyl was delivered the day it was released, and the first play said YES. They are a real band. I'm so happy all that touring paid off in the best possible way.
Suspect sophomore album: TPOH’s One-Sided Story, maybe? Lol!
Echo all the positive comments: moisturizer has been on near continual play since its release. Sounds great in any scenario. It must be love. Rhian’s solo work is much different than Wet Leg - more folk. :)
Yes to TPOH. To be clear, I wasn't saying the "sophomore slump" didn't exist. I just wanted to know when it became a thing.
This *is* a very, very good record. Certainly on par with the first and maybe more cohesive. I'm enjoying it a lot.
World-wide Web is vague on the origins of the phrase as it applies to pop music.
The Last Dinner Party is next on-deck with the sophomore release challenge for me. They’ve already shared the studio version of the lead single, “This is the Killer Speaking’, at a festival last month. A 35-second clip of the single is now available on YouTube. Note: The origins of the new song have been around for awhile, played in concerts. :)
Tracy Chapman said it takes 20 years to write your first album and six months to write the next.
Is Mangetout about beans because it's what it's supposed to mean.
I'd like to think Rhian is pronouncing it "Man Get Out!"
I think the step up in songwriting is huge. Whether that is maturation, the collaborative element or both, the songs are way more expansive.
I've been really looking forward to this one, so it's hardening to hear that you like it so much. I've only listened to the two or three tunes that Apple previewed and I love them. Like you, I thought they were even better than the stuff off the first album. I was and going get wait to get the vinyl before listening to the rest of it But my local shop only had the indie, colored vinyl variant. I hate colored vinyl so I might just jump into it now cause I can't wait.
You beat me to the punch. I wrote it yesterday planning on publishing today. And yes, it's a ton of fun. And it's definitely Man get out.
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