#491 Harry Styles, 'Fine Line' (2019)

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The first, what I’d imagine to be, divisive entry into the list; the sophomore, and only 9.5-month-old album of One Direction’s Harry Styles. I’m not a fan of One Direction’s music at all, but then I’m not their target demographic. I was impressed with Styles’s debut record in 2017. Seriously impressed, in fact. It was a huge departure from his former band and so I was looking forward to this record when it was announced. Once again, I was impressed, but to be honest, I was surprised to see it on this list. Is there a statute of limitations before an album can be considered amongst the greatest of all time? I do think one of the qualifications should be longevity of the album, along with the music, of course. Is 9.5 months long enough? Difficult to say, but I do know that the album has been in the charts every week since the day it was released. 

I’ve seen the man perform live. I didn’t hear him because his fans screamed through every song. It’s exactly what I imagine it would have been like to be like at a Beatles concert. I needed my earplugs not for the music, but for the fans. So if the music is good enough to elicit such an emotional reaction and the songs actually do hold up, maybe it does deserve its place. It’s difficult for members of boy bands or pop groups to break out on their own and forge a career as a serious solo artist. Robbie Williams, George Michael, Michael Jackson & Justin Timberlake, amongst the most successful artists of all time – previous members of boybands that went solo. I’m looking forward to seeing what the future holds for Harry Styles. What are everyone else’s thoughts on this? 

#rs500albums