2025 in 2025: Day 128

Let's check out what is happening in the MTV studios today...

MTV Unplugged - Alanis Morissette

Peak Alanis, right here. A mix of songs from Jagged Little Pill and Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie - which both rule - but the real highlights here are the rare songs not from those albums. These R the Thoughts is the only that had been previously recorded, but this unplugged version is actually better.

Highlights: These R the Thoughts, Joining You, No Pressure Over Cappuccino, Princes Familiar

8.5/10

MTV Unplugged - Alice in Chains

A very sombre affair. I actually really enjoy the tracks from the self-titled album on here, because it proves what I thought about removing all the dirge and you get good songs. Still dark and nihilistic, but good. Layne Staley really is not in good form here, but then I guess he probably does okay for a dude that was doing so much heroin that he refused to leave his house again after this.

Highlights: No Excuses, Sludge Factory, Angry Chair, Over Now

7/10

MTV Unplugged - Bryan Adams

This is some serious re-working of these songs. Nice for a bit of a change, and he certainly brought in a crazy good team of musicians to do it. And some random new songs as well. It is BA being BA. It never fails.

Highlights: Back to You, Cuts Like a Knife, Heaven, A Little Love

8/10

MTV Unplugged - Kiss

Greatest MTV Unplugged album. Greatest live album. When I am not listening to the CD, I should be watching it on DVD. 

Highlights: 57 minutes of good times

10/10

MTV Unplugged - Jay-Z

Jay-Z teaming up with The Roots to give his songs a real groove. The funniest part is that this is a TV show, so he is censoring himself all through the songs. Which, given how much Jay swears and says rude things, must have been a serious challenge and proves why Hova is the best.

Highlights: Izzo  (H.O.V.A.), Takeover, Heart of the City (Ain't No Love),  Jigga That N****

8/10

MTV Unplugged - Mariah Carey

Have I mentioned Mariah Carey is an awesome singer? Like, if Boyz II Men were just one woman, I am not sure they would be as good as her. I will even allow her to sing a Jackson 5 song.

Highlights: I'll Be There, Emotions, Make It Happen

7.5/10

MTV: Extreme Galacial Beats - Various Artists

Lots of electronic music, but not just a DJ mix like most of those other albums I have. This is just a straight up compilation of big breaks to go do "extreme" things to, I guess? It is pretty great, in parts. 

Highlights: Out of Control - The Chemical Brothers, 138 Trek - DJ Zinc, Stakker Humanoid (Krafty Kuts Remix) - Humanoid, We Are Alive (DJ Icey's Arctic Bass Mix) - Paul Van Dyj

6.5/10

MTV: Extreme Alpine Chills - Various Artists

More of the same, except - as the title suggest - this is all a lot more chill. And features more of your well-known electro names, like Moby and Fatboy Slim. 

Highlights: Relax - Etienne De Crecy, Karmacoma - Massive Attack, Fire in the Middle - Nightmares on Wax, I've Got a Right - Only Child

6/10

Mugenmirai - Perfume

The curse of purchasing J-Pop singles in iTunes is having to deal with romaji in the titles. But I love this song, so I just have to deal with it. I probably need more Perfume in my life.

9/10

The Music - The Music

Early 00s UK dance indie rock? Who cares - the important thing is this is a serverly underrated album. It loses its steam towards the end, for sure, but otherwise it just immediately gets rocking and never stops.

Highlights: Take the Long Road and Walk It, The People, The Dance, Human

7.5/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1130

FREE PALESTINE

2025 in 2025: Day 127

Mosaic - Wang Chung

Everybody have fun tonight! This is just peak 80s pop in all its glory. And there is a surprising amount of angry swearing at how our capitalist society is destroying our world!

Highlights: Everybody Have Fun Tonight, Let's Go, The World in Which We Live

7/10

Most of All: The Best of - Debbie Harry

Blondie were pretty cool. And Debbie Harry herself is cool. But... her solo work is pretty naff. Outside of a couple of songs, it is all very uninspired and only shows that her voice was pretty average. I am not saying someone like Mariah Carey could have made these songs more worthwhile... actually, her duetting with Iggy Pop would have been wild.

Highlights: I Want That Man, French Kissin' in the USA, Free to Fall, In Love With Love

6/10

Mother Love Bone - Mother Love Bone

These dudes had great riffs. A lot of great riffs. It is just that, in general, the rest of the song did not follow up on said great riff as well as you would want. BUT when they got it right, they really got it right. Despite the hype, I do not think they would have been any bigger had Andrew Wood lived.

Highlights: Stardog Champion, This is Shangrila, Chloe Dancer/Crown of Thorns, Gentle Groove

7/10

Mötley Crüe - Mötley Crüe

When this came out, I remember people using all sorts of weird genre terms to describe; thrash metal, death metal, grunge... none of them at all accurate. People just looked at images and decided that was the sound. What it DOES sound like, is awesomeness. This is still kinda Mötley Crüe - just with a different singer. And big balls. New (temporary?) singer John Corabi's voice is so different to Vince Neil's, that it always amazes me he was their first choice. It's really a good mix of the heavier/darker songs and a little more radio-friendly rock, plus Droppin' Like Flies is sort of prog? Maybe kinda not really. Smoke the Sky is some sort of ode to marijuana usage - which is odd coming from guys that were supposed to be completely free of alcohol and drugs at this point (I mean, I'm pretty sure I saw Tommy knocking back champagne when I went to his DJ gig a few years back, but whatever). Honestly, when this album came out, I know I bought in to all the negative press around it - being a big fan of the original line-up, it was hard not to. But within a few years, I was able to realise that this album is actually darn awesome. Really darn awesome.

Highlights: Misunderstood, Hooligan's Holiday, Power to the Music, Welcome to the Numb

8/10

Mountain Top [Single] - ELLEGARDEN

When this was first released, it was never going to live up to my expectations; the first single in 16 years, the first piece of recording since their reunion, and just something I never thought would happen in my lifetime. It has since grown on me and definitely appreciate it a lot more. Still sounds kind of generic rock, but at least the lyrics are great. And ELLEGARDEN are back, mofos!

8/10

The Movie - The Shit

This may well be Ryan Adams' best work ever. Certainly his greatest lyrics. A lot of Andy Fiddlesticks, Jo Jo the Parrot and punching in the nuts. KING FUCKING KONG!!!

Highlights: Honky Tonk Ba-Donkey Kong, Jimmy, Blue as a Zoo, Taco Bell in Bed, Problems

9/10

MPLSound - Prince

I only just discovered what the MPLS stands for. I am not American, okay? This is a total solo Prince album and it is just funky pop all the way. By Prince standards, it is... mediocre. Like, he probably just sat down at the computer and pumped this all out in like half a day.

Highlights: No More Candy 4 U, (There'll Never B) Another Like Me, Valentina, Ol' Skool Company

7/10

Mr. Bad Guy - Freddie Mercury

Hard to believe this was his only real solo album. It is almost what you would expect; lots of keyboards, synths and dance beats, but a lot less layered vocals than a Queen album. I get the feeling that is more of a Brian May thing. The songs reworked for Made in Heaven sound better there.

Highlights: Made in Heaven, I Was Born to Love You, Mr. Bad Guy

6.5/10

Mr. T's Commandments - Mr. T

The greatest man ever is here to tell you how to be better. The most important 30 minutes of your life, outside of watching Be Somebody or Be Somebody's Fool.

Highlights: The Toughest Man in the World, Mr. T Mr. T, You Got to Go Through It, The One and Only Mr. T

7.5/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1120

FREE PALESTINE

2025 in 2025: Day 126

(miss)understood - Ayumi Hamasaki

Album # 1100, three mornings in a row starting with The Empress, and we return to that peak era. This album is one where I think it is good and then I listen to it and I am like HOLY MACKERAL WILL IT EVER STOP BEING AWESOME?!? Like, try and find a better opening run than these first five songs. Then the middle eases up a bit, but then towards the end we get one of her best ballads ever, one of her best instrumentals ever, and then some great pop to end things off. 

Highlights: HEAVEN, STEP you, Are You Wake Up?, (miss)understood, is this LOVE?

8.5/10

Missing You - K.Will

The next chapter in my random K-Pop song collection. This is a couple of light tracks - a ballad and a bit of a dance number. Not bad. Good voice.

Highlights: Missing You, Hypnosis

6.5/10

The Mix Tape - KRS-One

This is purely The Real Hip-Hop is Over Here. A massive and direct diss at Nelly. Probably one of my favourite diss tracks, because KRS knows how to put some lyrics together. If I were Nelly, I probably would have cried myself to sleep every night for a month, with my face buried in a pile of cash...

9/10

The Mix-Up - Beastie Boys

Instrumental acid jazz fun times from these cats. It is great... but admittedly, a bit disappointing. Only because their instrumentals on all their albums were super awesome, and these are a bit more of a loose jam. Still pretty funky in parts, though.

Highlights: Off the Grid, The Cousin of Death, The Melee, Freaky Hijiki

7/10

The Mix-Up (Bonus Tracks EP) - Beastie Boys

Like the name says, these are leftover tracks they threw online and made suckers like me buy. More of the same, but at least the title track made the cut here!

Highlights: The Mix-Up

6.5/10

Mixed Up - The Cure

There are "extended mix" versions of songs from Disintegration? Imagine adding them to the album. And then doing "extended mix" versions of more songs on the album. Would it ever end? Wait - the "extended dub mix" of Pictures of You is actually shorter than the album version. What a world!

Highlights: Never Enough (Big Mix), Fascination Street (Extended Mix), A Forest (Tree Mix)

7/10

Mixed Up World [Single] - Sophie Ellis-Bextor

A few neat songs by the kitchen disco queen.

Highlights: Mixed Up World, The Earth Shook the Devil's Hand

7/10

Moanin' - Mr. Airplane Man

This is the song Somebody's Baby. This has gotta be somebody else's song, because I have no idea where this came from or what this is or even who this band is.

6/10

Modjo - Modjo

The is purely the song Lady (Hear Me Tonight). I do not know of any other songs by Modjo. Do they have any other songs? Do they need any other songs?

8/10

Monster - R.E.M.

I feel like this album is R.E.M. trying to lean in to that whole 'grunge' thing, when they had been some sort of indie rock band for like 15 years at this point - and actually been doing the major label pop-rock thing for half of that time, anyways. And I know all the grunge bands respected them or whatever... but this just does not work for me at all. Well, the grunge parts; the few parts where they actually produce well-crafted pop-rock songs works nicely.

Highlights: Strange Currencies, What's the Frequency Kenneth?

5/10

Moodring - Mýa

This is purely the Missy produced My Love Is Like...Wo. Because I take Missy in all forms, even if it is just her going "Wo" over a big beat.

9/10

Moondancer - Meco

Meco taking a break from the disco-fied soundtracks to make some of his own disco music. Dracula's coming!

Highlights: Love Me Dracula, Spooky, Devil Delight, Living in the Night

7/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1111

FREE PALESTINE

2025 in 2025: Day 125

mimosa - Ayumi Hamasaki

Ayu's most recent single. Nothing groundbreaking, but very good. Still Ayu.

8/10

Mind Games - John Lennon

This albums is very low key, but lyrically still very protesty and freedom for the people. Just less angsty than Sometime in New York City. Almost like Lennon is tired and his energy a bit drained since the last album flopped. And he was drinking and partying a lot. Probably that. 

Highlights: Mind Games, I Know (I Know), Meat City, Out of the Blue

7/10

Minor Earth Major Sky - a-ha

Interesting how these guys always seemed to grow and adapt their sound to be more in step with what was happening in pop music; this certainly sounds like something from around 2000, without sounding too terrible. 

Highlights: Velvet, The Sun Never Shone That Day, Barely Hanging On

6.5/10

Holy moly we are just following up yesterday hilariously well!

Minutes to Midnight - Linkin Park

Not a lot of Mike Shinoda on this one. And the album is boring. Coincidence? Musically, it does have good moments. It is just having it all rely on Chester Bennington do his thing just does not give the songs any dynamics. The proof is in the only two songs that feature Shinoda doing his thing, too, and they are easily the best songs on the album.

Highlights: Bleed It Out, Shadow of the Day, What I've Done

6/10

The Miracle - Queen

This album has it all; dance bops, simple pop, ballads, synth bass, computer drums... and in there are two of their biggest straight rock songs ever. Brian May's tone on this album is absolute perfection. I do have the box set and am looking forward to listening to the various outtakes and what not - I have already heard the version of Breakthru on there with the real drums and bass and it sounds awesome - but I still have like 900 albums in here to get through... so maybe in 2026...

Highlights: I Want It All, Was It All Worth It, Breakthru, The Miracle

8.5/10

Miracle Driving - JUDY AND MARY

Fairly standard JAM offering, though much less punk than usual. But still enjoyable.

Highlights: Miracle Night Driving, Kyoto, Platinum, ステレオぜんかい

7/10

A Mirage in the Sun - MONOEYES

I was going to say something about this being their weakest album, but it really is not. Or all their albums are great and I just sometimes pretend otherwise? The end three songs here are absolute perfection - like the ending of a PASSPO☆ album. These dudes actually released a new album a couple of weeks ago. Shame I will have to wait three more months to check it out...

Highlights: 明日公園で, Wish it Was Snowing Out, Remember Me, グラニート

8/10

MIRROR - SCANDAL

While I do miss the angsty punk vibes from their previous couple of albums, the newfound creativity on display throughout this album more than makes up for it. I should learn some of these riffs for the next time I get to demo Mami's signature strat. That thing is art!

Highlights: MIRROR, eternal, 彼女はWave, アイボリー

8/10

Mirrorball - Sarah McLachlan

For those keeping score at home, this makes THREE live albums from Sarah McLachlan in my collection. Insert a gif of Tim Robinson saying "What the hell?" from I Think You Should Leave here. In fairness, the previous two were EPs and this is a full on long album. And it is long. And it is very good. The songs generally have a bit of an extra kick going on, although I am not sure any of them needed shredding guitar solos.

Highlights: Sweet Surrender, Ice Cream, Wait, Do What You Have to Do

7/10

The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill - Lauryn Hill

Ms. Hill gets a lot of flack, but she also gets away with a lot. A LOT. People give her more leeway than she probably deserves, but the reason for that is this album is a gawdam masterpiece. Two parts hip-hop, two parts R&B, one part reggae, one part gospel, three parts soul. All parts brilliant.

Highlights: Ex-Factor, Zion, Doo Wop (That Thing), Can't Take My Eyes Off of You

9/10

Miss-E... So Addictive - Missy Elliott

Oooh yeah we are just hitting all my hip-hop bumps today! This may not be Missy's best work, but there are still some killer tracks. This is her and Timberland starting to find their groove between between making artsy creative hip-hop and getting some hooks. Missy's rhymes are badass, though. And she sure does not have patience for fools. 

Highlights: Get Ur Freak On, One Minute Man (Remix), Dog in Heat, Old School Joint, Step Off

7/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1099

FREE PALESTINE

2025 in 2025: Day 124

Memorial Address - Ayumi Hamasaki

Could this EP be any more Ayu? It just needs one of her angry heavy Linkin Park style tracks, otherwise it has everything else you would expect; fun pop, funky grooves, big rock ballads. Absolutely awesome.

Highlights: Memorial Address, HANABI ～episode II～, ourselves

9/10

Memorial Beach - a-ha

I hesitate to use the word dark here, but this is more artsy and blues-rock than their previous work. Like, they've clearly been listening to some grunge, but it has not totally overtaken their complete sound. And it really works for me! This album makes me appreciate their all-around musicianship.

Highlights: Move to Memphis, Cold as Stone, Between Your Mama and Yourself, Lie Down in the Darkness

7/10

Merry Christmas - Mariah Carey

Ms. Carey could sing to me the full screenplay of Avatar and the ingredients of a tin of baked beans and I am sure I would sit there all doe-eyed. Merry Christmas!

Highlights: All I Want for Christmas is You

6.5/10

Messin' with the Boys - Cherie & Marie Currie

I did briefly mention The Currie sisters many years ago. The performance in that video is the stuff! This album is so far removed from The Runaways - like a Peter Criss album is to a Kiss album. The reissue is certainly overkill and unnecessary. The world does not need 1288 versions of Cherry Bomb!

Highlights: Since You've Been Gone, Messin' with the Boys, Elaine, This Time

7/10 for the original album, 6/10 for the reissue

Meteora - Linkin Park

Sometimes you just feel like a bit of angry LP doing the angry LP thing. There is something comforting about it, I think. Any album where Mike Shinoda raps lots gets my approval. More on that tomorrow...

Highlights: Lying from You, Nobody's Listening, Numb, Figure.09

7.5/10

Midnite Vultures - Beck

Weird noises, silly lyrics, some funky basslines and the occasional actual hooks. I can appreciate his attempt to make a silly Prince album - and in parts it totally works. But, like, I have Prince. And Flight of the Conchords doing silly Prince.

Highlights: Milk & Honey, Mixed Bizness, Debra, Sexx Laws

6/10

Mike + the Mechanics - Mike + the Mechanics

This is only the song All I Need is a Miracle. It is some sort of 80s staple.

7/10

Milk and Honey - John Lennon/Yoko Ono

If ever an album out there needed to be re-recorded it would be this. Normally I am somewhat against that sort of thing, but in this case I wholeheartedly support it. Hell, bring in McCartney if you must and have him record some backing vocals; the songs being unfinished means Lennon's vocal performances are less than what he was aiming for. There are some pretty decent songs here. They just needed to be... finished.

Highlights: Nobody Told Me, I'm Stepping Out, Grow Old with Me

6.5/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1088

FREE PALESTINE

2025 in 2025: Day 123

The Masterplan - Oasis

I used to find the record label spiel about these dudes doing I am the Walrus live so dishonest; they would always brag about how "The Beatles never attempted to play it live" and I am like, sure - because they quit playing live before they had even written the song, so they never had the chance. Some of these songs are very good, and some are vey much deserving of just being a b-side. And there were so many better songs left off that LOGMAN had to make his own compilation of them.

Highlights: Acquiesce, Talk Tonight, Stay Young, The Masterplan

7.5/10

Mata Leão - Biohazard

It was a shame to drop an awesome guitarist, but it did mean that just being a trio these dudes churned out a fast and furious hardcore piece of awesome. This is just the most no-nonsense album they ever made. And I think I stole some of the liner notes from this album to pad out the credits of The Return of the Mystery Monks of the Shaolin Temple.

Highlights: Authority, Modern Democracy, Control, In Vain

8/10

Matangi - M.I.A.

Well, this album is... crazy? At least, it starts out fairly weird and then slowly gains some sense of normality. And then back to the crazy. M.I.A. sure likes to shout out of tune.

Highlights: Exodus, Bad Girls

5.5/10

The Matrix: Music From the Motion Picture - Various Artists

Well, I used to have this album, but then I ditched it and only kept Rob D's Clubbed to Death. Because it is a very mean beat. I do not think the rest of the album was worth it.

8/10

MAXIDENT - Stray Kids

These guys are such a conundrum; MASSIVE beats and generally very hooky-hooks, but then they love making silly noises and having sections that just have zero flow. When they do it right, they really do it right.

Highlights: CASE 143, CHILL, TASTE, Can't Stop

7.5/10

Maybe You've Been Brainwashed Too - Иew Radicals

No surprises, I only have one song. But it is not You Get What You Give - surprise! It is, of course, Someday We'll Know. Great song. One day I might check out the full album.

8/10

Measure of a Man - Clay Aiken

This is all very harmless mature pop music. Which is probably quite a waste of a singer like Clay Aiken.

Highlights: Invisible, Run to Me, I Survived You, Measure of a Man

6.5/10

The Meat Won't Listen - WereWolph

14 songs. 7 minutes. And 2 songs make up half of that time. The covers are hilarious - even when he covers himself - but some of this is very much not metal. DRA fails, yet again!

Highlights: I would like a full cover of Creed's Higher

4/10

Mechanical Advantage (The Covers EP) - Robot Goes Here

Absolutely hilarious low budget electro covers or rock and punk songs. The programmed vocals on Back in Black are amazing.

Highlights: Back in Black, The Trooper, Live in the Van

5.5/10

megaphonic - YUKI

YUKI finally embracing just being the artpop queen she always had inside her. With a little bit of pop-rock thrown in. Really solid album all around

Highlights: 鳴いてる怪獣, 相思相愛, Hello!, マイ・プライヴェート・アイダホ

8/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1080

FREE PALESTINE

2025 in 2025: Day 122

The Man From Manhattan - Eddie Howell

Freddie Mercury and Brian May get far too much billing for this. Well, Mercury does. Brian May's guitar is very obvious. But the Queen influence is all over this thing. Not a bad song, but I think Freddie was a tad optimistic to be so sure it was going to be a hit. But then again, compared to everything else on this, it is a sure fire classic!

Highlights: The Man From Manhattan, The Man From Manhattan (Revisited)

6/10

Man of Colours - Icehouse

I absolutely MUST get this album in full. One of the best Australian albums of the 80s, no doubt. And I am missing songs like Nothing Too Serious and My Obsession.

Highlights: Crazy, Electric Blue

9/10

MAP OF THE SOUL: 7 - BTS

This album is pure art. The solo songs being called interludes is hilarious, but ties it all together and everything here is different levels of great. Normally, I would be critical of an album this length, but it never gets too much, because there is so much going on and it all slams. It is impossible to not enjoy the BTS pop/hip-hop/R&B stylings. They are their own genre. And all of it proves once again that RM has the stupidest but most accurate name. Bah gawd I want to just listen to this all day.

Highlights: Intro: Persona, Dionysus, ON, Moon, We are Bulletproof: The Eternal, Outro: Ego

9/10

Map The Soul - Epik High

More Korean hip-hop! Another random song in my collection - Scenario. This might not be on BTS' level, but it is sure solid!

8/10

Mariah Carey - Mariah Carey

Everything about this, from the production to the hooks to Mariah's absolutely killer vocals, just screams 1990 to me. And I am here for it! Is it her that does the rapping on Prisoner? Because that is just wild! Someone needs to ask 10 year-old LOGMAN what his problem with Mariah was, because this album is my jam.

Highlights: Vision of Love, Prisoner, Someday, Love Takes Time

8/10

The Marshall Mathers LP - Eminem

This was an album I listened to non-stop back in 2000. And as much as I have grown up in the last 25 years, I can still say that some of these beats are awesome and the lyrics are mostly hilarious. The homophobia and whatnot has not aged well. Steve Berman skits, however, never get old. Oh snap, this just reminded me of when I saw Live in concert and that dude started 'singing' The Way I Am at the end of one of their cheesy songs. Xzibit used to be so darn cool. Kim is the most wonderfully disturbing song of the year 2000.

Highlights: The Way I Am, Bitch Please II, Under the Influence, Criminal

8/10

MarugotoStarterActivitiesMp3LessonReview - The Japan Foundation

Well, lots of audio from one of my earliest textbooks. Great for practicing on my walk to/from the office back in the day. Where else do you want me to put it? In the fridge?

Highlights: practice makes perfect

7/10

The Massacre - 50 Cent

Remember when 50 Cent was one of the biggest hip-hop superstars in the world? Now, he may be more famous for being on social media and throwing money at stuff. And making fun of Floyd Mayweather. He should do more of that part. This stuff works best when it is going hard, because his LL Cool J impersonation is pretty lame.

Highlights: Get In My Car, Ski Mask Way, My Toy Soldier, Hate It or Love It (Remix)

6.5/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1070

FREE PALESTINE

2025 in 2025: Day 121

M(A)DE IN JAPAN - Ayumi Hamasaki

I am unable to paste her symbol as text. Maybe I need to add it to my fonts or something? Flower is the heaviest and angriest and most awesome heavy Ayu song ever. And that guitar solo in Mr. Darling is just about the coolest. Hard to believe this album is almost 10 years old! And at this point was her last great album...

Highlights: Flower, Mad World, Mr. Darling, Survivor

8/10

Mack Daddy - Sir Mix-A-Lot

Strangely, this is purely Baby Got Back. I say strange, because I have two of his less popular albums in full. And Sir Mix-A-Lot is always good for some bounce. This song is iconic. I mean, who does not like big butts?

10/10

Mad Mad World - Tom Cochrane

This is just Life is a Highway. Bah gawd this song never gets old. I think I have heard a total of two Tom Cochrane songs in my life and can not remember the other. I think he is Canadian. So I should listen to more of his work!

10/10

Made in America - Blues Brothers

I would not brag about such things. Immediately leads consumers to believe your product may be poorly constructed. More live "blues" jamming from the best fake band ever. Belushi sure had a cool tone, even if he was not much of a singer.

Highlights: Soul Finger, Who's Making Love, I Ain't Got You, Going Back to Miami

7/10

Made in Heaven - Queen

This album is so much better than it had any right to be. Like, how do you just take a bunch of half-finished songs and make an album that is probably 20% better than any other album you have released in 10 years?!? And how did Mercury's voice sound so awesome still, despite being at the end of his life? Some massive rock songs, some chill pop, some epic ballads and even a dance number. All in all, it is the perfect sign-off. Fab.

Highlights: Let Me Live, Too Much Love Will Kill You, You Don't Fool Me, Made in Heaven, I Was Born to Love You

9/10

Madman Across the Water - Elton John

Would you believe this is only one song? A bit of a shame, really. I do not think I have actually heard this album in full. What a clown. This is Tiny Dancer. Legendary song about Tony Danza.

8/10

Magical Mystery Tour - The Beatles

The Fab Four go full on psychadelica. I will be real with you: the original EP is probably the worst recorded music in The Beatles' discography. One good song and they are all produced terribly, in my opinion. But then the US version that has now become canon adds the 1967 singles, and they are some of the absolute best songs The Beatles ever recorded. Go figure.

Highlights: Strawberry Fields Forever, All You Need Is Love, I am the Walrus, Baby You're a Rich Man

7/10

Make It Big - Wham!

How is this only the song Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go? I mean, this song is awesome, but I do not understand why I do not have the full album. Or more Wham! I should have ALL the Wham!

10/10

MAKUAKE - eill

This is surprisingly.. funky! Like, full on funk dance pop. Very very cool.

Highlights: MAKUAKE, FUTURE WAVE, 初恋

8/10

Mama Said Knock You Out - LL Cool J

Nothing like some old school LL Cool J to make the day even more badass. I actually do not recall listening to him so much back in the day, but this album strikes me as bit of a harder edge to some of his earlier cuts. The title track is all kinds of badassery. Marley Marl was/is def.

Highlights: Mama Said Knock You Out, Murdergram, Eat Em Up L Chill, Jingling Baby (Remixed But Still Jingling)

7/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1062

FREE PALESTINE

2025 in 2025: Day 120

LOVE YOURSELF 承 `Her` - BTS

These bad dudes hitting with a quick and killer EP. Pretty much just 8 awesome dance tracks. DNA has to be one of their most complete songs and MIC Drop is just straight heavy hip-hop.

Highlights: DNA, Best of Me, Pied Piper, MIC Drop

9/10

Love. Angel. Music. Baby. - Gwen Stefani

I was never a big fan of this album, outside of a few songs. Listening back some 20 years later and bah gawd her appropriation of Japanese is such a super lame way to try and be cool. Bitch can't even pronounce Harajuku properly. And lyrically this stuff is about as shallow and braindead as you could possibly achieve. Unbelievably, the best part of this album features Andre 3000. I guess negative x negative = positive. 

Highlights: Long Way to Go, What You Waiting For?

4/10

LOVEppears - Ayumi Hamasaki

This album is just one big hardcore dance party. Like, this dance beat kicks in and never stops! Even on a song like And Then that is all dark and moody - it still makes you want to dance your socks off. Which would be weird, because how does that happen without losing our shoes? Do your socks just melt because they were made with cheap cotton? Anyways, in spite of Ayu's voice on this album, it is just killer. Always much better than I ever give it credit for.

Highlights: Who..., And Then, End Roll, Fly High

8/10

LOVEppears/appears 20th Anniversary Edition - Ayumi Hamasaki

Did someone say dance party?!? When I see dance mixes labelled something like "EURO Mix", I wonder if that is how they would mix it in Europe. Like, is this how music is European clubs actually sounds? Anyways, these megamixes are kind of fun. The "Millenium Mix" of A Song for xx sounds very much like the album version. And from there, it is just appears, WHATEVER and immature mixed in different ways. And because that was too diverse, the final disc is just appears. I guess that was the original release or something? I would not know - in the year 2000 I was too busy listening to Limp Bizkit and Eminem to know what an Ayu was!

Highlights: being transported back to a Euro dance club circa-2000 which is something I never experienced so have absolutely no nostalgia for it.

6.5/10

LOVEppears/appears 20th Anniversary Edition [Disc 1] - Ayumi Hamasaki

And then we are back to the beginning with the original album, but remastered for the 20th anniversary. Hence the big box set. Sadly, it is the only Ayu album that has been afforded such treatment. I was really hoping they might do something similar for MY STORY, but alas. I have this and the original release on here because there are genuine differences in the audio - this almost appears to be an actual remix, but I could be wrong. I have certainly heard appears enough today...

Highlights: Who..., And Then, End Roll, Fly High

8/10

Loverboy - Loverboy

I really should check out the rest of this album, but of now I will just enjoy the groove of Turn Me Loose. Great song.

8/10

Lovesexy - Prince

This album is such wonderful popfunkrnb. So much fun and danceability.

Highlights: Eye No, Lovesexy, Alphabet St., Glam Slam

8/10

Lyricist Lounge Vol. 1 - Various Artists

I only have the song Oh No by Mos Def, Pharoahe Monch & Nate Dogg. And it turns out I even have this on the wrong album? That is shocking. Almost as shocking as how cool this song? Pharoahe Monch has the coolest line of the week.

8/10

Turns out I also messed up my numbering last week and tried to force myself to listen to an extra 10 albums? Not on my watch!

"Albums" listened to so far: 1052

FREE PALESTINE

2025 in 2025: Day 119

Love Again - Ayumi Hamasaki

This is not an album I listen to often - quite likely my least listened to Ayu album, or at least right up there. It is not necessarily bad or anything - there a few awesome songs and the interludes are really great - but I find it a bit... generic. This whole little period post-Power of Music is her most average. Colours was awesome and put an end to that. I should listen to Colours again...

Highlights: snowy kiss, untitled for her... story 2, Ivy, Bye-bye darling

7.5/10

Love and Fear - Jimmy Barnes

Barnesy's usual brand of Aussie rock, but with more of a modern/updated sound. Which, at this point, is now 20 years-old. Big rock guitars, a few big beats. No rapping on this one, but def some R&B on that one song.

Highlights: Time Will Tell, Temptation, Love Gone Cold

6.5/10

The Love Below - Outkast

Or really an Andre 3000 solo album with Big Boi on a couple of tracks. Look, Imma be real with you with all: I find Andre 3000 really pretentious and annoying. And this album is a lot of nonsense and sex, without actually being sexy, if you know what I mean. In the middle are two certified bangers, but they are just surrounded by the stupidest collection of skits and... whatever this is. None of it feels like actual songs.

Highlights: Hey Ya!, Roses

4/10

Love Demolition - Zowie

I think this is NZ pop? I was given this CD by... someone? And they were given it... somewhere? Clearly a heavy influence from Lady Gaga going on here. It is actually mostly decent. Or at least listenable. Hey - that is a very high compliment for me when it comes to New Zealand music!

Highlights: You Treat Me (Like I'm Software), My Calculator, Nothing Else, Ping Ping

6.5/10

Love Gun - Kiss

This album is just what I needed this morning to get back on track! Just about peak Kiss, right here. Well, I mean, they peaked for like 3 years and it was basically downhill after this, but this album rules the schools.

Highlights: I Stole Your Love, Love Gun, Got Love for Sale, Plaster Caster

9/10

Love is Hell - Ryan Adams

No one will ever convince me this album is as good as people try to pretend it is. I am not saying it is terrible - because I listened to The Love Below this morning, so I know terrible - but it is not the amazing triumph that Ryan Adams fans think it is.

Highlights: This House is Not For Sale, Love is Hell, Wonderwall, Please Do Not Let Me Go

6/10

Love is Hell Rarities - Ryan Adams

Some of these songs are fine. Some are better than some of the songs on Love is Hell. Some are just a continuation of the miserable mediocrity found on Love is Hell. And this version of This Is It is the worst I have ever heard.

Highlights: Gimme Sunshine, I Want to Go Home

5.5/10

Love is Hell: New York Sessions - Ryan Adams

I am going to kill myself...

Highlights: I am dead like Charlie Kirk

5/10

Love Live! School Idol Project - μ's

Oh hey, I did a cleanup of this stuff a few years ago. I actually thought it was last Winter, but apparently time goes VERY quickly! Yeah yeah iDOL is SHiT and all that, but this is exactly what I needed after 3 hours of DRA being a black cloud. These girls are the rainbow and sunshine washing his BS away. I need to learn No brand girls on guitar. And bah gawd that bassline in どんなときもずっと is phenomenal.

Highlights: No brand girls, どんなときもずっと, Wonderful Rush, 僕らは今のなかで

8/10

Love Live! Sunshine - Aqours (and others)

Why, yes - I did a cleanup for these songs the day after doing so for μ's. This was more complex, because I had everything still split across like 4 albums and all sub-unit names are being used for the artists, etc. I may have to watch an episode of this show tonight.

Highlights: 勇気はどこに？君の胸に！, 君のこころは輝いてるかい？, SELF CONTROL!!, Landing action Yeah!!

7.5/10

Love Songs - Ayumi Hamasaki

Start the day with Ayu and end the day with Ayu! I always forget this album actually came out before the Power of Music concert - mostly because there is almost nothing from it performed at that show - and I consider it the start of the 'lame' period of Ayu's career. Well, first lame period. The second would be the last 4 or 5 years. Like most Ayu albums, it is a mix of various styles, but country rock is certainly a first!

Highlights: Thank U, Love song, MOON, blossom, sending mail

7/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1044

FREE PALESTINE

2025 in 2025: Day 118

Look Look Look - MC Hammer
Hammer going hard on this album. And Pleasure Ellis is a darn fine singer - reminds me of Michael Jackson in his tone. When Hammer gets his Prince on and gets all sexy, it is really hard to not just think it is parody, because it just never sounds genuine at all. Hammer is a family man. Prince was a freak. These two are at their best speaking on love and peace. Hammer and Pleasure Ellis, that is. Not Hammer and Prince.
Highlights: What Happened to Our Hood?, HammerTime, Who Loves Me?, West Coast Cha
7/10

Loose - Nelly Furtado
I am old enough to remember when this came out and people called Furtado a sellout or whatever. Like JT's FutureSex/LoveSounds, this album surprisingly holds up well. Timbaland sure was on something back in 2006.
Highlights: Maneater, Te Busque, Say It Right, Wait For You
7.5/10

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King - Howard Shore
I actually only have one song here - Into the West - and it is a beautiful cinematic moment. 
9/10

The Lost Boys: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack - Various Artists
This is only Good Times by INXS and Jimmy Barnes. Why? I already have this elsewhere!
9/10

Lost Dogs - Pearl Jam
This is only the song Hard to Imagine. Sadly, it is a re-recorded version. I once had the original bootleg version from like 1993 and it was better. Not sure that copy ended up or why they could not just release it instead of this. No one wants to hear annoying mid-00s Eddie Vedder.
8/10

Lost Highway - Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi go country! And it is as corny as you would imagine. Which is right in Bon Jovi's wheelhouse. Sambora plays a bunch of very tasty solos. 
Highlights: Whole Lot of Leavin', Lost Highway, Any Other Day, Til We Ain't Strangers Anymore
7/10

LOtUSFLOW3R - Prince
Prince channeling Hendrix and giving us a blues rock album was not something I expected, but I am grateful for it. Awesome solos galore!
Highlights: Dreamer, Colonized Mind, Crimson and Clover, 4ever
7/10

LOVE - 菅田 将暉
Good actor, good music. I do not seem to recall who it was that wrote the songs, but he is a very talented guy that is writing for many good artists. No, not me. 
Highlights: ロングホープ・フィリア, TONE BENDER LOVE, あいつとその子, まちがいさがし
7/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1033

FREE PALESTINE

2025 in 2025: Day 117

Live: Medianrum Forumassago, Milan 03-11-2010 - Prince

This an example of a very listenable audience recording. It is not perfect by any stretch, but certainly gives a decent account of what the show was like. And this show is Prince tearing up the sky with his telecaster. The man is clearly in a groove, because it is not until song five that he actually plays one of his own tracks. And his playing has all the feel and funk you could imagine. 

Highlights:

8/10

Live: Omaha to Osaka - L7

Having a marching band perform a medley of L7 songs is definitely a way to start a live show. Not sure what their beef with Dave Mustaine and Megadeth was. Sure, Crush 'Em was not the best entrance theme for Goldberg, but that is no reason to keep ripping on the dude in Omaha. They sure did not have anything to say about him in Osaka. Instead they.. .bitch about people asking for Shitlist. Rude. You played that for the clowns in Omaha! I guess that was their prize for not going to see Megadeth!

Highlights: Deathwish, Drama, Non-Existent Patricia, Shitlist, Fast and Frightening

7/10

Live: Palalottomatica, Rome 02-11-2010 - Prince

Hilarious that this comes after the concert that happened the day after. Now I am confused! The sound quality is not as good as the Milan show, but the setlist is slightly different; much less covers, a couple of 90s cuts, and a bit less jamming. Purple Rain is not quite the guitar solo masterclass as it would be the next night, but it is still extremely awesome. 

Highlights: Purple Rain, Peach, Controversy/Le Freak/Sexy Dancer, Shhh!

7.5/10

The Living Dead - BUMP OF CHICKEN

My usual points about these dudes still remains, but this album is a little different in vibes; it is much less rocking and a bit more chill. The acoustic guitar is quite prominent, but without the album not feeling like an indie rock album. Actually, that is the vibe! Much more indie. 

Highlights: LAMP, K, 続・くだらない唄, リリィ

7/10

The Living End - The Living End

When I hear Green Day albums from the late 90s/early 00s like Nimrod and Warning, I think this is what they though they sounded like. But they did not. Because that stuff was weaksauce and this is ferocious skiffle rockabilly punk rock and it absolutely stomps hard. Awesome songs and VERY good musicians. Sure, the 2nd half is just kind of okay, but that first half is so amazing you forget you are listening to some young Aussie dudes. Apparently, the dude from this band is also in a rockabilly group with Jimmy Barnes. Holy moly!

Highlights: Growing Up (Falling Down), Monday, Save the Day, Second Solution, West End Riot, All Torn Down

8/10

Living in the city - SCANDAL

Their drummer must have slept in and missed the session? Because this is modern-era SCANDAL with a big beat behind those soundscape guitars. And it is great.

8/10

Living in the Material World - George Harrison

This is much of a straight up pop album, compared to his first solo effort. Lyrically, it is very focused on spirituality. And getting sued.

Highlights: Be Here Now, Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth), The Day The World Get's Round, Living in the Material World

7.5/10

Living Things - Linkin Park

This is pretty quick fire. But also lacking in any real substance or anything memorable. It follows a bit of the vibe of Ten Thousand Suns by having a whole lot of similar sounding songs. Except those were awesome and there were all those weird interludes to mix it.

Highlights: Burn it Down, Powerless

6/10

London Calling - The Clash

Not quite as diverse as some of their other albums, but the mindset and attitude remains the same. This marathon has definitely made me appreciate The Clash even more.

Highlights: London Calling, Death or Glory, Train in Vain, Rudie Can't Fail

7.5/10

Long Plays 83-87 - Pseudo Echo

This is purely Funky Town. The greatest cover song ever. I do not need to know if Pseudo Echo ever made any other music, because this song should fund them many houses for eternity.

10/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 125

FREE PALESTINE

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 Nevermind that I kept. Because no one needs that many Nirvana concerts in their collection. Hell, I am not sure I even need one Nirvana concert in my collection.

Highlights: Lots of feedback

5/10

Live In Utrecht: June 20, 1987 - Prince

As expected, this is a very solid performance. And the band are certainly funk enough. However, it must be said that there is genuinely something lacking without The Revolution. 1999 sounds like a bit of a mess. And, strangely, most songs NOT from the Sign O' The Times album are rather truncated. Shelia E. is da bomb.

Highlights: Sign O' The Times, Girls & Boys, Four, Purple Rain

7.5/10

Live Jewels - Queen

A collection of random live songs, mostly from the reissue bonus discs. Well, they are all from the various reissues, just not full concerts or anything. Pretty sure if I look hard enough I could find them, but it is much nicer to just have the official releases that actually sound good. And makes for a fun mix.

Highlights: Is This the World We Created...? (Live in Rio January 1985), We Will Rock You [Fast] (Live in Tokorozawa November 1982), Action This Day (Live in Tokyo November 1982), Calling All Girls (Live in Tokyo November 1982)

7/10

Live May/June 1975 - Elvis Presley

It has been a hot minute since I heard some live Elvis, and this is a pretty fine concert; Elvis' voice is in good form and he clearly has zero cares to give, given he admits to being sick of singing Love Me Tender and even makes fun of his fans for attending the concert. Not sure the kissing 13 year-olds is something that needed to be on record, though.

Highlights: Let Me Be There, Burning Love, If You Love Me (Let Me Know), T-R-O-U-B-L-E

6.5/10

Live on Two Legs - Pearl Jam

Eddie Vedder sounds annoying from the very first line he sings on this album. And Stone Gossard's guitar work is... not great. Matt Cameron may actually be best part of this band, at this stage. Boring.

Highlights: The end guitar solo in Black

5.5/10

Live to Win - Paul Stanley

Taking a break from actual live albums is fine with me! I stand by all my original comments regarding this album. Paul's voice certainly is past its prime, here. But at least this is all relatively short.

Highlights: All About You, Live to Win

6/10

Live Your Life Be Free - Belinda Carlisle

Belinda Carlisle really does have some great pop music - this is very much in the same style as Heaven on Earth. Not a bad thing. The title track is a fantastic song.

Highlights: Live Your Life Be Free, You Came Out of Nowhere, You're Nothing Without Me, Loneliness Game

7/10

Live: 1995-03-24 Mt Smart Supertop - Auckland, New Zealand - Pearl Jam

This was the first concert I ever went to! I remember this all very well... Anyways, this is an audience recording, so the sound is absolutely terrible and barely listenable. I should throw this in Logic and see if I can remaster it or something.

Highlights: I got a cool t-shirt

IMPOSSIBLE TO SCORE

Live: 1995-03-25 Mt Smart Supertop - Auckland, New Zealand - Pearl Jam

And this was the second night. The sound is a bit better on this one and Eddie's voice is actually freakin' great. If only there was a better version available.

Highlights: Remembering that Pearl Jam were cool

IMPOSSIBLE TO SCORE

Live: Entertainment Or Death - Mötley Crüe

This was the last album I listened to (and probably did not complete) when I started my Mötley Crüe marathon some time ago. It very much has a 'Tommy has left the band and we are dead, so here some live tracks for one final cash out!' feel to it. It feels far too long, despite the fact that it clocks in at 97 minutes - which is likely much shorter than an actual Mötley Crüe concert. I think that says a lot. The first disc is actually pretty decent; I think some of this was recorded on the Shout at the Devil tour and they were on fire! But by the time they start using backing tracks and Vince has clearly given up trying, it is just a chore to get through.

Highlights: Looks That Kill, Knock 'em Dead Kid, Too Young to Fall in Love, Smokin' in the Boys Room

7/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1015

FREE PALESTINE

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

FREE PALESTINE

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

FREE PALESTINE