GRAMMYS: A Subjective History of the Album of the Year Winners

[tps_title]1999 – 1990[/tps_title]

1999 — Lauryn Hill’s awesome all-time masterpiece beats decent disco Madonna, coffeehouse Sheryl Crow, excellent alternative-rock and commendable crossover country

Verdict: MOST SATISFYING CHOICE EVER SPOILED BY BLATANT SYMBOLIC PANDERING (OR, REMEMBER WHEN HALLE BERRY AND DENZEL WASHINGTON WON?)

1998 — Actual Bob Dylan comeback beats Babyface, Paula Cole, McCartney and OK Radiohead

Verdict: WHEE-OOH

1997 — Celine f*cking Dion beats Odelay, The Score, Despite All My Rage and the Waiting to Exhale soundtrack

Verdict: EVEN BILLY CORGAN WAS ROBBED

1996 — Alanis in the throes of her moment beats solid Mariah, interesting Michael, above-par Pearl Jam and a Joan Osborne record with at least one really terrific song on it

Verdict: UNUSUALLY SALIENT

1995 — Tony Bennett’s MTV Unplugged record beats Three Tenors in Concert, an Eric Clapton album, a late Bonnie Raitt album that isn’t Nick of Time or the one after, and Seal by Seal

Verdict: WHY DID THEY EVEN HOLD THIS CEREMONY

1994 – The Bodyguard soundtrack beats Kamakiriad (!), River of Dreams, Automatic for the People and Sting’s most well-regarded solo album unless you like the Blue Turtles one

Verdict: I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO TELL YOU, MAN

1993 — Clapton’s tragedy-capitalization deal beats k.d. lang, Annie Lennox, a really swell U2 record and the Beauty and the Beast soundtrack

Verdict: I REALLY HOPE ANGELA LANSBURY GAVE HIM SHIT THE ENTIRE AFTERPARTY

1992 — Natalie Cole’s fondly creepy dad capitalization deal beats Amy Grant (boof), Bonnie Raitt (nahh), Paul Simon (shub) and a really f*cking incredible R.E.M. album

Verdict: WRONG, BUT WHAT DID YOU EXPECT

1991 — Quincy’s delightful “street” effort beats Mariah #1, Collins gettin’ serious, MC Hammer threatening to hurt ’em to nobody’s concern and Wilson Phillips by Wilson Phillips

Verdict: THIS IS WHY NIRVANA HAPPENED

1990 — Bonnie’s comeback beats Don’s comeback, Tom’s comeback, Tom + veterans’ comeback and the Fine Young Cannibals

Verdict: AMBIGUOUSLY BOTHERSOME