This week, Jason Whissell of It’s Not That Bad and There Can Only Be One joins me to tackle one of the trickiest challenges in music: the sophomore album.

Every artist here released both their debut and follow-up in the ’90s, making the challenge even tougher. And yet, these second albums didn’t just survive the pressure — they proved the first record wasn’t a fluke.From alternative rock and beyond, these follow-ups sharpened sounds, expanded identities, and in some cases, outshined the debut entirely.

If you love ’90s music, deep dives into discographies, and debating which albums really delivered, this episode is for you.

🎙️ Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform—and don’t forget to leave a 5-star review to help more music fans find the show! Then, scroll down to hear all of the songs discussed in this episode! 👇

Sponge – Wax Estatic (To Sell Angelina) (from Wax Estatic)

Counting Crows – Angels Of the Silence (from Recovering The Satellites)

The Lowest of the Low – Penedono’s Hand (from Hallucigenia)

Tonic – You Wanted More (from Sugar)

Garbage – When I Grow Up (from Version 2.0)

Cranberries – Zombie (from No Need To Argue)

Veruca Salt – Shutterbug (from Eight Arms To Hold You)

Weezer – El Scorcho (from Pinkerton)

Terrorvision – Oblivion (from How To Make Friends & Influence People)

Alice In Chains – Would? (from Dirt)

Pearl Jam – Go (from Vs.)

Therapy – Stop It You’re Killing Me (from Troublegum)

Stone Temple Pilots – Unglued (from Purple)

Brother Cane – And Fool’s Shine On (from Seeds)

Collective Soul – Gel (from Collective Soul)

Marvelous 3 – Vampires In Love (from Hey! Album)

Foo Fighters – Monkeywrench (from The Colour & The Shape)

Limp Bizkit – Break Stuff (from Significant Other)

Rage Against The Machine – Bulls On Parade (from Evil Empire)

The Nixons – The Fall (from The Nixons)