Also, kind of cheating, but Meddle by Pink Floyd and Foxtrot by Genesis spend their entire second halves on one song, and they’re two of the greatest songs ever made
That first half is insane, which makes the 2nd half that much more impressive. How can you top The Beautiful Ones and Let's Go Crazy? Oh let me see- When Doves Cry AND Purple Rain! Classic Prince fuckery on display.
First half is her usual (for that time) synth pop, but on the back half of the album she starts showing her heavier side that became known as her signature thing from then on.
When I hear "All Down the Line," I have to remind myself that there are three more songs, because that first track of side D really sounds like an album closer to me. I like the rest, but I wouldn't have called side D a standout side; each of the four sides seems equally matched to me.
Fantastic Planet by Failure. The first 2/3 are a really good 90s rock album, but then the last 1/3 sends it to top tier 90s rock status for me. They've actually played the entire last third of the album on its own and in track order as their encore during one of their tours.
Neil Young-On the Beach
First half is also great. But side B is the three track run of On the Beach, Motion Pictures and Ambulance Blues. One of the best B-sides to an album ever in my opinion.
"You Forgot It In People" by Broken Social Scene. First half is very good indie rock. Then the midpoint of the album is "Anthems for a Seventeen Year-Old Girl," followed immediately by "Almost Crimes," and then "Lover's Spit" a little later.
Standing on the Shoulder of Giants by Oasis. Fuckin' in the Bushes and Go Let It Out are solid opening tracks, and Put Yer Money Where Yer Mouth Is is a fun song, but the run from Gas Panic! To Roll It Over during the second half is crazy imo
Maybe cheating because it's a double album with different themes on each, but Foo Fighter's In Your Honor. While "Best of You" is the stand-out single the front half needed, most of the rest settles into a riffy midtempo rut. The second softer disc lets its songs stretch out and play around, and they sound infinitely more inspired. The "Virginia Moon" duet with Norah Jones. Taylor taking lead for "Cold Day in the Sun". The stark portrait of addiction in "Friend of a Friend". Whatever weirdo twang is going on in "Razor"
Come for the radio hit, stay for the cozy cabin tunes
The Beach Boys Today! is exactly this. The first half is all fun pop rock songs (though “When I Grow Up To Be A Man” is introspective), and the second half is all ballads and is somewhat of a preview of what Pet Sounds would be two LPs later.
From this year we have "The Crux" by Djo. Second half is WAY better and the last three tracks are literally the three best songs on the album. Easily one of the most "backloaded" albums I've ever heard.
EDIT: I'm talking about the standard edition. Avoid the deluxe edition which just adds 12 filler tracks that you really don't need at all.
In my opinion
Pinkerton- Weezer. The first half is great, but the 10/10s are mostly in the second half.
switch tired of sex and across the sea on the tracklist and i'd agree
Abbey Road
Also, kind of cheating, but Meddle by Pink Floyd and Foxtrot by Genesis spend their entire second halves on one song, and they’re two of the greatest songs ever made
HEYYYY BABE! Your suppers waiting for you-HOO
...a flower?
Butterflies, Flutterbyes, Gutterflies
Purple Rain- after Darling Nikki you have: When Doves Cry, I Would Die 4 U, Baby I'm A Star, and Purple fucking Rain. Like damn.
I personally think Purple Rain is a stone cold top to bottom classic, but damn that second half just gets better and better.
That first half is insane, which makes the 2nd half that much more impressive. How can you top The Beautiful Ones and Let's Go Crazy? Oh let me see- When Doves Cry AND Purple Rain! Classic Prince fuckery on display.
Synchronicity - The Police
Tea in the Sahara is underrated
Every time I listen to that album, I get bittersweet when I hear that song. It’s the end.
I felt that way about Here Come the Warm Jets- Brian Eno
Poppy's Am I A Girl
First half is her usual (for that time) synth pop, but on the back half of the album she starts showing her heavier side that became known as her signature thing from then on.
That album blew my mind when it first came out. My jaw legit dropped during "X."
Side B of Thriller is what makes Thriller Thriller. If I can pick a Side D (double album), gimme Side D of Exile on Main St.
When I hear "All Down the Line," I have to remind myself that there are three more songs, because that first track of side D really sounds like an album closer to me. I like the rest, but I wouldn't have called side D a standout side; each of the four sides seems equally matched to me.
Surf's Up - The Beach Boys
Darkness On The Edge Of Town -
Promised Land
Factory
Streets Of Fire
Prove It All Night
Title track
🔥🔥
John Henry by They Might Be Giants. Once you get to No One Knows My Plan, it's nonstop energy that doesn't let up.
Fantastic Planet by Failure. The first 2/3 are a really good 90s rock album, but then the last 1/3 sends it to top tier 90s rock status for me. They've actually played the entire last third of the album on its own and in track order as their encore during one of their tours.
Nurse who loved me, space song and stuck on you alone is just an insane 3 track run. Three of the best rock songs of the 90’s in a row.
Imo, Closer by Joy Division. Especially the last three tracks—fucking incredible.
Neil Young-On the Beach First half is also great. But side B is the three track run of On the Beach, Motion Pictures and Ambulance Blues. One of the best B-sides to an album ever in my opinion.
I like both of these albums all the way through, but their biggest tracks are on the back half for sure
7 rings by Arianna Grande
After Hours by The Weeknd
Nilsson Schmilsson side 2: Without You, Coconut, Jump In The Fire.
Mr Morale And The Big Steppers has a stronger second half in my opinion.
Fever To Tell
"You Forgot It In People" by Broken Social Scene. First half is very good indie rock. Then the midpoint of the album is "Anthems for a Seventeen Year-Old Girl," followed immediately by "Almost Crimes," and then "Lover's Spit" a little later.
To me this is THE quintessential better in the second half album.
What A Wonderful World, What A Terrible World by The Decemberists
Standing on the Shoulder of Giants by Oasis. Fuckin' in the Bushes and Go Let It Out are solid opening tracks, and Put Yer Money Where Yer Mouth Is is a fun song, but the run from Gas Panic! To Roll It Over during the second half is crazy imo
Maybe cheating because it's a double album with different themes on each, but Foo Fighter's In Your Honor. While "Best of You" is the stand-out single the front half needed, most of the rest settles into a riffy midtempo rut. The second softer disc lets its songs stretch out and play around, and they sound infinitely more inspired. The "Virginia Moon" duet with Norah Jones. Taylor taking lead for "Cold Day in the Sun". The stark portrait of addiction in "Friend of a Friend". Whatever weirdo twang is going on in "Razor"
Come for the radio hit, stay for the cozy cabin tunes
After Hours - The Weeknd.
The Beach Boys Today! is exactly this. The first half is all fun pop rock songs (though “When I Grow Up To Be A Man” is introspective), and the second half is all ballads and is somewhat of a preview of what Pet Sounds would be two LPs later.
Led Zeppelin II
it's all terrific but Elliott Smith's Either/Or, benefitting from maaaybe Elliott's best song, "Say Yes," being the very last track.
The King of Limbs by Radiohead TTPD Standard (after first 4 tracks)
From this year we have "The Crux" by Djo. Second half is WAY better and the last three tracks are literally the three best songs on the album. Easily one of the most "backloaded" albums I've ever heard.
EDIT: I'm talking about the standard edition. Avoid the deluxe edition which just adds 12 filler tracks that you really don't need at all.
disintegration by the cure. not that the first half is bad by any means, it's still good, the second half is just godly