With "Let It Go" being played non-stop all year long and Taylor Swift selling millions of copies of 1989, it's safe to say that 2014 was dominated by the ladies. This past year women reigned supreme in the world of pop music, delivering some of the finest ear candy in recent years.
The following list counts down the five best pop albums of 2014 from this year's fiercest divas.
05. Cher Lloyd, Sorry I'm Late
STANDOUT TRACKS: "I Wish," "Sirens," "Killing It," "M.F.P.O.T.Y," "Alone With Me"
As the hotly anticipated follow-up to her debut album Sticks & Stones, Cher Lloyd's Sorry I'm Late is a satisfying mix of club-hopping party anthems and emotional ballads. On this album, Cher relies less on her lady rapper schtick and shows her growth as a singer by stretching her vocal chords. The maturity she shows on Sorry I'm Late illustrates the makings of a true artist and makes for an interesting listen.
04. Jessie J, Sweet Talker
STANDOUT TRACKS: "Ain't Been Done," "Sweet Talker," "Bang Bang," "Personal," "Keep Us Together"
After the North American release to Alive failed to materialize, Jessie J set to work on a brand-new album to offer Stateside. Bolstered by the success of the Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj collab "Bang Bang," Sweet Talker became the big voiced songstress' highest charting album on the US Billboard 200. The album brilliantly showcases Jessie J's signature vocals and adaptability, belting out a variety of club thumpers and sweet R&B ballads. Her diversity as a singer is commendable and the sass she lays out on this record is as impressive as it is incomparable.
03. Ariana Grande, My Everything
STANDOUT TRACKS: "Problem," "Break Free," "Best Mistake," "Love Me Harder," "My Everything"
With her debut album becoming one of the best albums of 2013, Ariana Grande's sophomore effort My Everything had a lot to live up to. Thankfully, the pint-sized pop star delivered yet another solid set of infectious radio-friendly songs. From the saxophone-driven "Problem" to the Katy Perry-esque "Break Free," Grande ruled the charts with her growing pop repertoire. Still, Grande is the most impressive on My Everything's downtempo tracks, laying out some of this year's finest vocal work on the album's title track.
02. Kylie Minogue, Kiss Me Once
STANDOUT TRACKS: "Into the Blue," "Sexy Love," "Sexercise," "Les Sex," "Kiss Me Once"
While 2014 may have seen younger acts like Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande dominating the charts, the legendary Kylie Minogue proved that age is irrelevant in making good music. As one of the most eclectic albums this year, Kylie's Kiss Me Once ranges from feel-good ear candy ("Into the Blue") to seductive sex jams ("Sexercise"). The album is also notable for featuring a mix of downtempo tracks, making Kiss Me Once the first studio album of hers to do so since 2007's X. These retro ballads are among some of her more interesting and act as brilliant homages to her PWL era.
01. Cheryl, Only Human
STANDOUT TRACKS: "It's About Time," "Crazy Stupid Love," "Waiting for Lightning," "Only Human," "Stars," "Throwback," "Fight On," "Beats N Bass"
To say that 2014 was a good year for the newly mononymous Cheryl would be an understatement. She returned to the judging panel on The X-Factor, broke records when she became the first British female solo act to have five number one singles in the UK and subsequently released her fourth top ten studio album Only Human.
Only Human is arguably Cheryl's strongest solo effort to date, featuring a cohesive collection of pop gems and affecting ballads. On this record she is as fierce as she is vulnerable, showing swag on hair-flippers like "Beats N Bass" and emotional transparency on downtempo tracks like "Only Human." While all the albums on this list may not be excellent start to finish, Only Human is near perfection and proves itself as pop masterpiece.
As the legend goes, the X-Men were on their way to becoming a footnote in Marvel's history when Len Wein and Dave Cockrum introduced a brand-new crop of mutants in Giant Size X-Men #1. When it hit stands in 1975, the book increased interest in the X-Men and their popularity continued to rise into the 1980s.
During the '80s, no comic book was hotter than Uncanny X-Men. The series' writer Chris Claremont crafted intelligent and imaginative stories that captivated readers. Sales were so strong that Marvel sought to capitalize on the success of the X-Men and thus began launching comics starring offshoots of the X-Men.
Lovingly called X-books by fans, these titles and their respective teams have gone on to become almost as popular as their parent book. Listed here are the five greatest and most successful X-Men spin-offs to date.
Originally introduced during Chris Claremont and John Byrne's tenure on X-Men (before it became Uncanny), Alpha Flight was a government-funded Canadian superhero team that once included Wolverine in its ranks. Even though they were initially peripheral characters, the group was given its own ongoing series in 1983. Unlike most other comic books, the series featured an entirely Canadian cast and its stories were set in the True North. Alpha Flight is also remembered for tackling environmental issues, discussing mental illness and featuring the very first gay Marvel superhero.
04. New Mutants (Vol. 1)
1983-1991
Number of Issues: 100
Genres: Action/Adventure, Fantasy, Leading Ladies, School Life, Supernatural
Think: Teen Titans
In the same year that Alpha Flight made its debut, New Mutants hit newsstands. This title showcased the adventures of a group of teenage mutants who were training to become the next generation of X-Men. Much like its parent book, New Mutants boasted a diverse cast and focused heavily on character development and relationships. The legacy of the New Mutants is long-reaching, with many of its members going on to become teachers and X-Men. The original line-up also proved so popular that it was revived for a third ongoing series in 2009.
As a team, X-Force has been around since the 1990s. Even though these previous incarnations achieved success, it would be Rick Remender's version in Uncanny X-Force that led to critical and commercial acclaim. Led by Wolverine, this version of X-Force was a secret black ops unit that tackled forces too dangerous for the X-Men to handle. The book was responsible for returning Psylocke to prominence, reviving interest in the Age of Apocalypse and established Remender as one of Marvel's most sought after writers.
02. Generation X (Vol. 1)
1994-2001
Number of Issues: 75
Genres: Action/Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Leading Ladies, School Life, Superhero, Young Adult
Think: Beverly Hills, 9010 (with mutants)
More than a decade after the debut of the New Mutants, Marvel introduced a brand-new crop of teen mutants in the aptly titled Generation X. This series featured former X-Man Banshee and a newly reformed Emma Frost mentoring the titular group of heroes. Significantly more humorous and adventurous than its predecessor, Generation X was heralded for its more realistic treatment of its characters and was instrumental in establishing Emma Frost as a key player in the X-books.
01. X-Factor (Vol. 2)
2006-2013
Number of Issues: 114
Genres: Action/Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Leading Ladies, LGBTQ, Mystery
Originally conceived as an homage to the noir genre, X-Factor focused on a group of mutant private detective as they investigated a variety of mutant-related cases. The series was written by the enormously talented Peter David and was noted for its clever dialogue, soapy relationship drama and colourful cast of characters. Beyond that, the series was also praised for featuring a Muslim superheroine as one of its main characters and including much-publicized homosexual relationship. X-Factor continues to be one of the X-Men's most unique spin-offs and proved itself to be the little comic that could by reaching well over 100 issues.
When it comes to fierce and fabulous superheroines, DC Comics is home to some of the biggest names around. From Wonder Woman to Batgirl, the publishing giant has had tremendous success with its leading ladies. Even still, there are many heroines who go unnoticed by general audiences. Whether it's due to their lack of appearances in adaptations or development in the comics, these women could use a major boost from the powers-that-be.
Below are the top five most underrated heroines at DC Comics. These fives ladies deserve their own books - stat!
05. Mera
As Aquaman's better half, Mera is a water-wielding warrior whose impetuous nature and loyalty make her a fearsome opponent. She is the exiled Princess of Xebel who abandoned her kingdom after falling for the handsome King of Atlantis.
For years, this red-headed siren was treated as little more than a supporting character for Aquaman. With her unique set of gifts and her unpredictable temperament, she is a compelling individual whose lack of promotion is rather surprising. Thankfully, events such as Brightest Day and the companywide initiative known as the New 52 have renewed interest in Mera. With DC Comics' current investment in the Aquaman franchise, things are looking up for the emerald-clad heroine.
04. Big Barda
As her name might suggest, Big Barda is a tough and aggressive fighter who abandoned her homeworld of Apokolips to live in suburban bliss with her husband on Earth. Nevertheless, trouble seemed to follow the couple wherever they went and they were occasionally pulled back into the fray as superheroes.
Much like Mera, Big Barda has long lived in the shadow of her husband. As Mister Miracle, Scott Free received top-billing while Barda played second-fiddle. Despite stints on the Justice League and her involvement with the Birds of Prey, the spotlight still seems to elude this warrior. DC Comics would do well to give Barda her own book. She could traverse the galaxies atoning for her past sins with her quirky husband, sort of like an intergalactic version of Xena: Warrior Princess.
03. Vixen
Mari McCabe is a former supermodel turned superhero whose exploits have led to a membership with the Justice League. As Vixen, she has the ability to channel the ability of any animal imaginable, making her one of the most versatile superheroes around.
Vixen was one of DC Comics very first Black superheroes and continues to be one of their most enduring. Unfortunately, she's spent much of her publication history on the D-list, but appearances in Justice League: Unlimited and Batman: The Brave and the Bold have increased her visibility. While she may be more recognizable these days, Vixen still has a long way to go before she reaches the same level of acclaim as Storm or Black Panther. What say we make her a permanent fixture on the Justice League, hm? A solo series would be nice too.
02. Fire and Ice
One is a princess, the other a super spy. Beatriz da Costa and Tora Olaffsdotter, otherwise known as Fire and Ice, wield their abilities as members of the Justice League. The pair have one of the most widely recognized friendships in comics and are known for their opposites-attract sisterhood.
Fire and Ice have seemingly existed on the fringes of the DC Universe forever. Their appearances in offbeat and less mainstream material have earned them cult followings, so naturally they're still unknown to larger audiences. Even adaptations have relegated them to background characters with limited dialogue. Not only would it be great if they were given greater prominence in the Justice League, but the pair would be excellent candidates for a humour-filled series following their exploits. It could be like Thelma & Louise. You know, if they had superpowers.
01. Donna Troy
Once known as Wonder Woman's teen sidekick Wonder Girl, Donna Troy grew up to be the galaxy-saving heroine Troia. Compassionate and full of heart, Donna was the glue that held the Teen Titans together and played the role of den mother flawlessly.
When it comes to getting the short end of the stick, Donna Troy is a poster child. While the modern Wonder Girl (Cassandra Sandsmark -- hiss!) has been adapted to television and has adventures in the New 52, Donna Troy has been relegated to publication limbo. Despite her integral role in the iconic New Teen Titans era and a tenure on the Justice League, Donna is regularly passed over for her successor and had the misfortune of being tied up in legal red tape when the Teen Titans cartoon was airing. It's sad to think that such an incredible character goes unnoticed by general audiences. Truthfully, she deserves a big push from DC Comics and has the potential to become a heroine in her own right much like Dick Grayson or Barbara Gordon. With that hair and chic costume, she's too stylish to stay D-list!
While DC Comics has been busy blazing the trail with its long-running female-led comics like Wonder Woman and Birds of Prey, its rival Marvel has struggled to save its heroines from the cancellation heap. From titles like Black Widow to X-23, most of Marvel's women fail to make it past two years of solo publication. Even still, there have been some superheroines that have managed to defy this and have gone on to have successful comic runs.
Below are the top five longest running comic book series starring women as published by Marvel.
05. She-Hulk, Volume 2
Lasted For: 38 Issues
As the Hulk's loquacious cousin, She-Hulk is no stranger to the solo hero circuit. She's had a handful of series and has proven to be a viable commodity for Marvel. The eponymous She-Hulk was her fourth series, but is one of the longer lasting ones.
Originally written by Dan Slott, She-Hulk followed the misadventures of the green-skinned heroine as she navigated the world of law and order. Over the course of its 38 issues, the series tied in with many of Marvel's most notable storylines such as "Civil War" and "Secret Invasion." Despite bringing aboard fan-favourite Peter David to write the book, She-Hulk wrapped up its run in the spring of 2009.
04. Dazzler, Volume 1
Lasted For: 42 Issues
Spinning out of her appearance during the iconic "Dark Phoenix Saga," Dazzler depicted the life and times of Marvel's most famous singer turned hero. It followed her ascension to superstardom and the many obstacles she had to surpass along the way.The series was brilliant mix of superhero action and soap opera drama, highlighting the character's turbulent family life and her constant struggle with the responsibility of being a mutant.
Even though the series concluded after only 42 issues, Dazzler continues to be one of the most iconic comic books of the 1980s and led directly into her becoming a member of the X-Men. Sadly, the character has fallen into the D-list since then and is in dire need of a boost in popularity.
03. Spider-Woman, Volume 1
Ms. Marvel, Volume 2
Lasted For: 50 Issues
It seems fitting that Spider-Woman and Ms. Marvel would share the number three spot. In addition to their long-standing friendship, Jessica Drew and Carol Danvers debuted in solo series around the same time in the 1970s. While Carol's Ms. Marvel title was cancelled after two years of publication, Jessica's Spider-Woman ran for an astounding 50 issues. Not one to be outdone, Carol tied Jessica's record with her second Ms. Marvel series in 2006.
Spider-Woman told the solo adventures of Jessica Drew as she sought to create a life for herself in America. Early on the book focused on dark, magic-based foes, but would later become a more traditional superhero title.
Ms. Marvel spun directly out of Marvel's "House of M" event and dealt with Carol Danvers establishing herself as Earth's Mightiest Hero. In this ground-breaking series, Carol survived a superhero civil war, multiple alien invasions, having her identity stolen, and the schemes of the nefarious shapeshifter Mystique. This was truly one of Marvel's most remarkable titles and is one of my personal favourites.
02. The Sensational She-Hulk, Volume 1
Lasted For: 60 Issues
After a successful tenure with the Fantastic Four, John Byrne launched She-Hulk's second solo title in the late-'80s. Irreverent and sharply written, The Sensational She-Hulk was an astonishing series that broke all the comic book rules. For the first time ever, the character was aware of her status as a comic book superhero and frequently broke through the fourth wall to talk to the readers.
Following his departure from the title in 1993, The Sensational She-Hulk lasted only ten more issues before being cancelled. Well over twenty years later, this title continues to make waves due to its unique mix of slapstick humour and superhero action.
01. Spider-Girl, Volume 1
Lasted For: 100 Issues, Plus Two Special Issues
Marvel's longest running female-led title by a mile is the Spider-Man spin-off Spider-Girl. Written as an imagined future world for the web-slinger, this title placed Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson's daughter May Parker as the heir to the Spider-Man mantle. Lasting for a whopping 100 issues, Spider-Girl broke records and continues to be Marvel's most successful female franchise to date. Oddly enough, it also happens to be the only book on this list that exists outside of the company's mainstream universe.
For a very long time, the music industry was considered a man's world. From Elvis Presley to the Beatles, male musicians dominated the charts and soared to new heights of success. Then something fantastic happened -- Diana Ross, Mary Wilson, and Florence Ballard broke through the glass ceiling with the release of their smash hit "Where Did Our Love Go?" as the Supremes. This marked the birth of the modern girl group and, since then, women all over the world have been banding together in hopes of replicating (or surpassing) the success of the Supremes.
This list counts down five of the all-time greatest girl groups. Those selected for this list have had tremendous success and have made a positive impact on the music industry. These five girl groups are innovative, glamorous, and, most importantly, divinely talented.
Signature Songs: "Creep," "Waterfalls," "No Scrubs," "Unpretty"
Much like the Supremes before them, TLC became visionaries in a genre dominated by men. This trio blended R&B and Hip-Hop together to create a unique sound that many groups have since attempted to replicate. The combination of T-Boz's smokey vocals, Chilli's sticky sweet voice, and Left Eye's rapid fire rapping was a winning combination that led to an estimated 65 million records sold.
Unfortunately, in-fighting nearly tore the group apart and Left Eye's tragic death in 2002 hindered TLC's future success. While they've attempted the occasional comeback, Chilli and T-Boz have largely been unable to recapture the magic of their heyday.
Members: Diana Ross, Mary Wilson, Florence Ballard (original line-up)
Years Active: 1959-1977
Number of #1 Singles: 12
Signature Songs: "Where Did Our Love Go?," "Baby Love," Stop! In The Name of Love," "Love Child"
In the 1960s, Diana Ross, Mary Wilson, and Florence Ballard reigned supreme. As Motown's most successful group, this trio maintained an image of elegance and autonomy during a period of civil upheaval. While Ross was portrayed as the group's lead singer, the Supremes had incredible harmonies and should be celebrated for achieving such tremendous success during a period of time when women were not considered viable commodities in the music industry.
Following the dismissal of original member Florence Ballard, the group was re-branded as Diana Ross & The Supremes and Ballard was replaced by Cindy Birdsong. This incarnation continued to rack up the hits right up until Ross' departure in 1970. While the group continued to produce music without Ross, they failed to replicate the success they once had. In the years that followed, Diana Ross embarked on a successful solo career as a singer and actress. Even still, her time as a Supreme remains an ever-present iconic moment in popular culture.
02. Girls Aloud
Members: Nadine Coyle, Cheryl Cole, Kimberley Walsh, Sarah Harding, Nicola Roberts
Years Active: 2002-2013
Number of #1 Singles: 4
Number of Platinum Albums: 6
Signature Songs: "The Sound of the Underground," "Love Machine," "Biology," "The Promise"
When it comes to girl groups, the UK knows how to get it right. Unlike their American counterparts, these groups eschew the lead singer format in favour of spotlighting each individual member. This is the formula that Girls Aloud was born out of. Initially put together for the 2002 reality TV program Pop Stars: The Rivals, these fierce songstresses skyrocketed to the top of the charts with their debut single "The Sound of the Underground." With the production team of Xenomania behind them, Girls Aloud released a staggering 21 top ten hits in the UK and each of their five studio albums have been certified platinum. The group is also credited for altering the landscape of pop music in the UK and many of their songs are considered examples of innovation in the genre.
Unlike the other groups on this list, Girls Aloud have never had any line-up changes. This is a feat practically unheard of in the realm of girl groups. Despite this, the group called it quits in 2013 following their Ten: The Hits concert tour. While the girls have each pursued solo careers, it is Cheryl Cole that has taken off as a major force in the music industry. As a lead artist, she has four #1 singles and is set to release her fourth album later this year.
01. Spice Girls
Members: Melanie "Sporty Spice" Chisolm, Victoria "Posh Spice" Beckham, Melanie "Scary Spice" Brown, Emma "Baby Spice" Bunton, Geri "Ginger Spice" Halliwell
Years Active: 1994-2000, 2007-2008
Number of #1 Singles: 9
Number of Platinum Albums: 4 (their first album is certified 10x platinum!)
Signature Songs: "Wannabe," "Say You'll Be There," "Spice Up Your Life," "Goodbye"
During the testosterone-laden wave of boy bands in the 1990s, a girl group rose to prominence that forever altered the music industry. The Spice Girls were a five piece girl group that rose to fame with their debut single "Wannabe." Their messages of female empowerment and the importance of individuality resonated with audiences. This beloved group became a phenomenon and invaded just about every aspect of day-to-day life. Their success extended beyond their radio hits, leading to the release of branded merchandise from dolls to bubblegum. It's hard to imagine the '90s without their distinctive brand of feel-good pop music and their encouragement for their fans to stay true to who they are.
Unfortunately, the meteoric success the Spice Girls experienced was not enough to keep the group together. During the middle of their Spiceworld tour, Geri left the group. Even though the four remaining members carried on without her, they would release just one more album before disbanding in 2000. Since then, each member has explored solo careers as singers, songwriters, fashion designers, and television personalities. Even 18 years after their debut single, fans are still clamouring for a reunion.
Note: Certifications listed here are based on those of the groups' native countries. For example, Spice Girls' and Girls Aloud's certifications are based off of those received in the United Kingdom while Destiny's Child's are based off those received in the United States.
It's worth mentioning that girl groups like SPEED, Girls' Generation, Morning Musume, and Wonder Girls have experienced tremendous success in Asia and are easily worthy of being included in best of lists.
Lois Lane and Mary Jane Watson. These two women are the undisputed true loves of Superman and Spider-Man. For decades, they have stood by their superhero's sides and have earned the respect of many a comic book fan in the process.
Unfortunately, it seems like fellow A-lister Batman has had a tougher time finding the love of his life. He's had many girlfriends over the years, but none have ever quite led to anything long-lasting. It seems like he's destined to be an eternal James Bond. That said, it's still not too late for him to settle down.
In this list, I examine his five greatest loves and detail their compatibility with the Dark Knight.
05. Julie Madison
Julie Madison was a socialite who managed to capture the heart of the infamous playboy Bruce Wayne. Julie was Bruce's first love and this led to a brief engagement. However, their relationship would not last. Julie had become a film actress and was unsatisfied with the lack of stability Bruce offered her. After calling it quits, she went on to marry into royalty and became the ruler of the fictional kingdom of Moldacia.
Julie was also Bruce's love interest in Matt Wagner's Batman & The Monster Men and Batman & The Mad Monk. In these revised story lines of Batman's early adventures, Julie was depicted as a law student and the heiress to her father's company. She ends things with Bruce after discovering his double life as Batman and becomes a member of the Peace Corps.
Julie's status as Batman's first love holds a lot of weight to it, especially since the pair had quite a bit in common. They shared a similar devotion to their families, had a similar economic background, and maintained a desire for justice to be done. However, it's quite clear that Julie is better off without Bruce in her life as she's been consistently depicted as being happier and more successful after their relationship ended.
04. Silver St. Cloud
Often cited as "the one that got away," Silver St. Cloud was a businesswoman who owned an event planning firm. She met Bruce Wayne at a party and the pair hit it off right away. Silver showed a loyalty and dedication to Bruce like no other love interest had before. When he was captured by Doctor Strange, she went to Dick Grayson for help and pursued leads to find her boyfriend. These events led to Silver cleverly deducing Batman's identity, which made her one of the very first comic book love interests to do so. Silver then made the decision to end their relationship, realizing that Batman's mission was more important.
Silver is often overshadowed by lesser Batman love interests, but remains one of the most endearing. She was caring and compassionate, as well as quite clever. She also showed an understanding for Batman's mission and this truly emphasizes the notion that it's quite possible that things could turn out well for the Dark Knight and Silver St. Cloud. (Unless, of course, you're Silver St. Cloud in a Kevin Smith story…)
03. Catwoman
Selina Kyle, otherwise known as the master thief Catwoman, is Batman's most widely recognized love interest. Across all mediums, she has shamelessly flirted with the Dark Knight and, in some continuities, has even married him.
In the comic continuity, Selina began dating Bruce Wayne when she was making the rounds as a socialite in Gotham City. This relationship eventually fizzled out, but the pair rekindled their romance on multiple occasions in their costumed identities. Each time, however, the relationship would sour due to Batman's lack of commitment and Catwoman's addiction to stealing.
While many people believe Catwoman to be Batman's "true love," the two simply can't seem to work it out. Batman's devotion to his mission and Catwoman's criminal background seem to drive a wedge between the pair that neither can quite seem to dislodge. On top of that, whenever Bruce and Selina wed in a story, her death often follows. Clearly, this is one cat that shouldn't be domesticated.
02. Vicki Vale
Vicki Vale was Batman's answer to Lois Lane. She was a smart and sassy reporter who has been one of Batman's longest running love interests. Vicki was introduced in the late-1940s and was physically based off of a young Marilyn Monroe. Her stories often revolved around her quest for uncovering Batman's true identity, which inevitably made her a perpetual thorn in the Dark Knight's side.
Vicki would eventually leave Gotham City and spent a great deal of time in Europe. Upon her return, she resumes her career as a reporter and rekindles her romance with Bruce Wayne. When she is brutally attacked by the Ventriloquist, Bruce ends things in order to protect the intrepid reporter from his dangerous life.
Truth be told, there is very little keeping Vicki and Bruce from being together. She's a very capable journalist who can take care of herself and has demonstrated an independence that is compatible with Bruce's unpredictable lifestyle.
01. Talia al Ghul
As far as love stories go, the romance of the Dark Knight and the Daughter of the Demon is both epic and tragic. Batman met Talia al Ghul in the windswept deserts of her father's headquarters, where the pair shared a brief but meaningful night together. He became her "beloved" and her unwavering love for the Dark Knight gave her the strength to seek independence from her father.
In the years that followed, Talia has gone against her father's desires and even temporarily became Batman's partner in fighting crime (much to Catwoman's dismay). Though they parted ways, Talia's love for Bruce has lived on.
Unfortunately, Talia has fallen victim to some seriously bad writing and was transformed from Batman's greatest love to his most hated enemy. Grant Morrison's one man crusade to turn Talia into a psychotic bitch seems to have soured any potential for a reunion between the femme fatale and the Dark Knight.
However, it remains evident that previous writers treated their relationship with respect and it is not hard to imagine that one day Bruce Wayne and Talia al Ghul could settle down together. After all, where else is he going to find an ass-kicking independent woman who knows how to run a business, dress like a supermodel, and give up a criminal lifestyle to put up his dinosaur-sized baggage?
Despite being known for her Hip-Pop music and slick dance moves, J-Pop superstar Namie Amuro has proven time after time that she is a capable balladeer. Over the course of her illustrious career, she's had tremendous success with her downtempo tracks.
Earlier this month she released BALLADA, a compilation of her greatest ballads that skyrocketed to number one on the Japanese Oricon Chart, thus proving Amuro's undeniable gift for singing downtempo songs. To celebrate this accomplishment, I've counted down her five greatest ballads.
05. "Baby Don't Cry"
As the final single off of her eighth studio album PLAY, "Baby Don't Cry" is a mid-tempo ballad that typifies Amuro's R&B sound. Though not included on BALLADA, it is a spirited and feel good song that reached number three on the Oricon Charts.
04. "CAN YOU CELEBRATE?"
Released on Christmas day in 1997, "CAN YOU CELEBRATE?" is a sweet pop gem and nostalgic piece of ear candy. It became a phenomenon, selling over 2 million units and went on to become the highest selling single of that year. Nearly 20 years later, Amuro has re-recorded the song for BALLADA and has transformed it into a moving orchestral piece.
03. "Let Me Let You Go"
Sung entirely in English, "Let Me Let You Go" is a heart-wrenching ballad that features some of the strongest vocals in Amuro's extensive career. With its piano arrangement and Amuro's raw vocals, it is incredibly affecting and serves as one of the best moments off of her eleventh studio album FEEL.
02. "SWEET 19 BLUES"
Arguably one of Amuro's most iconic singles, "SWEET 19 BLUES" is an autobiographical ballad that appeared on her sophomore album. It's a poignant downtempo track that features a snapping rhythm and solid vocals. Like "CAN YOU CELEBRATE?," "SWEET 19 BLUES" was re-recorded for BALLADA and Amuro filmed a new music video for it, showing her fans just how far she's come since her now famous 19th birthday.
01. "Love Story"
As far as Namie Amuro's vocals are concerned, they don't get much better than they do on "Love Story." A number three hit, this track appeared on her tenth studio album Uncontrolled and continues to be one of her most heart-rending piano ballads to date. With its beautiful arrangement and honest lyrics, this track proves just how talented this J-Pop icon is without the glitz and glamour of fancy dance productions.
Mariah Carey defines what it means to be an icon. Her voice
is one of the most recognizable in the music industry and her sound has been
emulated many times over by aspiring R&B singers. She’s broken countless
records and continues to be an enduring symbol of greatness in popular culture.
With her latest album Me.
I Am Mariah… The Elusive Chanteuse set for release later this month, I’ve
decided to count down Mariah Carey’s top five greatest albums. These are her
most cohesive and groundbreaking works to date, featuring some of her most
iconic songs and biggest vocals.
05. Emotions (1991)
As the follow-up to
her multi-platinum debut album, Emotions is
a beautiful showcase of Mariah Carey’s incomparable voice. With influences of
gospel and soul, this record saw Carey showing a wide range of emotion across
this ten-track set. From the celebratory “Make It Happen” to the vengeful
“You’re So Cold,” Carey belts it out like no one else can.
Recommended Listening: “Emotions,” “And You Don’t Remember,” “Can’t
Let Go,” “Make It Happen,” “You’re So Cold”
04. Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel
(2009)
Perhaps one of her
more underrated albums, Memoirs of an
Imperfect Angel has everything it needs to be a great Mariah Carey record.
It has big ballads with soaring vocals and playful uptempo tracks that are
trademarks in Carey’s career. Memoirs was
a return to form for the songstress and remains one of her most consistent
works to date.
Recommended Listening: “Obsessed,” “H.A.T.E.U.,” “Up Out My Face,”
“Angels Cry,” “I Want to Know What Love Is”
03. The Emancipation of Mimi (2005)
Often cited as one of
the greatest comebacks in music history, The
Emancipation of Mimi topped the US Billboard 200 chart and scored Mariah
Carey three Grammy Awards. This contemporary R&B album features some of the
strongest work Carey has done in her career and it single-handedly showed critics
that she is one singer who is not to be underestimated.
Recommended Listening: “It’s Like That,” “We Belong Together,”
“Shake It Off,” “I Wish You Knew,” “Fly Like a Bird”
02. Daydream (1995)
In this diamond
certified release, Mariah Carey slays it on each and every track. Daydream is a gorgeous collection of
songs that finds the right balance between big ballads and uptempo dance
tracks. It’s a cohesive work that showcased Carey’s increasing interest in
R&B and hip-hop, granting the singer a string of #1 hits. Daydream is also notable for being the
cause of one of the biggest controversies in Grammy history when it failed to
win any of the six awards it had been nominated for.
Recommended Listening: “Fantasy,” “One Sweet Day,” “Open Arms,”
“Always Be My Baby,” “When I Saw You”
01. Butterfly (1997)
Considered Mariah
Carey’s magnum opus, Butterfly is the
critically-acclaimed album that saw Carey take full control over her career and
sound. It pushed the songstress even further into the realm of R&B and
hip-hop, transforming her into one of the greatest contemporary R&B singers
of the 20th century. It is a near flawless album that changed the
trajectory of Carey’s career and set the bar for all big voiced singers that
followed.
Recommended Listening: “Honey,” “Butterfly,” “My All,” “Whenever
You Call,” “Outside”
