Bands with great second albums

X, "Wild Gift"

Gram Parsons, "Grievous Angel"
Big Star, "Radio City"
The Feelies, "The Good Earth"
New York Dolls, "Too Much Too Soon"
Silos, "Cuba"
R.E.M. "Reckoning"
PJ Harvey, "Rid of Me"
Ramones, "Leave Home"
Talking Heads, "More Songs About Buildings and Food"

Walter, I found Gram's Grievous Angel to be quite a bit better than his first, mostly because his tendency to go flat is minimized. There are great songs, including his nice duet with Emmylou on The Every Brothers' "Love Hurts", and a great band. Real fine album. Have you heard The Continental Drifters recording of his "A Song For You"? Better than the original (on Gram's GP album). 

@bdp24 

Agreed, the second is much better. Better sound, better songs, better singing, and I say that as a fan of the debut. Yes, I do like the Continental Drifters cover as well. Excellent. Have you heard Return of the Grievous Angel, an entire album of Parsons covers? There is some cool stuff on that, and perhaps a few head scratchers. Overall, a fun record, and one I probably play as much or more than GP, but not Grievous Angel.

Jefferson Airplane -- After Bathing at Baxter's (best SF acid rock album EVUH!)
Buffalo Springfield Again

Van Moprrison -- Veedon Fleece