2025 in 2025: Day 104

Jar of Flies - Alice in Chains

Bah gawd that solo in Nutshell is the perfect amount of feel. These guys had a real knack for mixing chill acoustic vibes with angry grunge-metal attitude. This was more of the former and it is some of their best work.

Highlights: Nutshell, No Excuses, I Stay Away, Rotten Apple

8/10

The Jasmine Flower - Heather Nova

Continuing with my acoustic-themed start to the day, here is Ms. Nova giving a big dose of purely acoustic numbers, with the occasional cello thrown in to make it a bit more depressing. It ends with an original Xmas song? Which at least has some drums and keyboards, so things end on a bit of lift.

Highlights: Out On a Limb, Say Something, Always Christmas
6/10

Jazz - Queen

Freddie Mercury does not like Star Wars? I knew there was a reason I always loved Queen! You know, I have this mindset that this is like the worst Queen album. Always have since I was young. But when I actually listen to it... it really is not that bad. There are some killer tracks on it and there is some serious fun to be had.

Highlights: Fat Bottomed Girls, Bicycle Race, Dead on Time, Don't Stop Me Now

8/10

JEJEJEJET!! - PASSPO☆

I am not going to re-read my previous bLog about this album, but you should. Because this album is fantastic. Although I do wish I had my old spreadsheet from the PASSPO☆ marathon so I could check if I am just throwing about 5 star ratings without prejudice nowadays. The last two songs are about as perfect as anyone could ask for. I want to put them on repeat!

Highlights: Growing Up (Album ver.), 「I」, サクラ小町, BEAST IN YOU, 気分はサイコー! サイコー! サイコー!

8/10

Jewel Vox - Pile

My fav character from Love Live!'s voice actor - and the genuinely best singer of the show - makes her debut away from the terrible idol of μ's. And this is mostly generic anime-style music. Which is fine? I mean, Psychic Lover are one of my all-time favourite bands and their whole deal is making anime music. Just not at all generic. Just you wait until I get to the P albums... 

Highlights: Black Butterfly, Furuwasaete, ⇒ NEXT WORLD ⇒, いつかキミに届ける世界

6.5/10

Jewels: Alternate Takes - Queen

I ended up with so many extra tracks from the Queen reissues that I had to break them down to their own little albums. Much better than having 15 random EPs. Except I really had no idea how I was grouping them for the most part. I will probably adjust them at some point. I genuinely prefer the original b-side version of My Life Has Been Saved - feels like it has a bit more drive than what they did to it for Made in Heaven. 

Highlights: Keep Yourself Alive [Long-Lost Retake, June 1975], Don't Stop Me Now [With Long Lost Guitars], My Life Has Been Saved [1989 B-Side Version], Teo Torriatte (Let Us Cling Together) [HD Mix]

8/10

Jewels: De Lane Lea Demos - Queen

These do not sound too far removed from the final studio versions. Except the drums sound better? While everything else sounds a bit worse? Or maybe that is just the quality of the tapes. Let us see what I have to say when I hear the Queen I version of this!

Highlights: Jesus, The Night Comes Down

7/10

Jewels: Instrumentals - Queen

Great songs, just minus the main vocals. Do not fret: those epic layers of harmonies are still there, sometimes. It does make you appreciate the little bits in the music that you do not normally hear (plus these are likely modern remixes, so not exact replicas).

Highlights: Tie Your Mother Down [Backing Track], Seven Seas of Rhye [Instrumental], Chinese Torture, Spread Your Wings [Instrumental]

6.5/10

Joanne - Lady Gaga

There are a few bright spots, naturally, but otherwise this is the most uninspired and derivative material Gaga has released. An album so mediocre I do not think I have listened to anything she has released since.

Highlights: Million Reasons, Diamond Heart, Grigio Girls, Hey Girl

6/10

John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band - John Lennon

This should probably just be called Plastic Ono Band, no? The most public therapy session. I also appreciate that the whole album just has three types of songs; grunge/shuffle, piano ballady, and acoustic minimalism. And all of them involve Lennon just putting everything in to them. 

Highlights: Mother, God, My Mummy's Dead, Hold On, I Found Out

9/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 897

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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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