10 Legendary Rock Bands With Sophomore Slump Albums

10. Pinkerton - Weezer

There's bound to be thousands of Weezer fans preparing to burn me at the stake for putting an album like Pinkerton on a sophomore slumps list. Looking through the rest of Weezer's discography, Pinkerton is probably one of their all time classic records next to the Blue Album, as Rivers Cuomo shows us a different side of what he's capable of. You say that now, but people weren't saying the same thing back in 1996.

Upon first release, most of the rock world was appalled by what they heard on here, thinking that their bright and sunshin-y rock band had completely missed their strengths. Since they leaned into a heavier sound, this was the record that received a thrashing upon first release, as fans were either turned off and wanted another version of Buddy Holly or disgusted at seeing these dorks write songs that sounded less charming and more creepy as you listen on.

As time has gone on though, this has developed a cult following and has become one of the true masterpieces in the band's catalog, standing either a notch above or on equal footing with their debut. This is a sophomore slump in the most pure sense though...it broke up the band. In the wake of it not being well received, Rivers stepped away from music and didn't return until half a decade later, when their sound got a lot more poppy again. For a band just finding their feet, this was a major slip up that made them want to hide in shame for years.