Most artists will eventually disappoint—then they have to prove themselves all over again. Here are some masterworks of the return to form.
1// Sonic Youth <br
Most artists will eventually disappoint—then they have to prove themselves all over again. Here are some masterworks of the return to form.
1// Sonic Youth <br
2// Raekwon
Only Built 4 Cuban Linx … Pt. II (2009)
Perfect for: Getting paid in full.
Backstory: Biggest Wu-Tang letdowns: ODB’s death and the 14 years between good Raekwon joints. Here he enlists almost every living member of the Clan to cut a classic about quitting crime. Good thing—his previous release was criminally bad.
3// Brian Wilson
Smile (2004)
Perfect for: Sex Wax flashbacks.
Backstory: Surprisingly, “Brian Wilson crazy” never caught on as an epithet. The legendarily recalcitrant Beach Boy wrote Smile at the height of his band’s fame, then shelved it because he didn’t think it was sufficiently brilliant. It took him 37 years to realize he was wrong.
4// Roky Erickson with Okkervil River
True Love Cast Out All Evil (2010)
Perfect for: Post-church beer ‘n’ bbq.
Backstory: The former 13th Floor Elevators singer emerged from a psychedelic haze of marginal sanity to record this intimate, bittersweet Americana. It’s his first album in 15 years—and first good one in 30.
5// Justin Timberlake
FutureSex/LoveSounds (2006)
Perfect for: Sexting.
Backstory: The demise of ‘N Sync plunged Timberlake into an identity crisis. Enter Timbaland, whose studio wizardry helped JT channel his formidable—and yes, incredibly sexy—talent into a mature, club-ready sound. Phew! Now, where’s my box?
1: Getty; 2, 3, 5: Corbis; 4: Mike Carano
Authors: Mario Aguilar