2025 in 2025: Day 173

T is for Time to Listen to More Music!

T-Virus - Kim Tae Woo

Our latest episode of Random K-Pop Song finds us with another romantic sounding pop groove. I dig it!

8/10

T'Pau - T'Pau

Having already established I am an embarrassment to my 80s adolescence, this is purely the single Heart and Soul. Did T'Pau have any other hits? The video sure features the most 80s dancing possible.

10/10

Tailwind(s) - Pile

Now THIS is the Pile I adore; outside of Love Live!, this is her best work by far. A great mix of up-tempo J-Rock mixed with idolness, heavy grooves and big soaring ballads. 

Highlights: FLY, 素晴らしきSekai, 816 not found, 花と翼, MELODY

8/10

Take Off Your Pants and Jacket - blink-182

These might be Tom's funnest songs? And there are flashes of their coming emo peak - flashes only, but the foundation is there. It is a very solid album.... but 19 tracks is just waaaay too long. OH! I have bonus tracks - the real album finished around track 13? Yeah, makes sense; the bonus tracks are shit!

Highlights: The Rock Show, Stay Together for the Kids, First Date, Roller Coaster

8/10

TAKE☆OFF - PASSPO☆

Oh, how I have missed my dear PASSPO☆! I have written in more detail before, but it was always going to be impossible for them to follow up those first 4 songs with anything that could match them. This is not 2017 and Cinema Trip. 2025 LOGMAN also accepts he does not need 3 different instrumental versions of Let It Go!!

Highlights: Pretty Lie, GPP, Go On a Highway, Let It Go!!

7/10

Taking the Long Way - Dixie Chicks

The songs that were fueled by rednecks trying to cancel them for not liking George W. Bush are very good. VERY good. And some Buddy Holly references are never a bad idea. The rest is fairly by-the-numbers modern country rock, I guess.

Highlights: Not Ready to Make Nice, The Long Way Around, Lullaby, I Like It

7/10

Talk Show - Talk Show

Look, I am not saying Scott Weiland was the greatest front man in rock or anything - though he was awesome - but Stone Temple Pilots were not the same without him, and this album is Exhibit A. Still some great riffs throughout, but there is something missing. Might just be the average vocals and borderline inane lyrics.

Highlights: Hello Hello, Everybody Loves My Car

6/10

Tank-top Festival in Japan - ヤバイTシャツ屋さん

Hilarity! The fake metal screaming is kind of lame, and it takes a bit to get going, but the second half features a tale about being struck by a kid on rolling sneakers and one sentence notes about many different animals. All pretty quick and upbeat.

Highlights: かかとローラー, かわE, ざつにどうぶつしょうかい, 鬼POP激キャッチー最強ハイパーウルトラミュージック

7/10

Taxi Driver - Dynamic Duo

This is pretty funky. Like there is a full-on G-Funk thing going on, but also some... disco?!? I feel like I have been sleeping on these dudes for way too long and need to do a serious listen in 2026.

Highlights: 우리는 바보 (Shake ya 엉덩 to da 이), Superstar (behind the Scene), 신나? (우리가 누구?), Candy

7.5/10

Teenage Dream - Katy Perry

The hate for Katy Perry is justified and, quite frankly, not harsh enough. But this album sure does feature some serious bangers. The middle is absolutely dire, however. 

Highlights: Hummingbird Heartbeat, Teenage Dream, Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.), California Gurls

6.5/10

Teenage Dream: The Complete Confection - Katy Perry

This is the bonus tracks after the album was re-released, because when an album sells a bazillion copies you gotta find a way to sell more! I think there was one more track, but it must have been SUPER awful if I do not have it.

Highlights: Part of Me, Wide Awake

7/10

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack - Various Artists

This may well be my favourite soundtrack album of all time! Old school hip-hop/New Jack Swing and R&B jams by a bunch of no namers (except for Ya Kid K and MC Hammer!) and then an amazing score that sounds immediately like it was from a budget movie in 1990. Make no mistake, my friends and I were playing this NON-STOP in 1990.

Highlights: This is What We Do - MC Hammer, 9.95 - Spunkadelic, Let the Walls Come Down - Johnny Kemp, Turtle Power - Partners In Kryme, Shredder's Suite - John Du Prez

10/10

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack - Various Artists

Not as killer as the first movie soundtrack, but then the movie was not either. However, there are some great old school hip-hop and dance kind things happening here. And Vanilla Ice has a great moment - just like in the movie!

Highlights: Ninja Rap - Vanilla Ice, Awesome (You Are My Hero) - Ya Kid K, Creatures of Habit - Spunkadelic, Cowabunga - Orchestra On The Half Shell

7.5/10

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack - Various Artists

Not the best soundtrack. Not the best movie. But, again, there is fun to be had. It is hard to not have fun when the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are involved.

Highlights: Turtle Power - Partners In Kryme, Tarzan Boy - Baltimora, Rockin' Over the Beat - Technotronic & Ya Kid K, Can't Stop Rockin' - ZZ Top

7/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1670

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2025 in 2025: Day 145

The Presidents Of The United States Of America - The Presidents Of The United States Of America

If Weird Al was a band and attempted to not just do satire, I imagine it would be something like this. Mostly super fun and silly pop rock. With an emphasis on the silly. Songs about animals, food, old men doing old men things, and... lumps? The sort of album you would put on while acting like a clown with your friends.

Highlights: Kick Out the Jams, Peaches, Lump, Naked and Famous

7/10

Pretty in Pink: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack - Various Artists

Would you believe this is purely If You Leave by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark? Of course you would, because LOGMAN is an embarassment to the 80s. 

8/10

Prince From Another Planet [Disc 1] - Elvis Presley

Elvis live at Madison Square Garden, but remixed. It is bizarre to me that they released this set and then proceeded to pretend it never happened, because every subsequent release has just reverted to the original version. So this is the afternoon concert and it is awesome! Elvis' voice is better than ever and the setlist is pretty much fire (except maybe missing a few songs like Just Pretend that would have topped it off nicely). One of the best live Elvis albums ever.

Highlights: You've Lost that Lovin' Feelin', Never Been to Spain, I Can't Stop Loving You, Suspicious Minds

8/10

Prince From Another Planet [Disc 2] - Elvis Presley

And then we get the evening show. Which is pretty much the same setlist as the afternoon show. Pretty much the same concert, to be real about it! Giant Elvis poster for $2? Give me three. Also, how are tickets still available for tomorrow's concert?!?

Highlights: You've Lost that Lovin' Feelin', Never Been to Spain, I Can't Stop Loving You, Suspicious Minds

8/10

PRISM - Katy Perry

I really like Roar - it is a catchy big pop banger. The rest of this album... is a testament to all that is wrong with Katy Perry. Hard to believe she actually has gotten even worse than this. Even harder to believe she still has fans!

Highlights: Roar, This Moment, It Takes Two, Choose Your Battles

5.5/10

PRISMIC - YUKI

YUKI's debut album is unlike anything she has released since; somewhat dark post-grunge more in line with JUDY AND MARY, with a hint of electronica and one of the most beautiful Beatles-esque ballads, and some extended art rock vibes. And that last half is just top-tier YUKI. I still cannot decide if the live version of 呪い is better than this version...

Highlights: プリズム, 忘れる唄, 惑星に乗れ, 呪い

8.5/10

Prisoner - Ryan Adams

Ah the album that helped kill DRA's career! I will never forget the hype this thing got, which was only matched by my pure indifference to the whole thing; there are still some good lyrics, but musically it is trying to be too much and his vocals are, quite frankly, a mess. In trying to sound like Bruce Springsteen, he forgot that he had his own voice that was actually decent. Coming after a reworking of a Taylor Swift album, it was like this guy no longer had his own identity. Or ever had one in the first place.

Highlights: Broken Anyway, Outbound Train, Doomsday, We Disappear

6.5/10

Prisoner (B-Sides) - Ryan Adams

This turned out to be the biggest scam and was the end for me with this dude; it was advertised as exclusive to the box set, but then before it even shipped out he offered the compilation on streaming and iTunes and whatnot. And then bitched online about anyone that was bitching online. Because that is DRA. Also, these songs are just mediocre. So it was double lose!

Highlights: Stop You

5/10

The Private Press - DJ Shadow

This album is certainly a groove. Low key low-fi beats, funky basslines and all sorts of killer samples. Things really shine when Shadow is sampling some big airy 80s synths over top of some breakin' beats. 

Highlights: Walkie Talkie, You Can't Go Home Again, Blood on the Motorway, Six Days

8/10

Proof - BTS

This is pretty much BTS's greatest hits, just with a few new songs to make even the hardcore fan have to purchase this. And it does not have all the hits, so you still need to buy other albums to get everything great. But this is a briiliant highlights package. And the new songs are killer. I am trying to be a bit tougher on my grading for this, because I can easily get caught up in the BTS cool and just give it all super scores. But hey they deserve it!

Highlights: 봄날, On, 상남자 (Boy In Luv), Moon, Dynamith, Butter, Intro: Persona

8.5/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1318

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2025 in 2025: Day 138

One of the Boys - Katy Perry

Before she became so incredibly insufferable, Katy Perry was making bubblegum pop-rock with Alanis Morissette's main collaborator. And boy does it show! This stuff is way more guitar-based than anything she has done since and sounds like Alanis doing a pop album or something. Luckily, most of the songs are actually VERY good, even if the lyrics are a bit immature. 

Highlights: Waking Up in Vegas, Thinking of You, I Kissed a Girl, Hot N Cold

7/10

One Sweet Day - Rumble Fish

Random K-Pop ballad. And not a boy band? This one is called You Really Are. It is good.

7.5/10

One Way Ticket to Hell...And Back - The Darkness

I generally like this album as a follow up to Permission to Land. It still rocks really hard, but is a little less 'old school' in its approach. But they changed bassist for this one, and their original guy (who has since returned) is awesome, so that loses points. 

Highlights: One Way Ticket, Is I Just Me?, Hazel Eyes, Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time

8/10

One World - PASSPO☆

This album rocks. I wrote lots about it before, so I will instead use my brain power to do other things... like listen to this without writing. 

Highlights: Next Flight, WING, 2DAYS, Tap My Toe

8/10

The Open Door - Evanescence

I was going to be all 'how did I end up with this album?', but then Call Me When You're Sober hit and I was like 'oh yeah, this song is really good'. The rest? Not my bag at all.

Highlights: Call Me When You're Sober

6/10

Open Up And Say... Ahh! - Poison

Peak hair metal! There really is nothng metal about this music, but boy we sure thought it was heavy metal when I was a kid. Who cares? It is as fun as a banana split. Especially this album; it is mostly super cheesy and upbeat and a total party.

Highlights: Nothing But a Good Time, Fallen Angel, Your Mama Don't Dance, Back to the Rocking Horse

7.5/10

Opiate - Tool

This is the most normal alt. rock recordings Tool ever did. And, susequently, is probably the only work of theirs that I still think is fun. Fun like a Limp Bizkit album. I like fun.

Highlights: Hush, Jerk-Off (Live), Opiate, Cold and Ugly (Live)

7.5/10

Oracular Spectacular - MGMT

This is just Electric Feel. I do not know anything else by these guys. I do not even know how I ended up with this song in my library.

7/10

Orange Sunshine - JUDY AND MARY

A little less raw crazy punk, a little more polished crazy punk. All very fun, if not all that memorable, but probably the sort of thing that grows on you with more listens.

Highlights: Radio, Cheese Pizza

7/10

Orbital Period - BUMP OF CHICKEN

This album is kind of a bit more epic than their other works - a lot more big ballady-type things. A couple of songs that almost had me thinking I was listening to RADWIMPS. Overall, I actually really dig it.

Highlights: メーデー, supernova, 花の名, Believe

7/10

Orgazmo: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack - Various Artists

This is only Now You're a Man by DVDA - the band of Matt Stone and Trey Parker. They should just put out an album of DVDA songs. Also, please note that Orgazmo is their best movie, outside of Baseketball.

8/10

Origins Vol. 1 - Ace Frehley

Ace and a whole bunch of his friends cover a lot of classic 60s and 70s rock. Including Kiss. Seems unnecassary, but it is Ace so I will take it gladly. Even if all of this is not that exciting. Mike McCready's guitar solo on Cold Gin sounds like he recorded it on his phone and emailed it to Ace in 128kps Mp3 form.

Highlights: White Room, Spanish Castle Magic, Rock and Roll Hell

6.5/10

Origins Vol. 2 - Ace Frehley

Ace is back with more special guests and cover songs from the 60s and 70s, but with less Kiss? Mostly the same guests and same artists being covered. I think he has mentioned he wants to do another Origins album. I hope he does not.

Highlights: Never in My Life, I'm Down, Jumpin' Jack Flash

6/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1235

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2025 in 2025: Day 60

E.T. (feat. Kanye West) [Single] - Katy Perry

Even when I didn't think Kanye was a nutjob that should be ignored, I preferred the album version of this song. And I felt very awkward rapping his part in front of little kids. 

8/10

E=MC² - Mariah Carey

I remember the video for Touch My Body being completely hilarious. That intro for Side Effects sounds like the opening for a song by The Lonely Island. I do enjoy that all throughout this album some dude just keeps randomly yelling "M.C." And what does "O.O.C." stand for?

Highlights: Touch My Body, Cruise Control, I'm That Chick, Last Kiss, Thanx 4 Nothin'

7/10

Early Takes - George Harrison

Acoustic demos and alternate takes, mostly from the All Things Must Pass sessions. The acoustic takes are good for more of a focus on the lyrics and George's singing. These definitely showcase how great he actually was.

Highlights: I'd Have You Anytime [Early Take], All Things Must Pass [Demo], My Sweet Lord [Demo], Mama You've Been on My Mind [Demo], Woman Don't You Cry For Me [Early Take]

8/10

Earthling - David Bowie

Little Wonder is so schizophrenic; when it came out, I actually could not get past the verses, which is sad because if I had I would have realised how great that 'chorus' is. I'm Afraid of Americans never stops being awesome and just gets truer every day. This album is WAY betterer than I have ever given it credit for.

Highlights: Seven Years in Tibet, I'm Afraid of Americans, Looking For Satellites, Battle For Britain (The Letter)

8/10

East - Cold Chisel

The most classic Australian rock album by the most classic Australian rock band. And I feel like Cheap Wine might even be the most classic Australian rock song?

Highlights: Standing on the Outside, My Baby, Cheap Wine, My Turn to Cry

7.5/10

East of the Sun, West of the Moon - a-ha

This is certainly not their finest hour.

Highlights: Slender Frame, Cold River, Rolling Thunder, (Seemingly) Nonstop July

6/10

East Side Story - DJ Reggie

Not even this delicious bottle Pepsi Zero Peach can make me understand how I thought this was fun.

Highlights: Revenge of the Ninja, Kick Em' in the Dungeon

3.5/10

Easy Tiger - Ryan Adams & The Cardinals

Look, I can be fair to this guy and still say that his songs are great when they are. And some of these songs are absolutely brilliant. Two features probably his most honest line ever. My only criticism is going to be the drums, because they sound blurgh. But gawdam the harmonies and vocals are very good. Actually, the more truthful line is in These Girls: "These girls are better off in my head". Any woman would be better off not dealing with you in real life, buddy!

Highlights: Goodnight Rose, Two, Oh My God Whatever Etc., The Sun Also Sets, I Taught Myself How to Grow Old

8/10

Easy Tiger Rarities - Ryan Adams

These are fine, I guess? One of the songs was actually re-released with a different title, but there is absolutely no difference between the two except for the title.

Highlights: Alice

6/10

echo - CHARA+YUKI

Two indie pop queens uniting to make an E.P. - 20 years in the making, since they actually recorded the first song back in 1999. And I'm pretty sure they were in a punk band together around then? Anyways, lucky for me, YUKI seems to drive this or at least it all sounds like a YUKI kind of album. And the good kind, too.

Highlights: 愛の火 3つ オレンジ (2020version), 楽しい蹴伸び, Night Track, echo

8.5/10

Echo - Leona Lewis

Gawdam whatta voice! And mostly great songs... that all sound the same. So if you want epic pop songs with massive vocals, then this is a great album. I like those things, so thumbs up from me! Even an Oasis cover thrown in for fun? And yes, that was also epic (though I probably prefer the Oasis version, because Liam's voice not so perfect).

Highlights: Happy, I Got You, My Hands, Broken, Lost Then Found

7.5/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 485