Consistent Excellence - Bands That Keep Delivering The Goods

[Beechwoods]

It's been a long time since I came across a band that consistently delivered the goods, album upon album of truly fantastic work, albums where every track is unworthy of the fast-forward button. All the ones I can think of are long-gone. Floyd between 68-77, Caravan 70-72, Ozrics 1984-1986, Marillion 1982-1986.

A lot of the bands I like created at least one fantastic album, but then ran out of steam. Or a string of albums with a mix of good and bad in each. I love The Who's 'Quadrophenia' for example, so much I own it on vinyl, reel to reel, CD, cassette and have a pre-order on the multichannel SACD. But I think 'Tommy' is pants... it's infuriating to not find more Quadrophenia type stuff in their oeuvre.

I know it's horses for courses, but even bands you enjoy can be patchy. I'd be interested to see what 'album pairs' are out there. Truly magnificent pairings that are worth hearing.

[John]

Pain Of Salvation released 5 albums all diiferent but all of a high standard but another love hate band
Nick Cave released a lot of consitant albums

[Wakefield Turntables]

Dream Theater, Iron Maiden are two groups that I think fall into this thread.

[Welder]

Hmm, an interesting proposition at the heart of this: any band has one good album in them possibly
There may be a lot of truth in the above. Just to spanner the whole idea it would be hard to pick a bad album from Robin Trower, The Beatles, The Dandy Warholes and I personally would extend the Ozrics to every album they've ever made including The Tape Era.

[Thing Fish]

Nick drake only released 3 albums but all are good in my opinion and although not allways easy on the ear Frank Zappas output was of very high quality.
There are of course many more IMHO like Surertramp and Steely Dan...

Unfortunately there are many bands like Queen where only the first 3 or 4 were any good they then became more mainstream and bucket 'o' shite. Which was a shame but somewhat enevitible I suppose.

Of course there are those who will dissagree with all of the above...

[Beechwoods]

I found the Ozrics erred badly with 'Strangeitude' but loved their early 'Dovetail' releases. Strangeitude was too commercial for my tastes. Live, they kept their magnificence until 'Jumpin Jon' left. I do like 'Curious Corn' and 'Swirly Termination' of the later stuff.

I really like some late eighties indie stuff, the Sarah scene etc... some of those bands had one blinding single in them, often their first, then struggled to keep up the pace. Curse the vagaries of creativity!

[Wakefield Turntables]

Egg from the 1970's canterbury prog rock scene only did 3 albums but they were all good.

[Beechwoods]

I love Egg. Even their 'odds and sods' album 'The Civil Surface' is fantastic.