The 1990s were the last time rock music truly had a stranglehold on popular culture. The 2000s had the garage rock revival, but bands like the Strokes and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs never dominated charts the way that dozens of 90s artists did in their prime.
That said, there's a different between having a smash hit album and a long-lasting career. 90s bands sold a lot of units, but many of them struggled to keep the momentum going with a second album. We decided to compile a list of the artists who fell flat with their sophomore release. This is not to say the quality of these releases were bad, but they simply failed to match fan expectations.
The Rainy Season (1993) - Marc Cohn
Marc Cohn was the surprise success story of 1991. The singer/songwriter released his self-titled debut, and the single "Walking In Memphis," which became a top 20 hit and earned him a Grammy for Best New Artist. The expectations were high for Cohn's second album, and when it dropped, there was a collective shrug.
The Rainy Season isn't a bad album by any means, but it failed to generate a big single, and it seemed like Cohn's 15 minutes of fame had simply passed. Unfortunate, but not altogether surprising.
Second Coming (1994) - The Stone Roses
Yes, there's some technical quibbling one could have with the Stone Roses being on the list. They dropped their classic debut in 1989, but the dram surrounding their follow up largely took place in the 1990s, so we felt it warranted inclusion.
The Stone Roses were sidelined by record label troubles, and were largely unable to tour during the first half of the decade. Second Coming was supposed to be, as the title suggests, a comeback, but fans everywhere were put off by the lackluster production and the sense that the band were failing to move with the times. It's ok to listen to now, but the blemishes, in comparison to the debut, are clear.
Soup (1995) - Blind Melon
Blind Melon managed to break through to the mainstream with a unique blend of psychedelic and Southern rock. "No Rain" was an iconic single, and their self-titled debut went four times Platinum in the US. Soup, however, did not come close.
The band's second album was a weirder, more eclectic affair, and the increased drug use by lead singer Shannon Hoon didn't help matters. Soup was dubbed a disappointment by just about every Blind Melon fan, and Hoon died shortly after its release. All things considered, though, this album is actually pretty interesting.
Fairweather Johnson (1996) - Hootie & the Blowfish
Hootie & the Blowfish were a nuclear commercial force in the guise of a chilled out bar band. They made good time music that connected with listeners on a deep level, and their debut album, Cracked Rear View (1994), sold a staggering 20 million units.
There was nowhere to go but down, and that's where Hootie & the Blowfish went with their second album, Fairweather Johnson. The album sold strong out the gate, but fatigue had set in, and it failed to generate a hit single. Fairweather Johnson eventually went two times Platinum, but the band was never able to regain their career momentum.
Humming (1998) - Duncan Sheik
Duncan Sheik, like Marc Cohn before him, was a breakout singer/songwriter thanks to his debut album. The single "Barely Breathing" was an instant hit, cracking the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100. Sheik's second album, though, did not make the same impact upon arrival.
The tunes on Humming are solid, but the sound of popular music had shifted pretty drastically between 1996 and 1998, and Sheik was one of its casualties. This sophomore album probably sounds better now than it did when it was released.
Shapeshifter (1999) - Marcy Playground
Marcy Playground are the "Sex and Candy" band. The 1997 single dominated alternative radio, spending a then-record 15 weeks atop the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. Marcy Playground were a big deal, and then Shapeshifter came out.
The album's lead single, "It's Saturday," cracked the top 25 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart, but it quickly disappeared, along with the rest of the album. Shapeshifter is a decent listen, but it was very clear the band were destined for one hit wonder status.