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 146

Psychic Lover - PSYCHIC LOVER

LOGMAN's gateway drug to Japanese rock! And it is not that I forget how awesome they are, it is more that I end up forgetting to just put them on and rock out. This album seems to be mostly anime-related songs and themes, but I do not care. They could be commercial tunes and I would still love them. 冒険王ビィト! is genuinely one of the most feelgood songs on the planet.

Highlights: 冒険王ビィト!, 冒険者 ON THE ROAD (Album Version), TAKE MY SOUL FOREVER, 特捜戦隊デカレンジャー

8.5/10

Psychic Lover II - PSYCHIC LOVER

It is going to be a full on PSYCHIC LOVER morning. And I am thankful for that! More shredding guitars and massive gang vocals and raising my fist in the air. Holy balls to the wall that opening riff in SWAT ON デカレンジャー is ridiculous! This album may actually be even more consistently awesome than their first!

Highlights: LOST IN SPACE, SWAT ON デカレンジャー, WONDER REVOLUTION, 鼓動 -get closer-, LET'S TRY TOGETHER

9/10

PSYCHIC LOVER III -WORKS- - PSYCHIC LOVER

More, you say?!? This is more of a compilation of random songs and remixes and even a couple of solo songs by each member. 

Highlights: NO NAME HEROES, SURVIVAL, いざ行け! ビートル, デカレンジャーアクション

8/10

Psychic Lover IV -BEST- - PSYCHIC LOVER

Quick note of honesty; this was the actual album, but then I shed it of everything except the 'new' songs. Then added a few singles that were later released in different versions. IMAJO is phenomenal.

Highlights: Prisoner, FLASHBACK, JUMP!

9/10

PSYCHIC MANIA - PSYCHIC LOVER

And we are not done yet! Another compilation that was originally two-discs, but again I removed the stuff already in my library, to make a more streamlined compilation that kicks even more booty. If only they had named their last studio album Psychic Lover V as well... Oh well, at least I will get to hear that next week!

Highlights: タギルチカラ!, Duet してください (斉木ックラバー ver.), Searching for Truth, 特捜戦隊デカレンジャー 10 YEARS AFTER

9/10

Psycho Circus - Kiss

I have all but given up actually writing proper reviews, so please read my most read Kiss review! I think some Brazilian Kiss fan group shared it for some reason. Big Tommy Thayer haters and felt my pain? RIP Ace!!!

Highlights: Into the Void, Raise Your Glasses, Psycho Circus, I Pledge Allegiance to the State of Rock & Roll

7/10

Psycho Circus Live Bonus Disc - Kiss

Post-reunion tour Kiss is an interesting beast. This is where it became more gimmick than ever. Still a decent listen, though. I really need to watch some Kiss concerts this weekend.

Highlights: Let Me Go Rock & Roll, 100,000 Years, Black Diamond

7/10

Psyclone - Jimmy Barnes

This may well be my first time listening to this album. Something about mid-90s Barnesy just never grabbed me; he seemed to reject the awesome pop hooks and had clearly been listening to some alternative music. And I do not like the way his vocals are produced. This is very straight-forward rock; the guitars and drums all sound the same the whole way through.

Highlights: Change of Heart, Stumbling, Because You Wanted It

6.5/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1326

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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 48

Cross Road - Bon Jovi

This is purely the songs I don't have on other albums - that being the 2 new songs (Someday I'll Be Saturday Night & Always) and Runaway. Because I am lame and still do not have their debut album. I legit can not explain that in a rational way. Maybe that will be my goal for 2025? Start 2026 by listening to that album?

Highlights: Someday I'll Be Saturday Night, Always, Runaway

8/10

The Crow: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack - Various Artists

A whole lot of dark and brooding alternative songs. Some fairly light industrial fare, as well. But when your soundtrack opens with this kind of song by The Cure, you can not help but win. I wanted to do something with Golgotha Tenement Blues during my video making days. It could have been used so much better in this film. Nine Inch Nails covering Joy Division. Rage Against The Machine with a song that I've heard about 7 different versions of and this one is not my favourite. The singer from Helmet had such a boring voice. I could have sworn there was a Skinny Puppy song on here, but I am not sad that I am wrong. 

Highlights: Burn - The Cure, Golgotha Tenement Blues - Machines of Loving Grace, Slip Slide Melting - For Love Not Lisa, Dead Souls - Nine Inch Nails

6.5/10

The Crow: City of Angels (Soundtrack) - Various Artists

The movie was not as good, but I would argue the soundtrack was better in some ways - or at least the better songs are much better? And some of the songs are much worse. I certainly did not need to hear Bush do anything, let alone cover a Joy Division song badly. Tricky is a weird dude. Knock Me Out is just awesome; Grace Slick and Linda Perry's voices are both so strong and full of emotion, they match perfectly in this song. Deftones sound so old school here, with the boxy guitar tone, Chi shouting in the chorus and Chino kind of semi-rapping. City of Angels sounds like a serious ripoff of Dam It Feels Good to Be a Gangsta. And things end with a glorious Heather Nova performance, which I will always welcome after a bunch of crap alt rock.

Highlights: Knock Me Out - Linda Perry & Grace Slick, Believe in Angels - Heather Nova & Graeme Revell, Teething - Deftones, Jurassitol - Filter

6/10

Crowded House - Crowded House

What a debut album this is. Neil Finn is the greatest songwriter from New Zealand - at least this side of Tim Finn, anyways. I am not even sure Crowded House ever topped this album; it is pure 80s pop rock greatness. It also is not said enough, but all three are/were fantastic musicians in their rights.

Highlights: Mean to Me, Don't Dream it's Over, Something So Strong, I Walk Away

9/10

Crown Royal - Run-D.M.C.

The worst Run-D.M.C. album! D.M.C. appears on a total of... one song? And instead they team up with quality MCs like... Kid Rock and Fred Durst. Need I say more? Well, it is not all bad; the one song that is pure Run-D.M.C. is awesome, as is the collaboration with Stephan Jenkins. Also, Simmons Incorporated is pretty darn great. Oh, D.M.C. is on this one as well - I just forget, because he lays down like 5 lines or something. Quite sad that this was the last album they released. RIP JMJ

Highlights: Simmons Incorporated (w/Method Man), Crown Royal, Rock Show (w/Stephan Jenkins)

6.5/10

Crush - Bon Jovi

Jon Bon Jovi always sounds so corny when he swears in his songs. This is probably the Bon Jovi album that I listen to the least - well, until I got What About Now. This album is not as bad as that, but it is trying. It is just really really mediocre. And I don't think It's My Life is nearly as good as everyone else seems to think it is. 

Highlights: Just Older, Captain Crash & The Beauty Queen from Mars

5/10

CRUSH & BUILD - PSYCHIC LOVER

This is pretty much what I needed after that hour of mediocrity. PSYCHIC LOVER re-recording their 'biggest hits' or whatever they are (they are hits to me!). Somehow these songs sound even more boombastic and highly produced, when I am certain YOFFY just recorded these all at home on his own setup. Then again, they have a full on live band these days - maybe they recorded with them as well? Hard to judge which versions are better, to be honest here, but I certainly do not need English language versions. I often consider YOFFY to be the Japanese Jon Bon Jovi, but after listening to Crush and then this back-to-back, YOFFY is way better. IMAJO is no Richie Sambora, though (they are both awesome in different ways).

Highlights: Everything Except the English Versions

7.5/10

The Cure - The Cure

Man, this morning is too sunny and beautiful for this album! For some reason, I feel like I have already talked about this album. It is like The Cure, if the The Cure were angry and trying to be more metal? But then this is The Cure? The End of the World is like a total pop song, though, so everything I am writing is just proving to be nonsense? The Promise is epic. 

Highlights: Labyrinth, The Promise, The End of the World, Alt. End, Going Nowhere

7/10

Cut The Crap - The Clash

Joe Strummer does 80s pop? Joe Strummer does Garageband? Joe Strummer does a 'WTF am I doing?' Everything sounds so poorly recorded - even for The Clash. And there are just odd noises and samples going on in the background that distract from actual songs. The weird part is, I kind of wish they had just embraced the 80s ska-pop thing 100% and really gone for it, because there are couple of cool songs (or at least songs that have cool elements) that just end up crashing from the poor production and whatnot. Fingerpoppin' is a certified dancehall banger!

Highlights: Fingerpoppin', North and South

4.5/10

Cuts Like a Knife - Bryan Adams

I think this was BA's first really good album; You Want It, You Got It was fine, but Cuts Like a Knife is more polished and the songs are stronger, more consistent. I think maybe this was the first album Keith Scott joined the team? That would all tie in nicely; his guitar playing really adds something to what Bryan Adams brings to the table. As does whoever is playing these organ/keyboard parts. I could imagine Kiss doing I'm Ready - maybe not for Creatures of the Night, but definitely on Unmasked. 

Highlights: The Only One, Cuts Like a Knife, What's It Gonna Be, Take Me Back, This Time, I'm Ready

8/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 373

Hilarious

Yes, I realise my amazing Kissathon blogging failed. I completed the Kissathon personally, but failed to post about it every day...

So before I finish watching every episode of the greatest cartoon ever created, I will endeavour to complete my mission. Just to refresh myself, I will actually do Kissathon again at the same time, as well.

Right after I finish listening to Psychic Lover.
This could take a while...