Like 1984, 1990 saw several blockbusters choking movement — god knows what Soundscan would’ve wrought. I’ve said enough about Sinead O’Connor’s beloved second album, Michael Jackson’s most frenetic, U2’s sexiest (a first!), and R.E.M.’s attempt to seduce high school crowds with mandolins and harpsichords and Kate Pierson. Here are the ones I haven’t sucked dry:
To the Extreme: “Ice Ice Baby” is cute, as much fun as “Under Pressure” down to the extra bass “ding” that Ice claims he added. Most of this blockbuster is as stupid as a Gene Simmons song, but his attempt to write “I Need Love” deserves some kind of award.
Niggaz4Life: Theoretically I could accept songs about dick sucking if the woman consented; on the likes of “She Swallowed It” the point about consent is at best opaque, which might be the intention. Strong beats, average to above average rapping; with Ice Cube gone, the remaining members of NWA stew in their own fetid juices.
Natalie Cole – Unforgettable…with Love
Unforgettable…with Love: That’s why, daaaa-ling, it’s regrettable/that you cut/such a forgettable/standards album so illegible/too.
Slave to the Grind: “Monkey Business” — it works!
The Hague
Vanilla Ice – To the Extreme
Michael Bolton – Time, Love & Tenderness
N.W.A. – Niggaz4Life
Meh
Mariah Carey – Mariah Carey
Paula Abdul – Spellbound
MC Hammer – Please Hammer Don’t Hurt’Em
Natalie Cole – Unforgettable…with Love
Sound, Solid
Metallica – Metallica
Bonnie Raitt – Nick of Time
New Kids on the Block – Step by Step
Skid Row – Slave to the Grind
Good to Great
Sinead O’Connor – I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got
Michael Jackson – Dangerous
R.E.M. – Out of Time
U2 – Achtung Baby
Guns ‘N Roses – Use Your Illusion II
Garth Brooks – Ropin’ the Wind
Humanizing The Vacuum 
U2’s pinnacle.