Largely lacking co-leader
Chris Bell,
Big Star's second album also lacked something of the pop sweetness (especially the harmonies) of
#1 Record. What it possessed was
Alex Chilton's urgency (sometimes desperation) on songs that made his case as a genuine rock & roll eccentric. If
#1 Record had a certain pop perfection that brought everything together,
Radio City was the sound of everything falling apart, which proved at least as compelling. ~ William Ruhlmann