2025 in 2025: Day 179

Travelling Without Moving - Jamiroquai

This is where they started to crossover between their acid jazz roots and fun with a little bit of pop. But those basslines are still the funkiest thing since I got up and funked the funky.

Highlights: Alright, High Times, Travelling Without Moving, Cosmic Girl

7/10

The Trip 7 - Various Artists

This must have been the final in 'The Trip' series. Surely? I mean, grunge was dead by now and this contains some pretty terrible stuff that could not be considered alternative whatsoever. But there are a few tracks I had on my music video collection back in high school. Only a few. That dude from Ash was a terrible singer.

Highlights: In the Meantime - Spacehog, Deb's Night Out - Shihad, Bluster - Salt, Rude Awakening - Prong

6.5/10

Trip the Light Fantastic - Sophie Ellis-Bextor

This is an album I forget about, but it is fairly solid and features many a disco beat. The slower ballad-type songs are also quite enjoyable.

Highlights: Can't Have It All, What Have We Started?, If You Go, If I Can't Dance

7/10

Tron: Legacy (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) - Daft Punk

One of the best film scores possible. Rather dark and brooding, with a dash of electronica thrown in. It really is the most electronic of musical pieces that are the strongest.

Highlights: Derezzed, Tron Legacy (End Titles), Arena, Nocturne

7/10

TROUBLE - Ayumi Hamasaki

Normally Ayu mini-albums/E.P.s are almost perfect and amazing, but this one is a bit average in parts. Which is not helped by her voice being run ragged from excessive touring and hearing problems. Ends spectacularly, however. I would have loved 2012 Ayu to record these songs instead.

Highlights: The way I am, W, aeternal

8.5/10

Trouble Walkin' - Ace Frehley

This album is so much better than it had any right being. And that is really saying something, coming from a massive Ace Frehley fan like me. I have written at length as to how much I love this album, yet I do not think I could ever convey it well enough. RIP Spaceman!!!

Highlights: Five Card Stud, Fractured III, Do Ya, Hide Your Heart

10/10

True - Spandau Ballet

It is only the title track and I am sitting here wondering how or why I have three copies of this song in different "albums"...

9/10

Turnstiles - Billy Joel

I am not saying this is peak Billy Joel, but it certainly is a solid album and conveys his best aspects. This album needs a genuine remix. Strangely, half of the song titles feature some place in the USA. Maybe it is a concept album about a dude on a road trip and he is recounting what was going on?

Highlights: Prelude/Angry Young Man, Miami 2017 (I've Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway), Say Goodbye to Hollywood, New York State of Mind

7.5/10

Twelve Stops & Home - The Feeling

Just straight up cheesy love songs and all-round fun pop rock. And I love it for that! They are all so masterfully crafted. 

Highlights: Fill My Little World, Love It When You Call, Strange, Never Be Lonely

8/10

Twentieth Century - Cold Chisel

There is somewhat of a punk influence in some of these tracks, but it also features one of their most iconic ballads and some of the best singing Barnesy did while in this group.

Highlights: Saturday Night, Flame Trees, No Sense, Only One

7/10

Twentysomething - Jamie Cullum

Perfect background music while you are waiting in the reception of your real estate agent's office. I might not call them the worst cover songs ever, but he sure was trying his best!

Highlights: the whitest way to listen to Jimi Hendrix

5/10

#TWICE - TWICE

The Japanese EP of early TWICE singles. Because it was super cheap and I had no idea who TWICE was in 2017 - this EP sure changed that. Now I am far too used to hearing these songs in their native Korean, but it is still the funnest 15 minutes of your life.

Highlights: CHEER UP (Japanese Ver.), KNOCK KNOCK (Japanese Ver.), Like OOH-AHH (Japanese Ver.)

8.5/10

Twisted Angel - LeaAnn Rimes

I only have the single Life Goes On. But two versions of it, because I am extra cool like that. I should probably just keep the non-country version, but we all know LOGMAN does not play like that...

Highlights: Life Goes On [Almighty Mix], Life Goes On

8/10

TWISTER - NICO Touches the Walls

They call this an EP, yet it is longer than some albums I have. Oh, I see - there is a bonus disc of the EP in acoustic form. The first half is definitely the better way to go!

Highlights: VIBRIO VULNIFICUS, SHOW, FRITTER, 来世で逢いましょう [Acoustic ver.]

6.5/10

Two Fires - Jimmy Barnes

This album is actually way better than I even remember it to be - a real solid blend of R&B with Barnesy's style of rock. Big hooks all over the show!

Highlights: When Your Love is Gone, Fade to Black, Sister Mercy, Little Darling

8/10

Tyrannosaurus Hives - The Hives

This is punk rock.

Highlights: Antidote, Abra Cadaver, B is for Brutus, Two-Timing Touch and Broken Bones

9/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1756

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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 156

Ring Ring - ABBA

This is the least memorable ABBA album. Making your wife sing a song like I Am Just a Girl, with lyrics like "I am just a girl, not the kind of woman men would like to meet/Just another girl no one looks at in the street/" and then about how she is meant to love her man, is a form of abuse.

Highlights: Ring Ring, Rock'n Roll Band, He is Your Brother, Nina Pretty Ballerina

7/10

RIOT ON THE GRILL - ELLEGARDEN

This is the Summer album for all Summers. If you are looking for shelter in a Sharknado, come find me... and I will be too busy air-drumming to this album to help. Possibly the greatest album ever made that makes me smile so much I want to cry.

Highlights: 虹, Missing, モンスター, BBQ Riot Song, Marry Me, I Hate It, Red Hot

100/10

The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars - David Bowie

Absolute peak 70s Bowie. Glam art rock with poptastic hooks. My opinion that Suffragette City is his best song still stands.

Highlights: Suffragette City, Moonage Daydream, Ziggy Stardust, Rock'n Roll Suicide

8/10

The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars: 30th Anniversary Edition - David Bowie

This is the bonus disc, which features some demos and b-sides. The b-sides are as great as the demos are bad.

Highlights: Moonage Daydream (New Mix), Velvet Goldmine, John I'm Only Dancing, Round and Round

7/10

Rise Up 2.0 [Single] - Six60

I guess the 2.0 thing means it is a remix or something? I guess this is like dubstep or something? I do not know. It is kinda groovy.

7/10

River of Dreams - Billy Joel

In parts, Joel and band go pretty hard on this. There is a certain ferocity to No Man's Land that you do not often find in a Billy Joel song, and a few other tracks have some real driving feel to them. The rest of the album just feels like middle of the road radio/record label pleasing tunes.

Highlights: No Man's Land, All About Soul, The Great Wall of China, The River of Dreams

7/10

Road To Rouen - Supergrass

This is such an anomaly in the Supergrass discography; more serious rock, no fun at all to be had anywhere. Much of an artistic kind of approach, focused on good riffs. 

Highlights: Tales Of Endurance (Parts 4, 5 & 6), Road to Rouen, Kick in the Teeth, Low C

7/10

Rock 'n' Roll - John Lennon

John Lennon does a lot of cocaine and records some of his favourite rock'n roll classics to avoid getting sued. There are so much horns it almost sounds more like The Blues Brothers or something. Not a bad thing.

Highlights: Rip It Up/Ready Teddy, Stand By Me, Slippin' and Slidin', You Can't Catch Me

7/10

Rock and Roll Over - Kiss

Hells yes. Great album, RIP Ace!!!

Highlights: Take Me, I Want You, Calling Dr. Love, Makin' Love

8/10

Rock Dust Light Star - Jamiroquai

This is a bit more lowkey but straight-up electronic influenced. Wild to listen to this so soon after Return of the Space Cowboy - like a completely different band.

Highlights: All Good in the Hood, Goodbye to My Dancer, She's a Fast Persuader, Hey Floyd

6.5/10

Rock in a Hard Place - Aerosmith

Wait - so this is the album without Joe Perry or Brad Whitford and that people thought was terrible? Because I like this more than half of the albums Aerosmith did with Joe Perry and Brad Whitford. 

Highlights: Jailbait, Rock in a Hard Place (Cheshire Cat), Bolivian Ragamuffin, Jig is Up

7/10

Rock N Roll - Ryan Adams

I can never decide if this album is the ultimate in his douchery or it is actually as brilliant as it sometimes feels. Because today it feels the latter.

Highlights: 1974, The Drugs Not Working, Hypnotixed, Do Miss America

8/10

Rock N Roll B-Sides - Ryan Adams

These are not nearly as punk rock as the main album. But actually more enjoyable than I remembered.

Highlights: Red Lights, I'm Coming Over, Luxury

7/10

Rock Show [Live] - Run-D.M.C. & Third Eye Blind

This is the performance on David Letterman. I am not really sure why have this, because Stephan Jenkins is not a great live singer. But it still kicks serious butt.

8/10

ROCK-STAR - Stray Kids

More boombastic crazy stuff from JYP's favourite protégés. I mean, I do not really know if they are his favourites, but they sure make him a lot of money!

Highlights: Social Path, MEGAVERSE, COMFLEX, LALALALA

7/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1440

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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 94

Hello Nasty - Beastie Boys

As much as I love Beastie Boys and their off-centre brand of music, this album is a bit long. However, it does start off with just killer hip-hop jam after hip-hop jam and it works so well. I have the remastered version so need to go back to my original CD and get the original version of The Grasshopper Unit, because the sample in the chorus is sorely missed here. 

Highlights: The Move, Just a Test, Intergalactic, The Grasshopper Unit (Keep Movin'), The Negotiation Limerick File

8/10

Hello Nasty (2009 Remastered Edition) - Beastie Boys

And this here is the bonus disc. The instrumentals are pretty rad, as are some of the remixes. I may be one of the few people that disagrees with the Beastie Boys themselves and still prefers the original version of Body Movin' to the Fatboy Slim remix (that is also pretty cool, though). 

Highlights: Dirty Dog, Switched On, Peanut Butter and Jelly, Piano Jam

7/10

HELLO WORLD - SCANDAL

This is a seriously solid album. Like, every song is the same amount of enjoyable pop punk fun. おやすみ is bordering on a taste of what is to come from them - slightly more adventurous. But yeah, just a great album.

Highlights: おやすみ, Place of life, Departure, Your song

8/10

Help! - The Beatles

This is The Beatles firing on all cylinders; Lennon writing some of the best pop songs of his life, Harrison finding his feet writing good songs, and McMarketing doing his thing, I guess. That cowbell in the chorus of I Need You is inspired and the volume pedal gives a great effect. Top stuff all around.

Highlights: Help!, You've Got to Hide Your Love Away, I Need You, Ticket to Ride, I've Just Seen a Face

9/10

Hexagonal - Lessang

Another random Korean hip-hop track in my collection - this one called 헤어지지 못하는 여자, 떠나가지 못하는 남자 (The Woman Who Can't Break Up, The Man Who Can't Leave). It is decidedly groovy. According to wikipedia, Lessang were successful despite being unattractive. As opposed to LOGMAN, who is unsuccessful despite being unattractive...

8/10

High Havoc - Corduroy

My favourite cool cats with their fake 60s spy thriller soundtrack. And honestly, it works on every level. Back in the day, I thought it would have been a great idea to actually complete the circle and write a heist movie with this album as the inspiration. But I think I only got as far as calling the movie High Havoc. Honestly, I would like to know which line they are wanting to catch at 10:28 from Shibuya. It may well be outdated information, so they are possibly going to confuse some tourists from the UK.

Highlights: High Havoc, London England, The Corduroy Orgasm Club, Something in My Eye, Very Yeah

9/10

High Times: Singles 1992-2006 - Jamiroquai

Let's keep the funk rolling! I had to buy this album when on a super discount so I could get these two new songs. Such is my completist attitude. Well worth it, because they are both super funky and super cool.

Highlights: Runaway, Radio

9/10

Hillbilly Joel - The Shit

The greatest punk band go country and still manage to keep almost every song under a minute, while also retaining the whistles and roosters crowing. Every song is about drinking and being drunk. Party with The Shit!

Highlights: Passed Out In AA - FUCK, Where's the Party?, Drunk and in Jail for Arson, Dear Burger King

7/10

Hip-Hop Lives - KRS-One & Marley Marl

The Teacher teaming up with an old rival to show the young rappers how it is done. Surprisingly solid album; KRS never stops evolving and delivers a pretty firm lyrical beatdown on the world. This album deserves way more love.

Highlights: I Was There, Rising to the Top, Kill a Rapper, This Is What It Is

8/10

Hip-Hop Breaker - DJ Reggie

I have had a fantastic day so far and then DJ Reggie comes along and just brings the whole day down. Well, except for his rapping about Robert Smith stealing someone's lipstick and Tina Turner being the "President of Party Town". Stepping on broken TV screens does not sound like a fun dance. Teen Wolf could have been a good song if he had kept the whole thing from being super loud and distorted. I need a break.

Highlights: Matlock Rock, TV Shows - The Movie

5/10

HIStory - Michael Jackson

MJ was clearly pretty angry on this album; a lot of frustration and sadness being vented about the way people and the environment are being treated. And that District Attorney that was out to get him - absolutely no one is buying you are not saying Tom Sneddon in the chorus, Michael. And we def lose points for having R. Kelly on here (very much removing this song after today). But there is so much other greatness going on that I will easily forgive MJ for that one. HIStory is still the most confusing song; the verses are so badass, but then that chorus is all glorious orchestration and choir of triumph. 

Highlights: They Don't Care About Us, Stranger in Moscow, Earth Song, 2 Bad, D.S.

7.5/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 775

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2025 in 2025: Day 80

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Trash...
AKA LOGMAN Does an Oopsie!

So, I spent 24 hours travelling and listening to all this music that I've been working my way through. Which is all fine and dandy. Being that I was travelling, I kept all my scores/ratings and ramblings in notes on my phone. And then the most hilarious thing happened and I had to restore my phone before being able to do a backup. Which meant I lost all my data from the last 6 months - including all the listening history! Now how will I know how many times I listened to ELLEGARDEN and Queen back in December?!?

So I lost about 2 weeks of listening time sorting this all out. Plus all this music I listened to while travelling and getting sorted? You guessed it - I will have to listen to it and rate it and discuss it all over again. Which is a shame, because I am sure my original bLogging would have been super entertaining and full of extremely witty dialogue. For sure...

So let's get back to it! We are almost 6 months into 2025 and I am still barely a third through this...

F is for FarOutIHaveToListenToTheseFTDAlbumsAgain!

FTD062: An American Trilogy, January/February 1972 - Elvis Presley

Another live compilation in the form of an actual live setlist. The recordings for the most part are really good and the band are seriously on fire! Elvis' voice is definitely not at its best, though.

Highlights: Never Been to Spain, You Gave Me a Mountain, A Big Hunk O' Love

6.5/10

FTD092: As Recorded At Boston Garden '71, Boston, 10 November 1971 - Elvis Presley

This show is mostly decent, but the recording/mix is just not great. Almost sounds like an audience recording? The crowd were certainly hot! Elvis didn't even kiss everyone during Love Me Tender. Anyways, clearly the real king of the garden was Bret Hart. Both Boston and Madison.

Highlights: You've Lost that Loving Feeling, I Can't Stop Loving You, Suspicious Minds

6/10

Full Blast - MC Hammer

Really just a glorified EP from the Hammerman; five songs and then the instrumental version of said five songs. Look, part of what I will always love about Hammer is that he works in such a great pop/dance vibe in the hip-hop. But when the man is angry and lets loose on his diss work, it goes hard!

Highlights: Full Blast, Hard Times, I Used to Love Her

7/10

Fumbling Towards Ecstasy - Sarah McLachlan

Last time I was listening to this album, I was wandering around Shanghai airport. This has probably been a more focused listen, which is great, because this album is pretty good and at times I really like McLachlan's voice and delivery. And whatever is going on musically, for the most part. It has been too long now to compare these versions to those found on the Freedom Sessions album, so one day next year I will have to do a direct back-to-back listen and comparison.

Highlights: Possession, Wait, Circle, Ice Cream

7/10

Fun in Space - Roger Taylor

This album sounds exactly like it came from someone involved in the creation of Queen's Hot Space album. In fact, some of these songs sound like they were reworked for that album - because some of them sound very similar. Whenever I read this album title, I get confused and start singing Prime Jive to myself. Because there is that line Roger Taylor sings about "rock in space" and the full title of the song is Rock It (Prime Jive). Try to keep up, please...

Highlights: No Violins, Let's Get Crazy, Airheads

6/10

A Funk Odyssey - Jamiroquai

Bah gawd this album blew my mind back in 2002 and was responsible for me becoming a Jamiroquai fan. Rob Harris' guitar work is so unbelievably funky and out of this world. And that bass line on Love Foolosophy is super funky. And then Stop Don't Panic features the sort of funk guitar that completely changes the game. Intergalactic Disco Express, right here.

Highlights: Little L, Love Foolosophy, Don't Stop Panic, Main Vein

8/10

The Funky Headhunter - MC Hammer

Hammer sans MC has no time for suckers talking smack. For the longest time, I thought It's All Good was on Too Legit To Quit. Kids are stupid. Especially the kids not listening to this album, because it is super awesome. Sure, as usual some of the songs are a bit long, and the whole album probably could have been edited down a bit (18 tracks at 1 hour 15 is genuinely not necessary), and my man don't need to be making me choose a side between him and Run DMC. And Hammer for sure wasn't all talk; Redman is on the record that Hammer came to him personally and had him apologising for talking trash, because Hammer don't play like that. Y'all busters should have just let Hammer do his pop super hype dancing!

Highlights: It's All Good, Don't Stop, Break 'em Off Somethin' Propa, It's All That, The Funky Headhunter

7/10

FutureSex/LoveSounds - Justin Timberlake

I gushed stupidly about this album back when my bLog was just getting started - almost 20 years ago! Does the album hold up in 2025? Well... yes. Absolutely. Losing My Way is mostly a cool song, but the lyrics are pretty cringe; there is nothing about JT that I find relatable to a broke meth addict. Somehow I have ended up with a censored version, which annoys me in all the ways you could imagine. And it has a bunch of remixes at the end that are all unnecessary. Especially the one featuring Beyoncé. But especially 50 Cent being super lewd and gross. Otherwise, it is still a very great album that I just need to get back to the original uncensored un-deluxe version.

Highlights: SexyBack, My Love, LoveStoned/I Think She Knows (Interlude), What Goes Around.../... Comes Around (Interlude)

8/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 648

2025 in 2025: Day 64

Emancipation - Prince

People can feel free to disagree with me, but this album is pure Prince-styled R&B. I am not a huge fan of the production, but it is generally a very solid album and gets harder as it gets going. Elvis gets a shout out on Face Down, so that continues my new Easter tradition? It also features a whole mess of Prince swearing, which I find refreshing. From about near the end of disc 2 to the end of disc 3 is seriously good times.

Highlights: The Holy River, Saviour, Friend Lover Sister Mother/Wife, Slave, New World, The Love We Make, Emancipation

8/10

The Emancipation of Mimi - Mariah Carey

So much going at the start of this - pretty sure about 7 different songs/artists getting referenced/sampled/ripped-off. I also love that MC just drops these insane high notes in the background at the end of a song to kind of prove she's still got it. And she sure does. And then some. Talk about a real comeback album - my girl Mariah came back with some of her coolest songs?

Highlights: We Belong Together, Shake It Off, Mine Again, Your Girl

7/10

Emergency on Planet Earth - Jamiroquai

Ah the old didgeridoo and world/jazz fusion days of Jamiroquai. Stuart Zender on bass is a groovy beast. So much funk going on.

Highlights: When You Gonna Learn (Digeridoo), Too Young to Die, If I Like It I Do It, Revolution 1993

7.5/10

The Eminem Show - Eminem

Man, why is this dude so angry? He was at the peak of his popularity at this point and produced a very dark and angry album. Every skit involves a gun. As someone that watches MMA, I am pretty over people using Till I Collapse as a walkout song. 

Highlights: Till I Collapse, Business, Square Dance, Without Me, Say What You Say

6/10

Emotions - Mariah Carey

Early 90s R&B Mariah. Which is... surprisingly great, at times. Bah gawd that young woman could sing the hell out of anything. 

Highlights: Emotions, And You Don't Remember, If It's Over

6/10

Empire State of Mind [Single] - Jay-Z & Alicia Keys

Alicia Keys should always double-track her vocals.

8/10

The Empire Strikes Back - Meco

I think the official title of this is actually Meco Plays Music from the Empire Strikes Back, according to the album artwork. It could be called Meco Improves the Music from The Empire Strikes Back, because The Imperial March is way more awesome as a struttin' disco song than one could have imagined. 

Highlights: The Empire Strikes Back Medley, Battle in the Snow, The Force Theme, Asteroid Field and Finale

9/10

Empty Room/Nutshell - Ryan Adams

Yet another single from DRA, this time including a cover of one of Alice in Chains' most popular songs. Both of these are fine, but not exactly memorable.

Highlights: It is just two songs and they are fine

6/10

Encino Man: Music from the Original Motion Picture - Various Artists

We used to listen to this album a lot back in the day. Well, at least the first four songs. This version of You're Invited (But Your Friend Can't Come) is so much cooler than the Exposed version. Cheap Trick's version of Wild Thing is so off the wall that I didn't even realise it was Cheap Trick. You may be surprised to find that I thoroughly enjoy the Queen song on here, even if it is a remixed version. Then there is a funk rock version of Mama Said Knock You Out, which is fine? It's also somewhat ironic that Vince Neil and Jon Corabi would appear (separately) on the same album shortly before Corabi took his job. And I got Edgar Winter confused with Edgar Wright. What a wild ride.

Highlights: You're Invited (But You're Friend Can't Come) - Vince Neil, Stone Cold Crazy [Remix] - Queen, Frankenstein - Edgar Winter, Young and Dumb - Scream

6.5/10

ENCORE SHOW - SCANDAL

Idol-pop-punk-era SCANDAL is always fun. There may not be anything all that outstandingly amazing, but it is all very fun and upbeat, without sounding like idol silliness. That is an achievement and a very admirable quality.

Highlights: 君に嫉妬中, KOSHI-TANTAN, Midnight Television, Shining Sun

7/10

Encounters of Every Kind - Meco

This is a misleading title; it makes you think it is all about Close Encounters of the Third Kind, but it is not. Which is lucky, because I have never actually seen that movie. The first track is a medley of many different theme songs - I can pick out a few westerns, but that is about it. Then there are some original disco tracks. And some more stuff I don't know what they are. Then the theme from Close Encounters of the Third Kind. I'm guessing... 

Highlights: Time Machine, Meco's Theme/3W.57, Theme from Close Encounters of the Third Kind

7/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 513

2025 in 2025: Day 59

Dream Police - Cheap Trick

I should really get the whole album, because I only have the title track and it is brilliant. In fact, I have not really heard much Cheap Trick at all. I should correct that in 2026...

10/10

Dreamgirls: Music from the Motion Picture - Various Artists

Anyone who knows me would know how much I love that Motown sound. And musicals. So a musical based on Motown? Featuring Eddie Murphy and Jennifer Hudson - who can sing awesome as hell like Boyz II Men - and Beyoncé pre-whateversheisnow? Patience is the most hilarious mish-mash of What's Going On? and We Are The World. Gawdam someone get me a 4K UHD of this movie ASAP

Highlights: I Want You Baby, And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going, Steppin' to the Bad Side, Cadillac Car, Love You I Do

8/10

Dreaming Out Loud - OneRepublic

This dude has a very solid voice and it is all very listenable, if not a bit same-samey and... safe. And Timberland's version of Apologize is better, IMO.

Highlights: Apologize [Timbaland version], Mercy, All We Are

6.5/10

Dressed to Kill - Kiss

My favourite Kiss studio album. If I didn't have another 18,000 songs to listen to, you better be sure I would be listening to this again and again.

Highlights: The WHOLE ALBUM

10/10

Drunken Confessions - Whiskeytown

What better way to follow that up than with a collection of badly-recorded demos of relatively average alt country songs... 

Highlights: It ended

4/10

Dude Ranch - blink-182

For all the complaining I do about Tom's voice now and after the self-titled album, it sure was completely terrible on this album. I have always enjoyed how much their drummer can't maintain that fast beat in the intro for Josie - he clearly loses timing at one point. Punk rock, yo! I realise they were still kids, so I give them a pass for writing stupid songs about Star Wars. I would probably do the same. Not about Star Wars, because I'm not a complete loser, but maybe something cool like RoboCop or The Last Starfighter. I have class. 

Highlights: Dammit, Waggy, Enthused, Untitled, Josie

7/10

dumping swimmer - シナリオアート

These cats are one of those bands that I always forget I even have in my library, but when I put them on I am instantly like 'oh wow this is so good!'. I need to listen to this more..

Highlights: カオティックダウナー, シニカルデトックス, プライドモンスター, ナイトスイマー

7.5/10

The Dunes - Ghetto Birds

One of Ryan Adams' internet radio albums. This one is short and dreamy acoustic numbers with weird lyrics. Well, at least it starts that way; about halfway through it just turns in to silly acoustic numbers and then that last song is definitely one of his 'DJ Reggie' songs that he put on the wrong album, because he ends it by saying "DJ Reggie is going home.". So, yeah.

Highlights: DJ going home...

5/10

Dusty in Memphis - Dusty Springfield

Of course I am a nerd and only have Son of a Preacher Man. Classic song. But more importantly, did Dusty see Elvis while she was in Memphis?

10/10

Duty - Ayumi Hamasaki

The first half of this album is kinda dark. The last half is super pop . It is all full of big beats and massive production and is simply perfection.

Highlights: Perfect Album

10/10

Dynamite - Jamiroquai

Return of the funk masters! I have massive love for Ken Harris' guitar playing; dude comes up with the funkiest riffs and licks that just blow my mind. Actually, the whole band are groove-meisters. It is just that the original band were so fantastic, it is hard to really appreciate them (original guitarist was a completely different style to Ken Harris, so easy to NOT compare).

Highlights: Feels Just Like it Should, Seven Days in Sunny June, (Don't) Give in to Hate

8/10

The Dynasty: Roc La Familia - Jay-Z

This a pretty much Jay-Z and Beanie Sigel and Memphis Bleek. You know, dudes that would have no career if Jay wasn't looking out for them. Never going to work, Jay. Doing a song with R. Kelly called Guilty Until Proven Innocent seems like a poor choice all around. 

Highlights: Streets is Talking, Stick 2 the Script, Holla, Squeeze 1st

7.5/10

Dynasty - Kiss

Kiss does disco, but not really - A.K.A. The Rise of Ace Frehley. Dirty Livin' is so incredibly groovy and it is hilarious that I almost forgot it existed! Also hilarious is the idea that Peter Criss could have played drums on this album, when they sound absolutely nothing like him.

Highlights: I Was Made for Lovin' You, Sure Know Something, Dirty Livin', Ace Frehley being awesome

9/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 474