2025 in 2025: Day 179

Travelling Without Moving - Jamiroquai

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

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

7/10

The Trip 7 - Various Artists

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

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

6.5/10

Trip the Light Fantastic - Sophie Ellis-Bextor

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

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

7/10

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

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

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

7/10

TROUBLE - Ayumi Hamasaki

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

Highlights: The way I am, W, aeternal

8.5/10

Trouble Walkin' - Ace Frehley

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

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

10/10

True - Spandau Ballet

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

9/10

Turnstiles - Billy Joel

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

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

7.5/10

Twelve Stops & Home - The Feeling

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

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

8/10

Twentieth Century - Cold Chisel

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

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

7/10

Twentysomething - Jamie Cullum

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

Highlights: the whitest way to listen to Jimi Hendrix

5/10

#TWICE - TWICE

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

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

8.5/10

Twisted Angel - LeaAnn Rimes

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

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

8/10

TWISTER - NICO Touches the Walls

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

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

6.5/10

Two Fires - Jimmy Barnes

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

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

8/10

Tyrannosaurus Hives - The Hives

This is punk rock.

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

9/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1756

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2025 in 2025: Day 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 152

Rave In2 The Joy Fantastic - Prince

We doing the remix album first, because the alphabet does not care for sensibilities. Some fairly standard funkiness going on, and some straightahead pop rock as well. Teaming up with Chuck D makes for a hip-hop infused groove!

Highlights: Undisputed (The Moneyapolis Mix), Baby Knows, Prettyman, The Greatest Romance Ever Sold

7/10

Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic - Prince

On release, the word was the remix album was better. LOGMAN strongly disagrees. Quite fun that he teams up with Sheryl Crow for the best song on the album after covering one of her songs in the funkiest of ways. 

Highlights: Man 'O' War, Baby Knows, Prettyman, Everyday is a Winding Road

8/10

Raw Like Sushi - Neneh Cherry

This is, sadly, only the smash hit Buffalo Stance. Sad because I should have this album and more Neneh Cherry in general. But happy because I am short on time. Give me more of my 80s collection failures!

9/10

Ray Charles & Friends - Ray Charles

And friends? This is Ray Charles hooking up with country music "legends" to record some country music "classics" while LOGMAN asks what in the bejeebus is "this"? It is fun, is what it is. You are a dork, LOGMAN.

Highlights: Two Old Cats Like Us, Seven Spanish Angels, Who Cares

6.5/10

Ray Charles & Friends Super Hits - Ray Charles & Friends

Wait - this is the exact same album but with a slightly different title? And "& Friends" added to the artist?!? See, kids - organising and actually LISTENING to your music collection is important and saves you having to waste your time with the same album multiple times...

Highlights: Two Old Cats Like Us, Seven Spanish Angels, Who Cares

6.5/10

Ray Sings, Basie Swings - Ray Charles & The Count Basie Orchestra

Now this is the Ray Charles I would like to listen to. Big band swing and soul.

Highlights: Look What They've Done to My Song Ma, Oh What a Beautiful Morning, Georgia On My Mind, Every Saturday Night

7/10

Razorlight - Razorlight

I remember this being a big change in style from their first album, so will be interesting to compare when I finally to get that album. If I ever get to that album. For more pop oriented, if my memory serves me well. I have a deeply personal memory attached to America and it will never be separated from that, but when I hear it I could possibly listen to it multiple times. That country is such a failed experiment and makes for terrible viewing...

Highlights: America, Los Angeles Waltz, In The Morning, Back to the Start

7.5/10

Read My Lips - Sophie Ellis-Bextor

Modern pop disco does not get any better than this album. 

Highlights: Take Me Home, Murder on the Dancefloor, Music Gets the Best of Me, Is It Any Wonder

9/10

Real - Belinda Carlisle

This very much sounds like a pop rock album from 1993. And some of it really suits Belinda Carlisle's voice; she was a bit raw and unpolished, so it seems a bit more natural than some of her more pop stylings. Like, she sounds like she was a young upcoming artist or something like that.

Highlights: Goodbye Day, Windows of the World, Big Scary Animal, Here Comes My Baby

7/10

Real Life - Evermore

Wow this is turning in to one of those days. Solid NZ indie rock that is actually much better than one would expect.

Highlights: Light Surrounding You, Real Life, Inside of Me, Unbreakable

7/10

The Real Thing - Faith No More

As much as I love Angel Dust, this album shows what this band could do without Dr. Pretentious involved in things, because it is just killer hard rock all through. Very dated with these big loud keyboards, but Sir James Martin of the Faith No More Spiritual & Theological Centre and his Flying V are a driving force here and mostly just gets to let rip.

Highlights: Epic, The Real Thing, War Pigs, The Morning After

8/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1390

2025 in 2025: Day 126

(miss)understood - Ayumi Hamasaki

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

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

8.5/10

Missing You - K.Will

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

Highlights: Missing You, Hypnosis

6.5/10

The Mix Tape - KRS-One

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

9/10

The Mix-Up - Beastie Boys

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

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

7/10

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

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

Highlights: The Mix-Up

6.5/10

Mixed Up - The Cure

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

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

7/10

Mixed Up World [Single] - Sophie Ellis-Bextor

A few neat songs by the kitchen disco queen.

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

7/10

Moanin' - Mr. Airplane Man

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

6/10

Modjo - Modjo

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

8/10

Monster - R.E.M.

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

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

5/10

Moodring - Mýa

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

9/10

Moondancer - Meco

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

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

7/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1111

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Cinema Trip

PASSPO☆ Airlines: Now travelling to over 6 Movie Cinemas Worldwide

And then there were 7.

It's the last day of PASSPO☆ week and we are doing a double feature of sorts. Starting with their final album, Cinema Trip. Our opening track for this is Popcorn Bought? White invites us to join them on a trip to enjoy different types of movies and then this track just rocks up a storm. I said it before and I'll say it again - these opening instrumentals just got better and better and right here was the peak.

Now we kick things off proper with Music Navigation and you know you're in store for a special time. I like that each girl gets a real solid moment. They all get even more in 7's Up - where each girl does an introduction for the next girl. Best I can tell; Orange sucks at dieting and is the oldest, Red is fire at guitar, White uses hashtags and likes games, Yellow drinks water and has muscles, Blue travels the world, Aqua looks like a child and Purple dances and is married to PASSPO☆ forever.

Playground is this gothic horror dance masterpiece, with lyrics about zombies and monsters and music that channels horror scores. It's like WING crossed with Sophie Ellis-Bextor or something. Also the dance shot video is fucking BAAAAADAAAAAASSS. Mr. Wednesday is almost the opposite vibe - it's just straight up pop fun. Like a Beef or Chicken? song without the punk-styles. It's one of those songs where you think 'meh' but then it gets going and before you know it, you're singing along and having a great time. 

ラブリフレイン is a quiet little love song, but things immediately get back to the rockin' with NASA! 〜なんであいつ好きなんだ、嗚呼〜. It's pretty darn heavy.  And so is 不屈のレジスタンス. It's almost a Yellow solo song - I don't hear much of anyone else in there at all. If they're there, Yellow is overpowering them. WEEKDAY QUEENS is a bit more back on the pop-punk fun times track. The sort of song that makes LOGMAN sign into a hairbrush around his room. マイノリティー・ヒーロー is back to the heavy shit, except this time it's Purple giving it some attitude. Then we hit ギミギミaction for one of the absolute funnest PASSPO☆ songs on the planet. Then we get フィルム which is one of the most beautiful songs they've done. I wanna say pop-punk anthem but it really is more of a pop-punk power ballad. .

And we end the album with バチェロレッテは終わらない. It's the number one song in my iTunes and in my heart.

So it goes without saying this is my favourite album. While I can admit now that Beef or Chicken? is actually a slightly stronger album (ラブリフレイン does not measure up to the rest of the album), I will also readily admit that I will always love this album more and the awesomest songs are just that bit more awesome than the awesomest songs on Beef or Chicken? JEJEJEJET!! and Beef or Chicken? both have that 1-2 punch at the end, but Cinema Trip has the triple-threat of ギミギミaction, フィルム AND バチェロレッテは終わらない. If that's not enough to make album the top of your list, then you're doomed and just let me dance on your grave again. Playground might be more suitable for that!

Highlights:
Music Navigation, 7's Up, Playground, ギミギミaction, フィルム , バチェロレッテは終わらない

Lowlights:
The last album PASSPO☆ will ever release

7 / 7 Glowsticks