the sequel theory
For better or for worse — and, let’s face it, it’s most likely “for worse” — one of the records I’m most looking forward to this year is Raekwon’s Only Built for Cuban Linx II. I was trying — and failing — to justify my anticipation to Alex and Jayson a few months ago, when I slowly began to realize that a big part of the reason I was looking forward to this record was because of the title. By consciously calling up a flat-out classic — and one of my favorite hip-hop records ever — Raekwon pulled of a mean feat. He managed to make me forget what he’d done with the last 14 years, and instead got me believing he was capable of making another classic.
This got me wondering: why haven’t other artists attempted the same feat? It seems like an easy (if completely cheap and cloying) way to get people excited about a record — especially if the artist in question has been ‘off his game’ for some time. Both Alex and Jayson deemed this theory patently ridiculous, but I’m not so sure. Talking Book 2? Blonde on Blonde 2? You would totally buy that, whether you wanted to or not. What do you think? Could this work? And if it could, which “sequels” would you most like to see?
Paul McCartney, Abbey Road 2. ’nuff said.
I dunno if I deemed it ridiculous! I definitely deemed it HILARIOUS.
Slanted & Enchanted 2: Still Slanted, Still Enchanted
Still in the Aeroplane, Still Over the Sea
Chinese Democracy 2
… and this one’s for you, Joe:
Scott Walker 2… 2
Hilarious, ridiculous — it’s all the same to me.
Nas tried this with “Stillmatic.” Nobody believed him.
Maybe if Metallica had named “Death Magnetic” “Master of the Puppets 2″ it would have sucked less?
Prolly not.
Face it dude — this Raekwon record is going to have four jams on it and the rest is going to sound more like “Immobilarity 2.”
ZING
Also:
Sebadoh III, 2: The Pig Is Still Freed
You would have been unbelievably excited for a record called Master of Puppets 2, no matter what it sounded like.
This, to me, is actually more about the anticipation than the actual product. it’s just such an easy, no-brainer marketing move.
Reign in Blood 2
I don’t even think you need a subtitle! I think you can just call it “______ 2,” and that’s enough.
Sebadoh, Bakesale 2
Liz Phair – Back to Guyville
The Who (or at least Pete Townshend) – Pentagophenia
Pixies – Dooalittlemore
Captwhiffle -
Dude, NICE. DOOALITTLEMORE. Brilliant.
LL Cool J: Biggerer and Defferest
Nobody’s mentioning Jay-Z’s Blueprint 3?
Sure 2 was terrible, and there was 2.1. But I can’t say I’m not excited about the prospect of Blueprint 3 because its evoking the name of Hova’s best work.
I agree, its not about the finished product, its about how best you can hook me in when all logic and reason tell me to ignore you. (American Gangster was great, though)
Also, since we’re doing this,
Guided By Voices – Bee Two Thousand, too easy
Beatles – Polymer Soul
The Who – My Regeneration
The Clash – London Tweeting
Stones – Some More Girls
You might be onto something here.
“You would have been unbelievably excited for a record called Master of Puppets 2, no matter what it sounded like.”
“Master of Puppets 2: Pastor of Muppets.”
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jorge/Various/catollica-_pastor_of_muppets.jpg
Ilya, good call on Blueprint — I’m looking forward to that one, too. Although I also really liked American Gangster, so I haven’t counted Hov out just yet.
I think Zimmy DID make a sequel. He just didn’t use roman numerals: Highway 61 REVISITED came just 4 months and 8 days after Bringing It All Back Home.
Highway 61 does indeed pass through Bobby’s birthplace, Duluth, on its way through Memphis to New Orleans as it follows the Mighty Missisip. I’m thinking that, whatever highway brought him home, he was revisiting Highway 61 this time to leave.
We can argue whether the sequel surpasses the original — I think the first ALBUM is better, but Like A Rolling Stone and the title track of H6R are so sick that it’s almost not worth fighting about. But I don’t think you can argue that anybody released 2 albums better than this in 4 months, in any genre, ever. Will anybody ever come close?
I can’t believe you people: Meat Loaf, anyone? There is a Bat out of Hell 2 and a Bat out of Hell 3.
That said, if Luomo made Vocalcity 2 I think I would faint.
also, let us never forget: http://www.emusic.com/album/KRS-One-Spiritual-Minded-MP3-Download/10740792.html
Pink Floyd – The Not-so-dark Side of the Moon
C.J. Ramone – Leave Home Again
The Rolling Stones – Let It Bleed Some More
Radiohead – Kid B (this would have been a perfect title for their last “record”, BTW!)
I think this is territory plays in rap pretty frequently–ie, as mentioned, Blueprint 2 (erm) and Stillmatic (yikes). Also Tha Carter I/II/III come to mind, along with every mixtape series out there–Tha Drought, Dedication, The Leak, We Got It 4 Cheap etc; Viktor Vaughn; Jadakiss – Kiss tha Game Goodbye / Kiss of Death / The Last Kiss. Surely there are many more… as in we can make this shit so quick we don’t have time to come up with titles, so we’ll make it easy on you so you know you’ll always get the same reliable product you know and love (or not).
Sergei Rachmaninov – Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini 2: Still Straight Rhapsin’