Bands That Underwent a Drastic Sound Change

I think when you've been in a band and you've done albums that were at or near the best of the genre, it becomes a question of "Do I really want to make the same album over and over again?" Musically, it gets boring. I think at least on some level that's what spurred Metallica to do what they did. However I also don't deny that their sound became more accessible for monetary reasons as well.

Dude, when Lou Reed died, did you see James's tweet that read, "I am a very sad table, indeed."? That shit was hilarious.

But yes. Lulu is a fucking abortion.

There are few bands that get better with each album, many where each album is always good, and enough that go in their own deviation.

One thing I have a lot of respect for is when a band can maintain their image and style through their entire discography. I'll bet the temptation to shift styles for mass appeal, or to respond to criticism, or try something completely different after the popularity has been established can be really strong. I feel when a band is consistent over a long stretch of time, it means the band members are really happy with their sound and what they're doing with it. Changes in sound are sometimes indicative to me that they weren't really "all in" with the band in the first place.

Its not always true though. Some awesome bands are formed from members of other bands that had totally different sounds. Sometimes the deviation is closer to what they were always trying to make in the first place. Once the fans and money came along they could afford better instruments, get better advice on their production, and learn how to use different equipment or whatever. Then somewhere along the line nothing they make sounds like what it once was, this bi-product of what they created before these new factors came into play.

In most cases it sounds like a loss of creativity or blurred inner vision to me. But its also possible that some of these people did something extraordinary first for the awareness before they pursued music as a serious career.

I dont know, but for the purposes of listening, and being a fan, I really enjoy consistency. There's enough bands that you can find the ones you really like, and when they do it right, you want them to keep making that. Dont stop doing that, I cant get enough of that etc. I suppose, as artists before content providers, they're not under any obligation to stay the same. But dammit it sucks when they try to fly too close to the sun.

Green Day, Bad Religion and NOFX.

I can't think of two Zappa albums that even sound like the same band, even when it was. The only common element in all of it seems to be his singing and guitar playing, that aside, you're going to hear everything from rock to jazz to folk to classical to 80s to etc etc etc.. There's a reason he's one of my favorites, the dude was never afraid to try ANY sound whatsoever. Hell, the only thing he ever won a Grammy for was a terrible MIDI from a mostly-great album that was all MIDIs composed using a synclavier. I can't think of any other 60's musicians who just kept going on and on and changing their sound over the years like Zappa did, they usually kept relying on their old hits decades later rather than having an always-fresh lineup of new hits to mix in with the old stuff at live shows and whatnot.

For those curious, several examples of the wide, wide array of sounds Zappa covered:


Such a classic 60's pop-rock sound


Sounds like early 90's computer setup tutorial music or something, yet is a great song


That piano is just oozing soul


Way ahead of it's time for a 1969


Nothing short of awesome, sounds really nice played by a full orchestra


There's even more genres he played in but this gives you a general idea that he truly was willing to write in/play with any sound. I wish more great musicians were open ended to this level. Many MANY great musicians are boxed into a corner. Maybe it's like Doom mapping though - Some have the talent to make everything from "true 1995 oldschool" to "beautiful and modern", but I haven't got that talent, all I make end up feeling like something old. Be that a good or a bad thing, it is what it is - It's a limitation as a result of skill and time, not choice! I can't help but think the same must apply to quite a few musicians.

Real punk just because it's from the 70's? Get outta here, you purist.

There's quite a few albums that experiment with sound within themselves already, here's a couple of examples :
Green Day - Nimrod (1997)


Teen Suicide - Waste Yrself (2012)