David Bowie has rarely put a foot wrong, Tin Machine wasn't the best venture, but even that had fans.
I'd say Damon Albarn is another, from Blur, to Gorillaz, via The Good, The Bad and The Queen and his solo work, plus everything else he's done over the years like Africa Express and his Monkey opera. They've not all been commerical successes, but I don't think they were ever intended to be, but they've all been pretty well critically acclaimed.
David Bowie has rarely put a foot wrong, Tin Machine wasn't the best venture, but even that had fans.
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I'm a huge Bowie fan - but like the man himself I think 'Never Let Me Down' is a hopeless album. The whole 4 album run from 'Tonight' to 'Tin Machine II' is weak to be honest.
Have to disagree with your last point about Femme Fatalle. That was a classic Britney Record that was massive in the states. And criminally missed by the British Public.
I have to disagree with you there. Femme Fetale wasn't massive in the states. It was certified platinum but it's total sales are about 600-700k. It wasn't a flop but it remains her second lowest album of her career. Hardly massive.
I'm a huge Bowie fan - but like the man himself I think 'Never Let Me Down' is a hopeless album. The whole 4 album run from 'Tonight' to 'Tin Machine II' is weak to be honest.
Fair point, but even with those low points, he's still, after all these years, a credible, critically acclaimed artist. He must have done something right over the years to still have that and not to have tarnished his best work or credibility he built up earlier in his career as we've seen so many "legends" do.
As is yours? Don't get the point you're making here.
Seems a few agree with me that Beyonce has had a lot of misfires, she is a pop/rnb act (can't turn around and say Green Light and Crazy in Love are not pop).
Have to disagree with your last point about Femme Fatalle. That was a classic Britney Record that was massive in the states. And criminally missed by the British Public.
I think Femme Fatalle was just on the wrong side of great, I actually enjoyed it and think it has some great songs on it and as a body of work actually prefer it to Circus. But I just think overall that whole era was a bit of a dud and the album just didn't feel right, there was something off about it where it felt by the numbers and overly manufactured.
Which is odd becaused you'd expect exactly that for Blackout and Circus given that was during her breakdown, but those albums are iconic and awesome for Brit.
Human Touch/Lucky Town weren't that well received - also his last couple of albums Wreaking Ball and High Hopes have seen a little dip in quality.
I'd throw out 'The New Pornographers' six albums so far of brilliant quirky pop - with no album lower than 74 on Metacritic.
I recall Wrecking Ball being well received by critics though I do feel that some older "legacy" artists are written about with a sort of Rose tinted, nostalgic filter by some reviewers.
I did really enjoy Bowie's last album, but as highlighted in the thread, he has had some low points as well. I guess that's to be expected in such a long and varied career.
However, reading the posts about the more modern pop stars, I'm sort of confused as to whether the OP is talking about not putting a foot wrong in terms of quality or just in terms of management/"campaigns," which many on here seem to care about way more than actual music
I agree with what people are saying about Beyonce- her albums are generally poor and full of filler. 4 was a flop too and Run The World (Girls was her lowest moment, awful stuff.
I'd say Madonna bar MDNA. Britney bar Circus. Janet bar Discipline. Tulisa from N-Dubz to now is brilliant. Brooke Hogan is consistently brilliant.
Whenever she releases an album, it's practically universally critically acclaimed. And her fans adore her. Her last bad album was back in 1980, in my view.
And the front page headlines and reviews that came with her live comeback after 35 years! I can't think of anyone else who has and the same effect recently.
Whenever she releases an album, it's practically universally critically acclaimed. And her fans adore her. Her last bad album was back in 1980, in my view.
And the front page headlines and reviews that came with her live comeback after 35 years! I can't think of anyone else who has and the same effect recently.
Kate hardly get's it wrong because she barely does anything to get wrong I bet if she produced music at the rate other artists do she wouldn't be held in such high regard simply because she was always there. I don't mean that in a bad way, she's definately got the right idea.
Whenever she releases an album, it's practically universally critically acclaimed. And her fans adore her. Her last bad album was back in 1980, in my view.
And the front page headlines and reviews that came with her live comeback after 35 years! I can't think of anyone else who has and the same effect recently.
What album was that? Do you mean Lionheart? I liked that.
Was reading the news about Kelly Clarkson releasing a new single and album soon, and realised she has never had a dud album (and she's been in the biz long over a decade)
I'd say Pink is another one as well.
I love Kelly, but I think My December could be considered a flop, at least compared to her other albums.
Rihanna - Every album has been fantastic
Katy Perry - all of her songs have been fun pop.
I think you'd be hard pressed to find many people who would consider Unapologetic fantastic. The decline in quality from Rated R to Unapologetic was unbelievable.
Coming from a big Britney fan, Britney Jean was not good. (I like a few songs on there but the album as a whole is weak and even those singles are not memorable).
I liked the album before as well but it's not classic Britney. She hasn't been great since Blackout/Circus.
I'm also a big Britney fan and I think Britney Jean was her worst album. Even Femme Fatale was better! Blackout is still flawless and the music sounds fresh even though it was released in 2007. I really hope album 9 is better.
That's your personal opinion, however the consistent sales of her music and tours over the last 17 years both in a girl group and as a solo artist say otherwise and she's more popular now than she has ever been.
Goes both ways; she hasn't had many hit singles, has she?
Drunk in Love recently charted well (2013) - before that, her last big smash was Single Ladies/If I Were A Boy (2008). Before that...Irreplaceable (2006) and Crazy in Love/Baby Boy (2003) and that's about it in terms of big hits in a decade.
Contrast that with someone like Katy Perry or Pink whose album campaigns are always solid and generally pull a hit out of the bag. I would say Beyonce is more hit-and-miss these days. She's a big star more on her presence and longevity I think now, like Madonna or somebody like that. She may have a few more hits and she could probably pull a few more hit singles out of the bag like Cher or JLo did; but I somehow don't see her putting the effort in to do that.
She's doing her own thing and she has enough of a core fanbase to support her and buy her albums and sell out her tours; but I don't know how good she is at picking up floating new fans. I guess she doesnt need to at this stage though; she's established enough to coast.
Jimi Hendrix released three great albums. What about Bob Dylan as there was a period of time in his heyday he was relentless in releasing strong albums.
I guess with this type of thread people are just going to name whichever singer is their favourite lol.
Personally for me I'm going with Beyoncé. I've loved every album she done and they all offer something different.
She's been in the business for for around 17 years now and has been pretty much consistent all through out. Whilst others have had big declines, faded and get hits and No.1 albums any more she still can. Plus she's also really respected by her peers.
Yeah Dre always shines, been listening to a lot of random hip hop from the nineties and Dre's verses are always fire. Whether featuring or his solo stuff from Chronic and 2001.
All of Bigggie's stuff is mad along with Nas' albums.
A case could be made for Wu-Tang Clan
Also, although still early in their careers, Hopsin and Childish Gambino are both proven with really great mixtapes.
Jimi Hendrix released three great albums. What about Bob Dylan as there was a period of time in his heyday he was relentless in releasing strong albums.
Had a bit of a dip with Self Portrait or with the Jesus stuff in the late 70s/early 80s.
Other than Self Portrait he was close to untouchable for a long time though. Even more significant considering that musicians put out albums way more frequently in the 60s and 70s.
I recall Wrecking Ball being well received by critics though I do feel that some older "legacy" artists are written about with a sort of Rose tinted, nostalgic filter by some reviewers.
I did really enjoy Bowie's last album, but as highlighted in the thread, he has had some low points as well. I guess that's to be expected in such a long and varied career.
However, reading the posts about the more modern pop stars, I'm sort of confused as to whether the OP is talking about not putting a foot wrong in terms of quality or just in terms of management/"campaigns," which many on here seem to care about way more than actual music
I thought it was about quality...artists who rarely get it wrong with regards to their music. The thread is confusing as many are mentioning hit singles/album sales which does not always mean quality.
Comments
I'd say Damon Albarn is another, from Blur, to Gorillaz, via The Good, The Bad and The Queen and his solo work, plus everything else he's done over the years like Africa Express and his Monkey opera. They've not all been commerical successes, but I don't think they were ever intended to be, but they've all been pretty well critically acclaimed.
I'm a huge Bowie fan - but like the man himself I think 'Never Let Me Down' is a hopeless album. The whole 4 album run from 'Tonight' to 'Tin Machine II' is weak to be honest.
I have to disagree with you there. Femme Fetale wasn't massive in the states. It was certified platinum but it's total sales are about 600-700k. It wasn't a flop but it remains her second lowest album of her career. Hardly massive.
Fair point, but even with those low points, he's still, after all these years, a credible, critically acclaimed artist. He must have done something right over the years to still have that and not to have tarnished his best work or credibility he built up earlier in his career as we've seen so many "legends" do.
As is yours? Don't get the point you're making here.
Seems a few agree with me that Beyonce has had a lot of misfires, she is a pop/rnb act (can't turn around and say Green Light and Crazy in Love are not pop).
Even by rnb standards her last album was awful.
I think Femme Fatalle was just on the wrong side of great, I actually enjoyed it and think it has some great songs on it and as a body of work actually prefer it to Circus. But I just think overall that whole era was a bit of a dud and the album just didn't feel right, there was something off about it where it felt by the numbers and overly manufactured.
Which is odd becaused you'd expect exactly that for Blackout and Circus given that was during her breakdown, but those albums are iconic and awesome for Brit.
I recall Wrecking Ball being well received by critics though I do feel that some older "legacy" artists are written about with a sort of Rose tinted, nostalgic filter by some reviewers.
I did really enjoy Bowie's last album, but as highlighted in the thread, he has had some low points as well. I guess that's to be expected in such a long and varied career.
However, reading the posts about the more modern pop stars, I'm sort of confused as to whether the OP is talking about not putting a foot wrong in terms of quality or just in terms of management/"campaigns," which many on here seem to care about way more than actual music
I'd say Madonna bar MDNA. Britney bar Circus. Janet bar Discipline. Tulisa from N-Dubz to now is brilliant. Brooke Hogan is consistently brilliant.
She's had two
Third due in April
Whenever she releases an album, it's practically universally critically acclaimed. And her fans adore her. Her last bad album was back in 1980, in my view.
And the front page headlines and reviews that came with her live comeback after 35 years! I can't think of anyone else who has and the same effect recently.
Kate hardly get's it wrong because she barely does anything to get wrong
What album was that? Do you mean Lionheart? I liked that.
Never for Ever. One great single, a load of middling album tracks. I never listen to it.
Gosh was that 1980! There are a couple of tracks I'm not crazy about but 99% of it I love.
I love Kelly, but I think My December could be considered a flop, at least compared to her other albums.
Katy Perry - all of her songs have been fun pop.
I think you'd be hard pressed to find many people who would consider Unapologetic fantastic. The decline in quality from Rated R to Unapologetic was unbelievable.
I'm also a big Britney fan and I think Britney Jean was her worst album. Even Femme Fatale was better! Blackout is still flawless and the music sounds fresh even though it was released in 2007. I really hope album 9 is better.
Goes both ways; she hasn't had many hit singles, has she?
Drunk in Love recently charted well (2013) - before that, her last big smash was Single Ladies/If I Were A Boy (2008). Before that...Irreplaceable (2006) and Crazy in Love/Baby Boy (2003) and that's about it in terms of big hits in a decade.
Contrast that with someone like Katy Perry or Pink whose album campaigns are always solid and generally pull a hit out of the bag. I would say Beyonce is more hit-and-miss these days. She's a big star more on her presence and longevity I think now, like Madonna or somebody like that. She may have a few more hits and she could probably pull a few more hit singles out of the bag like Cher or JLo did; but I somehow don't see her putting the effort in to do that.
She's doing her own thing and she has enough of a core fanbase to support her and buy her albums and sell out her tours; but I don't know how good she is at picking up floating new fans. I guess she doesnt need to at this stage though; she's established enough to coast.
Personally for me I'm going with Beyoncé. I've loved every album she done and they all offer something different.
She's been in the business for for around 17 years now and has been pretty much consistent all through out. Whilst others have had big declines, faded and get hits and No.1 albums any more she still can. Plus she's also really respected by her peers.
Yeah Dre always shines, been listening to a lot of random hip hop from the nineties and Dre's verses are always fire. Whether featuring or his solo stuff from Chronic and 2001.
All of Bigggie's stuff is mad along with Nas' albums.
A case could be made for Wu-Tang Clan
Also, although still early in their careers, Hopsin and Childish Gambino are both proven with really great mixtapes.
Had a bit of a dip with Self Portrait or with the Jesus stuff in the late 70s/early 80s.
Other than Self Portrait he was close to untouchable for a long time though. Even more significant considering that musicians put out albums way more frequently in the 60s and 70s.
I thought it was about quality...artists who rarely get it wrong with regards to their music. The thread is confusing as many are mentioning hit singles/album sales which does not always mean quality.