Monday, 8 September 2025
2025 in 2025: Day 116
Thursday, 4 September 2025
2025 in 2025: Day 115
Live EP - Sarah McLachlan
How do I have two live releases from Sarah McLachlan? This one is with a full band. And is from earlier in her career. It is quite good.
Highlights: Home, Lost
6.5/10
Live Era '87-'93 - Guns N' Roses
There is just not enough of the earlier era here to make this album worth spending two and a half hours listening to, for me. Like, it starts off very strong, but then the Use Your Illusion tour stuff is pretty obvious because Axl's singing is terrible and Slash's guitar solos are sloppy. Duff is, however, a total badass throughout. That man rocks.
Highlights: Nightrain, Mr. Brownstone, Welcome to the Jungle, It's Alright, Rocket Queen
6/10
Live From Nowhere - Ryan Adams
This appears to be just a couple of random live acoustic numbers - namely Shine Through the Dark and Wasted Years. I actually dig what he did with that Iron Maiden song. How do I not have any Iron Maiden in my collection anymore?
7/10
Live From The River of Dreams Tour '93-'94 - Billy Joel
Just some quick highlights from the tour, I guess. Bonus disc in the River of Dreams album. Songs from that album and a couple of covers. In fact, I think I may even have a DVD from this tour? Joel's voice is pretty darn rockin' on this.
Highlights: No Man's Land, The River of Dreams
7/10
Live in Auckland, New Zealand 3/12/80 - Kiss
Album #1000! I have this recording for posterity; so I can say I have at least heard every Kiss concert in Auckland (I have attended every other one, because LOGMAN rules). And actually it is pretty decent; very much atypical of a Kiss concert on this tour. It is not a patch on something like Alive!, but that is because it is a proper live recording and not touched up in the studio. Which is fun. Spoiler alert: when Paul Stanley said they were "definitely coming back next year", he was lying.
Highlights: Shandi, Is That You?, Talk to Me, Calling Doctor Love
7/10
Live In Detroit 30/11/82 - Prince
This has got to be one of the earliest Prince concerts out there, right? And it is super awesome. I absolutely love the way he plays up the ending of How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore? I would ask his estate for more of this sort of thing, but I would be lucky if they could even release another... anything!
Highlights: How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore?, 1999, Controversy, Do Me Baby
8/10
Live in Eindhoven 2011 - Heather Nova
This was like a free download for pre-ordering her album or something? I do not recall if I have ever really given it a solid listen, because I would have remembered that is very good. Much better than I expected. Which makes no sense, considering Heather Nova is great. I think maybe I thought this was mostly acoustic, but it is a full band show. And the guitarist does his best David Ayers impersonation.
Highlights: Heart and Shoulder, Island, All I Need, Beautiful Ride
7/10
Live in Japan - George Harrison
Really, it is George Harrison and Eric Clapton. But it is nice that it was just released under Harrison's name, so I do not have to have 'official' Clapton in my library. It is a pretty solid recording, overall. No nonsense and just straight rock'n roll - pretty much what you would expect. A decent mix of solo and songs from his time in The Beatles. And Clapton is best served as a sideman like this.
Highlights: I Want to Tell You, Isn't It a Pity, While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Cheer Down
7/10
Live in Japan - The Runaways
I think I have mentioned this album previously; I thought it was nothing special, but now I love it. Totally rocks hard. And Gettin' Hot is such a totally badass song I do not understand why this is the only version of it out there.
Highlights: Gettin' Hot, Queens of Noise, American Nights, C'mon
7.5/10
Live in New York City - John Lennon
Look, we all know how I feel about Yoko and John Ono Lennon. And even I would be ready to throw this album in the 'who cares?' pile. But seeing as they have finally remixed it and whatnot BUT are pretending Woman is the Nigger of the World does not exist, so this album is the only way to hear it live... well, I guess it become a lot more worthwhile having it in the collection. But the performances on Anthology are better.
Highlights: Well Well Well, Instant Karma!
6/10
"Albums" listened to so far: 1005
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Monday, 1 September 2025
2025 in 2025: Day 114
Live + 1 - Frehley's Comet
Ace and his band live - not really a lot to say. Except that I would likely rate the Greatest Hits Live album a bit higher. Oh, and the studio track is very good.
Highlights: Words Are Not Enough
7/10
Live Acoustic E.P. - Sarah McLachlan
Sarah McLachlan and a piano performing what sounds like a VERY small group of people. Nothing wrong with any of it, whatsoever.
Highlights: Building a Mystery
6.5/10
Live at Avatar Studios - Ryan Adams & The Cardinals
It is all the between-song banter that I enjoy most. I would trade all the extended Grateful Dead-inspired jam endings for another few minutes of yelling out random stupid things like JIMMY HACKEYSACK and RHODA RO. I like Easy Tiger, so this is an Easy Pleaser for me. And that end solo for I Taught Myself How to Grow Old is amazing.
Highlights: I Taught Myself How to Grow Old, Goodnight Rose, Magnolia Mountain, Everybody Knows
7/10
Live at Glam Slam 1992 - Prince
This was part of the Diamonds and Pearls reissue a couple of years ago. It is a killer performance and Rosie Gaines is a the second star of the show. Prince is number one, of course. Some big long funky jams and high energy new jack swing action.
Highlights: Diamonds and Pearls, Jughead, 1999/Baby I'm a Star/Push, Cream/Well Done/I Want You/In the Socket
8/10
Live at The Apollo, Vol. II - James Brown
Bah gawd this album is just about the cold hard funkiest live album ever recorded. So many jams, I am sure everyone in the band got a couple of solos throughout. And those beats! You can not have hip-hop without sampling some of that.
Highlights: There Was a Time, Bring It Up, Sweet Soul Music, Maybe the Last Time
8.5/10
Live at the BBC - The Beatles
A very fine collection of The Beatles performing their early hits and some rock'n roll classics. It is a great showcase of how talented they were as musicians. And hilarious dudes all round, because the between-song banter is generally hilarious.
Highlights: Everybody's Trying to Be My Baby, Ticket to Ride, Matchbox, Slow Down, Honey Don't
7/10
Live at the BBC, Vol. 2 - Queen
This is a little LOGMAN collection of the extra BBC tracks found on all the reissue bonus discs. I would just get the On Air set, but I am really only missing a few now and I am sure they will be reissued in other ways.
Highlights: We Will Rock You [Fast Version], Spread Your Wings, See What a Fool I've Been, Flick of the Wrist
8/10
Live at the Brixton Academy - Faith No More
Mike Patton sounds like he has cold or is just a terrible singer. I am guessing the latter. The funny thing is when he actually tries to sing something properly he sounds a million times better! I mean, this is just garbage. Wait - there are two bonus studio tracks? In 30 years this is my first time realising that. Perhaps even teenage LOGMAN could not make it through how bad this album was to hear them?
Highlights: The Cowboy Song
4/10
Live at the Rainbow: 31 March 1974 - Queen
More live Queen? Yes please! Especially this performance; Queen II is one of the greatest albums ever, so getting an actual concert from the tour supporting that album is great. And it is a pretty darn impressive performance - they sound absolutely massive and just nail everything.
Highlights: White Queen (As It Began), Father to Son, Ogre Battle, Son and Daughter
8/10
Live at the Rainbow: November 1974 - Queen
And Queen return some 8 months later to promote their Sheer Heart Attack album. Good for them! It is a little lacking compared to the previous show, but it is still pretty great. And boy this crowd are Jonesing for Liar the whole show. Pretty funny when Freddie just gives up trying to introduce it, because the crowd just will not stop yelling about it.
Highlights: The March of the Black Queen, Stone Cold Crazy, In the Lap of the Gods... Revisited
7.5/10
"Albums" listened to so far: 995
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Thursday, 28 August 2025
2025 in 2025: Day 113
Wednesday, 27 August 2025
2025 in 2025: Day 112
Tuesday, 26 August 2025
2025 in 2025: Day 111
Monday, 25 August 2025
2025 in 2025: Day 110
Friday, 22 August 2025
2025 in 2025: Day 109
Wednesday, 20 August 2025
2025 in 2025: Day 108
Monday, 18 August 2025
2025 in 2025: Day 107
Friday, 15 August 2025
2025 in 2025: Day 106
Thursday, 14 August 2025
2025 in 2025: Day 105
Tuesday, 5 August 2025
2025 in 2025: Day 104
6/10
Monday, 4 August 2025
2025 in 2025: Day 103
J is for JustAnother13000SongsToGo
J・A・M - JUDY AND MARY
YUKI is the stuff. Punk YUKI swearing and shouting is even better. Dang this band were so fun!
Highlights: Judy is a Tank Girl, Power of Love, Lolita A-Go-Go, Glamour Punks
7/10
Jackie - Joanne [Single]
Ooooh yeah a dance classic!
9/10
Jacksonville City Nights - Ryan Adams & The Cardinals
This is the most pure and country this dude did and I actually dig it. Still, even! The Follow the Lights version of Dear John is way betterer in parts, but I def get chills at the end of the last verse on this one - credit to Norah Jones' delivery, there. The distortions and stuff just adds to the charm here.
Highlights: The End, Hard Way to Fall, The Hardest Part, Withering Heights, Don't Fail Me Now
8/10
Jacksonville City Nights: Rarities - Ryan Adams & The Cardinals
These are great, too! The electric version of September is probably one of the best songs on both versions of the album. This version of Always on My Mind is a masterpiece.
Highlights: September [Alternate Take], Always on My Mind, What Sin Replaces Love (both versions, dammit)
7.5/10
Jacksonville: Paxam Singles Series, Vol. 2 - Ryan Adams
What is this, some sort of Ryan Adams vs Jacksonville documentary?
Highlights: That initial surprise when this was released? Mr. Walkedypants is admittedly quite funny
6/10
Jagged Little Pill - Alanis Morissette
The angsty album that all angsty albums are measured against. And they are never going to match it, because no one else is doing it as openly and honestly as Alanis.
Highlights:
9/10
Jagged Little Pill [Acoustic] - Alanis Morissette
Alanis is older and not so angry ten years later, so instead she tries to sing the songs more perfectly. Which also means almost no emotion. Which is the thing that made Jagged Little Pill so awesome. This version of Perfect is actually a million times better, though. Otherwise, some of the arrangements are just cheesy.
Highlights:
7/10
James Brown's Funky People - Various Artists
I do not entirely recall how I discovered this compilation, but I do recall it was one of the first things I ever bought on iTunes. And it is a stellar collection of the biggest stone cold funkiest grooves you could ever find.
Highlights: Gimme Some More - Fred Wesley & The J.B.'s, Damn Right I am Somebody Pts 1 & 2 - Fred Wesley & The J.B.'s, Givin Up Food for Funk Pt 1 - The J.B.'s, (It's Not the Express) It's the JB's Monorail Pt 1 - The J.B.'s
9/10
James Brown's Funky People, Vol. 2 - Various Artists
Less J.B.'s, more Bobby Byrd and Maceo. More of a heavier funk kind of thing, but still a hell of a groove.
Highlights: You Can Have Watergate Just Gimme Some Bucks and I'll Be Straight Pt. 1 - The J.B.'s, Cross the Tracks (We Better Go Back) - Maceo and The Macks, I'm Paying Taxes What Am I Buying - Fred Wesley & The J.B.'s, Blow Your Head - Fred Wesley & The J.B.'s
8/10
Japanese Complete Level 1, Adj & Adv - VocabuLearn
This is one of many little lessons I would listen to on my walk to & from work to try and build my vocabulary. Whether it not worked is certainly up for debate. It mixes up going from English to Japanese, and then Japanese to English. Exciting!
7/10
Japanese Complete Level 1, Nouns - VocabuLearn
I tend to do better with the nouns. I think maybe I did these lessons more? Or I just use the words more often in conversation?
7/10
"Albums" listened to so far: 887
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Thursday, 31 July 2025
2025 in 2025: Day 102
Wednesday, 30 July 2025
2025 in 2025: Day 101
Tuesday, 29 July 2025
2025 in 2025: Day 101
Monday, 28 July 2025
2025 in 2025: Day 100
Saturday, 26 July 2025
2025 in 2025: Day 99
I challenge anyone to deny the absolute party that these songs are. Massive metal guitars with piano against dance beats and silly lyrics being screamed/shouted. It is the American answer to Japanese Idol music. And genuinely ahead of its time.
Highlights: She Is Beautiful, It's Time to Party, Fun Night, I Get Wet
Wednesday, 23 July 2025
2025 in 2025: Day 98
I is for I Still Have a Long Way to Go...
I - ichika
I recall that first EP being very minimalist, whereas this is pretty much fully realised stuff with vocals and backing. Still that guitar virtuoso stuff, though.
Highlights: Good Enough, a town in a dream, I
7/10
I Am Not a Doctor - Moloko
This is purely the song Sing It Back. I like it a lot. One day I will hear some more Moloko.
8/10
I Am Sam: Music From and Inspired by the Motion Picture - Various Artists
I really should check out the rest of this album one day - it is a good movie and the soundtrack is purely covers of songs by The Beatles - but for now all I have is Heather Nova performing We Can Work It Out. Nicely done.
8/10
I am... - Ayumi Hamasaki
One of the first Ayu albums I ever heard, and like A BEST I scored it for $1 at the opshop. And unlike A BEST, I actually liked this one when I first listened to it! I probably love it even more now; there is so much energy and emotion just pouring through every song. It is one of those albums where I need an option for 6 or 7 stars for some of the songs. And bah gawd that guitar solo in Daybreak is just the business.
Highlights: I am..., evolution, Naturally, Daybreak, M, Endless sorrow ~gone with the wind ver.~
9/10
I Awake - Sarah Blasko
This is a bit more of Blasko vs the orchestra, compared to her earlier works. And, for the most part, it really works. I also really like her voice on this album. An improvement over As Day Follows Night, to be sure!
Highlights: God-Fearing, Fool, Cast the Net, Not Yet
7.5/10
I Be... - Ivy
Another random K-pop song in my collection. This is Touch Me. That album title is so close to Ayu's - and she has a song called Ivy, too! Probably says Touch Me in a song, as well.
7/10
I Believe: The Gospel Masters - Elvis Presley
In case I have not made this clear enough, Elvis singing gospel songs is where he was at his best and it is VERY enjoyable to listen to. Sure, I prefer the uptempo stuff to the slower ones, but we are talking 4 discs of goodness right here. I need to do a back-to-back comparison between the songs that are found both here and on the Nashville sets, because I am not sure I need a million versions of everything. I strangely find some of the home recordings and rehearsal versions more fun that the studio tracks - Elvis is clearly more relaxed and just having fun singing songs he loves.
Highlights: Amazing Grace, Seeing is Believing, Bosom of Abraham, I John, If That Isn't Love, If I Can Dream, How Great Thou Art [Live]
8/10
I Do Not Feel Like Being Good [Single] - Ryan Adams
Wonderfully stark acoustic numbers. How Much Light is genuinely beautiful.
Highlights: How Much Light, In the Dark
8/10
"Albums" listened to so far: 816
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Monday, 21 July 2025
2025 in 2025: Day 97
Friday, 18 July 2025
2025 in 2025: Day 96
2025 in 2025: Day 116
Live in Tokyo, Japan (Nakano Sunplaza, February 19, 1992) - Nirvana This was the only live show from the 20th Anniversary release of Nevermi...
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31 March 1996 Arrowhead Pond Anaheim, California - USA Attendance: 18,853 Commentators: Vince McMahon & Gorilla Monsoon My thou...
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30 March 2008 Citrus Bowl Orlando Bowl, Florida - USA Attendance: 74,635 Commentators: Jim Ross, Jerry 'the King' Lawler, Mic...
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So this morning I follow my usual thing of getting on the bus to go to work... haven't done anything different or looking unusual in any...