CREATE TABLE table_203_512 (id DECIMAL, "release date" TEXT, "album" TEXT, "catalog number" TEXT, "chart position" DECIMAL, "notes" TEXT)

the album whatever came before what album ?
SELECT "album" FROM table_203_512 WHERE "release date" > (SELECT "release date" FROM table_203_512 WHERE "album" = 'whatever') ORDER BY "release date" LIMIT 1
SELECT "album" FROM "table_203_512" WHERE "release date" > (SELECT "release date" FROM "table_203_512" WHERE "album" = 'whatever') ORDER BY "release date" NULLS FIRST LIMIT 1