By Gregg Shapiro

Contributing writer

Released in 2005 and 2006, respectively, the debut albums by James Blunt and KT Tunstall achieved hit status far beyond anyone’s imagination. Driven by massive hit singles, “Beautiful” for Blunt and “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree” for Tunstall, the albums sold well and established both performers as artists to watch.

Of course, musicians are never watched closer than when it comes to their second albums. The dreaded sophomore slump (creative and commercial) always hovers threateningly over the project. To their credit, neither Tunstall nor Blunt sounds as if they were interested in remaking their first albums, choosing instead to keep moving forward, on “Drastic Fantastic” (Relentless/Virgin) and “All The Lost Souls” (Custard/Atlantic), respectively. Both discs are solid efforts that find the individual performers continuing to maintain their musical identities. Highlights of the Tunstall disc include “Little Favours,” “I Don’t Want You Now,” “Saving My Face” and “Someday Soon,” while “1973,” “I’ll Take Everything” and the cynical “Annie” are some of the standout tracks on Blunt’s album.

“The Story” (Columbia) by Brandi Carlile is as close to perfect as a second album can be. Carlile, who shares a smoky and earthy quality to her voice with Tunstall but distinguishes herself with a powerful trill and twang that could make Kelly Clarkson envious, delivers on the promise of her self-titled 2005 debut with a set of songs that become more wondrous with each listen. “Late Night Lullaby,” “Turpentine,” “My Song,” “Wasted,” “Cannonball” and “Shadow on the Wall” are just a few of the reasons why “The Story” is so unforgettable.

They aren’t related, but Damien Rice and Johnathan Rice do have something in common other than their surnames. Both singer/songwriters released their full-length second discs within a few months of the other. Of the two, Damien is probably a little better known, as his 2003 debut caused quite a stir when it came out. Lisa Hannigan returns to duet with Rice on “9 Crimes,” the opening track of “9” (Warner Brothers/Vector), as well as provide glorious backing support on “The Animals Were Gone.” The startling “Rootless Tree” earns the disc its Parental Advisory stamp and Rice continues to impress on songs such as “Dogs” and “Accidental Babies.”

That’s Jenny Lewis of Rilo Kiley playing on more than half of the songs on “Further North” (Reprise), Johnathan Rice’s new album. If nothing else, her presence lends Rice some hip credibility, while songs such as “We’re All Stuck Out In the Desert,” “The Middle of the Road,” “It Couldn’t Be Me,” “Hard To Believe” and the 1960s throwback “What Am I Going To Do?” do their part in allowing Rice to speak for himself.

The members of Velvet Revolver know the importance of the second disc. In their former bands—Stone Temple Pilots (Scott Weiland) and Guns N’Roses (Slash, Duff McKagan, Matt Sorum)—they had firsthand experience with avoiding the sophomore slump. So when it came time for Velvet Revolver’s second album “Libertad” (RCA) they wisely didn’t mess with the 21st-century hard rock formula that served them well on their 2004 debut disc.

It’s a shame The Bravery didn’t do the same on their second album “The Sun and The Moon” (Island). Anyone looking for “Honest Mistake,” version 2.0, will be disappointed as The Bravery sounds as though they’ve had a change of heart. Sure, the guitar riff on “This Is Not The End” sounds like a tribute to The Clash, and “Every Word Is A Knife In My Ear” packs some hip-shaking heat, but something’s missing. Still, songs such as “Bad Sun” and “The Ocean” offer hope for what they might do next.

“The Broken String” (Dead Oceans), the second album by Bishop Allen, maintains the spirit of clever pop fun that made their debut disc, “Charm School,” such a pleasure. The mood is somewhat darker this time out, but that doesn’t mean that there’s less to enjoy. On the contrary, tracks such as the irresistibly rhythmic “Rain,” “Click, Click, Click, Click,” the musically adventurous “Like Castanets” and “The News from Your Bed” string listeners along in a most enjoyable way.

Velvet Revolver performs at The Riviera, 4746 N. Racine, Jan. 24.

James Blunt performs at The Riviera, 4746 N. Racine, Feb. 22.

Johnathan Rice performs at the Double Door, 1572 N. Milwaukee, Feb. 22.