2025 in 2025: Day 159

sabotage - 緑黄色社会

I think this may have been their last great single? Suitably epic and grand. It was the theme for a pretty fun drama about some people learning to play the violin. The b-side is killer. Then there are some pretty decent live songs as well.

Highlights: sabotage, Alright

7/10

Saints of Los Angeles - Mötley Crüe

The Crüe return with their first album with the original lineup in 10 years. And it is the follow-up to Dr. Feelgood they should have released in 1991; very old school hair metal, lots of swearing, Tommy Lee doing massive drum fills, and just all round a badass attitude. Good times!

Highlights: Down at the Whiskey, Motherfucker of the Year, Saints of Los Angeles, Goin' Out Swingin'

8/10

Sam's Town - The Killers

Their debut album was so amazing that this was never going to live up to it, so I was certainly disappointed on release. A few goods songs, but what I really liked about that first album was missing from this. This feels a bit more radio rock, less new wave dark romantic. Little did I know that it was all downhill from here...

Highlights: Bling (Confession of a King), When You Were Young, My List, Why Do I Keep Counting?

7.5/10

Sandinista! - The Clash

Well, this certainly was ambitious! And in no possible way can I see the reason this needed to be so massive. A lot of weirdness, a lot of different styles, a lot of just mediocre songs. I could remove two albums' worth of material and still barely get a good album out of this.

Highlights: Something About England, Somebody Got Murdered, Let's Go Crazy, Police on My Back, Washington Bullets, Charlie Don't Surf, Lose This Skin

5/10

Sap - Alice In Chains

Another mostly acoustic EP. This time the songs are pretty are far more chilled.

Highlights: Got Me Wrong, Brother, Am I Inside

6.5/10

Saturation - Urge Overkill

Supposedly alternative grunge but super overproduced? Yes indeed. Super awesome? Absolutely! These guys were such a vibe. And had the hooks to match.

Highlights: Sister Havana, Nite and Grey, Crackbabies, Positive Bleeding

8/10

Saudades De Rock - Extreme

I am generally one of Extreme's biggest supporters, but I do generally find Gary Cherone's voice on this album not so great. That said, the album still rocks pretty hard. And the ending on that coda is just beautiful.

Highlights: King of the Ladies, Interface, Peace (Saudade)

7/10

Savage - Eurythmics

An 80s new wave essay on feminism. Far more experimental musically than their previous album - so completely different to Revenge or Be Yourself Tonight, which were just straight pop. And I love it all the more for these reasons.

Highlights: You Have Placed A Chill In My Heart, Shame, Savage, I've Got a Lover (Back in Japan)

8/10

Save Rock and Roll - Fall Out Boy

FOB return with a full on dance rock kind of album. It is like a dark Summer jam all over; you just want to party, but with a serious edge. It's Courtney, bitch!

Highlights: Save Rock and Roll, Rat A Tat, My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark (Light Em Up), Alone Together

8/10

Sawdust - The Killers

Two albums in to their career and already throwing out a b-sides and rarites compilation? That should have been another warning. At least being so early in their career it is mostly still pretty dark and more in the vein of their debut album. This version of Glamorous Indie Rock & Roll is inferior to the version on my copy of Hot Fuss. Under the Gun and Move Away are also re-recorded; I should find the original versions, because I do like those songs.

Highlights: Under the Gun, Change Your Mind, Leave the Bourbon on the Shelf, Shadowplay

6.5/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1469

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2025 in 2025: Day 128

Let's check out what is happening in the MTV studios today...

MTV Unplugged - Alanis Morissette

Peak Alanis, right here. A mix of songs from Jagged Little Pill and Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie - which both rule - but the real highlights here are the rare songs not from those albums. These R the Thoughts is the only that had been previously recorded, but this unplugged version is actually better.

Highlights: These R the Thoughts, Joining You, No Pressure Over Cappuccino, Princes Familiar

8.5/10

MTV Unplugged - Alice in Chains

A very sombre affair. I actually really enjoy the tracks from the self-titled album on here, because it proves what I thought about removing all the dirge and you get good songs. Still dark and nihilistic, but good. Layne Staley really is not in good form here, but then I guess he probably does okay for a dude that was doing so much heroin that he refused to leave his house again after this.

Highlights: No Excuses, Sludge Factory, Angry Chair, Over Now

7/10

MTV Unplugged - Bryan Adams

This is some serious re-working of these songs. Nice for a bit of a change, and he certainly brought in a crazy good team of musicians to do it. And some random new songs as well. It is BA being BA. It never fails.

Highlights: Back to You, Cuts Like a Knife, Heaven, A Little Love

8/10

MTV Unplugged - Kiss

Greatest MTV Unplugged album. Greatest live album. When I am not listening to the CD, I should be watching it on DVD. 

Highlights: 57 minutes of good times

10/10

MTV Unplugged - Jay-Z

Jay-Z teaming up with The Roots to give his songs a real groove. The funniest part is that this is a TV show, so he is censoring himself all through the songs. Which, given how much Jay swears and says rude things, must have been a serious challenge and proves why Hova is the best.

Highlights: Izzo  (H.O.V.A.), Takeover, Heart of the City (Ain't No Love),  Jigga That N****

8/10

MTV Unplugged - Mariah Carey

Have I mentioned Mariah Carey is an awesome singer? Like, if Boyz II Men were just one woman, I am not sure they would be as good as her. I will even allow her to sing a Jackson 5 song.

Highlights: I'll Be There, Emotions, Make It Happen

7.5/10

MTV: Extreme Galacial Beats - Various Artists

Lots of electronic music, but not just a DJ mix like most of those other albums I have. This is just a straight up compilation of big breaks to go do "extreme" things to, I guess? It is pretty great, in parts. 

Highlights: Out of Control - The Chemical Brothers, 138 Trek - DJ Zinc, Stakker Humanoid (Krafty Kuts Remix) - Humanoid, We Are Alive (DJ Icey's Arctic Bass Mix) - Paul Van Dyj

6.5/10

MTV: Extreme Alpine Chills - Various Artists

More of the same, except - as the title suggest - this is all a lot more chill. And features more of your well-known electro names, like Moby and Fatboy Slim. 

Highlights: Relax - Etienne De Crecy, Karmacoma - Massive Attack, Fire in the Middle - Nightmares on Wax, I've Got a Right - Only Child

6/10

Mugenmirai - Perfume

The curse of purchasing J-Pop singles in iTunes is having to deal with romaji in the titles. But I love this song, so I just have to deal with it. I probably need more Perfume in my life.

9/10

The Music - The Music

Early 00s UK dance indie rock? Who cares - the important thing is this is a serverly underrated album. It loses its steam towards the end, for sure, but otherwise it just immediately gets rocking and never stops.

Highlights: Take the Long Road and Walk It, The People, The Dance, Human

7.5/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1130

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2025 in 2025: Day 109

L is for LOGMAN makes poor life choices...

L7 - L7

Angry yelling. Budget recording. Bad guitar solos. And I would not want L7 to be anything else. 

Highlights: Runnin' from the Law, It's Not You, Ms. 45

6.5/10

Ladyhawke - Ladyhawke

Oh a New Zealand artist, you say? And one I actually think is somewhat decent, you further elaborate?!? Pop-rock filled with dance beats and synth solos like it is 1989 is exactly the type of pop-rock people should have been making in 2009. And they were in abundance. 

Highlights: My Delirium, Magic, Another Runaway, Crazy World

7/10

Lagered: The Sixth Pack - Sample Gee

Kids today do not understand the cultural epicentre that were the Lagered albums. Which means I hated the idea of them and only ended up with this one when my older brother abandoned his compact disc collection. Look, teenage LOGMAN was different, okay? It is all just one big remix and it is totally fine and probably good for dancing to.

Highlights: It is all one big dance song, yo!

6/10

Last Action Hero: Music from the Original Motion Picture - Various Artists

The movie that killed Arnie's career as an A-lister also gave us a very cool soundtrack, featuring a mix of rock; hard rock, classic rock, epic orchestral rock, new rock, metal rock and... hip-hop. Because Cypress Hill do what they want! Fishbone are such a confusing band, I clearly need to hear more of them. Particularly the funky stuff like Everyday Sunshine (which is not on this album).

Highlights: Dream On (Live) - Aerosmith, What The Hell Have I - Alice In Chains, Poison My Eyes - Anthrax, Cock the Hammer - Cypress Hill

7/10

Last Stand - Cold Chisel

Cold Chisel celebrating their final tour until the end of the 90s - so maybe 15 years? Must have been one hell of a farewell tour, because Barnesy sounds tired and his voice is shot!

Highlights: Standing on the Outside, Cheap Wine, Don't Let Go, Bow River

6.5/10

The Last Starfighter: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack - Craig Safan

Many variations of the main title theme, which is totally fine with me, because it is beautiful. Everything here is so triumphant sounding. But, man, there be some serious spoilers in the song titles!

Highlights: Main Title, Target Practice, Big Victory March/Alex Returns, Into the Starscape

8/10 

The Last Temptation of Ice - Ice-T

This is mostly remixes of the Home Invasion album. I think. It is decent angry hip-hop. Ice-T knows how to tell stories.

Highlights: I Ain't New to This (Radio Edit),  Racewar (Full Muthaf**kin' Assassin Remix) (Explicit), Ricochet

7/10

The Last Wave of Summer - Cold Chisel

Oh, and here is their reunion album! And it does actually feel like Cold Chisel - just a bit older. 

Hard to believe they have now released almost the same amount of albums post-reunion as they did before they split!

Highlights: Way Down, Angel in My Room, So Hard, Once Around the Sun

7/10

Late Registration - Kanye West

I will take some solace in the fact that Jay-Z completely upstages West on his own album, once again. Wild this dude made a recurring theme of his first albums to make fun of black people wanting to get an education and we all just went along with it.

Highlights: Diamonds from Sierra Leone [Remix feat. Jay-Z], We Major, Touch the Sky, We Can Make It Better

7/10

LCD Soundsystem - LCD Soundsystem

This band was soooo much better when it was just James Murphy being his own pretentious self, instead of an actual band full of pretentious hipsters. Anyways this album is the ultimate indie-dance-punk-disco groove with goofy lyrics and a bonus disc that is actually longer than the album itself. Good times. Imagine having Daft Punk actually play at your house...

Highlights: Daft Punk is Playing at My House, Tribulations, Disco Infiltrator, Losing My Edge, Yr City's a Sucker

9/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 951

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2025 in 2025: Day 104

Jar of Flies - Alice in Chains

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

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

8/10

The Jasmine Flower - Heather Nova

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

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

Jazz - Queen

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

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

8/10

JEJEJEJET!! - PASSPO☆

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

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

8/10

Jewel Vox - Pile

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

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

6.5/10

Jewels: Alternate Takes - Queen

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

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

8/10

Jewels: De Lane Lea Demos - Queen

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

Highlights: Jesus, The Night Comes Down

7/10

Jewels: Instrumentals - Queen

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

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

6.5/10

Joanne - Lady Gaga

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

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

6/10

John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band - John Lennon

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

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

9/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 897

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2025 in 2025: Day 73

Flight of the Conchords - Flight of the Conchords

Nothing like starting the day with some relaxed comedy music. 

Highlights: Think About It, Robots, Mutha'ukas, The Most Beautiful Girl (In The Room)

6.5/10

FLY - YUKI

The thing about this album is that the songs are good, but not great. And then live some of them come across as the greatest songs ever. SO that leads me to believe something was really lacking in the production here.

Highlights: Jodi Wideman, はみだせ　ラインダンスから, 波乗り500マイル, 真夜中の恋人, わたしの願い事

6.5/10

Folie À Deux - Fall Out Boy

This album is big and epic and a bit dark and full of awesome lyrics. The first half is a masterclass on how to write a modern rock album... except it is almost 20 years old at this point. Holy balls where is the time going?!?

Highlights: Disloyal Order Of Water Buffaloes, I Don't Care, America's Suitehearts, (Coffee's For Closers), Pavlove

8/10

Follow the Leader - KoЯn

Jonathan Davis is a terrible singer. Musically they can be quite fun on songs like Got the Life, but the lyrics are awful and the "singing" is bad. And his scatting is just all kinds of stupid.

Highlights: Got the Life, The intro My Gift to You

5/10

Follow the Lights - Ryan Adams & The Cardinals

Well this sure is a drastic change from what I just had to endure. This might still be one of DRA's strongest releases; rootsy acoustic numbers, a classic Alice in Chains cover, reworkings of some of his own songs, and lots of beautiful harmonies. That second verse in this version of Dear John is the stuff.

Highlights: My Love for You is Real, Blue Hotel, This Is It [Cardinal's Version], If I Am a Stranger [Live Studio Recording], Dear John [Live Studio Recording]

9/10

Fool for the City - Foghat

This is some classic 70s rock, right here. And it has everything you need; big long jams and guitar solos, groovy riffs and even some honky-tonk piano.

Highlights: Slow Ride, Fool for the City, Save Your Loving (For Me), Drive Me Home

7.5/10

Fool's Gold - Ryan Adams

For as good as Gold is, and how sad DRA was to not have it be a proper double-album, these songs are... average. At best. 

Highlights: The Bar is a Beautiful Place, Rosalie Come and Go, Dear Chicago

5/10

Footloose: Original Soundtrack of the Paramount Motion Picture - Various Artists

Because I am a disgrace to my generation, this is not the complete album. I'm really finding out a lot about myself with this marathon...

Highlights: Footloose - Kenny Loggins

8/10

For the Working Class Man - Jimmy Barnes

If you don't get chills during the ending of Working Class Man, then you must be dead. And if you are dead, you are missing out on a great album by Jimmy Barnes. Also, if you are dead and reading this you might be a zombie, so watch out for people trying to injure your head.

Highlights: I'd Die to Be With You Tonight, Working Class Man, No Second Prize, Ride the Night Away

8/10

Fore! - Huey Lewis and The News

Jeebus this is getting embarrassing. This is only The Power of Love. Which is not even really a song from the album (it was only included on international releases). There are so many good songs to hear from this album, like Stuck With You and Hip to Be Square, and here I am with just one random song that is more accurately from the Back to the Future soundtrack? LOGMAN is a joke.

10/10

Foreign Affair - Tina Turner

And continuing with my trend of having nothing real, this is purely The Best. I mean, it is a fantastic song, so there is at least that. Hot take; the version with Jimmy Barnes screaming like a maniac is even better.

9/10

Forever - Spice Girls

I better get a 25th Anniversary version of this album this year to match the other two releases. I will admit, I did not get this album when it was released. It is so different to those fantastic pop albums they released in the late 90s. Much more of an urban R&B kind of thing. But the Mels excel at that sort of thing, so it is like they aimed it perfectly at me!

Highlights: Holler, Tell Me Why, Goodbye, Get Down With Me, Wasting My Time, If You Wanna Have Some Fun

8/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 595

2025 in 2025: Day 64

Emancipation - Prince

People can feel free to disagree with me, but this album is pure Prince-styled R&B. I am not a huge fan of the production, but it is generally a very solid album and gets harder as it gets going. Elvis gets a shout out on Face Down, so that continues my new Easter tradition? It also features a whole mess of Prince swearing, which I find refreshing. From about near the end of disc 2 to the end of disc 3 is seriously good times.

Highlights: The Holy River, Saviour, Friend Lover Sister Mother/Wife, Slave, New World, The Love We Make, Emancipation

8/10

The Emancipation of Mimi - Mariah Carey

So much going at the start of this - pretty sure about 7 different songs/artists getting referenced/sampled/ripped-off. I also love that MC just drops these insane high notes in the background at the end of a song to kind of prove she's still got it. And she sure does. And then some. Talk about a real comeback album - my girl Mariah came back with some of her coolest songs?

Highlights: We Belong Together, Shake It Off, Mine Again, Your Girl

7/10

Emergency on Planet Earth - Jamiroquai

Ah the old didgeridoo and world/jazz fusion days of Jamiroquai. Stuart Zender on bass is a groovy beast. So much funk going on.

Highlights: When You Gonna Learn (Digeridoo), Too Young to Die, If I Like It I Do It, Revolution 1993

7.5/10

The Eminem Show - Eminem

Man, why is this dude so angry? He was at the peak of his popularity at this point and produced a very dark and angry album. Every skit involves a gun. As someone that watches MMA, I am pretty over people using Till I Collapse as a walkout song. 

Highlights: Till I Collapse, Business, Square Dance, Without Me, Say What You Say

6/10

Emotions - Mariah Carey

Early 90s R&B Mariah. Which is... surprisingly great, at times. Bah gawd that young woman could sing the hell out of anything. 

Highlights: Emotions, And You Don't Remember, If It's Over

6/10

Empire State of Mind [Single] - Jay-Z & Alicia Keys

Alicia Keys should always double-track her vocals.

8/10

The Empire Strikes Back - Meco

I think the official title of this is actually Meco Plays Music from the Empire Strikes Back, according to the album artwork. It could be called Meco Improves the Music from The Empire Strikes Back, because The Imperial March is way more awesome as a struttin' disco song than one could have imagined. 

Highlights: The Empire Strikes Back Medley, Battle in the Snow, The Force Theme, Asteroid Field and Finale

9/10

Empty Room/Nutshell - Ryan Adams

Yet another single from DRA, this time including a cover of one of Alice in Chains' most popular songs. Both of these are fine, but not exactly memorable.

Highlights: It is just two songs and they are fine

6/10

Encino Man: Music from the Original Motion Picture - Various Artists

We used to listen to this album a lot back in the day. Well, at least the first four songs. This version of You're Invited (But Your Friend Can't Come) is so much cooler than the Exposed version. Cheap Trick's version of Wild Thing is so off the wall that I didn't even realise it was Cheap Trick. You may be surprised to find that I thoroughly enjoy the Queen song on here, even if it is a remixed version. Then there is a funk rock version of Mama Said Knock You Out, which is fine? It's also somewhat ironic that Vince Neil and Jon Corabi would appear (separately) on the same album shortly before Corabi took his job. And I got Edgar Winter confused with Edgar Wright. What a wild ride.

Highlights: You're Invited (But You're Friend Can't Come) - Vince Neil, Stone Cold Crazy [Remix] - Queen, Frankenstein - Edgar Winter, Young and Dumb - Scream

6.5/10

ENCORE SHOW - SCANDAL

Idol-pop-punk-era SCANDAL is always fun. There may not be anything all that outstandingly amazing, but it is all very fun and upbeat, without sounding like idol silliness. That is an achievement and a very admirable quality.

Highlights: 君に嫉妬中, KOSHI-TANTAN, Midnight Television, Shining Sun

7/10

Encounters of Every Kind - Meco

This is a misleading title; it makes you think it is all about Close Encounters of the Third Kind, but it is not. Which is lucky, because I have never actually seen that movie. The first track is a medley of many different theme songs - I can pick out a few westerns, but that is about it. Then there are some original disco tracks. And some more stuff I don't know what they are. Then the theme from Close Encounters of the Third Kind. I'm guessing... 

Highlights: Time Machine, Meco's Theme/3W.57, Theme from Close Encounters of the Third Kind

7/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 513

2025 in 2025: Day 55

The Diary of Alicia Keys - Alicia Keys

Alicia Keys is a very good songwriter, a skill that is only matched by her ability to sing flat on almost everything. Honestly, her vocals always sound so raw - they could use a bit of reverb. And a lot of autotune. She sounds tired. Also, why is Kanye West always hailed as a producer on this album when he only worked on one song? And this album is too long. But still, great songwriter. 

Highlights: If I Ain't Got You, Heartburn, Dragon Days

7/10

Dig Your Own Hole - The Chemical Brothers

Groundbreaking. Maybe not for real electronic music fans, but this was the first album of its kind to really break mainstream music. And LOGMAN's interest. Seriously, these beats and grooves are just too funky.

Highlights: Block Rockin' Beats, Dig Your Own Hole, Elektrobank, Setting Sun, Get Up On It Like This

9/10

Dim The Lights - MONOEYES

LOGMAN said MONOEYES were good, but not great. He said bad things (jokingly) about Scott Murphy. The more LOGMAN listens to this album, the more he wants to change his mind because this album is absolutely flawless.

Highlights: Free Throw, Two Little Fishes, Borders & Walls, Get Up, 3 2 1 Go

9.5/10

Dirt - Alice In Chains

Teenage LOGMAN didn't really connect with this album at first; he was too grunge, maybe? Which makes no sense, because I always loved glam metal. Might be because I heard it after I heard Jar of Flies, which is so dark and mellow? However, once I got a bit older I was able to fully appreciate how totally badass this album is. It is dark and heavy. And always makes me want to scream along like Layne Stayley. The last 3 songs are especially great for jamming and swinging your hair around.

Highlights: Dem Bones, Rain When I Die, Angry Chair, Down in a Hole, Would?

8/10

The Dirt Soundtrack - Mötley Crüe

The Crüe teaming up with John 5 (this was before he joined full-time) and... Machine Gun Kelly. I'll almost let it pass because he was in the movie... but seriously. I'm trying hard to hold off on swearing in these music blogs, but fuck that guy. Remove his part and The Dirt would be a decent almost pop song! Credit to Bob Rock for making Vince Neil almost sound like he can sing. Except for on Like a Virgin, but the man is only capable of so much.

Highlights: The Dirt (Est. 1981), Ride with the Devil

6.5/10

Disco Christmas - Jay Manero and His Disco Band

I had 3 killer albums in a row, then the sad shell of what was the Crue and now this? I think I actually bought this because we needed Xmas music in my office and demanded we keep it disco. And it was hilariously over-priced. It is everything I wanted the Meco and James Brown Xmas albums to be.

Highlights: It's fucking Xmas music in cheesy disco form

6/10

Discography: The Complete Singles Collection - Pet Shop Boys

Is there another act that is more British than these dudes? These songs defined that 80s synth-pop sound for me. And I was totally obsessed with the video to Heart. Is it impossible to record a bad version of Always on My Mind?

Highlights: West End Girls, What Have I Done to Deserve This?, Always on My Mind, Heart

8/10

Discovery - Daft Punk

The guitar or whatever it is solo on Digital Love is amazing. This is one of those albums that has a few totally killer tracks and then the rest of the album is steady level of pretty great. This whole album is a fantastic disco vibe.

Highlights: One More Time, Digital Love, Harder Better Faster Stronger, Face to Face

8.5/10

Disintegration - The Cure

There was a time I would have told you this is my favourite album. That was also the time I listened to this multiple times a day. I will still rave about it in every possible way. And strangely, I probably did not think much of it at first? Pictures of You contains some of the greatest guitar and bass tone ever committed to tape. What really makes the whole thing stand out, to me, is the space within the songs; there is not a million things going on and not a big essay of lyrics in every song - even if they are 10 minutes long. The songs are actually repetitive musically, but somehow it doesn't get monotonous or boring at all. I mean, Disintegration is pretty much 3 chords over and over for 9 minutes, and it is one of the greatest songs The Cure ever did. Gawdam I still can not catch the ending the first time around!

Highlights: Plainsong, Pictures of You, Fascination Street, Prayers for Rain, Disintegration, Homesick, Untitled

9.5/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 427

2025 in 2025: Day 3

The Album - ABBA
Starting the day with ABBA feels sooooo good. I don't know if this album is underappreciated or anything, but turns out there are only 2 hit singles from it. That's odd, because this album is pure greatness. But then again, most ABBA albums are! I kind of see this album as being a little more theatrical, with songs like I'm a Marionette and I Wonder, which makes sense when I remember that is part of what makes up ABBA: The Movie. Which I have never seen. I should do that one day when I don't have 24,000 songs to listen to. Oh yeah, One Man, One Woman is grand.
Highlights: Take a Chance on Me, One Man One Woman, Thank You For the Music, I'm a Marionette
9/10

The Album - Blackpink
I was going to call them the queens of K-Pop, but I think that is 2NE1. So this makes them the princesses? Either way, this album is... somewhat disappointing? The singles are mostly awesome, but the collaborations with American artists are kinda lame. The production is top-notch, as expected, but I don't know - I just expected more from this album when it was released, given how awesome their singles are, and that attitude hasn't changed four years later.
Highlights: How You Like That, Lovesick Girls
6.5/10

Album of the Year - Faith No More
I tried to listen to this in full a couple of weeks ago and failed - I couldn't even make it halfway through. Today I have no choice. It starts off strong, but this album is peak 'Mike Patton is a wacky guy' levels of Faith No More. I preferred the Jim Martin and "gay disco" era, personally. I remember in 1997 seeing some live version of Ashes to Ashes where Patton screamed the chorus and it was actually badass, but I've never been able to find anything online since that comes close. There is some fun to be had here (Mouth to Mouth, Got That Feeling) and some decent songs, but overall I find this to be their most pretentious album. Which would explain why I enjoyed it back in 1997. Please file my report at the Faith No More Spiritual & Theological Centre.
Highlights: Mouth to Mouth, Ashes to Ashes, Got That Feeling
6/10

Ali G Indahouse Da Soundtrack - Various Artists
Again, this is simply Me Julie by Ali G & Shaggy. Fun comedy R'n'B from a fun comedy movie.
6/10

Alice in Chains - Alice in Chains
Remarkably, this is another album from that era that I recently revisited. Except in this case, I made it the whole way through; because under the dirge and ugly guitar tones and just straight up noise, there is a good album in here. This is a lot darker and grimier than their previous albums, and some of the songs do tend to go on a bit longer than they need to. And Layne Stayley sings like a man struggling under the weight of his heroin addiction. And it does kind of all start falling apart as the album goes on... The breakdown in Again still goes hard.
Highlights: Again, Grind, Brush Away, Sludge Factory - particularly that intro, special mention to the breakdown in Again (again)
7/10

Alive II - Kiss
Thanks to alphabet and naming conventions, this is the first 'Alive' album by Kiss that I will be listening to - Alive! will come last, thanks to that apostrophe in the name. Funny stuff. Anyways, this album is good. I've told you that before.
Highlights: Shock Me, I Stole Your Love, Rocket Ride, a whole bunch of stuff
8/10

Alive III - Kiss
Oh, more Kiss, you say? Don't mind if I do... Re-reading my post from Kissathon II, it's interesting how much I forgive Kiss for putting out live albums that are not really live. Like, it just is not a big deal to me at all. Because the Alive albums sound great.
Highlights: I Was Made For Lovin' You, Lick It Up, Forever, Detroit Rock City, God Gave Rock 'N' Roll to You II
8.5/10

Alive IV: The Millennium Concert - Kiss
Did you know: If I had used the official name for this album, it would have been in my queue after all the other Alive albums. Interesting. Or not. Anyways, I like this album more and more each time I listen to it, for reasons detailed here. Tempos annoyed the bejeebus out of this time around, as well, but I had to lift my rating for Do You Love Me? because this version is kicking my butt today.
Highlights: Deuce, Shout It Out Loud, Firehouse, Let Me Go Rock'n Roll, 100,000 Years, Love Gun, Black Diamond, Rock and Roll All Nite
8.5/10

Alive! - Kiss
And thus our first live Kiss marathon concludes. I'm sure I've listened to these four back-to-back before, but not in this order. Strange times we live in. Fun note: in my spreadsheet from Kissathon II, there is a note next to Nothin' To Lose that simply says "gene's vocals suck" like I wouldn't remember that. My love for Parasite just grows and grows - this version is pretty awesome, really. I've detailed this album before. Twice, even. And strangely, I have given it a different rating each time! That's the power of Kiss!!
Highlights: Damn-near most of the album, except for that drum solo in 100,000 Years (although I actually didn't find it that bad today)
9/10 

"Albums" listened to so far: 26