Inspired by Omar A's "I Only Like Their Old Stuff" thread. What are some bands that you think have really come a long way and matured in sound? The ones that stick out in my mind right now are Lostprophets, Blink 182, and Thrice.
Lostprophets for sure... Speaking as someone who is just getting into them, I find I want to listen Start Something a lot more than Fake Sound Of Progress.
Lost Prophets, Brand New, Avril, and The Distillers (I like, like 2 or 3 of their old stuff but I prefer their new stuff)
Weeelll...I don't not like their old stuff, but AFI's new stuff (say, Black Sails forward) is a helluva lot better then stuff from the Answer That and Stay Fashionable era....
Bands that have not improved, but gone down: Linkin Park Lost Prophets - Have not evolved, but lost their touch and originality. their new album has bland, non-unique songs like last train home, last summer, Goodbye tonight. All same song structures. Their lyrics are the same according to complexity, but everything is about moving on and relationships (love). Metallica (St. Anger is disappointing) From autumn to ashes (What happened to their heavy influences?) Incubus (SCIENCE is by far the best, the new album the worst) To answer the thread: Poison the well (well, except Opposite of december, you come before you owns all their previous efforts)