2025 in 2025: Day 176

Three Imaginary Boys - The Cure

The Cure are one of my favourite bands of all time. Easily in my top 10. They have some incredibly epic albums full of emotion, but also effortlessly switch between pop rock fun and nihilistic despair. This album is nothing of the sort.

Highlights: Grinding Halt, Another Day, 10:15 Saturday Night, Three Imaginary Boys

6/10

Thriller - Michael Jackson

Hot take: this is not MJ's best album. However, Beat It and Billie Jean are just such phenomenal songs that it meant this album sold a bajillion copies. Dangerous and Bad do not feature awful collaborations with Paul McCartney, so they are infinitely better. The worst part is that other song he did with McCartney is actually a good song!

Highlights: Beat It, Billie Jean, Human Nature, Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'

8/10

Throwing Copper - Live

Every song is either Quiet LOUD Quiet, or Quiet Quiet LOUD. Except for Waitress - which is LOUD Quiet LOUD, for some weird reason. It is all fine and dandy, but nothing overly exceptional that has made me go out of my way to listen to this in the last 30 years.

Highlights: Top, Pillar of Davidson, White Discussion, Iris

7/10

Tidal - Fiona Apple

Fiona Apple is the lyricist Swifties think their cult leader is. I may appreciate her angst and subsequent vocal performance on When the Pawn... more, but boy howdy this album has some pretty deep emotions. 

Highlights: Criminal, Sullen Girl, Never is a Promise, Pale September

8/10

Tiffany - Tiffany

Sadly, I do not have the full album - just I Think We're Alone Now. I am not sure why I do not have at least the other singles. Because I am lame, that is why!

8/10

Time After Time - Cyndi Lauper

This is only The Goonies 'R' Good Enough - for obvious reasons! I should watch that movie again one day.

8/10

Timeless: New Recordings Honoring The Music Of Hank Williams - Various Artists

This is just Ryan Adams' cover of Lovesick Blues. He puts on his most irritating fake country voice for this one...

5/10

Tiny Music...Songs From The Vatican Gift Shop - Stone Temple Pilots

I love Weiland's voice on this album - he has gone for a bit more of a raspy glam rock kind of vibe and it really suits the way everything comes together, because musically it has bit of a glam rock vibe as well. Like, total peak art school Led Zeppelin tribute act vibes. And I mean that in the most complimentary of ways.

Highlights: Lady Picture Show, Trippin' On a Hole in a Paper Heart, Seven Caged Tigers, Tumble in the Rough

8/10

To the 5 Boroughs - Beastie Boys

Oh snap the boys are back! Just straight-up NYC hip-hop. War is bad. George W. Bush is a clown. Racism and bigotry are bad. Sampling Sonic Reducer is the greatest idea ever and I will forgive them for using it to tell me how great New York is.

Highlights: An Open Letter to NYC, Right Right Now Now, Rhyme the Rhyme Well, Time to Build

8.5/10

TO THE DREAM - The Tomboys

As indie as ever, but even more catchy. And fun. 

Highlights: Tell Me Why, I GOTTA GO, SATURDAY NIGHT

7/10

The The Extreme - Vanilla Ice

V.I.P. in the house! I unironically love still enjoy the enjoy the bejeebus out of this album; sure, the rhymes are corny, but there are plenty of James Brown samples, fun old school grooves, and Vanilla's silly rapping is part of the charm. I still need to find that third version of Play That Funky Music...

Highlights: Ice Ice Baby, Ice is Workin' It, Dancin', Go Ill

8/10

To Whom It May Concern - Lisa Marie Presley

Lisa Marie's debut album, featuring some pretty standard pop country rock stylings - kind of like a modern take on where her Dad left off, I guess? Some surprisingly decent songs to be found. I need to remember to give this a closer listen again some time...

Highlights: Lights Out, S.O.B., Nobody Noticed It, So Lovely

7/10

Today - George Harrison

Another George Harrison bootleg of randomness. Mostly collaborations and whatnot. And I have most of them on other albums? And I am not 100% convinced he actually performs on some of them. 

Highlights: Power to the People, Your True Love (Live - Carl Perkins' Memorial Service), Horse to the Water

6.5/10

Today (Legacy Edition) - Elvis Presley

One of The King's final albums and highly underrated; still not too dissimilar to the rest of his 70s output, but it is mostly fun and Elvis feels like he put a bit of effort it. The opening track is such an old school rock'n roll kind of groove, I cannot help but love it. The undubbed versions are not too different - except you can hear Elvis getting the giggles during Susan When She Tried.

Highlights: T-R-O-U-B-L-E, Pieces of My Life, Fairytale, Shake a Hand

7.5/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1714

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2025 in 2025: Day 175

Their Greatest Hits: The Record - Bee Gees

I am not against the 60s hits at all - they are generally decent little pop numbers, and some of them are brilliant songs - but once this hits the latter end of disc one (the mid-70s), it is GAME ON! 

Highlights: Nights on Broadway, If I Can't Have You, You Should Be Dancing, More Than a Woman, Night Fever, You Win Again, Alone, For Whom the Bell Tolls

8/10

There's Only Now - Eskobar

This purely the song Someone New - a collaboration with Heather Nova. And this is peak Heather Nova awesomeness.

9/10

These Days - Bon Jovi

This is Richie Sambora at his most bluesiest - and the album peaks in places because of it. It also has fairly boring lows, but it is actually a better album than I remember. Or those great songs are greater than I remember...

Highlights: Something for the Pain, These Days, Something to Believe In, Hey God

7.5/10

These Days Tour '95 (Live) - Bon Jovi

JBJ giving a fairly average performance. Luckily this is only a short live EP; a few Slippery When Wet classics, their "current" single, and a bad cover.

Highlights: Wild in the Streets

6/10

Third Eye Blind - Third Eye Blind

An alt rock pop masterpiece. I think some people like to call this "Power Pop" or something, because there is some serious emotion in here that absolutely NO ONE can match. Kevin Cadogan's riffs and licks are what really elevated the songs - something that was seriously lacking on every album after (except for maybe Dopamine).

Highlights: Motorcycle Drive By, The Background, Graduate, God of Wine, Narcolepsy, Losing a Whole Year, Semi-Charmed Life

9/10

Thirty Three & 1/3 - George Harrison

Bah gawd that is some funkyass bass in Woman Don't You Cry For Me. This album always surprises me, because it is mostly very enjoyable and has a bit more soul to it.

Highlights: Woman Don't You Cry For Me, Beautiful Girl, This Song, It's What You Value

7/10

This Is Happening - LCD Soundsystem

Not quite as pretentious as Sound of Silver? Maybe actually more pretentious? Either way, the peaks are high, but not as consistent as their previous albums. A bit more cruising through the indie hipster electro vibes. Nancy Whang is still the winner - her "ONE TOUCH!" is a standout.

Highlights: Dance Yrself Clean, One Touch, Home, Drunk Girls

8/10

This is Not a Test! - Missy Elliott

Solid and consistent album; pretty straight-up no nonsense hip-hop all the way through, featuring some decent collabs and MASSIVE beats.

Highlights: Wake Up, Pass That Dutch, Is This Our Last Time, Pump It Up, Spelling Bee

8/10

This Is Shit - The Shit

A little less... insane than the usual offering from The Shit. But it is still great fun and fast-paced. I am not sure Chuck Norris genuinely endorsed this album...

Highlights: Us vs. Cops, WW3 is Suicide, Rats, Totally Speechless

6.5/10

This Is... - Icona Pop

I Love It is the sexy bitch jam of every summer. The Jay-Z references/homage is pretty darn hilarious, though. Has pop music really stopped evolving? Because this album sounds like it could have been released last year.

Highlights: I Love It, All Night, Just Another Night, Girlfriend

7/10

Those Weren't The Days - Whiskeytown

You know, today has been so upbeat and mostly fun... and then getting immediately hit with the downers on this album is just a bit jarring. Once things finally pick up a bit, it gets more enjoyable for sure. I feel like I have heard some of these songs in different forms numerous times throughout the marathon now...

Highlights: The Rain Won't Help You When It's Over, Believe, 10 Seconds Til the End of the World, Empty Baseball Park

6/10

A Thousand Suns - Linkin Park

Artistically speaking, this is LP's greatest achievement. Ironically, my computer started asking me questions about the Oppenheimer movie just as the quote from him was playing to start the album. Chester really brought it this album. Like, holy hell did he bring it. They all did, but that was the perfect ending. And even though half of these tracks are just interludes, it ties together perfectly (and the songs just kill). My day needed more people referencing Jay-Z's The Blueprint²!

Highlights: Waiting for the End, The Messenger, The Catalyst, When They Come for Me, Iridescent

9/10

Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge - My Chemical Romance

Was the concept on this album they are hitmen or something? Or just angry emo teenagers? Either way, it works; the heavier guitars and big screaming makes for a more fun musical experience. Legit an almost perfect album of pop punk hooks.

Highlights: Helena, Thank You For the Venom, I'm Not Okay (I Promise), I Never Told You What I Do For a Living

8/10

Three Dollar Bill, Y'all - Limp Bizkit

I do not have the full album, thankfully. I am not even sure how I ended up with half the album. It is all much more nu-metal and rough than anything that would follow.

Highlights: Counterfeit, Faith

6/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1700

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2025 in 2025: Day 174

Telecinema Project Vol.3: Break-up follows love - Gummy

Our latest random K-pop song is a super soft ballad and that is all I can say here.

6/10

Telepathy - 小玉しのぶ

Not nearly as impressive as the other album I have from her, but still a very solid listen. Just some quickfire pop rock.

Highlights: Say (Acoustic Version), アコガレスター

7/10

The Temple Of Hip-Hop Presents... - Various Artists

I only now have two songs from this album, but I am fairly certain I had the full thing somewhere. Probably very hard to find, now. That will teach me...

Highlights: Up From Da Underground - Xzhibit & KRS-One, Live at The Temple - Big Daddy Kane

8/10

Temple of Low Men - Crowded House

I can not explain it, but I feel like this album is just missing something. I say this as someone who generally enjoys Crowded House, without being a big fan or anything. 

Highlights: When You Come, Sister Madly, Better Be Home Soon

6.5/10

Temple of Low Men [Deluxe Edition] - Crowded House

One of the few albums I managed to get the deluxe edition for - I certainly wish I had bought the others. This is all just demos and live versions. Mostly live versions. So when I say "I certainly wish I had bought the other [deluxe editions]", I do not mean for the bonus discs...

Highlights: Sister Madly [Studio Outtake], When You Come [Live]

5.5/10

Temple of the Dog - Temple of the Dog

Probably the best album to come out of the 'grunge' era? Certainly the best album these guys from these bands did. Cornell's voice is just otherworldly. 

Highlights: Say Hello 2 Heaven, Hunger Strike, Times of Trouble, Four Walled World

8/10

TEMPTATION BOX - SCANDAL

Peak idol-era Scandal; a whole bunch of harmless pop rock that is just upbeat and... there.

Highlights: 少女M, Hi-Hi-Hi, Hello!Hello!

6.5/10

Ten - Pearl Jam

It was not until my 20s that I realised how heavy the 70s rock vibe was on this album. And look, I am not the Pearl Jam fan I was 25 years ago, and this was never my favourite Pearl Jam album.... but maybe it actually is? Because it still rocks hard.

Highlights: Porch, Oceans, Release, Why Go

9/10

Terminal - YUKI

Like most 'modern' era YUKI albums, this covers all the genres - this time including some pretty big dance vibes. ご・く・ら・く terminal is like some hard K-pop hip-hop kind of thing, production-wise. A lot of fun to be had here!

Highlights: Baby it's you, ラスボス, Sunday Service, good girl

7.5/10

Thank You - Stone Temple Pilots

These are some random bonus songs from what I can only imagine was a greatest hits compilation. I like STP. A lot. But these are not important.

Highlights: Some random live version of Unglued that I found on the internet a million years ago

6/10

That's The Way It Is - Elvis Presley

The movie of the same name may well be the greatest concert film ever produced. And yet, this album is a lot of the things that movie is not; mostly super chilled out country-influenced pop. And I think I love it for all of those reasons. There are some live songs here - and some of them not from the movie - and they are just stellar.

Highlights: I Just Can't Help Believing, You've Lost That Loving Feeling, Just Pretend, How the Web Was Woven

8/10

That's The Way It Is: Live 12 August 1970 - Elvis Presley

Disc 2 of the set is a rare (at the time) concert performance recorded for the movie. And it rocks. It has been a while since I last had an Elvis concert going on here, so it is most welcome.

Highlights: Walk a Mile in My Shoes, You've Lost That Loving Feeling, Just Pretend, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Suspicious Minds

7.5/10

That's The Way It Is: Rehearsals - Elvis Presley

And disc 3 is, of course, a mix of rehearsals and other random live songs recorded for the movie. So why did they not just call it outtakes or something? 

Highlights: I Can't Stop Loving You, Stranger in the Crowd

6.5/10

The Best of del Tha Funkee Homosapien - The Elektra Years: B-Boy Handbook - Del the Funky Homosapien

So not only is this sorted by the T in The, but the way his name is spelled completely differs between the artist name and the extraordinarily long album title? To make it even more fun, this is simply the wonderful Mistadobalina. It is wonderful - did you not hear me the first time?

8/10

The Black Parade - My Chemical Romance

Another T for The?? Fuck you, Tim Apple! Mid-00s emo anthems and it starts off VERY strong... but then they get caught up in trying way more grandiose than MCR are actually capable of, and it just comes off as trying WAY too hard.

Highlights: Welcome to the Black Parade, The End., Dead!, Teenagers

7/10

Theatre of Pain - Mötley Crüe

This album gets a bit of a bad rap. Or maybe I am just too much of a fan? But I think it is quite the classic Crüe groove. Vince's voice is pretty average, but still not nearly as terrible as it is now. I am not going to post my long-winded nonsense from my COVID-era marathon, because I like the album more today!

Highlights: Home Sweet Home, Louder Than Hell, Save Our Souls, Tonight (We Need a Lover)

7.5/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1686

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2025 in 2025: Day 173

T is for Time to Listen to More Music!

T-Virus - Kim Tae Woo

Our latest episode of Random K-Pop Song finds us with another romantic sounding pop groove. I dig it!

8/10

T'Pau - T'Pau

Having already established I am an embarrassment to my 80s adolescence, this is purely the single Heart and Soul. Did T'Pau have any other hits? The video sure features the most 80s dancing possible.

10/10

Tailwind(s) - Pile

Now THIS is the Pile I adore; outside of Love Live!, this is her best work by far. A great mix of up-tempo J-Rock mixed with idolness, heavy grooves and big soaring ballads. 

Highlights: FLY, 素晴らしきSekai, 816 not found, 花と翼, MELODY

8/10

Take Off Your Pants and Jacket - blink-182

These might be Tom's funnest songs? And there are flashes of their coming emo peak - flashes only, but the foundation is there. It is a very solid album.... but 19 tracks is just waaaay too long. OH! I have bonus tracks - the real album finished around track 13? Yeah, makes sense; the bonus tracks are shit!

Highlights: The Rock Show, Stay Together for the Kids, First Date, Roller Coaster

8/10

TAKE☆OFF - PASSPO☆

Oh, how I have missed my dear PASSPO☆! I have written in more detail before, but it was always going to be impossible for them to follow up those first 4 songs with anything that could match them. This is not 2017 and Cinema Trip. 2025 LOGMAN also accepts he does not need 3 different instrumental versions of Let It Go!!

Highlights: Pretty Lie, GPP, Go On a Highway, Let It Go!!

7/10

Taking the Long Way - Dixie Chicks

The songs that were fueled by rednecks trying to cancel them for not liking George W. Bush are very good. VERY good. And some Buddy Holly references are never a bad idea. The rest is fairly by-the-numbers modern country rock, I guess.

Highlights: Not Ready to Make Nice, The Long Way Around, Lullaby, I Like It

7/10

Talk Show - Talk Show

Look, I am not saying Scott Weiland was the greatest front man in rock or anything - though he was awesome - but Stone Temple Pilots were not the same without him, and this album is Exhibit A. Still some great riffs throughout, but there is something missing. Might just be the average vocals and borderline inane lyrics.

Highlights: Hello Hello, Everybody Loves My Car

6/10

Tank-top Festival in Japan - ヤバイTシャツ屋さん

Hilarity! The fake metal screaming is kind of lame, and it takes a bit to get going, but the second half features a tale about being struck by a kid on rolling sneakers and one sentence notes about many different animals. All pretty quick and upbeat.

Highlights: かかとローラー, かわE, ざつにどうぶつしょうかい, 鬼POP激キャッチー最強ハイパーウルトラミュージック

7/10

Taxi Driver - Dynamic Duo

This is pretty funky. Like there is a full-on G-Funk thing going on, but also some... disco?!? I feel like I have been sleeping on these dudes for way too long and need to do a serious listen in 2026.

Highlights: 우리는 바보 (Shake ya 엉덩 to da 이), Superstar (behind the Scene), 신나? (우리가 누구?), Candy

7.5/10

Teenage Dream - Katy Perry

The hate for Katy Perry is justified and, quite frankly, not harsh enough. But this album sure does feature some serious bangers. The middle is absolutely dire, however. 

Highlights: Hummingbird Heartbeat, Teenage Dream, Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.), California Gurls

6.5/10

Teenage Dream: The Complete Confection - Katy Perry

This is the bonus tracks after the album was re-released, because when an album sells a bazillion copies you gotta find a way to sell more! I think there was one more track, but it must have been SUPER awful if I do not have it.

Highlights: Part of Me, Wide Awake

7/10

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack - Various Artists

This may well be my favourite soundtrack album of all time! Old school hip-hop/New Jack Swing and R&B jams by a bunch of no namers (except for Ya Kid K and MC Hammer!) and then an amazing score that sounds immediately like it was from a budget movie in 1990. Make no mistake, my friends and I were playing this NON-STOP in 1990.

Highlights: This is What We Do - MC Hammer, 9.95 - Spunkadelic, Let the Walls Come Down - Johnny Kemp, Turtle Power - Partners In Kryme, Shredder's Suite - John Du Prez

10/10

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack - Various Artists

Not as killer as the first movie soundtrack, but then the movie was not either. However, there are some great old school hip-hop and dance kind things happening here. And Vanilla Ice has a great moment - just like in the movie!

Highlights: Ninja Rap - Vanilla Ice, Awesome (You Are My Hero) - Ya Kid K, Creatures of Habit - Spunkadelic, Cowabunga - Orchestra On The Half Shell

7.5/10

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack - Various Artists

Not the best soundtrack. Not the best movie. But, again, there is fun to be had. It is hard to not have fun when the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are involved.

Highlights: Turtle Power - Partners In Kryme, Tarzan Boy - Baltimora, Rockin' Over the Beat - Technotronic & Ya Kid K, Can't Stop Rockin' - ZZ Top

7/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1670

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2025 in 2025: Day 172

Super Trouper - ABBA

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

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

8/10

Supergrass - Supergrass

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

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

7/10

SUPERIORITY - 我儘ラキア

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

Highlights: JOKER, GIRLS, JOURNEY, FUTURES

9/10

Superman and Other Galactic Heroes - Meco

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

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

7/10

The Supersonic Storybook - Urge Overkill

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

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

7/10

Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie - Alanis Morissette

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

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

8/10

Surfacing - Sarah McLachlan

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

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

7/10

Surrender - The Chemical Brothers

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

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

8.5/10

Swagger - Gun

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

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

7/10

Sweat - Nelly

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

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

7/10

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

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

3/10

Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) - Eurythmics

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

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

7.5/10

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

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

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

7/10

Sweetfish - Dead Flowers

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

Highlights: Shades, Slumber, Home, Same Same

7/10

Swingshift - Cold Chisel

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

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

7/10

Synkronized - Jamiroquai

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

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

7/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1656

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2025 in 2025: Day 171

Strawberry Margarita [Single] - ELLEGARDEN

Bah gawd how to start a day; when this single hit, my friend and I immediately messaged each other to say "THEY ARE BACK!" and it was fucking glorious. 

10/10

Streetcore - Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros

One thing you have to give to Joe Strummer is that he did not shy away from attempting all sorts of musical styles; The Clash were a veritable mish-mash of punk, ska, reggae, and all sorts of pop silliness at the end. And this album just continues that trend. And through it all, he still just sounds punk all the way.

Highlights: Coma Girl, Arms Aloft

6.5/10

Streetlife Serenade - Billy Joel

This dude clearly likes to name his albums starting with an S! I feel like he had been listening to a lot of Elton John here...

Highlights: Los Angelenos, Roberta

6.5/10

Stripped - Christina Aguilera

An absolute pop classic of the early-00s. I have certainly soured on everything she has done apart from this album - and it is pretty far from perfect, as well - but there is no denying her voice was iconic and some of these songs are just top-tier awesomeness.

Highlights: Fighter, Cruz, Dirrty, Get Mine Get Yours

7.5/10

Stripped: Raw and Real - Bon Jovi

Lost Highway-era Bon Jovi doing a live performance - the "Stripped" moniker seems to imply some type of acoustic thing, but Sambora clearly was not interested in that. He is cool and makes everything better for Bon Jovi, so I will allow it.

Highlights: Whole Lot Of Leavin' [Live], Wanted Dead Or Alive [Live]

6/10

Stull - Urge Overkill

I actually only have the one song from this - Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon. It has grown on me over the years, but I will always prefer Urge Overkill just being Urge Overkill instead.

7/10

Subarashiki Sekai - Pile

I only have the one song from this EP - Duel. I think the rest is on the album Tailwind(s). In fact, this song in full is as well. Talk to me about your problems...

8/10

Sueño de la Máquina - Kinky

Driving bass, funky beats, dreamy vocals and big synths. Probably their most consistent album - the whole thing is just a big electro Latin jam from start to finish.

Highlights: Perfecta, Se Borró la Noche, Alma de Neón, Después del After, Inmóvil

7.5/10

Sugar Ray - Sugar Ray

This is purely Answer the Phone. And in crap quality. It is unbelievable that this is the same hilariously awful nu-metal from the late 90s.

8/10

The Suicide Handbook - Ryan Adams

I find it hard to believe this really was how the album was supposed to be released. It is all so minimal and acoustic - it all just sounds like a big bag of demos. But then I remember that some of these were released as is on Demolition, so maybe? But 90 minutes of this is a bit much.

Highlights: Cry on Demand, Wild Flowers, For No One, Miss Sunflower

7/10

Suit - Nelly

This is not one of Nelly's albums that I have listened to all that much, but I have to admit that it is pretty darn groovy. Nelly just does his usual thing - he pretty much has the same melody in every song here - but what can you do?

Highlights: Over and Over, My Place, Paradise, N Dey Say

7/10

Summer Again [Single] - Ayumi Hamasaki

I was sure I had removed all the single doubles caused by the Remember you album, but I must have been wrong. This song is kind of fine? Trying way too hard to be a Summer dance anthem or something.

6.5/10

Summer Trap!! - WANIMA

Pre-COVID world was something else and it is hard for me to believe this EP came out right before the last Summer before it all. It is so wild and energetic. The whole thing personifies the sound of Summer - take that, Ayu!

Highlights: GONG, 夏のどこかへ, Mom

10/10

Sunburn - Fuel

I only have one song, which is surprising - I thought there were songs from this album. I recall the rest being total garbage, but I may have to revisit to make sure. Anyways, this is Shimmer. In another surprising moment, I think the song holds up!

8/10

Sunshower - Chris Cornell

I know I have the whole CD, but I think I just cut out the different versions of this song. Because this song is a masterpiece and the coda on the LP version is perfection. Gawdam Chris Cornell was the voice of my generation.

10/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1640

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2025 in 2025: Day 170

State of the World Address - Biohazard

The most melodic of hardcore albums. Down For Life immediately aged poorly, since they fired their guitarist after this album. Cypress Hill really were everywhere in 1994. And that was a good thing. Just like this album. Heavy, aggressive, a hell of a groove, and lyrically focused on lower-class urban life and fighting against the system. LOGMAN's album of choice while playing Gran Turismo.

Highlights: Down For Life, How It Is, Love Denied, What Makes Us Tick

9/10

Static & Silence - The Sundays

I thought for sure The Sundays were Australian, but I just read they were actually from the UK. Interesting. More interesting than this album.

Highlights: Summertime, She

6/10

Stay Hungry - Twisted Sister

In only further embarrassment, this is only We're Not Gonna Take It. I guess if you have to have only one Twisted Sister song, it has to be this one. 

10/10

Stay On These Roads - a-ha

This album was released in 2002, yet sounds exactly like it was released in 1987. Make of that what you will.

Highlights: Touchy, Stay on These Roads

6/10

Steelheart - Steelheart

Big late-80s glam rock with the biggest highest screams possible. My only gripe is they seemed to channel Hammer and made every song about two minutes longer than they needed to be, but otherwise this probably should have been pretty popular if it had been released a year or two earlier. 

Highlights: Gimme Gimme, Like Never Before, Rock'n Roll (I Just Wanna), Down 'n Dirty

7.5/10

Step Outside - Greyshack

Old school dirty hard rock all the way from India! Feels like Aussie Summer pub rock, to me. Again, take that how you will.

Highlights: Step Outside, New Day

6.5/10

The Stockholm Sessions - Ryan Adams

DRA going all acoustic - I am thinking this might be quite live? Very quiet and chill.

Highlights: I am falling asleep...

6/10

Stomp 442 - Anthrax

Well, this is surely waking me up! Not their best album... I assume, because it is the only one I have in full, but it does feature Dimebag on lead for a few songs.

Highlights: Nothing, Random Acts of Senseless Violence, King Size, Bare, American Pompeii

7/10

Stone Cold Rhymin' - Young MC

I do not have the full album and that is something that needs serious correcting. What I do have, however, are some stone cold classics. These are my jams, right here.

Highlights: Bust a Move, Principal's Office

9/10

Storm - Heather Nova

Ms. Nova going back to her roots and doing a full on indie acoustic folk album with minimalist production - but much less dark than Glow Stars. In fact, still very much love songs and stuff. But somewhat lacking in emotion, I find.

Highlights: River of Life, You Left Me a Song, Fool For You

6.5/10

Storm Front - Billy Joel

Gawddam We Didn't Start The Fire just has so much drive; musically it is so simple, but these dudes are such solid musicians that they just push the beat so much. Dude is still singing about the USSR like he has seen the light and converted to communism.

Highlights: I Go to Extremes, We Didn't Start the Fire, Storm Front, That's Not Her Style

7/10

The Story So Far - Rod Stewart

A career-spanning compilation and I wish I could say it was complete, but there are a few of his more notable songs missing from here. And there is some seriously awful stuff tacked on the end - I do not need him singing Waltzing fucking Matilda. But honestly, Rockin' Rod is someone I forget is actually good and then I listen to his singles and I am like 'Oh yeah! This song is cool. And this one, too!'.

Highlights: Do Ya Think I'm Sexy?, The Motown Song, Rhythm of My Heart, Downtown Train, Hot Legs, All For Love

7.5/10

The Stranger - Billy Joel

There is a really cool groove to this album. And the ballads are almost quite heartfelt. 

Highlights: The Stranger, Movin' Out (Anthony's Song), Only the Good Die Young, Get It Right the First Time

7.5/10

A Stranger Is Born (Pre Strangers Almanac Demo) - Whiskeytown

Mostly badly recorded demos. Some live stuff as well - also badly recorded. And then one or two actual proper recordings that sound great. Though it might be because of having to listen an hour of badly recorded nonsense.

Highlights: The Rain Won't Help You When It's Over, Ten Seconds 'Til The End Of The World

5/10

Strangers Almanac - Whiskeytown

Many of the songs on the previous 'album' now actually finished and recorded properly. And it is very, very good in parts. I got confused for a minute, because some of these songs are also on my version of Faithless Street in slightly different recordings. And I only JUST read that I actually have some deluxe version of Faithless Street that features like twice the songs. And I have listened to that album many times more than this one.

Highlights: 16 Days, Waiting to Derail, Excuse Me While I Break My Own Heart Tonight, Yesterday's News

7/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1625

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2025 in 2025: Day 169

Spiritual Minded - KRS-One

I only have the song South Bronx 2002. I will never defend the lack of KRS-One in my library.

8/10

The Spongebob Squarepants Movie (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) - Various Artists

What a wonderful movie. The soundtrack is a mixed bag; I really only got it for Wilco's Just a Kid - which sounds a lot like Urge Overkill. I have not heard any other Wilco. Is that standard for them?

Highlights: Just a Kid - Wilco, You Better Swim - Motorhead, Goofy Goober Rock - Tom Rothrock with Jim Wise, Bikini Bottom - Electrocute

6/10

Stabbing Westward - Stabbing Westward

While a very contrasting style to their earlier industrial metal, it is still their mostly miserable dark selves, just in a more polished radio-friendly package. Which suits my sensibilities even more! Pretty sure 2001 LOGMAN thought this album was 100% his jam. It does not hold up quite as well, but there are still some killer moments.

Highlights: Angel, Last Time, Perfect, High

8/10

Stakes Is High - De La Soul

Talk about no nonsense Golden Era hip-hop. This is the type of album you can appreciate the beats and the grooves, because it is just solid all the way through. But when you focus on the lyrical content as well, it just lifts it to the next level. 

Highlights: Stakes is High, The Bizness, Wonce Again Long Island, Brakes, Big Brother Beat

7.5/10

Stand Still, Look Pretty - The Wreckers

Oh hey, yesterday I was all 'I should have a Michelle Branch album' and here is one! Except it is her doing country music with some other young girl. Probably not so young now. 

Highlights: I am starting to be able to really hear when John Shanks is in charge...

5.5/10

STANDARD - SCANDAL

My girls doing their usual rockin' pop styles, before they got adventurous and even more awesome. At least when they were just doing this style, it is all pretty fun, if not all that amazing. Certainly could do with a bit more Mami...

Highlights: 打ち上げ花火, キミと未来と完全同期, OVER DRIVE, 涙よ光れ

7/10

Standing on the Shoulders of Giants - Oasis

I will not pretend this is the greatest Oasis album or anything, but I do see this album as being growth and a little more creative - clearly Noel was keen to experiment a little on the production side of things. And it gives it more of a psychadelic 60s vibe for the most part. I wish they had continued to explore that and just gone full 68 Beatles.

Highlights: Fuckin' In The Bushes, Put Yer Money Where Yer Mouth Is, Gas Panic!, Roll It Over

8/10

Star Fleet - Brian May & Friends

This is the first disc of the mighty Star Fleet box set, which means I finally have the mighty Star Fleet in my CD collection! Because I had been living with the original 12" for many years and was always sad to not have it in my iTunes library to crank up. EVH murdering his string on Let Me Out will never not be funny.

Highlights: Star Fleet [Complete Version / 2023 Mix], Let Me Out, We Will Rock You (Fast) [Live At The Palace Theater, LA / 1993]

7.5/10

Star Fleet Sessions - Brian May & Friends

Things kick off with EVH pulling out the opening riff for the future Van Halen classic Top of the World, and from there it is just an hour of these dudes demoing the same two songs. Which is kind of interesting to see/hear how things progressed in the studio.

Highlights: Star Fleet (Take 1), Jam, Funky Jam

6/10

Star Time - James Brown

Now, LOGMAN is not one to praise a compilation or anthology set for being a necessary own - usually you can achieve everything on those by simply collecting many albums. And we have seen how that actually works for me... Anyway, Star Time by James Brown is five hours of the most essential soul and funk cuts and is absolutely worth owning and listening to again and again. Being compiled chronologically, the first disc is my least favourite. But once we hit that second disc and the mid-60s, there is not a bad moment. Just stone cold funk grooves. Soft funk, hard funk, dirty funk, funky jams. And the fun part is a lot of the songs are the full unedited versions; not the "Part 1" and "Part 2" found on the original singles or albums. And Catfish's solo on Ain't It Funky Now is about the funkiest guitar solo on the planet that you just have to do the chickenhead bop to.

Highlights: Get Up Get Into It and Get Involved, I'm a Greedy Man, Funky Drummer, There Was a Time, Bring It Up (Hipster's Avenue), It's Too Funky In Here, Get Up Offa That Thing (Release the Pressure)

9/10

Star Wars and Other Galactic Funk - Meco

The best thing to come out of Star Wars. The Other Galactic Funk is pretty solid as well!

Highlights: Star Wars, Other Galactic Funk, Star Wars/Cantina Band [7" Edit]

9/10

Star Wars and Other Hits - Stars on 45

This is some type of disco megamix that starts with the theme for Star Wars and then quickly moves on to other awesome songs, like Layla, Do Ya Think I'm Sexy?, Ma Baker, Don't Stop Til You Get Enough, Bette Davis Eyes, and many more. I stumbled upon this when first trying to find the Meco Star Wars stuff. It is fun.

8/10

Starfish - The Church

This is purely the song Under the Milky Way. It is a solid 80s goth synthwave pop track.

8/10

start over [Single] - BAND-MAID

One of the most pop songs from everyone's favourite band of hard-rocking maids. And probably one of their strongest songs ever. Ending with a bold "I don't give a fuck" is just pure *chef's kiss*.

10/10

State of Mind - Holly Valance

This is only the title track. I recall how much this song was trashed on release, however LOGMAN was like 'That disco beat and the super processed vocals go hard!' Like, it is still kind of terrible, but I still think those parts are fantastic. Temu Kylie Minogue never did anything else of worth.

9/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1610

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2025 in 2025: Day 168

Speak - Lindsay Lohan

Compared to A Little More Personal (Raw), this is much more of a teen pop album. Which is not a bad thing. Fun, mostly upbeat, basic lyrics and all easily singalongable.

Highlights: Disconnected, Over, First, Symptoms of You

7/10

Speak for Yourself - Imogen Heap

There was this six month period of 2005 where it seemed like everyone was on the Imogen Heap hype train. Which is crazy, because this album is just nothing!

Highlights: Hide and Seek, The Walk

6.5/10

Speakerboxxx - Outkast

Holy cow, this is so much better than I remember. Or at least much better than The Love Below. They really should have just made one great album instead, because this just straight-up hip-hop coolness. Big Boi is severely underrated and all the features here are rad, as well.

Highlights: Flip-Flop Rock, Last Call, The Way You Move, War

7.5/10

Spellbound - Split Enz

These dudes were the greatest musical act in New Zealand history and this marathon is only convincing me it is not close.

Highlights: Message to My Girl, History Never Repeats, Six Months in a Leaky Boat, I See Red

8/10

Spend the Night - The Donnas

Modern rock bands could learn a thing or two from The Donnas. This album, specifically, where every song is either 'this dude sucks' or 'this dude has a big dong so he should let me ride it'. Lessons learned!

Highlights: I Don't Care (So There), 5 O'Clock in the Morning, Too Bad About Your Girl, Take It Off

9/10

SPICE - SCANDAL

When my girls rock, they rock hard. This is almost the most typically Japanese rock song they have done in years.

8/10

Spice - Spice Girls

Is there a more perfect pop album? Sure, maybe. But these women will forever have my heart. I never really noticed before that there is some heavy UK funk influence in here - which explains why it registered so well with me? And god help the mister that comes between me and my sisters!

Highlights: Say You'll Be There, Who Do You Think You Are?, Love Thing, Wannabe

9/10

Spice: 25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition - Spice Girls

I have already complained about this and there certainly is a lot missing, but what is here is actually decent and it is great to have this much in one place.

Highlights: One of These Girls, Spice Chat 2, Say You'll Be There [7" Radio Edit], If You Can't Dance [Demo Version]

7/10

Spiceworld - Spice Girls

Definitely less funk influence and more of a throwback to 60s pop and soul, in my opinion. But still very awesome. Melvins B and C were the coolest.

Highlights: Do It, Move Over, Stop, Saturday Night Divas

9/10

Spiceworld: 25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition - Spice Girls

Similar to the Spice: 25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition, there is a lot missing here, and instead time is devoted to remixes and live versions. At least we got the other Pepsi song!

Highlights: Step to Me [7" Mix], Outer Space Girls, Spice Girls Party Mix

7/10

Spiceworld Tour Live At Wembley Stadium 20-09-1998 - Spice World

I had this on VHS, but missed out on getting the DVD - which now sells for more than the price of a locomotive. But I also did not watch my VHS all that much, back in the day. It is good, but Geri is missing and it is noticeable. Although they did play a recording of her singing in Spanish during If You Can't Dance. They also announce they are staying together and then broke up two years later...

Highlights: Who Do You Think You Are?, Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves, Say You'll Be There, We Are Family

7/10

Spike - Elvis Costello

This is only the single Veronica. I actually do not know much of Elvis Costello's works. I keep telling myself to one day do a bit of listen, but then forget and just listen to The Shit...

7.5/10

Spirit - Leona Lewis

I think I enjoyed her second album more? Like, the ballads are impressive... well, a couple are, but the rest is very forgettable.

Highlights: Whatever It Takes, I Will Be, The Best You Never Had, Bleeding Love

6.5/10

The Spirit Room - Michelle Branch

Why do I not have full albums by Michelle Branch? The songs I have by her are pop perfection, yet I have not heard anything else? I make no sense. Oh yeah, this is All You Wanted.

9/10

Spirit: Stallion Of The Cimerron - Bryan Adams & Hans Zimmer

Bryan Adams makes a lot songs for movies and has done since the 90s. This is the rare occasion he made a full album's worth. Well, almost; Hans Zimmer does provide a few songs of pure score. BA is pretty good at evoking emotion, so it makes sense.

Highlights: Here I Am (End Title), Sound the Bugle, Don't Let Go, This is Where I Belong

7/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1595

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2025 in 2025: Day 167

Soul Assassins II - Various Artists

DJ Muggs making phat beats with various MCs and singers... and all LOGMAN has is Xzibit and King T telling my sorry ass You Better Believe It. Gawdam X to the Z back in 2000 was awesome.

8/10

Soul Deep - Jimmy Barnes

An Aussie pub-rock legend shows his roots by banging out some classic R&B. And absolutely killing it. The production is a bit dated now, but overall these are some VERY good renditions.

Highlights: (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher And Higher, When Something Is Wrong With My Baby, River Deep Mountain High, Signed Sealed Delivered (I'm Yours)

8/10

Soul Deeper - Jimmy Barnes

To celebrate the 10 years of Soul Deep probably being Barnesy's most popular album, he decided to do a follow-up. No super keyboard sounding strings, but also not entirely R&B this time and more just covers from the 60s. 

Highlights: Hold On I'm Coming, To Love Somebody, 634-5789, All the Young Dudes

7/10

Sound Loaded - Ricky Martin

This man and his Latin groove really jam. And this album influenced his work for 9/11, so extra points there! It is actually more fun than I recall.

Highlights: Loaded, Saint Tropez, She Bangs, The Touch, One Night Man

7/10

The Sound of Revenge - Chamillionaire

Of course this is only the hit song Ridin'. I think this might actually be the 'clean' version, which irritates me to no end. Which also tells me I do not listen to this song enough!

8/10

Sound of Silver - LCD Soundsystem

A proper collaborative 'band' album instead of just James Murphy being solo like the debut album, which leads to quite a different sound. Massive extended sprawling instrumentals like it is The Cure doing electronica and hitting all the hipsters right in the feels. Nancy Whang saying "Get innocuous!" makes my day!

Highlights: All My Friends, Someone Great, Get Innocuous!, New York I Love You But You're Bringing Me Down

9/10

Sound-G Sign - Brown Eyed Girl

Welcome back to random K-Pop songs of the day! Very atypical of 2009 - this could easily be 2NE1 or any other group of the time that is not as good as them.

Highlights: Sign, Drunk on Sleep

6/10

The Sounds of Science - Beastie Boys

Another compilation where I took out everything I have elsewhere, because I should have all Beastie Boys. However, I have never owned Licensed to Ill or Some Old Bullshit, so I need some songs from those albums and the other random songs that are on here. Mostly the hardcore stuff. I have Aglio e Olio on vinyl. Still sealed. Someone pay me a million dollars for it.

Highlights: Slow and Low, Fight For Your Right, Soba Violence, Alive, I Want Some

8/10

South - Heather Nova

My iTunes has this labelled as "Alternative & Punk". While the lyrics for Virus of the Mind do speak to anti-conformity, they may be off a bit there with that assessment. This is pretty solid, if lacking the outright emotion of Oyster and Siren, and instead is a more mature acoustic pop album. A little happier in some ways. Definitely more of a "love" vibe.

Highlights: Just Been Born, Tested, Virus of the Mind, It's Only Love, Like Lovers Do

7.5/10

Space Invader - Ace Frehley

This album has really grown on me since Kissathon II; I thought it was pretty average at the time of release, but the more I have listened to it the more I just enjoy how much Ace rocks on it. 

Highlights: Starship, Past the Milky Way, Space Invader, Reckless

8/10

The Space Madness Sessions - Ryan Adams

We go from the coolest man ever making fun rock, to the douchiest douche making crappy alt country rock and in poor demo form. What a world. Is someone else singing here? Because some of these feature the worst singing since me.

Highlights: You must be joking

3/10

Spaceman - Ace Frehley

Yes more Ace Frehley! Hard to believe there are 4 years between this and Space Invader - it all feels very similar. Soar high in outer space, Ace!

Highlights: Bronx Boy, Mission to Mars, Quantum Flux, Rockin' with the Boys

8/10

Spacewalk: A Salute to Ace Frehley - Various Artists

"Insult to Ace Frehley" would be more accurate. While not as terrible as I remembered, it is still rather terrible. It at least ends with a super awesome song by Ace, so it has that going for it...

Highlights: Take Me to the City - Ace Frehley

5/10

The Spaghetti Incident? - Guns N' Roses

GnR doing covers is fine and all, but Duff unleashing his punk was truly a revelation to teenage LOGMAN. So while the general public felt personally offended by such an obvious waste of time, LOGMAN decided this was cool and was probably the first Guns N' Roses CD I ever bought. 

Highlights: New Rose, Ain't It Fun, Down on the Farm, Hair of the Dog

8/10

Spawn: The Album - Various Artists

A expansion of the Judgement Night soundtrack concept, except this time it was teaming up alt bands with electronic artists. And not nearly as consistently good. A bit too focused on the electronic side, which featured artists that were not very good and results in stuff sounding VERY dated.

Highlights: One Man Army - The Prodigy & Tom Morello, (Can't You) Trip Like I Do, Kick the P.A. - Korn & The Dust Brothers, Torn Apart - Stabbing Westward & Wink

6/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1580

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