2025 in 2025: Day 158

Rubber Soul - The Beatles

I love this album... but there sure is a lot of filler. Must be more the "vibe" of the whole thing that really resonates? Why does McCartney insist on putting the worst songs on these albums?

Highlights: Drive My Car, Norwegian Wood, In My Life, Run For Your Life

8/10

Run-D.M.C. - Run-D.M.C.

There are three types of lyrics/raps on this album: socially conscious, move your body and get down, and we are the best MCs because we talk about social issues AND tell you to move your body and get down. And in all three, they will occasionally remind you that JMJ is the greatest DJ. I know it mostly sounds dated, but by george this album makes me want a glass bottle of Pepsi and throw my hat on backwards and just get down.

Highlights: Rock Box, It's Like That, Sucker M.C.'s (Krush-Groove 1), Hollis Crew (Krush-Groove 2)

8/10

Runaway Horses - Belinda Carlisle

I would have liked to hear Ms. Carlisle do something a bit more punk. Possibly pop punk. I think she had the voice for it. I certainly do not think her voice was suited to slow pop ballads, but there was something in the way her voice breaks that would have sounded good doing songs from Josie and The Pussycats, I think.

Highlights: Leave a Light On, (We Want) The Same Thing, Deep Deep Ocean, Valentine

7/10

The Runaways - The Runaways

Just classic no-nonsense rock'n roll. It just so happens it was teenage girls doing it; something we should see more of, especially in this day and age. Simple 70s rock just cannot be beat.

Highlights: Cherry Bomb, Blackmail, You Drive Me Wild, Rock N Roll

7/10

Rural Free Delivery - Whiskeytown

I can never really tell if this band was a genuine attempt at country or if it was an almost satirical example of what Ryan Adams thought a country band sounded like. It is especially confusing knowing how completely disingenuous he actually is.

Highlights: Take Your Guns to Town, Captain Smith

6.5/10

A Rush of Blood to the Head - Coldplay

This is not the same band that we see now. I refuse to believe it. The collaboration with BTS was about the closest thing to this, but it still comes up short a little. There is some serious grandiose stuff going on, while still sounding minimalist. I cannot explain it. I am partial to the songs that have a bit more of a menacing edge. Some of these songs are downright so depressing that listening to them may make you burn your house down while you sit inside drinking a bottle of gin.

Highlights: The Scientist, A Rush of Blood to the Head, Warning Sign, Amsterdam

8/10

Ryan Adams - Ryan Adams

In hindsight, this album should have been the warning; I still cannot decide if this or Prisoner can be seen as his 'mid-life crisis' album, or 'jumping the shark' moment, if you will, because it was after this he basically lost the plot and embraced being even less than mediocre while screaming at the void that he is better than everyone else. But yeah... clearly his marriage was in a bad place if he is here singing songs about a girl he had a childhood crush on, and singing about needing someone to save him. And do not get me started on the lyrics for Feels Like Fire. That song is fire. Lots of driving beats with 80s strat tones directly from Bryan Adams' Reckless. Genuinely speaking (or bLogging), this album grew on me and really spoke to me A LOT in 2015. But it really is the peak of the cliff.

Highlights: Tired of Giving Up, Feels Like Fire, Let Go, Gimme Something Good, Kim

8/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1459

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2025 in 2025: Day 152

Rave In2 The Joy Fantastic - Prince

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

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

7/10

Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic - Prince

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

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

8/10

Raw Like Sushi - Neneh Cherry

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

9/10

Ray Charles & Friends - Ray Charles

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

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

6.5/10

Ray Charles & Friends Super Hits - Ray Charles & Friends

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

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

6.5/10

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

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

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

7/10

Razorlight - Razorlight

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

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

7.5/10

Read My Lips - Sophie Ellis-Bextor

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

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

9/10

Real - Belinda Carlisle

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

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

7/10

Real Life - Evermore

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

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

7/10

The Real Thing - Faith No More

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

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

8/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1390

2025 in 2025: Day 116

Live in Tokyo, Japan (Nakano Sunplaza, February 19, 1992) - Nirvana

This was the only live show from the 20th Anniversary release of Nevermind that I kept. Because no one needs that many Nirvana concerts in their collection. Hell, I am not sure I even need one Nirvana concert in my collection.

Highlights: Lots of feedback

5/10

Live In Utrecht: June 20, 1987 - Prince

As expected, this is a very solid performance. And the band are certainly funk enough. However, it must be said that there is genuinely something lacking without The Revolution. 1999 sounds like a bit of a mess. And, strangely, most songs NOT from the Sign O' The Times album are rather truncated. Shelia E. is da bomb.

Highlights: Sign O' The Times, Girls & Boys, Four, Purple Rain

7.5/10

Live Jewels - Queen

A collection of random live songs, mostly from the reissue bonus discs. Well, they are all from the various reissues, just not full concerts or anything. Pretty sure if I look hard enough I could find them, but it is much nicer to just have the official releases that actually sound good. And makes for a fun mix.

Highlights: Is This the World We Created...? (Live in Rio January 1985), We Will Rock You [Fast] (Live in Tokorozawa November 1982), Action This Day (Live in Tokyo November 1982), Calling All Girls (Live in Tokyo November 1982)

7/10

Live May/June 1975 - Elvis Presley

It has been a hot minute since I heard some live Elvis, and this is a pretty fine concert; Elvis' voice is in good form and he clearly has zero cares to give, given he admits to being sick of singing Love Me Tender and even makes fun of his fans for attending the concert. Not sure the kissing 13 year-olds is something that needed to be on record, though.

Highlights: Let Me Be There, Burning Love, If You Love Me (Let Me Know), T-R-O-U-B-L-E

6.5/10

Live on Two Legs - Pearl Jam

Eddie Vedder sounds annoying from the very first line he sings on this album. And Stone Gossard's guitar work is... not great. Matt Cameron may actually be best part of this band, at this stage. Boring.

Highlights: The end guitar solo in Black

5.5/10

Live to Win - Paul Stanley

Taking a break from actual live albums is fine with me! I stand by all my original comments regarding this album. Paul's voice certainly is past its prime, here. But at least this is all relatively short.

Highlights: All About You, Live to Win

6/10

Live Your Life Be Free - Belinda Carlisle

Belinda Carlisle really does have some great pop music - this is very much in the same style as Heaven on Earth. Not a bad thing. The title track is a fantastic song.

Highlights: Live Your Life Be Free, You Came Out of Nowhere, You're Nothing Without Me, Loneliness Game

7/10

Live: 1995-03-24 Mt Smart Supertop - Auckland, New Zealand - Pearl Jam

This was the first concert I ever went to! I remember this all very well... Anyways, this is an audience recording, so the sound is absolutely terrible and barely listenable. I should throw this in Logic and see if I can remaster it or something.

Highlights: I got a cool t-shirt

IMPOSSIBLE TO SCORE

Live: 1995-03-25 Mt Smart Supertop - Auckland, New Zealand - Pearl Jam

And this was the second night. The sound is a bit better on this one and Eddie's voice is actually freakin' great. If only there was a better version available.

Highlights: Remembering that Pearl Jam were cool

IMPOSSIBLE TO SCORE

Live: Entertainment Or Death - Mötley Crüe

This was the last album I listened to (and probably did not complete) when I started my Mötley Crüe marathon some time ago. It very much has a 'Tommy has left the band and we are dead, so here some live tracks for one final cash out!' feel to it. It feels far too long, despite the fact that it clocks in at 97 minutes - which is likely much shorter than an actual Mötley Crüe concert. I think that says a lot. The first disc is actually pretty decent; I think some of this was recorded on the Shout at the Devil tour and they were on fire! But by the time they start using backing tracks and Vince has clearly given up trying, it is just a chore to get through.

Highlights: Looks That Kill, Knock 'em Dead Kid, Too Young to Fall in Love, Smokin' in the Boys Room

7/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1015

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2025 in 2025: Day 93

Heartbreak a Stranger - Ryan Adams

This would appear to be a live single (two songs) and I have zero recollection of it being released, but then it was during a time when DRA was releasing a single every other week. And my memory is pretty hazy at the best of times.

Highlights: Black Sheets of Rain

7/10

Heartbreaker - Ryan Adams

Bah gawd what a rollicking way to kickstart an album. Especially when 90% of what comes after is sad and mopey. I know people (including DRA) act like Come Pick Me is like is crown jewel or whatever, but I would boldly declare Oh My Sweet Caroline to be the peak of his work here. The chord strikes coming out of the solo are beautiful. Bonus points to the banjo in Come Pick Me Up, though.

Highlights: To Be Young (is to be sad, is to be high), Oh My Sweet Caroline, Come Pick Me Up, Call Me on Your Way Back Home

7/10

Heartbreaker Deluxe - Ryan Adams

Guess it is a Ryan Adams and Heartbreak kind of morning? A lot of this is outtakes - some of which ended up being released further down the line. Did he ever do a proper studio take of Petal in a Rainstorm? Because the take on here is VERY good. 

Highlights: Petal in a Rainstorm, When the Rope Gets Tight, Locked Away (Demo), To Be Young (Demo)

7/10

Heartland - Real Life

This is purely Send Me an Angel. That opening synth is killer when the bass kicks in. iTunes says it is actually "Send Me an Angel '89 [Dance Mix]". Yet the year is labelled as 1983. I need some tea.

8/10

Heat - Jimmy Barnes

The bridge on Sweat it Out is very great. When I was a teen and this came out, I thought Stand Up sounded very much like Faith No More. As an adult I can freely state that kids are stupid. 

Highlights: I'd Rather Be Blind, Stand Up, Something's Got a Hold, A Little Bit of Love

7/10

Heathen - David Bowie

There was a period where every Bowie album was met with 'Bowie is back to his brilliant best' and drew comparisons to his work in the 70s. And always it was just forgotten until the next album came along. I liked some of these even more when performed live.

Highlights: Afraid, I've Been Waiting For You, 5:15 The Angels Have Gone, Heathen (The Rays)

6/10

Heathen [Bonus Disc] - David Bowie

Like it says on the box! A couple of remixes, a couple of outtakes. The outtakes are decent?

Highlights: Conversation Piece, Panic in Detroit

6/10

Heathen Chemistry - Oasis

Gosh I feel like I have written about this before... A real mixed bag; some killer classic-style Oasis songs and some really generic radio rock stuff. Liam's voice is awesome. In fact, these guys have had the same thing as Bowie since this album; it - and every one since - was labelled as being their best album since whenever they were at the peak of their popularity. Music press need to get their brains together.

Highlights: The Hindu Times, Stop Crying Your Heart Out, Little By Little, Force of Nature

7.5/10

Heave on Earth - Belinda Carlisle

Let's talk about Belinda Carlisle's voice, shall we? She is certainly not actually that great of a singer, however there is something in her tone and delivery that absolutely works. And these songs are pretty much just great. Like a slightly rocked up Wilson Phillips, with less amazing harmonies.

Highlights: Heaven is a Place on Earth, I Feel Free, I Get Weak, Love Never Dies...

8/10

Helicopter Soup - Ryan Adams

I have moved a few random DRA songs that had no home to this album. Look Who Got a Website definitely belongs on an album called Helicopter Soup. I would really like to have heard a final version of So Lost. 

Highlights: Look Who Got a Website (Dot Com Motherfucker), So Lost [Dirty Power Demo], So Lost

6.5/10

Hell in a Handbasket - Meat Loaf

It almost sounds like Andrew W.K. and his band are backing Meat Loaf here. And wowsers he sounds old. And Chuck D turning up here is certainly random - but a pleasant surprise. Mostly harmless big-sounding rock stuff.

Highlights: Mad Mad World/The Good God Is A Woman And She Don't Like Ugly [Feat. Chuck D], Stand In The Storm [Feat. Lil Jon, John Rich & Mark McGrath]

6/10

Hello - Poe

There is so much going on with this album; all sorts of different genres and styles and it was probably considered very alternative at the time. The trip-hop wannabe jazz songs must have really confused the alt rock kids who were buying this for songs like Trigger Happy Jack. Speaking from experience...

Highlights: Trigger Happy Jack (Drive By A Go-Go), Choking The Cherry, Beautiful Girl, Fly Away

7/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 764

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