Traditional Pop/Vocal Jazz: Top 25 Albums

Traditional Pop/Vocal Jazz: The Top 25 Albums

While traditional pop and vocal jazz aren’t quite the same thing, they share a lot of commonalities. Traditional pop is considered a genre of music that generally pre-dates rock and roll in the 1950s and generally consists of artists performing standards from the American songbook. Crooners such as Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, and Perry Como are popular singers of the genre. Musically, the singers were frequently backed by swing bands. Vocal jazz is a sub-genre of jazz in which a singer’s voice is used as an instrument, which includes techniques such as vocal improvisations and scatting in which the singer imitates the instruments. It emerged out of the New Orleans jazz tradition which was built on the field hollers and work songs of African-American slaves. Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Sarah Vaughan are some of the genre’s most notable performers. Like traditional pop, it often leans on standards. 18 sources focused on the best traditional pop, vocal jazz, and standards albums were aggregtated to create this exclusive Dave’s Music Database list. Check out other best-of-genre/category lists here. 1. Norah Jones Come Away with Me (2002) 2. Frank Sinatra Songs for Swingin’ Lovers! (1956) 3. Frank Sinatra In the Wee Small Hours (1955) 4. Natalie Cole Unforgettable…With Love (1991) 5. Judy Garland Judy at Carnegie Hall (live, 1961) 6. Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Cole Porter Songbook (1956) 7. Billie Holiday Lady in Satin (1958) 8. Frank Sinatra Sings for Only the Lonely (1958) 9. Ray Charles The Genius of Ray Charles 10. Frank Sinatra Come Fly with Me (1957) 11. Frank Sinatra September of My Years (1965) 12. Frank Sinatra Come Dance with Me (1959) 13. Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong Ella & Louis (1957) 14. Louis Armstrong Plays W.C. Handy (1954) 15. Frank Sinatra A Swingin’ Affair (1957) 16. Ella Fitzgerald Sings the George and Ira Gershwin Songbook (box set: recorded 1959) 17. Billie Holiday Lady Sings the Blues (1956) 18. John Coltrane & Johnny Hartman John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman (1963) 19. Chet Baker Chet Baker Sings (1954) 20. Frank Sinatra and Antonio Carlos Jobim Francis Albert Sinatra and Antonio Carlos Jobim (1967) 21. Nina Simone Pastel Blues (1965) 22. Frank Sinatra Songs for Young Lovers (1953) 23. Nina Simone Wild Is the Wind (1966) 24. Billie Holiday Songs for Distingué Lovers (1957) 25. Sarah Vaughan & Clifford Brown Sarah Vaughan with Clifford Brown (1955) Resources and Related Links: Dave’s Music Database: other best-of-genre lists Dave’s Music Database: “Top 100 Songs of the American Songbook” First posted 9/15/2024.

 

The Top 25 Electronica Albums of All Time

Electronica: The Top 25 Albums

This is Dave’s Music Database’s take on the top electronica albums of all time. This list is the result of an aggregate of 16 best-of lists focused on electronica albums. Links will take you to more detailed pages about the album at DavesMusicDatabase.com. Check out other best-of-genre/category lists here. 1. Massive Attack Blue Lines (1991) 2. DJ Shadow Endtroducing… (1996) 3. Portishead Dummy (1994) 4. Moby Play (1999) 5. The Orb Adventures Beyond the Ultraworld (1991) 6. Tricky Maxinquaye (1995) 7. Leftfield Leftism (1995) 8. The Prodigy The Fat of the Land (1997) 9. Orbital Orbital 2 (aka “The Brown Album”) (1993) 10. Underworld Dubnobasswithmyheadman (1993) 11. Daft Punk Homework (1997) 12. Chemical Brothers Dig Your Own Hole (1997) 13. Primal Scream Screamadelica (1991) 14. Global Communication 76:14 (1997) 15. Fatboy Slim You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby (1998) 16. Aphex Twin Selected Ambient Works 85-92 (compilation: 1985-92, released 1992) 17. Happy Mondays Pills ‘N’ Thrills and Bellyaches (1990) 18. Depeche Mode Violator (1990) 19. Air Moon Safari (1998) 20. The Prodigy Music for the Jilted Generation (1994) 21. Massive Attack Mezzanine (1998) 22. The Chemical Brothers Exit Planet Dust (1995) 23. Kraftwerk Computerwelt (Computer World) (1981) 24. The KLF Chill Out (1990) 25. New Order Substance (compilation: 1981-87, released 1987) Resources and Related Links: Dave’s Music Database: other best-of-genre lists First posted 11/29/2011; last updated 9/14/2024.

Billboard: Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century

Billboard: Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century

Billboard announced in August that it would unveil the artists they considered “the 25 most important and impactful pop stars of the last 25 years” over the next four months. They started with 25 honorable mentions (bottom of page) before moving on to count down the top 25. See other best-of lists from publications/organizations.

Top 25

Click on name to see the Billboard profile of the artist.

16. ?	17. ?	18. The Weeknd	19. BTS	20. Bruno Mars
21. Lil Wayne	22. One Direction	23. Bad Bunny	24. Ed Sheeran	25. Katy Perry

Honorable Mentions

Click on name to see the Billboard profile of the artist.

Christina Aguilera	Chris Brown	Cardi B	Kelly Clarkson	Lana Del Rey
Doja Cat	Billie Eilish	Missy Elliot	50 Cent	Future
Kesha	Alicia Keys	Kendrick Lamar	Dua Lipa	Jennifer Lopez
Lorde	Maroon 5	Megan Thee Stallion	Nelly	Sean Paul
Pink	Post Malone	Olivia Rodrigo	SZA	Carrie Underwood

Resources/Related Links: Dave’s Music Database: “Best-of Lists from Publications/Organizations” Billboard.com (8/14/2024). “The 25 Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century: Honorable Mentions” First posted 8/14/2024; last updated 9/13/2024.

Britpop: Top 25 Albums

Britpop: The Top 25 Albums

Britpop was a genre which emerged in the early ‘90s in the United Kingdom. It grew out of the British indie music scene and was characterized by its guitar-driven pop sound. This list was compiled by aggregating the results of 22 sources. Those albums which made at least 3 lists were ranked by overall Dave’s Music Database points and then the top 25 were ranked based on the aggregate of Britpop albums. Check out other best-of-genre/category lists here. 1. Oasis (What’s the Story) Morning Glory (1995) 2. Pulp Different Class (1995) 3. The Verve Urban Hymns (1997) 4. Blur Parklife (1994) 5. Oasis Definitely Maybe (1994) 6. Suede (aka “London Suede”) Suede (1993) 7. The Stone Roses The Stone Roses (1989) 8. Blur The Great Escape (1995) 9. Blur Modern Life Is Rubbish (1993) 10. Radiohead The Bends (1995) 11. Radiohead OK Computer (1997) 12. Suede (aka “London Suede”) Dog Man Star (1994) 13. Manic Street Preachers Everything Must Go (1996) 14. The La’s The La’s (1990) 15. Oasis Be Here Now (1997) 16. The Verve A Northern Soul (1995) 17. Manic Street Preachers The Holy Bible (1994) 18. Coldplay A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002) 19. David Bowie The Man Who Sold the World (1970) 20. Teenage Fanclub Bandwagonesque (1991) 21. Coldplay Parachutes (2000) 22. Blur Blur (1997) 23. Keane Hopes and Fears (2004) 24. Kaiser Chiefs Employment (2005) 25. The Libertines Up the Bracket (2002) Resources and Related Links: Dave’s Music Database: “Britpop: Top 50 Songs” Dave’s Music Database: other best-of-genre lists First posted 9/2/2024.

Glam: Top 25 Albums

Glam: The Top 25 Albums

Glam rock was a genre which emerged in the early 1970s that was characterized as much by fashion as the music itself. Performers wore flamboyant costumes (which often included glitter and platform shoes), makeup, and hairstyles. The look often flirted with andryogyny and fluid gender roles and a camp style. Musically, the genre drew largely from rock and roll, but incorporated cabaret, bubblegum pop, and throwaway pop culture. The movement was largely British. David Bowie, T-Rex, Mott the Hoople, Sweet, and Slade were among the genre’s most popular artists. Some American artists such as Alice Cooper, Lou Reed, and the New York Dolls also incorporated glam into their music in the 1970s. There were also British artists such as Elton John and Queen who adopted some elements of glam in their ‘70s music. The genre influenced punk rock, goth, new wave, and hair bands. This list was created by aggregating 14 lists focused on the best glam rock albums of all time. Check out other best-of-genre/category lists here. 1. David Bowie The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1972) 2. Lou Reed Transformer (1972) 3. New York Dolls New York Dolls (1973) 4. Roxy Music For Your Pleasure (1973) 5. T-Rex Electric Warrior (1971) 6. Roxy Music Roxy Music (1972) 7. David Bowie Aladdin Sane (1973) 8. Mott the Hoople Mott (1973) 9. David Bowie Hunky Dory (1971) 10. Brian Eno Here Come the Warm Jets (1974) 11. Roxy Music Country Music (1974) 12. Sparks Kimono My House (1974) 13. Queen Sheer Heart Attack (1974) 14. Roxy Music Stranded (1973) 15. Alice Cooper Billion Dollar Babies (1973) 16. Roxy Music Siren (1975) 17. Suede (aka “London Suede”) Dog Man Star (1994) 18. T-Rex The Slider (1972) 19. Alice Cooper Love It to Death (1971) 20. David Bowie The Man Who Sold the World (1970) 21. David Bowie Diamond Dogs (1974) 22. Slade Slayed? (1973) 23. Mott the Hoople All the Young Dudes (1972) 24. Pulp Different Class (1995) 25. Queen A Night at the Opera (1975) Resources and Related Links: Dave’s Music Database: “Glam Rock: Top 50 Songs” Dave’s Music Database: other best-of-genre lists First posted 9/2/2024.

Grunge: Top 25 Albums

Grunge: The Top 25 Albums

Grunge was a fusion of punk and heavy metal which originated out of Seattle via bands such as Nirvana, Pearl, Jam, Soundgarden, and Alice in Chains. The movement developed in the latter half of the ‘80s and peaked in the early ‘90s. While its rise and fall was quick, it birthed a revival of interest in guitar-based, alternative rock. 23 best-of lists focused on grunge were aggregated and then any of those albums cited by 3 or more sources were eligible for this list. They were then resorted by overall points on Dave’s Music Database. Check out other best-of-genre/category lists here. 1. Nirvana Nevermind (1991) 2. Pearl Jam Ten (1991) 3. Nirvana In Utero (1993) 4. Smashing Pumpkins Siamese Dream (1993) 5. Nirvana MTV Unplugged in New York (recorded live 1993, released 1994) 6. Smashing Pumpkins Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness (1995) 7. Soundgarden Superunknown (1994) 8. Pearl Jam Vs. (1993) 9. Alice in Chains Dirt (1992) 10. Hole Live Through This (1994) 11. Pearl Jam Vitalogy (1994) 12. Stone Temple Pilots Core (1992) 13. Nirvana Bleach (1989) 14. Stone Temple Pilots Purple (1994) 15. Alice in Chains Jar of Flies (EP, 1994) 16. Bush Sixteen Stone (1994) 17. Soundgarden Badmotorofinger (1991) 18. Singles (soundtrack, 1992) 19. Temple of the Dog Temple of the Dog (1991) 20. Mother Love Bone Apple (1990) 21. Mudhoney Superfuzz Big Muff (EP, 1988) 22. Bush Razordblade Suitcase (1996) 23. Smashing Pumpkins Gish (1991) 24. Alice in Chains Facelift (1990) 25. Green River Dry As a Bone (EP, 1987) / Rehab Doll (EP, 1988) Resources and Related Links: Dave’s Music Database: “Grunge: Top 50 Songs” Dave’s Music Database: other best-of-genre lists First posted 9/2/2024.

Pop: Top 100 Albums

Pop: The Top 100 Albums

There are no inarguable terms to define rock music – or R&B, or country, or dance, or any other genre. Perhaps the most baffling, though, is pop music. Why? Because it’s an amalgam of all other genres. Just take a glance at the top ten on this list. Michael Jackson shows up with a couple of R&B/dance-oriented albums. Fleetwood Mac makes an appearance with classic rock. The Bee Gees and others give us their spin on disco. Carole King shows why she reigned supreme at the forefront of the singer/songwriter movement of the ‘70s. Alanis Morissette serves up a slice the kind of alternative rock which became mainstream in the ‘90s while Adele gives us a dose of blue-eyed British soul. A strong effort was made to focus on albums that generated multiple pop hits, did well on the album chart, and were big sellers. While albums like the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon, and Led Zeppelin’s Led Zeppelin IV are monster sellers, they only generated a mere three top-40 hits between them. Welcome to the world of pop music. All the different ingredients described above have been factored in – as well as an aggregate of a handful of lists focused on the best pop albums of all time (see sources at bottom of page) – to create the list you have before you. Hopefully there’s something here to fit your tastes. After all, pop is the great equalizer. It can bring disparate groups together because of a shared love of a particular album. Without further ado, here’s the top 100 pop albums of all time, as determined by Dave’s Music Database. Check out other best-of-genre/category lists here. 1. Michael Jackson Thriller (1982) 2. Various artists (Bee Gees et al) Saturday Night Fever (soundtrack, 1977) 3. George Michael Faith (1987) 4. Fleetwood Mac Rumours (1977) 5. Elton John Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973) 6. Michael Jackson Bad (1987) 7. Whitney Houston Whitney Houston (1985) 8. Janet Jackson Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989) 9. Bruce Springsteen Born in the U.S.A. (1984) 10. Prince & the Revolution Purple Rain (1984) 11. Adele 21 (2011) 12. Justin Timberlake FutureSex/LoveSounds (2006) 13. Shania Twain Come on Over (1997) 14. Taylor Swift 1989 (2014) 15. Alanis Morissette Jagged Little Pill (1995) 16. Various artists (Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta et al) Grease (1978) 17. Michael Jackson Dangerous (1991) 18. Madonna Like a Virgin (1984) 19. Michael Jackson Off the Wall (1979) 20. Def Leppard Hysteria (1987) 21. Phil Collins No Jacket Required (1985) 22. Janet Jackson Control (1986) 23. Taylor Swift Fearless (2008) 24. Lady Gaga The Fame (2008) 25. Various artists (Whitney Houston et al) The Bodyguard (soundtrack, 1992) 26. Madonna Like a Prayer (1989) 27. Usher Confessions (2004) 28. Janet Jackson janet. (1993) 29. Mariah Carey Daydream (1995) 30. Katy Perry Teenage Dream (2010) 31. Mariah Carey Mariah Carey (1990) 32. Boyz II Men II (1994) 33. Whitney Houston Whitney (1987) 34. Wham! Make It Big (1984) 35. Various artists Dirty Dancing (soundtrack, 1987) 36. Madonna True Blue (1986) 37. Black Eyed Peas The E.N.D. (Energy Never Dies) (2009) 38. Carole King Tapestry (1971) 39. Lionel Richie Can’t Slow Down (1983) 40. The Police Synchronicity (1983) 41. Paula Abdul Forever Your Girl (1988) 42. Bruno Mars Unorthodox Jukebox (2012) 43. TLC Crazy Sexy Cool (1994) 44. The Beatles Magical Mystery Tour (1967) 45. Beyoncé Dangerously in Love (2003) 46. New Kids on the Block Hangin’ Tough (1988) 47. Simon & Garfunkel Bridge Over Troubled Water (1970) 48. Taylor Swift Red (2012) 49. Destiny’s Child Survivor (2001) 50. Bon Jovi Slippery When Wet (1986) 51. Ace of Base Happy Nation/The Sign (1993) 52. Bon Jovi New Jersey (1988) 53. Mariah Carey Music Box (1993) 54. Tina Turner Private Dancer (1984) 55. INXS Kick (1987) 56. Christina Aguilera Christina Aguilera (1999) 57. Phil Collins …But Seriously (1989) 58. Journey Escape (1981) 59. Kelly Clarkson Breakaway (2004) 60. Lady Gaga Born This Way (2011) 61. Spice Girls Spice (1996) 62. Bobby Brown Don’t Be Cruel (1988) 63. Celine Dion Falling into You (1996) 64. Rihanna Loud (2010) 65. Milli Vanilli Girl You Know It’s True (aka All or Nothing) (1989) 66. Billy Joel The Stranger (1977) 67. Tears for Fears Songs from the Big Chair (1985) 68. Huey Lewis & the News Sports (1983) 69. U2 The Joshua Tree (1987) 70. Fergie The Dutchess (2006) 71. Post Malone Hollywood’s Bleeding (2019) 72. Britney Spears …Baby One More Time (1999) 73. Cyndi Lauper She’s So Unusual (1983) 74. Backstreet Boys Millennium (1999) 75. Lionel Richie Dancing on the Ceiling (1986) 76. Lady Gaga The Fame Monster (2009) 77. Drake Scorpion (2018) 78. Ed Sheeran ÷ (Divide) (2017) 79. Genesis Invisible Touch (1986) 80. Hootie & the Blowfish Cracked Rear View (1994) 81. Wilson Phillips Wilson Phillips (1990) 82. Guns N’ Roses Appetite for Destruction (1987) 83. The Beatles Please Please Me (1963) 84. Huey Lewis & the News Fore! (1986) 85. Nickelback All the Right Reasons (2005) 86. T.I. Paper Trail (2008) 87. Bee Gees Spirits Having Flown (1979) 88. Rihanna Good Girl Gone Bad (2007) 89. The Beatles A Hard Day’s Night (1964) 90. Taylor Swift Midnights (2022) 91. Bruno Mars Doo Wops & Hooligans (2010) 92. Justin Bieber Purpose (2015) 93. Stevie Wonder Songs in the Key of Life (1976) 94. The Weeknd Starboy (2016) 95. The Weeknd After Hours (2020) 96. Various Artists (Whitney Houston et al) Waiting to Exhale (soundtrack, 1995) 97. Billy Joel An Innocent Man (1983) 98. Foreigner 4 (1981) 99. The Beatles Help! (1965) 100. Ariana Grande Thank U, Next (2019) Resources and Related Links: Dave’s Music Database: other best-of-genre lists Dave’s Music Database: other best-of-genre lists Amazon.com: “Essential CDs by Style: Pop Rock” Now dead link. Amazon.com: “Essential CDs by Style: Pop Vocal” Now dead link. AskMen.com (7/4/2004). “Top 200 Albums of All Time: Pop” This was actually 20 top-ten lists, each focused on 10 albums in a specific genre. AskMen.com (7/4/2004). “Top 200 Albums of All Time: Soft Rock” This was actually 20 top-ten lists, each focused on 10 albums in a specific genre. Barnes & Noble: “Fundamentals: Classic Pop” Now dead link. Barnes & Noble: “Fundamentals: Contemporary Pop” Now dead link. Barnes & Noble: “Fundamentals: Soft Rock” Now dead link. Barnes & Noble: “Fundamentals: Vocal Pop” Now dead link. Billboard.com: “Greatest of All Time Billboard 200 Albums” Blender (April 2003): “500 CDs You Must Own Before You Die!: Pop” List is broken down into different genres. Buzzfeed.com (3/26/2014). “How Many of the Greatest Pop Albums of All Time Have You Heard?” Your guess is as good as mine as to why they created a list with the strange number of 147 albums. DavesMusicDatabase.com (8/3/2020). “The Biggest #1 Albums in U.S. Chart History” DavesMusicDatabase.com (8/3/2020). “The Longest-Charting Albums in U.S. Chart History” DavesMusicDatabase.com (9/11/2020). “World’s Best-Selling Albums: The Top 100+ Albums” MadeMan.com: “10 Best Pop Albums of All Time” Now dead link. Mojo (2001). “Mojo 1000: The Ulitmate CD Buyers Guide” The list had sections on various genres such as blues, country, jazz, soul, rock, reggae, and, of course, pop. NWItimes.com (4/27/2017). “The Best Pop Albums of All Time” Q magazine (April 2005). “The Ultimate Music Collection: Pop” RateYourMusic.com: “Chock Full O’ Hits: The Albums That Spawned the Most Top 10 Singles (US)” Record Collector (Jan. 2000). “Classic Albums from 21 Genres for the 21st Century: Pop” BBC listeners were polled to determine the top 100 albums of all time. Tower.com: “Essentials: Pop/Rock” Now dead link. Udiscover.com (11/15/2019). “Best Pop Albums of All Time: 20 Essential Listens for Any Music Fan” Wikipedia.org: “List of Best-Selling Albums Worldwide” BBC listeners were polled to determine the top 100 albums of all time. First posted 11/22/2020; last updated 9/1/2024.