I'm not sure there were many of these to begin with. I love albums like that, but I think most seemingly coherent "pop" albums of the past followed basic rules

I'm not sure there were many of these to begin with. I love albums like that, but I think most seemingly coherent "pop" albums of the past followed basic rules of upbeat/downbeat flow with a very loose "common" theme. That can be accomplished with a simple mix tape, doesn't really matter who does each track.