Karolmel

Rumors of TLC's impending breakup were especially worrying in light of this excellent disc, which was even more consistent in its way than 1994's CrazySexyCool. Great singing and the usual huge hooks--not to mention the smarts of songs such as "Unpretty" and "I'm Good at Being Bad"--made Fanmail one of R&B's most striking releases of the year. --Rickey Wright