The Second
The Second is the second studio album by Canadian-American rock band Steppenwolf, released in October 1968 on ABC Dunhill Records. The album contains one of Steppenwolf's most famous songs, "Magic Carpet Ride". The background of the original ABC LP cover was a shiny "foil", in contrast to later LP issues and the modern CD sleeve.
Featuring a style that incorporates psychedelic music and hard rock, the release has received critical acclaim both when it came out as well as in later years. AllMusic critic Bruce Eder stated that, though "highly derivative" of their first album, The Second had "very hard and edgy" tracks with the band "in excellent form". It became the band's highest-charting album on the Billboard 200, reaching number three.
The five tracks on side two after "Magic Carpet Ride" consist of a continuous medley.
Track listing
Personnel
Steppenwolf- John Kay – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, harmonica
- Michael Monarch – lead guitar
- Goldy McJohn – organ, piano
- Rushton Moreve – bass
- Jerry Edmonton – drums, vocals, lead vocals on "Faster Than the Speed of Life" and "28", co-lead vocals on "Don't Step on the Grass, Sam"
- Gabriel Mekler – producer
- Bill Cooper – engineer
- Richard Podolor – engineer
- Gary Burden – art direction, cover design
- Henry Diltz – photography
Charts
Singles - Billboard