2025 in 2025: Day 193

1984 - Ryan Adams

Look, the guy is a total douchenozzle, but I will be damned if this is not the raddest 15 minutes of raw punk rock.

Highlights: Rats in the Wall, When the Summer Ends, Change Your Mind, Push It Away

9/10

1989 - Ryan Adams

Funny that the last proper Ryan Adams album in this marathon is the album that you can actually trace the end of his career back to! Taking a women's work and making it his seems totally appropriate. I think he nailed the style changes for a few songs, and a few it is just like 'yeah, we get it, you are depressed'.

Highlights: Style, I Wish You Would, All You Had to Do Was Stay, Bad Blood

7/10

1989 - Taylor Swift

Due to the production, this is probably the only Taylor Swift I can enjoy - some of the songs have a bit of a Eurythmics kind of vibe, and I really dig that. Bah gawd, Swifties are the absolute worst and make their cult leader even more insufferable. The songs that feel a bit more genuine are the better songs.

Highlights: I Wish You Would, All You Had to Do Was Stay, Out of the Woods, Welcome to New York

8/10

1991 Christmas Single - Pearl Jam

The first Pearl Christmas single. Just one simple song and the band recording a message to their fans. There are many more to come...

Highlights: Quick?

5/10

1991 Remixes - Queen

When their studio albums were initially 'remastered' and re-released back in 1991, there was this fun gimmick of a few songs getting remixed in various ways. Most of it involves just adding a bunch of reverb to the vocals and drums. Some got a bit of a dance remix happen. And then Rick Rubin turned We Will Rock You in to a completely crazy hip-hop style thing. 

Highlights: Tie Your Mother Down (1991 Remix by Matt Wallace), We Will Rock You (Ruined by Rick Rubin), Flash's Theme (1991 Remix by Mista Lawnge)

7/10

1992 Christmas Single - Pearl Jam

One of the best songs recorded by Pearl Jam and then a mess of samples? You know what? I deserve this.

Highlights: Sonic Reducer

6/10

1993 Christmas Single - Pearl Jam

Similar to the 1992 Xmas single, where the A-side is brilliant and the B-side is... not. At least this time it is a live jam where they were being pelted with shoes.

Highlights: Angel

6/10

1994 Solo Recording - Ryan Adams

Acoustic country numbers - sounds like they were recorded during a radio appearance or something? Who the hell wanted DRA on their radio show in 1994?

Highlights: I am still awake - or is that a lowlight?

5.5/10

1995 Christmas Single - Pearl Jam

There was no single in 1994 - I must have forgotten that. This one at least features four songs! And they are all live performances of covers - including a performance from the first concert I ever went to. 

Highlights: History Never Repeats [Live in NZ w/Tim & Neil Finn], Sonic Reducer [Live in New Orleans w/Joey Ramone]

6.5/10

1996 Christmas Sing - Pearl Jam

One terrible song about not being good enough for the Olympics, followed by a very average live performance of a song off No Code.

Highlights: 1996 was 30 years ago?

4/10

1997 Christmas Single - Pearl Jam & R.E.M.

Dudes could not even muster the effort to record another rambling nonsense for their fans, so had to get another band to do it for them? Fair call; if I had known that was an option, I would have got someone else to listen to their music for me!

Highlights: I saw Kiss live for the first time in 1997

4/10

1998 Christmas Single - Pearl Jam

These recordings of two super bland old pop songs from the 60s were later released to the general public and Last Kiss became a big hit. I wonder if Eddie Vedder had given up pretending he was "very punk rock" by then...

Highlights: So very punk rock

6/10

1999 - Prince

Oh, thank Prime! This is pure 80s Prince R&B pop and funky rock. There is a bit of something for everyone. Especially the sex addicts?

Highlights: Little Red Corvette, 1999, Let's Pretend We're Married, All The Critics Love U in New York

8.5/10

1999 (Super Deluxe Edition) - Prince

Boy, there sure are a lot of 1999-era demos on here. Oh, wait - this is the 1999 box set! For some reason, I thought I was listening to the Purple Rain vault tracks. The really interesting part of these, for me, is that so many of the unused songs just got re-worked until Prince was happy enough to give them a home on an actual album. 

Highlights: How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore? [Take 2 - Live in Studio], Moonbeam Levels, Irresistible Bitch, Lady Cab Driver/I Wanna Be Your Lover/Head/Little Red Corvette [Tour Demo]

7/10

1999 Christmas Single - Pearl Jam

Yawn. What a boring Christmas.

Highlights: 1999 with Prince was more of a party

5/10

1999: Promo Mixes & B-Sides - Prince

Speaking of partying like it is (was?) 1999... lots of edited versions of songs - which is kind of wrong, because these songs are classics, but radio is a bitch like that - and a couple of equally awesome B-sides. 

Highlights: How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore, Irresistible Bitch, Horny Toad, Little Red Corvette [Special Dance Mix]

9/10

'Albums' listened to so far: 1956

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2025 in 2025: Day 187

Word Up! - Cameo

I only have the title track, which just happens to be a stone cold funky classic. This would appear to be a remix, so one day I will have to get the album version. And the full album.

10/10

The Works - Queen

This is probably their most consistent album from the 80s. Mercury pushed his vocals so much on this album - you can hear him struggling in some parts and it really gives the songs a bit more emotion.

And Brian May's tone is absolute perfection on every song.

Highlights: Machines (Back to Human), Hammer to Fall, Radio Ga Ga, Is This The World We Created... ?

9/10

World Championship Wrestling - World Championship Wrestling

This is just a couple of random themes that should be with the other collections I have, I guess? I am kind of partial to the original intro for Thunder...

6/10

World Clique - Deee-Lite

This is only the single Groove Is In The Heart. Fun fact: on release, LOGMAN thought this song was terrible. 10 year-old LOGMAN did not understand that it is possibly the greatest dance song of the decade.

10/10

World Domination - BAND-MAID

This is just such classic hard rock, with a little bit of old school metal washing over it. It is all such a groove, it is hard to not find it enjoyable. And musically DICE is the greatest rock song on the planet, but the lyrics are so hilarious. But BAH GAWD the music and melody are amazing!

Highlights: DICE, Rock in Me, Spirit!!, Anemone, Daydreaming

7.5/10

WORLD GROOVE - TRF

Early 90s techno dance pop - almost similar to the music on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II & III soundtracks. 

Highlights: WORLD GROOVE 3rd. chapter (main message), 私が望むもの…あなたが欲しいもの (Do what you want)～

6.5/10

A World of Pandemonium - the HIATUS

Crazy how much they toned things down after the first couple of albums - especially that second album. I thought it was connected to the earthquake/tsunami of 2012, but this album pre-dates that and was the start of the change in style. 

Highlights: On Your Way Home, Superblock, Shimmer, Bittersweet/Hatching Mayflies

7.5/10

World Power - Snap!

More early 90s dance hip-hop kind of thing. I never really realised how lewd some of these lyrics are!

Highlights: The Power, Ooops Up, Mary Had a Little Boy

6.5/10

WWF Forceable Entry - Various Artists

I only have the mighty Whatever by Our Lady Peace. It is one of their angriest songs. It was also the entrance theme for a man that went on to murder his family and himself, so... Whatever?

10/10

X is for X. I do not make the rules...

X-TV Series - Various Artists

Bah gawd! I am no expert on anime, but this show is easily one of the best I have ever seen. Death and destruction everywhere. And the music is very fitting; the intro song is super badass dance rock and the score itself is just all round EPIC. And then the outro song is so completely different in terms of style - like a very standard late 90s/early 00s J-Pop song.

Highlights: eX Dream - Myuji, Destiny - Naoki Sato, Secret Sorrow - Kohei Koizumi, A Suite (Dragons of Heaven) - Naoki Sato

7.5/10

X-TV Series II - Various Artists

They just mean the second soundtrack, because there is no Series II of X. Because everyone gets murdered or maimed! I need to watch it again.

Highlights: A Suite (Dragons of Earth) - Naoki Sato, Strength - Kohei Koizumi, eX Dream [TV Edit] - Myuji, Crystal - Kenichi Suzumura

7/10

X&Y - Coldplay

This is where they really became a modern version of U2. I do not like U2.

Highlights: White Shadows, Square One, Fix You

6.5/10

XL - Resorte

Angry Mexican nu-metal! Very much luchador entrance music - which may or may not be how I discovered this album in the first place...

Highlights: Aqui No Es Donde, Hijos De La Bonga, Bastara, Caliente

7/10

Xpectation - Prince

Instrumental jams - somewhat jazzy, mostly funky. There is even a jazz flute solo. And a whole lot of funky guitar.

Highlights: Xpedition, Xogenous, Xpectation, Xosphere

7/10

XX, Vol. 1 (20 Aastat Meteoriitide Sajus) - Smilers

I only have the song Sellel Ööl. Speaking of luchador entrance music... Please welcome the Estonian Thunderfrog! I have not heard this in years - probably since he was brutally murdered by that thing trying to destroy Chikara. That was awful. I am going to revisit Chikara once I finish with WCW in 2001 2026.

8/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1875

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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 163

It is "singles" day here in casa de LOGMAN (aka my headphones).

The Singles - Basement Jaxx

I am someone that really only knows the hits, because they were quite popular back in the day. So having a compilation of those and some other songs I do not really know suits me fine. Generally good stuff to get your party in your head going.

Highlights: Romeo, Where's Your Head At, Red Alert, Plug It In

7/10

Singles (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) - Various Artists

I really need to get the re-release of this one day, because it features all the cool instrumental stuff by Chris Cornell and Paul Westerberg. As it is in its original format, it is the perfect time capsule of the start of the grunge period and that whole Seattle music scene. Except Smashing Pumpkins are very much not from Seattle. Neither is Paul Westerberg. What a joke!

Highlights: Seasons - Chris Cornell, Breath - Pearl Jam, Waiting For Somebody - Paul Westerberg, State of Love and Trust - Pearl Jam

9/10

Singles - John Lennon

A little compilation of non-album tracks, mostly covering the first couple of years of Lennon going solo. Most were hits. Most are awesome. Only one of them is not a statement of everything he stood for at the time.

Highlights: Power to the People, Instant Karma (We All Shine On), Move Over Ms. L, Give Peace a Chance

9/10

The Singles - ABBA

Like the Lennon disc, this is the bonus as part of the original box set. The disco tracks are pretty darn awesome. And if you need their original hits sung in Swedish, then you are in for real treat here!

Highlights: Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight), Under Attack, Summer Night City, Medley: Pick a Bale of Cotton/On Top of Old Smokie/Midnight Special

7/10

Singles - Mötley Crüe

This is just the song Sex. It rocks, but I do not know why I have this song on its own when I could lump with other random Mötley Crüe songs.

8/10

Singles - Travis

And this is just the song Turn. It is the only song by Travis I like, but I like it so much it probably equates to enjoying their entire discography. Which is like 3 other songs?

9/10

The Singles 1992-2003 - No Doubt

Lordy, I am not a fan of this band either. Yet, somehow, I ended up with two songs in my library - Hella Good and Spiderwebs. The former actually makes a lot of sense, because it has some big 80s synth.

8/10

The Singles Box - Alanis Morissette

A whole bunch of live songs from a time when Alanis was not so great live. Well, the acoustic versions are pretty fine, but when she is with a band it all just falls apart. And for once I will not blame Taylor Hawkins.

Highlights: Hand In My Pocket (Live From Brisbane), You Oughta Know (Live From The Grammy's)

5/10

Singles Mixes - Queen

Another of my own compilations from the reissues and box sets. Like my own version of Greatest Hits, because it is always fun to have shorter versions of awesome songs, I guess? I Want It All honestly loses so much.

Highlights: Flash [Single Version], Flash [Single Version], It's Late [USA Radio Edit], One Vision [Single Version]

8.5/10

The Singles, Volume 3: 1964-1965 - James Brown

Hilarious that I skipped Volumes 1 & 2; that would be because I tried to capture mostly James Brown's funk, instead of his early soul stuff. I like the funk. It takes about half the collection, but the early funk is here and it feels good. 

Highlights: Papa's Got a Brand New Bag, I Got You (I Feel Good), Out of Sight, Think

7/10

The Singles, Volume 4: 1966-1967 - James Brown

More soul and a lot more funk. By then end of this one, he is getting some hard funk on the one! One day I will have to complete this series. But thank Prime I did not do that before this marathon!

Highlights: Cold Sweat (Part 1), Get It Together (Part 1), Bring It Up, James Brown's Boo-Ga-Loo

7.5/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1520

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2025 in 2025: Day 161

The Shady/Aftermath Sampler - Various Artists

The bonus disc that came with the 8 Mile soundtrack; like the title suggests, a bunch of artists yet to debut on Eminem's label. And Eminem himself. I would have preferred another D12 EP.

Highlights: Rap Name - Obie Trice, Stimulate - Eminem

6/10

Shamrocks and Shenanigans (Single) - House of Pain

Oh wow, I forgot what the album version of this song sounded like - I always listen to the Butch Vig remix.

Highlights: Shamrocks And Shenanigans (Butch Vig Mix), Put Your Head Out (Album Version), Shamrocks and Shenanigans (Salaam Main Pass)

7/10

Shangri-La Dee Da - Stone Temple Pilots

This is the album I always forget exists, but apparently it rocks hard? And I actually know the songs well, so have clearly listened to it a lot?

Highlights: Coma, Days of the Week, Wonderful, Too Cool Queenie

7/10

She's So Unusual - Cyndi Lauper

Peak Lauper; this would be around the time she was being awesome at WrestleMania as well. She is like a fantastic combination of 80s pop and punk aesthetics.

Highlights: All Through the Night, Girls Just Want to Have Fun, Time After Time, She Bop

8.5/10

Sheer Heart Attack - Queen

Such an inbetween album - as in, crammed between Queen II and A Night at the Opera. How does a band manage to record and release three albums like that in the space of 2 years? By being Queen, that is how! This is kind of the filling to the sandwich, and the more epic albums are the bread? Feels a bit more standard 70s UK glam rock - not entirely, just compared to those albums.

Highlights: In the Lap of the Gods... Revisted, Now I'm Here, Killer Queen, Stone Cold Crazy

8/10

Shenanigans - Green Day

Not an album based on the song by The Shit. I think it is a collection of random outtakes and rarities. It all just makes me miss the old version of Green Day, because this just all sounds like that weird period from Nimrod to before American Idiot where it all sounds the same. Huh, apparently there are some b-sides from Dookie and Insomniac as well? No wonder they were only b-sides.

Highlights: Ha Ha You're Dead, Sick of Me

6/10

Shift - ユアネス

Heartfelt virtuoso indie rock. Very much reminds me of RADWIMPS. 

Highlights: 日々、月を見る, 凩, 少年少女をやめてから

8/10

The Shit - The Shit

Quickfire country songs. Mostly about being dead? And we cannot forget the whistles and roosters!

Highlights: Breaking in to Houses (Just To Look), You're Dead and I'm Alone

7/10

Shoot From the Hip - Sophie Ellis-Bextor

Not the disco masterpiece that was Read My Lips, but more of an 80s influenced pop album. Which was kind of ahead of the curve, because the 80s new wave sound would not be back en vogue for another few years. Strangely enough, the songs that are more straight guitar driven pop are actually the best. 

Highlights: I Am Not Good at Not Getting What I Want, Party in My Head, I Won't Change You, Mixed Up World

7/10

Shout at the Devil - Mötley Crüe

We kick off with some spoken-word nonsense, because they are trying to make the heavy metal version of Thriller or something. Except this guy is not Vincent Price. And Mötley Crüe are not Michael Jackson. Though I could actually imagine Tommy Lee jamming with him. The rest of the album is pure dark badassery that invokes imagery of these dudes just murdering their instruments. While wearing black leather and makeup. 

Highlights: Knock 'Em Dead Kid, Shout at the Devil, Looks That Kill, Too Young to Fall in Love, Ten Seconds to Love

9.5/10

Show - The Cure

As much of a fan of The Cure as I am, I do not really have that much love for these live albums. The vocals are always lacking and songs are often very fast. That said, I am yet to hear a bad live version of Fascination Street.

Highlights: Fascination Street, Never Enough, Open, Pictures of You

7/10

Show Me the Right Way - Annabel Fay

Thankfully this is only one song - Already Home. I have zero interest in the rest of the album. I barely have any interest in this song.

7/10

SHOWCASE - Pile

Talk about big heavy guitars - some of these songs are borderline thrash, but then those dancey pop beats make it... something else. It is mostly fairly by the numbers, but Pile's vocals at least lift a few of the songs emotionally.

Highlights: Cliche, Brownie Kiss, Go My Way, Lost Paradise

6.5/10

Shred - Various Artists

I am not a snowboarder, so I do not know if this music would make for a good soundtrack while "shredding" a mountainside. However, I will say that these late 90s/early 00s dance jams and remixes of dance jams will provide you with some solid upbeat energy to do what you need to do; dancing, raving, gaming, doing the housework, taking ecstasy and going to the supermarket. Whatever you deem appropriate.

Highlights: What's On Your Mind (Milk & Sugar Remix) - Wackside, Reach Out - Midfield General (Featuring Linda Lewis), Theme From "Gutbuster" - Bentley Rhythm Ace

6.5/10

Siamese Dream - Smashing Pumpkins

You know, this is a really hard album to grade; musically it is an absolute tour de force and a testament to the production of Butch Vig, however vocally it is the sonic equivalent of having a frozen metal spoon forced up your nasal cavity.

Highlights: Cherub Rock, Mayonaise, Geek U.S.A., Luna

7/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1500

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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 148

Q Division Demos - Ryan Adams

Minimalist acoustic demos of songs that would later appear... on other demos? And better?

Highlights: Quick

5/10

Quaternary - Mötley Crüe
Back in 1994, we didn't have the internet to download everything we needed, so the only way to get this was some special fan club or something. It was very limited. Anyways, if I remember correctly it was just 4 songs written by each member: Tommy Lee does his best Linkin Park tribute before Linkin Park were even in High School, Mick Mars gets his blues guitar instrumental going, Nikki Sixx thinks he is NIN and Stabbing Westward attending deep therapy sessions, and John Corabi... mistakes himself for one of The Beatles? Dude - you are in Mötley Crüe. Oh wait; there is a 5th song that involves all of the band. It sounds like most of the songs found on Mötley Crüe. Which is good. Also, there is a whole bunch of studio banter between songs. Most of it makes me want to slap these guys. I play life on Expert level, so there are a bunch of bonus tracks here that are completely unnecessary and are actually longer than the original EP. 

Highlights: Planet Boom, Babykills, 10000 Miles Away, Livin' in the No [Demo]

6.5/10

Queen - Queen

Q is for Queen. Duh! Their debut album has some highlights, for sure, but it is very heavily reminiscent of Led Zepplin and other blues rock bands at the time that were considered heavy. And - controversial opinion - Mercury's voice on this album was kind of just above average.

Highlights: Keep Yourself Alive, Liar, Great King Rat, Son and Daughter

7.5/10

Queen Forever - Queen

This is a self-made compilation of all the b-sides and non-album songs - including the one song with Michael Jackson they were able to release. I kind of like that 30 years later they are still trickling out the occassional song they have decided to complete and suckering fools like me in to buying their albums again. 

Highlights: I Go Crazy, Soul Brother, I Can't Live With You (1997 Queen Rocks Version), There Must Be More to Life Than This (with Michael Jackson)

7/10

Queen I - Queen

Speaking of ways to sucker me in to buying things... the first Queen album remixed with modern sounding drums and autotune on the vocals! As someone that has spent most of his life listening to this album, it sure is jarring to hear it this way. But also interesting? Thanks to the use of alternate takes being added to the mix. I still would never have put Mad the Swine on the album, because that song is seriously lame.

Highlights: Modern Times Rock 'n' Roll, Great King Rat, Son and Daughter

7.5/10

Queen I At The BBC - Queen

Most of the album performed "live" on the BBC - somewhat live. Somewhat. And some of it is played twice, because this covers four different sessions. Kind of a jumble? Still leaves a lot of BBC stuff to be remixed/remastered - hopefully they get to that so I can feel justified not ever purchasing the Live On Air box set.

Highlights: "Son and Daughter" (BBC Session 2, July 1973), "Great King Rat" (BBC Session 3, December 1973), "Keep Yourself Alive" (BBC Session 1, February 1973)

7/10

Queen I: De Lane Lea Demos - Queen

The original demos also get the remix treatment. It makes them sound pretty epic, I have to admit. I dig all the acoustic guitar in Keep Yourself Alive. Jesus is a massive bluesy jam. 

Highlights: Liar, The Night Comes Down, Keep Yourself Alive

7/10

Queen I: Instrumentals - Queen

Quite fun to hear everything going on in the new mixes without the vocals getting in the way. Of course, Queen just can not help themselves and there are still a bunch of backing vocals in these. In fact, Great King Rat still features a few main vocal lines for fun. Mad the Swine is actually better as an instrumental! This all might be a good way for me to sit down and learn to play these songs properly? Haha yeah that will never happen. I am no Brian May!

Highlights: Liar, Great King Rat, Keep Yourself Alive, Mad the Swine

7/10

Queen I: Sessions - Queen

And we are still not done! Now we get the album in 'alternate take' form; some fully finished and unused versions, some test sessions with guide vocals, some acoustic jams with Mercury providing mouth guitar solos. Those are the best parts. Actually, my personal highlight was Brian May calling Freddie Mercury by his REAL name! And boy do they like telling someone they were the one that messed up a song. I would have HATED being in this band. I would have been getting called out every 45 seconds...

Highlights: See What a Fool I've Been (De Lane Lea Test Session), Liar (Trident Take 1), Keep Yourself Alive (Trident Take 13)

6/10

Queen II - Queen

Finally moving on to their second album and boy howdy, what a difference 6 months makes! This thing is epic and grand and everything that Queen is known for and I love them for it. Mercury's voice is already improved 200% and while the songs are still lyrically kind of Tolkien-esque and somewhat biblical, it actually works much better with all the guitar orchestras and layers upon layers of vocals.

Highlights: The March of the Black Queen/Funny How Love Is, Father to Son, White Queen (As it Began), Ogre Battle

9/10

Queens are Trumps -切り札はクイーン- - SCANDAL

Things start off like a damned Aerosmith album (a good one), then promptly gets in to Josie and the Pussycats territory, before giving us some disco rock? There is some full on electropop in here as well, but the pop punk is where these girls always shine brightest. Mami's voice has really grown on me and the songs she sings are becoming my favourites. 

Highlights: 声, Queens are trumps, Rock'n Roll, Bright

7/10

Queens of Noise - The Runaways

Much more of an attempt at something polished and made for the masses, or something. I always forget Joan Jett sings the title track, because live it was Cherie Currie.

Highlights: Neon Angels on the Road to Ruin, Queens of Noise, Take It or Leave It, I Love Playin' with Fire

7/10

Quizás - Enrique Iglesias

Enrique gets his Spanish crooning going. Big time; the first half is just full on ballads - some of them very slow and possibly romantic, while he kind of picks up the energy a bit in the second half. Sounds like a sports game. Maybe a lucha libre match? La Parka would smash everyone, but likely would not walk out to a song by Enrique.

Highlights: No Apagues La Luz, Para Qué La Vida, Quizás, Marta

7/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1348

There is no way I see myself finishing the remaining 677 in less than two months, but hey - Q is for Quitting is for Quitters!

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2025 in 2025: Day 139

Orion - Ryan Adams

I do not think he used a fake name for this one, right? And for good reason; it is probably a bit more solid than the ones he did that way. Clearly put more effort in. It is not metal like he claimed, but that suits me fine. More of a 70s prog rock concept album about battles in outer space. Some seriously great riffs all around.

Highlights: Fire and Ice, Imminent Galactic War, By Force, End of Days

6.5/10

The Other Side of the Coin - Ace Frehley

This is a bootleg of Ace Frehley demos from the 80s and 90s. Most are pretty much what you would expect from bootleg demos, but at least it has Back in to My Arms Again, which is from 1984 and he finally recorded a proper studio version 40 years later... and it is awful. The demo is a million times better. We will get to the modern version at the tail end of this marathon... Some of this stuff sounds like Ace was auditioning for Devo.

Highlights: Take Me to the City, Back in to My Arms Again, Into the Night

6/10

Otras Canciones - George Harrison

I really have no idea what this compilation is. Half the titles are just Titulo desconocido and all the songs are in poor quality. Some rare songs, some single versions, some songs repeated. Clearly a messy bootleg, this one!

Highlights: The sheer randomness

6/10

Our Secret Spot - the HIATUS

The tamest album from the Hiatus. It was released right before the ELLEGARDEN reunion tour started, so I get the feeling it was a bit rushed and maybe lacked a bit of effort. Between the Black and Grey was released a year later, so clearly my man had a lot going on. 

Highlights: Servant, Back on the Ground, Firefly / Life in Technicolor, Get Into Action

7/10

Our Version of Events - Emeli Sandé

This is just the song Next to Me. I ended up with this by chance, but that is good because it is a pretty cool song.

8/10

Out of Control - Peter Criss

For some reason, I remembered this being not so great. I even remembered my Kissathon II review as saying it was bad. I listened today, and I thought it was pretty good. Then I read my Kissathon II review, and I scored it about what I would now. Except I would be much less harsh on the production? So I would be less funny? Sounds about right.

Highlights: There's Nothing Better, My Life

6/10

Out of Here - Corduroy

An album that genuinely changed my life - it really altered how I approach funk guitar and my own playing in general. This and Jamiroquai's A Funk Odyssey were insanely influential at the time. As much as I dig their funk-jazz instrumentals and fake movie scores, adding vocals just took these guys to the next level for me. Adding beautiful melody lines and harmonies? Killer stuff. Not literally, or the 3,000 of us that bought this album would be long dead...

Highlights: Don't Wait For Monday, Practice What You Preach, Out of Here, The Diceman, Motorhead

9/10

Out of the Light - Brian May

The bonus disc for the Back to the Light reissue. Some instrumentals, some live songs, all good times. Hearing him and Slash go back to back like that kind of makes Slash sound bad. 

Highlights: Too Much Love Will Kill You [Guitar Version], 39/Let Your Heart Rule Your Head [Live], Too Much Love Will Kill You [Live], Driven By You [Cozy and Neil Version '93]

7/10

Out of the Vein - Third Eye Blind

This album rocks to hard... for the first half. It is just big powerful banger after big powerful banger, hook after hook, fist in the air and screaming along! Then the second half is all totally chilled out and kind of repetitive and less inspired? Except for Company. That song still goes kind of hard.

Highlights: Blinded, Forget Myself, My Hit and Run, Faster

8/10

Outside - David Bowie

Yes, I know the album title is actually 1.Outside. I will fix it later. But that is the least of this album's concerns. The whole thing is a mash of weird industrial and prog and electro crazy and should be listened to in the dark.

Highlights: We Prick You, Outside, Hallo Spaceboy, Strangers When We Meet

5/10

Outtakes and Demos - Queen

Another self-compiled collection of tracks from the Queen reissues. Quite interesting for the most part. I would like a proper version of Feelings Feelings if they have it somewhere. 

Highlights: Feeling Feelings [Take 10], Sail Away Sweet Sister  [Take 1 with Guide Vocal], Football Fight [Early Version - No Synths!], The Hero [Revisited Version]

6.5/10

The Overture & The Underscore - Sarah Blasko

About as lo-fi as a chill indie record could ask for. And without being all that negative or depressing. However, it is the darker songs that really shine on this album. Blasko often sings with a very breathey style, but I really dig when gets a bit more forceful. And her lyrics are genuinely topshelf.

Highlights: Beautiful Secrets, Don't U Eva, Sweetest November, Remorse

7/10

Oyster - Heather Nova

Talk about influential albums! So much emotion and passion wrapped up in acoustic songs, layered with beautiful harmonies, solid rhthym and very moody guitars. Honestly, when I was 20, this was the album I wanted to make.

Highlights: Walk This World, Walking Higher, Maybe An Angel, Doubled Up, Island

8.5/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1248

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2025 in 2025: Day 133

News of the World - Queen

It is Queen! Late-70s Queen! Which means iconic epic songs and anthems, hard rockin' fun, super chill songs - this album covers most of their bases. 

Highlights: We Are the Champions, Spread Your Wings, It's Late, We Will Rock You

8/10

News of the World: Raw Sessions - Queen

Pretty much the main reason to get the News of the World boxset. Just Brian May putting together an "alternate" version of the album. Clearly there were not many versions of Sleeping on the Sidewalk lying around, so they had to complete things with a live version. Some other songs get almost instrumental versions. 

Highlights: Spread Your Wings (Alternate Take), We Are the Champions (Alternate Version), It's Late (Alternate Version), All Dead All Dea (Original Rough Mix)

7/10

THE NEXT [BiSH Ver.] - BiSH

Just when they were supposed to be done, they go and release a song from the show to find the successor to BiSH. It is fine, no doubt better than the kids on the show did, but by no means classic BiSH.

7/10

→Next Generation - PSYCHIC LOVER

Bah gawd these guys know how to get the party back on track! Pretty much the classic PSYCHIC LOVER mix of bubblegum pop and 80s shred-tastic metal. 

Highlights: ネ・バ・ギ・ビ・ラ! ～ Never Give It Up, →Next Generation, Proud of Wings (instrumental)

8/10

Next Level - Ayumi Hamasaki

I always love that this album starts with such a beautiful song, and then quickly moves in to full-on pop and disco. I need to watch the concert from this tour again, because Ayu in that bob wig and her disco hoodie was absolutely iconic. That strings section in GREEN is about the smoothest thing since Disco Inferno, and lifts the song to places it probably would not deserve otherwise. There are like 4 or 5 instrumentals on here, but they actually flow seamlessly and you do not even notice half of them. Pretty well flawless album, this one!

Highlights: NEXT LEVEL, EnergizE, Days, Rule, rollin'

9/10

A Night at the Opera - Queen

More ICONIC 70s Queen, you say? The crazy thing about this album is it most of this album is some of their biggest hits and most epic recordings. And every so often, they split things up with just pure nonsense and silliness. Bohemian Rhapsody gets all the attention (and deservedly so), but The Prophet's Song is the most adventurous song and features the most incredible vocal layering. And the most perfect heavy guitar tone for about 20 seconds.

Highlights: The Prophet's Song, Bohemian Rhapsody, 39, Death on Two Legs (Dedicated to...)

8/10

Night in the Ruts - Aerosmith

I lost track of things somewhere and realised this album was on. Seriously. It just encapsulates the most mediocre ideas about how mediocre Aerosmith could be.

Highlights: No Surpize

5.5/10

Night Visions - Imagine Dragons

Once again, how did I end up with this album in my iTunes library? It is not bad or anything, but I barely know 1 song by this band. Oh hey, this song sounds familiar - maybe I have heard that one before, as well? They sound like Coldplay for a modern audience, which is weird considering we still have Coldplay out there touring being Coldplay. I think they still make albums, too?

Highlights: It's Time, On Top of the World, Amsterdam, Working Man

6.5/10

Nimrod - Green Day

Green Day sounding like a less-awesome Living End; this album has some fun, but has them veering further away from pop punk styles of their earlier albums. Really not sure what you would even call this, other than radio rock that could not even make it on radio? I am actually being quite harsh - this album is enjoyable for the most part - it just was very disappointing for someone that had these guys as one of my favourite bands as a teenager. There is none of the fire Dookie and Insomniac had. But I had forgotten about some of the gems on this album, so that is on me.

Highlights: Haushinka, Uptight, The Grouch, Hitchin' a Ride

7/10

Nine - blink-182

This is a real mature album for these dudes; no silly skits or crude lyrics. Just a bunch of earnest pop punk with a bit of emo in there with some electro fun thrown for extra good times. For me, this is the spiritual successor to self-titled and a testament to how much better they were with Skiba.

Highlights: Pin the Grenade, Blame it on My Youth, No Heart to Speak Of, The First Time

8/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1175

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2025 in 2025: Day 125

mimosa - Ayumi Hamasaki

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

8/10

Mind Games - John Lennon

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

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

7/10

Minor Earth Major Sky - a-ha

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

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

6.5/10

Holy moly we are just following up yesterday hilariously well!

Minutes to Midnight - Linkin Park

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

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

6/10

The Miracle - Queen

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

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

8.5/10

Miracle Driving - JUDY AND MARY

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

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

7/10

A Mirage in the Sun - MONOEYES

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

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

8/10

MIRROR - SCANDAL

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

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

8/10

Mirrorball - Sarah McLachlan

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

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

7/10

The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill - Lauryn Hill

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

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

9/10

Miss-E... So Addictive - Missy Elliott

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

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

7/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1099

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2025 in 2025: Day 121

M(A)DE IN JAPAN - Ayumi Hamasaki

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

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

8/10

Mack Daddy - Sir Mix-A-Lot

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

10/10

Mad Mad World - Tom Cochrane

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

10/10

Made in America - Blues Brothers

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

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

7/10

Made in Heaven - Queen

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

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

9/10

Madman Across the Water - Elton John

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

8/10

Magical Mystery Tour - The Beatles

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

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

7/10

Make It Big - Wham!

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

10/10

MAKUAKE - eill

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

Highlights: MAKUAKE, FUTURE WAVE, 初恋

8/10

Mama Said Knock You Out - LL Cool J

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

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

7/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1062

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2025 in 2025: Day 116

Live in Tokyo, Japan (Nakano Sunplaza, February 19, 1992) - Nirvana

This was the only live show from the 20th Anniversary release of Nevermind that I kept. Because no one needs that many Nirvana concerts in their collection. Hell, I am not sure I even need one Nirvana concert in my collection.

Highlights: Lots of feedback

5/10

Live In Utrecht: June 20, 1987 - Prince

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

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

7.5/10

Live Jewels - Queen

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

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

7/10

Live May/June 1975 - Elvis Presley

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

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

6.5/10

Live on Two Legs - Pearl Jam

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

Highlights: The end guitar solo in Black

5.5/10

Live to Win - Paul Stanley

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

Highlights: All About You, Live to Win

6/10

Live Your Life Be Free - Belinda Carlisle

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

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

7/10

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

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

Highlights: I got a cool t-shirt

IMPOSSIBLE TO SCORE

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

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

Highlights: Remembering that Pearl Jam were cool

IMPOSSIBLE TO SCORE

Live: Entertainment Or Death - Mötley Crüe

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

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

7/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1015

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2025 in 2025: Day 114

Live + 1 - Frehley's Comet
Ace and his band live - not really a lot to say. Except that I would likely rate the Greatest Hits Live album a bit higher. Oh, and the studio track is very good.
Highlights: Words Are Not Enough
7/10

Live Acoustic E.P. - Sarah McLachlan
Sarah McLachlan and a piano performing what sounds like a VERY small group of people. Nothing wrong with any of it, whatsoever.
Highlights: Building a Mystery
6.5/10

Live at Avatar Studios - Ryan Adams & The Cardinals
It is all the between-song banter that I enjoy most. I would trade all the extended Grateful Dead-inspired jam endings for another few minutes of yelling out random stupid things like JIMMY HACKEYSACK and RHODA RO. I like Easy Tiger, so this is an Easy Pleaser for me. And that end solo for I Taught Myself How to Grow Old is amazing.
Highlights: I Taught Myself How to Grow Old, Goodnight Rose, Magnolia Mountain, Everybody Knows
7/10

Live at Glam Slam 1992 - Prince
This was part of the Diamonds and Pearls reissue a couple of years ago. It is a killer performance and Rosie Gaines is a the second star of the show. Prince is number one, of course. Some big long funky jams and high energy new jack swing action.
Highlights: Diamonds and Pearls, Jughead, 1999/Baby I'm a Star/Push, Cream/Well Done/I Want You/In the Socket
8/10

Live at The Apollo, Vol. II - James Brown
Bah gawd this album is just about the cold hard funkiest live album ever recorded. So many jams, I am sure everyone in the band got a couple of solos throughout. And those beats! You can not have hip-hop without sampling some of that.
Highlights: There Was a Time, Bring It Up, Sweet Soul Music, Maybe the Last Time
8.5/10

Live at the BBC - The Beatles
A very fine collection of The Beatles performing their early hits and some rock'n roll classics. It is a great showcase of how talented they were as musicians. And hilarious dudes all round, because the between-song banter is generally hilarious.
Highlights: Everybody's Trying to Be My Baby, Ticket to Ride, Matchbox, Slow Down, Honey Don't
7/10

Live at the BBC, Vol. 2 - Queen
This is a little LOGMAN collection of the extra BBC tracks found on all the reissue bonus discs. I would just get the On Air set, but I am really only missing a few now and I am sure they will be reissued in other ways. 
Highlights: We Will Rock You [Fast Version], Spread Your Wings, See What a Fool I've Been, Flick of the Wrist
8/10

Live at the Brixton Academy - Faith No More
Mike Patton sounds like he has cold or is just a terrible singer. I am guessing the latter. The funny thing is when he actually tries to sing something properly he sounds a million times better! I mean, this is just garbage. Wait - there are two bonus studio tracks? In 30 years this is my first time realising that. Perhaps even teenage LOGMAN could not make it through how bad this album was to hear them?
Highlights: The Cowboy Song
4/10

Live at the Rainbow: 31 March 1974 - Queen
More live Queen? Yes please! Especially this performance; Queen II is one of the greatest albums ever, so getting an actual concert from the tour supporting that album is great. And it is a pretty darn impressive performance - they sound absolutely massive and just nail everything.
Highlights: White Queen (As It Began), Father to Son, Ogre Battle, Son and Daughter
8/10

Live at the Rainbow: November 1974 - Queen
And Queen return some 8 months later to promote their Sheer Heart Attack album. Good for them! It is a little lacking compared to the previous show, but it is still pretty great. And boy this crowd are Jonesing for Liar the whole show. Pretty funny when Freddie just gives up trying to introduce it, because the crowd just will not stop yelling about it.
Highlights: The March of the Black Queen, Stone Cold Crazy, In the Lap of the Gods... Revisited
7.5/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 995

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2025 in 2025: Day 107

Kill Bill Vol. 1 - Various Artists

This is, in fact, only Battle Without Honor or Humanity by Tomoyasu Hotei. It is a very, very cool instrumental track.

10/10

KILL MY DOUBT - ITZY

There is a song on this EP called Psychic Lover, which I can only assume is an ode to one of the greatest Japanese rock bands. For sure.

Highlights: Kill Shot, CAKE

7/10

KiLLER BiSH - BiSH

The major label debut with still a strong alt. idol flavour, and the intent is loud and clear from the opening track; get ready for destruction! Lots of madness and screaming with KiLLER hooks. Helluva consistent album, this one.

Highlights: DEADMAN, summertime, Throw away, 本当本気

8/10

A Kind of Magic - Queen

This is the album that made me buy all the 2011 reissues; I had the 1991 remaster most of my life and it was so terribly compressed it was almost unlistenable once I got proper ears. I always get in my head that this album is not that great, but it really is only 2 songs. The rest is absolute perfect examples of Queen; big rock, massive ballad, triumphant pop.

Highlights: One Vision, Friends Will Be Friends, Gimme The Prize (Kurgan's Theme), A Kind of Magic

8/10

KiND PEOPLE / リズム - BiSH

Oooh a double-dose of BiSH this morning. The most average of 'rock' songs with an awesomely massive power ballady-type thing.

Highlights: リズム 

7.5/10

King for a Day... Fool for a Lifetime - Faith No More

This was such a departure compared to Angel Dust. Less keyboards. No rapping. No "gay disco". Much less fun. Even Mike Patton's vocal stylings are way different. I remember a friend of mine at the time of release wondering if he had been replaced. It varies between wannabe thrash metal and lounge jazz and just straight-up schlock before ending with some almost gospel.

Highlights: Ricochet, The Gentle Art of Making Enemies, Cuckoo for Caca, Just a Man

7/10

King of Rock - Run-D.M.C.

This is certainly not my favourite Run-D.M.C. album, but they sure have some killer rhymes going on. Because I have the bonus tracks, I will add that the Beastie Boys version of Slow and Low is actually superior. Somehow.

Highlights: King of Rock, Can You Rock It Like This, Darryl and Joe (Krush-Groove 3), You Talk Too Much

8/10

KINGDOM - SPYAIR

More epic rock. Less memorable than anything on their BEST album, which probably makes sense? It still rocks. Genuinely need more SPYAIR.

Highlights: Don't Look Back, Brand New Days, RAGE OF DUST, スクランブル

7/10

Kingdom Come - Jay-Z

This album is best enjoyed by ignoring everything Jay-Z is rapping about. Because it is all so much more vapid than usual; like, the dude always raps about being rich and what not, but it just feels even more egregious here. Particularly when he raps about being friends with Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow. Boy, that line has aged poorly.  I would say the same about this album, but I do not believe it was even considered good back in 2006.

Highlights: Beach Chair, Kingdom Come, Do You Wanna Ride, Show Me What You Got

6/10

Kinky - Kinky

I love Kinky, but this album is their least memorable and outside of the absolutely brilliant Cornman, there is nothing that sticks. I will say, though, that it is consistently groovy overall. Probably because 90% of the songs sound the same.

Highlights: Cornman, Ejercicio #16, Tonos Rosa, 

6.5/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 928

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2025 in 2025: Day 104

Jar of Flies - Alice in Chains

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

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

8/10

The Jasmine Flower - Heather Nova

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

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

Jazz - Queen

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

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

8/10

JEJEJEJET!! - PASSPO☆

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

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

8/10

Jewel Vox - Pile

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

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

6.5/10

Jewels: Alternate Takes - Queen

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

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

8/10

Jewels: De Lane Lea Demos - Queen

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

Highlights: Jesus, The Night Comes Down

7/10

Jewels: Instrumentals - Queen

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

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

6.5/10

Joanne - Lady Gaga

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

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

6/10

John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band - John Lennon

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

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

9/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 897

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2025 in 2025: Day 101

INKYMAP - INKYMAP

Just saw their drummer has left the group. That is a real bummer, because these guys just get better and better and this album is a shining example of how consistently great their brand of punk rock is. Just great track after great track.

Highlights: 飛行機雲, Morning Glory, 93, D.W.C.

8.5/10

innocent arrogance - BiSH

The "final" BiSH single. After what was supposed to be the final single at the end of the whole 'BiSH iS OVER' thing. And this was only the final until they did BiSH THE NEXT. Which produced two singles. Crazy stuff. This is big epic stuff. Not perfect, but still decent.

8/10

An Innocent Man - Billy Joel

The influence of 50s rock'n roll and doo wop feature heavily on this album. There is even some 60s Elvis vibes to some of these tracks. And Joel's love for Christie Brinkley is all over this. Which is completely understandable.

Highlights: The Longest Time, Christie Lee, Keeping the Faith, Tell Her About It

7/10

Innuendo - Queen

The most perfect guitar tone, which even makes up for Freddie Mercury singing about his cat peeing on his bed. The Show Must Go On may well be the greatest and most appropriate album closer in rock history. The best until the very end.

Highlights: Innuendo, Headlong, These are the Days of Our Lives, Bijou, The Show Must Go On

8/10

Inside In/Inside Out - The Kooks

Standard mid-00s British indie rock fare. The use of acoustic guitar everywhere adds a nice flavour. Pretty decent stuff, really.

Highlights: Sofa Song, She Moves in Her Own Way, Naïve, Time Awaits

6.5/10

Inside Out - MC Hammer

Hammer is back with his MC title and a sound that is very 1995. Well, the first half is; it is classic hip-hop and it grooves hard. The second half of the album is gospel. This may well be his most consistent album! It lacks the real highs of his earlier work, but there is nothing bad and he mostly has the song lengths under control. Mostly.

Highlights: Keep On, Everything is Alright, Bustin Loose, A Brighter Day

7.5/10

Insomniac - Green Day

Like Dookie, I used to perform a number of these songs while busking. Which was silly, because this album is far less known that Dookie. But not caring about that is punk rock. And this album being less popular also makes it more punk by default. That is absolutely how this works.

Highlights: Stuart and the Ave, Brain Stew, Westbound Sign, 86

8/10

Insomniac - Enrique Iglesias

This is really the most non-interesting album Enrique has made. It is all just... there. And for far too long. And why does this version have a bunch of remixes of songs not from this album?

Highlights: Do You Know? (The Ping Pong Song), Sweet Isabel, Dímelo, Not In Love (Armand Van Helden Club Mix - Feat. Kelis)

6.5/10

Interstate 46 EP - MONOEYES

Three songs. Gone has awesome use of half-time, which I am always a sucker for in punk rock. I needed some 細美さん - it has been too long!

Highlights: Interstate 46, Borderland, Gone

9/10

Into the Fire - Bryan Adams

I have lived with an error on this CD for the past 32 years. So I have never heard Victim of Love run through perfectly. Such a crime! Anyways, this is BA's best album. No big hits, just really classy songwriting all through, hitting on some personal topics like Canada's treatment of idigenous people and stuff like that. Also the lead guitar work from both BA and Keith Scott is tremendous; never overplaying anything, just really super tasteful. Oh, and killer tone.

Highlights:

9.5/10

Into the Gap - Thompson Twins

This is purely the excellent Hold Me Now. Could it be more of an 80s British new-wave pop song? Brilliant song.

10/10

Into the Sun - Sean Lennon

From a songwriting point of view, Sean Lennon is quite good. Probably a decent mix of his Father's penchant for pop sensibilities fused with his Mother's avant-garde approach to things. His voice is what lets it all down. That and everything on this album being completely unmemorable.

Highlights: [insert that gif of Vincent Vega looking around completely lost and high as a MF]

6/10

Invaders Must Die - The Prodigy

This was the big 'comeback' album, and it is certainly full of big beats and breaks like any good albums from The Prodigy should. It is like a high-energy non-stop barrage of dance beats!

Highlights: Invaders Must Die, Omen, Run With the Wolves, World's On Fire, Stand Up

8.5/10

Invaders Must Die: Lost Beats - The Prodigy

The bonus disc to Invaders Must Die. I could probably rename it to just Lost Beats if I really wanted to. It is also much less necessary than Invaders Must Die.

Highlights: Wild West 

6.5/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 864

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2025 in 2025: Day 96

Home Tapes - John Lennon

Outtakes and home recordings and demos. The outtakes are very similar to the final released tracks - except God here is just a ripper of an acoustic number. I Found Out has some pretty different vocal layers going on.

Highlights: God [Studio Outtake], Mother [Studio Outtake], Nobody Told Me [Home Recording]

6.5/10

Homework - Daft Punk

I like Daft Punk as much as anyone, but for the most part this album really does sound like the most typical European 90s techno-funk. It did not grab me in 1997 and it does not do much for me now. So maybe I do not like Daft Punk as much as anyone? That kick in Da Funk is all sorts of cowabunga.

Highlights: Da Funk, Rollin' & Scratchin', High Fidelity, Indo Silvery Club, Alive

6.5/10

HONEY - SCANDAL

Fun fact: this album was my introduction to SCANDAL. I saw pictures of Haruna's signature Telecaster and it looked so good I figured I should check out the artist related to it. Now I really want Mami's 'Omochi' Stratocaster. Not to be outdone, Tomomi's bass tone on this album is fire. If they do a third Fender collaboration, I hope they give her an awesome signature bass and then I would complete the lineup!

Highlights: Over, 窓を開けたら, 恋するユニバース, ふたり

8.5/10

Honeymoon - Lana Del Rey

I am going to write this before even making it through the first song: this album is long and boring. I will update at the end if listening to this full album again changes my mind. Nope; an hour later I found one very good song amongst a sea of nothingness.

Highlights: The Blackest Day

5/10

Honky Chateau - Elton John

I am often embarrassed at how much my Elton John collection is lacking. Well, the CD section of it; my vinyl section is pretty solid. Like this album; it is nothing special, but is pretty solid. What is Bernie Taupin's obsession with Americana?!?

Highlights: Susie (Dramas), Rocket Man, Mellow, I Think I'm Going to Kill Myself

7.5/10

Hooray for Boobies - The Bloodhound Gang

This is purely the song Mope, because I generally do not care for this band. But they managed to combine a whole bunch of 80s pop samples and this is the best Metallica have ever sounded.

8/10

Hopes and Fears - Keane

Someone please tell Apple what punk music is - because Keane sure ain't it. It is all fine and dandy, but some of these songs are sure repetitive. 

Highlights: Somewhere Only We Know, Bend and Break, Everybody's Changing, Bedshaped

6.5/10

Hot Fuss - The Killers

This was my album of the year in 2004. I still consider it one of the most awesome debut albums ever. And Jenny Was a Friend of Mine is the most awesome opener. Brandon Flowers had such a great voice on this album - screamed at just right the amount for me - and it just got worse with each subsequent album. But boy oh boy was this a great reminder that they did once live up to their name.

Highlights: Jenny Was a Friend of Mine, Mr. Brightside, Somebody Told Me, All These Things That I've Done, Glamorous Indie Rock & Roll, Believe Me Natalie

9/10

Hot in the Shade - Kiss

I'm running out of nonsense to say, so just read my Kissathon post about this one. I somewhat agree with it today...

Highlights: Hide Your Heart, Forever, Silver Spoon, Little Caesar

7/10

Hot Sauce Committee Part Two - Beastie Boys

I would like to hear the real part two one day, but obviously that will never happen and this will forever stand as the last release the Beastie Boys ever do. At least it was a banger of an album to go out on. Just so much badass rhymes over creative beats and then one old school hardcore punk jam. 

Highlights: Too Many Rappers, Lee Majors Come Again, The Lisa Lisa/Full Force Routine, Ok

8/10

Hot Space - Queen

The anomaly in the Queen discography. The live versions are definitely better, but it is not nearly as bad as some people would have you believe - there is still some charm to some of these songs. And good grooves.

Highlights: Dancer, Under Pressure, Staying Power, Action This Day

7/10

Hotel Paper - Michelle Branch

This is just the single Breathe. I seem to recall there being another big single from this album. I really should check out the whole thing one day.

10/10

Hotter Than Hell - Kiss

This album still sounds as terrible as ever. One day I am going to get the 2014 iTunes version, because it does sound marginally better. My how I wish I had already got that for this listen. Still surprised we did not get a massive super deluxe banana edition of this and first album for the 50th anniversaries.

Highlights: Got to Choose, Parasite, Hotter Than Hell, All the Way, Comin' Home

9/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 800

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2025 in 2025: Day 91

HALFTIME REPORT

Notice I say "time"? Here we are, halfway through 2025 and I have only just finished the "G" albums and am not even 2/5 through everything. In fact, when I break it down by song, I have still listened to much less than half. Apparently I need to listen to 215 albums per month to finish this before the end of the year. Let us see if LOGMAN can pull it together in the next 6 months and make more effort here, but it is hard when I choose to spend my working hours watching WCW instead of listening to music and, you know... working...

Hakkin No Yoake - Momoiro Clover Z

This is purely the song Z No Chikai. It bothers me to no end that these titles are all in romaji, but that is the fault of iTunes being racist or something. This song rules.

10/10

Halcyon (International Version) - Ellie Goulding

This is very likely the first time I have ever listened to this album. I wasn't missing much. Very typical English pop singer that can barely sing and hides behind good production on average songs. It is just Florence + The Machine - Powerful Singing.

Highlights: I Need Your Love, My Blood, Halcyon, Lights

6/10

Halfway Between the Gutter and Stars - Fat Boy Slim

This is purely Weapon of Choice. I am not sure why, because I am sure I did have this full album at one point. Or maybe I am confused? Fun song.

8/10

Hands All Over - Maroon 5

These dudes get a lot of stick, but I genuinely enjoy most of their music and an album like this is fairly harmless; every second song is really good and then every other song is fine, so it is a decent offering of the Maroon 5 brand of pop rock. I am not sure they are the band to be covering Queen, but it was not offensive or anything.

Highlights: Misery, Stutter, Never Gonna Leave This Bed, Just a Feeling

7/10

Hands of Gravity- the HIATUS

This album is probably the most straight-forward/less adventurous from the HIATUS. It does, however, end with the greatest song they ever recorded. Possibly a top five song from 細美さん, even. The drumming and piano really lift it to the next level.

Highlights: Sunburn, Geranium, Drifting Story, Radio

7/10

Happiness? - Roger Taylor

So this must have been Mr. Taylor's first post-Queen album? Why is he pronouncing Nazi like he is American? I find it strangely off-putting. But dude is here singing about people being oppressed in Ukraine like he is some sort of prophet. Or the world has just been a terrible place for a long time. Next thing he will be out there saying Free Palestine or something.

Highlights: Revelations, Touch the Sky, Old Friends

6/10

Happiness... Is Not A Fish That You Can Catch - Our Lady Peace

I have zero idea how someone could listen to this album and think Mike Turner needs to be replaced by someone that is more suited to something like Foo Fighters. Dude had character. So did Raine's voice - his falsetto on Blister is mad. And bah gawd Jeremy Taggart was a beast on the drums - dude had mad feel and added so much power to their songs. In case you missed it, this album fucking OWNS. A little more refined than Clumsy with twice the emotion.

Highlights: One Man Army, Potato Girl, Is Anybody Home?, Waited, Lying Awake, Stealing Babies

9/10

Happy Pills - Candlebox

This album was a staple in my 'jam along' playlist back in like 1998 to 2001. I wonder if I could still play these tracks? I probably won't be rating it as highly now as I would have back then, but it sure is still very good. I am reminded of their interview to promote this album, calling it "good quality shit, right here".

Highlights: It's Alright, A Stone's Throw Away, Sometimes, Step Back

7.5/10

A Hard Day's Night - The Beatles

After a whole bunch of powerful late 90s rock, it is nice to get a smile with one of a great classic rock'n roll album. Which is just a regular day in the office for The Beatles. Lennon's voice on this one is super cool. I can see why it influenced Cobain so much. 

Highlights: A Hard Day's Night, Any Time At All, Can't Buy Me Love, I'll Cry Instead, You Can't Do That

7/10

Hatsukoi - 宇多田 ヒカル

So many cool time signatures and different rhythms and beats going on in here. Whoever produced this album deserves a high five and a bunch of grammys if you feel so inclined, because it is just masterful. Pretty sure the backing vocals are the blueprint for how you want them to sound.

Highlights: あなた, パクチーの唄, 夕凪, 嫉妬されるべき人生

7/10

Haunted - Poe

What Poe lacks in singing ability she certainly makes up for with songwriting, because this album is a completely different beast to her debut (which also is not far away) and lyrically it is just top-tier business. And the tape excerpts between songs add a different dimension to the whole thing. And honestly that last song is just heartbreaking.

Highlights: Haunted, Control, Walk the Walk, Could've Gone Mad, Wild

8/10

Have a Nice Day - Bon Jovi

I always felt this was kind of modern-sounding for Bon Jovi at the time. And after the dour attitude on Bounce, it is all mostly upbeat and good vibes and a bit more what fans like me wanted from them. It rocks. It is fun. But where the hell was Sambora?!?!

Highlights: Welcome to Wherever You Are, Bells of Freedom, Have a Nice Day, Novocaine

7.5/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 749

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