This is the thread devoted to those rare cases of a band breaking up and then reforming several years later, releasing an album or several that are just as good as their best pre-breakup material

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A few examples:

Roxy Music (79-82 output)
Aerosmith (87-93 output)
a-ha ("Minor Earth Major Sky" and also, at least to some extent, "Lifelines")

― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Tuesday, 18 March 2003 23:44 (twenty-three years ago)

In related news, Fleetwood Mac have a new album coming out!!

― Jody Beth Rosen (Jody Beth Rosen), Tuesday, 18 March 2003 23:48 (twenty-three years ago)

NOT Slapp Happy. I learned the hard way.

― Sam Jeffries (samjeff), Tuesday, 18 March 2003 23:54 (twenty-three years ago)

oh well, Can's 'Rite Time' was a decent comeback, and a much bettah record than several pre-break-up ones

hey, what personnel's done the new F'Mac rekkid then?

― t\'\'t (t\'\'t), Tuesday, 18 March 2003 23:58 (twenty-three years ago)

slapp happy is a great band though...

isn't this like Screaming Trees territory? I mean, didn't they release amazing stuff after it was all over? I don't know anything about that but want to...

― steve k (http://go.to/stevek) (stevek10), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 00:01 (twenty-three years ago)

new FMac = classic ('75 - '86) lineup, excepting CMcV on most tracks (but she still appears on some apparently)

my answer to the Q = Go Betweens (Friends Of Rachel Worth being my 2nd fave LP of theirs)

― electric sound of jim (electricsound), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 00:03 (twenty-three years ago)

I think the Go-Betweens' first reunion album (haven't heard the second) is more consistent than anything else I've heard of theirs.

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 00:03 (twenty-three years ago)

I think 16 Lovers Lane is equally consistent but the production isn't as strong..

― electric sound of jim (electricsound), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 00:06 (twenty-three years ago)

I'm confident the new Doors output will be fab

― girl scout heroin (iamamonkey), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 01:07 (twenty-three years ago)

Turbonegro

― Arthur (Arthur), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 01:09 (twenty-three years ago)

The Chameleons. Why Call It Anything was a slow grower of an album but songs like "Dangerous Land" are just as great as their earlier stuff (and sound even better live).

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 01:18 (twenty-three years ago)

I like King Crimson's "Discipline" better than "Lizard".

― Dr. Annabel Lies (Michael Kelly), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 01:22 (twenty-three years ago)

>>Roxy Music (79-82 output)
Aerosmith (87-93 output)<<

Roxy Music: Not nearly as good as their early stuff.
Aerosmith: Not nearly as good as their early stuff.

Period. Though okay, *Manifesto* is pretty cool.

(And, what, "Janie's Got a Gun"??? Give me a fucking break.)

― chuck, Wednesday, 19 March 2003 01:25 (twenty-three years ago)

Geir Thing: Do Not Bring Your Rhythm Here.

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 01:27 (twenty-three years ago)

Dear Anthony (seeing as how you're here and all):

J. Geils Band, 1981:
Not nearly as much better than their early stuff as you think.

And "Flamethrower" beats the pants off of "Centerfold" anyway.

love (stinks),
chuck:)

― chuck, Wednesday, 19 March 2003 01:53 (twenty-three years ago)

Freeze-Frame is less whammy jammy then what I've heard of the early stuff (not that that stuff is BAD per se, just a little long-winded, I prefer the Raiders early stuff for house party music). It is possible that I got lost somewhere down the line though. Will seek out "Flamethrower" (what album is that on?) in the cheap used vinyl racks (it's where I get ALL my geils).

(lookin' for a) love,
Anthony :p

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 02:06 (twenty-three years ago)

get a room you two

― jess (dubplatestyle), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 02:08 (twenty-three years ago)

You already own "Flamethrower," Anthony.
It's on the same album as "Centerfold" (and was a big hit on Electrifyin' Mojo's show, WGPR, Detroit, c. 1981. Just like Billy Squier, Devo, Yellow Magic Orchestera, Gary Numan, *Dirty Mind,* etc.)

love comes once and when it comes you bettah catch it fast,
woovah groovah with da green teeth ;)

― raputa the beauta with the long hair, Wednesday, 19 March 2003 02:15 (twenty-three years ago)

*thwacks head* yeah, I do, jeri (fergoddaboutit). But I still prefer "Centerfold". And Rocket From The Crypt's best over all dat.

But anyway, back on topic. Mudhoney's "Since We've Become Translucent" was just as okey-if-no-big-deal-just-get-March-To-Fuzz as their earlier long players, despite losing the Pearl Jam-worshipped Lukin.

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 02:21 (twenty-three years ago)

Well, Wire have some top-notch EPs, if those count.

― Scott Warner (thream), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 02:55 (twenty-three years ago)

Wire. No post-reformation album was quite as good as the first three albums but there are many great, great songs that easily rate with songs from the pre-breakup era.

― fortunate hazel (f. hazel), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 02:56 (twenty-three years ago)

Robbed!

― fortunate hazel (f. hazel), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 02:57 (twenty-three years ago)

Wire: Not even close.

I nominate mid-'80s Slade, though.

And what about Elvis? Didn't he break up before coming back in 1969?

And Golden Earring, maybe??

Peter and the Test Tube Babies? Um....Dobie Gray????

― chuck, Wednesday, 19 March 2003 03:02 (twenty-three years ago)

I hope Chinese Democracy comes out and inspires someone to revive this thread a year from now. Don't think it will be me though. Can't imagine it not sucking ass.

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 03:11 (twenty-three years ago)

yah :(

― chaki (chaki), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 03:13 (twenty-three years ago)

Faust put out some inspired post-heyday gunk.

― Scott Seward, Wednesday, 19 March 2003 04:43 (twenty-three years ago)

Turbonegro. The new album is fucking phenomenal!

― Ally (mlescaut), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 04:44 (twenty-three years ago)

How many years ago did Turbonegro break up? At least three...I guess that counts as several. They get my vote too.

― Kris (aqueduct), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 04:49 (twenty-three years ago)

Several = more than two, because two is a couple.

― Ally (mlescaut), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 04:51 (twenty-three years ago)

What's your favorite song on the new album? Mine is "Ride With Us" or "Le Saboteur". I can't wait to get the vinyl of this; side two will be simply devastating!

― Kris (aqueduct), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 05:01 (twenty-three years ago)

I'm waiting for someone (not me thank you) to say that "Free As A Bird" is the best Beatles single.

― Justyn Dillingham (Justyn Dillingham), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 06:08 (twenty-three years ago)

I can't decide which one I love best yet, Kris. It's just phenomenal, the whole thing. EXACTLY what I was hoping it would sound like, too.

― Arthur (Arthur), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 06:19 (twenty-three years ago)

That is, I agree with Ally, 100%

― Arthur (Arthur), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 06:21 (twenty-three years ago)

Of nominal interest to some, Sunny Day Real Estate's best album is How It Feels To Be Something On -- the first album recorded after reforming.

And some might question this inclusion, but I always thought Television's self-titled 1992 album was as good as anything they released in the 70s, if not more coherent in spots.

― paul cox (paul cox), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 06:28 (twenty-three years ago)

hey! paul posted the two that sprang to my mind when i read the threadtitle! And yes, How It Feels To Be Something On is one hell of an album.

― willem (willem), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 10:16 (twenty-three years ago)

Can't believe no-one here has mentioned SOFT CELL. Their reunion album Cruelty Without Beauty was absolutely fantastic,easily as good, probably better, than anything they did in the 80s.
Go see them live, too. Brilliant.

― russ t, Wednesday, 19 March 2003 10:18 (twenty-three years ago)

I am so glad nobody has said Steely Dan.

I don't know "Flamethrower". Does it have a line as good as "I hope that when this issue's gone / I'll see you when your clothes are on"?

― Tom (Groke), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 10:23 (twenty-three years ago)

Golden Earring never broke up. Also, Venom and Iron Maiden come to mind.

― Siegbran (eofor), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 11:37 (twenty-three years ago)

I am so glad nobody has said Steely Dan.

I thought of them, but I think their reuinion album was in no way even close to the quality of what they used to be in the 80s. Same about The Eagles.

― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 11:40 (twenty-three years ago)

Did the Human League ever officially break up? (apart from the 1980 break up obv)

― Tom (Groke), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 11:42 (twenty-three years ago)

I am so glad nobody has said Steely Dan.

Well it's not as good as their best stuff, but I'd put it on a level with, say, 'Gaucho'.

― James Ball (James Ball), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 11:50 (twenty-three years ago)

Did the Human League ever officially break up? (apart from the 1980 break up obv)

I thought of them too, but I actually don't think they ever did.

― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 12:24 (twenty-three years ago)

My vote for the Go-Betweens as well, even though I don't think McLennan and Forster should be using the name without Lindy.

― Jazzbo (jmcgaw), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 13:23 (twenty-three years ago)

Did Heart break up? 'Cause I'd probably take all those mid 80s big hair hits over the mid 70s pop-Zep hits, or in the very least call it an even match.

― s woods, Wednesday, 19 March 2003 14:37 (twenty-three years ago)

Soft Cell's last album wasn't anywhere near terrible.

― Ferg (Ferg), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 14:40 (twenty-three years ago)

That's high praise indeed!

― s woods, Wednesday, 19 March 2003 14:44 (twenty-three years ago)

I would've said the Buzzcocks, although their output has waned significantly.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 14:46 (twenty-three years ago)

The Breeder's last album was really good in its own way. I don't love it as much as Last Splash, but I couldn't call it worse.

And Wire's Read and Burn pisses over all their earlier stuff. Punk >> Post-Punk.

― Andrew Farrell (afarrell), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 14:50 (twenty-three years ago)

>>>I don't know "Flamethrower". Does it have a line as good as "I hope that when this issue's gone / I'll see you when your clothes are on"?<<

Probably not, but it also doesn't pretend that centerfolds wear neglige'es! (that apsotrophe is supposed to be an accent over the e.)

― chuck, Wednesday, 19 March 2003 16:46 (twenty-three years ago)

Hehe, I was being non-committal because I've only heard it all the way through twice. S'good though, and they were great on the live shows as well.

'And Wire's Read and Burn pisses over all their earlier stuff. Punk >> Post-Punk.'

I think I felt compelled to start a punk/post-punk taking sides thread once, but suppressed the urge.

― Ferg (Ferg), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 16:58 (twenty-three years ago)

"And Wire's Read and Burn pisses over all their earlier stuff" = insane

― hstencil, Wednesday, 19 March 2003 17:13 (twenty-three years ago)

Yeah, Roxy Music. "Manifesto" is good. I can live without their covers of the Byrds and Wilson Pickett on later albums. "Avalon" is good, though, as a superior MOR record, just like the Dan's "Gaucho" I guess.

Beefheart's last two albums were almost as good as what he did ten years before.

Howlin' Wolf never broke up but anyway his last one was quite good, as good as anything else he did, despite the harpsichord.

I can't think of any more--it's depressing.

― Jess Hill (jesshill), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 20:01 (twenty-three years ago)

Mid-80s Slade, chuck? Keep Your Hands Off My Power Supply maybe, but I sure hope you're not thinking of including Rogue's Gallery there. Really, that was more a Van Halen album....and not a particularly good one.

― Sean Carruthers (SeanC), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 21:24 (twenty-three years ago)

Minor Threat. They made those first two singles, broke up, got back together and made _Out of Step_.

― mike a (mike a), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 21:53 (twenty-three years ago)

Kris: I can't decide on a favorite yet. It's too fucking good, if you know what I mean. Le Saboteur is a good choice. Drenched in Blood is an obviously massive single except that it's called Drenched in Blood and is by Turbonegro, so it might not be as massive as I hope.

― Ally (mlescaut), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 22:35 (twenty-three years ago)

Every Roxy Music album is great, but the latter three have a very different sound than the first five and can hardly be compared. That would be the same as nominating Rain Tree Crow (Japan part II) in here.

Echo & the Bunnymen suits the thread title very well. Although the psychedelica and the atmospheres of their eighties albums is lost and Ian McCulloch's voice suits itself better for a crooning style these days, Evergreen, What Are You Going To Do With Your Life? and Flowers are three top albums I couldn't live without.

Madness and New Order both released a superb album after a long inactive period (Wonderful and Get Ready), but both groups never really officially split up, right?

― Tijn, Wednesday, 19 March 2003 22:36 (twenty-three years ago)

Did the Bee Gees ever break up in the early 70's?

― zaxxon25 (zaxxon25), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 22:51 (twenty-three years ago)

Madness and New Order both released a superb album after a long inactive period (Wonderful and Get Ready), but both groups never really officially split up, right?

Madness did. "(Waiting For The) Ghost Train" was proclaimed as their "goodbye single".

― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 23:08 (twenty-three years ago)

>>Mid-80s Slade, chuck? Keep Your Hands Off My Power Supply maybe, but I sure hope you're not thinking of including Rogue's Gallery there. Really, that was more a Van Halen album....and not a particularly good one. <<

Yeah -- *Keep Your Hands Off My Power Supply*. And *You Boyz Make Big Noiz* as well. Can't remember if I ever heard *Rogue's Gallery.*

The Bee Gees, if they did indeed break up, are the best nomination on this entire thread. Their disco stuff was actually BETTER than their '60s stuff (which could still be great, so that's saying a lot.)

― chuck, Wednesday, 19 March 2003 23:26 (twenty-three years ago)

My vote for the Go-Betweens as well, even though I don't think McLennan and Forster should be using the name without Lindy.

on one hand I agree, sure, but on the other hand she wasn't a founder member..

― electric sound of jim (electricsound), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 23:39 (twenty-three years ago)

"You Boyz Make Big Noize" was actually a great album. "That's What Friends Are For" is up there with the best of their 70s output.

― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 23:40 (twenty-three years ago)

I never did bother trying to hear the album following Rogues Gallery, I was so disappointed. Chuck, if you want to hear Rogues, I'll mail you my LP.

― Sean Carruthers (SeanC), Thursday, 20 March 2003 05:22 (twenty-three years ago)

I always preferred Madness in the laterdays (although not the stuff they've done recently)..... Yesterdays Men and Waiting for the Ghost Train were awesome singles. They were more appealing weather beaten, I always thought.

― russ t, Thursday, 20 March 2003 10:55 (twenty-three years ago)

Don't just restrict yourself to the later albums, russ. 'Grey Day' is the utimate (literally) weather-beaten song by Madness, from '7'. Other great, darker stuff from early albums includes: 'Razor Blade Alley', 'Embarrassment', and (admittedly jaunty-sounding) numbers like 'Cardiac Arrest' and 'Mrs Hutchinson'.

'Wonderful' is surprisingly good, and worth getting for their collaboration with long-time hero Ian Dury alone. Though if you're strictly interpreting the thread title, it's not as good as 'The Rise and Fall' or '7'.

― James Ball (James Ball), Thursday, 20 March 2003 11:17 (twenty-three years ago)

I would say the best Madness albums are sort of their mid period (and I am not counting the reunion album at all then). "One Step Beyond" and "Absolutely" are just too fast and "nutty", while "Keep Moving" and "Mad Not Mad" were a bit too slick-sounding (blame Langer & Winstanley's increasing boringness). They were always a great singles band, but I would say "7" and "The Rise And Fall" are their only consistent albums. Particularly "7" is a classic though.

― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Thursday, 20 March 2003 14:30 (twenty-three years ago)

7 is my least fave Madness album!
They're at their best on Keep Moving. Somehow that one became a rather obscure record, only known for Michael Caine and the Sun and the Rain, but it's got a nice amount of hidden gems like Prospects and Time For Tea.

― Tijn, Thursday, 20 March 2003 15:00 (twenty-three years ago)

"Keep Moving" has several great songs on it, but suffers from being slightly overproduced, sounding a bit too typically Clanger & Winstanley

― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Thursday, 20 March 2003 15:33 (twenty-three years ago)

Suggs will be making a guest appearance at the 3pm performance of Our House - the Madness musical in London this Saturday, 22 March, and I can get a ticket for £20, instead of the usual (eek) £45. Is it worth it?

― russ t, Thursday, 20 March 2003 15:34 (twenty-three years ago)

My 2 cents: I thought the new Soft Cell album was lousy, and I loved them in the 80s.

― Sean (Sean), Thursday, 20 March 2003 16:17 (twenty-three years ago)

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