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 (MCA Records) 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"
Technical
Gabriel Mekler – producer
Bill Cooper – engineer
Richard Podolor – engineer
Gary Burden – art direction, cover design
Henry Diltz – photography