2025 in 2025: Day 186

Wild and Peaceful - Kool & The Gang

This is purely Jungle Boogie. Get down, get down! So much funk in here...

10/10

Wild Cherry - Wild Cherry

Lots of funky guitars going on here. The best part is taking their biggest (and only?) hit and just playing it backwards to create another song. AND THEN just playing it a bit slower to make ANOTHER song.

Highlights: Play That Funky Music, Get It Up, Don't Go Near the Water, I Feel Sanctified

7.5/10

Wild Mood Swings - The Cure

This is their most full on pop album, but not really normal "pop"; more like a weird mish-mash of 80s pop and 90s silliness. Lots of big horns and strings and weird endings. And, honestly, most of it comes off as a bit sterile.

Highlights: Want, Mint Car, Gone!, Numb

7/10

Wild Ones - Flo Rida

Almost every song has the same beat. It is the sort of music I would imagine Enrique and Pitbull listening to in the club while drinking and partying with young ladies. Not too young!

Highlights: Wild Ones, Run, I Cry, Good Feeling

7/10

Wild Planet - The B-52's

This is kind of like very early The Cure if they were making quirky pop music. Fred delivers his vocals the way John Mulaney delivers comedy.

Highlights: Private Idaho, Party Out of Bounds, Devil in My Car, Runnin' Around

7.5/10

Will You Marry Me? (feat. Bizniz) [Single] - Lee Seung Gi

It has been a while since we played 'random K-pop song of the day'. This is very fun, but also very touching, and then features a rapper telling his lady to marry him.

8/10

Willow Lane - Ryan Adams

Another Ryan Adams single from when he was flooding the market with music and growing more insufferable (publicly - obviously he had been that way privately forever). And these songs are easy to ignore.

Highlights: There are only two very average songs

6/10

Wish - The Cure

This is my least favourite album by The Cure, because the album features an ugly logo that only calls them "Cure". It is also one of my favourite albums by The Cure, because the music is a wonderful blend of sprawling dark epics and cheesy pop songs.

Highlights: A Letter to Elise, Doing The Unstuck, Trust, High

8/10

With The Beatles - The Beatles

Hot take: Harrison's songs on here may be the best. Sure, they were just covers, but they rock the most. The rest of the album is fairly standard covers and some decent Lennon/McCartney numbers.

Highlights: Roll Over Beethoven, Don't Bother Me, It Won't Be Long, You Really Got a Hold On Me

7/10

Wither Blister Burn & Peel - Stabbing Westward

Oh my! I had actually forgotten about this album and just how much it stomps! A bit less dark and brooding than Darkest Days, while a bit heavier and industrial and angrier. Christopher Hall's vocals are just massive. 

Highlights: Shame, Don't Believe, So Wrong, Falls Apart

7.5/10

The Wizard of Oz - Meco

I guess it is about time I had Meco improve a classic soundtrack again. This one is still super disco, but also somewhat hilariously silly - mostly because of the Munchkins singing to disco beats.

Highlights: Ding-Dong The Witch is Dead, Over the Rainbow, We're Off to See The Wizard

6.5/10

Wolves - NoisyCell

Massive dance rock good times? All rather epic and massive and a good time - I am not sure if I have actually listened to this album before and I should listen to it more!

Highlights: M.R.W., Wolves, Letter, 虹霓

7.5/10

Wonderwall Music - George Harrison

The first solo Beatle album is an instrumental piece, with various influences like traditional Indian music and honky tonk and old American Western? There are a couple of tracks that do very much sound like George Harrison, as well. Pretty chill.

Highlights: Party Seacombe, Ski-ing, Drilling a Home, Wonderwall to Be Here

6/10

Woodface - Crowded House

Some times I think I expected more from a Finn brothers collaboration, but it gave us a few outstanding songs on here amongst the very mediocre everything else, so I guess it was worth it?

Highlights: Weather With You, Chocolate Cake, Four Seasons in One Day, How Will You Go

7/10

Word Gets Around - Stereophonics

I understand why I have the song Traffic - I used to do this one live and it is a darn great song. But why I do not have the rest of the album is wild mystery to me and I am adding it to the list of albums to sort out after this.

8/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1860

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2025 in 2025: Day 172

Super Trouper - ABBA

ABBA come storming into the 80s with a gem of a pop album; big synth bass, funky grooves, killer hooks, disco beats, amazing vocals... Could have done with more disco grooves, but ABBA gots to pay the bills and no one did pop like them.

Highlights: On and On and On, Super Trouper, The Winner Takes It All, Lay All Your Love On Me

8/10

Supergrass - Supergrass

Standard late-90s Supergrass rocking out. Not their best work and I have never gotten the hype for Pumping on Your Stereo, but is is still pretty decent enough. One of those random albums where the second half is way better than the first.

Highlights: Moving, Mary, Jesus Came From Outer Space, Faraway

7/10

SUPERIORITY - 我儘ラキア

This is very solid alt. idol coolness; fairly heavy in parts, but one of the best tracks is just straight-up hip-hop. I highly rate the leader/main singer and hope she has some success now they have disbanded.

Highlights: JOKER, GIRLS, JOURNEY, FUTURES

9/10

Superman and Other Galactic Heroes - Meco

The Superman theme is the best superhero theme and giving it the disco treatment makes it even more heroic. I am not convinced these Batman themes are from anything other than Meco's imagination, but someone should make a disco Batman movie and use them accordingly.

Highlights: Themes from "Superman", The Caped Crusader, The Boy Wonder

7/10

The Supersonic Storybook - Urge Overkill

Urge Overkill and Butch Vig in their indie days. Not nearly as fun as any of their major label stuff, but still interesting and Theme from Navajo features one heck of a heavy riff.

Highlights: The Kids are Insane, Bionic Revolution, (Today Is) Blackie's Birthday, Theme from Navajo

7/10

Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie - Alanis Morissette

Dark. Industrial influence. Introspective. A lot of weird-ass storytelling. Lacking the angst and pop rock of Jagged Little Pill - which is probably why it was viewed as such a poor follow-up. But not by LOGMAN; this is what made me a fan! Cut the last few songs and it would be perfect!

Highlights: I Was Hoping, Joining You, Unsent, That I Would Be Good

8/10

Surfacing - Sarah McLachlan

This is probably peak Felicity material right here. The Sarah McLachlan Theory remains one of the hallmarks of USian television moments and I should revisit it to understand what this album means in that context... *edit* 

Highlights: Building a Mystery, Do What You Have to Do, Adia, Angel

7/10

Surrender - The Chemical Brothers

Banging dance groove after banging dance groove. Nothing as groundbreaking as you would find on Come With Us or Dig Your Own Hole, but there never a dull moment on this album and the guests are all cool. That breakdown in Out of Control is the more New Order than 2025 New Order would ever dream of.

Highlights: Let Forever Be, Out of Control, Under the Influence, Dream On

8.5/10

Swagger - Gun

Fairly standard mid-90s rock, if not a little hair metal flavoured - so not so standard? Also the greatest cover of Word Up! on the planet. 

Highlights: Word Up!, Don't Say It's Over, One Reason, Stand in Line

7/10

Sweat - Nelly

More club dance jams with Nelly counting his money and showing off his money and then him and his crew bragging they get ladies for free - even though they have a lot of money. I bet listening to this album makes Nelly sad now. Random Missy collab sighting!

Highlights: River Don't Run, Heart of a Champion, Tilt Ya Head Back, Another One

7/10

Sweat (Snoop Dogg vs. David Guetta) [Remix] - Snoop Dogg & David Guetta

This is like one of those interviews that has been turned into an autotune song, although those are intentionally funny?

3/10

Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) - Eurythmics

Peak minimalist dark synth wave 80s new romantic pop, right here. Just a drum machine and some funky bass lines and A LOT of reverb.

Highlights: Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This), Somebody Told Me, Wrap It Up, This City Never Sleeps

7.5/10

Sweet Summer Sun, Live in Hyde Park 2013 (Live) - The Rolling Stones

This was some live EP that I think iTunes gave away. Remember when they used to give away music and movies around Xmas? Man, life was good!

Highlights: Tumbling Dice (Live), Beast of Burden (Live)

7/10

Sweetfish - Dead Flowers

A bit of an improvement in production over their first album, but some of it still sounds very much like mid-90s NZ alt rock. But there are some cool riffs and melodies and songs in here. I actually used to do a bunch of these songs when busking.

Highlights: Shades, Slumber, Home, Same Same

7/10

Swingshift - Cold Chisel

Another live album from these rockers. A bit less of the bigger hits here and lots of feedback instead. Barnesy sounds great for the most part - Cheap Wine almost sounds angry!

Highlights: Cheap Wine, Goodbye (Astrid Goodbye), Star Hotel, Rising Sun

7/10

Synkronized - Jamiroquai

The start of 'new' Jamiroquai. It has the distinction of having a couple of absolutely killer funky tracks, and the rest of completely underwhelming.

Highlights: Canned Heat, Black Capricorn Day, Planet Home, Soul Education

7/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1656

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2025 in 2025: Day 169

Spiritual Minded - KRS-One

I only have the song South Bronx 2002. I will never defend the lack of KRS-One in my library.

8/10

The Spongebob Squarepants Movie (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) - Various Artists

What a wonderful movie. The soundtrack is a mixed bag; I really only got it for Wilco's Just a Kid - which sounds a lot like Urge Overkill. I have not heard any other Wilco. Is that standard for them?

Highlights: Just a Kid - Wilco, You Better Swim - Motorhead, Goofy Goober Rock - Tom Rothrock with Jim Wise, Bikini Bottom - Electrocute

6/10

Stabbing Westward - Stabbing Westward

While a very contrasting style to their earlier industrial metal, it is still their mostly miserable dark selves, just in a more polished radio-friendly package. Which suits my sensibilities even more! Pretty sure 2001 LOGMAN thought this album was 100% his jam. It does not hold up quite as well, but there are still some killer moments.

Highlights: Angel, Last Time, Perfect, High

8/10

Stakes Is High - De La Soul

Talk about no nonsense Golden Era hip-hop. This is the type of album you can appreciate the beats and the grooves, because it is just solid all the way through. But when you focus on the lyrical content as well, it just lifts it to the next level. 

Highlights: Stakes is High, The Bizness, Wonce Again Long Island, Brakes, Big Brother Beat

7.5/10

Stand Still, Look Pretty - The Wreckers

Oh hey, yesterday I was all 'I should have a Michelle Branch album' and here is one! Except it is her doing country music with some other young girl. Probably not so young now. 

Highlights: I am starting to be able to really hear when John Shanks is in charge...

5.5/10

STANDARD - SCANDAL

My girls doing their usual rockin' pop styles, before they got adventurous and even more awesome. At least when they were just doing this style, it is all pretty fun, if not all that amazing. Certainly could do with a bit more Mami...

Highlights: 打ち上げ花火, キミと未来と完全同期, OVER DRIVE, 涙よ光れ

7/10

Standing on the Shoulders of Giants - Oasis

I will not pretend this is the greatest Oasis album or anything, but I do see this album as being growth and a little more creative - clearly Noel was keen to experiment a little on the production side of things. And it gives it more of a psychadelic 60s vibe for the most part. I wish they had continued to explore that and just gone full 68 Beatles.

Highlights: Fuckin' In The Bushes, Put Yer Money Where Yer Mouth Is, Gas Panic!, Roll It Over

8/10

Star Fleet - Brian May & Friends

This is the first disc of the mighty Star Fleet box set, which means I finally have the mighty Star Fleet in my CD collection! Because I had been living with the original 12" for many years and was always sad to not have it in my iTunes library to crank up. EVH murdering his string on Let Me Out will never not be funny.

Highlights: Star Fleet [Complete Version / 2023 Mix], Let Me Out, We Will Rock You (Fast) [Live At The Palace Theater, LA / 1993]

7.5/10

Star Fleet Sessions - Brian May & Friends

Things kick off with EVH pulling out the opening riff for the future Van Halen classic Top of the World, and from there it is just an hour of these dudes demoing the same two songs. Which is kind of interesting to see/hear how things progressed in the studio.

Highlights: Star Fleet (Take 1), Jam, Funky Jam

6/10

Star Time - James Brown

Now, LOGMAN is not one to praise a compilation or anthology set for being a necessary own - usually you can achieve everything on those by simply collecting many albums. And we have seen how that actually works for me... Anyway, Star Time by James Brown is five hours of the most essential soul and funk cuts and is absolutely worth owning and listening to again and again. Being compiled chronologically, the first disc is my least favourite. But once we hit that second disc and the mid-60s, there is not a bad moment. Just stone cold funk grooves. Soft funk, hard funk, dirty funk, funky jams. And the fun part is a lot of the songs are the full unedited versions; not the "Part 1" and "Part 2" found on the original singles or albums. And Catfish's solo on Ain't It Funky Now is about the funkiest guitar solo on the planet that you just have to do the chickenhead bop to.

Highlights: Get Up Get Into It and Get Involved, I'm a Greedy Man, Funky Drummer, There Was a Time, Bring It Up (Hipster's Avenue), It's Too Funky In Here, Get Up Offa That Thing (Release the Pressure)

9/10

Star Wars and Other Galactic Funk - Meco

The best thing to come out of Star Wars. The Other Galactic Funk is pretty solid as well!

Highlights: Star Wars, Other Galactic Funk, Star Wars/Cantina Band [7" Edit]

9/10

Star Wars and Other Hits - Stars on 45

This is some type of disco megamix that starts with the theme for Star Wars and then quickly moves on to other awesome songs, like Layla, Do Ya Think I'm Sexy?, Ma Baker, Don't Stop Til You Get Enough, Bette Davis Eyes, and many more. I stumbled upon this when first trying to find the Meco Star Wars stuff. It is fun.

8/10

Starfish - The Church

This is purely the song Under the Milky Way. It is a solid 80s goth synthwave pop track.

8/10

start over [Single] - BAND-MAID

One of the most pop songs from everyone's favourite band of hard-rocking maids. And probably one of their strongest songs ever. Ending with a bold "I don't give a fuck" is just pure *chef's kiss*.

10/10

State of Mind - Holly Valance

This is only the title track. I recall how much this song was trashed on release, however LOGMAN was like 'That disco beat and the super processed vocals go hard!' Like, it is still kind of terrible, but I still think those parts are fantastic. Temu Kylie Minogue never did anything else of worth.

9/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1610

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2025 in 2025: Day 144

Poetree Syndrome - Kebee

And more random Korean hip-hop. Where would my life be without it? This is fairly chill - kind of reminds me of Ayu's Nothing From Nothing. 

Highlights: Fissure

6.5/10

Points on the Curve - Wang Chung

This is only the song Dance Hall Days, which is weird because I do enjoy some Wang Chung and do not even know why I would have this song in particular? Other than it being a really cool lowkey groove.

8/10

Poison - Bell Biv Devoe

These dudes were quite the name back in the early 90s, except I only have the title track and could probably only name you one other song by Bell Biv Devoe. And I do not have that in my library either?

8/10

Pop Goes the Movies - Meco

A big medley of movie themes getting the disco treatment. And there are a lot of them. Some sound better than ever, because they are now disco. Duh!

7.5/10

Pop Life - JUDY AND MARY

YUKI and company with their usual brand of noisey post-grunge fun. I swear, her voice sounds so similar still 30 years later.

Highlights: ジーザス！ジーザス！, Lover Soul, ミュジックファイター

7/10

Pornography - The Cure

One of the darkest and most disturbed releases from The Cure. Robert Smith is super cool, but I cannot help but look at him in the 80s as being a bit of an edgelord. It is crazy that these songs are like 6 minutes long and just have the same drum beat over and over and it does not get boring.

Highlights:

8.5/10

Power of Music - Ayumi Hamasaki

Still my favourite live concert. I could happily watch it every day. It is a shame to miss a few of the performances on this release, but it is also nice having the extra bonus tracks. So I guess it balances out? What is up with the fading between songs when it is not necessary? vogue went straight to Far away and then to SEASONS, yet you need to fade between them all and make the transitions longer?? I am nit-picking, because overall this is just all the feels and genuine POWER of music!!

Highlights: M, progress, Far away, SEASONS, forgiveness

9/10

The Power Source - JUDY AND MARY

More JAM, you say? Very good feel good noise, over here. This one is a little less noisy, I think? I will be honest - most JUDY AND MARY kind of sounds the same. Which is mostly a good thing.

Highlights: KISSの温度, くじら１２号, Happy?, The Great Escape

7/10

The Power Station - The Power Station

This is only their cover of Get It On (Bang a Gong)?!? How do I not have full album?!?! Somebody stop me...

9/10

Prelusive - Sarah Blasko

This was released, I think, around the time I saw Ms. Blasko live in Melbourne. I would not be surprised if she played purely songs from this EP. I should google that... Well, I found the gig, but no setlists. Not even for the headlining act. Gosh, it is almost like we were not terminally online in 2003!

Highlights: Sweet Surrender, New Religion, Follow the Sun, Your Way

7/10

PREMIUM COUNTDOWN LIVE 2008-2009 A - Ayumi Hamasaki

Would you believe I have had this concert on blu-ray since about 2018 and STILL have not watched it? LOGMAN is a weird person. Especially because this CD is very good; it features the most epic version of Heartplace (only to be equalled or possibly surpassed by the performance at the 25th anniversary concert) and there are a number of random older songs as well that I am sure were never performed again.

Highlights: Heartplace, End of the World, Naturally, For My Dear...

7.5/10

present from you - BUMP OF CHICKEN

A big compilation of their b-sides Which is cool for completeness... but they are hardly necessities. 

Highlights: ガラスのブルース (28 years round), プレゼント, スノースマイル ~ringing version~, ラフ・メイカー

6/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1308

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2025 in 2025 Day 129

Music Box - Mariah Carey

This is all pretty standard R&B; the usual safe songs with ridiculous over the top (but awesome) vocals. The singles/hits were singles/hits for a reason.

Highlights: Now That I Know, Dream Lover, Anytime You Need a Friend, Hero

6.5/10

Music for Our Mother Ocean - Various Artists

I bought this album because I was a massive Pearl Jam fan and it had a random Pearl Jam song on it, so that meant I had to have it. These days I would tell you that song is not so great and would likely be better if a better person sang it. And the same goes for 90% of this album because HOLY BALLS this is mostly just crap covers of songs that have something to do with the ocean, but mostly surfing. Except for Helmet covering Bjork's Army of Me. Like... why?!? Soundgarden just contribute My Wave, I guess because it has the word "wave" in the title. And it is probably the best song on the whole thing. Would you believe they made THREE of these compilations. Luckily, Pearl Jam were not on the second and I managed to live with just a download of their song on the third one...

Highlights: I Can't Surf - The Reverend Horton Heat, My Wave - Soundgarden, Waggy - blink-182, Good Times - Sprung Monkey

6/10

Music for the People - Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch

Good Vibrations is an absolute JAM and I dare anyone to say otherwise. Marky Mark himself is an absolute POS, and that is a real shame.

9/10

Music from "The Elder" - Kiss

You know, I once read something about how when Ace Frehley was sent a copy of the finished album, he listened to it and then threw it across the room. I would like to do the same.

Highlights: Dark Light, The idea of Ace Frehley throwing the tape while laughing as only Ace can

4/10

Music from Star Trek and Music from The Black Hole - Meco

Meco is at his best doing medleys of themes, so this is what I paid my admission for. I am not familiar with The Black Hole at all, so the second half of this just sounds like variations on the Star Wars themes, to me. Just with some funky slap bass.

Highlights: Star Trek Medley, Meteorites

7/10

Music From the Edge of Heaven - Wham!

Because I am a disgrace to my family and all around me, this is not the full album and only the hit song I'm Your Man. Which is an awesome song. I believe I mentioned this previously, but I really should have all the Wham!

8/10

Music to Crash Your Car To [Volume 1] - Mötley Crüe

I have all the albums on their own, of course, but I kept these collections in here for the bonus songs (after removing the full albums). And in this case, it features the original mix of Too Fast For Love. Which I had never heard until this release. And I gotta say... it is better! Mostly; Vince's voice has either been processed more or re-recorded in parts on the re-release, and there are some musical changes that I prefer (like the intro to Too Fast For Love - I like it just kicking without whatever they had going on here). And I am probably more used to the re-release tracklist/order. So... not really better just different? There are demos and stuff for the next 3 albums as well. Obviously, the demos are not as good as the studio versions. But this instrumental of Wild Side sure does reaffirm for me that it is one of the Crue's best songs.

Highlights: Toast of the Town, Rodeo, Tonight, Piece Of Your Action (Leathur Original Mix), Live Wire (Leathur Original Mix)

7/10

Music to Crash Your Car To [Volume 1] - Mötley Crüe

And we keep the party rolling! The original lyrics of Dr. Feelgood are hilariously bad. And "Ooh! Aah! Kickstart my heart!" is even funnier. I cannot imagine a world where Dr. Feelgood would have been so successful, had they not changed these songs for the better. Especially this gawdawful church organ in Time for Change. Then we get a bunch of random actual songs that are mostly kickass. Especially the ones from Decade of Decadence. 

Highlights: Say Yeah, Hypnotize, Primal Scream, Rock'n Roll Junkie, Angela, Anarchy in the U.K.

7/10

Musicology - Prince

School is in! This just a straight-up no-nonsense album, full of funky cuts, bluesy guitars and sexy jams. About as "classic Prince" as you could ever imagine from the man in 2004.

Highlights: Call My Name, If Eye Was the Man in Your Life, The Marrying Kind, Refletion

8/10

My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy - Kanye West

This is the album of a millionty cameos. Oh look - here comes Alicia Keys to just shout "Whoa-whoa" and here is Elton John to sing three words! This is also the only Nicki Minaj rap that was ever any good. Meanwhile, Kanye is just even grosser than usual. And Jay-Z embarrasses him on his own songs, again. Twice, even!

Highlights: Power, All of the Lights, So Appalled, Runaway

7.5/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1140

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2025 in 2025: Day 126

(miss)understood - Ayumi Hamasaki

Album # 1100, three mornings in a row starting with The Empress, and we return to that peak era. This album is one where I think it is good and then I listen to it and I am like HOLY MACKERAL WILL IT EVER STOP BEING AWESOME?!? Like, try and find a better opening run than these first five songs. Then the middle eases up a bit, but then towards the end we get one of her best ballads ever, one of her best instrumentals ever, and then some great pop to end things off. 

Highlights: HEAVEN, STEP you, Are You Wake Up?, (miss)understood, is this LOVE?

8.5/10

Missing You - K.Will

The next chapter in my random K-Pop song collection. This is a couple of light tracks - a ballad and a bit of a dance number. Not bad. Good voice.

Highlights: Missing You, Hypnosis

6.5/10

The Mix Tape - KRS-One

This is purely The Real Hip-Hop is Over Here. A massive and direct diss at Nelly. Probably one of my favourite diss tracks, because KRS knows how to put some lyrics together. If I were Nelly, I probably would have cried myself to sleep every night for a month, with my face buried in a pile of cash...

9/10

The Mix-Up - Beastie Boys

Instrumental acid jazz fun times from these cats. It is great... but admittedly, a bit disappointing. Only because their instrumentals on all their albums were super awesome, and these are a bit more of a loose jam. Still pretty funky in parts, though.

Highlights: Off the Grid, The Cousin of Death, The Melee, Freaky Hijiki

7/10

The Mix-Up (Bonus Tracks EP) - Beastie Boys

Like the name says, these are leftover tracks they threw online and made suckers like me buy. More of the same, but at least the title track made the cut here!

Highlights: The Mix-Up

6.5/10

Mixed Up - The Cure

There are "extended mix" versions of songs from Disintegration? Imagine adding them to the album. And then doing "extended mix" versions of more songs on the album. Would it ever end? Wait - the "extended dub mix" of Pictures of You is actually shorter than the album version. What a world!

Highlights: Never Enough (Big Mix), Fascination Street (Extended Mix), A Forest (Tree Mix)

7/10

Mixed Up World [Single] - Sophie Ellis-Bextor

A few neat songs by the kitchen disco queen.

Highlights: Mixed Up World, The Earth Shook the Devil's Hand

7/10

Moanin' - Mr. Airplane Man

This is the song Somebody's Baby. This has gotta be somebody else's song, because I have no idea where this came from or what this is or even who this band is.

6/10

Modjo - Modjo

The is purely the song Lady (Hear Me Tonight). I do not know of any other songs by Modjo. Do they have any other songs? Do they need any other songs?

8/10

Monster - R.E.M.

I feel like this album is R.E.M. trying to lean in to that whole 'grunge' thing, when they had been some sort of indie rock band for like 15 years at this point - and actually been doing the major label pop-rock thing for half of that time, anyways. And I know all the grunge bands respected them or whatever... but this just does not work for me at all. Well, the grunge parts; the few parts where they actually produce well-crafted pop-rock songs works nicely.

Highlights: Strange Currencies, What's the Frequency Kenneth?

5/10

Moodring - Mýa

This is purely the Missy produced My Love Is Like...Wo. Because I take Missy in all forms, even if it is just her going "Wo" over a big beat.

9/10

Moondancer - Meco

Meco taking a break from the disco-fied soundtracks to make some of his own disco music. Dracula's coming!

Highlights: Love Me Dracula, Spooky, Devil Delight, Living in the Night

7/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1111

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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 64

Emancipation - Prince

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

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

8/10

The Emancipation of Mimi - Mariah Carey

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

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

7/10

Emergency on Planet Earth - Jamiroquai

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

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

7.5/10

The Eminem Show - Eminem

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

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

6/10

Emotions - Mariah Carey

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

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

6/10

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

Alicia Keys should always double-track her vocals.

8/10

The Empire Strikes Back - Meco

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

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

9/10

Empty Room/Nutshell - Ryan Adams

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

Highlights: It is just two songs and they are fine

6/10

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

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

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

6.5/10

ENCORE SHOW - SCANDAL

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

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

7/10

Encounters of Every Kind - Meco

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

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

7/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 513

2025 in 2025: Day 49

Cyberpunk - Billy Idol

Vince Neil stole Steve Stevens, so Billy Idol's only answer was to make a weird concept album and fuse his brand of rock with 90s electronica? The dude even decides to do some rapping on here. I'd make fun, but all these fake commercials and news bits feel kind of like he was inspired RoboCop. And Shock to the System is a genuinely brilliant song. There are a couple of other good songs, but mostly this is all very dated and long and kind of silly.

Highlights: Shock to the System, Power Junkie

5/10

Cypress Hill - Cypress Hill

This album doesn't have the glorious production or menacing darkness of Black Sunday. But what it does have is funky grooves and super cool rhymes. Sometimes when a group doesn't have lots of money to hide behind, they are forced to be very good - and Cypress Hill were very good. Probably still are?

Highlights: How I Could Just Kill a Man, Light Another, Real Estate, Stoned is the Way of the Walk, The Funky Cypress Hill Shit

7/10

D.I.S.C.O. - Ottawan

Sadly, this is simply the single song from the French duo. It is a testament to the power and glory of disco music. That intro alone is life.

10/10

Da Real World - Missy Elliott

So we finally made it to the D albums! I loves me some Missy Elliott, but her first couple of albums just kind of meander a little. How did I forget Slim Shady is on here? Man, he was so fun back in the day. A lot of guest appearances on this album. And some preaching from Missy? That's not a fun way to end an album...

Highlights: Busa Rhyme

5/10

Dad Man Cat - Corduroy

One of the grooviest albums of all time. Also coolest song titles of all time, like How to Steal the World, The Girl Who Was Death and Skirt Alert. These cats were the coolest. I still need to split the live tracks from each album and put them on their own - they all come from an actual live album that was released a million years ago, but I do not have.

Highlights: How to Steal the World, Frug in G Major, Pony Tail, Skirt Alert, Money Is

9/10

Daft Punk is Playing at My House [Single] - LCD Soundsystem

It is not that song, because I have that on the self-titled LCD Soundsystem album. This is purely Jump Into the Fire (Radio One Live Sessions). This is so much better than that terrible version I heard a couple of days ago on The Craft soundtrack.

8/10

Dakota [Single] - Stereophonics

Great song, this one. The remix is pretty naff, though. And the other demo song on here is fine.

Highlights: Dakota

6/10

Dance Your Asteroids Off to the Complete Star Wars Collection - Meco

Another Meco compilation, but this time it is purely Star Wars themes. Including the Ewok celebrations from Return of the Jedi. Some of these are edited versions and a whole lot of fake movie dialogue has been edited in. The "Yoda" is hilarious; sounds more like Kurgen from Highlander! Bah gawd Meco has even re-recorded the full Lapti Nek in the corniest way. "C3PO" is rapping in Ewok language about Star Wars characters and this might be the one moment saving the album from being deleted. Jar Jar Binks rapping about himself may be even funnier!

Highlights: Darth Vader's Theme/Yoda's Theme, The Battle in the Snow, Ewok Celebration

7/10

Dancing on the Ceiling - Lionel Richie

This is purely the title track, because it is an 80s dance classic and I will love it forever. The guitar solo is way cooler than it had any right to be.

10/10

Dancing With Myself (From the Motion Picture Mean Girls) [Single] - The Donnas

An awesome cover from an awesome movie. I'm not sure if I love this more than the original, but maybe I do, because The Donnas had such great attitude. I started the day with Billy Idol being weird and ending the day with a cover of one of his best songs. Full circle!

10/10

Danger Days: The True Lives Of The Fabulous Killjoys (Deluxe Version) - My Chemical Romance

These dudes owe their producers at least 80% of everything they ever earned, because they managed to make Gerard Way sound like a great screamo-style singer, when he was in fact just an average bad singer. Also, they can only make 'concept albums'. All that said, this album has some outstanding pop-punk moments. Bulletproof Heart is the most Green Day song this side of Green Day - right down to the title! In fact, I would argue that almost every song on this album sounds like someone else. And of course they have the cliched girl talking in Japanese moment. Anyways, this album is great and there is genuinely not a bad song on it. 

Highlights: Bulletproof Heart, Sing, The Only Hope For Me Is You, Save Yourself I'll Hold Them Back, The Kids From Yesterday

8/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 384

2025 in 2025: Day 37

Christmas Apocalypse (Part 2) - The Shit

Christmas has come early in the house of LOGMAN! This is possibly my 2nd fav The Shit album. I had stuff to write, but the album was over before I could get my head in to gear.

Highlights: Shenanigans, Jesus H. Christmas, Jimmy Hackeysack, Jacques Cousteau Punch Him in the Nuts, Happy Birthday Officer David Livingston

7/10

Christmas In The Stars: Star Wars Christmas Album - Meco

C3PO and R2D2 team up with disco king Meco to bring us the weirdest Christmas album possible. There is sadly no disco to be found, just a whole lot of saccharine and Star Wars references and Christmas nonsense, delivered in spoken word by C3PO and beeps from R2D2. Some other robots or something discuss the presents they have bought for other Star Wars characters. And now some kids are singing Merry Christmas to R2D2, but they just sang about him coming down the chimney. Do they think he is Santa Claus? Also, warming his wires by fire sounds like a serious fire hazard! If you need a singing teacher, C3PO is about the last person I would recommend. And you are clearly poorly-programmed droids if you think whistling is singing. At least Ryan Adams had the decency to sing about people getting punched in the nuts at Xmas time...

Highlights: The Odds Against Christmas, What Can You Get a Wookie for Christmas (When He Already Has a Comb?)

5/10

Christmas Will Break Your Heart [Single] - LCD Soundsystem

The most depressing Xmas song? This was the big LCD Soundsystem reunion single. Again, there is no disco to be found. If we're going to do Xmas with disco acts, I would like some disco, please.

6/10

Chronicles - Steve Winwood

Nothing like some 80s Winwood to wash away the silliness of Xmas celebrations in March. This is a good reminder I need to do a more in-depth listen to Steve Winwood's solo work; this is a good compilation and I enjoy the remix nature of some of the songs, but I am interested to hear the rest of his 80s output and get more of a insight into his songwriting.

Highlights: Valerie (Remix), Higher Love

8/10

Chu~♡ - F(x)

More random K-Pop songs in my iTunes library. And I am not complaining.

7/10

Cinema Trip - PASSPO☆

My favourite album? The greatest album? Have I claimed both of those things for 50 other albums so far? I don't have a lot more to say about this one, except 5 1/2 years later it is still the highest played album in my iTunes library - and on last check, バチェロレッテは終わらない was about 100 plays ahead of anything else. By Prime, those last three songs on this album are absolute perfection. Passenger for life!

Highlights: Music Navigation, 7's Up, Playground, ギミギミaction, フィルム, バチェロレッテは終わらない

9.5/10

The Circle - Bon Jovi

Man, these dudes knew how to open an album! The rest is very inspired by the times; think Coldplay and U2 and One Republic and similar type of bands. When it works, it works - because Richie Sambora is awesome. Some of the lyrics are pretty cringe; this was the middle of a global recession, so a lot of people were struggling, and Jon Bon Jovi tried to reflect that in his lyrics, but a rich rockstar singing lines like "They took my pension" just sounds lame. Your pension is safe and sound, buddy - just release another deluxe edition of Slippery When Wet and you'll be able to fund another beach house or restaurant to help feed the homeless. 

Highlights: We Weren't Born to Follow, Brokenpromiseland, Happy Now, Learn to Love

7/10

Circus Animals - Cold Chisel

I had been led to believe that by this album, Cold Chisel were not releasing good music. You only need to listen to the first song to realise that is a lie; there are three stone cold classics on this album and a bunch of badass rock'n'roll songs to accompany them. I definitely prefer the live version of Bow River - the harmonica solo just lifts the song to different level - but Barnesy's delivery of the last line of the studio version here is awesome. Ian Moss and Jimmy Barnes had super cool harmonies; such completely different sounding voices, but when harmonising together, it sounds fantastic. 

Highlights: You Got Nothing I Want, Bow River, Forever Now, When the War is Over

7.5/10

The Clash - The Clash

You can't go wrong with some classic English punk. And this album is about as English punk as it gets. Except, hilariously, this is the US version. Look, I don't know what's going on at the best of times. Just roll with it for now... I might have to get the UK version one day and compare the two, because this album is all sorts of cool.

Highlights: I Fought the Law, Clash City Rockers, I'm So Bored with the U.S.A., London's Burning

8/10

CLASH EP -  小玉しのぶ

Fun story; after seeing BiSH live in Kanagawa, I was at a train station in either Kanagawa or Yokohama (I don't recall correctly) and outside was a young woman performing songs and selling CDs. She was very talented, so I picked up a couple of her CDs - and I have never regretted, because this EP is brilliant. I'm not just throwing around hyperbole when I say Say may well be the most underrated pop rock song on the planet. It is a genuine reminder that great music is anywhere if you just go looking for it.

Highlights: Say, 境界線

9/10

The Clash Tribute - Elvis Costello, Dave Grohl, Bruce Springsteen & Steven Van Zandt

This was a performance of London Calling by a bunch of old dudes. I liked it at the time. Now not so much...

5/10

Class Mythology - Ryan Adams

I don't remember much about this release, except that it is just chill acoustic numbers. Really chill. Except Future Sparrow - that sounds like a full on Cardinals song.

Highlights: Your Name is on Fire

6.5/10

Cloud Nine - George Harrison

This was probably my first exposure to George Harrison outside of The Beatles; Got My Mind Set On You was a big hit and I probably taped it off the radio like most kids in those days. It stands as probably my favourite album of his from the 80s, for sure. He and Jeff Lynne were a fab team. Probably the most pop collection of songs he made in his whole solo career. 

Highlights: That's What it Takes, Got My Mind Set On You, Fish on the Sand, Devil's Radio

8/10

Clumsy - Our Lady Peace

By Prime! OLP were a force on this album. Raine Maida certainly has a unique voice that you either love or hate, and I fall in to the camp of the former. When he nailed his falsetto stuff it really added something to the songs. Lyrics on this album are top tier, although I still don't really know what he means by "the world's a subway". I have added a terribly-recorded live performance of Dear Prudence to the end, for some reason. 2025 LOGMAN would not do such a thing to an album...

Highlights: Superman's Dead, 4 A.M., Clumsy

8/10

Coach Carter: Music from the Motion Picture - Various Artists

This is purely Hope by Twista and Faith Evans. It is a solid groove; Twista's flow is not over the top and Faith just hooks us up with a nice chorus. Nice song.

7/10

Coachella - Ryan Adams

Even when I was a fan of this dude, this was kind of not that great to me. I just didn't think much of the performance and I still don't. Granted, it must have been difficult with all the noise from the other stages - hardly makes for the usual type of atmosphere he played in. 

Highlights: Making comments about everyone getting sad in the desert

4/10

Cold Chisel - Cold Chisel

I will repeat myself; the US mix of Khe Sanh is the best version - Barnes' vocals are just more polished and that harmony he pulls off is awesome. The rest of this album is very blues rock. And very Cold Chisel.

Highlights: Juliet, Khe Sanh, Darskarzine, H-Hour Hotel

7/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 314

2025 in 2025: Day 20

The Best of Dark Horse - George Harrison

A George Harrison compilation of his 80s output plus two new songs. What's not to like? Especially when the new songs are very good - it is a shame that they have not been released elsewhere, even with all the reissues. Otherwise this album would be 100% redundant in my collection. Now it's only 80% redundant. But it at least gives me a good indication of how much better the reissues sound.
Highlights: Got My Mind Set on You, Cheer Down

8/10

Best of Geto Boys & Scarface - Geto Boys & Scarface

As one would imagine, this is simply Damn It Feels Good to Be a Gangsta. Damn It Feels Good to Listen to This Song.

9/10

The Best of Gloria Gaynor - Gloria Gaynor

This is purely I Will Survive. Stone cold disco anthem. 

9/10

The Best of Meco - Meco

Possibly the best collection of Meco's tunes. As it should be, I guess. But since I have every other Meco album, this should really be redundant. Hahaha like I care. I'll gladly have more disco movie themes. This Empire Strikes Back medley is about the coolest thing from Star Wars ever. Then there is the strangest departure from everything with Werewolf (Loose in London), which sounds like Queen. In every possible way (just with a worse singer).

Highlights: Star Wars Theme/Cantina Band, Empire Strikes Back (Medley), Star Wars (Medley), The Asteroid Field

8.5/10

The Best of Miami Vice - Jan Hammer

The 2004 remix of the Miami Vice theme is just terrible compared to the original version. Almost everything else sounds just like it did in the show. It doesn't quite compare to the songs used in the show, but this is generally a good little capsule from one of the greatest television shows of all time. And nobody does midi guitar like Jan Hammer.

Highlights: Lombard Trial, Airport Swap, Runaround

7/10

The Best of New Order - New Order

I've stuck with this for many years instead of getting the early albums, but I need to change that once I'm finished with this mission. Because when New Order were on, they were unbeatable. When they were bad, they were very very BAD. Like, Run Pt 2 just makes me laugh with that blatant rip-off of One Night Love Affair. And they were clearly hitting the E in Ibiza too hard when writing songs like Fine Time. 

Highlights: True Faith, Regret, Bizarre Love Triangle, Vanishing Point

8/10

The Best of Patrick Hernandez: Born to Be Alive - Patrick Hernandez

Okay, so this is only the song Born to Be Alive - which is another stone cold funky disco jam. I've never heard anything else from the man, which is odd to think about, considering disco is what fuels my heart.

9/10

The Best of The Trammps - The Trammps

Today is a disco day! Not only does this album feature a whole slew of disco good times, it even has the full 11 minute version of Disco Inferno - which I think features the smoothest disco strings and funky guitar solo and makes me want to get down and boogie. That's really the main groove of this entire album; LOGMAN wants to go back to wearing flares and burning up the dancefloor. This is one of those albums that I would just hit on repeat right now if I didn't have another 22,000 songs to listen to...

Highlights: Hold Back the Night, Disco Party, Disco Inferno

8/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 168