This was the bestselling album of the 90's worldwide, although it sort of cheated for this accomplishment by being released twice in the latter half of the decade. The first time it was a traditional pop country effort, while the second was slightly modified as a more pop oriented album to transition the Canadian starlet into a more mainstream audience.
Peak position #1x20
Peak position #12 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
You're still the one #1 (AMR #1)
From this moment on #2 (AMR #4)
That don't impress me much #2 (AMR #2)
Man I feel like a woman #4 (AMR #5)
You've got a way #28
Don't be stupid #32
Although their previous album was a huge success here in Australia and in certain parts of the world, people were certain that the RCHP moment was over due to it failing to produce a hit single for them. Fortunately, now that John Frusciante had rejoined the band by this point, their next album was a huge success for them both by spawning hit singles and by having high album sales like their breakthrough.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Scar tissue #15 (AMR #15)
Around the world #49
Otherside #31
Califonication #44
This is the second and final album to come from Savage Garden, it was equally as successful here in Australia as their debut was even if it wasn't as successful internationally for the duo. Still the fact it was a massive worldwide success does leave you wondering why they went their separate ways once their world tour for the album came to an end, they've been vague about it but essentially it was to allow Darren to have a solo career.
Peak position #1x6
Hit singles
The animal song #3 (AMR #4)
I knew I loved you #4 (AMR #3)
Affirmation #16 (AMR #12)
Crash and burn #16 (AMR #15)
Chained to you #21 (AMR #18)
This was one of many albums that initially sat on shelves ignored due to a lack of promotion that the artist in question received from the mainstream this decade, however much like many others we've looked at on these lists, Matchbox 20 had their fortunes changed a year after this album first came out by having the singles receive heavy airplay around the world. This led to be band being one of the more successful throughout the following decade.
Peak position #1x6
Peak position #3 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Push #8 (AMR #7)
3am #31
Real world #40
There were many cast members on Neighbours who were able to successfully translate their success into a music career, however after Kylie Minogue I think Natalie Imbruglia was the most successful due to how popular she managed to be in America with this album. I feel this is due to her going down the Alanis Morissette route with this album by making an album about her raw emotions rather than the usual bubblegum pop that her costars settled with.
Peak position #1x3
Peak position #2 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Torn #2 (AMR #2)
Big mistake #6 (AMR #6)
Wishing I was there #24
Smoke #42
Well, it seemed inevitable that these guys would return to their loser personas they had from their album Smash earlier in the decade, sure Ixnay on the hombre was a commercial success but it didn't reach the highs they achieved with the likes of "Come out and play" and "Self esteem." Indeed, not only was this album their most successful, but it also spawned their biggest hits that still resonate with audiences to this day.
Peak position #1x5
Peak position #3 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Pretty fly #1 (AMR #1)
Why don't you get a job #2 (AMR #1)
Nowadays Moby is best known for that infamous diss that Eminem made towards him on "Without me," however back in the day, he was by far the most successful DJ to make it big worldwide with his breakthrough album from the end of the 90's. It took a while for this to take off for him, however he eventually found his audience by having most of the singles find their way into commercials.
Peak position #1x3
Hit singles
Why does my heart feel so bad #33
It had been twenty years since Santana last troubled the charts with any of their material, here they are back in the mainstream with the help of some of the biggest names in music at the time which helped them achieve one of the biggest albums not just in their catalogue but of all time with their collaborations. This comeback helped them become one of the bigger bands of the 00's as it wasn't a one-off fluke for them.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Smooth #4 (AMR #3)
Put your lights on #32
Maria Maria #49
This is another highly successful album from the decade that was declared as one of the most inessential albums to come out of the 90's by the A.V club, I'm guessing because they weren't fans of Ally McBeal back in the day and really didn't like the scenes where Vonda Shepard would perform these songs in the night club. Audiences obviously disagreed as this was by far the most successful album in that article.
Peak position #1x1
Peak position #10 (AMR charts)
There was a lot of hype going into Living end's debut album given how their double A-side that served as the advanced single was one of the biggest hits of the decade. The hype was effortlessly met when they released their album despite punk rock in general not being among the more popular genres in Australia over the years, it looked like these guys would be household names going into the new millennium and they likely would've been were it not for digital piracy ruining the music industry.
Peak position #1x2
Peak position #1x2 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Second solution #4 (AMR #3)
Prisoner of society #4 (AMR #3)
Save the day #22
All torn down #12 (AMR #14)
Fatboy slim was originally a member of Beats international who scored a massive hit at the start of the decade with "Dub be good to me," fast forward eight years and he has one of the biggest albums of the decade with this EDM classic. I was surprised that the songs weren't bigger here back in the day, although I guess the album itself more than makes up for their lack of chart presence here.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
The rockafella skank #32
Praise you #28
Right here right now #28
This was the debut album for Macy Grey, a vocalist who had been trying to make it in the industry for a decade before she finally did so with the lead single of this album. Regardless of what you think of her vocals (they annoy me personally) there's no denying that they are unique and helped her stand out from the countless other RNB singers of the moment, although this only worked out for this one album.
Peak position #1x8
Hit singles
I try #1 (AMR #1)
Still #21 (AMR #19)
Ahh Limp bizkit, there's so many things you can say about these guys and very few have been positive over the years. This wasn't their first album, but it was the album that made them a household name due to the lead single being surprisingly popular on Triple J around this time, I think it was due to how popular Korn was on the station given how both bands were from the nu metal genre.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Nookie #13 (AMR #15)
Re arranged #35
Break stuff #41
This was the first album that Ricky Martin released entirely in English, I'm guessing to cash in off the surprise success he had the previous year with his FIFA world cup performance that became a chart topper for him here in Australia. This greatly benefitted from the Latin craze as the lead single became a Billboard chart topper for him, although his popularity would dwindle going into the new millennium.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Living la vida loca #4 (AMR #3)
She's all I ever had #28
Shake your bon bon #27
This is where it all began for one of the more divisive pop stars of the new millennium, indeed Britney Spears isn't what you'd call a powerhouse vocalist despite her songs being pop classics for two decades at this point. That said there's a lot more love and respect for her in recent years than there was at the time as people would say some rather heinous things about her that I would rather not repeat on this site.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Baby one more time #1 (AMR #1)
Sometimes #2 (AMR #2)
Crazy #12 (AMR #7)
From the bottom of my broken heart #37
Nu metal was quickly becoming one of the most popular genres in the mainstream thanks to its popularity on the American music program TRL (Total request live for non-Americans reading this.) As a result, we have the third album from Korn which proved to be a huge worldwide success due to the campy antics of the band, indeed the music videos were among the flashiest of their time.
Peak position #1x1
Peak position #1x1 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Got the life #26
Freak on a leash #22
Although their previous album was a massive success for them, it was this album that made Powderfinger a household name thanks to how much love it received from Triple J upon its initial release. It received a massive boost in popularity this year when they went on a highly successful tour, thus setting them up as one of the most popular and endearing bands of the new millennium.
Peak position #1x1
Peak position #1x1 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
The day you come #25
Passenger #30
Although they achieved modest success with their previous album Dude ranch, it looked like that success wasn't going to repeat for Blink 182 given how this album initially struggled to make it big upon its initial release here in Australia. Fortunately, the runaway success of them lampooning TRL (Total request live for the uninitiated) allowed the album to find massive success from those who despised the music program.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
What's my age again #42
All the small things #8 (AMR #5)
Britpop was at the height of its popularity by the late 90's, so much so that there was little chance that this third album from the Verve was going to fail here even though the mediocre reception to Oasis's third album was beginning to poison the wells of the genre. Even though this was a massive success for the band, it would prove to be their last album for a decade due to legal disputes involving the lead single and its sample of a Rolling stones track.
Peak position #9
Peak position #8 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Bitter sweet symphony #11 (AMR #9)
The drugs don't work #22
Well, they billed this as a once in a lifetime event, so of course the Brothers Gibb would see massive success with this live album given how they gave such a great show that audiences wanted whatever they could help them remember the great time they had. Sadly, this was their final successful album during their time together as Maurice would tragically pass away in 2003.
Peak position #1x6
This was another successful album to come from Live in Australia, this time we have their second biggest album after Throwing copper which was able to pick up the lack of their previous album Secret samadhi just as the 90's were coming to an end. That said their popularity would slowly begin to dwindle as the 00's went on, not by a considerable margin but enough that it was noticeable.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
The dolphin's cry #25
Run to the water #34
This was the first volume of U2's most comprehensive greatest hits package, it was so comprehensive that they didn't release the second volume for another four years as they wanted to include their next album in the retrospective. In the meantime, we have their album looking over the success they had in the 80's complete with a song that only briefly charted in 1989 becoming a hit upon its release.
Peak position #1x5
Peak position #1x3 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
The sweetest thing #6 (AMR #2)
This is an album that had a very extended shelf life here in Australia as it was a hit upon its initial release due to it being the Corrs second album following the success they had with Forgiven not forgotten. It was given a second wind in the mainstream when they started finding success in their native UK with "Runaway" and their cover of "Dreams" which helped them score a best seller in Australia.
Peak position #3
Peak position #1x1 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Only when I sleep #34
I never loved you anyway #31
Dreams #47
Things were looking good for George Michael following the success of his album Older when news broke out that he was a queer man, I'm not sure why this was a big deal, but it was for some reason as his public image took a hit as a result of this revelation. In any case, he released this greatest hits package to test the waters to see if his fans cared about his sexual identity, it turns out they didn't because it was a huge success for him.
Peak position #2
Peak position #2 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Outside #13 (AMR #10)
As #45
Following the eventual success of her debut album, Jewel was able to find more immediate success with her follow up which was a continuation of her spiritual poetry that helped her win an audience both with her music and as a bookseller as she published a book of poetry that became a New York times best seller. Even with all of this success, Jewel's popularity would begin to decline going into the new millennium.
Peak position #5
Peak position #10 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Hands #25 (AMR #19)
One of the more popular teen dramas of the decade was Dawson's creek, although I don't think anyone was expecting its official soundtrack to be as successful as it was considering how the Beverly Hills 90210 soundtrack wasn't a huge success earlier in the decade. I guess audiences connected with the themes of the show better than that classic, although that show has retained a stronger fanbase over the years.
Peak position #1x6
Hit singles
Kiss me #1 (AMR #1)
Shimmer #39
I don't wanna wait #27
This was the third album to come from Silverchair, a band whose members were still teenagers by this stage and yet were among the most successful Australian bands of all time thanks to heavy endorsement from Triple J and other indie publications. Their popularity would continue to grow in the 00's, however the boys wouldn't be able to handle their fame very well which would result in a lot of personal turmoil.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Anthem for the year 2000 #3 (AMR #2)
Ana's song #14 (AMR #12)
Miss you love #17
Following the success of their second album, the Backstreet boys continued their dominance in the boy band wars with their third album which proved to be a huge success for them as the decade was coming to an end. Indeed, the theme of this album was that it would be the album of the future, hence why they called it Millennium as they feel this would stand the test of time for the next thousand years.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
I want it that way #2 (AMR #2)
Larger than life #3 (AMR #3)
Show me the meaning of being lonely #19 (AMR #16)
The one #41
Andrea Bocelli was a blind opera singer who was quite popular throughout Europe during the 90's prior to him releasing this greatest hits package in order to appeal to an English-speaking market, indeed it took a while for this album to make it big worldwide given how it was released in 1997 but only picked up speed a year after its initial release. When it did become a hit, he had no issues with his subsequent follow-ups.
Peak position #2
Peak position #2 (AMR charts)
Madonna has seen massive success throughout the decade with each of her albums, although I don't think she was expecting this album to be the biggest of the decade considering it was a return to form to her indie roots. She was clearly trying to appeal to the indie crowd which she succeeded with flying colours as this was not only a huge success for her but arguably her most critically acclaimed album in her catalogue.
Peak position #1x1
Peak position #1x1 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Frozen #5 (AMR #3)
Ray of light #6 (AMR #3)
Drowned world #16 (AMR #16)
The power of goodbye #33
Nothing really matters #19 (AMR #15)
These guys had really taken the world by storm when they released their debut album in the final year of the 90's, they copied the formula that made Aqua have the biggest EDM album of the decade and added an extra gimmick of having a bus that played their music as the coolest place on earth. Naturally this all combined for a highly successful album that I'm sure many kids back in the day loved.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
We like to party #2 (AMR #2)
Boom boom boom boom #2 (AMR #2)
We're going to Ibiza #26
Kiss #17 (AMR #13)
One of the quirkier films from the 90's was the British flick Notting hill, a film which sees Hugh Grant who plays a bookstore owner fall in love with Julia Roberts who plays a fictional version of a Hollywood actress (that isn't herself.) The film was a critical and commercial success due to the British charm is showcases, and the soundtrack was also a huge success due to it matching the tone of the film.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
When you say nothing at all #3 (AMR #2)
You've got a way #28
We haven't seen Cher on one of these lists for a while, have we? Well, here she is with the album which many argue introduced autotune into the music industry as the title track was the first hit to become as such with the tool. Thankfully the rest of the album doesn't have this gimmick, meaning that Cher only used the program as a feature to signal her comeback rather than to hide her perceived vocal deficiencies.
Peak position #13
Hit singles
Believe #1 (AMR #1)
Strong enough #11 (AMR #11)
Dove l'amoure #49
It had been a long while since Phil Collins troubled the charts here in Australia and an even longer while since he did so as a solo artist, however like many successful greatest hits packages this decade, he was able to find success with this album which I'm sure gave him great solace in knowing that his fans enjoyed his back catalogue from when he was scoring hit singles worldwide.
Peak position #2
Peak position #7 (AMR charts)
Hole is best known for their frontwoman Courtney Love and her relationship with her husband Kurt Cobain, I'm not going to repeat any of the conspiracies surrounding her on this site but suffice to say she's had a bad reputation in the music industry for several decades at this point. Here she scores her band's biggest album as they went in a more pop friendly direction compared to their earlier work.
Peak position #4
Peak position #2 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Celebrity skin #24
Malibu #11 (AMR #12)
Awful #44
This was all set the become a flop for Green day given how it didn't create much buzz for the trio despite coming off of two successful albums from earlier in the decade, however one of the songs on here was chosen to play over the series finale of Seinfeld which boosted the albums popularity almost a year after its initial release. It did them no favours in retaining a fanbase which resulted in their popularity dwindling in the 00's.
Peak position #3
Peak position #4 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Hitching a ride #26
Time of your life #2 (AMR #1)
Redundant #2 (AMR #1)
This was the debut album from the British boy band Five, I would've said these guys were a little late to the boy band wars that began in the first half of the decade with Take that and East 17 except that they were more firmly in the second round of those wars with Backstreet boys and N sync. They came in second place in Australia due to how many hit singles they managed to achieve here back in the day.
Also, for whatever reason, this was a massive hit according to ARIA but only a minor hit according to AMR, to give you an idea of how different the charts had become by this point in time.
Peak position #8
Peak position #18 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
When the lights go out #2 (AMR #3)
Everybody get up #5 (AMR #5)
Got the feeling #6 (AMR #8)
Until the time is through #8 (AMR #8)
From what I can gather, the Main event was a charity concert which had John Farnham, Olivia Newton John and opera singer Anthony Warlow putting on a show that was a massive success during the final months of 1998. As such the showrunners issued this live album which captures the best moments of the concert which became a huge success for the program.
Peak position #1x2
Peak position #3 (AMR charts)
This is the debut album from Taxiride, a boy band who played their own instruments much like that of Hanson before them and 5 Seconds of summer after them given how the majority of their fanbase was teenage girls who were also fans of boy bands who didn't play their own instruments. It was a massive success for the band due to a combination of their musical chops and their good looks.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Get set #8 (AMR #12)
Everywhere I go #15 (AMR #13)
Can you feel #35
Nothing in this world #43
I'm a bit surprised that the Chemical Brothers weren't that popular here in Australia back in the day, particularly because they were an EDM duo who were adored by listeners of Triple J which seemed to be a winning combination for a dance group from the 90's. At least they saw massive success here with this entry even if it took almost a year to find an audience with us Aussies.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Hey boy hey girl #25
This is another one of those greatest hits/studio album hybrids that was popular throughout the 90's, although it was released right when the decade was coming to an end making it more popular in the 00's. This was both the final chart-topping album of the 90's down under as well as the first for the 00's, suggesting that Celine Dion would have far more success going forward than she ended up having.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
That's the way it is #14 (AMR #11)
This was the third time that this greatest hits package became a success in Australia this decade, this time it was due to the success of the premiere of the Mamma Mia show on Broadway which completed the redemption arc of Abba's back catalogue and made it cool to like them again.
Peak position #2
Tom Jones had a massive comeback five years prior with his album the Lead and how to swing it, so naturally he was primed for another comeback with this album which is a covers album where he duets with some of the biggest names in music, much like Santana's album from earlier on this list. This didn't end up becoming a trend for artists who made it big in the twentieth century, but you'd think it would've.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Burning down the house #8 (AMR #8)
Sex bomb #35
This was only a modest success upon its initial release here in Australia, I guess this was because it felt too out of place with all of the teen pop that was making it big this year (this was certainly the case according to ARIA.) It was given a second chance here when one of the tracks became the theme to the Adam Sandler flick Big daddy which helped it become a worthy follow up to their self-titled debut.
Peak position #5
Peak position #4 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Push it #31
When I grow up #22
There was an episode of South Park which was a parody of Live aid that aired in the shows second season, the episode was such an instant success that the showrunners convinced Chef's voice actor Isaac Hayes to have his label release a soundtrack to the episode which contained his covers as well as a bunch of songs that appeared in the episode. The soundtrack was a success and likely inspired the theatrical film.
Peak position #1x1
Peak position #1x3 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Horny #13 (AMR #11)
Chocolate salty balls #14 (AMR #12)
Things were looking good for Human nature going into the new millennium, after all they were counting down the final months of the year with this album to see if they would indeed be one of the first new big starts of the 21st century. They were as although all of the album's success began and ended this and the previous year, their next album would spawn their biggest hit in the form of "He don't love you."
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Cruel #14 (AMR #13)
Last to know #14 (AMR #19)
Don't cry #5 (AMR #18)
Eternal flame #8 (AMR #10)
Be there for you #40
This was the second album from British boy band Five, it was released fairly late the 90's and find most of its success in the early 00's thanks to their cover of a Queen classic. It helped the British lads come in second place for the boy band wars behind Backstreet boys in most parts of the world, heck they even had one more album after they ended that achieved sound success.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
If ya getting down #2 (AMR #2)
Keep on moving #6 (AMR #8)
Don't wanna let you go #17 (AMR #16)
We will rock you #3 (AMR #3)
What better way to cap off the twentieth century and begin the 21st century than with an album collecting all of your biggest hits in your career? We have this greatest hits package that set Cher up for a four decade of success given how productive she was throughout the 90's with her singing and acting careers. Sadly, this would be her final success here even with a greatest hits album.
Peak position #5
The legends are true, Metallica did indeed once go on tour with a symphony orchestra which was so well received that they decided to release a live recording of the best parts of the tour which was an instant success just as the 90's had come to an end. It would lead to a very rocky decade which had its highs (Death magnetic) and its lows (St anger.)
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Nothing else matters #28
No leaf clover #41
It looked like these guys wouldn't have any success with their albums here in Australia, for the most part that's true but they did see massive success with this greatest hits album around the time it was announced they would be going their separate ways this year. They've reunited since but with only a fraction of the success they had throughout the 90's.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
When you say nothing at all #3 (AMR #2)
This was the debut single from B*witched, an Irish family group who briefly took the world by storm by combining teen pop with traditional Celtic music that won over a bunch of audiences back in the day. This formula only worked out for their debut album as their second album was such a failure that it flopped hard for them.
Also, for whatever reason, this was a massive hit according to ARIA but only a minor hit according to AMR, to give you an idea of how different the charts had become by this point in time.
Peak position #5
Peak position #24 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
C'est la vie #6 (AMR #6)
Rollercoaster #1 (AMR #5)
To you I belong #25
Blame it on the weatherman #48
Given how he was now one of the biggest artists in the music industry, it feels natural that this album from Andrea Bocelli would be a huge success for him worldwide. Indeed, he would continue to find massive success well into the new millennium, proving that there were plenty of fans of what many would consider to be music for soccer mums.
Peak position #3
This was originally a flop for Lauryn Hill due to hip hop not having much presence in Australia, however it saw a surge in popularity this year when it won the album of the year at the Grammys thus breaking through our prejudice against hip hop (and female hip hop at that.) Unfortunately, this was the last anyone would hear from Lauryn as her mental health would see a sharp decline in the new millennium.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Doo wop #8 (AMR #8)
Can't take my eyes off you #8 (AMR #8)
There were no signs of Korn's popularity slowing down going into the new decade as their final album from the 90's managed to become a massive hit as it was coming to an end. In fact, I'm surprised that their popularity died out this year considering how nu metal had taken over the mainstream, I guess fans had quickly discovered other offerings from the likes of Limp Bizkit and Linkin Park.
Peak position #1x1
While this didn't live up to the standards set up by her previous album Jagged little pill, this album from Alanis Morissette was a huge success regardless thanks to it retaining the anger she displayed on that album as well as her exploring other facets of her life that connected with audiences. She did have one more somewhat successful album in the new millennium, but by then Avril Lavigne had taken over as the Canadian voice of a generation.
Peak position #2
Peak position #2 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Thank u #15 (AMR #15)
Given how it spawned two of the bigger hits of the year, it only makes sense that this soundtrack to the second Austin Powers flick would be a success as the decade was coming to an end worldwide. The film is hilarious as it parodies the (almost equally as ridiculous) James Bond films, specifically the earlier films from Sean Connery and Roger Moore to hilarious effect.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Beautiful stranger #5 (AMR #3)
American woman #12 (AMR #13)
Well Mariah Carey did have a bunch of chart toppers on Billboard this decade (and likely would've had more if the chart format hadn't changed in America in 1991) so it seems fitting that she would release a greatest hits package themed around how many number one hits she had in her home country.
Peak position #6
Peak position #5 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
When you believe #13
Pokémon was such an inescapable phenomenon that the 4kids dub of the first film became a huge box office success despite it being panned by critics for its poor dubbing which changes the storyline of the original film (as a member of team Digimon, this brings me great joy until I remember that Digimon the movie exists.) The soundtrack at least was well received due to the catchy teen pop that can be found on it.
Peak position #9
Hit singles
Don't say you love me #4 (AMR #5)
While he never had much success here in Australia during his lifetime, this greatest hits package from 2pac nonetheless managed to become a huge success for him here proving that we Aussies wanted to atone for us ignoring his back catalogue this decade.
Peak position #11
Hit singles
Changes #7 (AMR #9)
I did mention that Regurgitator's second album was rereleased as a DVD, here's the DVD in question as it became a huge success for them this year due to the novelty of the technology taking over the world. It's hard to say how many other albums benefitted from this gimmick as ARIA inconveniently bundled these with the main albums as opposed to AMR which counted them separately from each other.
Peak position #7
Peak position #9 (AMR charts)
This was all set to be a modest success at best here in Australia upon its initial release, likely due to the novelty of a band who named themselves after a controversial prime minister wearing off as the 90's was coming to an end. It received a massive boost in popularity when fan favourite "Blow up the pokies" became a massive radio smash which helped it become a huge sleeper hit for the band.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Blow up the pokies #21
This had been an interesting decade for Wendy Matthews, she began as the lead singer of a supergroup before scoring two successful solo albums to her name before becoming yesterday's news by the midpoint of the 90's. Here she released a greatest hits package which became a success for her, this being the latest album of its kind to confirm that an artist's work is secured in the nostalgia circuit.
Peak position #4
It had been almost a decade since Dire straits released an album, however that didn't mean their legacy had died out as indeed this greatest hits album which came ten years after their previous album was a huge success for the band three years after they called it quits for good.
Peak position #4
Peak position #5 (AMR charts)
She had a surprise hit the previous year with "Pash," so it only makes sense that Kate Ceberano would close out the 90's with a greatest hits package to remind her fans of her back catalogue. It was a huge success for her, although it didn't do her career any favours going into the new millennium.
Peak position #9
Hit singles
I won't let you down #50
Well so much for the first Ally McBeal soundtrack being an inessential album, this came out around the time the A.V club declared it as such which goes to show just how wrong the publication was at suggesting the smoky jazz found on these albums wouldn't connect with a (then) modern audience even if this was far less successful than the previous entry.
Peak position #17
This will be the only appearance from Marilyn Manson on this side of my site, I guess we Aussies weren't that interested in the shock factor he offered up in his music as many will tell you (me included) that his music was rather standard when divorced from the context of his stage antics.
Peak position #1x1
Peak position #1x1 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
The dope show #20 (AMR #15)
I don't like the drugs #45
It looks like we Aussies wanted to have Jamiroquai be a one album wonder as this was seen as a massive disappointment compared to their previous effort, fortunately they would bounce back with their next album which would go on to be one of the biggest albums of the 00's down under.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Canned heat #20
One of the most popular films of the decade was the first Matrix film, it took the concept of Alice in wonderland and placed it in an internet setting which blew the minds of audiences back in the day. It's a bit dated now given how the internet has evolved, however it remains a favourite of audience to this day thanks to its creative concept as well as the soundtrack which was a huge success as well.
Peak position #5
This live album from Andrea Bocelli and Korean composer Myung Whun Chung managed to capture the hearts of many audiences worldwide upon its initial release to guarantee its placement on this site of mine. The blind opera singer (I should mention that to explain why he always has his eyes closed) continued to find success well into the new millennium worldwide.
Peak position #7
This was a huge flop upon its initial release the previous year, although thanks to the renewed interest in "Baby did a bad bad thing" due to its involvement with Eyes wide shut, this album became a success here in Australia for Chris Isaak. Unfortunately, there weren't any more gimmicks he could benefit from going into the 00's, meaning this is the last taste of success he achieved here.
Peak position #11
Although this wasn't his first album he released, this was the first album that found success for Ben Lee thanks to the lead single nearly being declared the best song of 1998 according to listeners of Triple J. This allowed the general public to check out where this track came from which allowed it to climb up the charts for the singer/songwriter this year.
Peak position #13
Hit singles
Cigarettes will kill you #46
There were no signs of Pearl jam slowing doing going into the new millennium given how this live album which took the best parts of their American tour from the previous year; indeed, this was so well received that the following year had them released a live album for all the shows they played on their European tour which were all well received.
Peak position #4
Peak position #3 (AMR charts)
Given how Faith no more called it quits the previous year due to their failure in their native America, they decided to release a greatest hits package which naturally became a huge success here in Australia where they were inescapable. They did eventually reform in 2010 where they've been more of a touring band, however they did release a new album in 2015 that sadly bombed.
Peak position #4
Peak position #4 (AMR charts)
This was the penultimate album to be released from Rage against the machine as they would break up this year once they released their final album to allow the members to form a side project with Chris Cornell of Soundgarden known as Audioslave, basically it was an album about the state of Los Angeles at the end of the 90's which many people found a lot of solace in given how righteous the band was on the album.
Peak position #2
This is the final album that Regurgitator had any success within their career, they had a pretty good run during the second half of the decade, however it appears audiences had grown tired of their antics going into the new millennium as they found no success throughout the 00's.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Happiness #44
Freshmint #44
Given how immensely popular South Park was on TV during the late 90's, the creators decided to release a theatrical film which was well received due to it being a musical that pokes fun at just about everything that wasn't taboo back then (needless to say, it couldn't be made nowadays.) The soundtrack was a decent success due to the success of the Chef aid soundtrack from earlier on this list.
Peak position #6
While he still didn't have that inescapable hit here in Australia that he had over in NZ, this album did debut quite high on our charts (possibly at number one had David Kent kept his charts going) and even recharted the following year due to it spawning a massive hit over in NZ with "Steal my kisses." This would lead to a highly successful live album in 2001 that finally pushed him in the mainstream here.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Forgiven #50
Although it remains polarising to this day due to some admittedly shaky storytelling and questionable acting (I still have a soft spot for it) the fact remains that the Phantom menace was a huge box office success thanks to it being the first Star Wars film in sixteen years as well as some very impressive effects for its time. It could also be due to how good the score was as the soundtrack was a huge success as well.
Peak position #8
It's a bit weird that J-lo was more of a singles artist given how celebrities with music careers usually do well with their albums here in Australia (Bette Midler being the most notable example.) Admittedly this did linger around for quite some time due to it rebounding on our charts whenever one of the singles were released, however it's not like it spent much time in the upper echelons on our charts.
Peak position #11
Hit singles
If you had my love #1 (AMR #1)
Waiting for tonight #4 (AMR #6)
Feeling so good #20
Let's get loud #9 (AMR #10)
It looked like these girls would only release two albums in their discography, however after overcoming their legal issues from the end of their last albums cycle, they were able to put together one final album to close out the 90's which contained some of their biggest and best work. It's accepted that their first album was Lisa's album, the second was T-boz's while this one had was Chilli's.
Peak position #15
Hit singles
No scrubs #1 (AMR #1)
Unpretty #3 (AMR #5)
Dear lie #35
This was the year where teen pop had officially exploded in the mainstream, so it makes sense that this debut album from Steps would be a huge success even if it mostly comes from its lead single being used as a P.E routine in Australian school's back in the day. This was their only successful album here as none of their other videos had quite a ridiculous dance routine for us Aussies to promote to our kids.
Also, for whatever reason, this was a massive hit according to ARIA but only a minor hit according to AMR, to give you an idea of how different the charts had become by this point in time.
Peak position #5
Peak position #11 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
5 6 7 8 #1 (AMR #2)
Last thing on my mind #5 (AMR #6)
One for sorrow #34
Heartbeat #10 (AMR #12)
This is Metallica's equivalent of MJ's HIStory from earlier in the decade in that it serves as a hybrid of a studio album and a greatest hits package, only the studio album was a covers album whilst the best of album was actually previously unreleased recordings from the early years of their career. Considering how well they were doing during the late 90's, it seems odd their popularity would dwindle in the 00's.
Peak position #2
Peak position #1x1 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Turn the page #11 (AMR #10)
Whiskey in the jar #14 (AMR #18)
I'm not sure why this album was such a commercial disappointment compared to their previous album as Ivy and the big apples was one of the biggest albums of the decade here in Australia, perhaps their fanbase was alienated by Janet English's side project Happyland who released an album the previous year that was a huge failure for her and her bandmate Quan.
Peak position #10
Hit singles
Shazam #46
You may recognise the name Tom Waits if you're a fan of movies such as Mystery men (which came out this year coincidentally) and Short cuts, however he was also a musician who finally scored a massive hit this year with this album (again likely due to Mystery men.) It turns out he saw plenty of critical acclaim which has translated over to the online music scene.
Peak position #13
It's a bit hard to believe that this album was a huge flop upon its initial release the previous year here in Australia, that is until you remember that the lead single was also the theme to City of angels which meant that it propelled the soundtrack's success over this album from the Goo goo dolls. It eventually won us Aussies over when "Slide" became a massive radio staple worldwide for the band.
Peak position #17
Hit singles
Iris #1
Slide #29
Dizzy #50
This was only a minor success the previous year here in Australia, mainly due to the lead single where Brandy collaborates with fellow RNB star Monica for the biggest hit their respective careers. It received a massive rebound this year down under thanks to the third single becoming a surprise hit for her likely due to how well it was received throughout the rest of the world for her.
Peak position #13
Peak position #8 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
The boy is mine #3 (AMR #2)
Top of the world #39
Have you ever #8 (AMR #8)
This was the second album to come from Jebediah, it was much less of a success compared to their first album (at least if we factor in AMR sales, although in this case it might've equalled its success had they still existed when it released.) Still, it managed quite a lengthy run on the lower half of our charts, likely because of heavy exposure from Triple J which was the case for many Australian alternative bands.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Animal #16 (AMR #16)
He may have been the American equivalent of James Blunt (right down to both men being high ranking officers in their respective armies) however Shawn Mullins was in the music industry for quite some time before he finally made it big with this album. He seemed pipped for great things going into the new millennium, but alas singer/songwriters had a hard time making it big in the 00's until James came around.
Peak position #11
Hit singles
Lullaby #5 (AMR #5)
Shimmer #39
These guys were among the most promoted bands on Triple J throughout their career, so it's a bit puzzling that they never saw much mainstream success throughout their career outside of this breakthrough of theirs. Admittedly they were a punk band which we've established on this site was a genre we Aussies never seemed to like outside of very rare outliers (Living end being an example.)
Peak position #11
Hit singles
You are not my friend #49
Wow is that an arrogant title for an album, although it appears to be a somewhat accurate title as Van was indeed back on top as far as his mainstream popularity was concerned. Unfortunately, it appears he was tempting fate with that title as his faded back into irrelevance going into the 21st century.
Peak position #13
This was all set to become a flop here like it was worldwide for Fuel upon its release the previous year, however it became a sleeper hit due to the surprise success of the title track as it was bundled up with "Shimmer" which allowed them to tear up our charts this year for the post grunge band. Naturally their luck ran out with their next album as that was a complete flop for them.
Peak position #16
Hit singles
Shimmer #16 (AMR #19)
Sunburn #16 (AMR #19)
This was the first of several live albums from vh1 which captures the highlights of a concert they put together, they brought together five of the biggest female pop stars of the twentieth century (well four from the 90's and one that was already a legend by this point) which explains its success around this time.
Peak position #12
Peak position #12 (AMR charts)
It looks like John Williamson was still hanging in there when it comes to mainstream relevancy going into the 21st century, although this would truly be the last time he troubled our charts as everything after this got pushed aside for newer talent in our country scene.
Peak position #10
What do you get when you have a setlist which comprises of Korn, Rammstein, Ice Cube, Limp Bizkit and Orgy? Well, you get a tour known as Family values where each of the nu metal artists (this was before Ice Cube became a successful actor in Hollywood) made headline news involving antics with each other on set. These antics was what allowed this live album to find an audience in certain parts of the world.
Peak position #8
Although they had yet to find mainstream success here in Australia like they had in their native America, the Dixie chicks did impress us with this entry as well as another we'll be looking at later on this list. Their true peak in popularity would come internationally when they shocked their fanbase by denouncing the American president George W Bush for his involvement with the Iraq war.
Peak position #16
Bet you weren't expecting to see an album from this guy on my site, were you? It appears that Weird al was able to find success with his albums rather than his singles from here on out as his fanbase appreciated each of the parodies as a cohesive album rather than individually like they did in the past.
Peak position #18
This was a huge flop upon its initial release the previous year, I'm guessing because audiences had moved onto Ben Harper as the (then) modern Jimi Hendrix of choice by this point in time. It received a huge rebound this year when "Fly away" became a surprise hit which convinced Lenny to reissue the album with his contributions to the Austin Powers soundtrack from earlier included on the track listing.
Peak position #17
Peak position #11 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Fly away #8 (AMR #6
American woman #14 (AMR #13)
This was another sleeper hit here in Australia thanks to how well the singles did on the radio, although it's worth noting that only the lead single managed to be a massive success for the duo despite how heavily the songs were flogged on our airwaves back then. The album received a boost in popularity when it was reissued with some additional tracks, one of which was another staple of the radio going into the 00's.
Peak position #20
Peak position #14 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Buses and trains #4 (AMR #3)
Treat me good #34
Lucky me #42
This was initially a huge flop for Placebo when it was released the previous year, however it received a huge surge in popularity this year due to "Every you every me" becoming a huge radio staple likely due to heavy promotion from Triple J which compelled us Aussies to check out the album it came from rather than making it a hit in its own right. It's times like this I wish I had access to airplay stats to verify how inescapable these songs were back in the day.
Peak position #14
Hit singles
Pure morning #49
Every you ever me #46
Cruel intentions is a "modern" remake of a book known as Dangerous liaisons, although it's more accurate to say it's a modern take on the 1988 film adaptation which led to it being compared unfavourably to that critical and commercial success. At least it had a popular soundtrack due to it serving somewhat as a compilation of some of the most recognisable songs of the late 90's.
Peak position #17
It makes sense this was only a minor success here in Australia given how much of a novelty the lead single was for German singer Lou Bega, in fact I genuinely would've been surprised if this was more or even less of a success back in the day as audiences would've checked it out no doubt but be disappointed with what else he had to offer outside his novelty hit.
Peak position #19
Hit singles
Mambo no 5 #1 (AMR #1)
I got a girt #31
Given how the lead single became a huge hit here in Australia (albeit months after it was a success in her native America) it makes sense that Faith Hill would see minor success with this album down under. Apparently, she was more of a traditional country artist earlier in the decade, however it makes sense she transitioned into a pop friendly direction given the success of Shania Twain around this time.
Peak position #20
Hit singles
This kiss #4 (AMR #4)
This was the first album from the Dixie Chicks (now simply known as the Chicks) to find success outside of their native America likely due to the rise in popularity that female centric country was having as the decade was coming to an end. Their popularity would skyrocket here in Australia with their next album, specifically due to the stance they took against the American president at the time.
Peak position #35
Given how this spawned to of the bigger hits of the year prior to its release, it makes sense that Smash mouth would see success with their second album here in Australia. Admittedly they were considered somewhat of a joke even this early in their career due to the second single being the theme of a goofy comedy, however their meme status would be confirmed when they appeared on the Shrek soundtrack twice.
Peak position #29
Hit singles
I can't get enough of you baby #14 (AMR #13)
All star #4 (AMR #5)
Air was a French band that saw minor success here in Australia due to them being picked up by Triple J around the time they released this album. They would've missed the cut on this list had I not challenged myself to fill it up with every album that potentially made ARIA's year end list were they to calculate it like David Kent did for the AMR charts.
Peak position #24
This was only a minor sleeper hit due to how inescapably popular the second single was here in Australia, it did rebound when they released their earlier entry on this list, however it definitely wouldn't have made this list had there been better competition this year.
Peak position #31
Hit singles
No matter what #5 (AMR #3)
This was released two years prior to deafening silence, in fact it only became a success this year here in Australia due to the success of the Family values tour which had these guys amongst the lineups. Admittedly the fact that a German industrial band who doesn't sing in English finding any sort of success here is an impressive feat even if I doubt German speakers listen to them for their lyrics.
Peak position #25
I'm a bit surprised Everlast didn't have much success with his solo career here in Australia given how overplayed his solo breakthrough single is to this day on radio stations, I guess he was seen as a bit of a novelty back in the day given how he was the former rapper from the hip hop group House of pain who had a hit with "Jump around" earlier in the decade.
Peak position #29
Hit singles
What it's like #26
It makes sense that Eric Clapton would release a greatest hits package this year given how he had capped off a highly successful decade in music, it continued the curse of a successful artist struggling to retain that success after releasing a greatest hits package that many artists seem to find themselves in.
Peak position #30
If you thought it was weird having Disney stars like Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera see massive success this year, wait till you read up on how Charlotte Church became a successful opera singer by the age of TWELVE. Obviously, the novelty of a pre-teen singing opera tunes was what got her debut album off the ground, however that novelty didn't translate to her later catalogue for obvious reasons.
Peak position #22
Although that's the end of the list, I do have a request for anyone who reads this outro as I'd be very interested in acquiring a year end list for this year that David Kent compiled (assuming said list even exists.) I know he continued to create weekly charts as recently as 2010 (I even have access to the singles charts) however I don't have access to album stats post 1998 and I'm naturally curious to see how well these albums did without ARIA's obvious bias towards music targeted at a younger audience.
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