Some very light J-Pop. Simple and fun, plus an epic awesome ballad.
Highlights: Evergreen, Aoi Tsuki To Ambivalence Na Ai, Happy Unbirthday, 15 Doors
7/10
15th Anniversary TOUR ~A BEST LIVE~ - Ayumi Hamasaki
I feel like my marathon has been severely lacking in Ayu this past month or so... This is a genuinely brilliant performance to watch, but the mix on the CD is somewhat lacking? I cannot put my finger on it. Plus they omitted Surreal/Evolution/Surreal, which is just silly. Still darn great and hard to believe this was 13 years ago.
Highlights: Memorial address, M, Who..., teddy bear, Key ~eternal tie ver.~
8/10
18 Til I Die - Bryan Adams
Look, it is mostly very listenable, but on the whole it really lacks that magic BA had on all his albums leading up to this (and on most albums after). Some of it feels like pandering to the alt. rock crowd, while some of it feels like an attempt to show he was still kind of rock and edgy. And it is that stuff that really comes up short. When he is just being Bryan Adams, it works totally fine!
Highlights: It Ain't a Party...If You Can't Come 'Round, Let's Make a Night to Remember, Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?, You're Still Beautiful to Me
7/10
20th Century Boy: The Ultimate Collection - Marc Bolan & T. Rex
I like Marc Bolan so much more than I realise. Or, at least, I like the songs I like way more than I realise. It is all a combination of the most dreamy rock'n roll and just the sexiest stomps. Pure 70s glam rock.
Highlights: Children of the Revolution, 20th Century Boy, Born to Boogie, Bang a Gong (Get It On), Solid Gold Easy Action
7.5/10
23rd Monster - Ayumi Hamasaki
Another anniversary single. I am quite certain that is all Ayu will release for the next 40 years - outside of concert DVDs, of course. This at least rocks hard. Ayu goes heavy very well.
9/10
29 - Ryan Adams
How did this dude get away with blatantly ripping off so many other artists & songs on this album? Was it because this album is mostly boring and no one listened to it?
Highlights: Elizabeth You Were Born to Play That Part, Voices, Night Birds
6.5/10
48 Hours - Ryan Adams
From an album made of mostly mediocre songs with terrible lyrics, to a collection of fantastic songs with brilliant lyrics - genuinely some of my favourite of his ever. Dude should have just made more albums like this; a little bit country, but with enough soul and a bit of quirk that it just makes it more charming.
Highlights: Angelina, Desire, Karina, Chin Up Cheer Up, Like the Twilight
9/10
52nd Street - Billy Joel
This is very consistent Billy Joel storytelling pop with solid hooks and just a real groove all around.
Highlights: Big Shot, Zazibar, Half a Mile Away, My Life
7.5/10
200 km/h in the Wrong Lane - t. A. T. u.
This is so very 2000s. Very, very 2000s. Sounds more dated than a 90s J-Pop album.
7/10
300 Days at Sea - Heather Nova
This is such a return to form, but everything is actually a lot BIGGER than normal. So in that respect, it is a bit of a change! But the songs are a touch lighter, but more accessible and draw in the listener.
Highlights: Beautiful Ride, Precious Thing, Turn the Compass Round, I'd Rather Be
7.5/10
311 - 311
I am not sure this album could sound anymore lo-fi mid-90s if it was wearing a flannel shirt. But that is part of its charm; it is actually a bit of an eclectic mix of styles, not just the radio rap rock. But there is that, too.
Highlights: Down, Don't Stay Home, Don't Let Me Down,T&P Combo
7/10
808s & Heartbreak - Kanye West
The stark minimalist production provides a more introspective approach and a somewhat somber atmosphere, at times. Dude should have looked inside himself and said 'Hey, being a nazi is very bad!'. Fucking clown shoes.
Highlights: Welcome to Heartbreak, See You In My Nightmare, Amazing, Paranoid
7/10
1039/Smoothed Out Slappy Hour - Green Day
The earliest of early Green Day, that sounds so budget that it could almost be considered punk. Genuinely sounds like it was recorded on a 4-track cassette recorder at their school music room.
Highlights: I Was There, Going To Pasalacqua, Paper Lanterns, I Want to Be Alone
6.5/10
1704 - Gelbison
This album in no way captures the emotion and raw energy with which this band performed these songs live. The soundscapes and expanse is still impressive, but I just know it could have been so much more.
Highlights: Kabana, Revolution, The Modern Station, Au Revoir Fucker
6.5/10
1980 x 1,000 - DJ Reggie
Oh, snap! DJ Reggie is back! And this time he has some very hurt feelings. But some of this might be his best work? The lyrics here are certainly right up there with his work on 48 Hours. Happy Birthday, Rachael Ray, even if it is not your birthday...
Highlights: I Am Alone, Bugs, Mystery Track Attack, Christmas is Wack
5.5/10
'Albums' listened to so far: 1940
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