Examples of Unexpected Pivots in a Musicians/Bands Career that Result in Greatness

[VintageSG]

The Phenomenon that is Michael Schenker.
The first couple of UFO albums are interesting-ish. 'Lonesome Crow' by The Scorpions is for collectors only.

'Phenomenon' blazes a trail. The tone, the playing, the drive Michael brought catapulted UFO.

 

[VintageSG]

Motorhead.

Lemmy didn’t do too badly after he got sacked from Hawkwind…

When Fox/Wallis were replaced by Taylor/Clarke, the Bomber took off!

 

[gentrywhite]

Yeah I saw them on that tour (that was a good concert season: Radio Head, Beck, Wilco, White Stripes, etc). I think that was the first tour with Nils Klein, and jeez what a contribution he as made. Thinking back, it was probably the best concert season for me of my lifetime.

In that case then I’d name post-Uncle Tupelo Jeff Tweedy.

 

[seek...]

Could the term we've been looking for be 'watershed?' Or are we talking about an artist 'finding their voice' (or, alternatively, what the public wants their voice to be?)

Ok, so 8 pages in... are we not counting Sgt Pepper or Pet Sounds?

And of course, Robert Johnson post the crossroad (or whatever other logical explanation).

Springsteen - Nebraska
Switching to the stripped down minimal structure of rock/traditional folk and away from the Dylanesque never ending stream-of-consciousness. Thank goodness. I realize that the stripped production wasn't originally intended, but give the man credit for recognizing that he had something real and putting it out even though he couldn't get it the way he wanted it to *sound*, production-wise. He heard past what he'd *wanted* to hear. Admirable.

Matthew Sweet - Girlfriend
First couple albums are definitely not made for me, but this one's songwriting and production really work. And check the guitar by Richard Lloyd (Television) and Robert frickin Quine (Lou Reed)!

Rush - arguably either Fly By Night or 2112
But I prefer the (controversial) move to the synths... please don't flame me, guitar players. I am one of you.

+1 Miles Davis
+1 Miles Davis *again*

+1 Hendrix leaving the Isley Bros, Little Richard, Curtis Knight, and the US

Johnny Rotten - Sex Pistols to PIL

Tony James from Generation X to Sigue Sigue Sputnik
Sell it ALL out, baby! Every little last bit that was left.

(Speaking of Tony James)
Mick Jones going from The Clash to starting Big Audio Dynamite - While it's not as crazy a leap (journey) as from punk to the reggae of Combat Rock, it's still quite far away.

Billy Joel's first band, Attila, to Cold Spring Harbor - that's a hilarious jump

Alanis Morissette - Jagged Little Pill
Seriously, her first stuff... is even worse. Miss Alternative getting all Miss Jackson-if-you're-nasty. No offense if you're into either of those kinds of things. (Although later she did have Taylor Hawkins... )

And speaking of the 90s,
Radiohead doesn't start for me until The Bends. 'Just' about killed me. Now that's a solo.

+1 A jumping the shark thread. Admittedly much easier, but so much more thrilling, and many times upsetting. (90's Rush )

 

[Maguchi]

Spinal Tap, moving on from Cups and Cakes, and Listen to What the Flower People Say; to Hell Hole and Sex Farm.

 

[Sgt Pepper]

Fleetwood Mac was a very different band post Peter Green. Likely much more popular than Peter's Blues band ever would've been. Likely due to the fact that they did a lot of Pop music.

Some folks like the later band better. But I don't think you could say that it was better. Different. More popular by intent. More commercial. But not "better".

Yeah. From electric blues to commercial pop music. In fact, FM was 3 distinct eras, from the original Peter Green band (by far my favorite) to Bob Welch FM, to Buckingham/Nicks FM

edit: I see the same was already posted later in the thread

 

[Sgt Pepper]

Rules of Travel is exceptional, also.

To the OP, I'll submit Talking Heads.

They went from the angular oddball pop of their first two records, to Fear of Music and Remain In Light, and then Speaking in Tongues.

Talking Heads 77 was unlike any music I'd heard before, and still my favorite TH record, though I liked them all. They were obviously a huge influence on what came after.

 

[jman72]

You have all probably heard the expression "jump the shark" where an artist (or show/company/whatever) makes a "creative" decision after which their output is generally regarded as pretty lame. I don't know if there is a word or expression that means the opposite, where, in this case a band or musician is generally considered ok/pretty decent, but then almost out of the blue comes something next level that defines their greatness, even if only in your opinion?

For instance, I liked "Creep" by Radiohead but after a couple of decent but kinda forgettable records, I totally didn't see Ok Computer or Kid coming, which was next-level and henceforth they were "great". It wasn't a linear progression, IMHO, it was a giant leap to new heights.

I get turned on to a lot of great music on this forum and I'd love to hear your examples if you got any. How about this one? Pre and post "Dark Side" Pink Floyd? Now there's a hot topic!

Kid A was the first thing that came to me when I read the first sentence of your prompt, but as I kept reading was thinking that it didn't fit because the Bends and OK Computer are both masterpieces! The Bends is one of the greatest rock albums of the 90's! Never heard it called forgettable before. Absolutely my favorite Radiohead album, but Kid A was a real departure from their previous three albums. Just my opinion.

 

[jman72]

Scarecrow and Lonesome Jubilee are two of the best ever!

Not sure if it's fashionable to mention this guy but the mid-career leap Mellencamp made from his first four albums (ending with Nothing Matters and What If It Did) to the next four (American Fool, Uh-Huh, Scarecrow and The Lonesome Jubilee) was incredible. The last two are goddam perfect, and if you haven't spun them in a while, do yourself a favour.

 

[redhouse_ca]

In that case then I’d name post-Uncle Tupelo Jeff Tweedy.

For sure, to me anyhow.

 

[redhouse_ca]

Kid A was the first thing that came to me when I read the first sentence of your prompt, but as I kept reading was thinking that it didn't fit because the Bends and OK Computer are both masterpieces! The Bends is one of the greatest rock albums of the 90's! Never heard it called forgettable before. Absolutely my favorite Radiohead album, but Kid A was a real departure from their previous three albums. Just my opinion.

I agree about kid a. I actually prefer that album as a whole to Ok computer, and I truly respect your opinion on the bends. There are some truly Magic songs on that record and although I feel how I feel about that, it's fair to argue that "forgetable" might not be the right word. It still feels about right to me, but this is totally a matter of taste, and like I said, I respect your taste.

What's kinda cool to me is that I listen to that record again and a lot more posted here by others, something I probably wouldn't think to do or not for the posts. I changed my mind on several and heard things i never heard/appreciated on a few of them. That was a cool experience. I'll give the bends another spin again.

 

[tlsmack]

Ramones teaming up with Phil Spector, I did not see that one coming. One of my favorite Ramones albums however.

 

[David Barnett]

In that case then I’d name post-Uncle Tupelo Jeff Tweedy.

Indeed. Based on his song output in Uncle Tupelo, I would never have expected Tweedy to be the one to really break out and shine. I was always a Jay Farrar partisan, but Jay's really got one thing he does really well, Jeff seems more versatile.

 

[Engine Swap]

File under pivot…

 

[dlew919]

Dave Grohl did okay for himself after Nirvana.

Have you ever noticed how much the guitarist from the foo fighters looks like he he drummer from nirvana?

 

[Blackmore Fan]

This was the first band, that came to mind. Lindsey and Stevie Nicks totally changed the dynamics of the band.

I have tickets to see Stevie Nicks later this month. I love her...but I much prefer Fleetwood Mac with Lindsey Buckingham.

 

[Blackmore Fan]

Wilco was what I was thinking as I read this whole thread. The Kicking Television double live cd is their high point for me.

"Impossible Germany" is epic.

 

[Blackmore Fan]

Fleetwood Mac was a completely different band after Nicks joined.

Uh...that guitarist/songwriter that joined with her played a part as well.

 

[Blackmore Fan]

I agree with others about Frampton. Humble Pie was a little country, rock and roll, really a great band, but their
identity was meh. Frampton goes out and ruled for about 3 or 4 years. Go figure.

The original Frampton solo release is epic.

 

[Blackmore Fan]

Possibly Y&T. Earthshaker is definitely different than the 2 previous albums.

Y&T was one of the best live bands playing in the middle-80s.