Hardly surprising, TLC‘s excellent sophomore album, 1994’s ‘CrazySexyCool‘ has been named in the 150 Greatest Albums Made By Women list, compiled by NPR (National Public Radio).
‘This list, of the greatest albums made by women between 1964 and the present, is an intervention, a remedy, a correction of the historical record and hopefully the start of a new conversation. Compiled by nearly 50 women from across NPR and the public radio system and produced in partnership with Lincoln Center, it rethinks popular music to put women at the center.’
The album is placed at #26 with the following narration to support it’s reasoning for the position:
‘The album title says it all. With this record, TLC invented a new hybrid adjective and created a sound to match. CrazySexyCool posited that there’s no one way to exist — as a woman, as a partner, as a friend. These songs are about women who are always real, women who can be unabashed about their sexuality, tender or righteously distant, depending on the moment. They’re wise without being condescending or aloof; Chilli, T-Boz and Left Eye make it plain that they’re telling the truth. Their delivery embodies “crazysexycool,” too. In “Waterfalls,” for example, the gone but not forgotten Left Eye serves thirty seconds of flow that rank among the best of all time. It should go without saying that almost all pop music to come after this record owes it a debt. But TLC’s impact went way beyond the music. The question of whether their project is “feminist” is perhaps misguided; the popular understanding of the word failed to even include them. But with baggy clothes, condom accessories celebrating safe sex, an undying commitment to each other — and yes, a knack for exerting control over the very definitions of “sexy” and “cool” — TLC was an undeniable revolution.’ —Jenny Gathright (NPR Staff)
To check out the complete list of albums by some of the greats, including Nina Simone, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Sade and Madonna, click HERE!
