2025 in 2025: Day 149

R-GIRL's ROCK! - SCANDAL

A super budget sounding collection of cover songs I do not know, except for one - because it happens to be covered by everyone. I need to make my own cover and merge the high-points of every cover version. Also, what is an R-GIRL?

Highlights: secret base～君がくれたもの～

6.5/10

Racing into the Night [Single] - INKYMAP

Song of the year for 2024 and this year and every year after. That bridge with the rapping and gang vocals is just perfection.

Highlights: Racing into the Night, Mayday

9/10

RADWIMPS - RADWIMPS

Low budget indie early recordings. The earliest, even! It all sounds poorly recorded and there is something about the guitars that just sound terrible. Which is a shame, because some of the songs could have been good, I think?

Highlights: 「ずっと大好きだよ」「ほんと?..., 愛し ~明くる明け~

5.5/10

RADWIMPS 2 ~発展途上~ - RADWIMPS

More of the same, except maybe the guitars sound even worse? And the drums are mixed so far back in the mix it all honestly sounds like demos. Somewhere along the way they start mixing in rap and it immediately improves the album. 祈跡 is flashes of what made 君の名は。work.

Highlights: ヒキコモリロリン, そりゃ君が好きだから, 祈跡 [Album Version], 俺色スカイ

6/10

RADWIMPS 3 ~無人島に持っていき忘れた一枚~ - RADWIMPS

Things have immediately improved! There is a still a bit of poor production that kind of hampers songs like 25コ目の染色体 and へっくしゅん, but when this album rocks, it rocks pretty hard! Getting a label deal and putting in more effort helped them develop a much more commercial and interesting sound.

Highlights: 最大公約数, 4645, セプテンバーさん, 最後の歌

7/10

RADWIMPS 4 ~ふたりごと (一生に一度のワープ)~ - RADWIMPS

Say hello to the RADWIMPS we all knew and loved! Sure, this is not the absolute peak of their best, but it is the start of that real RADWIMPS sound era. And holy moly were they great!!! And it is crazy that they still got better than this; I actually wish I could just continue with a full RADWIMPS marathon right now to prove it right (and then experience the dramatic downfall).

Highlights: いいんですか?, 有心論, ます, Me Me She

8/10

Rage Against the Machine - Rage Against the Machine

I have said it before and I will say it forever: these guys should have just released this album and bounced and it would have just been the most legendary drop ever. This album is a perfect encapsulation of their anger at everything wrong with the world and has been the anthem of the youth (and angry leftists) since. Lightning in a bottle.

Highlights: Wake Up, Bombtrack, Know Your Enemy, Township Rebellion, Freedom

9/10

Rainbow - Mariah Carey

MC leaning heavily in to the popular hip-hop vibes of *checks notes* 1999? Yeah... that tracks with the sound of this. The G-Funk era had peaked about 3 years prior, so it would make sense to try and copy that here. Missy Elliott is awesome as always.

Highlights: Heartbreaker [Remix], Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now), Heartbreaker, Crybaby

6.5/10

RAINBOW - Ayumi Hamasaki

That bass line in Real me is so gawdamn ON! This whole album is full of power and emotion and powerful emotions. It is a weird mix of dark and intropective ballads, coupled with the biggest bops of the Summer - I mean, there is literally a song called July 1st. It is all rather glorious and a testament to the kind of diversity I love about Ayu. And the bass playing just kills me.

Highlights: Heartplace, Real me, July 1st, independent+

8.5/10

RAISE YOUR HANDS!! - PSYCHIC LOVER

This is a bit more poppy and upbeat, but then also features the darkest epic PSYCHIC LOVER song to finish things off. And the first song in English, which I do not need but it is still fun. I would like more PSYCHIC LOVER in the world...

Highlights: Welcome to the Real World, BIG BANG, Save My Soul, Vanguard Fight

7/10

Raised on Radio - Journey

I think this must have been the end of this lineup? Because this is definitely their weakest album; a few great songs, but all fairly mediocre harmless radio rock.

Highlights: Why Can't This Night Go On Forever, Suzanne, Be Good to Yourself, Raised on Radio

7/10

Raising Hell - Run-D.M.C.

The Kings of Rock really lived up to the moniker on this one; a lot of the songs have more energy and a bit more bite, the beats are solid and the guitars are everywhere (and out of tune on the title track). The awesome part is amongst the noise are a few VERY minimalist tracks that either feature just drums or are basically acapella, which gives space to the message the Kings are throwing out there.

Highlights: Proud to Be Black, It's Tricky, Walk This Way, You Be Illin'

8.5/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1360

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2025 in 2025: Day 105

Join The Dots: B-Sides & Rarities 1978-2001 - The Cure

Being a chronological collection, the first disc is mostly post-punk early The Cure. I am a bit conflicted as to the inclusion of a song that was re-recorded here, though. Robert Smith's voice is so different it really sticks out. Disc 2 is where we get stuff that I prefer; 80s darkwave is where The Cure are best. And Throw Your Foot may well be the most pure 80s pop song they made. Disc 3 is also my jam, but it is wild that this only covers 1 album and then a bunch of soundtrack songs (that are all stupendous). But then I am one of those weirdos that appreciates Wish. Half of disc 4 is just remixes and alternate versions. It is fun to think that this collection is 20 years old now - which almost covers the same period of this collection - so maybe we will get a volume 2 at some point? It would be far less exhaustive, considering they have only released 3 albums in that time (as opposed to the 11 they released between 1978 and 2001 - plus all the singles and EPs), but it would mean I could get rid of those b-sides collections I had to listen to earlier...

Highlights: The Exploding Boy, Burn, Pillbox Tales, Throw Your Foot, Sugar Girl, Snow in Summer, Play, Halo

6.5/10

Join With Us - The Feeling

This album starts off strong and the title track is absolute fire. From there, it is a bit average. Still somewhat enjoyable, but just does not quite click for me. Maybe I judge too harshly, since their first album was just a big bag of fun?

Highlights: Join With Us, I Thought It Was Over, Without You, The Greatest Show on Earth

6.5/10

Josie and The Pussycats: Music from the Motion Picture - Josie and The Pussycats (and DuJour?)

This movie, like Spiceworld: The Movie, is my favourite kind of comfort comedy. I love it and quote it to myself all the time. And this soundtrack is the kind of girly pop punk that ticks all of my boxes. I just read that Bif Naked sang some stuff on this and last night I saw her music video to promote Ready to Rumble. Coincidence!

Highlights: 3 Small Words, Pretend to Be Nice, Spin Around, Shapeshifter

9/10

Journey's Greatest Hits - Journey

A grand collection of Journey doing Journey things; rockin' and balladin' and touchin' and squeezin' and lovin'!

Highlights: Any Way You Want I, Be Good to Yourself, Ask the Lonely, Don't Stop Believin', Faithfully, Wheel in the Sky

9/10

joy - YUKI

I consider this album to be YUKI really finding her footing. But her voice had not quite caught up to what she was trying to do. And, again, live versions of these songs are even better. This album is just an absolute gem.

Highlights: WAGON, キスをしようよ, JOY, ハローグッバイ

8/10

Judgment Night: Music From the Motion Picture - Various Artists

From a terribly underwhelming movie came the most insane soundtrack the world would ever see; popular grunge and metal bands teaming up with rap and hip-hop stars. Revolutionary. And, amazingly, it all works so well. A hardcore good time. 

Highlights: Just Another Victim - Helmet & House of Pain, Fallin' - Teenage Fanclub & De la Soul, Me Myself & My Microphone - Living Colur & Run DMC, Missing Link - Dinosaur Jr. & Del the Funky Homosapien

8.5/10

Juno: Music from the Motion Picture - Various Artists

I think I got this free with the DVD of the movie. And I am not sure if I have watched the movie since I got it on DVD. I think the only DVDs I watch are the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series and Air Bud? Blu-ray or UHD all the way, baby! This is peak late-00s indie hipster folk and it is barely tolerable.

Highlights: All The Young Dudes - Mott the Hoople, Dearest - Buddy Holly, All I Want Is You - Barry Louis Polisar

5.5/10

Jupiter - Bump of Chicken

It is Bump of Chicken doing Bump of Chicken things. Nothing outstanding. All rather enjoyable in the background.

Highlights: 天体観測, ハルジオン, メロディーフラッグ, ダイヤモンド

7/10

Just Blaq - MBLAQ

This is purely the song Oh Yeah, to further my random K-Pop collection of miscellaneous songs. It is a fun upbeat track.

8/10

Just the Beginning Tour 2017 - Ayumi Hamasaki

This is the tour finale, I think? The tour was 3 parts and I went to the final of part II and then the opening night of part III. So while it is not a show I attended, it is great to have a document of that tour. Even if they were not shows with a live band and Ayu's voice on this is clearly tired. Still an absolutely killer setlist. And this arrangement of Ourselves needs to be preserved for eternity. 

Highlights: Ourselves, FLOWER, Memorial address, SEVEN DAYS WAR

8/10

Justified - Justin Timberlake

When this came out, I had no interest in NSYNC or Justin Timberlake. In fact, I would say I actively disliked him. And his falsetto annoyed me. But Like I Love You broke me down with how danceable it is. And then he followed it up with more super dance fun. I definitely think this album is a mixed bag and half of Pharrell's stuff is tired and played out, but Timbaland is in classic Timbaland form, so it sounds like JT just guesting on some Missy tracks or something. 

Highlights: Rock Your Body, Like I Love You, (Oh No) What You Got, Right For Me

7/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 908

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2025 in 2025: Day 101

In It For The Money - Supergrass

The album that actually got me interested in Supergrass. It kind of trails off towards the end, but it is otherwise some strong rocking numbers. I appreciate the way these guys can just play really tasty stuff and then completely let loose and unleash mayhem.

Highlights: Going Out, In It For the Money, Tonight, Sun Hits the Sky

7/10

In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 - Jay-Z

How can Diddy sing so off the actual key and just keep this in the track? Early Hove is fine and all, just a bit gross for me at times. 

Highlights: The City is Mine, Streets is Watching, Friend or Foe '98, You Must Love Me

7/10

in my mind - The Tomboys

The usual low-budget punk rock'n roll from Kobe's favourite daughters. This one feels especially budget, thanks to the terrible guitar solos and awful singing on だいだい. Good times!

Highlights: GO MERRY GO!, 幸せであふれるように, シャララ

6.5/10

The In Sound From Way Out - Beastie Boys

This is basically a compilation of their instrumental jams on Check Your Head and Ill Communication, but with a couple of new tracks.

Highlights: Son of Neckbone, In 3's, Bobo on the Corner, Lighten Up

8/10

In the Garden - Eurythmics

So very unlike where Eurythmics headed after this; much more in the new-romantic post-punk vein, but less interesting. Not terrible, but there is nothing that holds any real emotional weight or grabs the listener the way their later releases do. This is another group's discography where I need to separate the bonus tracks to their own album and keep the original albums as they were.

Highlights: Belinda, Your Time Will Come, Le Sinestre

6.5/10

In the Name of Love [EP] - CL

CL is a goddess amongst us mere mortals. If this were an album, I would have given it album of the year honours for 2019. 

Highlights: +DONE161201+, +ONE AND ONLY180228+, +I QUIT180327+, +PARADOX171115+

9/10

In The Zone - Britney Spears

There is something about Britney trying to be all sexy that I just find absolutely hilarious. Also, her singing is all sorts of terrible it makes me laugh when her fans online start all sorts of nonsense about she can sing like Christina Aguilera or whatnot. Anyways, the production on this album is a bit dated and the songs do not hold up well.

Highlights: Toxic, (I Got That) Boom Boom, The Hook Up, Everytime

6/10

Incesticide - Nirvana

I do not know if I have listened to this album since I was 16. I used to get confused by the tracklisting on side two all the time. Or maybe that was Bleach - that was missing a song that was listed. Fun fact: the first song I ever performed like in any capacity was from this album! I loved Nirvana. Kids are stupid.

Highlights: Aneurysm, Dive, Been a Son, Big Long Now

7/10

Indigo Nights - Prince

Live CD that came with the book. I think it was cobbled together from all his after-show performances. Because Prince was a madman. I, personally, find this to be super funky and an all-round great time. I read a lot of Prince fans online were super unhappy with this release, but Shizzzz I ain't afraid of you mofos! On the one!

Highlights: Alphabet St, Indigo Nights, Baby Love, 3121

8/10

Infinity - Journey

When Journey rock, they can really rock. Possibly the most enjoyable radio-rock band of the 70s and 80s that I did not listen to in the 70s or 80s.

Highlights: Wheel in the Sky, Lights, Feeling That Way, Anytime

7/10

Infinity on High - Fall Out Boy

Jay-Z with the most random and pointless cameo - he doesn't even rap, just does the musical equivalent of waving hello. I actually thought the censored version of This Ain't a Scene, It's An Arms Race was more interesting, thanks to the way it was censored.

Highlights: The Take Over The Break's Over, Don't You Know Who I Think I Am?, The (After) Life of the Party, G.I.N.A.S.F.S.

7.5/10

The Information - Beck

BECK: Congratulations, friend.

BENDER: Why, 'cause I can make annoying noises?

BECK: Exactly. I use those all the time in my music.

Highlights: Think I'm in Love, Nausea, Inside Out

6/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 850

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2025 in 2025: Day 76

Friendly Fire - Sean Lennon

Poor dude has a name that means his music could never live up to expectations. But this album is not that bad - there are a few standout tracks and the rest is mostly okay. Some of it almost reminds me of Supergrass.

Highlights: Spectacle, Would I Be the One

6.5/10

Frog Trouble - Various Artists

Well, this is simply the song When Pigs Fly by Ryan Adams. I'm sure there is a story behind this album/song, but I'm not interested today.

Highlights:

6/10

From Elvis in Memphis - Elvis Presley

This is possibly the most proper Elvis album since 1956. And probably the last. And likely the best. Of course I have the Legacy Edition which has a bunch of bonus tracks that do not really add anything, but the mix and remaster on this is just perfect. But that version of Hey Jude is awful. 1968/69 Elvis was the coolest guy on the planet.

Highlights: Long Black Limousine, I'm Movin' On, True Love Travels on a Gravel Road, Any Day Now

9/10 (although much lower if I include the bonus tracks)

From Under the Cork Tree - Fall Out Boy

The coolest emo-punk album of mid-00s? That bridge/breakdown/whateveryouwanttocallit in Dance, Dance is super awesome. I'm sucker for a half-time change-up in the middle of a punk song. Pretty funny hearing them sing lines about being old. Mofos were only, what, 25 when they made this? My dudes, we are old now. 

Highlights: Of All the Gin Joints in All the World, Sugar We're Going Down, Sophomore Slump or Comeback of the Year, XO

8/10

Frontiers - Journey

Have we discussed Steve Perry's voice? That dude was so great. Between him, Arnel Pineda and Jimmy Barnes, it is like these guys will only work with singers that can seriously bring it. And Neil Schon's guitar tone is pretty sweet. Like all albums in my Journey collection (my Journey journey?), this has a bunch of bonus tracks - this time from soundtracks and such. I had no idea they did a song for Tron, or Ask The Lonely was from a John Travolta movie. But then I am not exactly known for being a Journey biographer (a Journey's journey journeyman?).

Highlights: Faithfully, Ask the Lonely, Edge of the Blade, Rubicon

7.5/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 621

2025 in 2025: Day 67

Evil Empire - Rage Against the Machine

Good Morning! Wake UP! Kids these days have no idea the anticipation for this album... and subsequent disappointment. And while I, too, subscribe the idea that these dudes simply doing their self-titled debut album and then disappearing would have been epic, I actually dig this album. Much more funk-based, and a little bit rougher around the edges. 

Highlights: People of the Sun, Vietnow, Revolver, Down Rodeo

7.5/10

Evolution - Journey

This is one of the most straight-forward 70s rock albums from Journey. That opening is very Queen-esque. Journey are always a good time, even if this album is not very memorable.

Highlights: Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin', When You're Alone (It Ain't Easy), Daydream, Lady Luck

7/10

Ewok Celebration - Meco

Jeebus. The hilarity of the Ewok song being re-recorded by Meco is just beyond expectation - it also includes "C3PO" doing his "rap" again. Sadly, there are only 2 songs from Return of the Jedi here. But that is likely because there really are no new themes in that movie. John Williams is severely overrated. So the rest of this album is an 80s remix of the Star Wars theme and then actual songs from other 80s movies. And the series Simon and Simon?

Highlights: Theme from 'Simon and Simon', Maniac (From 'Flashdance')

5/10

Exile on Daisy Street - Ryan Adams

A bunch of noise. Badly recorded noise. At one point, Adams asks someone if they can understand what he is singing and they reply they cannot. That about sums it up, I think.

Highlights: Blue Door is almost listenable?

2/10

Exile on Franklin Street - Ryan Adams

If recorded better, some of these songs could have been good. Some of them. In fact, a few of them did turn up in more complete versions along the way.

Highlights: The Last Dance

4.5/10

Exile on Mainstream - Matchbox Twenty

This is a good collection of old and new. The new being almost 20 years old at this point. And the good being very good.

Highlights: How Far We've Come, I'll Believe You When, All Your Reasons, Bent, Unwell, Bright Lights

7/10

Exit Planet Dust - The Chemical Brothers

This may be controversial, but I think this album is much weaker than Dig Your Own Hole. It is still pretty good and a great precursor to what these dudes were capable of, but it just lacks the real big hooks and massive beats. Plus, no icon of Britpop on any of the songs (Noel Gallagher, Bernard Sumner, Richard Ashcroft). At least we get some Beth Orton?

Highlights: In Dust We Trust, Leave Home, Song to the Siren, Chico's Groove, Alive Alone

7.5/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 536

2025 in 2025: Day 66

Escape - Journey

That opening song is ridiculous and the rest of the album cannot live up to it, but still a decent album overall. Nothing bad. A few great songs.

Highlights: Don't Stop Believin'

7.5/10

Escape - Enrique Iglesias

Now THIS is an Enrique Iglesias album! Pop dance coolness personified. The Spanish version of Escape (Escapar) is hilarious, because they didn't bother to redo the backing vocals where he still sings in English. Maybe Enrique did not want to attempt to hit that high note again? Same thing happens in No Apagues La Luz, so I am definitely going to assume that. Or the producer did not want to have to hear Enrique attempt the high notes. Maybe both!

Highlights: Escape, Don't Turn Off the Lights, Maybe, Heroe

9/10

The Essential Michael Jackson - Michael Jackson

This is just a handful of songs that are not on MJ's solo albums pre-Off The Wall - mostly consists of Jackson 5 songs. Which only serves to remind me that I do not have any Jackson 5 albums, so am officially a loser.

Highlights: I Want You Back, ABC, Blame it on the Boogie, Can You Feel It

8/10

The Essential O'Jays - The O'Jays

And if only to further emphasise my loser status, this is only the song Love Train. It is a perfect soul jam, but I really should have more O'Jays. What a loser.

10/10

Euphoria - Enrique Iglesias

What is this? Awesome Enrique day?? The Spanish language tracks on this are stronger than the English ones, but that is not such a surprise. I Like It is awesome no matter if Pitbull appears or not.

Highlights: I Like It, Cuando Me Enamoro, Dile Que, Everything's Gonna Be Alright

7/10

Even More Dazed and Confused (Music From the Motion Picture) - Various Artists

They should have just released a big box set of all the music in the movie. Because the whole movie is full of awesome 70s rock songs. Never Been Any Reason must be one of the most underappreciated gems of the entire music world.

Highlights: No More Mr. Nice Guy - Alice Cooper, Never Been Any Reason - Head East, Balinese - ZZ Top

7/10

Everybody!! - WANIMA

These guys never fail to raise a smile. I wish the weather was sunny to give them the respect they deserve! Plus it just feels wrong to listen to this kind of awesome summer music when it is grey and cloudy and I don't have a nice cold Pepsi...
Highlights: OLE!!, シグナル, ヒューマン, CHARM, ANCHOR

8.5/10

Everything Must Go - Manic Street Preachers

Sometimes I think I do not actually like Manic Street Preachers as much as I think I do. Does that make sense? Like, I have this idea in my head that they are an awesome band that I really like, but then when I listen to them I don't actually dig it as much as I think I am going to. Anyways, I came in to listening to this album now thinking that way, but turns out I do like it a lot; A Design For Life is a bonafide 5 star hall of fame classic, and the rest of the album is pretty darn solid, as well. I have the 10th Anniversary edition or something, and it has all these live tracks that come after the album and kill the good vibe I was leaving with. They must go.

Highlights: A Design For Life, Australia, Interiors (Song for Willem De Kooning)

8/10 for the original album, 7/10 with all the other stuffs

Everything Must Go: 10th Anniversary Deluxe Edition [Disc 2] - Manic Street Preachers

The demos are kind of fine? Certainly interesting from a development point of view. The rehearsals are... pointless. Unless you want to hear a badly recorded distorted live recording? The b-sides are mostly okay and b-sides for a reason. This is the stuff that makes me think I think I like them more than I actually do...

Highlights: Small Black Flowers That Grow In The Sky [Demo], Australia [Stephen Hague Production], The Girl Who Wanted To Be God [Stephen Hague Production]

5.5/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 529