2025 in 2025: Day 177

Together Alone - Crowded House

This album is almost a bit more experimental than every other Crowded House album. Certainly more adventurous; some of the songs have a bit more teeth to them, while others just veer off into jamming and traditional Polynesian rhythms and drumming and singing. 

Highlights: Distant Sun, Locked Out, In My Command, Fingers of Love

7.5/10

Together Alone [Deluxe Edition] - Crowded House

Home demos, band demos, writing demos - we got all your demos! And a couple of live tracks and alternate mixes. It is almost comical to think this is how Private Universe could have ended up sounding like. 

Highlights: Black and White Boy [Early Rough Mix], Tail of Comet [Live], Fingers of Love [Alternate Studio Take]

6.5/10

Tokyo Girl [Single] - Perfume

The end theme to my favourite drama. I have to listen to this every time I go see Tokyo Tower for that very reason. Honestly, though, those verses are so fantastic... but the chorus is just typical Perfume. 

Highlights: Tokyo Girl, 宝石の雨

8.5/10

Tommyland: The Ride - Tommy Lee

If he had never been in Mötley Crüe, Tommy Lee probably could have been a popular radio rock guy. Like, there is nothing on here worse than Nickelback. In fact, the dude from Nickelback is here, too! I just read the credits and there are some hilarious features. I actually quite enjoy this, for the most part!

Highlights: Makin' Me Crazy, Tryin' to Be Me, Good Times, Sister Mary

7/10

Too Fast For Love - Mötley Crüe

From the best member of The Crüe, to their debut album! 

If I remember correctly, a couple of friends bought me this on cassette back when I was like 11 or something. I think it may have been the first Mötley Crüe album I actually owned! Live Wire is awesome. Come On and Dance is pretty cool - that classic cowbell is kinda funny, as are the bad harmonies. I guess Vince was easily the best singer in the band at this stage (which is funny because 45 years later he is probably the worst and has been for like 25 years). I have always dug Public Enemy #1, even if it has absolutely nothing to do with the band Public Enemy. Which was very disappointing to 11 year-old LOGMAN. It has a real 70's rock vibe. Merry-Go-Round is some sort of power ballad wannabe, but cannot be taken seriously because it sounds like Vince is singing "Mewwy go wound and wound". Take Me to the Top may have been the first song on the album I liked? And then there is Piece of Your Action which is just badassery. Possibly the most "Mötley Crüe" song on the album. And also possibly the first Mötley Crüe guitar solo I attempted to learn (I didn't understand what slide guitar was). Actually the last half of this album is awesome; Starry Eyes is dark and moody (you can tell, because there is a gong strike), Too Fast For Love is good times with gang-vocals chorus fun, and On With the Show is actually a very good power ballad (complete with hilarity where Mick Mars gets out of time double-tracking his guitar, and then just repeats his solos about 40 times throughout the song). A very strong debut album. I was today years-old when I really understood that this is much more of a 70's rock influenced affair - very Cheap Trick meets Sweet in an Aerosmith tribute show. And Vince sounds squeaky. Man, time flies when you are having fun!

Highlights: Piece of Your Action, Starry Eyes, Live Wire, Take Me to the Top

8.5/10

Too Legit to Quit - MC Hammer

Look, the songs are mostly too long and there was no need for the super slow songs in the middle. And a downbeat song with no real groove should not go over 8 minutes. Now all that said... THIS ALBUM GOES HARD! The pop stuff just goes off, the gospel is next level, and everything in between is just awesome - and this is not nostalgia driven, either, because I had no love for this album back in 1991. I grew up and got wise. You should, too! The title track is the most head-rocking foot stomping hip-hop track in my library.

Highlights: 2 Legit 2 Quit, Find Yourself a Friend, Do Not Pass Me By, Count It Off, This is the Way We Roll

8/10

Too Tight - MC Hammer

Oh we just going with Hammer today? The man rolled up to Death Row and put together an album so good... it never got released. Which is a shame, because this album a serious groove. The fake radio skits are such a cliche of the times, and because it is Hammer, everything is just a bit too long. Sometimes a lot too long. But the collabs with dudes like Tupac are better than you could have imagined.

Highlights: Too Late Playa, Unconditional Love, Hammertime Brings It, Get Up

7/10

Too-Rye-Ay - Dexy's Midnight Runners

This is just Come On Eileen, because at least give me some of my 80s cred!

8/10

The Top - The Cure

Robert Smith goes insane from doing too many drugs, and puts it all to music... while doing a lot of drugs?

Highlights: Bananafishbones, Shake Dog Shake, The Caterpillar, The Top

6.5/10

Torn Down - The Cure

Another remix album. As essential as any remix album before it...

Highlights: Shake Dog Shake (New Blood Mix), A Night Like This (Hello Goodbye Mix), It's Over (Whisper Mix)

6/10

Totally 80s - Various Artists

A very underwhelming compilation of 80s pop "hits" - would appear to be heavily British-influenced. British New Wave was better than a lot of their pop output. I should have more Go West in my library.

Highlights: We Close Our Eyes - Go West, Electric Avenue - Eddy Grant, Missing You - John Waite, Vienna - Ultravox, Respectable - Mel & Kim

7/10

Totally Krossed Out - Kriss Kross

These dorks with their backwards clothing sure made a few cool songs, namely Jump and Warm It Up. And that is about all I know when it comes to them.

8/10

Touch - Sarah McLachlan

Does this earn me back some 80s cred? Because boy howdy this sure has some big 80s reverb all over it. Feels like it is even more indie 80s alt than you would expect - I do not recall this even being mentioned in the Sarah McLachlan theory...

Highlights: Vox, Steaming

6.5/10

Touch - Eurythmics

Oooh an 80s album called Touch? This one came first! And is at its finest when it gets all dark and moody. The beats are so mesmerising and Annie Lennox's vocals are just divine.

Highlights: Here Comes the Rain Again, Who's That Girl?, Paint a Rumour, No Fear No Hate No Pain (No Broken Hearts), Aqua

7.5/10

Tougher Than Leather - Run-D.M.C.

I am in the minority, but this album is possibly my favourite hip-hop album of all time. ALL TIME. It just goes so damn hard from the start and never lets up. And they really lived up to the moniker of The Kings of Rock with this one. Honestly, I doubt I would love hip-hop the way I do if not for this album.

Highlights: Run's House, Mary Mary, Beats to the Rhyme, Radio Station, I'm Not Going Out Like That

10/10

Toys in the Attic - Aerosmith

Well, what a coinkidink! It is these guys and the original version of Walk This Way! This is their most consistent and solid outing from the 70s. Easily. That main riff to No More No More is so great and I wish I could remember how to play it.

Highlights: Sweet Emotion, Walk This Way, No More No More, Round and Round

8/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1730

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2025 in 2025: Day 156

Ring Ring - ABBA

This is the least memorable ABBA album. Making your wife sing a song like I Am Just a Girl, with lyrics like "I am just a girl, not the kind of woman men would like to meet/Just another girl no one looks at in the street/" and then about how she is meant to love her man, is a form of abuse.

Highlights: Ring Ring, Rock'n Roll Band, He is Your Brother, Nina Pretty Ballerina

7/10

RIOT ON THE GRILL - ELLEGARDEN

This is the Summer album for all Summers. If you are looking for shelter in a Sharknado, come find me... and I will be too busy air-drumming to this album to help. Possibly the greatest album ever made that makes me smile so much I want to cry.

Highlights: 虹, Missing, モンスター, BBQ Riot Song, Marry Me, I Hate It, Red Hot

100/10

The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars - David Bowie

Absolute peak 70s Bowie. Glam art rock with poptastic hooks. My opinion that Suffragette City is his best song still stands.

Highlights: Suffragette City, Moonage Daydream, Ziggy Stardust, Rock'n Roll Suicide

8/10

The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars: 30th Anniversary Edition - David Bowie

This is the bonus disc, which features some demos and b-sides. The b-sides are as great as the demos are bad.

Highlights: Moonage Daydream (New Mix), Velvet Goldmine, John I'm Only Dancing, Round and Round

7/10

Rise Up 2.0 [Single] - Six60

I guess the 2.0 thing means it is a remix or something? I guess this is like dubstep or something? I do not know. It is kinda groovy.

7/10

River of Dreams - Billy Joel

In parts, Joel and band go pretty hard on this. There is a certain ferocity to No Man's Land that you do not often find in a Billy Joel song, and a few other tracks have some real driving feel to them. The rest of the album just feels like middle of the road radio/record label pleasing tunes.

Highlights: No Man's Land, All About Soul, The Great Wall of China, The River of Dreams

7/10

Road To Rouen - Supergrass

This is such an anomaly in the Supergrass discography; more serious rock, no fun at all to be had anywhere. Much of an artistic kind of approach, focused on good riffs. 

Highlights: Tales Of Endurance (Parts 4, 5 & 6), Road to Rouen, Kick in the Teeth, Low C

7/10

Rock 'n' Roll - John Lennon

John Lennon does a lot of cocaine and records some of his favourite rock'n roll classics to avoid getting sued. There are so much horns it almost sounds more like The Blues Brothers or something. Not a bad thing.

Highlights: Rip It Up/Ready Teddy, Stand By Me, Slippin' and Slidin', You Can't Catch Me

7/10

Rock and Roll Over - Kiss

Hells yes. Great album, RIP Ace!!!

Highlights: Take Me, I Want You, Calling Dr. Love, Makin' Love

8/10

Rock Dust Light Star - Jamiroquai

This is a bit more lowkey but straight-up electronic influenced. Wild to listen to this so soon after Return of the Space Cowboy - like a completely different band.

Highlights: All Good in the Hood, Goodbye to My Dancer, She's a Fast Persuader, Hey Floyd

6.5/10

Rock in a Hard Place - Aerosmith

Wait - so this is the album without Joe Perry or Brad Whitford and that people thought was terrible? Because I like this more than half of the albums Aerosmith did with Joe Perry and Brad Whitford. 

Highlights: Jailbait, Rock in a Hard Place (Cheshire Cat), Bolivian Ragamuffin, Jig is Up

7/10

Rock N Roll - Ryan Adams

I can never decide if this album is the ultimate in his douchery or it is actually as brilliant as it sometimes feels. Because today it feels the latter.

Highlights: 1974, The Drugs Not Working, Hypnotixed, Do Miss America

8/10

Rock N Roll B-Sides - Ryan Adams

These are not nearly as punk rock as the main album. But actually more enjoyable than I remembered.

Highlights: Red Lights, I'm Coming Over, Luxury

7/10

Rock Show [Live] - Run-D.M.C. & Third Eye Blind

This is the performance on David Letterman. I am not really sure why have this, because Stephan Jenkins is not a great live singer. But it still kicks serious butt.

8/10

ROCK-STAR - Stray Kids

More boombastic crazy stuff from JYP's favourite protégés. I mean, I do not really know if they are his favourites, but they sure make him a lot of money!

Highlights: Social Path, MEGAVERSE, COMFLEX, LALALALA

7/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1440

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2025 in 2025: Day 147

Pulse - Pink Floyd

In a supreme shock to all in the universe, I am not a fan of Pink Floyd. But I am fan of the song Comfortably Numb. So I have this version of the song. Bah gawd this is one of the greatest guitar solos of all time.

9/10

Pump - Aerosmith

This album rocks so hard. It was actually the first I had ever heard of Aerosmith - I did not even know they were the band in the Run DMC video! Less blues rock and more just massive 80s stadium anthem stuff. Which they took to the next level on the following album. The constant lesson of this marathon is that Bruce Fairbarn was the greatest producer and it is a shame he died to so young.

Highlights: Young Lust, F.I.N.E., The Other Side, What It Takes

9/10

Pumpin' Blood - NONONO

I have no idea what this is or where it came from, but it is fun dancey pop and I dig it!

8/10

Purple - Stone Temple Pilots

Talk about reinvention; these dudes hit it out of the park with a grunge album that kind of sounded like everyone else at the time (except maybe better), and once they had their money they were all 'Hey, we actually just want to make music that sounds like Led Zepplin if they were a bit more radio friendly, but also hanging out at art school with Lou Reed and Andy Warhol, okay?'.

Highlights: Unglued, Lounge Fly, Kitchen Ware & Candy Bars, Big Empty

8.5/10

Purple Rain - Prince & The Revolution

When I listen to this album on my own, I swap out Computer Blue for the full version, because that is how it was intended and it lifts the song to a different level. Sometimes I throw in the extended version of Let's Go Crazy for fun, as well. Anyways, this may well be the most perfect album ever made.

Highlights: Purple Rain, Darling Nikki, I Would Die 4 U, The Beautiful Ones, Let's Go Crazy

10/10

Purple Rain (Deluxe Edition) - Prince & The Revolution

Outtakes and rarities from the Purple Rain sessions. Apart from the aforementioned "Hallway Speech" version of Computer Blue, there is nothing that is essential. But there are some songs with thought-provoking titles...

Highlights: Computer Blue ("Hallway Speech" Version), Wonderful Ass

6.5/10

Purple Rain: Single Edits & B-Sides - Prince & The Revolution

In my library, only the Purple Rain album is credited to The Revolution, but they are involved in all of these, so I decided to be much fairer in writing. I am generally not in favour of single edits, but some of these extended versions are pretty great. And the b-sides are all absolute gems. 

Highlights: Let's Go Crazy (Special Dance Mix), Another Lonely Christmas, Erotic City (“Make Love Not War Erotic City Come Alive”), I Would Die 4 U (Extended Version)

7.5/10

Push the Button - The Chemical Brothers

This is one of those albums where everything is just great and I can easily just rock the whole the thing endlessly. But at the same time, there is nothing that makes me go 'Oh hell yeah I NEED TO HEAR THIS SONG'. I think this was the first Chemical Brothers album that I thought lacked that moment. There is also a sad lack of Beth Orton or Noel Gallagher or Richard Ashcroft. Coincidence?!?

Highlights: Surface to Air, Hold Tight London, Galvanise, The Big Jump

7.5/10

Push Up [Single] - Freestylers

Very heavily Prince-inspired funky disco sexy pop song? I have spent many a year with this song in my head and not actually knowing what it was, so it is nice to finally have that sorted!

8/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1335

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2025 in 2025: Day 142

People Move On - Bernard Butler

This dude seems to be all over the works of artists I enjoy, so I was always interested in his actual solo work. It has moments of being very good. But I definitely think he works best as a guitarist and songwriter collaborator.

Highlights: Woman I Know, You Just Know, Not Alone, Stay

6.5/10

Pepperoni Quatro - ELLEGARDEN

There is something in my head that always forces me to ignore this album, like I think it is not great or the worst ELLEGARDEN album. I cannot explain it. Either way, those thoughts are insane, because this may actually be their best album? It certainly features some of their best songs. Then again, I say that about every ELLEGARDEN album. I want this marathon to end so I can just listen to ELLEGARDEN all day.

Highlights: Supernova, スターフィッシュ, Good Morning Kid, Make a Wish, ロストワールド

9/10

The Perfect Drug - Nine Inch Nails

A great NIN song, preceeded by a bunch of remixes that are very long and unnecessary. 

Highlights: The Perfect Drug (Original Version)

5/10

Perfect Symmetry - Keane

Sad English lads reinvent themselves as The Killers? Considering The Killers started out as an American rock band cosplaying as UK indie New Wave, this just gets even more confusing. It is at least a bit more feel good than their other work.

Highlights: Spiralling

6.5/10

Perfect Timing - Recloose

I think this is another NZ electro artist. Electro funk, to be more precise without actually knowing what I am talking about. It at least is a very good groove. 

Highlights: Robop, Can It Be, So Cool, Solomon's Alive

7/10

Permanent Vacation - Aerosmith

While not on the level of their following albums, this one still has some fun songs and a massive power ballad. Certainly a step up from what they had been doing previously.

Highlights: Angel, Dude (Looks Like a Lady), Permanent Vacation, Rag Doll

7/10

Permission to Land - The Darkness

On that note, let us have some more classic rock. Or at least, classic rock inspired that is now also classic rock? I mean, this album is actually 22 years-old now! Two things that stand out are: Justin Hawkins' voice on this - or at least his falsetto - is just awesome, and bah gawd there are some great hooks. 

Highlights: Growing On Me, Love is Only a Feeling, Holding My Own, Get Your Hands Off My Woman

8.5/10

Pet Your Friends - Dishwalla

This is only the song Counting Blue Cars. It is great, so I like to pretend it is the only they ever made, in case they followed it up with something awful that would make me thing less of this song.

8/10

Peter Criss - Peter Criss

Hearing The Catman do his thing sure hits different today after losing The Spaceman... but feels kind of fitting. Kind of. I wish they could have done an album together back in the 90s. My Kissathon II review seems harsh - this is a fun album.

Highlights: That's the Kind of Sugar Papa Likes, Hooked on Rock 'N' Roll, Tossin' and Turnin', You Matter to Me

6/10

PETIT BEST～ROCK'N'ROLL FITNESS 2014-2017～ - 女子独身倶楽部

I saw some girl busking in Akihabara one time and we got chatting so I bought a couple of CDs from her; I think this was her idol group (and the other CD was her solo). I used to buy anything out on the streets, just for the fun of it. It is all pretty typical idol silliness, but it is pretty harmless and there are a couple of songs that I enjoy.

Highlights: We as No. 1!, 法隆寺, いけないんだ

6/10

Philadelphia Freeway - Freeway

This is purely the song What We Do... with Jay-Z, because I watched Fade to Black and when they did this live it was awesome. Freeway loses points for taking sides with Nelly and dissing KRS-One, but this song is a vibe.

8/10

Phoenix - Zebrahead

This album feels a bit heavier than Get Nice!, which is fine. The hooks, however, are still plenty pop punk fun and makes me want to rock out in some way. The rapper dude has seriously cool flow and lyrics. The Juggernauts may well be the closest thing to a pop punk power ballad this side of PASSPO☆ and it absolutely owns. Everything else just kicks you in the face for not giving The Man the middle finger or having simply having an annoying girlfriend, I guess?

Highlights: The Juggernauts, Hell Yeah!, Just the Tip, Death By Disco

8/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1284

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2025 in 2025: Day 140

PAiNT it BLACK - BiSH

I have the b-side, SCHOOLYARD, becuase it is seriously awesome and I was on a bit of a mission to complete my BiSH collection... until they one-upped me by releasing their full discography in one big collection. In a pizza box. So, yeah, this is totally redundant now.

8/10

Pandora's Box - Aerosmith

A massive collection of 70s hits, live songs and alternate takes. It is kind of fun to hear the evolution of Steven Tyler's voice - dude sounds like a drunk having a laugh on their earliest recordings - but, otherwise, this is all very redundant. I have all the studio album tracks on their albums. And the live stuff is not that hot. It does have me looking forward to listening to Rocks, though.

Highlights: Sweet Emotion, No More No More, Nobody's Fault, Walk This Way

6.5/10

Panic - Alexei Sayle

Sadly, this is only Didn't You Kill My Brother? Alexei Sayle is very funny AND a full on Marxist as well. Hooray, the fat bastard! (FYI I am not insulting him, it was a song on his sketch show and I am sure zero people would get the reference, hence the disclaimer instead of just writing something else like a normal person).

7/10

Parachutes - Coldplay

Back when Coldplay were kind of a rock band? I would almost argue indie borderline folk rock, perhaps? Not very happy? Anyway you look at it, I have not listened to this album in probably 20 years and I had forgotten that it is actually very good - I have been too distracted by how terrible they have become. Except for that song with BTS. Keeping everything so much simpler would appear to have pushed them a bit more creatively. 

Highlights: Spies, Yellow, Everything's Not Lost, Don't Panic

7/10

Parade - Prince & The Revolution

Bah gawd this album is so bizarre. I can understand why The Revolution bailed on Prince after this; things are fairly minimalist, without having the normal structure and actual music you would expect from a Prince song. That said, there is still some serious funk and great rock to found in here. I would welcome a remix of this album, because I feel like the bass is sorely lacking and that could make a big improvement.

Highlights: Anotherloverholenyohead, Kiss, Sometimes it Snows in April, New Position

7/10

Paradise - Lana Del Rey

LOGMAN: Oh, hey, I have not listened to this in forever. I do not even remember the songs at all. *Cola starts* This song is not bad... *Listens to lyrics* oh... no...

Highlights: Not that

5/10

Paris (Live At Le Zenith 1992 / 30th Anniversary Expanded Edition) - The Cure

This is a very solid performance, and I am going to credit about 80% of that to Boris and his solid drumming - because the tempos is nice and reserved, almost on the beat and not pushing things at all. Also, I can appreciate how different the setlist is to the other live albums I have from The Cure. 

Highlights: Charlotte Sometimes, Play For Today, One Hundred Years, Close to Me

7/10

Party Queen - Ayumi Hamasaki

This album is the absolute nadir of Ayu's career. And I blame Timmy 100% for his terrible songwriting and attempts at rapping. THAT SAID some of the cringe is actually fun? Like, NaNaNa is incredibly tragic, but boy howdy do I love that chorus for that very reason. And then parts of the album - the songs without Timmy - are some of the greatest songs of Ayu's career? Well, top 20 songs, perhaps. So yeah, I do not know what the hell to say. 

Highlights: reminds me, call, how beautiful you are, Letter

6.5/10 (8/10 without Timmy. Maybe even 8.5)

The Passage - Kebee

Our next installment of random K-Pop songs in my library. At least time, I seem to have about half of the album. This is a bit less hip-hop and more R&B compared to some of the other random stuff I have. It is kind of groovy.

Highlights: Where are the Claps?

6/10

Past Masters - The Beatles

I will be honest: this is one of those compilations that I very rarely pay attention to, which is probably very silly. When I do listen to it, like today, I am just a very happy person, because it is mostly very good singles. And then it gets to 1969 and there are a bunch of killer tracks that I absolutely love.

Highlights: Don't Let Me Down, Old Brown Shoe, The Ballad of John and Yoko, Revolution, You Know My Name (Look Up the Number), Day Tripper

8/10

Past To Present 1977-1990 - Toto

I have never really been the biggest fan of Toto. They are seriously brilliant musicians, but maybe there is something too perfect about them?  However, some of their singles are undeniably awesome. 

Highlights: Hold the Line, Rosanna, Africa, Stop Loving You

7/10

Patient!! [BiSH Ver.] - BiSH

I have been waiting for this! The actual end of BiSH and it is exactly the extreme awesome I wanted. I could listen to this again and again and again... Start the day with BiSH, end the day with BiSH.

10/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1260

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2025 in 2025: Day 134

Nine Lives - Aerosmith

I loved this album back in 1997, but then it fell out of favour with me, your hero, LOGMAN. Well, today I will say it is certainly better than I remember. Hole in My Soul is maybe worse than I remember? So corny - and not in the usual way I like. I guess this was the start of them writing trite ballads and thinking that was all they needed to do. But yeah, this album feels kind of like an end of an era, while also being the start of another. 

Highlights: Ain't That a Bitch, Full Circle, Fallen Angels, Attitude Adjustment

7/10

Nirvana - Nirvana

Really, just call it a best of or greatest hits and call it day, guys! And IMO you could have left the Unplugged tracks in your suitcase. 

Highlights: You Know You're Right, Heart-Shaped Box, Pennyroyal Tea

8/10

No Code - Pearl Jam

Is this some sort of 90s morning? Edgelord LOGMAN always said this was the best Pearl Jam album, back when Pearl Jam was his favourite band. I am not sure how much edge someone has to consider this band to be the best - and especially an album as bland as this. Sure, there are a couple of really stand out moments, but the rest is just... here. Eddie Vedder is at his mumbley worst for half the time. And where the hell was Mike McCready?

Highlights: In My Tree, Present Tense, Habit, Who You Are

7/10

No Jacket Required - Phil Collins

I only have two songs from this album. By this point my 80s cred is in negative balance. In my defence, these are absolutely killer songs. Certainly an album that I need to complete at some point.

Highlights: Don't Lose My Number, Take Me Home

10/10

No Name Face - Lifehouse

Just... yawn. Their best song is not even on this album.

Highlights: Hanging By a Moment

6/10

No Shadow (Paxam Singles Series, Vol. 5) - Ryan Adams

When he stole my title, I knew it was all over. For both of us. No Shadow is just classic moody DRA. It's In My Head is very R.E.M. Stoned Alone is just trash.

Highlights: No Shadow, It's In My Head

6.5/10

No Way Out - Puff Daddy & The Family

So this is just I'll Be Missing You and it sure hits differently on a day when Puff Daddy has been sentenced to prison for being a bad, bad person. 

8/10

No. 4 - Stone Temple Pilots

This is a bit heavier and kind of reminds me of Core... just not as good. Like, really not as good. It is all fine and totally listenable, but there is nothing even resembling a hook anywhere to be found.

Highlights: Down, Pruno, Sex & Violence

6.5/10

NON TiE UP [Single] - BiSH

Bah gawd, this song is one massive epic angry and lewd sonic assault. It absolutely crushes. The "b-side" is suitably odd - like some sort of jazz fuzion thing, without losing the BiSH sound.

Highlights: NON TiE-UP, SHA!!HA!!NUA!!Ah.SHI!!ITE.

9/10

Non Zero Sumness - Planet Funk

This is purely the song Who Said (Stuck in the UK). Much like The Music, it is UK indie dance rock - with more emphasis on the dance part. It is a certified banger!

9/10

Non-Album Tracks - L7

Not sure where these all came from, but they are mostly great songs and a little more polished than your usual L7 recordings. Well, some are. Some are the usual lo-fi budget recordings I expect and long for. Mostly covers made to sound like L7.

Highlights: Gas Chamber, This Ain't the Summer of Love

6/10

Non-Album Tracks - Eminem

I do not know where Stimulate came from, but kids these days will never the pain of downloading The Kids off Napster and it would say it was the 'uncensored' version, but then you would listen and of course it would still be censored!

7/10

Non-Album Tracks - Heather Nova

A whole bunch of demos and live songs - I think she gave these out free for buying one of her albums? Or just for kicks? Some are interesting. It is all very acoustic and very chill.

Highlights: Stayin' Alive [Live in Copenhagen 2001], Throwing Fire at the Sun [Live in Japan 1995]

6/10

Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret - Soft Cell

It is only Tainted Love. I still have some 80s cred? Maybe?

8/10

Nonfiction [Single] - Ayumi Hamasaki

A total dance bop. Ayu's voice is frustrating in parts, but the production is so basic that it just makes you want to strut like a sexy bitch.

8/10

Most of today was NO or NON. A lot of negativity for one day...

"Albums" listened to so far: 1190

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2025 in 2025: Day 113

Lifeblood - Manic Street Preachers

The Manics go all adult lo-fi rock like they have been listening to Keane and The Cardigans all summer. Luckily they still write good songs, so I am more of the opinion that this album is underrated and underappreciated. Without actually being memorable or anything.

Highlights: 1985, Empty Souls, I Live to Fall Asleep, Always/Never

7/10

Lifelines - a-ha

What is it with today and this adult radio rock and music from the mid-00s? This might well be the most consistent a-ha album I have listened to yet. Does that maybe say something about me?

Highlights: White Canvas, Forever Not Yours, There's a Reason for it

6.5/10

Light Years - Kylie Minogue

This was Kylie's comeback album. Which is crazy. And it was the start of a period where she just known to always be wearing short shorts. I just wanted her to keep making dancey-disco pop - short shorts or not.

Highlights: Spinning Around, Kids

7/10

Lipstick Traces: A Secret History of Manic Street Preachers - Manic Street Preachers

A large collection of b-sides and rarities. Large. Too large. There are some killer tracks hidden in here - and they seem to be more of the modern ones. But I assure you they are buried in a lot of less than special stuff. The second disc is mostly covers, which range from G'n'R classics to punk rock classics to... Wham!

Highlights: 4 Ever Delayed, Judge Yr'self, Just a Kid, Take the Skinheads Bowling

6.5/10

Listen to the Music: The Very Best of the Doobie Brothers - Doobie Brothers

I do not have the full collection, but this sure is a good reminder that I should correct that one day. Such a strange combination of Southern Rock, funk and beautiful harmonies.

Highlights: Listen to the Music, Long Train Runnin'

8/10

Little Fish: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack - Various Artists

Nope, not really. This is purely Sarah Blasko's cover of Cold Chisel's Flame Trees. It is a rather brilliant interpretation. Sarah Blasko is good like that.

9/10

A Little More Personal (Raw) - Lindsay Lohan

I am unapologetically a fan of LiLo and her singing career, because this album is solid. A bold mix of heartfelt ballads, pop rock, and dare I say darker emo? Honestly, the only misstep on this whole album is the cover of Edge of Seventeen - which hilariously ends with the bass on the wrong note before stopping abrubtly. Possibly cut off? Or they forgot to add that last midi note?

Highlights: Confessions of a Broken Heart (Daughter to Father), If It's Alright, A Beautiful Life (La Bella Vita), I Live for the Day, Black Hole

8/10

A Little South of Sanity - Aerosmith

Oh, time for us to start all these live albums, huh? Sure... Musically, this album is seriously awesome. The songs are all full of energy. Vocally, Tyler is still pretty great, but his voice just clearly gets tired halfway through. And he struggles with some high notes from the jump. But otherwise, this is a very solid album showing a legendary rock group just past their prime and well before they turned into a group of old ladies.

Highlights: Eat the Rich, Love in an Elevator, Dude (Looks Like a Lady), Walk This Way

7/10

Live - Noel Gallagher

This is some random live version of Don't Go Away, performed by Noel Gallagher on acoustic guitar. It is fine, but not exactly mandatory listening.

7/10

Live - Temple of the Dog

This is a random audience recording of Hunger Strike from a Lollapalooza in 1992. I would like a better recording, because Chris Cornell absolutely shreds those high notes and it is epic.

8/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 985

FREE PALESTINE

2025 in 2025: Day 82

Get Ready - New Order

New Order's big comeback and not even Billy Corgan can bring it down. We can also thank this for The Killers getting their name. The middle part of this album goes from dark electronic beats to just straight-up radio rock. But the whole thing is bookended by just the most awesome songs - which are also a mix of dark head-drilling beats and simple radio-friendly rock. I always love the way they let the electronic songs build and layer the instruments - Peter Hook's bass work was more than just simple bass lines, more like melodies that added extra texture to the songs.

Highlights: Crystal, Turn My Way, Someone Like You, Close Range, Run Wild

8/10

Get Rich or Die Tryin' - 50 Cent

Good luck finding me In da Club! This song has Eminem's fingerprints all over; matches his own style, with all the silly noises and background skits.

8/10

Get Rich or Die Tryin': Music from and Inspired by the Motion Picture - 50 Cent

I only have the one song here - I'll Whip Ya Head Boy. Is this what they call mumble rap? Because I'll be damned if I can understand a word 50 is rapping here. I actually saw this movie! It was as dumb as this song.

5/10

Get Your Wings - Aerosmith

Middle of the road 70s Aerosmith. It is not bad at all - because Aerosmith did not learn how to be bad until the end of millennium - but it is not as awesome as they are capable of.

Highlights: S.O.S. (Too Bad), Train Kept a Rollin'

6.5/10

Ghetto Superstar - Pras

I was certain I had this full album, but apparently I only have Ghetto Superstar and Avenues. Which are awesome songs, so I am glad to at least still have them. How is it I disliked The Fugees but really enjoy the solo work from each member?

10/10

The Ghost of Tom Joad - Rage Against the Machine

I got this single when I purchased a Rage Against the Machine VHS. The song itself is on Renegades, so not really sure why I still have it. For the live songs? So I can have some killer Rage Against the Machine to get the party started on a rainy morning?

Highlights: The Ghost of Tom Joad, Vietnow (Live), The Ghost of Tom Joad (Live)

8/10

GiANT KiLLERS - BiSH

I cannot listen to this and not want to rock and dance and stomp a hole in the world. The best BiSH release. The best BiSH songs. That breakdown/bridge in Nothing. is the best. It is all just the best. I could listen to these five songs all day.

Highlights: GiANT KiLLERS, Marionette, Nothing., VOMiT SONG

10/10

Gimme Something Good [Single] - Ryan Adams

This is only the b-side Aching For More and it is in really bad quality. WTF? And it is actually fantastic.

9/10

Gin - Gin Wigmore

I knew this good run was going to end eventually. But to end so spectacularly badly?

Highlights: Under My Skin

4/10

A Girl Like Me - Emma Bunton

Sadly, this is purely the single What Took You So Long? I am somewhat surprised Emma Bunton never had more of a solo career. But if it means I get another Spice Girls reunion, then so be it!

8/10

Girl Power! Live In Istanbul - Spice Girls

This is the full concert; I'm guessing some of the songs are sourced straight from the video and the rest were b-sides on various singles. In case you are not a massive Spice Girls fan, this was their first ever live concert and the whole thing was broadcast live on TV. And then edited for VHS. And then (10 years later) DVD. Sure, their singing is nothing special live - Victoria is borderline awful - but they at least had a proper live band and that helps give the songs an extra kick in places.

Highlights: If You Can't Dance, Step to Me, Move Over [Encore], Wannabe [Encore]

7/10

Girl You Know It's True - Milli Vanilli

I do no really care who actually sang these songs (I mean, obviously the real singers do deserve the credit), but these songs are serious jams and that can never be denied. Also, Milli Vanilli got a bad rapp and were totally thrown under the bus by their producer.

Highlights: Girl You Know It's True, Baby Don't Forget My Number, Blame it on the Rain

8/10

Girls, Girls, Girls - Mötley Crüe

Wild Side is all kinds of awesome badassery and Dancing on Glass is pretty darn cool, actually. Even some saxophone for added cool? And some type of gospel singer doing some "SWEET JESUS" warbling?? What the hell?? Sadly, Bad Boy Boogie does not continue the awesomeness. In fact, it's actually one of the dumbest Crüe songs you will ever hear. Like, I don't even understand what's going on here - Kiss lyrics against some weird blues riff with 80's production? Nona is non-anything. At least Five Years Dead has a cool opening riff. Except that's almost the entire song, so it feels like it just goes on and on. All In the Name of... is kinda ok. Except, again it's just the same riff over and over again. No wonder these dudes were doing so much drugs at this point. Sumthin' for Nuthin' is good - though I'm kinda confused by the big choir singing in the chorus, especially when it seems he's singing about being a gigolo? Again, 80's/drugs/insert reason. You're All I Need is some sort of attempt at an MTV ballad, I'm guessing. Except the lyrics are all about killing someone for not loving him back, so clearly this would have fit in better now. Except MTV don't play music videos now. Don't get me wrong, I know Nikki was having a good laugh writing this, but I feel like it would have been better served as a b-side or something. But considering the closing track on this album is a live cover of Jailhouse Rock, I am not convinced he had the cognitive ability to cobble together any other tracks at this point.

Highlights: Wild Side, Dancing on Glass, Sumthin' for Nuthin'

6.5/10

Gish - Smashing Pumpkins

What is more shocking than remembering I have a Smashing Pumpkins album in my iTunes library? Remembering I have two full Smashing Pumpkins albums in my iTunes library. Corgan's voice is not actually as annoying on this one, surprisingly. 

Highlights: Siva, Rhinoceros, Snail

6/10

Give 'Em Enough Rope - The Clash

Bah gawd I needed this after that. UK punk does not get any more classic and fun than this!

Highlights: Safe European Home, Tommy Gun, Drug-Stabbing Time, English Civil War

8/10

Glass Houses - Billy Joel

I get You May Be Right stuck in my head all the time, so quite a welcome listen. Lots of French lyrics and references going on here. Communist!

Highlights: You May Be Right, Sometimes a Fantasy, All for Leyna, Sleeping with the Television On

7/10

Glitter - Mariah Carey

MC and Nate Dogg is a combo I did not know I needed - but they could have left Ja Rule at home. Or at the homeless shelter. The pure audacity to ripoff Prince on I Didn't Mean to Turn You On! The general 80s grooves and super funky stylings are very cool, and MC doing her best to be sexy really suits it all. I remember this movie being.. a movie? I have it on blu-ray, in fact. I should watch it again!

Highlights: Loverboy, If We, I Didn't Mean to Turn You On, All My Life

7/10

Glorious Results of a Misspent Youth - Joan Jett & The Blackhearts

Joan Jett albums usually contain a few killer tracks and then a bunch of filler. This album is the same, but without the former. There is nothing terrible, but it is all pretty standard fare. I am not convinced covering herself with Cherry Bomb was necessary. And it is a shame this was her last reissue. Give me the rest of her albums already!

Highlights: I Love You Love Me, Long Time, Someday, Push and Stomp

7/10

Glow Stars - Heather Nova

Heather Nova's first album is much less pop than anything else she has done since; very sparse and minimalist, and dare I say a bit darker? It relies too much on having spooky production or whatever, when I am sure they could have just made some proper songs instead. She has shown on every album since that she is more than capable!

Highlights: My Fidelity, Frontier, Shaking the Doll

5/10

GO 2 THE NEW WORLD - 2

This is not as balls-to-the-wall awesome as their follow up album (which we will get to in like 6 months), but still seriously rocks hard in parts. More of a UK indie garage rock sound than I initially expected. Cool guitar solos, as well!

Highlights: GO 2 THE NEW WORLD, FALL FALL FALL, SONG FOR YOU, LUCKY BOY

7/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 682

2025 in 2025: Day 81

The Game - Queen

When I was young, I would see reviews of this album that proclaimed a 5 star album and I really didn't quite get it. Now I absolutely do. It is pretty much pop rock perfection with a bit of a little bit of a throwback to old rock'n roll. And a side of super strong funk. Who thought Don't Try Suicide was a good idea? The bridge is great, but boy those lyrics are... a choice. This is not my favourite Queen album, mostly because it is the least 'Queen' sounding at times, but it may well be their most enjoyable listen.

Highlights: Dragon Attack, Another One Bites the Dust, Rock It (Prime Jive), Sail Away Sweet Sister

9/10

Gangnum Style - PSY

I do not trust anyone that cannot enjoy this song. It is a party.

10/10

Gangnum Style/2 Legit 2 Quit Mashup - PSY (feat. MC Hammer)

How do you make an awesome more awesome? Mix it with another awesome song! It is basically just Gangnum Style with the 2 Legit chorus at the end, but that is a very good idea.

10/10

Gangsta's Paradise - Coolio

Sadly, I do not have this full album. I should sort that out one day, because Coolio sure did have some cool(io?) moments. Especially the theme song for Kenan & Kel. That was a fun show. Coolio was a fun dude. Hip-hop should be fun sometimes.

Highlights: Gangsta's Paradise, 1 2 3 4 (Sumpin' New)

9/10

Garbage - Garbage

In hindsight, I feel like a lot of pop music today owe a lot to what Garbage brought out; that whole alt rock with electronicness was not really being done before them, and they really pushed it hard. I always find the guitars on this album way over produced, but I think that is intentional on their part to really work with the whole electronic thing. Also, I heard a live version of My Lover's Box that showed me they didn't really capture the real awesomeness of Shirley Manson. I would like to one day get the reissues, but I am glad I do not have them yet, because I have so much to listen to already that I do not need to add 60 remixes of Milk.

Highlights: Supervixen, Vow, My Lover's Box, Fix Me Now

8/10

Gene Simmons - Gene Simmons

I'm going to listen and review this without reading any of my earlier post to see if my position changes... and... nope. Possibly the worst album that I will not only continue to own and store in my iTunes library, but also plan on upgrading because I am stupid.

Highlights: Radioactive, See You in Your Dreams

5/10

General Ulysses S. Hospital - The Shit

This is probably the least memorable of The Shit's vast and incredibly discography. Seems to be mostly about poo and being sick? And ends with a party jam about sex? But before that is an ode to the poet Snoop Dogg and some philosophical musings on religious figures like Buddah and Jesus and the Michelin Man.

Highlights: Buddah vs. Jesus

6/10

Generation Swine - Mötley Crüe

The popular opinion is to trash this album. But LOGMAN does not subscribe to conventional ideas and thinks this album rocks and has done since 1997. Sure, it is a bit of a mess, and Bryan Adams somehow helped make one of the worst ballads ever (which is like the opposite of his powers), but gawdam some of these songs are fun as nuts. 

Highlights: Flush, Shout at the Devil '97

7.5/10

Generation Swine (2003 Remastered) - Mötley Crüe

Yeah this is pointless; just the bonus tracks from the re-release, because I'm too cheap to even buy a single Mötley Crüe remaster, apparently. I like one of these...

Highlights: Kiss the Sky

6/10

Generation Terrorists - Manic Street Preachers

My biggest take away from this album is it really needed an edit. While it features two of the Manic's best songs ever - possibly best songs by anyone ever? - and some other great rockin' tracks, there is a bit of filler that just makes the album drag. So cut some of that and give the whole thing a remix and you have yourself a killer album, perhaps?

Highlights: Motorcycle Emptiness, Stay Beautiful, Nat West - Barclays - Midlands - Lloyds, Methadone Pretty

7/10

George Harrison - George Harrison

Well, that certainly is a change of pace! This is George at possibly his most happiest and chilled, just a collection of nice pop songs. Some of them really good, actually. Even a song in reference to F1. Imagine being so successful in your career you can just take a year off to follow the F1 championship around the world...

Highlights: If You Believe, Faster, Love Comes to Everyone, Blow Away

7/10

Get a Grip - Aerosmith

Wow, I can not remember the last time I listened to this album. And my memory is really hazy about what I thought about it, because it has been a helluva jam today! Aerosmith with some hard rock boogie really does hit the spot. And those epic songs like Livin' on the Edge and Cryin' are just awesome. Bruce Fairbairn was dang great producer.

Highlights: Eat the Rich, Livin' on the Edge, Shut Up and Dance, Cryin', Amazing

9/10

Get Behind Me Satan - The White Stripes

Jack White sure does love his Whammy pedal. And I guess he just discovered various percussion instruments, because they are all over this album; marimbas, shakers, bells. It is like listening to one of DRA's stupid Garageband albums. In fact, The Nurse sounds exactly like one of those songs! It could easily be from a DJ Reggie album.

Highlights: Blue Orchid, My Doorbell, The Denial Twist

5/10

Get Nice! - Zebrahead

This ticks all the boxes for what I want in a pop-punk album; great riffs & hooks, singing about middle finger to the world, and just do your thing and have a great time. Even some references to Mötley Crüe and pro-wrestling! In true LOGMAN fashion, I have the Japanese version of this album that features two bonus tracks and holy balls they are worth it!

Highlights: Nothing to Lose, Get Nice!, Nudist Priest, This is Gonna Hurt You Way More Than It's Gonna Hurt Me, Light Up the Sky

9/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 662

2025 in 2025: Day 58

Doo-Wops & Hooligans - Bruno Mars

Hikola: Bruno Mars is great!

LOGMAN: Yeah, he's the man!

Hikola: *checks my iTunes to put on some Bruno Mars* Ummm you only have 1 song of his? And you're telling me he's the man?

LOGMAN: Yeah, he's the man!

Hikola: You have so much rubbish on here that you hate, yet this guy is "the man" and you only have 1 song??

LOGMAN: Yeah, he's the man!

Hikola: Get some more Bruno Mars, would you?!?

LOGMAN: Yeah, he's the man!

10/10

Dookie - Green Day

Kids these days with this sanitised version of Green Day don't know what it was like in 1994 to hear Basketcase for the first time. Or get this album and realise that pop-punk is the future. I used to busk like 90% of this album. And listening to this now makes me really appreciate how much I just made up half the lyrics to some of these songs. Also, my friends in 1994 thought I was dumb for liking this album. Then When I Come Around hit the radio and everyone wanted to borrow my CD. It's tough being more awesome than everyone else...

Highlights: Lowlights might be easier?

9.5/10

Doolittle - Pixies

Are these cats like the godfathers of grunge or something? This album is hilarious; for every great song, there is an almost unlistenable few minutes of dirge that barely resembles a song. No. 13 Baby is not in fact the child of ELLEGARDEN's No. 13. Non-pretentious non-grunge LOGMAN is less than impressed.

Highlights: Debaser, Wave of Mutilation, Here Comes Your Man, Monkey Gone to Heaven

5/10

Dopamine - Third Eye Blind

When this came out, like most Third Eye Blind, I listened a lot. A LOT. So much, in fact, that two songs from it are still in my Top 25 Most Played playlist - and that is without listening to the album since 2017. Seriously. I have actively avoided it for five years now. Everything Is Easy sounds like The Cure musically. In fact, I would argue that this whole album is heavily influenced by both 80s New Wave and the music of 2015 - which also heavily borrowed from 80s New Wave. Here's to another five years...

Highlights: Shipboard Cook, Back to Zero, Something in You, Get Me out of Here, Say It

9/10

Double Fantasy - John Lennon & Yoko Ono

The contrast on this album is made less obvious by having John and Yoko trade songs. And that is one reason the album works - if they had done something like Side A = John, Side B = Yoko, it would have been one side of standard rock'n roll and then one side of provocative new wave. But mixing them together actually makes it more cohesive, to me. One day I will check out the Stripped version of this album. One day...

Highlights: Watching the Wheels, Cleanup Time, Woman, Hard Times Are Over

7/10

Double Happiness - Jimmy Barnes

This is Barnesy doing duets with a bunch of Australian artists I do not know. And a few I do. Like The Living End - that is a great combo! Bah gawd I will always get chills when Jimmy Barnes screams those crazy high notes, like on What Will They Say. The man is a true one-of-a-kind. Even when doing hip-hop.

Highlights: What Will They Say, Gonna Take Some Time, Resurrection Shuffle, Higher

7/10

Double Platinum - Kiss

Oh, this album again! Kiss trying to make things more interesting, but just making things silly?

Highlights: Strutter '78, Calling Dr. Love, Rock Bottom (Intro)/She

8/10

Down To The Promised Land: 5 Years of Bloodshot Records - Various Artists

This is purely Monday Night by Ryan Adams. It is a very good song!

9/10

Down With The King - Run-D.M.C.

The Kings are back! With some proper hip-hop guests like Pete Rock and A Tribe Called Quest and Onyx. And even Tom Morello! And some disses at MC Hammer. Come on, guys - can't we all just get along? Run even says that exact line on In The House, so why is he starting trouble with a fellow man of god? This whole album hits HARD and it is glorious.

Highlights: Down With The King, Come On Everybody, Can I Get It Yo, Ooh Watcha Gonna Do, In the House, Get Open, Wreck Shop

9/10

Dr. Dolittle 2: Original Soundtrack - Various Artists

Of course this is not the whole thing - simply Do U Wanna Roll (Dolittle Theme) by Snoop Dogg, R.L. and Lil' Kim. This is one of the coolest singles Snoop Dogg has done since Doggystyle. It is at least better than anything he did at WrestleMania?

8/10

Dr. Feelgood - Mötley Crüe
This album is the business. The title track is just badass. Slice of Your Pie is also fairly badass. Complete with an outro from The Beatles and Bryan Adams singing backing vocals. Seriously. Reminds me of when Kiss enlisted his help to make their most rocking album after making some dire stuff on their own. BRYAN ADAMS IS THE FIXER! Man, the production on this album is just off the charts. Kickstart My Heart may well be the greatest 80's rock song of the 80's. I've always liked Same Ol' Situation (S.O.S.), but I probably liked it more when I was younger and had no idea what was going on with the lyrics - now it just seems like some adolescent male fantasy. Sticky Sweet is kinda more of the same. And while She Goes Down just continues that lyrically, musically it is just so badass I don't care. Then we finish things off with another couple of power ballads - Don't Go Away Mad (Just Go Away) and Time For Change. Peak Crüe, right here.
Highlights: The Whole Damn Thing

10/10

Draw The Line - Aerosmith

Wasn't I just lamenting the fact that I have not had much Aerosmith come up? Well, looks like I spoke too soon, or something, because here is some more 70s Aerosmith in my face. It is fairly standard 70s Aerosmith. Which is fun.

Highlights: I Wanna Know Why, Get It Up, Bright Light Fright, Sight for Sore Eyes

7/10

Dream Days at the Hotel Existence - Powderfinger

This is one of those albums where I have no explanation as to how or why I have it. Some of their songs can rock pretty well and definitely show some of that fire, but the ballads are pretty meh, to me. Otherwise, it is fine.

Highlights: Head Up in the Clouds, Who Really Cares, Surviving, Ballad of a Dead Man

6.5/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 461

2025 in 2025: Day 57

Dogs Eating Dogs - blink-182

This was the nail in the coffin for the first failed reunion (I'm still expecting this second one to go down in flames, as well). The songs are better than the previous album (Neighborhoods), but Tom's voice continues to get worse. Travis must genuinely love these dudes, because he is infinitely more talented and could play with any musicians he wanted - and he still chooses these goofs. 

Highlights: Pretty Little Girl, Dogs Eating Dogs, Disaster

8/10

Doing it to Death - The J.B.'s

I so wanted to start today with this album, but will just pretend I'm getting started now. Because this is pure funk. Just the funkiest jams on the planet.

Highlights: Doing It To Death (Part 1 & 2), More Peas, La Di Da La Di Day, You Can Have A Watergate Just Gimme Some Buck And I'll Be Straight

9/10

Domino [Single] - Jessie J

Sadly, not the Kiss song. I think Jessie J would sound great singing that. Great pop song, even if her voice is annoying.

7/10

Don't Believe the Truth - Oasis

I think by this time I had completely checked out on Oasis. Not sure why. Heathen Chemistry was a step backwards that perhaps I just didn't see where they were going with this one? The answer was nowhere. It is a solid album, don't get me wrong. Much more accessible and consistent than one would expect. But there is nothing new here; the same chords, same lyrics, same Oasis sound. But that is not a terrible thing, because Oasis do their thing well. And I think Liam's voice on this is pretty good. 

Highlights: Turn Up the Sun, Lyla, Part of the Queue, Let There Be Love

7/10

Don't Forget Your Roots - Six60

Oh NZ music, huh? Actually, this is a pretty groovy song.

7.5/10

Don't Look Back Into The Sun [Single] - The Libertines

Classic Libertines! Absolutely one of their best songs.

10/10

Don't Stop the Revolution - Breathe

More NZ music? That I don't hate? I mean, this album is kinda average - but it does feature a couple of very good songs. 

Highlights: Don't Stop the Revolution, Landslide, Get Yourself Together

6.5/10

DON'T TRUST ANYONE BUT US - ELLEGARDEN

ELLEGARDEN's debut album. Hilariously, my least favourite ELLEGARDEN song is apparently the one responsible for them becoming a band! This also features more guitar solos and slower songs. And ELLEGARDEN being awesome. Seriously, this album is a bit of a different vibe to everything they did after - less 'surfing party the world is a drag but let's surf and party' kind of vibes, more 'emo party surf's up emo kids' kind of vibes. I love ELLEGARDEN.

Highlights: My Favorite Song, Bare Foot, 45, 風の日, Lonesome, Sliding Door

9/10

Dónde Jugarán Las Niñas - Molotov

Angry Mexican nu-metal! I could imagine a tattoo-covered luchador coming out to one of these tracks at Arena Naucalpan. This is as much fun as a lucha libre show at Arena Nauculpan!

Highlights: Que No Te Haga Bobo Jacobo, Molotov Cocktail Party, Matate Tete, Porque No Te Haces Para Alla?...Al Mas Alla!

7/10

Done With Mirrors - Aerosmith

Oh wow, I think this is only the 2nd Aerosmith album I've had so far? But then, I am only up to albums starting with D... this is actually pretty cranking. Far more dirty rock'n roll than anything they would do after this. 

Highlights: Let the Music Do the Talking, My Fist Your Face, The Hop

6.5/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 448

2025 in 2025: Day 2

Aerosmith - Aerosmith
I am almost ashamed to admit this, but... this is probably the first time I'm ever listening to this album. Like, ever. I'm not sure how that happened? I had Aerosmith obsessed friends in high school. I was given all their albums probably close to 20 years ago. So I have absolutely no excuse. Anyways, I'm guessing this is Aerosmith's debut album? It's rad as hell and I should have been listening to this much sooner in life. I think I like the live version of Dream On more, but otherwise this is solid 70s rock good times!
Highlights: Make It, Mama Kin, LOGMAN waking up to the awesome of this album.
7.5/10

Affirmation - Savage Garden
Okay, so no, this is not the full album - simply the song Crash and Burn. There will be more like this, I'm sure. Darren Hayes is a phenomenal singer and seems like a decent dude, but I could never really get into Savage Garden. However, this song is very good.
8/10

Afterglow - Crowded House
This is some sort of rarities compilation released after the band split back in... 1996? It's almost 30 years later and they're still going again, albeit it is now just the Neil Finn Family Travelling Jamboree or something. There's a reason most of this was just b-sides and demos that didn't make the cut for their albums.
Highlights: Private Universe [Acoustic Version], Anyone Can Tell, Recurring Dream
6/10

Afterglow - Sarah McLachlan
Two albums with the same name? I wonder how many times that is going to happen... and things sure have chilled out this morning! This is a solid album, but I can't help feel like it is trying to go somewhere and then just kind of doesn't. Like, she was trying to push her sound a little further on this and then they got scared and decided to stick with the classic mellow Sarah McLachlan sound. Or that is just purely her sound and these couple of tracks were just exceptions? I don't know. Solid album, nonetheless.
Highlights: Fallen, Stupid, Time
7/10

Afterglow [Deluxe Edition] - Crowded House
The Afterglow tour continues! I had expected this album would have been made obsolete by Crowded House releasing all their deluxe edition albums. Instead, they doubled-down and made it a deluxe edition as well - adding a bonus disc of demos and then three great songs from somewhere that almost make this worthwhile.
Highlights: Anthem, Instinct, Everything is Good For You
6/10

Aggression - Various Artists
I'm not sure who put this on iTunes, to be honest, because I thought the album would be called WWF Aggression? And also, it is spelled "Agression" in iTunes?? Anyways, I didn't purchase the whole thing - just the Run-DMC remix of the D-Generation X theme song. It's my theme song now.
10/10

Aladdin Sane - David Bowie
David Bowie was the man. But, I actually don't recall the last time I listened to this album! I know it's iconic and all that, but I've never thought this was Bowie's best work. Definitely some killer stuff, and the lyrics to Time are just brilliantly bizarre.
Highlights: Watch That Man, Cracked Actor, Time, Let's Spend the Night Together, The Jean Genie
7.5/10

Aladdin Sane [30th Anniversary Bonus Disc] - David Bowie
This is some singles versions and live songs. The version of All The Young Dudes here is definitely not the best version. John, I'm Only Dancing seems to be my jam today!
Highlights: John, I'm Only Dancing [Saxophone Version]
6.5/10

Album - Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
Ooooh yeah! I love Joan Jett so much - a true pioneer and just a total badass. This album came after the success of I Love Rock'n Roll and feels a lot more raw, more rough. More punk rock. Well, the original songs do; the cover songs are all much more polished, which seems to be a constant with Joan Jett. Many songs that are just insulting a dude or dudes, so if you were a guy around Jett at this time, you should feel bad. I'm not a fan of Star, Star, personally. Otherwise this has become my favourite Joan Jett album over the years. This album is also a reminder that I need to split out the bonus tracks from these Joan Jett albums, because Had Enough is a perfect album ender and the bonus tracks after kill the vibe (and go on way too long).
Highlights: Fake Friends, Everyday People, A Hundred Feet Away, Secret Love, Coney Island Whitefish, Had Enough
7.5/10 (I'd easily go to 8 without the bonus tracks)

"Albums" listened to so far: 17

UWF Fury Hour: Episode 44

UWF Fury Hour Episode 44, 5th July 1992

Tradition! Fundamentals! The way professional wrestling used to be! A bunch of wrestlers you won't see on this show!

Craig and Tolos assure us this will be like nothing we have ever seen before. I don't know, I've seen 43 previous episodes and they were all just different variations of awful...

Death Row 3260 vs Midnight Star

Is this a battle for the new worstest ever? Tolos wants to know what Craig's number on death row was (the place, not the wrestler). Clearly it was too high, because he's still alive. Tolos thinks Death Row (the wrestler, not the place) was fed well in prison. Death Row goes for a pin but lets Midnight Star up before getting a three-count, and Tolos is all 'I like the way he did that!' but then goes on a rant about how if you have someone down you should never let them up. So he didn't like that?

Winner = Death Row 3260 via hilariously bad shoulder tackle from the middle rope.

Captain Lou Albano tells us that "When you're talking about Herb Abrams, you're talking about class personified!". Wasn't the man arrested while naked and high on coke and chasing hookers??

We get a replay of Jimmy Valiant's promo on Colonel Red from last week.

'Boogie Woogie Man' Jimmy Valiant vs Viper II

ZOMG Valiant got old and skinny - looks like a frail old man! He's still running around kissing everyone, though. Even steals everyone's hats. And a child.

Winner = 'Boogie Woogie Man' Jimmy Valiant via sleeperhold.

He may be old, but The Boogie Man is still barrels of fun.

Remember when Aerosmith were considered "Hard Rock"?

Colonel Red's Corner
Colonel Red
is his own guest? He claims he beat Captain Lou Albano and took his "corner". Huh? Last I saw, he like bought it or something. Colonel Red says because it's now his corner, he gets to decide who he interviews... but Herb comes out and tells him he has to interview Jimmy Valiant next week.

Barry Horowitz has arrived at the UWF and he's after the TV Championship. He says he is "the hottest ride in the park and the other wrestlers should jump on"?!?!

Barry Horowitz vs Tommy Angel

Craig tells us today we can look forward to Jimmy Valiant's debut and Colonel Red's Corner. Great production! Tolos is helluva excited about this match.

Winner = Barry Horowitz via like a reverse DDT or something, but the commentators also don't know what to call it. Which doesn't surprise me, considering what Craig usually calls even the most common of moves.

'Dynamite' David Perry vs Viper II

Tolos: "I like this David Perry. Now, I don't know too much about him, but he's a big boy!"

Tolos: "Now this Viper II... I don't know much about him either!"

Good to see you are dedicated to your job there, Golden Greek.

Winner = 'Dynamite' David Perry via Superkick

The Nightstalker vs Johnny Kidd

Tolos goes absolutely crazy for The Nightstalker for like four minutes.

Winner = The Nightstalker via pretty shitty chokeslam.

Herb is still trying to sell you The Beach Brawl on VHS. And 'The Best of the UWF'. There is no way in hell that should be six whole video tapes.

UWF Special Report

The TV Championship has been declared vacant. 'Wild Thing' Steve Ray wants a shot at the title. He thinks the fans want him to get a shot at the title.

[Narrator: No, they don't.]

Wild Thing says the best wrestlers in the world are coming to the UWF.

[Narrator: No, they're not.]

Helmut Hessler (w/Kevin 'the Truth' Casey) vs Jeff Husker

Yes, Wild Thing. Here is a perfect example of "the best wrestlers in the world coming to the UWF". Two dudes I had to actually google to find UWF records so I could have their names. Craig keeps encouraging Tolos to go back to being a wrestler. He's old, you asshole. Let him retire and enjoy yelling at wrestling shows like old men should. Craig is the one who should be looking for a new job.

Cactus Jack and 'Dangerous' Dan Spivey t-shirts are still for sale. What, no merch for new superstars like Helmut Hessler? Or Colonel Fucking Red?

We rejoin the match... and it's now earlier in the match? Like, seriously it is basically being shown from the beginning again. It's like the editor figured I didn't care the first time, so maybe I'd pay more attention the second time.

Winner = Helmut Hessler via side-suplex

After the match, Casey attacks Husker with a golf club. Tolos is having the time of his life because it incorporates his favourite things; golf, wrestling and sneak attacks.

I wish I had kept a record of the amount of times Tolos said "super".

Colonel Red is with Ivan Koloff. Red is going to help Koloff defeat Jimmy Valiant.

Koloff: "I'm looking forward to it - UWF style!"

What does that even mean???

Next week: 'Cowboy' Bob Orton, 'Mr. Wonderful' Paul Orndorff. And more Colonel Red. Wooooo.

Thoughts:

• John Tolos is hilariously excited about almost everything.
• Sadly, his excitement doesn't match the rest of this garbage truck.