I've noticed something odd about many of my favorite artists. They're extremely prolific for their first decade and then fall into a lazy or unproductive period, only to bounce back for their 3rd decade. Here are a couple examples:

David Bowie

Released an album every year, sometimes 2 a year during the 70's. There were 13 studio albums and 2 double live albums from 1969-1980. Then for the rest of the 80's there were only 3 studio albums and one side project release (Tin Machine). He picked up the pace with his creative output during the 90's and released 5 studio albums and one side project release (Tin Machine 2). Plus, he had the wonderful Sound and Vision box set, The Best of 69/74 & 74/79 and the Rykodisc and Virgin remasters.

The Cure

Released 10 albums from the period of 1979-1989. Then during the 90's they only had 2 albums (one of them mostly crap), a remix project and a singles collection. Hardly representative of Mr. Smith's talents. But it appears that the 00's will be better for Cure fans. 'Bloodflowers' was brilliant. And there's talk of a new album this year, a b-sides collection and a solo album from Robert.

Tourists/Eurythmics/Annie Lennox

Released 11 albums from 1979-1989. Then only put out a Greatest Hits, one proper solo album, one covers album and one reunion album over the next decade. Not a lot to sink your teeth into although 'Diva' was a masterwork. But now she's got a new album coming out in June, there's a 2 disc Eurythmics rarities collection in the works and they're planning on remastering and rereleasing all of the old Eurythmics albums over the course of this year.

The same can be said about many other artists like Depeche Mode, New Order, and Blondie/Debbie Harry. It's strange how quantity is in direct relation to quality. Notice how Bowie's and The Cure's shittiest work came during their fallow period. And for as dogged as Prince's 90's work is, I love most of it and I'm glad that he didn't take the decade off resting on his laurels, like so many other legends do.

That is an interesting observation, Nathan. Do you think the down times are a requisite "remastering" of their internal creative force (although 10 years seems like a long time to regenerate)? Did any of these artists have major life changing events going on during the quiet yesrs that may have taken priority? That is one of the things that is so awesome about Bjork ~ no matter what is happening in her life , the creativity never seems to hit a roadblock ~ maybe even fuels her in some cases. She is like a Universal lightening bolt gathering energy from everywhere then sending it back out in amazing new forms.

Speaking of Annie Lennox/Eurythmics... I just recently bought the Diva album. I only really heard the singles when it came to the Eurythmics and Annie, but seeing how exciting it can be to "get into" an artist's back catalog sometimes, I decided I'd like to get some of Annie's back catalog. I've heard the Touch albums and Sweet Dreams on CDNow, and I know I want to get those two. I thought Diva was quite good, the production sounds very 1992 now, but 6 or 7 of the songs on that album are truly great. I'd like to get the Medusa album too, because I've always liked "No more I Love Yous" and her version of "Train in Vain."

Well for Bowie, it was in between marraiges. He was with Angela from 1970-1980. She was always a good foil for him and provided lots of tension. And then he's been with Iman since 1992, which is approximately when he got great again.

For Annie, she had her children during the 90's and says that's the reason she's taken it easy and not toured very much.

For The Cure, I don't know what their excuse is.

i'm extremely excited about the upcoming Eurythmics reissues. They've already released the first one, In The Garden, which I haven't yet picked up - i will shortly. It's an amazing album! Now if only The Cure would get the same treatment. Their back catalogue needs a serious upgrade.

JonSnow said:

Me too. Everything released before 1992 should be remastered.

Elton John

i wouldn't say he was lazy in the 80s as far as the number of releases go. lazy in the work he put into his music though.