2025 in 2025: Day 104

Jar of Flies - Alice in Chains

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

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

8/10

The Jasmine Flower - Heather Nova

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

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

Jazz - Queen

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

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

8/10

JEJEJEJET!! - PASSPO☆

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

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

8/10

Jewel Vox - Pile

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

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

6.5/10

Jewels: Alternate Takes - Queen

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

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

8/10

Jewels: De Lane Lea Demos - Queen

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

Highlights: Jesus, The Night Comes Down

7/10

Jewels: Instrumentals - Queen

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

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

6.5/10

Joanne - Lady Gaga

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

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

6/10

John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band - John Lennon

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

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

9/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 897

FREE PALESTINE

2025 in 2025: Day 69

So we begin the F albums. F is for Fun!

Faith - The Cure

Fun is not how I would describe this album at all! It more follows the D pattern; Dark, Depressing, Droning and... Done?

Highlights: Primary, The Funeral Party, The Drowning Man, Faith

7/10

Faithless Street - Whiskeytown

I thought I said FUN?!? During my marathon 10 years ago, I called this album "awesome". I also watched WrestleMania every day for 31 days, so clearly I had brain damage.

Highlights: Drank Like a River, If He Can't Have You, 16 Days, Factory Girl

5.5/10

FAKE METAL JACKET - BiSH

F is for FINALLY SOME FUN! I am not overstating* when I say this is one of the most important albums of the 21st Century. When I first discovered it, I had the tracklisting all borked and that meant that I am still way more used to hearing the songs in a different order.

*Clearly overstating like a mofo

Highlights: BiSH -星が瞬く夜に-, Primitive, beautifulさ, デパーチャーズ, ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE

8.5/10

FALLINLOVE2NITE [Single] - Prince (feat. Zooey Deschanel)

Prince turning up on a random episode of New Girl was the most shocking moment in television history. Next to Fonzie managing to clear those sharks on his jet skis...

8/10

False Smiles - Amy Studt

I have had Misfit in my song library since 2003 - long before I even had any form of iTunes. Then I got iTunes and decided to fill in the rest of the album. And quickly found that it is not even the best song on the album! Criminal that the singles were not bigger hits (the album, not so much).

Highlights: Misfit, Under the Thumb, Ladder in My Tights, Nobody

6.5/10

The Fame - Lady Gaga

Game changer. Crazy listening back now and hearing how different she sounds. Like all Gaga albums, it is a bit too long - cut a few songs and it would be pretty darn near perfect - but this is still a super fun pop album.

Highlights: Paparazzi, Poker Face, I Like It Rough, The Fame

7/10

The Fame Monster - Lady Gaga

To me, this is Gaga's artistic peak. I would come out of retirement to perform this album. Or even one song from it. Like the song, I am speechless. Dance in the Dark is life. Is Telephone the best thing Beyoncé has ever done? Shiiizz, I thought I told you - I ain't afraid of you mofos!

Highlights: Bad Romance, Monster, Speechless, Dance in the Dark, Telephone

9.5/10

Familiar To Millions - Oasis

Oasis live in 2000. Liam's voice is rather terrible. Noel actually sounds decent. I used to jam along to this album a lot, because it is a decent 'compilation' of fun songs to play and being a live show they are all in the same key, so I would not have to switch around guitars. Plus some of the solos and whatnot are a bit more groovy on here. Probably due to actually having a real lead guitar player? It is all still rather simple, but, by George, they are fun to play.

Highlights: Fuckin' in the Bushes, Go Let It Out, Supersonic, Step Out, Gas Panic!, Live Forever, Helter Skelter

7/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 552

2025 in 2025: Day 56

Dissident/Live in Atlanta - Pearl Jam

This is such a weird release; they released 3 different versions of the singles - each one with a different selection of live songs from the same concert, and this is basically the 3 singles compiled in to one box set to get almost the full live concert. Pretty dumb to cut out Sonic Reducer. And some of the editing is... questionable. But it is all but one song each from both Ten and Vs, so the songs are solid. And decent enough performances. I know Pearl Jam had some better shows, but this is fine. Makes me somewhat look forward to listening to Ten and Vs... in, like, 6 months...

Highlights: Dissident [Studio Version], W.M.A.

8/10

The Distance to Here - Live

I once gave an acoustic performance of The Dolphin's Cry (just me and a friend on acoustic bass) and I can honestly say it was one of my most memorable performances. I want to do that again. I saw these dudes on tour for this album; in one of the most confusing combinations, Stabbing Westward were the opening act - which should explain to you, reader, why LOGMAN went to this concert. I mean, I do not hate Live or anything (it would be strange if I did, considering I have three of their albums in my iTunes library), but they are not exactly a band that I was ever clamouring to see live. I would, however, beat the snot out of your children to see Stabbing Westward live again.

Highlights: The Dolphin's Cry, They Stood Up for Love, Sparkle, We Walk in the Dream

7/10

DIStopping - Charisma.com

Have I mentioned how much I dig this group? Because this album is flat out good stuff; big beats, cool rapping and sweet production.

Highlights: スーパーガール, ペインオフ, 100%ブービー

8.5/10

Distortion - Rev Run

This is interesting; Run not only just recycles some of his classic rhymes and rhythms, he also samples Sweet Home Alabama - which I'm pretty sure they did on Crown Royal. At least here it is better, because this is just Run being Run, instead of playing second fiddle to a bunch of dorks. Run turns it up to 11 by sampling God of Thunder, and then Joan Jett's I Love Rock'n Roll. Run-D.M.C. and Joan Jett is the combo I didn't know I wanted in 1986.

Highlights: Mind on the Road, Distortion, I Used to Think I Was Run

8/10

Divine Madness - Madness

Madness were one of those bands that I thought were super fun when I was a kid, without actually listening to much of their music. And that all still tracks today, because there are only two songs here.

Highlights: House of Fun, Our House

8/10

Divinyls - Divinyls

This is purely I Touch Myself. I did not get this song at all when I was young. Then it was used in the film Austin Powers, and it just clicked for me; now I consider it an extremely well-crafted pop-rock song. That hook is unbeatable.

10/10

Dizzy Up The Girl - Goo Goo Dolls

Oh boy, I loved this album and this band. Slide is a perfect song for busking - I actually forgot I used to do this song and that the guitar work in it is really fun. Hard to believe these guys were full on dirty indie garage rock before making it big. We (my BFF and I) both hated the bass player back then, but I've grown up and actually totally dig his songs a lot now - even if I do still think his voice is nowhere near as good John Rzeznik's.

Highlights: Dizzy, Slide, Black Balloon, All Eyes On Me, Iris, Hate This Place

8/10

Do I Wait/Darkness [Early NYC Versions] - Ryan Adams

More Ryan Adams singles. I read today he had another meltdown on stage, but this one at least seems to be justified. Anyways, this version of Do I Wait is amazing. 

Highlights: Do I Wait

8/10

Do What U Want [feat. Christina Aguilera - Single] - Lady Gaga

Instead of scrapping this song and hiding it from the world because of R. Kelly, the album should just replace it with this version. Because who doesn't want to hear these divas belting out a sexy tune together?

10/10

Do You Laugh When You Lie? (Pax Am Singles Series, Vol.4) [Single] - Ryan Adams

More Ryan Adams channeling his 80s influences - this time in a kind of R.E.M. college radio vibe. And an acoustic number.

Highlights: By the Way

6.5/10

Doggystyle - Snoop Dogg

Absolute bonafide hip-hop classic. I am pretty sure back in the day this was the only hip-hop album we would listen to, because nothing came close to being as cool. And most of my crew were skate punks, so gangster rap wasn't their total jam. Somehow I find the G-Funk crew rapping about sex far less offensive than one would think. Especially considering the way they rap out it. How great was Kurupt? Whatever happened to that him?? Warren G always was and always will be a very cool dude. Holy balls Gz and Hustlas is funky as hell. 

Highlights: Gin & Juice, Serial Killa, Ain't No Fun, Gz and Hustlas

8/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 438

2025 in 2025: Day 27

Boogie Wonderland: The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire - Earth, Wind & Fire

This right here is over 2 hours of funky disco tunes and soulful ballads. It may surprise you to find that I enjoy the disco songs more than the ballads. And the disco songs are mostly fantastic. There's also random guitar shredding on a few songs, which is hilarious. On Your Face is most recogniseable to me as being sampled for MC Hammer's song. This album is a serious groove for the full 2 hours.

Highlights: September, Saturday Nite

7/10

BORN PINK - BLACKPINK

Pink Venom is such a weird track; everything except the chorus is awesome, but man that chorus is dumb. The rest of these songs kind of suffer from that problem where you think the song is going to go somewhere awesome, but then doesn't, so it kind of falls just short of being special. Still pretty solid, though. So this is all my BLACKPINK done before we even finish a couple of months? BLACKPINK are no longer in my area?

Highlights: Pink Venom, Shut Down, Yeah Yeah Yeah, Tally

7/10

Born This Way - Lady Gaga

As with most Gaga albums, the opening track is pure FIRE. Actually, a whole bunch of songs of this album are straight-up awesomeness. Some average songs sprinkled in, as well. Judas has the same problem as Pink Venom, though the chorus isn't quite as dumb, just a let down from how badass the rest of the song is. Well, apart from the gawdawful lyrics. There's really a lot of talk about Jesus on this album, as well. I have always felt that maybe the album is a bit too long. It's 17 songs. No interludes or skits. 17 actual songs. Sure, I'm part of the problem by buying the deluxe edition, but the extra songs from that are actually worth it - there were a couple of others I would cut instead of them. But not Brian May. He should be on every song. Also, why is there no uncensored version of this album available? It was insulting that I wasn't able to get The Fame Monster on CD in uncensored form, but not even iTunes carries Born This Way with bad language. Wild.

Highlights: Marry The Night, Government Hooker, Hair, Yoü And I, The Edge of Glory

8/10

Born This Way [Special Edition] - Lady Gaga

This is the bonus disc that came with the special edition of the album. It is merely remixes of a bunch of the songs. And they are mostly decent. If you want to get your dance on to some Lady Gaga, you could do much worse.

Highlights: Born This Way (Country Road Version)

6/10

BORN TO BE - ITZY

Talk about a poptastic day! One of the strongest releases from ITZY. And I say this as a total long-term fan that has been listening to them for a total of maybe 9 months. Crown On My Head is awesome and all, but the live version with the band was about 10 times more awesome. I even appreciate that gif that iTunes does for the album cover. Flawless release.

Highlights: Crown On My Head, Escalator

8.5/10

Born to Die - Lana Del Rey

I remember the massive hype on this album when it was first released. A beautiful woman singing dark and moody songs about murder and death and mafia gangsters and all sorts of American classics. Of course people were going to go nuts about her. So if that is your jam, then this album is tops. What I find most interesting is her way of changing her voice to give different characters for each song. It's all very dramatic.

Highlights: Off to the Races, This is What Makes Us Girls, Lolita

7/10

Boston - Boston

Obviously the opening track is super legendary and awesome, but the rest of this album is super rockin' and awesome as well. A whole lot of harmonising guitar solos! I recall listening to this in high school a fair bit - perfect summer vibes. Because we spent high school listening to and pushing 70s rock. You got a problem with that? Shiizz, I ain't afraid of you mofos!

Highlights: More Than a Feeling, Piece of Mind, Rock & Roll Band, Let Me Take You Home Tonight

8/10

Bounce - Bon Jovi

Jon Bon Jovi is angry about 9/11. Me too; that was the date of the Montreal Screwjob and we must never forget such treachery. This album features some of the absolute heaviest of Bon Jovi songs - it also completely goes from awesome to awful super quick. JBJ's attempt at Sprinsteen storytelling is kind of cringe to me. Richie Sambora's playing and singing on this album is awesome, but even he can't save some of these ballads from being absolute dreck. BUT the good songs are VERY good. The Distance is one of their very best power ballads. I could very easily listen to this album again. Well, half of it. They should have stuck with this producer.

Highlights: Everyday, The Distance, Misunderstood, Bounce

6/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 224

2025 in 2025: Day 9

Appetite For Destruction - Guns N' Roses
Fun story time: the first time I heard this album was around when it came out and the local radio station announced they were going to play the whole thing. So I taped it from there and thought 'Yeah, cool, I have the whole album!' and that was how I listened to the album for some time. Of course, I did not realise that there is actually a lot of swearing on here, so a few songs were not played and others were edited. That edited tracklist, though, was total fire! Anyways, this album still rocks hard. For music in this style, it really is hard to beat. And sure is good energy at 4am.
Highlights: Nightrain, Paradise City, Sweet Child O' Mine, Rocket Queen
8.5/10

APRA Top 100 New Zealand Songs Of All Time - Various Artists
As a musician from New Zealand, I feel it is my duty to tell you that I am not a fan of New Zealand music in general. Most of it is garbage. Some of these songs are actually good, though. And no, I do not have all 100 songs. I would cancel this whole listening experience if I had to sit through that.
Highlights: Why Does Love Do This to Me? - The Exponents, For Today - Netherworld Dancing Toys
6/10

Around The Fur - Deftones
I had no idea this came out in 1997. I probably didn't listen to it until around 1999, when nu-metal was all the rage. I have always considered Deftones a bit of an exception, but I just never listen to angry music like this anymore. I am already tired and grumpy enough. It is nigh impossible to understand much of what Chino Moreno is screaming about here, and when he teams up with Max Cavalera on Head Up it is an entertaining combination of... noise. Pretty sure the chorus there is "Bwa dip-bo-BAP, dip-dippobap, bow up da-bi-pap!"
Highlights: Around the Fur, Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away), MX
7/10

Around the World in a Day - Prince & The Revolution
Oh my, what a welcome change of pace. Prince was the greatest. This was a very Beatles-influenced, somewhat psychadelic album. In parts. Then there are songs like Temptation where Prince just goes full on sex fiend. Raspberry Beret may well be the greatest simple pop song Prince ever wrote.
Highlights: Raspberry Beret, The Ladder, Paisley Park
8/10

Arrival - ABBA
The greatest pop band with some of the greatest pop songs. Bah gawd, the bass playing on this album is just phenomenal. This actually may well be the best ABBA as well. Just non-stop awesomeness that has me grooving in my chair.
Highlights: Dancing Queen, Knowing Me Knowing You (A-HA!), Money Money Money, That's Me, Tiger
9/10

Art Official Age - Prince
Oh cool - more Prince! I don't think I have actually listened to this album much since it was released. This is kind of classic Prince R'n'B, but with more 'modern' electronicness to the whole thing. Except Prince's idea of 'modern' is about 20 years behind. Regardless, this album slaps. Super funky sexy jams, as always. Andy Allo's voice is hella smooth.
Highlights: THE GOLD STANDARD, FUNKNROLL, TIME
7.5/10

ARTPOP - Lady Gaga
I think this may be the most played Gaga in my iTunes library? It was likely one of the first albums I bought once my previous laptop was stolen and all my iTunes data was lost forever, otherwise I am certain The Fame and The Fame Monster would smoke it. Unlike her previous albums, I feel like this one takes a little to really get going - the opening couple of tracks are just kind of there, but then once we hit G.U.Y. it is just bangers. Working with R. Kelly certainly was a choice. But, sadly, that won't be the only time he appears in my collection! The last half of this album especially is pretty much flawless.
Highlights: MANiCURE, Do What U Want, Fashion, Mary Jane Holland, Dope, Gypsy, Applause
8.5/10

As Day Follows Night - Sarah Blasko
I didn't think too much of this album upon release. And this listen is not changing my opinion at all. Very disappointing, considering how great Blasko's first few releases were. And I think the follow-up album was an improvement - I guess I'll find out some time around June when I finally make it to the "I" albums...
Highlights: We Won't Run, I Never Knew, Night & Day
5.5/10

As Ugly As It Gets - Ugly Kid Joe
Bwahaha I don't know if I have listened to this since... maybe 2001? Really showing my hair metal roots with this one. This can't be a greatest hits compilation, because these dudes only had two: the metal power-ballad cover of Cat's in the Cradle, and the 'funny' Everything About You - which actually still kinda holds up. I bought this for Funky Fresh Country Club and their cover of the Black Sabbath song N.I.B. - which I enjoyed jamming along to. I think we used to jam it a little bit in my first band, because those dudes were totally in to Black Sabbath. I don't think they were in to Ugly Kid Joe.
Highlights: Everything About You, Busy Bee, N.I.B., Funky Fresh Country Club
5/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 75

I just did a check and that is now 1,001 songs. Only 23,242 to go!
I might find I'm still getting through all this in 2026...