What's the best "Mainstream Pop" album of this millenium so far?

[Black Roman]

I was pondering this question after looking for some new music to listen to. Most pop music nowadays is specifically geared toward the download market and less effort seems to be put on making a complete album so much as a loosely pieced together group of singles-in-the-making, so with that in mind, if you had to name one "mainstream pop" album of these 2000's so far as reigning king (or queen) of the pop world, what would it be?

[HeroBoy]

I would say---most likely---Kanye West's Graduation.

[Ryudo]

Best as in best selling, or best as in good?

[SteveFlack]

I was pondering this question after looking for some new music to listen to. Most pop music nowadays is specifically geared toward the download market and less effort seems to be put on making a complete album so much as a loosely pieced together group of singles-in-the-making, so with that in mind, if you had to name one "mainstream pop" album of these 2000's so far as reigning king (or queen) of the pop world, what would it be?

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61s0JZKGbeL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

[Black Roman]

Best as in best selling, or best as in good?

Good is subjective, but yes, what is the goodest of the 2000 - 2010 mainstream pop albums.

[Black Roman]

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61s0JZKGbeL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

Ooooooo, good answer!

[Ryudo]

I'll agree with Steve and also post the following, since it came out in 2000:

http://blog.newsok.com/gossip/files/2009/12/NSync-No-Strings-Attached.jpg

[Ryudo]

And this:
http://images.uulyrics.com/cover/m/maroon-5/album-songs-about-jane.jpg

[HeroBoy]

Outkast was a very good pick too...can't believe I forgot that one.

I somehow feel if you said last 5 years instead of decade, I could make a decent case for Lady Gaga.

[Black Roman]

Another candidate . . .

http://991.com/newGallery/Justin-Timberlake-Future-Sex--Love-365558.jpg

[SteveFlack]

Another candidate . . .

http://991.com/newGallery/Justin-Timberlake-Future-Sex--Love-365558.jpg

Yes. Yes. A million times yes.

[Black Roman]

Outkast was a very good pick too...can't believe I forgot that one.

I somehow feel if you said last 5 years instead of decade, I could make a decent case for Lady Gaga.

I love Gaga, but The Fame was just an alright album with music ultimately unworthy of her real-life persona but The Fame Monster was a good step in the right direction.


Hoping Born This Way continues the upward strides she made with Fame Monster.

[capntightpants]

Another candidate . . .

http://991.com/newGallery/Justin-Timberlake-Future-Sex--Love-365558.jpg

I was gonna say this one too.

[capntightpants]

FutureSex/LoveSounds not only has a ton of great songs, but the interludes and change ups between tracks make the whole thing a seamless album. It's fuckin incredible from start to finish.

[BriRedfern]

Another candidate . . .

http://991.com/newGallery/Justin-Timberlake-Future-Sex--Love-365558.jpg

This would probably be my call.

[SteveFlack]

I love Gaga, but The Fame was just an alright album with music ultimately unworthy of her real-life persona but The Fame Monster was a good step in the right direction.


Hoping Born This Way continues the upward strides she made with Fame Monster.

I fear for "Born This Way". The thing about all of Gaga's music so far is that it's lyrically shallow. They're all songs about boys and partying. And not even really deep treatise on them, just the standard. And that worked. But she's seemed to really bought into this "voice of her generation" thing, and I really am afraid that she'll not be able to come anywhere near pulling it off. It's kind of like what eventually happened with Madonna, except that took her 20 years to go from "pop princess" to "pretentious asshole".

Hopefully, she'll prove me wrong, but this whole "rich pretty white girl speaking for the alienated youth" thing doesn't really work for me.

[Wigner's Friend]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/ef/SmileBW04.jpg

or

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/cc/Voodoo_UK.jpg

[Ryudo]

You have to include Justified if you're going to include FSLS.

Just sayin'.

[SteveFlack]

You have to include Justified if you're going to include FSLS.

Just sayin'.

Justified is great, but looking at it as a whole album, it's not as smooth as FSLS is.

[capntightpants]

Also, I love Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, but a lot of the non-singles on that Outkast didn't sound very pop to me, so it wasn't on my radar for this question.

Otherwise, I would have also nominated Janelle Monae's The ArchAndroid.

Another album I might nominate, which might fall more under R&B (which right now, seems undiscernable from Pop), is this one:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/417ANWKMMJL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

[artimoff]

Kylie Minogue - Fever.

[capntightpants]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/cc/Voodoo_UK.jpg

Love it, but I wouldn't say D'Angelo is pop though. I don't think the mainstream fans in general even know who he is. Nor would 95% even have a chance on being on Top 40 radio.

[Black Roman]

http://fusion45.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/Back%20to%20Black/Back%20to%20Black.jpg

[Rian Fike]

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ik25cEsfHFw/R6mpwSMpnRI/AAAAAAAAAjw/mID7xe6N2r8/s320/Britney+Spears+Blackout.jpg

[Caley Tibbittz]

Rob Thomas' Cradlesong.

[Black Roman]

I fear for "Born This Way". The thing about all of Gaga's music so far is that it's lyrically shallow. They're all songs about boys and partying. And not even really deep treatise on them, just the standard. And that worked. But she's seemed to really bought into this "voice of her generation" thing, and I really am afraid that she'll not be able to come anywhere near pulling it off. It's kind of like what eventually happened with Madonna, except that took her 20 years to go from "pop princess" to "pretentious asshole".

Hopefully, she'll prove me wrong, but this whole "rich pretty white girl speaking for the alienated youth" thing doesn't really work for me.


So the perfect Lady Gaga is somewhere in between the douchiness of modern-day Madonna and the skankiness of Ke$ha?

[SteveFlack]

So the perfect Lady Gaga is somewhere in between the douchiness of modern-day Madonna and the skankiness of Ke$ha?

That's the perfect definition of "The Fame Monster".

[Masculine Todd]

I fear for "Born This Way". The thing about all of Gaga's music so far is that it's lyrically shallow. They're all songs about boys and partying. And not even really deep treatise on them, just the standard. And that worked. But she's seemed to really bought into this "voice of her generation" thing, and I really am afraid that she'll not be able to come anywhere near pulling it off. It's kind of like what eventually happened with Madonna, except that took her 20 years to go from "pop princess" to "pretentious asshole".

Hopefully, she'll prove me wrong, but this whole "rich pretty white girl speaking for the alienated youth" thing doesn't really work for me.


I wonder what new nonsense lyrics she'll use to stand up for queer rights on the new album.

"This song about getting fucked up and clubbin' is about how Don't Ask, Don't Tell is just plain ol' wrong!"

"These wacky sunglasses are about gay kids killing themselves."

*clap clap* To me, my monsters!

[Masculine Todd]

Gaga described the new album as “a marriage of electronic music with major, epic, dare I even say, metal or rock ‘n’ roll, pop, anthemic style melodies with really sledge-hammering dance beats.”

and


It's more dance pop.

[A.Huerta]

It's either one of Lady gaga, Black Eyed Peas or Kanye West albums.

[Masculine Todd]

Rar! She's kinda condescending in her equality shit, especially when she says her vapid lyrics about clubbin' and dancing are about gay rights.

and


Shit's banging. Luvs me that Telephone song.

[Masculine Todd]

I'm not sure what album I'd pick, but in all likelihood, the Neptunes produced it.

[Blake Sims]

Future Sex Love Sounds is a good choice.

[Masculine Todd]

Kylie Minogue - Fever.

Yeah. Probably this.

[capntightpants]

I'm not sure what album I'd pick, but in all likelihood, the Neptunes produced it.

Producers of the decade.

[Black Roman]

Yeah,even on some of the worst of the albums they produced there were always at least one or two awesome songs.

[Black Roman]

I wonder what new nonsense lyrics she'll use to stand up for queer rights on the new album.

"This song about getting fucked up and clubbin' is about how Don't Ask, Don't Tell is just plain ol' wrong!"

"These wacky sunglasses are about gay kids killing themselves."

*clap clap* To me, my monsters!


and

:rofl:


It's so spot on, I love it.

[Benel Germosen]

What Gaga said about the new 3-disc album dropping this year[/B]]

Gaga described the new album as “a marriage of electronic music with major, epic, dare I even say, metal or rock ‘n’ roll, pop, anthemic style melodies with really sledge-hammering dance beats.”

and




It's more dance pop.


As long as she keeps singing in her range, I have no problem with Lady Gaga. I'm happy she finally realize that she cannot sing in B-minor, something Katy Perry seems unwilling to learn.

[capntightpants]

Yeah,even on some of the worst of the albums they produced there were always at least one or two awesome songs.

Their last N.E.R.D. albums was a piece of crap mostly, but I loved that they were trying new things.

[SidekicksRevenge]

For a full pop album? Probably The Fame Monster. You can like or dislike Lady Gaga and her stage persona all you want, but the girl's good at pop music. Very, very good.

For just one pure pop song? Hey Ya was better than anything since Michael Jackson's heyday, maybe the best since the Beatles were cranking out catchy pop tunes.

[Masculine Todd]

As long as she keeps singing in her range, I have no problem with Lady Gaga. I'm happy she finally realize that she cannot sing in B-minor, something Katy Perry seems unwilling to learn.

I haven't a problem, per se. I even like her arthouse-by-way-of-gay-fashion-designer aesthetic. I just find her "persona" kinda condescending at times. She makes some catchy stuff though. I'm not hip to picking out vocal tones, but I prefer her when she does the digitized-warble thing.

[Masculine Todd]

The best Neptunes produced track: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdJjqApa3e0

[chazbot]

Clearly it's:
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61AMZA9HKDL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

I mean, come on, look at this track list:

1. Gwen Stefani – "Hollaback Girl" (3:18)
2. Will Smith – "Switch" (3:13)
3. Amerie – "1 Thing" (3:54)
4. Ciara featuring Ludacris – "Oh" (4:15)
5. Bobby Valentino – "Slow Down" (3:51)
6. Eminem – "Mockingbird" (4:10)
7. Brooke Valentine featuring Big Boi and Lil Jon – "Girlfight" (3:36)
8. Destiny's Child – "Girl" (3:39)
9. Shakira – "La Tortura" (3:32)
10. Baby Bash featuring Akon – "Baby I'm Back" (3:40)
11. Frankie J – "How to Deal" (3:52)
12. John Legend – "Ordinary People" (4:00)
13. Anna Nalick – "Breathe (2 AM)" (4:07)
14. Keith Urban – "Making Memories of Us" (4:11)
15. Backstreet Boys – "Incomplete" (3:55)
16. 3 Doors Down – "Let Me Go" (3:52)
17. Relient K – "Be My Escape" (3:12)
18. The Killers – "Mr. Brightside" (3:41)
19. Coldplay – "Speed of Sound" (4:25)
20. Gorillaz – "Feel Good Inc." (3:30)


Frankie J, people! FRANKIE J!!

[capntightpants]

The best Neptunes produced track: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdJjqApa3e0

I prefer the simplicity of this classic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laOZ7HPu9yU

[Black Roman]

I prefer the simplicity of this classic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laOZ7HPu9yU

Yes!

[Masculine Todd]

I prefer the simplicity of this classic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laOZ7HPu9yU

Another classic. You can't go wrong with Clipse (all the producers that worked with them were great).

[capntightpants]

Another classic. You can't go wrong with Clipse (all the producers that worked with them were great).

Clipse gets first pick of any Neptunes beat, which is part of the reason why their albums kick so much ass. The other is that Pusha T and Malice are so goddamn talented. I don't care if it's always about drugs, it's still poetry.

[Masculine Todd]

Clearly it's:
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61AMZA9HKDL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

I mean, come on, look at this track list:


Frankie J, people! FRANKIE J!!

Backstreet Boys were still going when Mr. Brightside got big (2005)?

[Benel Germosen]

I haven't a problem, per se. I even like her arthouse-by-way-of-gay-fashion-designer aesthetic. I just find her "persona" kinda condescending at times. She makes some catchy stuff though. I'm not hip to picking out vocal tones, but I prefer her when she does the digitized-warble thing.

I'm not usually either, but Perry and Gaga stick out because when they sing outside of their range live, it sounds off-key. Hence why Just Dance and Poker Face and Love Game always sounded flat live, it's because she's a solid C range, which is uncommon for a woman but those songs are up anywhere from a half-step to a full-step. Love Game in B minor, for instance. While, Alejandro, which is a much better vocal performance live, is in Dminor/Dflat. It's something she's learned about herself, that she can't do these Mariah Carey high melodies, because she's not that good a vocalist. Which she's compensating for by creating songs around lower keys.

[capntightpants]

Backstreet Boys were still going when Mr. Brightside got big (2005)?

I'm still wrapping my head around Will Smith having a song out that year. My memory told me that Switch came out like 2000 on his Willenium album.

[SteveFlack]

I'm still wrapping my head around Will Smith having a song out that year. My memory told me that Switch came out like 2000 on his Willenium album.

No, "Switch" was his song off the soundtrack to "Hitch". And it was off the same album where he took shots at Eminem for calling him "soft".

Yeah, that worked out well.

Anyway, "Willenium" didn't have any hits. Though, I do enjoy calling the current millenium the "Willienium" whenever I can.

[Masculine Todd]

Clipse gets first pick of any Neptunes beat, which is part of the reason why their albums kick so much ass. The other is that Pusha T and Malice are so goddamn talented. I don't care if it's always about drugs, it's still poetry.

Pusha has the best flow. Seriously. The dude always syncs up with the beat, whereas so many cats trail behind it or move past it.

You can see Slim Thug's fingerprints on the Hell Hath No Fury, and it's pretty solid. I was surprised to hear Jermaine Dupree actually lent a hand in production of Lord Willin'. I always hated his studio work, but that album's so smooth.

[chazbot]

No, "Switch" was his song off the soundtrack to "Hitch". And it was off the same album where he took shots at Eminem for calling him "soft".

Yeah, that worked out well.

Anyway, "Willenium" didn't have any hits. Though, I do enjoy calling the current millenium the "Willienium" whenever I can.

And this next one will be the "Willowenium" evidently.

[SteveFlack]

Backstreet Boys were still going when Mr. Brightside got big (2005)?

It was their attempt at a comeback single after a three year hiatus. It didn't do very well, and the band soon became a quartet.

[Black Roman]

And this next one will be the "Willowenium" evidently.

http://chzsomuchpun.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/whipitrealgud.gif?w=400&h=428

[chazbot]

It was their attempt at a comeback single after a three year hiatus. It didn't do very well, and the band soon became a quartet.

And they were doing something with New Kids in Times Square this past New Year's Eve if I remember right.


And by something, I mean singing... not turning tricks.

[capntightpants]

Pusha has the best flow. Seriously. The dude always syncs up with the beat, whereas so many cats trail behind it or move past it.

You can see Slim Thug's fingerprints on the Hell Hath No Fury, and it's pretty solid. I was surprised to hear Jermaine Dupree actually lent a hand in production of Lord Willin'. I always hated his studio work, but that album's so smooth.

Hey hey, hate on JD all you want, but he gave us the In My Bed Remix!

[capntightpants]

http://chzsomuchpun.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/whipitrealgud.gif?w=400&h=428

http://roflrazzi.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/exorcist.gif?w=500&h=300

[SidekicksRevenge]

And they were doing something with New Kids in Times Square this past New Year's Eve if I remember right.


And by something, I mean singing... not turning tricks.

For better or worse, the culture now is that anyone who ever had a top ten single can lie low for 5 years and then make a decent amount of money on a nostalgia tour. Not a killing, but not peanuts.

[capntightpants]

No, "Switch" was his song off the soundtrack to "Hitch". And it was off the same album where he took shots at Eminem for calling him "soft".

Yeah, that worked out well.

Anyway, "Willenium" didn't have any hits. Though, I do enjoy calling the current millenium the "Willienium" whenever I can.

In my mind, everything after Big Willie Styles and the Men In Black song just kinda merges together regarding Will Smith's music.

I liked Hitch, though.

[capntightpants]

For better or worse, the culture now is that anyone who ever had a top ten single can lie low for 5 years and then make a decent amount of money on a nostalgia tour. Not a killing, but not peanuts.

The NKOTBSB tour is doing really well from what I've heard.

[Cradleman]

there's a bunch i like from this millenium so far. my personal favorites

Fall Out Boy- Folie a Deux
Fall Out Boy- Infinity on High
Nickelback- All the Right Reasons
Green Day- American Idiot
Timberlake- futurelove/sexsounds

[Masculine Todd]

It was their attempt at a comeback single after a three year hiatus. It didn't do very well, and the band soon became a quartet.

Holy shit. I figured I'd have noticed that (but then again, I was 17 in '05 and going through my "scene phase"). Did any of them have successful solo runs?


And they were doing something with New Kids in Times Square this past New Year's Eve if I remember right.


And by something, I mean singing... not turning tricks.

Yeah, that was bizarre. Jenny McCarthy was a host. BSB and New Kids were music acts. Carrot Top and Brandy were special hosts of the Fox New Years festivities. It was as if we were ushering in 1996 as opposed to 2011.


Hey hey, hate on JD all you want, but he gave us the In My Bed Remix!

I've never heard a Dru Hill song in my life until now. That's pretty good.

[HoldFastNow]

Backstreet Boys were still going when Mr. Brightside got big (2005)?

It's really fascinating to go back and look at the tracklistings for those NOW albums. Half the time I'm surprised that a band was still famous when another band was starting, and the other half are bands I either never heard of or blocked from memory.

[HoldFastNow]

Holy shit. I figured I'd have noticed that (but then again, I was 17 in '05 and going through my "scene phase"). Did any of them have successful solo runs?


I remember Nick Carter releasing a solo record around the time Justified came out, and it sounded, the single at least, kind of like that Ryan Cabrera kid that was sort of popular around the same time.

[capntightpants]

I've never heard a Dru Hill song in my life until now. That's pretty good.

From JD's album Life in 1472, he probably produced my favorite song from the "bling"/shiny suit era. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XK-KFfYA2Vk

His verse was most definitely Jay-Z written.

[SteveFlack]

Holy shit. I figured I'd have noticed that (but then again, I was 17 in '05 and going through my "scene phase"). Did any of them have successful solo runs?

Nick Carter launched a solo album at pretty much the same exact month Justin Timberlake launched "Justified". I remember respecting Nick Carter more than JT because he was actually trying something a little different from the BSB stuff with his solo stuff, it was a little more rock, while I chided JT for sticking with dance pop.

Could I have been any more wrong?

Anyway, of all the boy-band solo work, I still like JC Chasez's "Blowin Me Up With Your Love" the best.

[capntightpants]

Also, whoever voted Kanye's Graduation, I would've called that for best Kanye Album until My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy came out. Now that's my favorite album.

[capntightpants]

Nick Carter launched a solo album at pretty much the same exact month Justin Timberlake launched "Justified". I remember respecting Nick Carter more than JT because he was actually trying something a little different from the BSB stuff with his solo stuff, it was a little more rock, while I chided JT for sticking with dance pop.

Could I have been any more wrong?

Anyway, of all the boy-band solo work, I still like JC Chasez's "Blowin Me Up With Your Love" the best.

Not Jordan Knight's "Give It To You"? That was my high school jam.

[SteveFlack]

Not Jordan Knight's "Give It To You"? That was my high school jam.

Different generation of boy band. NKOTB wins everytime.

[Masculine Todd]

It's really fascinating to go back and look at the tracklistings for those NOW albums. Half the time I'm surprised that a band was still famous when another band was starting, and the other half are bands I either never heard of or blocked from memory.

Yeah, they seem so anachronistic, but then you realize "oh shit, yeah, Busta did have a hit past 2001."

[SteveFlack]

Also, whoever voted Kanye's Graduation, I would've called that for best Kanye Album until My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy came out. Now that's my favorite album.

I would agree if I could listen to "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy" from start to finish without hitting the skip button.

Unfortunately, Chris Rock prevents that.

[SteveFlack]

Yeah, they seem so anachronistic, but then you realize "oh shit, yeah, Busta did have a hit past 2001."

Pass The Courvoisier!

[capntightpants]

I would agree if I could listen to "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy" from start to finish without hitting the skip button.

Unfortunately, Chris Rock prevents that.

Good point, the best part about Graduation was the lack of skits. But I can still deal with Rock.

[Masculine Todd]

I remember Nick Carter releasing a solo record around the time Justified came out, and it sounded, the single at least, kind of like that Ryan Cabrera kid that was sort of popular around the same time.

Adult Contemporary seems like a smart move for aging former teen heartthrobs, as their fanbase ages with them, yet no one's ever pulled it off. See: Joey McIntyre.


From JD's album Life in 1472, he probably produced my favorite song from the "bling"/shiny suit era. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XK-KFfYA2Vk

His verse was most definitely Jay-Z written.

Huh. That's pretty fucking good.


Nick Carter launched a solo album at pretty much the same exact month Justin Timberlake launched "Justified". I remember respecting Nick Carter more than JT because he was actually trying something a little different from the BSB stuff with his solo stuff, it was a little more rock, while I chided JT for sticking with dance pop.

Could I have been any more wrong?

Anyway, of all the boy-band solo work, I still like JC Chasez's "Blowin Me Up With Your Love" the best.

JT was really smart, in that he fraternized with the right producers. He struck up a friendship with Pharrell while the Neptunes worked with NSync on Girlfriend, and grabbed guys like Danja to work on Justified. Anyone going a Rock route was crazy, when electropop and Hip Hop became dominant in the last decade.

Chasez had a few modest hits, but he faded pretty fast, didn't he?

[bartleby]

I think it's a little too early into the new millennium to even be discussing this.

[capntightpants]

He struck up a friendship with Pharrell while the Neptunes worked with NSync on Girlfriend, and grabbed guys like Danja to work on Justified.

I thought he met Danja through Timbaland, who was ghost producing for Timbo at the time?

[capntightpants]

I think it's a little too early into the new millennium to even be discussing this.

But we'll be dead by the time it is the right time!

[BriRedfern]

I think it's a little too early into the new millennium to even be discussing this.

Its too early to discuss what the best album so far is? That seems somehow wrong.

[SteveFlack]

Adult Contemporary seems like a smart move for aging former teen heartthrobs, as their fanbase ages with them, yet no one's ever pulled it off. See: Joey McIntyre.

See late 80's Donnie Osmond and "Soldier of Love".


Chasez had a few modest hits, but he faded pretty fast, didn't he?

His album was really terrible. I remember getting a copy of it, and was really awestruck by how bad it was. Really, when you have lyrics like this..

"Cause when I'm all alone
I lie awake and masturbate
I love to hear the sounds you make
Baby here I come
Baby here I come"

It's not "adult" and "sexy", it's "very fucking creepy".

[bartleby]

Its too early to discuss what the best album so far is? That seems somehow wrong.

Sure, but it's a lot like discussing what's the best album of the year so far in late January. You're really only deciding what's the best album of the month.

[capntightpants]

See late 80's Donnie Osmond and "Soldier of Love".



His album was really terrible. I remember getting a copy of it, and was really awestruck by how bad it was. Really, when you have lyrics like this..

"Cause when I'm all alone
I lie awake and masturbate
I love to hear the sounds you make
Baby here I come
Baby here I come"

It's not "adult" and "sexy", it's "very fucking creepy".

Awesome, what song is that? I have to share this with friends

I have to say though, that the male/female double standard applies here. It sounds creepy coming from JC, but the talk of masturbation by the likes of Toni Braxton ("You're Making Me High") and T-Boz ("Touch Myself") is considered sexy.

[SteveFlack]

Awesome, what song is that? I have to share this with friends

I have to say though, that the male/female double standard applies here. It sounds creepy coming from JC, but the talk of masturbation by the likes of Toni Braxton ("You're Making Me High") and T-Boz ("Touch Myself") is considered sexy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0R07luidDw

I think the use of the word "masturbate" is what really sets it off. It's just not a sexy word. If the Toni song was called "You're Making Me Masturbate" and the T-Boz song was "Masturbate Myself", it wouldn't be sexy either.

[HoldFastNow]

Sure, but it's a lot like discussing what's the best album of the year so far in late January. You're really only deciding what's the best album of the month.

I just figure it's shorthand for "what's the best pop album of the past decade and some change," and there's nothing wrong with that.

[BriRedfern]

Sure, but it's a lot like discussing what's the best album of the year so far in late January. You're really only deciding what's the best album of the month.

Yes. Except here we have ten years worth of albums to choose from.

[frzamonkey]

I wonder what new nonsense lyrics she'll use to stand up for queer rights on the new album.

"This song about getting fucked up and clubbin' is about how Don't Ask, Don't Tell is just plain ol' wrong!"

"These wacky sunglasses are about gay kids killing themselves."

"This meat dress is my comment on the gays being exploited like animals or something."

*clap clap* To me, my monsters!

fixed.

[Taxman]

http://fusion45.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/Back%20to%20Black/Back%20to%20Black.jpg


http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ik25cEsfHFw/R6mpwSMpnRI/AAAAAAAAAjw/mID7xe6N2r8/s320/Britney+Spears+Blackout.jpgI wish there were some way to yell whether they were being serious.

[bartleby]

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ik25cEsfHFw/R6mpwSMpnRI/AAAAAAAAAjw/mID7xe6N2r8/s320/Britney+Spears+Blackout.jpg


I wish there were some way to yell whether they were being serious.

Culture of hate.


:no:

[Black Roman]

Actually I liked Britney Spears' Blackout.


Nowhere near "Best of the millenium" but it's still good for what it is.


I view most mainstream pop like junk food.

[Taxman]

Culture of hate.


:no::lol:

[capntightpants]

Actually I liked Britney Spears' Blackout.


Nowhere near "Best of the millenium" but it's still good for what it is.


I view most mainstream pop like junk food.

But was it her best album this decade?

[Black Roman]

But was it her best album this decade?

Well it's been too long since I heard Oops! I Did It Again to judge. But it was better than Circus and In the Zone.


Although Toxic was superior to any song on Blackout.


And dear god, I'm having a serious conversation about Britney Spears. :scared:

[capntightpants]

Well it's been too long since I heard Oops! I Did It Again to judge. But it was better than Circus and In the Zone.


Although Toxic was superior to any song on Blackout.


And dear god, I'm having a serious conversation about Britney Spears. :scared:

Allow me to tie it into a Neptunes track to ease your mind http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mzybwwf2HoQ

We've already discussed JC Chasez for goodness sake! The man who made Some Girls Dance With Women.

[Black Roman]

Allow me to tie it into a Neptunes track to ease your mind http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mzybwwf2HoQ

We've already discussed JC Chasez for goodness sake! The man who made Some Girls Dance With Women.

I was all over that song when it was out. :surrend:


Also, one of the standout tracks (IMO) on Blackout "Why Should I Be Sad?" is a Neptunes track, I do believe. I'll have to double check.

[Black Roman]

Yep, Neptunes.

[HOOKS]

Another classic. You can't go wrong with Clipse (all the producers that worked with them were great).

Pusha-T is going to see a BIG 2011.

[Black Roman]

I COMPLETELY forgot about this one, which also deserves a mention:


http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61cr01UA5QL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

[capntightpants]

Pusha-T is going to see a BIG 2011.

I hope so. He's so fresh. His stuff on G.O.O.D. Friday releases have been top notch, and I hope mainstream has been taking note.

Pusha T. Push a ton.

[HOOKS]

I hope so. He's so fresh. His stuff on G.O.O.D. Friday releases have been top notch, and I hope mainstream has been taking note.

Pusha T. Push a ton.

He put out some fire on this Lloyd Banks joint with Kanye West. But Kanye's "Runaway" is what is going to make him a mainstream hit.

Since he signed a solo deal with G.O.O.D. Music, I expect nothing but huge mainstream hype on his debut album.

I still bump the Grindin' stuff though. No one makes tracks 'bout crack like they do.

[Mylazycat]

For something recent, Bruno Mars CD is very good and very catchy.

[capntightpants]

For something recent, Bruno Mars CD is very good and very catchy.

Damn straight.

[Mylazycat]

Damn straight.

I dare say there isn't a bad song on there.

[capntightpants]

I dare say there isn't a bad song on there.

Despite the overkill on the radio, I still haven't gotten sick of "Just the Way You Are", but I wish they would give it a rest just in case.

[Black Roman]

I've been meaning to check out that album . . . I heard good things.



Well good things other than the good things I just read now.

[Masculine Todd]

I thought he met Danja through Timbaland, who was ghost producing for Timbo at the time?

You're probably right (I don't know). My point was that he networked and grabbed the kind of guys who could ensure his career thrived. Instead of some wack faux-rock shit or "being a bad boy" that so many ex-boy band members want to try, he transitioned to a more hip-hop/neo-soul sound that ensured solo longevity. It's pretty smart.


See late 80's Donnie Osmond and "Soldier of Love".



His album was really terrible. I remember getting a copy of it, and was really awestruck by how bad it was. Really, when you have lyrics like this..

"Cause when I'm all alone
I lie awake and masturbate
I love to hear the sounds you make
Baby here I come
Baby here I come"

It's not "adult" and "sexy", it's "very fucking creepy".

I vaguely remember this. What a horrid attempt at being "edgy" and showing some sense of badboy, hyper-sexuality. I remember a song in which he sang about girls making out or something. It struck me as lame.

[Black Roman]

I forgot how much I loved the track "Cry Me A River" . . .

[michealdark]

Lady Gaga's "The Fame"

[capntightpants]

I forgot how much I loved the track "Cry Me A River" . . .

Tonight will be a Justified night.

[SgtPepper]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/ef/SmileBW04.jpg



Great record. Don't know if it counts as mainstream.

[SteveFlack]

Great record. Don't know if it counts as mainstream.

Yeah, not at all.

[Black Roman]

Perhaps we should throw this out there too . . .

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/ae/The_Marshall_Mathers_LP.jpg

Twas a big crossover hit.

[capntightpants]

Perhaps we should throw this out there too . . .

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/ae/The_Marshall_Mathers_LP.jpg

Twas a big crossover hit.

Whoa, that was this millennium?

(I looked it up and it was released in 2000. Technically, the millennium started in 2001, but whatever.)

Also, I'm not a fan of the Slim Shady persona. I might be in the minority here, but I think Em's best effort was actually on his 8 Mile soundtrack, where oddly he was trying to capture the voice of a character that was based on his himself.

[Black Roman]

Whoa, that was this millennium?

(I looked it up and it was released in 2000. Technically, the millennium started in 2001, but whatever.)

. . . *slap*

[capntightpants]

No worries Roman. I can't believe that much time has passed either.

Just today I was just thinking about how the music I listened to in high school is now over a decade old. And I remember around the mid 90s, how distant I felt from music that was made 10 years prior.

My music is now old school. :( It's playing during flashback fridays on the radio.

[Black Roman]

Wouldn't consider it the "best" of the millenium but one of my guilty pleasures is this:

http://www.songonlyrics.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/gorillaz-demon-days1.jpg

[PeterSparker]

Yeah, I think JT's 'FutureLove' is pretty solid contender.


I'd throw some definite love to Kanye's 'Late Registration' myself, as well.

Along with Oukast of course. Amy Winehouse, and LCD Soundsystem dropped worthy candidates. Mariah Carey's 'The Emancipation of Mimi' or Beyonce's 'Dangerously in Love' come to mind. Of course N.E.R.D and Gnarls Barkley would be in the mix. I'd even say something like The Killer's 'Hot Fuss' could get a nod.

[Black Roman]

Maybe I'll do a poll . . .

[SteveFlack]

I'd throw some definite love to Kanye's 'Late Registration' myself, as well.


As an album, the skits ruin it. If you're going to nominate any Kanye album, it's Graduation.

[Matt O'Keefe]

Yeah, I think JT's 'FutureLove' is pretty solid contender.


I'd throw some definite love to Kanye's 'Late Registration' myself, as well.

Along with Oukast of course. Amy Winehouse, and LCD Soundsystem dropped worthy candidates. Mariah Carey's 'The Emancipation of Mimi' or Beyonce's 'Dangerously in Love' come to mind. Of course N.E.R.D and Gnarls Barkley would be in the mix. I'd even say something like The Killer's 'Hot Fuss' could get a nod.

:sick:

[Black Roman]

About Dangerously In Love, while it definitely has the more notable buzzworthy songs, I found B'Day to be a far more crisp, concise record. My favorite of her solo stuff, no putting on, or trying to be every kind of diva at once, she was just Beyonce, doing Beyonce.

I'd normally put a write-in category in a list like this, but I think that would skew the results . . . so here's the definite nominees I have so far:

Justin Timberlake - FutureSex/LoveSounds
Outkast - The Love Below/Speakerboxx





Potential Nominees . . .

Kanye West - Graduation
Kanye West - Late Registration
Kylie Minogue - Fever
Lady Gaga - The Fame Monster
Missy Elliot - So Addictive
Eminem - The Marshall Mathers EP
Gnarls Barkley - St. Elsewhere


Any body got any other adds/subtractions? There's plenty of pop to choose from.

[PeterSparker]

As an album, the skits ruin it. If you're going to nominate any Kanye album, it's Graduation.

Not for me, and there really aren't that many skits on it, certainly not as intrusive or annoying as the Chris Rock stuff on the new one imo. Plus the tracks themselves are out of this world good.



:sick:

Eh, I can mostly separate crazy/annoying Mariah the person from the records she makes, and that one was a definite return to her better pop sensibilities with work by some of the top producers in the game on it. Didn't say it was the best record ever or anything, just one of the ones that popped into my mind from the last decade as I tried to think of some more.

[PeterSparker]

About Dangerously In Love, while it definitely has the more notable buzzworthy songs, I found B'Day to be a far more crisp, concise record. My favorite of her solo stuff, no putting on, or trying to be every kind of diva at once, she was just Beyonce, doing Beyonce.

I'd normally put a write-in category in a list like this, but I think that would skew the results . . . so here's the definite nominees I have so far:

Justin Timberlake - FutureSex/LoveSounds
Outkast - The Love Below/Speakerboxx





Potential Nominees . . .

Kanye West - Graduation
Kanye West - Late Registration
Kylie Minogue - Fever
Lady Gaga - The Fame Monster
Missy Elliot - So Addictive
Eminem - The Marshall Mathers EP
Gnarls Barkley - St. Elsewhere


Any body got any other adds/subtractions? There's plenty of pop to choose from.

I would definitely add Amy Winehouse 'Back To Black', though it probably wouldn't win it's still a legit contender.

[capntightpants]

Yeah, I think JT's 'FutureLove' is pretty solid contender.


I'd throw some definite love to Kanye's 'Late Registration' myself, as well.

Along with Oukast of course. Amy Winehouse, and LCD Soundsystem dropped worthy candidates. Mariah Carey's 'The Emancipation of Mimi' or Beyonce's 'Dangerously in Love' come to mind. Of course N.E.R.D and Gnarls Barkley would be in the mix. I'd even say something like The Killer's 'Hot Fuss' could get a nod.

Late Registration had wayyyy too much fat on it for my taste.

As I've said before, I don't think Outkast is very pop outside of the big singles.

I enjoyed Mariah's Mimi.

And I think N.E.R.D.'s albums have been really uneven for it to get consideration as best of anything. Their first one maybe.

[PeterSparker]

Late Registration had wayyyy too much fat on it for my taste.

As I've said before, I don't think Outkast is very pop outside of the big singles.

I enjoyed Mariah's Mimi.

And I think N.E.R.D.'s albums have been really uneven for it to get consideration as best of anything. Their first one maybe.

Hm, maybe I'm in the minority here then, but I love 'Late Registration' from start to finish.

[capntightpants]

Hm, maybe I'm in the minority here then, but I love 'Late Registration' from start to finish.

If you survey a whole bunch of Kanye fans, you'll get vastly different responses on which is the best. They're all great albums, really. Well, 808 & Hearbreaks is debatable. That's the only one that will fiercely divide people.

[BurningPumpkin]

This is a cool thread. I'm deffo checking out some of those Neptunes tracks.

I haven't got a lot of Pop albums, but from what I have, I keep coming back to La Roux, Ladyhawke and Marina and the Diamonds.

[19bernardo87]

http://stereogum.com/img/lily_allen-its_not_you-cover.jpg

[Masculine Todd]

If you survey a whole bunch of Kanye fans, you'll get vastly different responses on which is the best. They're all great albums, really. Well, 808 & Hearbreaks is debatable. That's the only one that will fiercely divide people.

Man, 808s was great and dropped at the perfect time.

[Masculine Todd]

Franz Ferdinand's self-titled deserves a nod. It came from nowhere and allowed for a Domino artist to move two million albums domestically (and a ubiquitous single).

http://images.uulyrics.com/cover/f/franz-ferdinand/album-franz-ferdinand.jpg

[Rian Fike]

http://stereogum.com/img/lily_allen-its_not_you-cover.jpg


Winner!

[19bernardo87]

Winner!

And for my next, I'll take my clothes. And it will be shameless.

[Black Roman]

Yeah, I personally LOVED 808's & Heartbreaks . . .

I think I might agree on Franz Ferdinand, you could not escape "Take Me Out" . . . (man I loved that song)

[Supreme Convoy]

Great thread. I can't pick just one but these pop into mind.

Kylie Minogue - Fever. So many catchy songs and a ton of memorable music videos.

The Black Eyed Peas - The END. Mostly for "I Gotta Feeling."

Outkast - Speakerboxxx/The Love Below. I swear that "Hey Ya!" is the best song of the last decade.

[Black Roman]

Probably throw together a larger list of potential nominees tomorrow afternoon.

[Matt O'Keefe]

I'm not sure if it counts, but I love The Black Parade by MCR.

[capntightpants]

This is a cool thread. I'm deffo checking out some of those Neptunes tracks.

Check it:
http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showpost.php?p=7446621&postcount=6




Man, 808s was great and dropped at the perfect time.


Yeah, I personally LOVED 808's & Heartbreaks . .

Oh, I agree. I thought 808s and Heartbreaks was great.


Also, this reminds me that I also really liked T-Pain's Thr33 Ringz (for different reasons). I wish people would get past the Auto-Tune. T-Pain is pure pop goodness. Catchy as all hell.

[S. Earl]

Kanye's Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, hands down.

[BurningPumpkin]

Check it:
http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showpost.php?p=7446621&postcount=6

Cheers, dude, that's awesome. *thumbsup*

I thought 'Alright, still' was a much better effort from Lily than 'It's not me, it's you'. I just reckon there's much better sense of humour in there.

My nomination is gonna go to Daft Punk's 'Discovery'. It's just brilliant in every way (this nomination has everything to do with seeing 'Tron' the other night and digging out all my girlfriends copies of DP's albums because of it).

[Black Roman]

I'm not sure if it counts, but I love The Black Parade by MCR.

We should be friends.

Friendship hug!!!!!

:heart:

[Black Roman]

This is the list so far, if I've forgotten any goodies, feel free to add:


Justin Timberlake - Futuresex/LoveSounds
Outkast - Speakerboxx/The Love Below
Outkast - Stankonia
Amy Winehouse - Back to Black
Kylie Minogue - Fever
Kanye West - Graduation
Kanye West - Late Registration
Lady Gaga - The Fame Monster
Missy Elliot - So Addictive
Eminem - The Marshall Mathers EP
Gnarls Barkley - St. Elsewhere
Taylor Swift - Fearless (not my cup of tea, but it feels wrong to not include it)
Franz Ferdinand - Franz Ferdinand
The Black Eyed Peas - Elephunk (the strongest BEP album, IMO)

Once we get a full list, we'll narrow it down to 10 nominees.

[GrandeMaestro Fünke]

Kanye's Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, hands down.

I know it's still new, but it's definitely up there with Speakerboxxx/The Love Below.

[Black Roman]

I want to put it on there, but because the album is just so damn new still I'm kind of hesitant to do so.

[S. Earl]

I know it's still new, but it's definitely up there with Speakerboxxx/The Love Below.

I've yet to see anyone, no matter their musical genre preference, not get their ass kicked by it, he truly is a Black Beatle, or in his words, a roach. I'm sure it's gonna stand the test of time.

[Matt O'Keefe]

We should be friends.

Friendship hug!!!!!

:heart:

Have you listened to Danger Days? I love it almost as much.

[SmoManCometh]

Well, you guys are debating best pop album and I would count all of the Kanye stuff as hip-hop.

However....

808's and Heartbreaks is the best POP ALBUM since THRILLER. Even having a track with Little Wayne couldn't even ruin it, and I thought that was impossible!!!!

2nd place is BACK TO BLACK

and

FutureSex/LoveSound is also great

[Black Roman]

Have you listened to Danger Days? I love it almost as much.

I have not finished it, it's been staring at me since November.

But I'm a big MCR fan. (Don't hate, haters!)

[Black Roman]

I said mainstream pop, but I guess a more accurate term would be best "Top 40" album.

[Masculine Todd]

Has this been mentioned yet?

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/be/AaliyahHighRes.jpg

[Masculine Todd]

Well, you guys are debating best pop album and I would count all of the Kanye stuff as hip-hop.

However....

808's and Heartbreaks is the best POP ALBUM since THRILLER. Even having a track with Little Wayne couldn't even ruin it, and I thought that was impossible!!!!

2nd place is BACK TO BLACK

and

FutureSex/LoveSound is also great

I don't know how anyone can look at Graduation and not consider that a crossover pop album.

[S. Earl]

Kanye's new album is about 20% hip hop, 80% everything else. I guess I just consider pop to be any music that ends up having a broad appeal.

[A.Huerta]

West went pop a while ago.

[iGotKittyPryde]

Amy Winehouse is probably the record I enjoyed most that's been mentioned thus far.

I wish I could say 'Robyn' or 'Body Talk' but neither are mainstream, even if they're pretty pure pop.

[Black Roman]

Amy Winehouse is probably the record I enjoyed most that's been mentioned thus far.

I wish I could say 'Robyn' or 'Body Talk' but neither are mainstream, even if they're pretty pure pop.

I want to be able to add Body Talk to the list SOOOOO bad, but Robyn is just too much for American pop sensibilities, it would seem.

[Black Roman]

Justin Timberlake - Futuresex/LoveSounds
Outkast - Speakerboxx/The Love Below
Outkast - Stankonia
Amy Winehouse - Back to Black
Kylie Minogue - Fever
Kanye West - Graduation
Kanye West - Late Registration
Lady Gaga - The Fame Monster
Missy Elliot - So Addictive
Eminem - The Marshall Mathers EP
Gnarls Barkley - St. Elsewhere
Taylor Swift - Fearless (not my cup of tea, but it feels wrong to not include it)
Franz Ferdinand - Franz Ferdinand
The Black Eyed Peas - Elephunk
The Black Eyed Peas - The E.N.D
My Chemical Romance - The Black Parade
Linkin Park - Hybrid Theory (again, not my cup of tea, but it seems unfair to exclude it.)

And I'm still on the fence about adding Kanye's MBDTF to the list THIS soon, so I think I'm going to keep it off.

But honestly, I think this is probably the best list we're going to put together.

If you were to ask me, the first eight nominees would be:

*Justin Timberlake - FutureSex/LoveSounds
*Outkast - The Love Below/Speakerboxx
*Amy Winehouse - Back to Black
*Kylie Minogue - Fever
*Kanye West - Graduation
*Lady Gaga - The Fame Monster
*Eminem - The Marshall Matthers EP
*The Black Eyed Peas - The E.N.D

And the last two would just be a toss-up for me.