Well, this was a surprise success for Sade, the last time they had troubled the charts was with their 1988 effort Stronger than pride which makes it five years since they were in the forefront of the mainstream worldwide. I feel this was a warmup for M People who would explode in popularity the following year with their debut album, if nothing else the original band who combined rock with RNB with a female lead singer did get some love in the 90's.
Peak position #13
Peak position #18 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
No ordinary love #21 (AMR #18)
(POPULAR IN 1993)
This is the only notable success that P.O.D (acronym for Playable on death) were able to achieve here in Australia, mainly because this was during the height of nu metal even though this was more of a sleeper hit here thanks to the popularity of its singles unlike their contemporaries such as Linkin park and Limp bizkit. I'm sure if the genre had more of a shelf life, they would've had further success with their later material.
Peak position #19
Hit singles
Alive #18
Youth of the nation #17
Boom #43
(POPULAR IN 2002)
The Hannah Montana phenomenon was so inescapable during the second half of the decade that Miley Cyrus was able to launch her career in the real world by bundling her debut album with her character's second album which found success from her fanbase worldwide. This wasn't too much the case here in Australia given how this was far more of a sleeper hit for her here than it being an immediate success like it was worldwide.
Peak position #20
Hit singles
See you again #6
(POPULAR IN 2007, 2008)
This was originally released to deafening silence here in Australia two years prior, I guess we Aussies really weren't interested in these guys until they tore up the UK charts with their earlier entry on this list as this did chart in the lower regions here when that came out. Eventually this racked up enough points in the lower half of the charts to make an appearance on here solely through curiosity from fans of their (then) latest work.
Peak position #23
Peak position #24 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Whatever #40
(POPULAR IN 1996)
This remains the biggest album in Barbra Streisand's career in Australia, presumably due to the involvement of the Brothers Gibb throughout its production (Barry even appears on the cover art with her.) This is her only successful album to not be affiliated with her acting career in any way as the rest of her discography consists of soundtrack from her films as well as her covering songs from Broadway productions.
Peak position #1x6
Hit singles
Woman in love #1
Guilty #37
(POPULAR IN 1980, 1981)
For nearly thirty years, this was the final album that the Eagles released in their catalogue, although I doubt they were planning for this to be their final album given what was in store for them during its promotion. They were supposed to give a concert in their native California to with a government official in the audience, and yet the behind-the-scenes drama got so out of control that they ended up embarrassing themselves during the show.
Peak position #1x3
Hit singles
Heartache tonight #13
(POPULAR IN 1979, 1980)
There was a lot of hype going into the debut album for Kylie Minogue, that hype was effortlessly met when she released it as it became a huge success for her even with it already having three chart toppers here in Australia. It was an even bigger hit in NZ and the UK, likely due to the singles not being as big in the former and her popularity on Neighbours with the latter.
Peak position #2
Peak position #2 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
The locomotion #1
I should be so lucky #1
Got to be certain #1 (ARIA #1)
I still love you #12 (ARIA #11)
(POPULAR IN 1988)
Il Divo was another group that didn't show signs of slowing down during the midpoint of the decade as they released their second album to massive success, indeed they went on to have uninterrupted success for the remainder of the decade even if each album they released proved to be less successful than the last.
Peak position #1x3
(POPULAR IN 2005, 2006)
This seemed to come out of nowhere for the Canadian band as while "Taking care of business" from their previous album has since become a staple on oldies stations, it wasn't a big deal back in the day outside of their native Canada. I'm guessing this was a success for them in Australia due to us Aussies connecting with them on their big hit from this album and wanting to root for them to make it big.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
You ain't seen nothing yet #4
(POPULAR IN 1975)
This was the only successful album to come from Huey Lewis and the News in Australia, although they were a much bigger deal in their native America throughout the decade which perhaps suggests their lack of international success was more due to bad marketing than anything else. Indeed, they only scored one hit from this album despite having two Billboard chart toppers from it.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Stuck with you #2
Hip to be square #17
Jacob's ladder #48
(POPULAR IN 1986, 1987)
Well, here we are with one of the more contemptuous artists to make it big over the years, admittedly I feel that this guy has received too much hate over the years and his only real crime in the music industry is how many songs by musicians of colour he's covered to poor results. That would come later in his career as for now we have an album that finally made him a household name with his own music.
Peak position #1x3
Peak position #1x1 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
How am I supposed to live without you #2 (AMR #2)
How can we be lovers #3 (AMR #3)
(POPULAR IN 1990)
His debut album had a bit of a climb to its success due to him initially being dismissed as a Bryan Adams knockoff, however it did eventually find an audience here through the strength of its singles. Here Richard Marx had no such barrier as this was able to become a huge success upon its initial release once again due to how big the singles were throughout the world.
Peak position #1x3
Peak position #1x7 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Satisfied #18 (ARIA #20)
Right here waiting #1 (ARIA #1)
Angelia #37
(POPULAR IN 1989)
It looked like that these two would find more success with each album they released, after all this was more successful than their previous album and their next two albums would be bigger than the rest of their catalogue combined respectively. They weren't able to score a big hit here in Australia off this album which is strange because the third single is one of their more well-known hits.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Who's that girl #20
Right by your side #15
Here comes the rain again #16
(POPULAR IN 1984)
Although this French band did have success throughout Europe throughout the decade, it wasn't until the lead single from this album became a surprise hit in English speaking countries that they were able to find an audience here in Australia. For some reason, I thought these guys were Mexican, I guess that's me revealing my ignorance towards European culture.
Peak position #1x2
Peak position #2 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Bamboleo #18 (ARIA #19)
(POPULAR IN 1989)
This is the final successful album that Celine Dion had in her career, mainly because it came out right before her infamous performance in Vegas with Anastacia where the two women butchered "You shook me all night long" by AC/DC which earned them both the rath of their rapid fanbase. That would explain why despite the album being a success, it failed to spawn her a hit single.
Peak position #1x5
Hit singles
A new day has come #19
I'm alive #30
(POPULAR IN 2002)
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)
(POPULAR IN 1998, 1999)
They may have lost out to Coldplay as the British band of the 00's, however Travis was primed to claim that prize entering the decade when their second album became a huge success worldwide thanks to having similar qualities that their English counterpart would have with their own material later in the decade. If nothing else, the Scottish band did make a huge splash here in Australia with this effort.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
Why does it always rain on me #11
(POPULAR IN 2000)
This was an album that likely would've not even been released here in Australia were it not for Ricky's involvement with the FIFA world cup this year, after all this was released entirely in Spanish save for the big hit he performed at the games which was included as a bonus track when it was released here. No doubt this led to him recording his next album mostly in English which took the world by storm the following year.
Peak position #2
Peak position #2 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Maria #1 (AMR #1)
The cup of life #1 (AMR #1)
La bomba #27
(POPULAR IN 1998)
There were a lot of successful disco albums this decade, one of the more prominent ones comes from this trio of women (who weren't actually a family) based on the success of their one and only hit they scored throughout the world. While they never saw the success of the likes of Donna Summer or Gloria Gaynor, they did leave their impact on the disco scene as their big hit continues to light up dance floors to this day.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
The best disco in town #3
(POPULAR IN 1976, 1977)
This was the second solo album to come from Ronan Keating, it was a massive success like his first album, although not nearly as much due to it not having a deluxe edition spawning a surprise hit for him. It would be his final successful album as a pop star as he would reinvent himself as a crooner later in the decade which vastly limited his fanbase without necessarily earning a new fanbase from the likes of Michael Bublé.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
If tomorrow never comes #3
I love it when we do #32
We've got tonight #12
The long goodbye #49
(POPULAR IN 2002)
They had moderate success earlier in the decade with their debut album here in Australia, however I doubt fans were expecting the second album from the Scissor sisters to be a huge success here even if the lead single was a runaway hit for the band around the time of its release. Of course, it turned out that the song was more popular than the album it came from given how it was one of the biggest of the decade.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
I don't feel like dancing #1
She's my man #39
(POPULAR IN 2006)
This is the final album that George Michael released in his lifetime, I'm not sure why as though it wasn't a huge success for him, it was still quite popular which was something many of his contemporaries from the 80's and even 90's were struggling with at the time in their respective careers. Even though this was his final album, that didn't mean he stopped making music altogether as he did release singles over the years.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Freeek #5
Shoot the dog #36
Amazing #6
Flawless #26
(POPULAR IN 2004)
EDM might have been the genre of choice in Australia when it came to our singles chart, however it wasn't the case for the albums given how few EDM albums we've looked at so far on these lists of mine. One of the notable exceptions came from the Real McCoy who scored a massive hit with their album due to how many singles came from it, indeed they were the most successful EDM act of the decade until Aqua came along.
Peak position #6
Peak position #6 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Another night #1 (AMR #1)
Run away #4 (AMR #2)
Love and devotion #7 (AMR #4)
Come and get your love #18 (AMR #16)
Automatic lover #18 (AMR #10)
(POPULAR IN 1995)
Del Amitri were a pop rock band from Scotland who managed to score a massive breakthrough with this album in Australia this year, I'm not sure how as it didn't spawn any hits here or anywhere in the world, but it was a success regardless. They would be a one album wonder despite releasing new music throughout the decade, perhaps this was a band that was promoted by Triple J before they had mainstream success.
Peak position #8
Peak position #9 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Kiss thing thing goodbye #28
Nothing ever happens #46
Stone cold sober #50
(POPULAR IN 1990)
America had a great run in their career by this point in time, so it makes sense that the band best known for lines such as "there were plants and birds and rocks and things" and "cause there ain't no one for to give you no pain" would have massive success with their greatest hits package given how they were known for so much more than their novelty track "A horse with no name" back then.
Peak position #11
Hit singles
Lonely people #43
(POPULAR IN 1976)
This was the second album to be released from Men at work, this is despite the fact that their earlier entry was still making waves around the world due to it being so successful here and in NZ. I think it was because of their earlier entry that this album didn't do as well as the band had hoped, it was a huge success thanks to their quirkiness still being infectious, but it definitely could've done better.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
Dr heckyl and Mr jive #6
Overkill #5
It's a mistake #34
(POPULAR IN 1983)
There was so much hype going into this album given how the second advanced single wound up being the most successful song of the decade in Australia, heck even their previous album managed to find success during the height of that song's popularity here. Fortunately for these guys, the hype was met as they were able to achieve massive success from this album both from the mainstream and the alternative scene.
Peak position #1x1
Peak position #1x2 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Firestarter #22
Breathe #2 (AMR #3)
Smack my bitch up #41
(POPULAR IN 1997)
New age was at the peak of its popularity throughout the 90's thanks to the efforts of Enya and these guys, it's little wonder this managed to find overwhelming success given how unlike Enya, they were able to find success with their singles from each of their albums. Unfortunately, the tides turned against them when they were sued by the original composers of the lead single which ended their good will with the new age community.
Peak position #2
Peak position #2 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Return to innocence #16 (AMR #17)
(POPULAR IN 1994)
This was the sequel to David Bowie's previous greatest hits album Changesonebowie, naturally he had a ton of success since that albums release in 1976 so of course this would be a success upon its release this year.
Peak position #6
Peak position #8 (AMR charts)
(POPULAR IN 1990)
Although he wasn't among the biggest singers of the decade, Davis Essex did achieve a string of hits during the midpoint of the decade which would explain why the album with his biggest hit became a massive success for him here in Australia. Even so he did struggle to find success after this album down under, although his popularity did return on occasion over the years in his native UK.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Rolling stone #19
Hold me close #2
(POPULAR IN 1976)
While this wasn't the inescapable hit that his debut album was from two years prior, this sophomore album from 50 cent proved to be enough of a hit worldwide that he felt comfortable releasing his own biopic similar to Eminem's 8 mile from earlier in the decade. The biopic was poorly received mainly due to it being a carbon copy of the original film but with worse acting and a more cliche plot.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Candy shop #3
Just a lil bit #13
Outta control #16
(POPULAR IN 2005)
I'm not sure why Alicia Key's second album bombed in the southern hemisphere given how popular a bootleg recording of "Karma" was here in Australia (imaginatively titled "Karmastition" as it's the song with the beat to "Superstition" by Stevie Wonder) whatever the reason, it wasn't the case for her third album which seemed to pick up where she left off from earlier in the decade with her debut.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
No one #3
(POPULAR IN 2007, 2008)
This is the first album from the White stripes to find massive success here in Australia, it was mainly due to the lead single which to this day remains a staple on oldies stations thanks to how instantly memorable it is. It was also due to its heavy promotion on Triple J which was gaining more influence on what became a mainstream success from the alternative scene not just in Australia but around the world.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
7 nation army #17
(POPULAR IN 2003)
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)
(POPULAR IN 1998, 1999)
Harry Connick Jr was always a crooner in the music industry; however, his career received a massive boost when he appeared in the film Little man Tate which compelled audiences to check out his music catalogue with this greatest hits package he had conveniently released around the time the movie came out. It was a slow rise to success here in Australia, however we were eventually won over.
Peak position #4
Peak position #5 (AMR charts)
(POPULAR IN 1991, 1992)
They were described as the 90's equivalent of Abba, even though that was truer of their later material as this first album from Ace of base was more in line with the reggae trends of the day rather than the Europop that made their 70's equivalent a household name. They were a surprise success in America, so much so that this was given an American edition over there which was what was popular on Billboard.
Peak position #9
Peak position #10 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
All that she wants #1 (AMR #1)
The sign #1 (AMR #1)
Don't turn around #19 (AMR #20)
(POPULAR IN 1994)
This was the debut album for one Alex Lloyd, an Australian indie folk singer/songwriter who initially struggled to find success with this entry the previous year likely due to it being pushed aside for a bunch of what I like to call "last hurrah" releases from the big names of the 90's. It finally rose up the ranks this year likely due to Triple J placing the singles on their yearend list for 1999 to belatedly promote the album.
Peak position #9
Hit singles
My way home #50
(POPULAR IN 2000)
Even though he didn't reach the dizzying heights of success here in Australia that he achieved in his native America, Kanye west was able to make a huge splash with his second album thanks to the lead single and its throwback production to that of Ray Charles (especially with the presence of Jamie Foxx.) The album received a boost in popularity when another song became a minor success here, confirming his popularity.
Peak position #14
Hit singles
Gold digger #1
Heard em say #27
Touch the sky #10
(POPULAR IN 2005, 2006)
This was the first of three collaborative albums between husband-and-wife duo Shane Nicholson and Kasey Chambers, the latter of which was already one of the biggest names in Australian music whilst the former was a mere critical darling prior to the release of this album. It was a massive success thanks to her artist momentum as well as it being a good year for a bluegrass album like this to do well in.
Peak position #1x1
(POPULAR IN 2008)
I'm a bit surprised at how little success Paul Kelly had in the mainstream back in the day, he was always a critical darling and even was a regular on Countdown when he released this album which up until very recently was his most successful (we're obviously not counting his 1997 greatest hits package.) I guess this got pushed aside back in the day in favour of all the earlier entries on this list.
Peak position #15
Hit singles
Before too long #15
Darling it hurts #25
(POPULAR IN 1986, 1987)
It's strange that this album underperformed here in Australia back in the day considering how iconic the second single remains on our oldies stations to this day, then again there will be plenty of albums on these lists that you'd swear were inescapable in their day but were in fact sleeper hits at best here. Even so, we Aussies clearly had enough love for his brand of heartland rock to make this a success to some degree.
Peak position #15
Hit singles
Refugee #24
(POPULAR IN 1980)
Given the success that these guys had with their second entry on this list, their debut album was finally able to find massive success here in Australia given how it failed to spawn them a hit down under despite the lead single being one of their more iconic in their catalogue. In a way, they had the same start to the 80's as the Jacksons did given how this was also released two years prior and how it became popular here,
Peak position #15
Hit singles
Roxanne #34
(POPULAR IN 1980)
It looked like Britney won the first round of the Disney pop diva wars as this debut from Christina Aguilera was only a sleeper hit here in Australia despite it spawning multiple hit singles from the album. She would of course go on to have massive success as the decade went on with her albums in addition to her singles becoming more personal and more well beloved than the one's found on here.
Peak position #21
Hit singles
Genie in a bottle #2
What a girl wants #5
I turn to you #40
Come on over baby #9
(POPULAR IN 2000)
This is the earliest success that Joan Armatrading had here in Australia, like I said for her 80's material, she didn't really take off here until the start of that decade as she was likely pushed aside in the 70's for the likes of those who were regulars on Countdown. Heck she even appeared on Countdown during the height of her popularity here, which likely explains the success of those albums.
Peak position #18
(POPULAR IN 1978)
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)
(POPULAR IN 1999)
This is the first of a small number of albums to come from the French pianist Richard Clayderman, he was quite popular here throughout the decade due to the rise in popularity of classical music, although he nowhere near as big as he was throughout the rest of the world.
Peak position #12
(POPULAR IN 1981)
Another year, another highly successful album from an artist that with a few notable exceptions, I never particularly cared for his music. There doesn't even seem to be any surprises on this track as this is what you would expect from a Rod Stewart album released this decade.
Peak position #1x9
Hit singles
You're in my heart #1
Hot legs #42
(POPULAR IN 1977, 1978)
Well at least this album saw Rod Stewart experimenting with his sound for a change, even if it was to allow him to get on board with the disco scene that was taking the world by storm upon its initial release. This would be the last mega successful album in his catalogue until his 1991 effort Vagabond heart, meaning the 80's was an off period for the crooner.
Peak position #1x6
Hit singles
Do ya think I'm sexy #1
Ain't love a bitch #44
(POPULAR IN 1979)
Following the staggering success of their debut album, Crowded house went back to the studio to capitalise off their newfound international success which resulted in this album that while a success in Australia and NZ, didn't find much of an audience internationally. They did find more luck with their next album Woodface as that managed to become a huge success in the UK in addition to the southern hemisphere.
Peak position #1x2
Peak position #1x1 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Better be home soon #2 (ARIA #2)
When you come #28
(POPULAR IN 1988)
This is a bit of an outlier for Midnight oil's discography as they made the strange decision to not release any singles from this album, I'm guessing to ensure that it would be a success without any hindrance from audiences wanting to buy the singles instead. If you couldn't tell from the cover art, their topic of the day was environmentalism which even back then was of major concern in the mainstream media.
Peak position #1x4
(POPULAR IN 1984, 1985)
I'm a bit surprised that Stealers wheel didn't see much success back in the day considering how often you hear "Stuck in the middle with you" on the radio, I guess this solo album from Gerry Rafferty becoming a huge success was meant to be a consolation prize the world gave him for sleeping on his band earlier in the decade. Admittedly it's hard to imagine a world where the lead single would fail given how iconic that sax solo has become.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Baker street #1
(POPULAR IN 1978)
I haven't seen the biopic for Ritchie Valens (nor do I plan on doing so if I'm being honest) however it was a huge critical and commercial success largely thanks to the music which was largely performed by Los lobos who scored a big hit from this album with the title track.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
La bamba #1
Come on let's go #22
(POPULAR IN 1987, 1988)
It looked like the magic was beginning to wear off on these guys as this proved to be less of a success than their previous album Tusk despite it being a return to form with their sound, I guess the success of Stevie Nick's solo album somewhat discouraged people from checking out what fresh drama the band had to offer on here. Fortunately for the band, they recovered later in the decade with Tango in the night which was filled with drama, thus making this albums lack of success that much more puzzling.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Hold me #12
Gypsy #17
(POPULAR IN 1982)
There looked like there was no signs of Marcia's career slowing down as she released her sophomore album one year after her debut, the album was equally as successful as its predecessor thanks to Marcia's vocals standing out from her obvious influence Diana Ross who was still MIA on the charts in Australia. Her third album wasn't as successful overall, however it made up for that by spawning not one but two of her biggest hits.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
I just don't know what to do with myself #6
Your love broke through #38
(POPULAR IN 1976, 1977)
This was the second album to come from Boyz II men, an album that had no issues with finding success here now that they had two of the biggest hits of the decade under their belt. While they wouldn't find any further success with their albums throughout the decade, they didn't need to as their ballads would continue to become chart toppers for them in their native America throughout the 90's.
Peak position #4
Peak position #4 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
I'll make love to you #1 (AMR #1)
On bended knee #7 (AMR #5)
Thank you #33
Water runs dry #36
(POPULAR IN 1994, 1995)
It's as if no time had passed between this album and its predecessor despite the fact that it had been over fifteen years since the first installment of this franchise from both men involved. Here we have an album that technically came out twelve years prior when Jim Steinman released his one and only album Bad for good which contains a few tracks on here as well as several tracks that were meant for this album, needless to say Meat loaf does these tracks better than he ever could.
Peak position #1x4
Peak position #1x3 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
I'd do anything for love #1 (AMR #1)
Rock and roll dreams come through #18 (AMR #20)
(POPULAR IN 1993, 1994)
It had been almost an entire decade since we last heard from these guys, admittedly one of their members did tragically pass away in the time they were absent from our mainstream so it's not like they were too interested in being household names throughout the 80's. They closed out the decade with this comeback album which seemed to pick up their momentum where it left off with their 1980 effort Planet Claire.
Peak position #1x3
Peak position #1x3 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Love shack #1 (AMR #1)
Roam #11 (AMR #15)
(POPULAR IN 1990)
One of the most infamous films to be made, Xanadu at least has the redeeming factor of having some of the best music to come from its star Olivia Newton John and ELO which allowed the soundtrack to be a huge success upon its initial release. A common misconception is that the film was a box office flop, while it underperformed, it was a huge success likely due to the music and its co star Gene Kelly.
Peak position #1x6
Hit singles
Magic #4
I'm alive #27
Xanadu #2
Suddenly #37
(POPULAR IN 1980)
These guys were on top of the world when they released this greatest hits album, although it's worth noting that while they had hit after hit on the Australian charts, their albums weren't quite as successful. I'm not sure why as other glam rock acts such as Slade and Suzi Quatro were able to ride the balance between their singles and albums in the mainstream.
Peak position #2
(POPULAR IN 1975)
One of the better rom coms of the decade was My best friend's wedding, a film about how Julia Roberts realises that she's in love with her best friend and tries to win him over his fiancé who's played by Cameron Diaz (I swear it's better than I'm making it out to be.) The film spawned a successful soundtrack due to its lead single being a cover of one of the most romantic songs of the 60's.
Peak position #1x4
Peak position #2 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
I say a little prayer #6 (AMR #4)
(POPULAR IN 1997, 1998)
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)
(POPULAR IN 1999, 2000)
There was a lot of hype going into this concert given hot it was the official reunion for Simon and Garfunkel, needless to say these expectations were met effortlessly as the duo gave such a compelling show that audiences welcomed them back with open arms. There was talk of the two making new music together following the success of the show, however they remembered why they disliked each other and went their separate ways again.
Peak position #5
(POPULAR IN 1982, 1983)
This was one of several albums to sit on shelves largely ignored until the digital charts finally came around to restore rock's popularity in the mainstream, that was certainly the case for its lead single which only became a hit this year in Australia despite it already being a massive hit the previous year worldwide. This would lead the band to be a one album wonder as their second album flopped the following year.
Peak position #1x3
Hit singles
Lips of an angel #1
Better than me #11
(POPULAR IN 2007)
Santana were indeed one of the bigger bands of the decade in Australia when it came to their albums, true they weren't able to have much success with their singles like the Eagles or Led Zeppelin, but it was clear that audiences had fallen in love with their music regardless. This was the penultimate album in their catalogue to be a huge success before they became yesterday's news for over two decades.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
She's not there #19
(POPULAR IN 1978)
Well, he may have had only one hit to his name by this point in time in Australia, however that didn't prevent this greatest hits package from becoming a huge success for the soul legend and right around Countdown was launching to boot. He did score a massive hit with his next album which proves that while he wasn't that popular on the singles chart here, he at least managed to connect with audience down under.
Peak position #6
(POPULAR IN 1975)
This was the last album that Bette Midler had any success with throughout her career, although she would release a greatest hits package later in the decade to bookmark her music career so that she could focus on her acting career again. The album is infamous for its lead single which while a pretty ballad on the surface, has some rather disturbing undertones when it comes to religion in response to Madonna's Like a prayer album.
Peak position #7
Peak position #8 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
From a distance #8 (AMR #8)
(POPULAR IN 1991)
Much like Bob Seger, Boz Scaggs also seemed set in having a success decade as he entered it with a highly successful album in his catalogue. Unfortunately, he too was also unable to adapt to the MTV era which resulted in him being seen as yesterday's news soon after the album left the charts.
Peak position #11
(POPULAR IN 1980)
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
(POPULAR IN 1999, 2000)
While the album itself wasn't a big success for Marcia Hines, the fact that it spawned two of her biggest hits of the decade more than made up for its comparatively mediocre success from her previous two albums. That said it was still plenty successful hence why it's on this list, and hey it's still five times as more success than anything Diana Ross was putting out around this time.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
What I did for love #6
You #2
(POPULAR IN 1977)
This was another successful greatest hits package from John Farnham, in fact it only came six years after his previous entry in his catalogue which goes to show you how much we Aussies loved his back catalogue even by this point in time.
Peak position #2
(POPULAR IN 2003, 2004)
KD Lang was on a roll by this point of her career as she managed to score yet another successful album that connected with her audience, she really did carry the torch for LGBT singer/songwriters this decade as her ballads connected with women who felt they weren't fitting into the conventions of the day.
Peak position #3
Peak position #4 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
If I were you #23
(POPULAR IN 1995, 1996)
Their self-titled debut album was a massive flop in Australia, this is despite the fact it was one of the biggest albums of the decade in NZ proving there was an audience for them upon their initial breakthrough. Indeed, it's likely due to this audience over there that their second album was a huge success here, even managing to spawn a hit single here that they lacked over there.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
Let's go #6
(POPULAR IN 1979)
This was far less successful than the first volume from the end of the 00's for Glee here in Australia, I guess it didn't have a genuine hit like that album did which had it suffer in the rankings back in the day.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
True colours #47
(POPULAR IN 2009)
These guys already had massive success at the start of the decade when their self-titled album became a huge crossover success for the NZ band, so the fact that they scored a massive hit with their final album was a bit of a surprise for a couple of reasons. The first was that they only released one album between these two albums and the second is that they gave up once this album became a massive success for them.
Peak position #10
Hit singles
Slipping away #2
(POPULAR IN 1976)
Well, it looks like we're looking at Faith Hill's breakthrough album sooner than I thought, here she is with the album that contains her biggest hit on Billboard given how it was the first song to be crowned the most popular of its year despite failing to reach number one on the American charts. It appears she took a page out of Shania Twain's book by combining her sexual appeal with traditional country music on this album.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
Breathe #23
The way you love me #31
(POPULAR IN 2001)
For whatever reason, the title track to this greatest hits album became a huge success worldwide despite it coming from an album from 1989 for Chris Isaak. I want to say it was due to his resemblance of Roy Orbison, except that Roy had died only a few months prior to when the song was released. In any case, this helped audiences discover his back catalogue so that he could be a household name in the 90's.
Peak position #8
Peak position #9 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Wicked game #15 (AMR #12)
Blue hotel #23
(POPULAR IN 1991)
Cake was never a band you were meant to take seriously, just listen to their Gloria Gaynor cover on this album and you'll understand that they're in the same leagues as POT USA and other comedy bands from the 90's. That said, people did take these guys seriously which led to a bit of a backlash to their music, specifically from Ms. Gaynor who didn't appreciate their take on her signature track which likely fueled the success of their second album.
Peak position #9
Peak position #11 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
The distance #21
I will survive #27
(POPULAR IN 1997)
This was the only notable success that Tiffany Darwish had throughout the world, presumably due to her inability to compete with fellow teen idol Debbie Gibson who had a more success likely due to her writing and producing her songs as well as being the main vocalist on all of them. For what it's worth, this album was more successful here in Australia compared to Debbie's catalogue even though she was also successful here.
Peak position #4
Peak position #6 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
I think we're alone now #13
Could've been #8
I saw him standing there #9 (ARIA #10)
(POPULAR IN 1988)
Given how she began her career on Broadway, it only makes sense that Barbra Streisand would release an album where she pays homage to the avenue of entertainment that made her a household name to begin with. It appears audiences were on board with this as it became her most successful album since Guilty from the start of the decade, and she would release a sequel to this eight years later.
Peak position #8
(POPULAR IN 1986)
This was released two years prior to deafening silence for the Screaming jets, likely because we Aussies felt that we didn't need to allow and Australian equivalent of Nirvana or Pearl jam on the charts now that we had those to bands making it big worldwide. We clearly changed our minds this year when the album rebounded on the charts due to one of the songs becoming a surprise hit this year.
Peak position #3
Peak position #3 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Living in England #19
Shivers #19 (AMR #19)
Helping hand #25
Tunnel #39
(POPULAR IN 1994)
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
(POPULAR IN 1999, 2000)
Given the surprise success of their hit single which they named after this album, the Royal philharmonic orchestra (that is, the REAL orchestra that's been around for decades at this point) released this album which contained other mashups of classical music that became a surprise success for them in the mainstream worldwide. They were relegated to novelty status in the music industry until recent years where they started making classical renditions of artists discographies.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
Hooked on classics #9
(POPULAR IN 1981, 1982)
This was the first album to be released from the Rockmelons which has the gimmick of having multiple different lead vocalists throughout its runtime, the most prominent being Wendy Matthews who left the group after the albums success to pursue a solo career. The album had a bunch of hype going into it given how many advanced singles there were, and indeed the hype was effortlessly met given how much of a success it was.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Rhymes #26
New groove #21
What's it gonna be #41
(POPULAR IN 1988)
Although this didn't reach the same level of success here in Australia that it did in Janis's native America, the lead single was popular enough for it to be a sleeper hit (not big enough to qualify for my site) which allowed the album to be a moder success in its own right.
Peak position #16
Hit singles
At seventeen #18
(POPULAR IN 1975)
The film I am Sam was panned by critics upon its initial release, mainly for simplifying issues involving mental health which ironically is what better movies that handle this topic such as Rain man and Forest Gump get criticised for nowadays (perhaps those critics are thinking of this film when criticising those films.) Also, for some reason, the soundtrack is built around covers of the Beatles catalogue, which I suppose explains why it was a commercial success.
Peak position #8
(POPULAR IN 2002)
This was the only successful album that Iron Maiden were able to achieve here in Australia, mainly for a memorable performance on Countdown with the singles from the album which helped them breakthrough the MTV crowd with their brand of 80's heavy metal. Their popularity would only sustain them for this one album here, although they did see a rise of success in their native UK as the decade went on.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
Run to the hills #27
(POPULAR IN 1982)
This was a huge sleeper hit for Jessica Simpson here in Australia, likely due to the singles doing surprisingly well here which I guess was due to the success of her reality series which had premiered around the time it came out. It would be the last album to be a success in any way as the show unfortunately turned her into a laughingstock in both the real world and especially the internet.
Peak position #13
Hit singles
With you #4
Take my breath away #15
Angels #27
(POPULAR IN 2004)
One of the grittiest films to come out of the 90's was Trainspotting, a film which depicted the brutal conditions of living in the Scottish drug scene of the day and is led by a captivating performance from Ewan McGregor who found international success from this film. The soundtrack helps drive home the themes of the film, which is why it was a massive success back in the day worldwide.
Peak position #5
Peak position #5 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Born slippy #20
(POPULAR IN 1996)
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
(POPULAR IN 1999)
We have another Australia band to gain exposure thanks to heavy promotion on Triple J this year, this time it's the garage band the Vines who released their debut album to critical and commercial success making this an excellent time for alternative music, that is if all of it wasn't getting pirated from its "fans" which explains why A: these albums don't appear higher on these lists and B: why they often failed to produce hit singles.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Get free #44
Outtathaway #38
Homesick #50
(POPULAR IN 2002)
Machine gun fellatio (MGF for short) must have been one of the more provocative bands to make it big in Australia this decade, this was their second album which saw a massive push from Triple J thanks to their campy stage antics as well as their overall imagery (just look at this album cover and that should give you an idea of where I'm getting at.) Unfortunately, this only worked for this one album for them.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Roller coaster #38
(POPULAR IN 2002, 2003)
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
(POPULAR IN 1999)
This is another album that needed more than one attempt to find an audience in the late 80's, in this case it was due to the lead single not being able to connect with audiences upon its initial release from the previous year due to how different it sounded from everything else. Eventually people were won over by Sam's unique vocals and how different the album was from everything else making it a success.
Peak position #11
Peak position #13 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Stop #3 (ARIA #4)
Can I get a witness #19 (ARIA #17)
(POPULAR IN 1989)
I did mention when I featured their debut album that the Foo Fighters saw more success with each subsequent album they released, although this appears lower on this list compared to what their debut would appear, that's mainly because rock music took a back seat to all of the pop featured on this list so far according to the ARIA charts which wasn't the case on the AMR charts where it reigned supreme.
Peak position #5
Peak position #2 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Monkey wrench #17 (AMR #13)
Everlong #28
(POPULAR IN 1997, 1998)
Given how the lead single to Flo Rida's debut album was one of the biggest of the decade worldwide, it seemed inevitable that said album would be a massive success for the rapper. It turns out everyone was a bit sceptical of making this a success as this was only a sleeper hit here in Australia despite it spawning a few other minor hits on our charts.
Peak position #21
Hit singles
Low #1
Elevator #13
In the ayer #19
(POPULAR IN 2008)
I did mention when we looked at Craig's debut album that he was a bit of a one album wonder, for the most part he was as this only makes the cut due to it rebounding on our charts due to the surprise success he had with his collaboration with Sting which was the album's third single. Aside from that, this is basically more of the same from the British RNB singer which naturally turned audiences away.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
What's your flava #10
Hidden agenda #24
Rise and fall #6
World filled with love #32
(POPULAR IN 2002, 2003)
This is the first album that Keith Urban released following his marriage to Nicole Kidman, naturally the marriage propelled his popularity not just here but throughout the rest of the world given how she was an Oscar winning actress by this point in her career. His popularity would only grow from here in out as each of his albums would be more successful than the last here in his homeland.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Once in a lifetime #18
(POPULAR IN 2006)
This only barely manages to make the cut on this list, even then it does so more as a sleeper hit since it was released the previous year to very minimal success likely due to it being yet another victim of Australian idol's monopoly of our music scene around this time. Admittedly it also wasn't promoted very well which explains why it only spawned one hit from the album as opposed to her usual multiple entries.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
Trouble #8
God is a DJ #24
(POPULAR IN 2004)
It turns out Lady Gaga wasn't the first artist to collaborate with Tony Bennet for an entire album as KD Lang takes that honour with this album she released twelve years prior to his work with the younger artist (also this is the best proof I have he was OK with the LGBT community given who he's worked with on both occasions.) This was more of a sleeper hit back in the day, hence its low placement on this list.
Peak position #23
(POPULAR IN 2002, 2003)
This was the debut album for a woman who would launch the popularity of female singer/songwriters from the late 80's, although it would be her next album from the following year where she would see massive success due to its lead single about domestic violence as well as her a Capella tracks standing out from the competition.
Peak position #23
Hit singles
Marlene on the wall #39
(POPULAR IN 1986)
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