The Third Album Hump

poptartssucktoasted makes a good point about third albums in their review of a band I'll probably never listen to, and certainly not in the next month or so (gave up extraneous spending and video games for Lent):

The third record is an absolutely pivotal time in a band’s career. For two records you have steadily attempted to define yourself and build up an audience for you music and that third record is when bands tend to make it or break it for good. Either you become a lifer and get to make music for the rest of your life or you fall into reclusion resurfacing only when there is a call for a reunion.

A fellow might take an opportunity to look at third albums in major bands over the last twenty years or so and see if this rule works out. This would take a lot of work. I'm probably not up to it. But it's nice to think about while I get around to my next CD review.