2025 n 2025: Day 184

The Way It Feels - Heather Nova

Look, it is fine and all, but all very unmemorable and generic. And I kind of understand. But I am also allowed to be disappointed, because I am fairly certain this was one of her crowdfunded albums that has my name in the credits.

Highlights: This Humanness, Girl on the Mountain, Serengeti

6/10

Wayne's World: Music from the Motion Picture - Various Artists

This is only Dream Weaver by Gary Wright. It is a pretty great song. I really should get the full album at some point so I at least have the full Wayne's World Theme to party on with.

8/10

WCW Slam Jam 1 - Various Artists

The greatest wrestling album ever! Big screaming, big synth, ridiculous lyrics about the wrestlers in question - the best being "He's soooo pretty/It's making me upsetty!". Also, Ricky 'The Dragon' Steamboat is a family man who loves his wife and son. Seriously, that is all his theme goes on and on about. Just what I want in my wrestling themes.

Highlights: Ravishing Rick Rude (Simply Ravishing), Ron Simmons (Don't Step to Ron), Sting (Man Called Sting!), Steiner Brothers (Steinerized)

8/10

We Are Drugs - Third Eye Blind

I have to admit, I have enjoyed revisiting 3EB. In fact, I had almost forgotten about this EP. It is a bit more of an exploration of whatever was popular in 2016, so there are a couple of really terrible attempts at drum and bass or something? But like most 3EB, it is bookended by absolute brilliance.

Highlights: Cop vs. Phone Girl, Weightless, Company of Strangers, Sherri is a Stoner

7.5/10

We Started Nothing - The Ting Tings

The real punk we learned along the way was the poppiest indie grooves...

Highlights: That's Not My Name, Keep Your Head, Shut Up and Let Me Go, Be The One

8/10

We Too Are One - Eurythmics

There is something about this album I find awfully generic - what is it with that happening a lot lately?!? - yet I find this album quite beautiful lyrically. Annie Lennox always has brilliant lyrics. 

Highlights: The King and Queen of America, You Hurt Me (And I Hate You), How Long?, Angel

7/10

We Will Rock You - Queen + Five

Legitimately the most embarrassing moment in Queen's 50 year career.

MINUS FIVE STARS

Weezer - Weezer

Look, Rivers Cuomo is a gross creepo and Weezer are absolute dogshit. But I will be damned if this is not a super fun album. 

Highlights: Holiday, Buddy Holly, In The Garage, My Name is Jonas

8.5/10

Weird Tales of the Ramones - Ramones

I need to get out one day and jam some acoustic Ramones songs for busking one more time before I get too old and too useless. Or maybe being old and useless will make the experience more awesome? One day I will ditch this set and get all the individual albums, but that will probably also be when I am old and useless. The first two discs are just absolute killer, and the third is... actually pretty cool; I have generally had a less than positive impression of the group once Dee Dee left, but when I actually listen to this I change my mind. Ramones were awesome from beginning to end!

Highlights: Howling at the Moon (Sha-La-La), Daytime Dilemma (Dangers of Love), Sheena is a Punk Rocker, Rockaway Beach, Don't Come Close, Glad to See You Go, Slug [Demo], I Wanna Be Sedated

8/10

Welcome 2 America - Prince

I am not sure why Prince decided to bury this album, yet still go on tour in support of it. Prince did a lot of things I did not understand. It is all pretty soulful, with a dash of dirty funk.

Highlights: 1000 Light Years From Here, Stand Up and B Strong, One Day We Will All B Free, Welcome 2 America

7/10

Whammy! - The B-52's

This may well be the most new wave silliness of all the new wave I own. Quirky lyrics, repetitive guitar licks, spooky keyboard sounds, Fred being Fred. 

Highlights: Trism, Queen of Las Vegas, Whammy Kiss

6/10

What a Waster - The Libertines

Just a quick couple of trashy punk songs.

Highlights: I Get Along

8/10

What About Now - Bon Jovi

Really, from the first attempt at a guitar solo, it becomes glaringly obvious Richie Sambora was not in the studio for this bland nothingness. His tone and style is unmistakable. As is Jon Bon Jovi's everyman schtick - which really grows old on this.

Highlights: Every Road Leads Home to You - Richie Sambora, every other moment where Sambora graced the recording sessions

5.5/10

What The Sea Wants The Sea Will Have - Sarah Blasko

Somewhat ethereal and always interesting. A little bit more going on here than her debut - possibly a little more adventurous, but still very much moody indie folk pop rock kind of thing?

Highlights: Hammer, Always on This Line, [explain], Planet New Year

7/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1829

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2025 in 2025: Day 177

Together Alone - Crowded House

This album is almost a bit more experimental than every other Crowded House album. Certainly more adventurous; some of the songs have a bit more teeth to them, while others just veer off into jamming and traditional Polynesian rhythms and drumming and singing. 

Highlights: Distant Sun, Locked Out, In My Command, Fingers of Love

7.5/10

Together Alone [Deluxe Edition] - Crowded House

Home demos, band demos, writing demos - we got all your demos! And a couple of live tracks and alternate mixes. It is almost comical to think this is how Private Universe could have ended up sounding like. 

Highlights: Black and White Boy [Early Rough Mix], Tail of Comet [Live], Fingers of Love [Alternate Studio Take]

6.5/10

Tokyo Girl [Single] - Perfume

The end theme to my favourite drama. I have to listen to this every time I go see Tokyo Tower for that very reason. Honestly, though, those verses are so fantastic... but the chorus is just typical Perfume. 

Highlights: Tokyo Girl, 宝石の雨

8.5/10

Tommyland: The Ride - Tommy Lee

If he had never been in Mötley Crüe, Tommy Lee probably could have been a popular radio rock guy. Like, there is nothing on here worse than Nickelback. In fact, the dude from Nickelback is here, too! I just read the credits and there are some hilarious features. I actually quite enjoy this, for the most part!

Highlights: Makin' Me Crazy, Tryin' to Be Me, Good Times, Sister Mary

7/10

Too Fast For Love - Mötley Crüe

From the best member of The Crüe, to their debut album! 

If I remember correctly, a couple of friends bought me this on cassette back when I was like 11 or something. I think it may have been the first Mötley Crüe album I actually owned! Live Wire is awesome. Come On and Dance is pretty cool - that classic cowbell is kinda funny, as are the bad harmonies. I guess Vince was easily the best singer in the band at this stage (which is funny because 45 years later he is probably the worst and has been for like 25 years). I have always dug Public Enemy #1, even if it has absolutely nothing to do with the band Public Enemy. Which was very disappointing to 11 year-old LOGMAN. It has a real 70's rock vibe. Merry-Go-Round is some sort of power ballad wannabe, but cannot be taken seriously because it sounds like Vince is singing "Mewwy go wound and wound". Take Me to the Top may have been the first song on the album I liked? And then there is Piece of Your Action which is just badassery. Possibly the most "Mötley Crüe" song on the album. And also possibly the first Mötley Crüe guitar solo I attempted to learn (I didn't understand what slide guitar was). Actually the last half of this album is awesome; Starry Eyes is dark and moody (you can tell, because there is a gong strike), Too Fast For Love is good times with gang-vocals chorus fun, and On With the Show is actually a very good power ballad (complete with hilarity where Mick Mars gets out of time double-tracking his guitar, and then just repeats his solos about 40 times throughout the song). A very strong debut album. I was today years-old when I really understood that this is much more of a 70's rock influenced affair - very Cheap Trick meets Sweet in an Aerosmith tribute show. And Vince sounds squeaky. Man, time flies when you are having fun!

Highlights: Piece of Your Action, Starry Eyes, Live Wire, Take Me to the Top

8.5/10

Too Legit to Quit - MC Hammer

Look, the songs are mostly too long and there was no need for the super slow songs in the middle. And a downbeat song with no real groove should not go over 8 minutes. Now all that said... THIS ALBUM GOES HARD! The pop stuff just goes off, the gospel is next level, and everything in between is just awesome - and this is not nostalgia driven, either, because I had no love for this album back in 1991. I grew up and got wise. You should, too! The title track is the most head-rocking foot stomping hip-hop track in my library.

Highlights: 2 Legit 2 Quit, Find Yourself a Friend, Do Not Pass Me By, Count It Off, This is the Way We Roll

8/10

Too Tight - MC Hammer

Oh we just going with Hammer today? The man rolled up to Death Row and put together an album so good... it never got released. Which is a shame, because this album a serious groove. The fake radio skits are such a cliche of the times, and because it is Hammer, everything is just a bit too long. Sometimes a lot too long. But the collabs with dudes like Tupac are better than you could have imagined.

Highlights: Too Late Playa, Unconditional Love, Hammertime Brings It, Get Up

7/10

Too-Rye-Ay - Dexy's Midnight Runners

This is just Come On Eileen, because at least give me some of my 80s cred!

8/10

The Top - The Cure

Robert Smith goes insane from doing too many drugs, and puts it all to music... while doing a lot of drugs?

Highlights: Bananafishbones, Shake Dog Shake, The Caterpillar, The Top

6.5/10

Torn Down - The Cure

Another remix album. As essential as any remix album before it...

Highlights: Shake Dog Shake (New Blood Mix), A Night Like This (Hello Goodbye Mix), It's Over (Whisper Mix)

6/10

Totally 80s - Various Artists

A very underwhelming compilation of 80s pop "hits" - would appear to be heavily British-influenced. British New Wave was better than a lot of their pop output. I should have more Go West in my library.

Highlights: We Close Our Eyes - Go West, Electric Avenue - Eddy Grant, Missing You - John Waite, Vienna - Ultravox, Respectable - Mel & Kim

7/10

Totally Krossed Out - Kriss Kross

These dorks with their backwards clothing sure made a few cool songs, namely Jump and Warm It Up. And that is about all I know when it comes to them.

8/10

Touch - Sarah McLachlan

Does this earn me back some 80s cred? Because boy howdy this sure has some big 80s reverb all over it. Feels like it is even more indie 80s alt than you would expect - I do not recall this even being mentioned in the Sarah McLachlan theory...

Highlights: Vox, Steaming

6.5/10

Touch - Eurythmics

Oooh an 80s album called Touch? This one came first! And is at its finest when it gets all dark and moody. The beats are so mesmerising and Annie Lennox's vocals are just divine.

Highlights: Here Comes the Rain Again, Who's That Girl?, Paint a Rumour, No Fear No Hate No Pain (No Broken Hearts), Aqua

7.5/10

Tougher Than Leather - Run-D.M.C.

I am in the minority, but this album is possibly my favourite hip-hop album of all time. ALL TIME. It just goes so damn hard from the start and never lets up. And they really lived up to the moniker of The Kings of Rock with this one. Honestly, I doubt I would love hip-hop the way I do if not for this album.

Highlights: Run's House, Mary Mary, Beats to the Rhyme, Radio Station, I'm Not Going Out Like That

10/10

Toys in the Attic - Aerosmith

Well, what a coinkidink! It is these guys and the original version of Walk This Way! This is their most consistent and solid outing from the 70s. Easily. That main riff to No More No More is so great and I wish I could remember how to play it.

Highlights: Sweet Emotion, Walk This Way, No More No More, Round and Round

8/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1730

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2025 in 2025: Day 172

Super Trouper - ABBA

ABBA come storming into the 80s with a gem of a pop album; big synth bass, funky grooves, killer hooks, disco beats, amazing vocals... Could have done with more disco grooves, but ABBA gots to pay the bills and no one did pop like them.

Highlights: On and On and On, Super Trouper, The Winner Takes It All, Lay All Your Love On Me

8/10

Supergrass - Supergrass

Standard late-90s Supergrass rocking out. Not their best work and I have never gotten the hype for Pumping on Your Stereo, but is is still pretty decent enough. One of those random albums where the second half is way better than the first.

Highlights: Moving, Mary, Jesus Came From Outer Space, Faraway

7/10

SUPERIORITY - 我儘ラキア

This is very solid alt. idol coolness; fairly heavy in parts, but one of the best tracks is just straight-up hip-hop. I highly rate the leader/main singer and hope she has some success now they have disbanded.

Highlights: JOKER, GIRLS, JOURNEY, FUTURES

9/10

Superman and Other Galactic Heroes - Meco

The Superman theme is the best superhero theme and giving it the disco treatment makes it even more heroic. I am not convinced these Batman themes are from anything other than Meco's imagination, but someone should make a disco Batman movie and use them accordingly.

Highlights: Themes from "Superman", The Caped Crusader, The Boy Wonder

7/10

The Supersonic Storybook - Urge Overkill

Urge Overkill and Butch Vig in their indie days. Not nearly as fun as any of their major label stuff, but still interesting and Theme from Navajo features one heck of a heavy riff.

Highlights: The Kids are Insane, Bionic Revolution, (Today Is) Blackie's Birthday, Theme from Navajo

7/10

Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie - Alanis Morissette

Dark. Industrial influence. Introspective. A lot of weird-ass storytelling. Lacking the angst and pop rock of Jagged Little Pill - which is probably why it was viewed as such a poor follow-up. But not by LOGMAN; this is what made me a fan! Cut the last few songs and it would be perfect!

Highlights: I Was Hoping, Joining You, Unsent, That I Would Be Good

8/10

Surfacing - Sarah McLachlan

This is probably peak Felicity material right here. The Sarah McLachlan Theory remains one of the hallmarks of USian television moments and I should revisit it to understand what this album means in that context... *edit* 

Highlights: Building a Mystery, Do What You Have to Do, Adia, Angel

7/10

Surrender - The Chemical Brothers

Banging dance groove after banging dance groove. Nothing as groundbreaking as you would find on Come With Us or Dig Your Own Hole, but there never a dull moment on this album and the guests are all cool. That breakdown in Out of Control is the more New Order than 2025 New Order would ever dream of.

Highlights: Let Forever Be, Out of Control, Under the Influence, Dream On

8.5/10

Swagger - Gun

Fairly standard mid-90s rock, if not a little hair metal flavoured - so not so standard? Also the greatest cover of Word Up! on the planet. 

Highlights: Word Up!, Don't Say It's Over, One Reason, Stand in Line

7/10

Sweat - Nelly

More club dance jams with Nelly counting his money and showing off his money and then him and his crew bragging they get ladies for free - even though they have a lot of money. I bet listening to this album makes Nelly sad now. Random Missy collab sighting!

Highlights: River Don't Run, Heart of a Champion, Tilt Ya Head Back, Another One

7/10

Sweat (Snoop Dogg vs. David Guetta) [Remix] - Snoop Dogg & David Guetta

This is like one of those interviews that has been turned into an autotune song, although those are intentionally funny?

3/10

Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) - Eurythmics

Peak minimalist dark synth wave 80s new romantic pop, right here. Just a drum machine and some funky bass lines and A LOT of reverb.

Highlights: Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This), Somebody Told Me, Wrap It Up, This City Never Sleeps

7.5/10

Sweet Summer Sun, Live in Hyde Park 2013 (Live) - The Rolling Stones

This was some live EP that I think iTunes gave away. Remember when they used to give away music and movies around Xmas? Man, life was good!

Highlights: Tumbling Dice (Live), Beast of Burden (Live)

7/10

Sweetfish - Dead Flowers

A bit of an improvement in production over their first album, but some of it still sounds very much like mid-90s NZ alt rock. But there are some cool riffs and melodies and songs in here. I actually used to do a bunch of these songs when busking.

Highlights: Shades, Slumber, Home, Same Same

7/10

Swingshift - Cold Chisel

Another live album from these rockers. A bit less of the bigger hits here and lots of feedback instead. Barnesy sounds great for the most part - Cheap Wine almost sounds angry!

Highlights: Cheap Wine, Goodbye (Astrid Goodbye), Star Hotel, Rising Sun

7/10

Synkronized - Jamiroquai

The start of 'new' Jamiroquai. It has the distinction of having a couple of absolutely killer funky tracks, and the rest of completely underwhelming.

Highlights: Canned Heat, Black Capricorn Day, Planet Home, Soul Education

7/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1656

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2025 in 2025: Day 159

sabotage - 緑黄色社会

I think this may have been their last great single? Suitably epic and grand. It was the theme for a pretty fun drama about some people learning to play the violin. The b-side is killer. Then there are some pretty decent live songs as well.

Highlights: sabotage, Alright

7/10

Saints of Los Angeles - Mötley Crüe

The Crüe return with their first album with the original lineup in 10 years. And it is the follow-up to Dr. Feelgood they should have released in 1991; very old school hair metal, lots of swearing, Tommy Lee doing massive drum fills, and just all round a badass attitude. Good times!

Highlights: Down at the Whiskey, Motherfucker of the Year, Saints of Los Angeles, Goin' Out Swingin'

8/10

Sam's Town - The Killers

Their debut album was so amazing that this was never going to live up to it, so I was certainly disappointed on release. A few goods songs, but what I really liked about that first album was missing from this. This feels a bit more radio rock, less new wave dark romantic. Little did I know that it was all downhill from here...

Highlights: Bling (Confession of a King), When You Were Young, My List, Why Do I Keep Counting?

7.5/10

Sandinista! - The Clash

Well, this certainly was ambitious! And in no possible way can I see the reason this needed to be so massive. A lot of weirdness, a lot of different styles, a lot of just mediocre songs. I could remove two albums' worth of material and still barely get a good album out of this.

Highlights: Something About England, Somebody Got Murdered, Let's Go Crazy, Police on My Back, Washington Bullets, Charlie Don't Surf, Lose This Skin

5/10

Sap - Alice In Chains

Another mostly acoustic EP. This time the songs are pretty are far more chilled.

Highlights: Got Me Wrong, Brother, Am I Inside

6.5/10

Saturation - Urge Overkill

Supposedly alternative grunge but super overproduced? Yes indeed. Super awesome? Absolutely! These guys were such a vibe. And had the hooks to match.

Highlights: Sister Havana, Nite and Grey, Crackbabies, Positive Bleeding

8/10

Saudades De Rock - Extreme

I am generally one of Extreme's biggest supporters, but I do generally find Gary Cherone's voice on this album not so great. That said, the album still rocks pretty hard. And the ending on that coda is just beautiful.

Highlights: King of the Ladies, Interface, Peace (Saudade)

7/10

Savage - Eurythmics

An 80s new wave essay on feminism. Far more experimental musically than their previous album - so completely different to Revenge or Be Yourself Tonight, which were just straight pop. And I love it all the more for these reasons.

Highlights: You Have Placed A Chill In My Heart, Shame, Savage, I've Got a Lover (Back in Japan)

8/10

Save Rock and Roll - Fall Out Boy

FOB return with a full on dance rock kind of album. It is like a dark Summer jam all over; you just want to party, but with a serious edge. It's Courtney, bitch!

Highlights: Save Rock and Roll, Rat A Tat, My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark (Light Em Up), Alone Together

8/10

Sawdust - The Killers

Two albums in to their career and already throwing out a b-sides and rarites compilation? That should have been another warning. At least being so early in their career it is mostly still pretty dark and more in the vein of their debut album. This version of Glamorous Indie Rock & Roll is inferior to the version on my copy of Hot Fuss. Under the Gun and Move Away are also re-recorded; I should find the original versions, because I do like those songs.

Highlights: Under the Gun, Change Your Mind, Leave the Bourbon on the Shelf, Shadowplay

6.5/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1469

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2025 in 2025: Day 155

Remember you - Ayumi Hamasaki

Ayu getting some edge and telling her haters to Fuck Off. Quite literally. It is funny; I tend to get in my head that this album is not great, but actually it kind of is? And even if it is not, VIBEES is possibly a top ten sexy bitch track if ever I heard one. I could genuinely listen to that all day.

Highlights: VIBEES, 23rd Monster, (NOT) Remember you, Dreamed a Dream

7.5/10

Remixes 1982-1990 - The Cure

This is actually somewhat of an interesting compilation. The extended mixes are basically the same songs with unnecessarily long intros, which kind of works with Pictures of You (at least this is actually extended this time - by all of 30 seconds). But why can we not get the normal 'New Vocal' mix of Boys Don't Cry, when he is happy to give us the remix version? 

Highlights: Pictures of You (Extended Version 1990), Primary (Red Mix 1990), Close to Me (Extended Mix 1985), Boys Don't Cry (New Voice Club Mix 1986)

7/10

Renegades - Rage Against the Machine

Kind of proof of my whole 'just do one album and bounce' theory with these guys. They could have just recorded all these covers as The Renegades or something, maybe brought in Chuck D to help out? Because these dudes turning all these hip-hop songs in to heavy rock is pretty darn dope.

Highlights: Pistol Grip Pump, How I Could Just Kill a Man, Renegades of Funk, Maggie's Farm

7/10

Republica - Republica

Haha this is so dated - sounds even older than it actually is, like early 90s techno mixed with Britpop or something. So it kind of sounds like 1999 J-Pop. Holy cow that original version of Ready to Go is surprisingly terrible!

Highlights: Drop Dead Gorgeous, Ready to Go (U.S. Mix), Holly

6/10

Return Of The Bumpasaurus - Sir Mix-A-Lot

Oh man, 90s hip-hop really was rife with homophobia and transphobia. And monstrous bass.

Highlights: Aunt Thomasina, You Can Have Her, Jump On It, Funk For Da Blvd.

6/10

Return of the Champions - Queen + Paul Rodgers

I have no issue with Queen bringing in Paul Rodgers; Brian May and Roger Taylor clearly wanted to get back to performing together and these guys made a decent enough album together. It just sometimes Rodgers' voice does not quite suit the classic Queen songs. Some of them he really does! Not even Brian May's massive guitar can save Feel Like Makin' Love from sounding super country. 

Highlights: Radio Ga Ga, 39, I'm In Love With My Car, These Are the Days of Our Lives

7/10

Return of the Space Cowboy - Jamiroquai

Old school funk acid jazz. This is the kind of album that makes me wish I was a better bass player, because Stuart Zender is the man!

Highlights: Light Years, Just Another Story, Manifest Destiny, Space Cowboy

7/10

Revenge - Kiss

Hand down the best 90s album from Kiss. Featuring the best song of the 90s by any band? Rock out with your socks out!

Highlights: God Gave Rock & Roll to You, Spit, Thou Shalt Not, I Just Wanna

8/10

Revenge - Eurythmics

Imagine if these were the same songs... This album starts off absolutely massive - Missionary Man may be one of the greatest ways to start an album in 1986* - then kind of loses steam in the second half. But is still probably my favourite Eurythmics album.

Highlights: Missionary Man, When Tomorrow Comes, Thorn in My Side, The Last Time

7.5/10

*I decided to check and I may be right - I can see only 1 other challenger for that, being Let It Rock from Bon Jovi's Slippery When Wet

Revolution - Kara

Let's play random K-Pop song of the day! This time it is Mr. by Kara? It is fun; very big upbeat dance pop.

8/10

Revolver - The Beatles

Like Sgt. Pepper's, this album always has dorks saying it is the greatest album, or it is a perfect album, or other such nonsense. It is neither. Because Paul McCartney's songs on this album are mostly trash.

Highlights: Tomorrow Never Knows, And Your Bird Can Sing, I Want to Tell You, Eleanor Rigby

7/10

Revolverlution - Public Enemy

This is purely the title track. I really do not have much Public Enemy and I should probably feel too ashamed to show my face on the internet again.

8/10

Rhythm & Gangsta - Snoop Dogg

This only the single Signs with Justin Timberlake. It is probably the last good song this dude released - more than 20 years ago.

8/10

Ricky Martin - Ricky Martin

The best Ricky Martin songs are when he is just shaking those hips and making you boogie, but sadly most of this album is ballads. Which are mostly kind of meh.

Highlights: Livin' La Vida Loca, Private Emotion, Bella (She's All I Ever Had), I Count the Minutes

7/10

The Riddle - Nik Kershaw

I loved the 1966 Batman TV show as a kid. I still do - rewatched it a few years ago and had the time of my life. I recall this video had something with that version of The Riddler going on in it? I cannot recall if it scared me or just made me like the video.

8/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1425

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2025 in 2025: Day 141

Patty Duke Syndrome - Patty Duke Syndrome

Early grunge Ryan Adams. And it is genuinely... fine. Kind of surprising I do not listen to this ever, but maybe that is because it is kind of the low quality and it is Ryan Adams. Crazy that Hypnotixed was from all the way back here,.

Highlights: Texas, Anarchy Time, Hypnotixed, History

6/10

Paul Stanley - Paul Stanley

This album rocks hard. It is pretty much Kiss with some extra cheese and some sappy ballads thrown in as well. Paul loves his sappy ballads. And rockin' out.

Highlights: Move On, Tonight You Belong to Me, Goodbye, It's Alright

8/10

Paul's Boutique - Beastie Boys

I need to find the clip where the B Boys are making fun of the way some jock dudes at a Beastie Boys concert pronounce it "Paul's Bow-tique". I can see how people love this album, because it is completely over the top and quite adventurous. Like, it sure trips me out when I think that this came out around the same time MC Hammer and Vanilla Ice were tearing up the charts. But that is the thing with this album; there are not a lot of hooks or well-structured songs. The songs that are a bit more complete are seriously awesome, though.

Highlights: Looking Down the Barrel of a Gun, Shadrach, Shake Your Rump, Hey Ladies

7/10

PAX AM Days - Fall Out Boy

FOB hook up with the DRA and give us a quick punk EP. Like, the most punk thing Fall Out Boy have ever done. Just quickfire reckless abandon for 8 songs and zero pretentiousness. Good times!

Highlights: Caffeine Cold, We Were Doomed from the Start (The King is Dead), Demigods

7/10

PAX-AM Digital Single: 001 - Ryan Adams

These are so quick, I should just copy what I wrote during the 2014 marathon! These two songs genuinely rock.

Highlights: Lost and Found, Go Ahead and Rain

8/10

PAX-AM Digital Single: 002 - Ryan Adams

Rough acoustic songs. Very forgettable, but not terrible.

6/10

PAX-AM Digital Single: 003 - Ryan Adams

A bit more of the indie rock kind of vibes. Disco Queen reminds me of Wasteland, just without the supreme awesomeness.

Highlights: Disco Queen

7/10

PAX-AM Digital Single: 004 - Ryan Adams

Very rough home demo kind of things. Well, one of them is genuinely a home demo. The other just sounds like it?

6/10

PAX-AM Digital Single: 005 - Ryan Adams

DRA thinking he is some of metal god, though Oblivion does suit a rough punk aesthetic. People Need Sunlight is almost the opposite and I thank him for that.

Highlights: People Need Sunlight

7/10

PAX-AM Digital Single: 006 - Ryan Adams

I feel like I have these songs elsewhere as well. Like either on Orion or as bonus songs on an album. Or even one of the 'internet radio' albums? 

6.5/10

Peace - Eurythmics

Kids today will never know what Eurythmics reuniting meant for the music world. The crazy part was they did in response to the state of the world in 1999. Think about where we are now. Anyways I am a fan of Annie Lennox in every possible way, but I do not think her voice on this album is very good. She sounds like Alicia Keys, the way she just sings under the note. It is frustrating because, while it is clearly a more mature sound, some of these songs are really good and only furthers their legacy. The 80s New Wave edge is completely gone and this is more music with a message and lighter delivery.

Highlights: Power to the Meek, Peace is Just a Word, Anything But Strong, 17 Again

7/10

Peace is the Mission - Major Lazer

Seriously the best name for an eletronic music artist. This is only the song Powerful, which also has Ellie Goulding and Tarrus Riley on vocals. It is not a bad song. I think I prefer his just full on electro stuff? Except I do not have any of it in my library, so I must not like it that much...

7/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1272

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2025 in 2025: Day 101

In It For The Money - Supergrass

The album that actually got me interested in Supergrass. It kind of trails off towards the end, but it is otherwise some strong rocking numbers. I appreciate the way these guys can just play really tasty stuff and then completely let loose and unleash mayhem.

Highlights: Going Out, In It For the Money, Tonight, Sun Hits the Sky

7/10

In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 - Jay-Z

How can Diddy sing so off the actual key and just keep this in the track? Early Hove is fine and all, just a bit gross for me at times. 

Highlights: The City is Mine, Streets is Watching, Friend or Foe '98, You Must Love Me

7/10

in my mind - The Tomboys

The usual low-budget punk rock'n roll from Kobe's favourite daughters. This one feels especially budget, thanks to the terrible guitar solos and awful singing on だいだい. Good times!

Highlights: GO MERRY GO!, 幸せであふれるように, シャララ

6.5/10

The In Sound From Way Out - Beastie Boys

This is basically a compilation of their instrumental jams on Check Your Head and Ill Communication, but with a couple of new tracks.

Highlights: Son of Neckbone, In 3's, Bobo on the Corner, Lighten Up

8/10

In the Garden - Eurythmics

So very unlike where Eurythmics headed after this; much more in the new-romantic post-punk vein, but less interesting. Not terrible, but there is nothing that holds any real emotional weight or grabs the listener the way their later releases do. This is another group's discography where I need to separate the bonus tracks to their own album and keep the original albums as they were.

Highlights: Belinda, Your Time Will Come, Le Sinestre

6.5/10

In the Name of Love [EP] - CL

CL is a goddess amongst us mere mortals. If this were an album, I would have given it album of the year honours for 2019. 

Highlights: +DONE161201+, +ONE AND ONLY180228+, +I QUIT180327+, +PARADOX171115+

9/10

In The Zone - Britney Spears

There is something about Britney trying to be all sexy that I just find absolutely hilarious. Also, her singing is all sorts of terrible it makes me laugh when her fans online start all sorts of nonsense about she can sing like Christina Aguilera or whatnot. Anyways, the production on this album is a bit dated and the songs do not hold up well.

Highlights: Toxic, (I Got That) Boom Boom, The Hook Up, Everytime

6/10

Incesticide - Nirvana

I do not know if I have listened to this album since I was 16. I used to get confused by the tracklisting on side two all the time. Or maybe that was Bleach - that was missing a song that was listed. Fun fact: the first song I ever performed like in any capacity was from this album! I loved Nirvana. Kids are stupid.

Highlights: Aneurysm, Dive, Been a Son, Big Long Now

7/10

Indigo Nights - Prince

Live CD that came with the book. I think it was cobbled together from all his after-show performances. Because Prince was a madman. I, personally, find this to be super funky and an all-round great time. I read a lot of Prince fans online were super unhappy with this release, but Shizzzz I ain't afraid of you mofos! On the one!

Highlights: Alphabet St, Indigo Nights, Baby Love, 3121

8/10

Infinity - Journey

When Journey rock, they can really rock. Possibly the most enjoyable radio-rock band of the 70s and 80s that I did not listen to in the 70s or 80s.

Highlights: Wheel in the Sky, Lights, Feeling That Way, Anytime

7/10

Infinity on High - Fall Out Boy

Jay-Z with the most random and pointless cameo - he doesn't even rap, just does the musical equivalent of waving hello. I actually thought the censored version of This Ain't a Scene, It's An Arms Race was more interesting, thanks to the way it was censored.

Highlights: The Take Over The Break's Over, Don't You Know Who I Think I Am?, The (After) Life of the Party, G.I.N.A.S.F.S.

7.5/10

The Information - Beck

BECK: Congratulations, friend.

BENDER: Why, 'cause I can make annoying noises?

BECK: Exactly. I use those all the time in my music.

Highlights: Think I'm in Love, Nausea, Inside Out

6/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 850

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2025 in 2025: Day 17

Be Here Now - Oasis

There was a time when I hated Oasis. When this album was released was probably the peak of that time. Then a couple of years later, I decided this album was the reason I was now a big fan of Oasis. The opening two tracks are pretty much perfect album openers. Magic Pie is also great, but goes on about 3 minutes too long. I absolutely adore the harmonies and melodic lead guitar in Stand By Me. The Johnny Depp thing confuses me; teenagers at the time thought it was cool to find out he was playing guitar on Fade In-Out (this was before he turned into... whatever he is now), yet they didn't advertise it or anything. I used to love Don't Go Away, but now I find the horns a bit cheesy. The last few songs are big messes of noise and too long, but oh hell, they're still great. You know, I came back to this album today expecting to be a bit negative towards it (it sounds like it was mixed by me - and I am not a professional mixer), but I'll be damned if I don't still think it is the best Oasis album. My only regret is I don't have a guitar with me to jam along to this whole thing.

Highlights: D'You Know What I Mean?, My Big Mouth, Stand By Me, I Hope I Think I Know

8/10

Be Not Nobody - Vanessa Carlton

As you might expect, this is simply A Thousand Miles. I have no idea why I have this song; it's okay, but I'm not a fan and I probably never listen to it. And I could not name you another Vanessa Carlton song.

6/10

Be Yourself Tonight - Eurythmics

Now this is a band and an album! This album is such a perfect fusion of soul, funk, pop/rock, 80s new wave, and 80s British whiteness (I have no other way of describing it right now). I also love their minimalist approach to some songs, like Conditioned Soul. Normally I'm against the bonus tracks thing, but I actually really enjoy the alternate version of Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves. I really should at least split out the cover songs and make an album of those!

Highlights: Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves, It's Alright (Baby's Coming Back),

8/10

Beast Is The B2ST - Beast

Another one of those random K-Pop songs I ended up with - this is just Bad Girl. Which kind of ties in with Bad Girl II from the other day? Either way, this song is actually slammin' and I need to hear more Beast.

8/10

The Beatles - The Beatles

Oh here we go! The greatest mix of awesomeness and sheer awfulness. The album, of course, starts with three awesome songs and then a song I usually despise, but today it isn't annoying me so much. Maybe because I haven't listened to it in forever? Nope - iTunes says I listened to it 18 months ago. That feels like much too soon. I do actually love The Continuing Story Of Bungalow Bill, though, and it goes so seamlessly in to While My Guitar Gently Weeps it is brilliant. And that song is the greatest work of Eric Clapton's long and boring career. Then Lennon does his own version of Bohemian Rhapsody - except he manages to cram 3 different songs in less than 3 minutes. I'm So Tired is such a great bluesy rock'n roll song. Blackbird is, in my opinion, a most atypical McCartney song. Except it is actually good. Between Beyoncé and every white dude with an acoustic guitar, I'm pretty sick of hearing it, to be honest. Yeah, I don't want to listen to Beyoncé. Shiiizzz, I ain't afraid of you mofos! "You were in a car crash and you lost your hair" has to be one of the greatest song lyrics of all time, right? The second LP/half kicks of with another rockin' McCartney song. And then more Lennon songs mocking the Maharishi. That trip to India really did inspire him to write awesome stuff. Long, Long, Long is one of those songs that you don't think about, but when you listen to it, it is actually great. Revolution is a fantastic song - no matter the version. And there sure are many versions! I'm glad there is only one version of Honey Pie. Okay, I've written enough. Number 9, number 9 number 9, good night.

Highlights: Dear Prudence, Glass Onion, While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Happiness is a Warm Gun, Yer Blues, Helter Skelter

7/10

Beatles For Sale - The Beatles

Oh, more of The Beatles? Don't mind if I do... Anyone else get triggered by No Reply and get Vow by Garbage stuck in their head? Overall, I'm actually a fan of this album; it features a fairly fed-up John Lennon starting to write a bit more caustically, McCartney belting out classic rock'n roll numbers like Kansas City, Ringo kicking butt on Honey Don't, and Harrison summing things up with Everybody's Trying to Be My Baby. The Beatles are one of the only bands I will let cover Buddy Holly without being overly critical - plus they do a great job of Words of Love. Look, this isn't the strongest album they released, and they clearly rushed things (which is why they had to record all these rock'n roll songs from their setlist), but I'll be damned if isn't a fun way to spend half an hour.

Highlights: No Reply, Rock And Roll Music, Honey Don't, Everybody's Trying to Be My Baby

8/10

The Beautiful Experience - Prince

In case you don't know, this is an EP by Prince that is just remixes of The Most Beautiful Girl in the World. I had no idea this was released like 18 months before The Gold Experience finally saw the light of day. What a world we lived in. One of Prince's most perfect pop ballads. The remixes are very different to that. Some a big more sexified, if you will. The Mustang Mix is especially cool, because Prince re-recorded all the vocals NOT in falsetto.

Highlights: Staxowax, Mustang Mix, The Most Beautiful Girl in the World [Single Version]

7/10

Beautiful Girls (Soundtrack) - Various Artists

This is purely The Afghan Whigs' take on Can't Get Enough of Your Love. I really dig the way they build it and he goes for it vocally by the end. Legendary song and a cool cover

6/10

A Beautiful Life - Mumsdollar

Would you believe this is a Christian pop-punk band from New Zealand? And that I have their CD in my collection? Well, believe it. And if not for the Christian lyrical themes, I would give this album a 10/10, because musically it just cranks. So all you pop-punk bands out there; more music like this, please. Just study some Bad Religion so you can write meaningful lyrics to go with it. And copy this bass tone, because BY PRIME it is badass. LOGMAN would give you 20/10 if you can do all that.

Highlights: Into the Night

6/10

The Beauty Process: Triple Platinum - L7

Bahahaha more punk, but about as far removed from that last album as punk gets. Four angry women that aren't trying to tell you to accept Jesus into your heart and make some dirty rock'n roll.

Highlights: Drama, I Need, The Masses are Asses

6/10

Beef or Chicken? - PASSPO☆

I have written more than enough today and I have already written about this album. It's still gawddam amazing and makes life worth living. I may even like it now more than I did then.

Highlights: Literally the whole album

10/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 146