There are those who released a debut album that took the world by storm, then fought the sophomore slump. But I'm thinking about the other stories. The promising talent who creates some records with potential but doesn't craft a landmark until album three or four.

I'm thinking of people like Kate Bush who clearly had a talent but didn't coalesce into something truly incredible with album four, The Dreaming.

Or The National who didn't really know who they were until album four where they became critical darlings with The Boxer.

Or let's not forget George Harrison who wrote mostly shitty songs until suddenly he had stockpiles of great stuff.

Who do you see as a musical Late bloomer?

Two off the top of my head:

Andy Summers. Joined The Police at 35.

Robert Pollard.

Harrison is probably one of the best examples as you mentioned. All things must pass is about three or 4000 times better than anything Lennon or McCartney released after the Beatles on the whole.

Actually, Neil Young might be another good example. If you want to treat the first record and the Buffalo Springfield stuff as the early work, Everybody Knows this is Nowhere is light years above that then pretty much continued on an upward to trajectory for a long, long time.

Pulp formed in 1978 and didn't get big until 1994.

Pantera had four albums before CFH that nobody cares about.

Bowie.

Slogged away for years in various incarnations before making any kind of impact.

Frankie99 wrote: Wed Sep 11, 2024 8:39 pm Harrison is probably one of the best examples as you mentioned. All things must pass is about three or 4000 times better than anything Lennon or McCartney released after the Beatles on the whole.

John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band for me with no competition

Actually, Neil Young might be another good example. If you want to treat the first record and the Buffalo Springfield stuff as the early work, Everybody Knows this is Nowhere is light years above that then pretty much continued on an upward to trajectory for a long, long time.

Neil was 23 when Everybody Knows came out. Pretty early! 23! He made that record as a kid basically, it's crazy.

Bill Withers didn't put out an album until he was nearly 33.

Also adding The Stranglers (considered old by 70s punks, anyway), Alan Vega, and Mark Sandman from Morphine.

So is it the age or the previous output that defines it?

Frankie99 wrote: Wed Sep 11, 2024 10:24 pm So is it the age or the previous output that defines it?

I'd say more previous output but I guess either. I just love the story of someone (or a band) that churns out some so-so stuff for quite a while then suddenly discovers an angle.

Ok then take that, eephus! EKTIN stands - like his 4th record or so.

I admit I over looked Plastic Ono....that's a good counterpoint. All things is still way better tho.