These 4 albums are considered by a lot of fans to be among their best work, if not THE best. And they all came out in 2 consecutive calendar years.

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for me (in order)

1. Madonna - Ray of Light....frankly, it's the only album in her discography, which I really like as a whole (not just individual songs, as in all her other albums).
2. Whitney Houston - My Love Is Your Love....Whitney - the Voice. Even though I think most of her songs boring, I like to listen to her voice.
3. Mariah Carey - Butterfly....this album is a hit and a mess for me, although it has its moments.
4. Janet Jackson - Velvet Rope....just not а fan, never was and probably never will. I can not say that the album is bad, but definitely not my cup of tea.

Not a fan of any of these ladies but I'm gonna go with

2. Butterfly - It's alright except for 4 songs: 4th of July, Breakdown, Babydoll and The Beautiful Ones cover..Ugh!

3.Ray of Light & My Love Is Your Love (tie) - You know one of those albums when you listen to it for the first time you're like, "oh, this is kinda nice?" but then when it's over you're like "hmm I don't think I'd necessarily want to listen to this ever again." so you end up not buying the album.

Ray of Light is the one listened to the most. Really like walking at night listening to it, although "Shanti / Ashtangi" is one of the worst songs she's ever recorded.

Velvet Rope is the sentimental favorite. The arc of the album is great. Janet's last "classic" album.

Butterfly is when Mariah became interesting... well, to me at least. I like the melancholy feel of it. It's rarely listened to as a whole, however. Not to say any of the songs are bad (okay, the Prince cover isn't a shining moment), it's just difficult to pay attention to from beginning to end. Pacing.

My Love Is Your Love is hit-or-miss. All of the singles are fantastic, but some of the album tracks are lacking ("All In My Business"). Plus, it doesn't have the personal mark of the other three. Not bad, but the least listened to of the four.

I'd also add Impossible Princess to the list. It's not as popular, but fits into the mood of these albums.

This may seem a stupid way to rank albums but I'm going to do it by songs.

The Velvet Rope

Velvet Rope - 9

You - 10

Got Til It's Gone - 10

My Need - 10

Go Deep - 10

Free Xone - 9

Together Again - 10

Empty - 8

What About - 10

Everytime - 10

Tonight's The Night - 10

I Get Lonely - 10 BEST TRACK

Rope Burn - 10

Anything - 10

Special - 7

Can't Be Stopped - 8

Average: 9.44/10

Butterfly

Honey - 10

Butterfly - 10 BEST TRACK

My All - 10

The Roof - 10

Fourth of July - 7

Breakdown - 10

Babydoll - 9

Close My Eyes - 10

Whenever You Call - 10

Fly Away (Butterfly Reprise) - I'm just going to consider this a really long interlude, I always skip it.

The Beautiful Ones - 7

Outside - 9

Average: 9.27/10

My Love Is Your Love

It's Not Right, But It's Okay - 9

Heartbreak Hotel - 9

My Love is Your Love - 9

When You Believe - 9

If I Told You That - 10

In My Business - 9

I Learned from the Best - 10

Oh Yes - 10

Get It Back - 10

Until You Come Back - 8

I Bow Out - 10 BEST TRACK

You'll Never Stand Alone - 9

I Was Made to Love Him - 8

Average: 9.23/10

Ray of Light

Drowned World/Substitute for Love - 9

Swim -9

Ray of Light - 10

Candy Perfume Girl -9

Skin - 8

Nothing Really Matters - 10

Sky Fits Heaven - 10

Shanti/Ashtangi - 7

Frozen - 10 BEST TRACK

The Power of Goodbye - 10

To Have and Not To Hold - 10

Little Star -10

Mer Girl - 9

Average: 9.31/10

01. The Velvet Rope - 9.44

02. Ray of Light 9.31

03. Butterfly 9.27

04. My Love Is Your Love - 9.23

StarsareStars said:

I'd also add Impossible Princess to the list. It's not as popular, but fits into the mood of these albums.

True, but one thing these 4 have in common is that they were all big commercial successes, that was my logic take it or leave it. Plus a lot of Kylie fans hate it, I think it's pretty great though.

Hudson said:

StarsareStars said:

I'd also add Impossible Princess to the list. It's not as popular, but fits into the mood of these albums.

True, but one thing these 4 have in common is that they were all big commercial successes, that was my logic take it or leave it.

I feel you. IP was a flop.

Plus a lot of Kylie fans hate it, I think it's pretty great though.

It's one of her best albums.

Ray Of Light.

Never been a fan of the other three women.

1. Velvet Rope 4/5
2. Ray Of Light 3/5
3. My Love Is Your Love 2/5
4. Butterfly 2/5

I pick these Both were released in 1997:

MickyDolenz said:

I pick these Both were released in 1997:

Well shit then...

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CrabalockerFishwife said:

1. Velvet Rope 4/5
2. Ray Of Light 3/5
3. My Love Is Your Love 2/5
4. Butterfly 2/5

Wow, you're a strict and rigid!
Hudson, on the contrary very gentle and kind. To give each album more than 9 out of 10 - is too much!
I'm somewhere in between.
Ray of Light - 4.5/5
My Love Is Your Love - 4/5
Butterfly - 3.5/5
Velvet Rope - 3/5