My top 12 Pop-Albums of all Time (as of 2016)
I’m a bit hesitant to share this list but here it is. In no particular order:
- Michael Jackson - Bad
- Debbie Gibson - Electric Youth
- Britney Spears - … Baby One More Time
- Janet Jackson - Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814
- Yumi Matsutoya - DA DI DA
- N*Sync - No Strings Attached
- Girls’ Generation - Baby Baby
- Mariah Carey - Music Box
- Joni Mitchell - Court and Spark
- Alanis Morissette - Jagged Little Pill
- Ultra Bra - Kroketti
- Prince - Purple Rain
Thoughts on the Albums
Michael Jackson - Bad
“Bad” was one of my “all time best album” picks as well and if I had to rank this list, it would easily be #1 here. I prefer this album to "Thriller" as I feel it is way more focused. The songwriting on this album is especially fantastic. I could listen to this album over and over and over again easily.
When Jackson died a few years ago, I was working on The Weekly Riff webzine and wrote a review of this album back then. Click here to read my review of "Bad".
Debbie Gibson - Electric Youth
I like this album so very much. No, I lied. I LOVE this album. I am not ashamed to admit it. The songwriting on this album is great. This album is especially awesome considering that Gibson was only 18 and produced 6 of 11 songs on the album. "Lost in Your Eyes" is one of my favorite ballads of all time.
Britney Spears - … Baby One More Time
I think I would blush if asked about my attachment to this album. I know, it is cheesy, but gosh darn it, this album is just such a good pop album. Budding pop songwriters, take note, this album shows you how it is done.
Janet Jackson - Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814
If I had to pick an alternate #1 pop album, it would be this one. I can not even begin to describe how big a part this album played in my life for about a year and a half. I spent weeks trying to learn the solo on "Black Cat". I played drums for what seemed like hours to "Rhythm Nation". I hummed the melody of "Alright" and "Escapade" while walking to school. "Miss You Much" is one of the best love songs ever, IMHO. This is such a neat album on so many levels.
Yumi Matsutoya - DA DI DA
I LOVE this album. I have said that a lot on this list, but in this case it holds even more true. While the Jackson siblings fight over #1, this album is the uncontested #2 of the list. The impact this album had on me as a young musician and the effect it continues to have on me can not be measured. Every budding pop arranger stands to learn a lot from the arrangements on this album.
N*Sync - No Strings Attached
What can I say? Lots. I believe this is one of the best crafted pop albums ever. The writing, arranging, and production could not be better. Absolutely phenomenal and an album every aspiring songwriter and aspiring pop artist needs to learn from. This is how it is done. It should also come as no surprise that Max Martin (the man behind Britney's "Baby One More Time") is also behind this album.
Girls’ Generation - Baby Baby
I really like this album a lot. The overall production is pleasant. The music is extremely catchy. I wish I could understand Korean so that I could appreciate this album even more. My daughter and I have bonded over listening to Girls’ Generation songs. This album is very special to me because of the time I have spent listening to these songs with my daughter.
Mariah Carey - Music Box
This album contains most of my faves from Mariah Carey. I remember when I first saw her on TV, I couldn’t believe she could hit all those high notes. She’s a really amazing singer. I like the songs on this album a lot. My favorite track from this album is “Never Forget You”. I usually listen to that song on repeat for like 20 times when I listen to it.
Joni Mitchell - Court and Spark
This was on my “top 12 albums of all times” list. I think it might be more fair to put this in the jazz category, but this was the pop of its day. I can’t say anything else but that this album is truly sublime. Love it!
Alanis Morissette - Jagged Little Pill
This was also on my “top 12 albums of all times” list. I listened to this album a lot during my last two years of high school. I think the music on this record is still relevant and just as tongue in cheek as it was back then.
Ultra Bra - Kroketti
My most favorite Finnish band of all time. I wish every day that they were still making new music. I could have put their album “Kalifornia” on here as well. Both of these albums are my favorite and always on my iPhone. I listen to these records regularly. Probably more so than anything on this list.
Prince - Purple Rain
I had to include Prince and this is the album I went for. Yes, perhaps a bit cliché since it is on everyone’s top list. It certainly deserves to be on every top list. Is it my most favorite work from Prince? No. However, given the impact this album had on all pop music, I can’t leave it out. I have to admit that I like a lot of Prince songs and will dedicate a list to just my favorite Prince songs, but as far as albums go, this is the only album from him I enjoy from start to finish.