2025 in 2025: Day 197

Somehow I have made it to the end of the year with 17 albums to go. What a trip...

愛泥C - Charisma.com

Like always, big beats, dreamy vocals, quirky rapping. They have a formula that never changes - and I would never want it to!

Highlights: GODcustomer, サプリミナル・ダイエット, 骨抜きに恋して

7.5/10

携帯電話 - RADWIMPS

The B-side on this single is seriously groovy. Pre- movie soundtrack RADWIMPS really were something else.

Highlights: ハイパーベンチレイション

7.5/10

旅鳥小唄 -Songbirds of Passage- the LOW-ATUS

細美さん teams up with a dude that actually used to hate him to make some full on roots acoustic kind of stuff. Certainly more country than you would expect from a couple of Japanese punks.

Highlights: 丸氷, ダンシングクイーン, オーオーオー, いつも通り

7.5/10

星飼いの少年 - AKIHIDE

Somewhat jazzy and progressive. Mostly instrumental classical guitar based pieces.

Highlights: 青空, 星追いの少女

6.5/10

有頂天 - ポルカドットスティングレイ

First of all, during this period their singer had the best haircut in rock. Shiiiizzz I ain't afraid of you mofos. Secondly, there are so many cool riffs and driving rhythms that it is a veritable party up in here! ラブコール is a certified 20/10 banger!

Highlights: ラブコール, ICHIDAIJI, 有頂天, DENKOUSEKKA

8/10

柏木由紀なりのBiSH -BAD TEMPER- - BiSH

The final pre-BiSH is OVER single and a collaboration with 柏木由紀. I am not sure exactly who she is, but this song is pretty much standard BiSH; kinda punk, but with strings and big catchy stuff. Oh wait; since this is not strictly BiSH, does that mean it is not included in my giant pizza box? I best go investigate...

Highlights: 柏木由紀なりのBiSH -BAD TEMPER-, オーケストラ <KASHiWACK version>

9/10

此処から - Organic Call

I think this may be my first time hearing this song? Because it is so amazing I am sure I would have remembered it. Indie rock with an absolutely SOARING ending.

10/10

歪んだ鉛筆は誰かに折られないために - HAMIDASYSTEM

Dark brooding electro stuff. With vocals that legit sound like one of the girls from BiSH. If the singing was better, this would be seriously great. What can I say? iDOL is SHiT!

Highlights: インビジブル・ムービー, 水槽標本, 舞台に溶かされて

7/10

水平線、続く天青 [EP] - Organic Call

Hot dang, these cats are seriously very good! Easily the best find of this journey - which is stupid, considering they have been in my library for at least five years now. I need MOAR!!!

Highlights: 愛おしき日々たちへ, 空に灯す, 3秒前の憂鬱, 茜色

9/10

溢れた水の行方 - 緑黄色社会

I am not sure if this is peak 緑黄色社会, because their debut album is so brilliant, but this is certainly a worthy successor - even if it is just an EP. Just fantastic pop rock and even a little bit of edge on a couple of songs.

Highlights: Never Come Back, Bitter, サボテン, リトルシンガー

9.5/10

生と詩 - 2

May Prime bless those wonderful kids at Tower Records and their musical choices. One of the most raucous punk albums since The Hives. But also featuring one of the coolest guitar solos on the planet. This album deserved much more notoriety than it received. 

Highlights: 東狂, フォーピース, ルシファー, SとF

9.5/10

生命の弦声笛 - 十一

Somewhat traditional folk-styled music? Super chilled and relaxing - very sparse and minimalist.

Highlights: I feel good

7/10

祈跡 - RADWIMPS

Super early RADWIMPS is such a strange thing. Some of it just sounds like high schoolers messing around on their school's recording equipment.

Highlights: 祈跡

6.5/10

絶体絶命 - RADWIMPS

From the near nadir of their roots to the absolute peak of their awesome. I cannot even count the amount of times I had a fist in the air listening to this album. Hot damn - I had forgotten how cool it is. Perfect way to end a couple of days of RADWIMPS tearing up this marathon.

Highlights: 億万笑者, DADA（dadadada Ver.), 君と羊と青, 救世主

10/10

緑黄色社会 - 緑黄色社会

An absolute gem of an album; the most dreamy indie pop rock, full of emotion and generally fantastic musicianship. I have been critical of almost everything they have released since, because this album is so darn perfect!

Highlights: 真夜中ドライブ, 恋って, Re, 始まりの歌

10/10

脱・既成概念 - BiSH

BiSH is OVER - and so is this marathon, almost! This is one of the weirdest singles ever from them - just the cheesiest of dance pop iDOL SHiT. And the B-side is almost Harry Connick Jr-style jazz pop. I kinda dig it all!

Highlights: 脱・既成概念, I

8/10

華納好歌連場精選 - George Lam

And we have reached the end! And what a song to end with; 男兒當自強 the theme for Once Upon a Time in China (and The Return of the Mystery Monks of the Shaolin Temple - one of the greatest cinematic achievements in history). Makes you feel like giving everyone a no-shadow kick to the face. Especially me for listening to 2025 albums and it taking me all darn year!

10/10

'Albums' listened to: 2025

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

And remember: I ain't afraid of you mofos.

FREE PALESTINE

2025 in 2025: Day 196

フラッグを立てろ - YUKI

Top-tier YUKIちゃん, right here. One of her absolute best songs - and thus, one of the best songs ever - and just the most uplifting vibe. The B-side is more of a bit more chill electro groove.

Highlights: フラッグを立てろ, yes

9/10

マニフェスト - RADWIMPS

I cannot help but feel like these are kind of joke songs? I mean, singing about being Prime Minister and then another song that just sounds like a sea shanty or something. But this is peak RADWIMPS-era, so they make it good.

Highlights: マニフェスト, やどかり

7.5/10

まばたき - YUKI

A slight departure, in that this album is mostly acoustic pop rock. Mostly. There is a still a spot of dance going on, but that is basically dance beats over the acoustic rock. Honestly, the results are VERY enjoyable. 

Highlights: 私は誰だ, レディ・エレクトリック, さよならバイスタンダー, トワイライト

8/10

まるごと・りかい - The Japan Foundation

Me: I think it is mostly singles and EPs from here on, so I should be able to finish in time!

My iTunes Library: Cool story, bro. Here are two hours of Japanese audio lessons to really get you in the mood.

Me: やっばい～

Education/10

ユグドラシル - BUMP OF CHICKEN

Dang this album is a really solid pop rock kind of groove and features one of the absolute coolest songs that would make any day sunny and fun.

Highlights: Sailing Day, ギルド, オンリー ロンリー グローリー (Album Edit), ロストマン

7.5/10

ロゼッタ・ストーン - イケてるハーツ

Another free idol CD. It is very iDOL is SHiT. But still not as bad as some of the other idol music I actually have...

Highlights: Distance Love

6.5/10

人生×僕= - ONE OK ROCK

The only way I can describe this is like big stadium emo rock. And bah gawd Taka's voice is just the best. As I said before, I really need more ONE OK ROCK.

Highlights: Clock Strikes, The Beginning, 69, ONION!

7.5/10

人間なのさ - Hump Back

If Josie and The Pussycats were Japanese, I can not help but think they would sound like this. All the best grrl punk comes from Osaka.

Highlights: クジラ, サンデーモーニング, 恋をしよう, 僕らは今日も車の中

7.5/10

人間開花 - RADWIMPS

And this is where they started to turn - there are songs that are the usual greatness, but there are also some seriously bad songs. Like really bad. And stupid. But the good is really good! I just think losing their drummer really changed something for the worse.

Highlights: 前前前世 [original ver.], 光, O&O

7/10

優しい日本語 - NHK Radio Japan

More basic Japanese audio. This time in the form of short conversations. A couple are so quick, I always struggle to repeat it in time.

Practice/10

光芒 - Hakubi

Hanging out in Tower Records trying to decide what to buy leads to hearing things that make you go 'Oh, ok - I will buy this'. Mostly because I knew my friend would love this EP. And I was right. Female led indie rock is right up her Q-Zone.

Highlights: 光芒, どこにも行けない僕たちは, サーチライト

8/10

君の名は。- RADWIMPS

When this album hits, it hits it hard and almost perfectly. More of the score pieces are fine enough and work wonderfully in the context of the movie - so I guess it is job well done there, too!

Highlights: なんでもないや (Movie Ver.), 夢灯籠, 前前前世  (Movie Ver.), スパークル (Movie Ver.)

7/10

夏を生きる - 緑黄色社会

Quite a good song, this one - very much on form and in the style of music that made them so great at the start, without actually reaching those heights.

8/10

天気の子 - RADWIMPS

Similar to 君の名は。in that there are just a few wonderful songs at the end of a lot of musical score. The guest singer does help, but this could have been just an EP.

Highlights: 愛にできることはまだあるかい, 大丈夫 (Movie Edit), グランドエスケープ (Movie Edit),  祝祭

6.5/10

幸せ - 緑黄色社会

This has everything you could want; dreamy ballad, slightly manic attitude and good fun pop. And all with a funky bass and fun synth lines.

Highlights: ひとりごと, にちようび, 逆転

7.5/10

悲しみよとまれ - BiSH

BiSH is OVER continues, with an absolutely killer drum track - it is like a big power ballad, I guess. The B-side is almost a Rage Against the Machine homage.

8/10

愛してると言ってくれ - BiSH

More BiSH is OVER, this time with some straight forward pop style and then a bit more of a punk-ish kind of thing. Maybe punk-adjacent?

Highlights: 愛してると言ってくれ, GO TO HELL

7.5/10

'Albums' listened to so far: 2008

FREE PALESTINE

2025 in 2025: Day 195

きみとわたしとメロンソーダ - みきなつみ

Young girl indie rocker. Songs are pretty cool, but I admittedly am not the biggest fan of her voice. But the songs really are VERY good!

Highlights: 神様も知らない, Dear, 本気を魅せてやれ, 君へ送る唄, 

8/10

ここにいない君がいる [Single] - パノラマメロウ

More dreamy female indie rock. I would like to hear more from these cats, because this song is a solid vibe.

8/10

ココロノオト - 有安杏果

This was my album of the year for 2017. In hindsight, it was really Cinema Trip - I just did not discover that until right at the end of 2017, because I am a fool. But this still holds up very well. Green's voice is certainly more of an idol thing that suited being in MCZ a bit more, but these songs themselves are mostly just right in my Q-Zone.

Highlights: Drive Drive, 小さな勇気, 心の旋律, ヒカリの声

9/10

ココロノセンリツ ～Feel a heartbeat～ Vol. 1 [Live] - 有安杏果

Not a bad live performance. I know I have this on blu-ray and thought it was a decent watch - her overall performance was quite good.

Highlights: 遠吠え [Live], ペダル [Live], ヒカリの声 [Live], Drive Drive [Live]

7/10

ココロノセンリツ ～feel a heartbeat～ Vol. 1.3 & 1.5 - 有安杏果

This, however, is certainly not as good as the previous performance. It is far too long and vocally it is quite poor. Which is such a shame, because this stands as one the most beautifully presented box sets in my collection.

Highlights: Drive Drive [Live], 小さな勇気 [Live], TRAVEL FANTASISTA [Live]

6/10

ごめんね - BiSH

BiSH is OVER, part something. The title track is pretty decent enough - just kinda middle of the road indie rock style, while the B-side is a bit more punked up.

Highlights: ごめんね, SAKURA

7/10

サヨナラサラバ - BiSH
BiSH is OVER, part HELLS YES THIS IS THE SHiT!!! The title track is absolute murder dance rock X 100. The B-side is more dance rock, less murder, but still 100% awesome.

Highlights: サヨナラサラバ, A long way to go

10/10

サヨナラムーンタウン - シナリオアート

Hot damn, these kids must be the best band that I never listen to. Adding them to the list of bands to explore further after this is all over!

Highlights: ハローグッバイ, サヨナラムーンタウン

9/10

湿った夏の始まり - aiko

Good fun jazzy pop.

Highlights: 格好いいな, だから, ドライブモード, あなたは

7/10

シュプレヒコール [Single] - RADWIMPS

The title track is the very definition of 'a lot going on'; everyone seems to be doing their own thing during the verses in some way and even the drums are layered! But it all comes together massively in the chorus. The B-sides are much more simplistic.

Highlights: シュプレヒコール

8/10

すてきな15才 - YUKI

Kind of like a best of the last five years or something - basically the singles, so I have a couple of them elsewhere in different versions. More YUKI is never a bad thing.

Highlights: フラッグを立てろ, わたしの願い事, 好きってなんだろう…涙, ダーリン待って

8/10

すてんだっぷガールズ! ～第1話 ダメダメ怪獣にご用心～ - PASSPO☆

❤️

Highlights: すてんだっぷガールズ! ～第1話ダメダメ怪獣にご用心～, Party like a Rockstar!

10/10

それだけが、生きる意味なんだ / Spiral Star - 純情のアフィリア

Fun fact: I stayed in like a hostel or something in Tokyo and they had a bunch of free CDs of the local idol groups. This was one of those. And it is actually pretty good - not too far removed from the type of idol nonsense one would find in an episode of Love Live!

Highlights: Spiral Star, それだけが、生きる意味なんだ

7/10

×と○と罪と - RADWIMPS

This is the album I always forget. It is not bad - certainly not by the standards of the later output - but I just never find anything memorable. This listen has somewhat improved it for me.

Highlights: 会心の一撃, アイアンバイブル, いえない, 針と棘

7/10

どんなに君が変わっても僕がどんなふうに変わっても明日が来る君に会うため - BiSH

BiSH is OVER part return to the standard radio rock kind of thing. I dig it; whenever they do music like this, it still works, because they have unique voices. Even when they are not screaming for my death.

Highlights: ハッピーエンドじゃなくても

7.5/10

パレードが続くなら - YUKI

For her 20th Anniversary, YUKI brought back punk YUKI for a fleeting moment and it is glorious! She also continues to pull out the most amazing love songs on the planet. 

Highlights: タイムカプセル, It's 盟友, Naked, My Vision

7.5/10

ぴょ - BiSH

BiSH is OVER, part two. Ha! Tricked you - I actually know this time! Absolute punked up insanity, followed by less insane punk cool.

Highlights: ぴょ, HONESTY

9/10

'Albums' listened to so far: 1991

FREE PALESTINE

2025 in 2025: Day 189

Young Americans - David Bowie

Bowie getting a bit funky and exploring his soul music influences. With some help from John Lennon. And a lot of saxomaphone.

Highlights: Fame, Young Americans, Somebody Up There Likes Me, Win

7/10

Young Man with the Big Beat - Elvis Presley

Oh, you thought we were done with Elvis box sets?!? This is purely his master recordings from 1956. Which is still 40 songs and over 90 minutes of awesomeness.

Highlights: One-Sided Love Affair, Trying to Get to You, Lawdy Miss Clawdy, Rip It Up, Paralyzed, Don't Be Cruel

8/10

Young Man with the Big Beat: Live Performances - Elvis Presley

The Las Vegas performance is so fantastic; even as a young man, this dude never took any of this seriously - he keeps calling Heartbreak Hotel "Heartburn Motel", making jokes about the money his record label is making, and insulting all his own songs. The Louisiana Hayride stuff is a mixed bag - the performances are great and full of energy, but they were recorded off a radio in 1956 so the quality is about what you would expect.

Highlights: Long Tall Sally [Live at Frontier Hotel, Las Vegas - May 6, 1956], Money Honey [Live at Frontier Hotel, Las Vegas - May 6, 1956], Blue Suede Shoes [Live at Frontier Hotel, Las Vegas - May 6, 1956]

6/10

Your New Favourite Band - The Hives

Fast punk mayhem. The Hives when they were young were something else!

Highlights: Here We Go Again, The Hives Are Law You Are Crime, Fever

8/10

Yourself or Someone Like You - Matchbox Twenty

This is the most 90s radio rock sounding album since the 90s. Rob Thomas' voice is sooooo American, but he manages to convey a lot of emotion, which really carries the simplicity of the songs. 

Highlights: Long Day, Busted, Real World, Hang

8/10

YUKI "The Present" 2010.6.14,15 Bunkamura Orchard Hall - YUKI

This is somewhat interesting, because in true YUKI form she gives a few of the songs more of a jazz interpretation and also works them in to some little medleys. The whole is just a bit let down because her voice is nowhere near the awesome as it normally can be. And it is a bit long. But the setlist is fantastic!

Highlights: ハミングバード [Live], 恋愛模様 [Live], ティンカーベル [Live], Home Sweet Home [Live]

7/10

YUKI concert tour "SOUNDS OF TWENTY" 2022 9月19日 札幌・カナモトホール - YUKI

I was really hoping this version of 呪い would resemble the PRISMIC tour 2002 version, but I forgot that YUKI is ever-evolving. 

Highlights: 愛に生きて [Live], ヘイ! ユー! [Live], パレードが続くなら [Live]

7/10

YUKI concert tour "trance/forme" 2019 東京国際フォーラム ホールA - YUKI

This tour, for me (forme?), is YUKI at her vocal peak. And the reworking of some of these songs is just phenomenal. But bah gawd even on the fairly faithful performances, her vocals are just so much more than expected. And the end run of this is ALL THE FEELS. No cap: this version of はみだせ ラインダンスから is one of my all-time favourite songs (which is amazing, since the studio version is just kind of a song).

Highlights: はみだせ ラインダンスから [Live], フラッグを立てろ [Live], 鳴いてる怪獣 [Live], JOY [Live], 美しいわ [Live]

8.5/10

YUKI LIVE "little night music" 2023年9月16日 東京・Zepp DiverCity - YUKI

The last of my live YUKI albums and this one sure is a killer! I am glad I still at least have a few YUKI studio albums to come.

Highlights: タイムカプセル [Live], プレゼント [Live], ラスボス [Live], 忘れる唄 [Live]

8/10

Yume No Ukiyo Ni Saitemina [EP] - Momoiro Clover Z & Kiss

Such a perfect combination and it totally works, because MCZ do the whole heavy idol music thing at times and do it well (see my earlier words about their albums I have). 

Highlights: Yume No Ukiyo Ni Saitemina, Samurai Son

8/10

ZUTTO - BiSH

My girls ending the year of BiSH is OVER in a fairly appropriate way - one pop punk song and then a ballad. Not their peak or anything, but would have been a fine enough ending? Except they released another two singles after this. Milking it!

Highlights: ZUTTO, CALL ME AGAiN

8/10

・・・ - SAKANAMON

Japanese indie rock. Kinda quirky in parts, mostly pretty raucous and uptempo. 

Highlights: DAPPI, 反照, 凡庸リアライズ, STOPPER STEPPER

7.5/10

1:59PM - 2PM

Time for some classic K-Pop. It is fairly standard male idol quality stuff.

Highlights: My Heart, Heartbeat, I Was Crazy About You

7/10

Unfinished Music, No. 1: Two Virgins - John Lennon & Yoko Ono

Ummmm what? Why is this album placed here? I would log in to my computer to figure out, but that died. Like my brain listening to this.

Highlights: Remember Love

Ummm/10

Unfinished Music, No. 2: Life with the Lions - John Lennon & Yoko Ono

I promise you, the intro for Cambridge 1969 will always be entertaining to me; just having Yoko Ono introduce it so calmly, before launching into her trademark wails over a wall of feedback is a masterpiece of trolling. 

Highlights: Song For John

Ermmm/10

Wedding Album - John Lennon & Yoko Ono

I would guess that under the "Sorting" field for these albums, it has a hash sign or something. Maybe an exclamation point - like a warning?

Highlights: Listen the Snow is Falling

Mmhmm/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1906

FREE PALESTINE

2025 in 2025: Day 180

Ultraviolence - Lana Del Rey

I recall being utterly disappointed in this album on release, but after revisiting it a few years later, I was actually quite drawn to it. And I think it has aged better than Born to Die, perhaps? There is a slightly different vibe, without being as boring and vapid as Honeymoon, and without making me actually listen to the album by choice on any given day...

Highlights: West Coast, Cruel World, Money Power Glory, Black Beauty

6.5/10

Under Construction - Missy Elliott

All the talking explaining the tracks is such a... choice. Sometimes pretty hilarious, but also breaks up the flow at times. But the bounce! Timbaland brought DA BOUNCE! And Missy's rhymes are all sorts of clever and engaging. 

Highlights: Gossip Folks, Work It, Bring the Pain, Can You Hear Me

7.5/10

Under Pressure - The Used & My Chemical Romance

There was a live version of this that was quite fun... in 2005, when I was mid-20s emo LOGMAN. Now I am mid-40s cool as a cucumber LOGMAN and I can still appreciate it somewhat, while also acknowledging that it is hilariously inferior to the original and should be deleted from existence.

4/10

Under Rug Swept - Alanis Morissette

I do wonder how this album could have ended up if Alanis had continued to collaborate with Glen Ballard; would he have helped to force more hooks? Or would he have upped the energy somewhat? Because this album is more relaxed than even MTV Unplugged and is more focused on what she wants to say than making hit songs.

Highlights: Surrendering, Narcissus, Hands Clean, Precious Illusions

7/10

Under the Iron Sea - Keane

Classic example of a band getting famous making sad music, but the follow-up music is suddenly much happier. So clearly being rich and famous suddenly improved their life. Fair enough! 

Highlights: Is It Any Wonder?, A Bad Dream

6/10

The Understanding - Memphis Bleek

I only have the song Is That Your Chick (The Lost Verses), because it features Jay-Z and Missy and when they performed it at Jay-Z's "retirement" shows, I thought it was pretty killer. Still do!

8/10

Undertow - Tool

There are so many cool riffs on this album - I wonder if I can remember how to play them? I might have to test that some day. Nineties Tool is the best Tool.

Highlights: 4 Degrees, Crawl Away, Bottom, Flood

8/10

Undiscovered - James Morrison

This album is surpisingly enjoyable; I was expecting something along the lines of Jamie Cullum, but instead Morrison's voice is very soulful and his lyrics decent. Adult jazz pop, but not so... white?

Highlights: Undiscovered, Better Man, One Last Chance

7/10

Unfinished Business - Jay-Z & R. Kelly

Outtakes from their misjudged collaboration. The funniest part is R. Kelly singing about their "world tour", like he was not expecting it to get cancelled halfway through. There is nothing here that is even close to being as offensive as found on their first album, so this may actually be better!

Highlights: We Got Em Goin', Mo' Money, Don't Let Me Die

5.5/10

The Unforgettables E.P. - MONOEYES

No lie - I was both excited and disappointed when this was released. Dude said he was writing The End of Yesterday like it would be his last album, and then five years later he was like 'Oh, I guess maybe I just meant with my best band - I will still make music with these inferior ones!'. And the whole EP rocks hard, so in my face, I guess...

Highlights: Ladybird, Atmosphere, The Unforgettables, Adrenaline

9/10

Unmasked - Kiss

Kiss turn into a cheesy 80s pop rock band and I love it for them. And then they needed Bryan Adams to come and make them rock harder. Make it make sense.

Highlights: Shandi, Tomorrow, Talk to Me, Two Sides of the Coin

8/10

Up All Night - Razorlight

This is the sound of a hungry, young indie band putting it all out there and capturing a sound and vibe they will never be able to repeat.

Highlights: Don't Go Back to Dalston, To the Sea, Rock'n Roll Lies, Rip It Up

7.5/10

Up the Bracket - The Libertines

Peter Doherty delivers his vocals likes he been up all night on coke and chugging a bottle of whiskey between takes. Electric guitars so raw and sloppy it sounds like he is on the verge of passing out. Acoustic guitar sounds like he is using some half broken piece of junk from a local secondhand store. Super solid drumming that somehow holds them all together. This album really captures that early-00s UK indie punk rock perfectly!

Highlights: Death on the Stairs, I Get Along, Up the Bracket, The Boy Looked at Johnny

8/10

UP to ME - BiSH

Just another average heavy idol single from the BiSH is OVER run. Genuinely nothing to write home about... so I will just keep it in the BLog.

Highlights: YOUTH, UP to ME

6.5/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1770

FREE PALESTINE

2025 in 2025: Day 160

The Scandalous Sex Suite - Prince

Remixes of Scandalous from the Batman soundtrack. One has a big extended guitar solo, one has Kim Basinger talking like Prince is trying to mack on her.

Highlights: That big guitar solo?

6.5/10

Scary Monsters - David Bowie

80s Bowie is just a lot of fun with his oddity. And funky basslines. 

Highlights: Ashes to Ashes, Fashion, Kingdom Come, Teenage Wildlife

7/10

Scissor Sisters - Scissor Sisters

Is this gayest album of 2004? Turning Pink Floyd into a club dance song would certainly suggest that. The whole thing just constantly switches between Elton John doing 70s pop and late 90s club remixes. 

Highlights: Music is the Victim, Take Your Mama Out, Filthy/Gorgeous, Laura

6.5/10

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack - Various Artists

Super hipster indie rock all the way, but some of it is pretty good. Especially the songs performed by the bands in the movie. I would totally go to a Sex Bob-omb concert.

Highlights: We Are Sex-Bob-omb - Sex Bob-omb, Black Sheep - Metric, Teenage Dream - T-Rex, Anthems for a Seventeen Year Old Girl - Broken Social Scene

6.5/10

Scoundrel Days - a-ha

More of the usual from these dudes, somewhat darker? It was the mid-90s, so everyone was on that kick, but it is still kind of a mature pop thing.

Highlights: Cry Wolf, Manhattan Skyline, Scoundrel Days, The Swing of Things

7/10

Scream & Shout [Single] - will.i.am

It says Britney Spears is here, but is that her doing the British speaking voice? Repetitive trash. Which could apply to almost every song by will.i.am or Britney Spears.

4/10

Sea Change - Beck

This was the album that got me interested in Beck; it is more acoustic and introspective than anything else he had released to that point, and that was the sort of thing I saw myself doing. There are some good songs, but some of it is a bit... uninteresting. All very chill. Particularly compared to his other work.

Highlights: Sunday Sun, Lost Cause, Lonesome Tears

6/10

Second Sighting - Frehley's Comet

Nothing as catchy as the debut Frehley's Comet album, but still pretty decent Ace Frehley rock album. His style never changes. And that was a good thing. RIP Ace!!!

Highlights: Insane, It's Over Now, Loser in a Fight, Juvenile Delinquent

7/10

Secret - Ayumi Hamasaki

Big beats. Big strings. Big rock guitars. Big hooks. Big ballads. Big feels. Big anthems. If I ever met an Ayu fan that did not love this album, I would be big skeptical of them. 

Highlights: Startin', Born to Be..., kiss o' kill, BLUE BIRD, Beautiful Fighters

9/10

Secret Samadhi - Live

This was Live trying to be a bit darker and edgier and just ending up being noisier and messier. And half these songs genuinely sound the same. Some really lame lyrics and even lamer guitar solos.

Highlights: Graze, Lakini's Juice, Gas Hed Goes West

6/10

SEE YOU - BiSH

Ah I missed BiSH! BiSH is OVER episode something seven? For every great month, there was a really average month. This was one of the latter.

Highlights: I am wasting my time with this marathon when I could be listening to better BiSH

6/10

Seeker Lover Keeper - Seeker Lover Keeper

Three of Australia's top indie folk women unite to make a super group of indie folk women and the result is... amazing lyrics and killer harmonies. I would say it is possibly a little underwhelming, but honestly it is pretty much what it says it is on the box. And I will always have all the heart emojis for Sarah Blasko.

Highlights: Even Though I'm a Woman, Light All My Lights, Bridges Burned, We Will Know What It Is

7/10

Send Away the Tigers - Manic Street Preachers

The most consistent rock album by the Manics. It is just straight up Summer rock, like they have been listening to ELLEGARDEN all Summer like me! Except Summer is only just beginning. And replace actual Summer lyrics with a communist manifesto.

Highlights: Your Love Alone is Not Enough, Indian Summer, The Second Great Depression, Rendition, Autumnsong

9/10

Seventeen Seconds - The Cure

Well, this sure is a change of pace. The REAL first album by The Cure. Lots of dark space and atmosphere and clean guitars.

Highlights: A Forest, Seventeen Seconds, Play For Today

7/10

SEX AND LOVE - Enrique Iglesias

Enrique and every guest artist he could find! And Pitbull just hanging around as usual. Some of this is just by the numbers, but some of it is a full on PARTY! And the ballads are pretty much all perfection.

Highlights: Bailando, There Goes My Baby, El Perdedor, Physical, Heart Attack

7/10

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band - The Beatles

I gave a detailed review of this album waaaay back in the day! And I still maintain it is overrated.

Highlights: A Day in the Life, Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, With a Little Help from My Friends, Sgt, Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

7/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1485

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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 133

News of the World - Queen

It is Queen! Late-70s Queen! Which means iconic epic songs and anthems, hard rockin' fun, super chill songs - this album covers most of their bases. 

Highlights: We Are the Champions, Spread Your Wings, It's Late, We Will Rock You

8/10

News of the World: Raw Sessions - Queen

Pretty much the main reason to get the News of the World boxset. Just Brian May putting together an "alternate" version of the album. Clearly there were not many versions of Sleeping on the Sidewalk lying around, so they had to complete things with a live version. Some other songs get almost instrumental versions. 

Highlights: Spread Your Wings (Alternate Take), We Are the Champions (Alternate Version), It's Late (Alternate Version), All Dead All Dea (Original Rough Mix)

7/10

THE NEXT [BiSH Ver.] - BiSH

Just when they were supposed to be done, they go and release a song from the show to find the successor to BiSH. It is fine, no doubt better than the kids on the show did, but by no means classic BiSH.

7/10

→Next Generation - PSYCHIC LOVER

Bah gawd these guys know how to get the party back on track! Pretty much the classic PSYCHIC LOVER mix of bubblegum pop and 80s shred-tastic metal. 

Highlights: ネ・バ・ギ・ビ・ラ! ～ Never Give It Up, →Next Generation, Proud of Wings (instrumental)

8/10

Next Level - Ayumi Hamasaki

I always love that this album starts with such a beautiful song, and then quickly moves in to full-on pop and disco. I need to watch the concert from this tour again, because Ayu in that bob wig and her disco hoodie was absolutely iconic. That strings section in GREEN is about the smoothest thing since Disco Inferno, and lifts the song to places it probably would not deserve otherwise. There are like 4 or 5 instrumentals on here, but they actually flow seamlessly and you do not even notice half of them. Pretty well flawless album, this one!

Highlights: NEXT LEVEL, EnergizE, Days, Rule, rollin'

9/10

A Night at the Opera - Queen

More ICONIC 70s Queen, you say? The crazy thing about this album is it most of this album is some of their biggest hits and most epic recordings. And every so often, they split things up with just pure nonsense and silliness. Bohemian Rhapsody gets all the attention (and deservedly so), but The Prophet's Song is the most adventurous song and features the most incredible vocal layering. And the most perfect heavy guitar tone for about 20 seconds.

Highlights: The Prophet's Song, Bohemian Rhapsody, 39, Death on Two Legs (Dedicated to...)

8/10

Night in the Ruts - Aerosmith

I lost track of things somewhere and realised this album was on. Seriously. It just encapsulates the most mediocre ideas about how mediocre Aerosmith could be.

Highlights: No Surpize

5.5/10

Night Visions - Imagine Dragons

Once again, how did I end up with this album in my iTunes library? It is not bad or anything, but I barely know 1 song by this band. Oh hey, this song sounds familiar - maybe I have heard that one before, as well? They sound like Coldplay for a modern audience, which is weird considering we still have Coldplay out there touring being Coldplay. I think they still make albums, too?

Highlights: It's Time, On Top of the World, Amsterdam, Working Man

6.5/10

Nimrod - Green Day

Green Day sounding like a less-awesome Living End; this album has some fun, but has them veering further away from pop punk styles of their earlier albums. Really not sure what you would even call this, other than radio rock that could not even make it on radio? I am actually being quite harsh - this album is enjoyable for the most part - it just was very disappointing for someone that had these guys as one of my favourite bands as a teenager. There is none of the fire Dookie and Insomniac had. But I had forgotten about some of the gems on this album, so that is on me.

Highlights: Haushinka, Uptight, The Grouch, Hitchin' a Ride

7/10

Nine - blink-182

This is a real mature album for these dudes; no silly skits or crude lyrics. Just a bunch of earnest pop punk with a bit of emo in there with some electro fun thrown for extra good times. For me, this is the spiritual successor to self-titled and a testament to how much better they were with Skiba.

Highlights: Pin the Grenade, Blame it on My Youth, No Heart to Speak Of, The First Time

8/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1175

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2025 in 2025: Day 112

The Libertines - The Libertines

I fell in love with Up the Bracket almost instantly, so was very excited once I picked this album up. And it kicks off with one of the best songs by The Libertines. But the rest of the album after that is decidedly average, sans a few highlights here and there. And then they split up due to many MANY insane reasons. Honestly, I am surprised Peter Doherty managed to cobble together an album this coherent. And is still alive. 

Highlights: Can't Stand Me Now, What Became of the Likely Lads, What Katie Did, The Ha Ha Wall

7/10

Lick It Up - Kiss

I do not have the patience to write about this album again. One of my least favourite Kiss albums. The demo of Not For The Innocent on the Creatures of the Night box set is genuinely better than the studio version found here.

Highlights: Lick It Up, Gimme More, A Million to One

6/10

LiE LiE LiE - BiSH

Possibly the second best single from the BiSH is OVER series? Featuring a comically fun song that constantly just says "Fuck you!", and a b-side that is also upbeat and totally rips it up (and rips off Bulls on Parade). Good times!

Highlights: LiE LiE LiE, Why are you alive??

10/10

Lies - Guns 'N Roses

Oh man, the Live Like a Suicide EP part just rips! Rips hard!! Axl's voice on this is killer. And Duff's tone is so badass and punchy as hell. The acoustic side is also very good. Patience is iconic. And not in the way that kids these days use that word.

Highlights: Patience, Mama Kin, Used to Love Her, Nice Boys

8/10

Life After Death - The Notorious B.I.G.

At the risk of losing all of my hip-hop cred, I have never been all that big on Biggie. Just have not actually heard much of him, if I am being totally honest. Maybe one day I should correct that? This song, however, is just the funkiest slice of 90s super fly jams. And Mase is pretty cool.

10/10

Life Is Peachy - KoЯn

16 year-old LOGMAN thought this album was a total mess. Almost 30 years later, and it is still an absolute mess. But, you know what? I actually did not hate listening to this as much as I expected I would, considering how awfully all their other albums have aged. Now, I am not saying this is totally rad or that I will even be keeping it in my library - because I am looking forward to deleting the whole KoЯn section once this is over - but it is mostly listenable. Mostly. K@#0%! is one of the worst attempts for a song of this entire marathon so far. Absolute immature nonsense. Meanwhile, Wicked is just a barrel of fun and I will give all credit to Chino Moreno, because he is cool and his band is cool and KoЯn are definitely not. Hot damn, I did not expect to be saying Life is Peachy is the best KoЯn album, but here we are...

Highlights: Wicked, Chi, Good Go, Ass Itch

6/10

A Life Less Ordinary (Original Soundtrack) - Various Artists

Aah, back when Ewan McGregor could act... This album is almost like a time capsule of electro Britpop from the late 90s. Plus Beck. But he kind of subverts all ideas like that. I always found it interesting that the movie features two different versions of Leave by R.E.M. and then the soundtrack has the depressing minimalist version, while the full 'band' version is on their New Adventures in Hi-Fi album. Most of this is just kind of here...

Highlights: A Life Less Ordinary - Ash, Always on My Mind - Elvis Presley, Beyond the Sea - Bobby Darin, Don't Leave - Faithless

7/10

A Life of Saturdays - Dexter Freebish

I know nothing of Dexter Freebish, other than the song Leaving Town. I met a guy in Melbourne who would always jam this song, so we would jam it together. Among other great songs. He was a great guy and I hope he is doing well in life.

10/10

Life on Other Planets - Supergrass

This album is so consistently fun and drivingly upbeat. It is exactly what you want from a Supergrass album in 2002.

Highlights: Grace, Funniest Thing, Can't Get Up, La Song

8/10

Life Won't Wait - Rancid

How is Bloodclot the only Rancid song in my collection? Like, I do not even have Roots Radicals in here? Take back my punk card and send me to the oldie station, I guess...

10/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 975

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2025 in 2025: Day 111

Less Than SEX - BiSH

This is a single that only came with the limited blu-ray or something. I only discovered their existence when watching FROM DUSK TiLL DAWN, where they performed their entire discography up to that point. These are awesome songs and ヒーローワナビー one of the coolest songs on the planet.

Highlights: ヒーローワナビー, MOON CHiLDREN

9/10

Let It Be-minus - Sad Dracula

I feel like this almost had potential? Like, it is clearly a dude having a mess around and still has stupid lyrics and silly screaming, but if DRA had put a bit more effort in, I am sure he could have made a really good album out of both Sad Dracula albums. And, quite frankly, I would rather hear him making this nonsense than hear him whining and feeling sorry for himself. The punk version of Dear Candy rips.

Highlights: People Make Mistakes, Steve Miller & Weed, 4th of July, Until Then

6.5/10

Let It Be - The Beatles

This is the most un-Beatles album, for sure. Unsurprising LOGMAN opinion: McCartney's songs on this are the least interesting. Sure, it could all use a bit less Spector-ness, but I will give him props for how he managed to edit some of these things in to actual songs. Maybe it could have been great? I am not sure. There certainly are some fantastic songs on here, it is all just a bit messy.

Highlights: Dig a Pony, Across the Universe, I've Got a Feeling, One After 909

7/10

Let Me Rock You - Peter Criss

To quote Mr. Criss, "Let me remind you...". Bah gawd that opening track is criminally underappreciated. Fun album! 

Highlights: Let It Go, Tears, Bad Boys, Move On Over

7/10

Let Your Dim Light Shine - Soul Asylum

Ooh I had some songs from this in my head the other day, but totally did not realise I actually have this! Joke is on LOGMAN today. These guys clearly went to the Goo Goo Dolls school of alt rock. It always came across as fake corporate grunge to me, but I think they were legit indie until the success of Runaway Train. Or maybe that was their first attempt at doing the radio thing?

Highlights: Misery, Just Like Anyone

7.5/10

Let's Face It - The Mighty Mighty Bosstones

I should have this whole album, but instead I only have The Impression That I Get. Ska gets a bad rap, because songs like this are what make the world a better place.

10/10

Let's Get It On - Marvin Gaye

That opening is so recognisable and funky and sexy. And that voice is just silky smooth. The only criticism I can muster is that, like What's Going On? before it, the whole album almost sounds like one long song. But it sure is a groove.

Highlights: Let's Get It On, Keep Gettin' It On, You Sure Love to Ball, Please Stay (Once You Go Away)

7/10

Let's Get It On (Deluxe Edition) - Marvin Gaye

Of course I have this. I am not some sort of uncivilised fool! And most of this is fairly necessary; the demos are awesome and then there are most of the tracks from You're The Man. Which could have been a very good album, as well! Marvin Gaye was special.

Highlights: The World is Rated X, I'm Gonna Give You Respect, Try It You'll Like It, We Can Make it Baby

7/10

Let's Get It Started - MC Hammer

Hammer's debut or second album, depending on who you ask. Basically a remix of his indie-released debut album that no one in the world has a copy of. Hammer's vocal delivery is very different; much more of a shout-style, as opposed to his more chilled rapping that would come on later albums. Very dance oriented. Very nice. 

Highlights: Let's Get It Started, Ring 'Em, Cold Go MC Hammer, They Put Me in the Mix

7/10

LETTERS - BiSH

More COVID-era BiSH releases? Oh wait, Less Than SEX was not - I just got exposed to those songs from a COVID-era performance. My bad! This is an EP/Mini Album. Half of it is pretty average, I must admit, while the other half is VERY good. The punk-pop stuff in particular. 

Highlights: スーパーヒーローミュージック, co, ぶち抜け, I'm waiting for my dawn

7.5/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 965

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2025 in 2025: Day 107

Kill Bill Vol. 1 - Various Artists

This is, in fact, only Battle Without Honor or Humanity by Tomoyasu Hotei. It is a very, very cool instrumental track.

10/10

KILL MY DOUBT - ITZY

There is a song on this EP called Psychic Lover, which I can only assume is an ode to one of the greatest Japanese rock bands. For sure.

Highlights: Kill Shot, CAKE

7/10

KiLLER BiSH - BiSH

The major label debut with still a strong alt. idol flavour, and the intent is loud and clear from the opening track; get ready for destruction! Lots of madness and screaming with KiLLER hooks. Helluva consistent album, this one.

Highlights: DEADMAN, summertime, Throw away, 本当本気

8/10

A Kind of Magic - Queen

This is the album that made me buy all the 2011 reissues; I had the 1991 remaster most of my life and it was so terribly compressed it was almost unlistenable once I got proper ears. I always get in my head that this album is not that great, but it really is only 2 songs. The rest is absolute perfect examples of Queen; big rock, massive ballad, triumphant pop.

Highlights: One Vision, Friends Will Be Friends, Gimme The Prize (Kurgan's Theme), A Kind of Magic

8/10

KiND PEOPLE / リズム - BiSH

Oooh a double-dose of BiSH this morning. The most average of 'rock' songs with an awesomely massive power ballady-type thing.

Highlights: リズム 

7.5/10

King for a Day... Fool for a Lifetime - Faith No More

This was such a departure compared to Angel Dust. Less keyboards. No rapping. No "gay disco". Much less fun. Even Mike Patton's vocal stylings are way different. I remember a friend of mine at the time of release wondering if he had been replaced. It varies between wannabe thrash metal and lounge jazz and just straight-up schlock before ending with some almost gospel.

Highlights: Ricochet, The Gentle Art of Making Enemies, Cuckoo for Caca, Just a Man

7/10

King of Rock - Run-D.M.C.

This is certainly not my favourite Run-D.M.C. album, but they sure have some killer rhymes going on. Because I have the bonus tracks, I will add that the Beastie Boys version of Slow and Low is actually superior. Somehow.

Highlights: King of Rock, Can You Rock It Like This, Darryl and Joe (Krush-Groove 3), You Talk Too Much

8/10

KINGDOM - SPYAIR

More epic rock. Less memorable than anything on their BEST album, which probably makes sense? It still rocks. Genuinely need more SPYAIR.

Highlights: Don't Look Back, Brand New Days, RAGE OF DUST, スクランブル

7/10

Kingdom Come - Jay-Z

This album is best enjoyed by ignoring everything Jay-Z is rapping about. Because it is all so much more vapid than usual; like, the dude always raps about being rich and what not, but it just feels even more egregious here. Particularly when he raps about being friends with Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow. Boy, that line has aged poorly.  I would say the same about this album, but I do not believe it was even considered good back in 2006.

Highlights: Beach Chair, Kingdom Come, Do You Wanna Ride, Show Me What You Got

6/10

Kinky - Kinky

I love Kinky, but this album is their least memorable and outside of the absolutely brilliant Cornman, there is nothing that sticks. I will say, though, that it is consistently groovy overall. Probably because 90% of the songs sound the same.

Highlights: Cornman, Ejercicio #16, Tonos Rosa, 

6.5/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 928

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2025 in 2025: Day 101

INKYMAP - INKYMAP

Just saw their drummer has left the group. That is a real bummer, because these guys just get better and better and this album is a shining example of how consistently great their brand of punk rock is. Just great track after great track.

Highlights: 飛行機雲, Morning Glory, 93, D.W.C.

8.5/10

innocent arrogance - BiSH

The "final" BiSH single. After what was supposed to be the final single at the end of the whole 'BiSH iS OVER' thing. And this was only the final until they did BiSH THE NEXT. Which produced two singles. Crazy stuff. This is big epic stuff. Not perfect, but still decent.

8/10

An Innocent Man - Billy Joel

The influence of 50s rock'n roll and doo wop feature heavily on this album. There is even some 60s Elvis vibes to some of these tracks. And Joel's love for Christie Brinkley is all over this. Which is completely understandable.

Highlights: The Longest Time, Christie Lee, Keeping the Faith, Tell Her About It

7/10

Innuendo - Queen

The most perfect guitar tone, which even makes up for Freddie Mercury singing about his cat peeing on his bed. The Show Must Go On may well be the greatest and most appropriate album closer in rock history. The best until the very end.

Highlights: Innuendo, Headlong, These are the Days of Our Lives, Bijou, The Show Must Go On

8/10

Inside In/Inside Out - The Kooks

Standard mid-00s British indie rock fare. The use of acoustic guitar everywhere adds a nice flavour. Pretty decent stuff, really.

Highlights: Sofa Song, She Moves in Her Own Way, Naïve, Time Awaits

6.5/10

Inside Out - MC Hammer

Hammer is back with his MC title and a sound that is very 1995. Well, the first half is; it is classic hip-hop and it grooves hard. The second half of the album is gospel. This may well be his most consistent album! It lacks the real highs of his earlier work, but there is nothing bad and he mostly has the song lengths under control. Mostly.

Highlights: Keep On, Everything is Alright, Bustin Loose, A Brighter Day

7.5/10

Insomniac - Green Day

Like Dookie, I used to perform a number of these songs while busking. Which was silly, because this album is far less known that Dookie. But not caring about that is punk rock. And this album being less popular also makes it more punk by default. That is absolutely how this works.

Highlights: Stuart and the Ave, Brain Stew, Westbound Sign, 86

8/10

Insomniac - Enrique Iglesias

This is really the most non-interesting album Enrique has made. It is all just... there. And for far too long. And why does this version have a bunch of remixes of songs not from this album?

Highlights: Do You Know? (The Ping Pong Song), Sweet Isabel, Dímelo, Not In Love (Armand Van Helden Club Mix - Feat. Kelis)

6.5/10

Interstate 46 EP - MONOEYES

Three songs. Gone has awesome use of half-time, which I am always a sucker for in punk rock. I needed some 細美さん - it has been too long!

Highlights: Interstate 46, Borderland, Gone

9/10

Into the Fire - Bryan Adams

I have lived with an error on this CD for the past 32 years. So I have never heard Victim of Love run through perfectly. Such a crime! Anyways, this is BA's best album. No big hits, just really classy songwriting all through, hitting on some personal topics like Canada's treatment of idigenous people and stuff like that. Also the lead guitar work from both BA and Keith Scott is tremendous; never overplaying anything, just really super tasteful. Oh, and killer tone.

Highlights:

9.5/10

Into the Gap - Thompson Twins

This is purely the excellent Hold Me Now. Could it be more of an 80s British new-wave pop song? Brilliant song.

10/10

Into the Sun - Sean Lennon

From a songwriting point of view, Sean Lennon is quite good. Probably a decent mix of his Father's penchant for pop sensibilities fused with his Mother's avant-garde approach to things. His voice is what lets it all down. That and everything on this album being completely unmemorable.

Highlights: [insert that gif of Vincent Vega looking around completely lost and high as a MF]

6/10

Invaders Must Die - The Prodigy

This was the big 'comeback' album, and it is certainly full of big beats and breaks like any good albums from The Prodigy should. It is like a high-energy non-stop barrage of dance beats!

Highlights: Invaders Must Die, Omen, Run With the Wolves, World's On Fire, Stand Up

8.5/10

Invaders Must Die: Lost Beats - The Prodigy

The bonus disc to Invaders Must Die. I could probably rename it to just Lost Beats if I really wanted to. It is also much less necessary than Invaders Must Die.

Highlights: Wild West 

6.5/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 864

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2025 in 2025: Day 89

The Grey Album - Danger Mouse

I genuinely consider this to be a very clever concept, and the execution is pretty much brilliant. What More Can I Say mixed with While My Guitar Gently Weeps becomes a completely different beast. 

Highlights: What More Can I Say, 99 Problems, Change Clothes, Allure

7.5/10

Groovejet (If This Ain't Love) - Spiller

The song that introduced the world to Sophie Ellis-Bextor. And this sounds a lot like the music she would do on her own - just a bit more of a house dance kind of thing. Still a perfect Summer song.

10/10

Guero - Beck

This dude is such hit or miss sometimes. And I feel like I have to be in the right mood to really appreciate his silliness. But it is good working music, due to the rhythm and grooves.

Highlights: E-Pro, Que Onda Guero, Hell Yes, Send a Message to Her

6.5/10

Gureolito - Beck

And now for the remix version of Guero. Which is just pretty much the same? Maybe a little less good?

Highlights: Shake Shake Tambourine (Black Tambourine) - Adrock Remix, Ghettochip Malfunction (Hell Yes) - 8bit Remix, Scarecrow - El-P Remix

6/10

THE GUERRiLLA BiSH - BiSH

This is my kind of album. BiSH were my kind of band! Bah gawd SHARR is just pure madness and screaming. The album certainly trails off about halfway through, but that is only because the start of the album is so awesome. And then it gets almost as awesome at the end. And in-between is a big barrel of fun and crazy and crazy fun!

Highlights: My landscape, SHARR, Smack Baby Smack, プロミスザスター, パール, FOR HiM

9/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 732

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2025 in 2025: Day 83

GOiNG TO DESTRUCTiON - BiSH

Bah gawd this album rules the schools. Very little idol nonsense and a whole lot of punk attitude, wrapped up in some pop stylings. The whole thing is full of great hooks and big beats and screaming vocals and just awesomeness. So good I had to buy it three different times...

Highlights: in case..., STACKiNG, I have no idea., WiTH YOU, 狂う狂う, BROKEN

9/10

Gold - Cher

While I do appreciate her 60s and 70s music - it is mostly good light-hearted pop, some of it strangely racially-charged - I feel like Cher really came into her own once she hooked up with Richie Sambora. The 80s style pop-rock thing really suited her voice. Especially the power ballads. I also enjoy her late 90s/early 00s resurgence doing disco. Because LOGMAN loves disco. And Cher. Only song missing from this is her cover of Walking in Memphis - her live cut of that is fantastic.

Highlights: We All Sleep Alone, After All, If I Could Turn Back Time, Just Like Jessie James, Song for the Lonely

7.5/10

Gold - Ryan Adams

It is crazy to think DRA wanted this as a double-album; the cut tracks are mostly average (but mostly not great) and half of the remaining tracks are also kinda there. But boy howdy that first half of the album is brilliant. It tries to get back to that level around Harder Now That It's Over, and it certainly gets close. 

Highlights: New York New York, Firecracker, Answering Bell, La Cienaga Just Smiled, The Rescue Blues

8/10

Gold: Greatest Hits - The Everly Brothers

The title does not lie; this is pure rock'n roll gold. These dudes had beautiful harmonies.

Highlights: Bye Bye Love, Wake Up Little Susie, Rip It Up, Should We Tell Him, Poor Jenny

7/10

Gold Against the Soul - Manic Street Preachers

I forget how kickass this album is. Compared to their first album, there is nothing on the level of Stay Beautiful or Motorcycle Emptiness (I mean, that is a crazy high bar to set), but overall I enjoy this album more. Shorter, punchier, all great songs and a much better mix. James Dean Bradfield sounds very angry!

Highlights: From Despair to Where, Sleepflower, Yourself, Roses in the Hospital

8/10

Gold Cobra - Limp Bizkit

Ten years after their peak and ten years before they embraced being just a fun joke of a band. And Fred Durst was still "rapping" about bagging hawt women and fighting people. "So much ass in Los Angeles/It's definitely scandalous". Thought-provoking def jam poetry slam, to be sure.

Highlights: Gold Cobra, Shark Attack, Shotgun, 90.2.10

6/10

The Gold Experience - Prince

I mean, sure, he was actually the symbol at this point. But I just credit everything to Prince. And this album is one of his best. Or at least one of my favourites. Funk, rock, soul, ballads and awesomeness all wrapped in a nice gold bow. The Most Beautiful Girl in the World is just phemonenal and Endorphinmachine is the most fun rockin' Prince song on the planet. I am even willing to overlook the overt religious lyrics on songs like Dolphin and Gold. That is just how this all this.

Highlights: Endorphinmachine, Shhh, The Most Beautiful Girl in the World, Gold

9/10

Gold Medal - The Donnas

I don't want to say this album is boring, because it is not quite that bad. But compared to the stellar Spend The Night, this is... 

Highlights: Don't Break Me Down, Fall Behind Me, It Takes One to Know One

6.5/10

The Golden Age of Wireless - Thomas Dolby

This is purely the song She Blinded Me with Science. It is classic 80s synth pop stuff.

7/10

Gone Troppo - George Harrison

Speaking of 80s synth pop stuff - George and his Moog are back having some summer fun.

Highlights: Dream Away, Wake Up My Love, Gone Troppo, That's the Way it Goes

7/10

Gonna Make You Sweat - C+C Music Factory

This is both super fun pop-rap dance stuff, and hard hitting 90s dancefloor jams. 90s dance stuff could super funky. This dude's raps are hilariously cringe at times. And surprisingly misogynistic!

Highlights: Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now), Here We Go Let's Rock & Roll, Things That Make You Go Hmmmm...., Bang That Beat

8/10

Good Bye - M to M

K-Pop ballad. Idol group? Handsome actor? A combo of both??

7.5/10

Goodbye [Single] - Spice Girls

Saying goodbye to Geri, but not really. Smart marketing. I was actually unpacking a box the other day and found my poster book from their split with Geri. What a time to be a Spice Girls fan. A sad time. Anyways, this song is beautiful and the tracks from Live at Wembley are also very, very good. The Mels completely nail Sisters (Are Doing It For Themselves) . Smashing stuff!

Highlights: Goodbye, Sisters (Are Doing It For Themselves), We Are Family [Live]

10/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 695

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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 72

The Final Countdown - Europe

Yeah, this is purely the title track. And it stomps. One of the most iconic intros of all time.

8/10

FiNAL SHiTS - BiSH

The beginning of the end (AKA BiSH is OVER) and while the main single is fine, the b-side is actually way cooler. Go figure.

Highlights: NOT FOREVER

8/10

Final Straw - Snow Patrol

I forgot how great most of this album actually is. Great lyrics, interesting vocal delivery (in the sense that he's almost just talking softly mostly the time), and rocking numbers without rocking too hard. Then coupled with a few epic kind of ballads and some lo-fi chill as well.

Highlights: How to Be Dead, Chocolate, Run, Spitting Games, Same

8/10

Finding Beauty in Negative Spaces - Seether

No idea how or why I have this. Luckily, it is just one song - Fake It.

5/10

Firestarr - Fredro Starr

I think this dude was on like Moesha or something? He's like DMX-lite and he is Dyin' 4 Rap. But the dude was down with JMJ, so that will always win points with me.

8/10

The First Recording - Heather Nova

Even back when her name was Heather Frith. Very simple acoustic numbers.

Highlights: These Walls

6.5/10

FIVE - Ayumi Hamasaki

The most perfect Ayu E.P.? Dance rock, fun bop, epic power ballad, beautiful ballad and then just epic over the top nonsense?

Highlights: progress, Why..., beloved

10/10

Fixurlifeup [Single] - 3RDEYEGIRL

One of my gripes with Prince in the modern-era was his inconsistency when it came to singles; sometimes they were just a single, sometimes they would end up on an album. So you just had to play roulette with buying the single and hope it didn't end up on an album. And, of course, this one did.

7/10

Flame Vein +1 - Bump of Chicken

Something about Bump of Chicken I can't put my finger on... like, they are good, and I enjoy listening to them... but nothing ever really stands out that much?

Highlights: ガラスのブルース, アルエ, ノーヒットノーラン, ナイフ, バトルクライ

7/10

Flaming Schoolgirls - The Runaways

I love The Runaways, but this really is a weird compilation; The Beatles' covers are not good and the Hollywood Cruisin' skit is just pointless, but then we get some cool live tracks that absolutely rock. They could have just added them to the Live in Japan album - a deluxe edition of that would be most welcome.

Highlights: C'mon, Blackmail, Is It Day or Night?, Secrets

6.5/10

Flash Back Summer End [Single] - INKYMAP

Nothing like some quickfire INKYMAP to rock the summer party. Honoh is not like anything else they've ever released.

Highlights: Flash Back Summer End, Honoh

8/10

Flash Gordon (Original Soundtrack) - Queen

I remember a while back this album started getting a bit of a resurgence with internet nerds or something. There are really only two actual songs on here. And the versions of Flash's Theme are both different structurally to the single version. It has been a very long time since I watched the film, but I feel like this soundtrack moves in chronological order?

Highlights: Flash's Theme, The Hero, Football Fight, Battle Theme, Flash's Theme Reprise

7/10

Flashback - Joan Jett

A whole bunch of random Joan Jett tracks. Some are worthwhile, some are just kinda there. Which is always the case with these kinds of compilations. And, let's be honest, most of Joan Jett's albums. However, I forgot about Joan rapping and that is the greatest moment of the 80s.

Highlights: Be My Lover, Black Leather, Light of Day, MCA

7.5/10

Flashdance: Original Soundtrack from the Motion Picture - Various Artists

Would you believe that this is not the complete album? Particularly when there are so many great musicians involved with it. I should turn in my 80s membership...

Highlights: Flashdance... What a Feeling - Irene Cara, Maniac - Michael Sembello

9/10

Flavors of Entanglement - Alanis Morissette

Alanis going full in to electropop. Guy Sigsworth's production and just general song-shaping hold up - this album does not really sound dated at all. Today seems to be a day for forgotten gems in my library.

Highlights: Underneath, Versions of Violence, Tapes, Incomplete

7/10

Flavors of Entanglement (Deluxe Edition Bonus Disc) - Alanis Morissette

These are the most middle of the road bonus tracks one could ask for. Alanis enjoys tequila.

Highlights: Limbo No More

6/10

Flesh & Wood - Jimmy Barnes

Barnesy goes unplugged. Covers and collabs and reworkings. I could do without the fiddle, because that makes things a bit more country, but otherwise this is all pretty decent.

Highlights: The Weight, Ride the Night Away, Fade to Black, Still Got a Long Way to Go

7/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 583

2025 in 2025: Day 69

So we begin the F albums. F is for Fun!

Faith - The Cure

Fun is not how I would describe this album at all! It more follows the D pattern; Dark, Depressing, Droning and... Done?

Highlights: Primary, The Funeral Party, The Drowning Man, Faith

7/10

Faithless Street - Whiskeytown

I thought I said FUN?!? During my marathon 10 years ago, I called this album "awesome". I also watched WrestleMania every day for 31 days, so clearly I had brain damage.

Highlights: Drank Like a River, If He Can't Have You, 16 Days, Factory Girl

5.5/10

FAKE METAL JACKET - BiSH

F is for FINALLY SOME FUN! I am not overstating* when I say this is one of the most important albums of the 21st Century. When I first discovered it, I had the tracklisting all borked and that meant that I am still way more used to hearing the songs in a different order.

*Clearly overstating like a mofo

Highlights: BiSH -星が瞬く夜に-, Primitive, beautifulさ, デパーチャーズ, ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE

8.5/10

FALLINLOVE2NITE [Single] - Prince (feat. Zooey Deschanel)

Prince turning up on a random episode of New Girl was the most shocking moment in television history. Next to Fonzie managing to clear those sharks on his jet skis...

8/10

False Smiles - Amy Studt

I have had Misfit in my song library since 2003 - long before I even had any form of iTunes. Then I got iTunes and decided to fill in the rest of the album. And quickly found that it is not even the best song on the album! Criminal that the singles were not bigger hits (the album, not so much).

Highlights: Misfit, Under the Thumb, Ladder in My Tights, Nobody

6.5/10

The Fame - Lady Gaga

Game changer. Crazy listening back now and hearing how different she sounds. Like all Gaga albums, it is a bit too long - cut a few songs and it would be pretty darn near perfect - but this is still a super fun pop album.

Highlights: Paparazzi, Poker Face, I Like It Rough, The Fame

7/10

The Fame Monster - Lady Gaga

To me, this is Gaga's artistic peak. I would come out of retirement to perform this album. Or even one song from it. Like the song, I am speechless. Dance in the Dark is life. Is Telephone the best thing Beyoncé has ever done? Shiiizz, I thought I told you - I ain't afraid of you mofos!

Highlights: Bad Romance, Monster, Speechless, Dance in the Dark, Telephone

9.5/10

Familiar To Millions - Oasis

Oasis live in 2000. Liam's voice is rather terrible. Noel actually sounds decent. I used to jam along to this album a lot, because it is a decent 'compilation' of fun songs to play and being a live show they are all in the same key, so I would not have to switch around guitars. Plus some of the solos and whatnot are a bit more groovy on here. Probably due to actually having a real lead guitar player? It is all still rather simple, but, by George, they are fun to play.

Highlights: Fuckin' in the Bushes, Go Let It Out, Supersonic, Step Out, Gas Panic!, Live Forever, Helter Skelter

7/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 552