Peaking in rock music

Submitted by infojunkie on Sat, 2009-06-13 05:27.
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Rock music is all about expressing strong emotions that consume the band. Maybe that's why most rock bands seem to peak soon after they hit the big time. I've noticed a pattern where the breakthrough album is immediately followed by their best work, only to be followed by disappointing further releases that lead to their break-up or stagnation. Here are a few examples:

  • Living Colour: Vivid > Time's Up
  • Red Hot Chili Peppers: Mother's Milk > Blood Sugar Sex Magik
  • Guns N' Roses: Appetite For Destruction > Use Your Illusion
  • Soundgarden: Badmotorfinger > Superunknown
  • Pearl Jam: Ten > Vs.
  • Radiohead: The Bends > OK Computer
  • Van Halen: 1984 > 5150

Of course, counter-examples abound. This is not a rule, just a pattern. Do you have any more examples?