2025 in 2025: Day 168

Speak - Lindsay Lohan

Compared to A Little More Personal (Raw), this is much more of a teen pop album. Which is not a bad thing. Fun, mostly upbeat, basic lyrics and all easily singalongable.

Highlights: Disconnected, Over, First, Symptoms of You

7/10

Speak for Yourself - Imogen Heap

There was this six month period of 2005 where it seemed like everyone was on the Imogen Heap hype train. Which is crazy, because this album is just nothing!

Highlights: Hide and Seek, The Walk

6.5/10

Speakerboxxx - Outkast

Holy cow, this is so much better than I remember. Or at least much better than The Love Below. They really should have just made one great album instead, because this just straight-up hip-hop coolness. Big Boi is severely underrated and all the features here are rad, as well.

Highlights: Flip-Flop Rock, Last Call, The Way You Move, War

7.5/10

Spellbound - Split Enz

These dudes were the greatest musical act in New Zealand history and this marathon is only convincing me it is not close.

Highlights: Message to My Girl, History Never Repeats, Six Months in a Leaky Boat, I See Red

8/10

Spend the Night - The Donnas

Modern rock bands could learn a thing or two from The Donnas. This album, specifically, where every song is either 'this dude sucks' or 'this dude has a big dong so he should let me ride it'. Lessons learned!

Highlights: I Don't Care (So There), 5 O'Clock in the Morning, Too Bad About Your Girl, Take It Off

9/10

SPICE - SCANDAL

When my girls rock, they rock hard. This is almost the most typically Japanese rock song they have done in years.

8/10

Spice - Spice Girls

Is there a more perfect pop album? Sure, maybe. But these women will forever have my heart. I never really noticed before that there is some heavy UK funk influence in here - which explains why it registered so well with me? And god help the mister that comes between me and my sisters!

Highlights: Say You'll Be There, Who Do You Think You Are?, Love Thing, Wannabe

9/10

Spice: 25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition - Spice Girls

I have already complained about this and there certainly is a lot missing, but what is here is actually decent and it is great to have this much in one place.

Highlights: One of These Girls, Spice Chat 2, Say You'll Be There [7" Radio Edit], If You Can't Dance [Demo Version]

7/10

Spiceworld - Spice Girls

Definitely less funk influence and more of a throwback to 60s pop and soul, in my opinion. But still very awesome. Melvins B and C were the coolest.

Highlights: Do It, Move Over, Stop, Saturday Night Divas

9/10

Spiceworld: 25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition - Spice Girls

Similar to the Spice: 25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition, there is a lot missing here, and instead time is devoted to remixes and live versions. At least we got the other Pepsi song!

Highlights: Step to Me [7" Mix], Outer Space Girls, Spice Girls Party Mix

7/10

Spiceworld Tour Live At Wembley Stadium 20-09-1998 - Spice World

I had this on VHS, but missed out on getting the DVD - which now sells for more than the price of a locomotive. But I also did not watch my VHS all that much, back in the day. It is good, but Geri is missing and it is noticeable. Although they did play a recording of her singing in Spanish during If You Can't Dance. They also announce they are staying together and then broke up two years later...

Highlights: Who Do You Think You Are?, Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves, Say You'll Be There, We Are Family

7/10

Spike - Elvis Costello

This is only the single Veronica. I actually do not know much of Elvis Costello's works. I keep telling myself to one day do a bit of listen, but then forget and just listen to The Shit...

7.5/10

Spirit - Leona Lewis

I think I enjoyed her second album more? Like, the ballads are impressive... well, a couple are, but the rest is very forgettable.

Highlights: Whatever It Takes, I Will Be, The Best You Never Had, Bleeding Love

6.5/10

The Spirit Room - Michelle Branch

Why do I not have full albums by Michelle Branch? The songs I have by her are pop perfection, yet I have not heard anything else? I make no sense. Oh yeah, this is All You Wanted.

9/10

Spirit: Stallion Of The Cimerron - Bryan Adams & Hans Zimmer

Bryan Adams makes a lot songs for movies and has done since the 90s. This is the rare occasion he made a full album's worth. Well, almost; Hans Zimmer does provide a few songs of pure score. BA is pretty good at evoking emotion, so it makes sense.

Highlights: Here I Am (End Title), Sound the Bugle, Don't Let Go, This is Where I Belong

7/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1595

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2025 in 2025: Day 167

Soul Assassins II - Various Artists

DJ Muggs making phat beats with various MCs and singers... and all LOGMAN has is Xzibit and King T telling my sorry ass You Better Believe It. Gawdam X to the Z back in 2000 was awesome.

8/10

Soul Deep - Jimmy Barnes

An Aussie pub-rock legend shows his roots by banging out some classic R&B. And absolutely killing it. The production is a bit dated now, but overall these are some VERY good renditions.

Highlights: (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher And Higher, When Something Is Wrong With My Baby, River Deep Mountain High, Signed Sealed Delivered (I'm Yours)

8/10

Soul Deeper - Jimmy Barnes

To celebrate the 10 years of Soul Deep probably being Barnesy's most popular album, he decided to do a follow-up. No super keyboard sounding strings, but also not entirely R&B this time and more just covers from the 60s. 

Highlights: Hold On I'm Coming, To Love Somebody, 634-5789, All the Young Dudes

7/10

Sound Loaded - Ricky Martin

This man and his Latin groove really jam. And this album influenced his work for 9/11, so extra points there! It is actually more fun than I recall.

Highlights: Loaded, Saint Tropez, She Bangs, The Touch, One Night Man

7/10

The Sound of Revenge - Chamillionaire

Of course this is only the hit song Ridin'. I think this might actually be the 'clean' version, which irritates me to no end. Which also tells me I do not listen to this song enough!

8/10

Sound of Silver - LCD Soundsystem

A proper collaborative 'band' album instead of just James Murphy being solo like the debut album, which leads to quite a different sound. Massive extended sprawling instrumentals like it is The Cure doing electronica and hitting all the hipsters right in the feels. Nancy Whang saying "Get innocuous!" makes my day!

Highlights: All My Friends, Someone Great, Get Innocuous!, New York I Love You But You're Bringing Me Down

9/10

Sound-G Sign - Brown Eyed Girl

Welcome back to random K-Pop songs of the day! Very atypical of 2009 - this could easily be 2NE1 or any other group of the time that is not as good as them.

Highlights: Sign, Drunk on Sleep

6/10

The Sounds of Science - Beastie Boys

Another compilation where I took out everything I have elsewhere, because I should have all Beastie Boys. However, I have never owned Licensed to Ill or Some Old Bullshit, so I need some songs from those albums and the other random songs that are on here. Mostly the hardcore stuff. I have Aglio e Olio on vinyl. Still sealed. Someone pay me a million dollars for it.

Highlights: Slow and Low, Fight For Your Right, Soba Violence, Alive, I Want Some

8/10

South - Heather Nova

My iTunes has this labelled as "Alternative & Punk". While the lyrics for Virus of the Mind do speak to anti-conformity, they may be off a bit there with that assessment. This is pretty solid, if lacking the outright emotion of Oyster and Siren, and instead is a more mature acoustic pop album. A little happier in some ways. Definitely more of a "love" vibe.

Highlights: Just Been Born, Tested, Virus of the Mind, It's Only Love, Like Lovers Do

7.5/10

Space Invader - Ace Frehley

This album has really grown on me since Kissathon II; I thought it was pretty average at the time of release, but the more I have listened to it the more I just enjoy how much Ace rocks on it. 

Highlights: Starship, Past the Milky Way, Space Invader, Reckless

8/10

The Space Madness Sessions - Ryan Adams

We go from the coolest man ever making fun rock, to the douchiest douche making crappy alt country rock and in poor demo form. What a world. Is someone else singing here? Because some of these feature the worst singing since me.

Highlights: You must be joking

3/10

Spaceman - Ace Frehley

Yes more Ace Frehley! Hard to believe there are 4 years between this and Space Invader - it all feels very similar. Soar high in outer space, Ace!

Highlights: Bronx Boy, Mission to Mars, Quantum Flux, Rockin' with the Boys

8/10

Spacewalk: A Salute to Ace Frehley - Various Artists

"Insult to Ace Frehley" would be more accurate. While not as terrible as I remembered, it is still rather terrible. It at least ends with a super awesome song by Ace, so it has that going for it...

Highlights: Take Me to the City - Ace Frehley

5/10

The Spaghetti Incident? - Guns N' Roses

GnR doing covers is fine and all, but Duff unleashing his punk was truly a revelation to teenage LOGMAN. So while the general public felt personally offended by such an obvious waste of time, LOGMAN decided this was cool and was probably the first Guns N' Roses CD I ever bought. 

Highlights: New Rose, Ain't It Fun, Down on the Farm, Hair of the Dog

8/10

Spawn: The Album - Various Artists

A expansion of the Judgement Night soundtrack concept, except this time it was teaming up alt bands with electronic artists. And not nearly as consistently good. A bit too focused on the electronic side, which featured artists that were not very good and results in stuff sounding VERY dated.

Highlights: One Man Army - The Prodigy & Tom Morello, (Can't You) Trip Like I Do, Kick the P.A. - Korn & The Dust Brothers, Torn Apart - Stabbing Westward & Wink

6/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1580

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2025 in 2025: Day 166

Some Time in New York City - John Lennon & Yoko Ono

Controversial opinion: this is John Lennon's best solo album. Even more controversial opinion: Woman is the N**** of the World is a great song. Maybe using the N word so much was not his best idea, but it should not have been removed from the reissue. Which is a shame, because I was interested in hearing a full remix of this album. Anyways, the overt political nature of the album is what endears it to me. After this he had the FBI following him, Yoko left, and Lennon stopped being involved in anything that meant anything. 

Highlights: Angela, We're All Water, Woman is the N**** of the World, New York City

8/10

Somebody That I Used to Know (feat. Kimbra) - Gotye

I have never known Gotye. But Kimbra is somebody that I met? She is very cool and an amazing artist - genuinely the best to come out of New Zealand in a VERY long time.

8/10

Somebody's Watching Me - Rockwell

I sometimes wonder if there is any song more 80s than this. My immediate thoughts when I hear it are Tubbs miming along in a strip club and having the time of his life. I need to watch Miami Vice again...

9/10

Something to Be - Rob Thomas

I can actually understand why this did not get released as Matchbox Twenty - even though I believe he is the chief songwriter for the group, this sounds far more pop radio with heavy influences from somewhere. I hesitate to say R&B, but there is something quite unlike the usual pop rock that would get from his pop rock band. And, honestly, it works.

Highlights: This is How a Heart Breaks, Something to Be, Streetcorner Symphony, Problem Girl

7/10

Sometimes I Sit and Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit - Courtney Barnett

I have never heard a woman "sing" in such a monotone fashion - it is almost spoken word, except some of it is kind of shouting? This may be the most Australian album ever.

Highlights: I did enjoy the references to Melbourne

4/10

Somewhere in England - George Harrison

I think this album is the one where his record company rejected half of it and made him replace a bunch of songs. I am not sure they made the right call. The only real noteworthy aspect here is the song featuring the surviving Beatles in remembrance of the recently murdered John Lennon.

Highlights: All Those Years Ago, Teardrops, Save the World

6.5/10

Song Destroyer - DJ Reggie

More of this? In fairness, it actually randomly features an instrumental piece that I am fairly certain is on an actual Ryan Adams & The Cardinals song in part. I am not sure what it is doing between a rap about going to a Rascal Flatts concert and a rap about... I do not even know.

Highlights: Moonlighting

4/10

A Song for ×× - Ayumi Hamasaki

I may choose to ignore how terrible Ayu's voice is on this album. Instead we can focus on how horribly dated the music sounds - it does not even sound like it is from 1999, more like 1989. But, that does mean the guitar riffs sound like they are from 1989, and thus are awesome? Because that is what saves this album; despite the production being outdated, the music of the whole thing is actually really great. Which is why I would have been on board for a full re-recording in like 2005-2010 when Ayu's voice was awesome. And, thus, some of the live versions of the title track are genuinely more definitive.

Highlights: Depend on you, A Song for ××, FRIEND II, For My Dear...

7/10

Songs - Regina Spektor

Her first couple of albums were just her on a piano, basically doing hipster rap over little piano licks. It runs that line between 'is it actually clever or is it just a hipster being satirical about what people think is clever songwriting?'

Highlights: Consequence of Sounds

5/10

Songs About Jane - Maroon 5

This album is such a far cry from what they do now - much more in a funk rock kind of vibe. Songs like Harder to Breathe and This Love were kind of a little off the curve at the time. And I probably did not appreciate how great a singer Adam Levine is. 

Highlights: Harder to Breathe, This Love, She Will Be Loved

7/10

Songs From the Big Chair - Tears For Fears

I only have a couple of songs from this album. Especially embarrassing, considering this has been issued in deluxe editions multiple times.

Highlights: Everybody Wants to Rule the World, Head Over Heels

9/10

Songs in the Attic - Billy Joel

How many live albums does this man need? I would guess this is in New York, because he gets a big pop any time he mentions anything relating to that. 

Highlights: Captain Jack, Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway)

6.5/10

Songs of a Lost World - The Cure

Returning after forever with the most Cure sounding album possible was not on my bingo card for 2024. Because I do not play bingo. I do, however play The Cure albums and vibe out to the sprawling intros and how this album truly works as one piece of art.

Highlights: Endsong, Alone, Drone:Nodrone, All I Ever Am

8/10

Songs to Learn & Sing - Echo & The Bunnymen

I only have the song The Killing Moon. I do not know if I have even heard another song by this band - this was purely because I had been watching Donnie Darko. I should watch that again.

7.5/10

The Sorrowjoy - Heather Nova

Another solo track; it is a spoken-word album that I was never able to track down on CD, but she released this song, The Singing State, for free somewhere some time...

6/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1565

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2025 in 2025: Day 165

The Slim Shady LP - Eminem

When Eminem was content to just be funny. This album is definitely a lot more fun than anything else he did after. It was such a unique style and pretty game-changing. Not a huge fan of the first half, but the last half is pretty solid; lyrics focus less on the homophobia and sex crimes, and more just throwing up the middle fingers and killing people. I cannot even remember the last time I listened to this, but I still remember all the lyrics!

Highlights: Bad Meets Evil, Guilty Conscience, Just Don't Give a Fuck, Still Don't Give a Fuck

7.5/10

Slippery When Wet - Bon Jovi

Big keyboards, big guitars, big drums, big hooks. They were really on something with the writing of this album - some of the lyrics are seriously cringe, but the way everything comes together is pretty fantastic.

Highlights: Wanted Dead or Alive, Wild in the Streets, Livin' on a Prayer, Let It Rock, Never Say Goodbye

9/10

Slipway Fires - Razorlight

If you look up "Mediocre" in the dictionary, they will just have this album cover. It is all listenable but completely forgettable and lacking in any emotion.

Highlights: Monster Boots

5/10

SLITS - YUKI

There is a formula to YUKI's last few albums; some full on electronic numbers, a little bit of jazz/funk fusion, an acoustic song, and one or two songs that are just mind-blowingly amazing. Not only is こぼれてしまうよ one of the greatest songs ever, but the bass playing on it is just phenomenal.

Highlights: こぼれてしまうよ, パ・ラ・サイト, One One One, ユニヴァース

8/10

Smash - The Offspring

When LOGMAN was 14 years-old, he did not notice the message of these lyrics - he just heard some catchy songs that sounded aggressive and occasionally made jokes about killing people in road rage. Heck, I did not even get the joke of that! Thirty years later, I can appreciate how much these songs are very upfront anti-capitalist and anti-conformity. How they went from that to fucking Why Don't You Get a Job boggles my mind.

Highlights: Smash, Come Out and Play, It'll Be a Long Time, Nitro (Youth Energy)

8/10

Smashes, Thrashes & Hits - Kiss

After Kissathon II, I reduced this to simply the "new" songs. Because I did not need more weak remixes of classic Kiss songs. What remains is basically an EP of super cheesy 80s pop rock and VERY suggestive lyrics. So, a good time with Kiss...

Highlights: Let's Put the X in Sex, (You Make Me) Rock Hard

8/10

Smell the Magic - L7

I have come to the conclusion that L7 are the band Kurt Cobain wished he could have been in. Or at least the type of music he thought he was making. Especially this album. It is ferocious and has some actual hooks as well. 

Highlights: Till the Wheels Fall Off, Shove, Packin' a Rod

7.5/10

Smile... It Confuses People - Sandi Thom

Zero idea how or why I have this album. Even less idea if I have ever listened to it before now. Her singing is a bad as her idea of what punk rocker was.

Highlights: It is a relatively short album

5.5/10

Snapz the Clown - DJ Reggie

Dear gawd, no thanks. Less shitty hip-hop, more just general shit. And lots of peaked-out distortion. Someone should have taught DRA to mix.

Highlights: It is even shorter!

3/10

So - Peter Gabriel

The only song from this album I have is Big Time. And while this is a great song, I can not help but think there are many other great songs on this album and I can not understand why they are not in my collection. Other than me being an embarrassment to all mankind.

8/10

So Long, Astoria - The Ataris

I have previously mentioned these dudes' cover of The Boys of Summer is golden, but the rest of this album is very much in my Q Zone - it is kind of early emo pop punk. Like the self-titled blink-182 album, minus the heavy synths and electro stuff. 

Highlights: The Boys of Summer, I Won't Spend Another Night Alone, My Reply, Takeoffs and Landings, So Long Astoria

7.5/10

So-Called Chaos - Alanis Morissette

This album is much more positive and upbeat than her previous albums; I will blame Ryan Reynolds, who also made a cameo in the video for Everything. Her voice is very good here.

Highlights: Excuses, Everything, Eight Easy Steps

7.5/10

Solace - Sarah McLachlan

This is not bad by any stretch, but it is lacking in anything really special. It all kind of just there in the background. I blame the super spacious production.

Highlights: Wear Your Love Like Heaven, Back Door Man

6.5/10

Solitaire - Clay Aiken

I have any versions of Elvis singing this song, as well. That is probably about it.

7/10

Some Gave All - Billy Ray Cyrus

This is purely Achy Breaky Heart. I used to perform this one live and you would not believe how much people loved it. Never failed.

8/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1550

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2025 in 2025: Day 164

Sinner - Joan Jett & The Blackhearts

I am not sure if it is just the production, but this album rocks and Jett's voice goes hard! Somewhat more consistent than some of her 80s album and a bit more solidly punk. Also opening with some mocking of George W. Bush is a great way to set the tone.

Highlights: A.C.D.C., Riddles, Tube Talkin', Everyone Knows, Bad Time

7.5/10

Sinner - Drowning Pool

Thankfully this is only the song Bodies. It is a key musical ingredient in one of the greatest scenes in cinema history.

8/10

Siren - Heather Nova

Heather Nova hitting some serious pop hooks. beautiful soaring ballads and even some kinda sexy grooves. And my man David Ayers makes his guitar sound like various animals and contraptions to help take some of the songs to another level. This may well be her chilled-out pop masterpiece.

Highlights: Winterblue, London Rain (Nothing Heals Me Like You Do), Heart and Shoulder, Ruby Red

9/10

Six60 - Six60

I can kind of understand why these guys are so popular; some pretty cool guitar riffs, basic vocals anyone can sing, and all pretty harmless. And New Zealander's love to celebrate mediocrity. But, yeah, it is not the worst album a New Zealand group has released.

Highlights: Only to Be, Run for It, Take it from Here

6/10

sixxxxxx - Ayumi Hamasaki

Fun cheesy bops, somber ballads, Ayu thinking she is Linkin Park. This EP covers everything and does not waste time with any pretentious nonsense. And this was only 4 months after the glorious A ONE album. Legends will be told of how amazing she was before the fall...

Highlights: Step by Step, Sorrows, Summer Diary, Sky High

10/10

Skin of a Stone - Dead Flowers

Early 90s New Zealand grunge? Hard rock? Metal? It has to be one of the earliest rock songs featuring Maori vocals, right? I remember the time when Wildside was the record label for all the alt rock acts - pretty sure most New Zealand albums I bought were on that label.

Highlights: Plastic, Underground, Someday, Mihi

7/10

Skull & Bones - Cypress Hill

I really need to track down Sen Dog's nu-metal band, because enlisting the drummer from Rage Against the Machine to help you get heavy is always a winner. The first disc is standard Cypress Hill; do not smoke all their weed, they are bad dudes, etc. When I listen to Cypress Hill, I know what I am signing up for. Except for this 'Bones' disc.

Highlights: Valley of Chrome, Can't Get the Best of Me, Certified Bomb, Dust

7/10

Sky is the Limit - Drunken Tiger

It is funny how much these dudes like to shout out American rappers and their songs like they know who they are, but I guess they are trying to help make sure Korean kids know that Wu-Tang Clan are not something to fuck with?

Highlights: Jam Skhool (U Need To Learn Tho), 8:45 Heaven, 행복의 조건 (희망승일), 내가 싫다

7/10

The Skylarks - The Skylarks

Ryan Adams doing early bad grunge or something. Sounds like it was recorded on a tape recorder in the middle of a practice space. Covering Madonna shows he was always abusive to women!

5/10

Slap-Happy - L7

L7 move to a more "modern" sound, so now as they approach the millenium they sound like they are in 1993? 

Highlights: Livin' Large, Stick to the Plan, Mantra Down

6.5/10

The Slaughterhouse - Prince

Prince releasing self-produced funky tunes on the internet for his fans ONLY was peak internet. And then fans spreading it online for free is what the internet was for...

Highlights: Northside, Peace, Props 'N' Pounds, Y Should Eye Do That When Eye Can Do This?

7/10

Slave to the Grind - Skid Row

This album came out at exactly the wrong time. It should have been massive. It certainly was popular with me and my friends in 1995 when we realised just how hard it rocked. Still kind of hair metal (which is a good thing) but with some serious edge. Sebastian Bach well have had the best voice in all of the genre.

Highlights: Wasted Time, In a Darkened Room, Monkey Business, Riot Act

9/10

Sleeping With Ghosts - Placebo

This album is actually more enjoyable than I expected. I had a fairly negative idea of this band, because I am not a fan of the singer's voice, but there are some genuinely great songs in here. Much more pop and a little grand.

Highlights: The Bitter End, This Picture, Sleeping With Ghosts, Bulletproof Cupid

6.5/10

Sleepless in Brooklyn - [Alexandros]

Fairly standard Japanese fake indie pop. Like, it is good, but there is very little outstanding. The vocalist totally reminds me of the dude from Grinspoon, sometimes. The music does not at all!

Highlights: 明日、また, LAST MINUTE, Mosquito Bite

6.5/10

Slef Portait - The Shit

This is quite the concept album; it tells the story of a disturbed individual that is plotting to kill someone, and then does, attempts to kill themselves also, and then ends up in prison. It is all a bit cryptic, but the artistic storytelling is very moving. Boyz II Men can sing awesome as hell.

Highlights: I'm Going to Kill You, You're Dead, Oops You're Dead, I'm Going to Kill Myself in the Face, I Can't Make Records Anymore Cause I'm In Prison

8/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1535

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2025 in 2025: Day 163

It is "singles" day here in casa de LOGMAN (aka my headphones).

The Singles - Basement Jaxx

I am someone that really only knows the hits, because they were quite popular back in the day. So having a compilation of those and some other songs I do not really know suits me fine. Generally good stuff to get your party in your head going.

Highlights: Romeo, Where's Your Head At, Red Alert, Plug It In

7/10

Singles (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) - Various Artists

I really need to get the re-release of this one day, because it features all the cool instrumental stuff by Chris Cornell and Paul Westerberg. As it is in its original format, it is the perfect time capsule of the start of the grunge period and that whole Seattle music scene. Except Smashing Pumpkins are very much not from Seattle. Neither is Paul Westerberg. What a joke!

Highlights: Seasons - Chris Cornell, Breath - Pearl Jam, Waiting For Somebody - Paul Westerberg, State of Love and Trust - Pearl Jam

9/10

Singles - John Lennon

A little compilation of non-album tracks, mostly covering the first couple of years of Lennon going solo. Most were hits. Most are awesome. Only one of them is not a statement of everything he stood for at the time.

Highlights: Power to the People, Instant Karma (We All Shine On), Move Over Ms. L, Give Peace a Chance

9/10

The Singles - ABBA

Like the Lennon disc, this is the bonus as part of the original box set. The disco tracks are pretty darn awesome. And if you need their original hits sung in Swedish, then you are in for real treat here!

Highlights: Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight), Under Attack, Summer Night City, Medley: Pick a Bale of Cotton/On Top of Old Smokie/Midnight Special

7/10

Singles - Mötley Crüe

This is just the song Sex. It rocks, but I do not know why I have this song on its own when I could lump with other random Mötley Crüe songs.

8/10

Singles - Travis

And this is just the song Turn. It is the only song by Travis I like, but I like it so much it probably equates to enjoying their entire discography. Which is like 3 other songs?

9/10

The Singles 1992-2003 - No Doubt

Lordy, I am not a fan of this band either. Yet, somehow, I ended up with two songs in my library - Hella Good and Spiderwebs. The former actually makes a lot of sense, because it has some big 80s synth.

8/10

The Singles Box - Alanis Morissette

A whole bunch of live songs from a time when Alanis was not so great live. Well, the acoustic versions are pretty fine, but when she is with a band it all just falls apart. And for once I will not blame Taylor Hawkins.

Highlights: Hand In My Pocket (Live From Brisbane), You Oughta Know (Live From The Grammy's)

5/10

Singles Mixes - Queen

Another of my own compilations from the reissues and box sets. Like my own version of Greatest Hits, because it is always fun to have shorter versions of awesome songs, I guess? I Want It All honestly loses so much.

Highlights: Flash [Single Version], Flash [Single Version], It's Late [USA Radio Edit], One Vision [Single Version]

8.5/10

The Singles, Volume 3: 1964-1965 - James Brown

Hilarious that I skipped Volumes 1 & 2; that would be because I tried to capture mostly James Brown's funk, instead of his early soul stuff. I like the funk. It takes about half the collection, but the early funk is here and it feels good. 

Highlights: Papa's Got a Brand New Bag, I Got You (I Feel Good), Out of Sight, Think

7/10

The Singles, Volume 4: 1966-1967 - James Brown

More soul and a lot more funk. By then end of this one, he is getting some hard funk on the one! One day I will have to complete this series. But thank Prime I did not do that before this marathon!

Highlights: Cold Sweat (Part 1), Get It Together (Part 1), Bring It Up, James Brown's Boo-Ga-Loo

7.5/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1520

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2025 in 2025: Day 162

Sign O' The Times - Prince

Mostly minimalist, mostly just Prince. Somewhat psychedelic pop. And mostly funky. Probably as brilliant as it is funky.

Highlights: I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man, U Got the Look, Sign O' the Times, It

8/10

Sign O' The Times (Super Deluxe) - Prince

Three discs and four hours of outtakes, demos, rehearsals and whatnot from The Vault. And most of it is absolutely essential listening. Some seriously exceptional songs here and some epic big funky jams. This is what happens when you plan to make three albums and then try and whittle those down to one. Those Camille songs sure are fire. I also love that one of these demos still has the click track in there. 

Highlights: Soul Psychodelicide, In a Large Room with No Light, Love and Sex, Crucial, Emotional Pump

7.5/10

Sign O' The Times: Promo Mixes and B-Sides - Prince

The b-sides are all sorts of funky good times. And it never hurts to get a good extended mix of an already awesome Prince song. Someone talk to his estate about getting us more of these Super Deluxe Editions.

Highlights: Shockadelica, U Got the Look (Long Look, Shockadelica (12" Long Version), La La La He He Hee

8/10

Significant Other - Limp Bizkit

Between this and Eminem, 1999/2000 sure was the time to be a young angry white boy. And as much as we all like to make fun of Fred Durst, this album has a lot of fun moments. The downer stuff is just a downer, but when songs are less serious and mostly just Durst yelling about Ken Shamrock and being tough and broke (which also applies to Ken Shamrock?), that right there is my jam. Also, Method Man is pretty great.

Highlights: Just Like This, I'm Broke, Nobody Like You, Break Stuff

7.5/10

Silk Cuts - Various Artists

Another one of these big long remix albums. This time featuring a lot of classic UK garage tracks and a little bit of US hip-hop & R&B. 

Highlights: All Good - De La Soul & Chaka Khan, Do You Really Like It? - DJ Pied Piper & The Masters of Ceremonies, Flowers - Sweet Female Attitude, Course Bruv - Genius Crew, Gotta Get Thru This - Daniel Bedingfield

7/10

silver lining - LAMP IN TERREN

This dude has moments with his voice that legit give me chills. This is all just really strong driving emo-tinted indie rock. And I dig it.

Highlights: L-R, 緑閃光, send me, ゴールド・ルーズ, balloon

7.5/10

The Simpson Sing the Blues - Various Artists

Is this the most hilariously dated album in my entire library? It is even cheesier and sillier than I remembered; this is possibly the least rockin' version of School Days I have ever heard, Homer singing a blues rock song just makes it sound like a comedy moment on the show, Deep Deep Trouble may be the funniest 'rapping' of the 90s, and Lisa almost sounds like my girl YUKI when she sings. Marge and Homer singing a duet is absolutely funnier than any episode of The Simpsons in the last 25 years! As usual, Mr. Burns wins the song wars of Springfield!

Highlights: Look At All Those Idiots - Mr. Burns & Smithers, Do The Bartman - Bart Simpson, Sibling Rivalry - Bart & Lisa Simpson

6/10

Sing When You're Winning - Robbie Williams

I only have the one song here - Let Love Be Your Energy - because I never had much interest in the other songs from this album. His first two seemed pretty cool. This song is awesome.

9/10

SINGALONG - 緑黄色社会

While nowhere near as amazing as their debut album, this still has its share of highs and is pretty solid. Less indie pop and more radio friendly. This is what happens when you get signed to a major label.

Highlights: Shout Baby, あのころ見た光, Mela!, スカーレット

7.5/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1509

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