In my recent Stevie Wonder thread, I made the argument that Stevie's '70-'80 run was better than virtually any other solo pop artist in history. That generated some great discussion about other artists. So now I'm asking you this:

Name some artists who have had some of the great "runs" in music history (modern and/or recent).

They can be either solo artists or bands who have had:

a. A consistent run of great and/or artistically acclaimed albums in consecutive order; or

b. A consistent run of great/acclaimed albums and/or commercial successes over a period of consecutive years.

I'll start it off:

Stevie Wonder, 1970-80: Includes Music of My Mind, Talking Book, Songs In The Key of Life, Innervisions, Fulfillingness' First Finale and Hotter Than July. Millions of albums sold, tons of critical acclaim, Grammys by the boatload.

Prince, 1979-1988: One of the great runs of all time. Filled with hits and all-time great albums, including 1999, Purple Rain, and SOTT. Wins the hearts of critics and an unusally broad fanbase, as well as a handful of Grammys and even an Oscar.

David Bowie, 1970's-'82: Dunno much about him, but he went from the avant garde to superstardom, won over critics and fans alike with his work, sold a lotta records, and seemed to easily transition into the early age of videos. Also acquitted himself well as an actor before and after this period.

The Police, 1979-1983: In a short but volatile career, made a series of smash albums and big hits, ending with the commercial and critical success of Synchronicity.

Public Enemy, 1987-1991: A short but revolutionary run that helped cement hip-hop as a serious genre and changed the sound of contemporary music as a whole. From rock to pop, their inimitable Bomb Squad produced sound was mimicked.

Me'Shell Ndegeocello, 1996-2003: Proves herself, IMHO, to be Prince's heir. A musical talent and true soul artist whose outstanding early work led her to a trio of great albums, Bitter, Cookie: TAMT and Comfort Woman.

Please fill in the blanks.

Bjork: from her solo Debut to last year's Medulla, she's one of very few artists I can think of that hasn't made a misstep yet. Many would disagree with me about her last album, but it was very highly acclaimed. To me, she can do no wrong.

Joy Division/New Order 1978-1989: With the possible exception of New Order's first album Movement, they've been critically lauded, hugely influential and thorougly enjoyable throughout. Glad they're having a renaissance of sorts lately.

The Cure 1979-1992: Nearly as ecclectic as Prince and Bowie which is remarkable for any band. Solo artists have the freedom to go in any direction they want, but often bands get stuck in one mode. I'm sure this is cuz it's basically Bob's gig, but he still has a mastery over so many styles of music. They went from cult figures to statium fillers which is a huge feat for any alternative act, especially pre-grunge.

Tricky 1994-1999: I know that's a short amount of time, but he put out 5 of the most insane, awe-inspiring albums in that period. He seems to have lost his way lately without Martina. I've always felt like the appeal to Tricky's music is 1/3 him, 1/3 her, and 1/3 the fantastically trippy soundscapes. On the last few albums, his vocals are fewer and the guests overpower things. I hope he finds his way again soon cuz he really used to kick my ass.

U2 1980-Now?: One of the few artists/bands that's been able to maintain that kind of success over such a long period.

PJ Harvey 1992-Now: Highly acclaimed work, major artistic shifts, great musicianship, great songwriting. The most powerful woman in rock.

Of course there is something to be said about artists that have a short, sweet run but totally dominate in that amount of time. Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, The Smiths, The Pixies all conquered the scene and changed music in their brief but legendary careers.

OutKast 1996-???
Mary J. Blige 1992-2001 (the last one kinda stunk)
Deee-Lite 1990-1994
Miles Davis 1949-1976
Joni Mitchell 1969-1979
Tori Amos 1992-Now
Depeche Mode 1984-1993
Beastie Boys 1989-Now
Eurythmics/Annie Lennox 1981-1992
Ramones 1976-1980

Kate Bush: 1978 - 1993. What Gangsta said for Bjork applies to Kate for me. Hopefully the new album will extend her run.

Michael Jackson: 1979 - 2001. I'll no doubt get critisism for saying so as people here love to knock him. But if it's all about the music (as it should be) then he hasn't made a dud album yet, imo. (BOTDF excluded as it's essentially a remix album.)

They're the only two artists of whom I can say I honestly like every album. Artists with five albums or less I have disqualified.

And nobody's mentioned The Beatles yet. From Rubber Soul in '65 through to Abbey Road in '69 they were unbeatable. One of the richest, most joyous and varied catalogues out there.

GangstaFam said:

I was just gonna mention her before I saw your post.
Well said, and I agree.

The Beatles 1962-1970
Led Zep 1969?-1975
Elvis Costello 1977-1982
The Kinks 1966-1971
Bruce Springsteen 1973?-1984
Sly Stone 1967-1973
Dylan 1962-1974 though there may have been a bad one or two in there.
Tom Waits 197?-?
Sex Pistols 1977

andyman91 said:

Are we allowed to include singles, too?

If we're talking commercial success then maybe the Bee Gees deserve a mention here. As a singles band they've had number one's around the world stretching from 1966 through to 2005. There aren't many artists who can claim that. All self written tunes as well. Plus there's all the other big hits that they wrote for other artists. As writers they've never really stopped having success.

Cloudbuster said:

No doubt about the Bee Gees' stellar commercial run, which would fit my flexible (but vague) definition.

R kelly 1995-?

tommysoul said:

Weeeeelllll I wouldn't say so, but make the argument!

namepeace said:

Aerosmith 1986-late 90s
Madonna 1984-2000
Mariah Carey 1990-1997
Radiohead 1997-2003
Prince 1982-1991
Babyface 1989-late 90s
[Edited 4/22/05 16:01pm]

I think you guys are misconstruing the term "artistic".

Cloudbuster said:

69-73 Complete Classics

78 - 82 ...Complete Classics my fav and the best

91-95 Dangerous and History is classic to me and shit all over bad

Brian Eno – 1972-79 as a member of Roxy Music, a producer of Bowie’s Berlin albums, a pioneer of ambient music and 3 ¾ perfect pop albums (I’m still not completely sold on Another Green World), he didn’t do much incorrectly in this period.

The Fall – 1982 – 1988. The Fall were great before this era and they continue to be great, if more erratic, but in this period they became something more than an excellent indie rock band with a rabid cult. They were a force of nature that steamrolled over everything in their path. Cranky, miserable and ugly music, and I mean that in the most complimentary way.

Joni Mitchell – 1970-76 Ladies of the Canyon through Hejira. I don’t quite wet myself over Hissing of Summer Lawns and Hejira the way some Joni fans do, but they’re certainly prime examples of an artist pushing herself into new frontiers while maintaining a (relatively) sturdy pop sense.
[Edited 4/22/05 18:41pm]

damosuzuki said:

I think Roxy Music is better post eno? U?

lilgish said:

Absolutely - the first two albums set the template, but they perfected their sound on the three albums that followed For Your Pleasure.

I included them because I do think they're excellent albums, but I do concede that they are pretty flawed, so I guess I would have to take Eno's Roxy Music era out of contention if you pressed me on it.

damosuzuki said:

I think Avalon is a classic to.

shit! nobody mentioned Frank Zappa? or is he mentionable?

namepeace said:

Well, first of all he's a fantastic songwriter. I can't think of any contemporary soulmusician who can compare with him in that aspect. Also I cannot think of a better album suite that
"R. Kelly", "R", "TP2.com", "Chocolate Factory" and "Happy peple/U Saved Me" in the last decade. His sound is copied by other artist over and over. In 20 years I think people will recognise his significance to soul music. As always with these types of lists it's easier to look backwards on artists who already have had their peak.

tommysoul said:

Well, I look at Beck and Me'Shell Ndegeocello during the same time period, and IMHO they each leave R standing still. But as contemporary R&B solo acts go, you'd be hard pressed to find a guy with the Midas touch like R. Kelly.

damosuzuki said:

Leave 'em in.

Whether they're perfect or not, it's pretty groundbreaking and mindblowing stuff.