2025 in 2025: Day 188

YAH! YAH! YAH! HELLO SCANDAL - SCANDAL

Debut EP and indie release? Like, I can kind of hear it - but it just sounds like SCANDAL! Not modern SCANDAL by any stretch, but early idol band SCANDAL for sure. Which is a lot of fun.

Highlights: スペースレンジャー, 恋模様, 恋の果実

7.5/10

Yeezus - Kanye West

Let me break this down, lyrically; Kanye West is a genius and he does not care about anyone else, because you are all beneath him, and all the women want Kayne West's penis and he happily gives it to them and all these women are also hoes that are not worth his time. Musically, some of this stuff is still ground-breaking as hell. But fuck Kanye West.

Highlights: New Slaves, I Am A God, Hold My Liquor, Guilt Trip

7.5/10

YELLOW - SCANDAL

The last album of the girls being girls. Lots of great hooks and just fun times all around.

Highlights: LOVE ME DO, Stamp!, Sisters, 今夜はピザパーティー

7.5/10

Yellow Submarine - The Beatles

Half The Beatles, half George Martin trying to re-establish himself as a "serious" producer. George Harrison legit has the greatest song on the album.

Highlights: It's All Too Much, All You Need is Love, Hey Bulldog, All Together Now

9/10 for the actual songs half

Boredom/10 for the rest

Yellow Submarine Songtrack - The Beatles

This was the first instance of The Beatles getting a remix and remaster. And instead of it just being the old soundtrack, they decided to do something new and compile all the actual songs used in the movie. This is much more of a fun listen.

Highlights: It's All Too Much, All You Need is Love, Hey Bulldog, All Together Now, Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds

9/10

Yesterday's Hero - John Paul Young

This is only the wonderful Love is in the Air. About the cheesiest love song on the planet and I love it all the more for that reason.

8/10

Yield - Pearl Jam

This was seen as a return to form back in 1998 - a bit more rocking than the previous couple of albums. I don't know, the whole thing is enjoyable in a radio rock kind of way, I guess. Eddie Vedder's voice is pretty annoying, though.

Highlights: Faithful, Low Light, In Hiding, Given to Fly

7/10

Yolo - The Lonely Island

Possibly the best comedy song ever - that beat alone is just far too good. Plus, lyrically, it sums up how I live!

10/10

YOU AND I - Park Bom

Oh random K-Pop brings me an ex-2NE1 member! And it is a very 2NE1 type of song. 

8/10

You Can't See Me - John Cena & Tha Trademarc

Musically this is all pretty harmless and fun in parts. Listening to the lyrics is pretty much a laugh a minute - Cena himself rhymes like the whitest white dude with the corniest nonsense and it is fun. It is also funny hearing him swear so much. WWE money must have at least paid for some above average (not Mike Sanders) producers?
Highlights: The Time is Now, Bad Bad Man

6/10

You Could Have It So Much Better - Franz Ferdinand

Much less awesome than their debut album - nothing that really stands out the way half of that album does - but still very enjoyable. I can see they were certainly trying to get a couple of songs to catch the way Take Me Out did, but they just do not catch.

Highlights: Do You Want To, The Fallen, This Boy, You Could Have It So Much Better

7/10

YOU NEVER WALK ALONE - BTS

I could be wrong, but this feels like the turning point where they just went harder into pop - there is barely any hip-hop on here at all. Like, it is not Permission to Dance levels of pop, but still much more accessible. The last half is almost perfect.

Highlights: 봄날, Not Today, Am I Wrong, A Supplementary Story : You Never Walk Alone

7.5/10

You Want It, You Got It - Bryan Adams

Is this technically the first CD LOGMAN bought? Absolute 80s pop rock - very light on the rock. Very typical radio music from 1981 and almost works as a good companion piece to Unmasked by Kiss (just because some of the cheesy stuff sounds very similar, not that BA was involved with that album) or even Peter Criss' solo albums.

Highlights: Lonely Nights, Fits Ya Good, Last Chance, Don't Look Now

7/10

You Wanted The Best, You Got The Best - Kiss

I have written about this before. It is "live" Kiss. It is a guaranteed good time!*

*At least, when Tommy Thayer is not involved

Highlights: Take Me, Let Me Know, Room Service, Two Timer

9/10

You've Come a Long Way, Baby - Fatboy Slim

Classic late 90s UK techno rave dance business. This dude is like The Chemical Brothers with a sense of humour. 

Highlights: The Rockafeller Skank, Right Here Right Now, You're Not From Brighton, Gangster Tripping

7/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1890

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2025 in 2025: Day 174

Telecinema Project Vol.3: Break-up follows love - Gummy

Our latest random K-pop song is a super soft ballad and that is all I can say here.

6/10

Telepathy - 小玉しのぶ

Not nearly as impressive as the other album I have from her, but still a very solid listen. Just some quickfire pop rock.

Highlights: Say (Acoustic Version), アコガレスター

7/10

The Temple Of Hip-Hop Presents... - Various Artists

I only now have two songs from this album, but I am fairly certain I had the full thing somewhere. Probably very hard to find, now. That will teach me...

Highlights: Up From Da Underground - Xzhibit & KRS-One, Live at The Temple - Big Daddy Kane

8/10

Temple of Low Men - Crowded House

I can not explain it, but I feel like this album is just missing something. I say this as someone who generally enjoys Crowded House, without being a big fan or anything. 

Highlights: When You Come, Sister Madly, Better Be Home Soon

6.5/10

Temple of Low Men [Deluxe Edition] - Crowded House

One of the few albums I managed to get the deluxe edition for - I certainly wish I had bought the others. This is all just demos and live versions. Mostly live versions. So when I say "I certainly wish I had bought the other [deluxe editions]", I do not mean for the bonus discs...

Highlights: Sister Madly [Studio Outtake], When You Come [Live]

5.5/10

Temple of the Dog - Temple of the Dog

Probably the best album to come out of the 'grunge' era? Certainly the best album these guys from these bands did. Cornell's voice is just otherworldly. 

Highlights: Say Hello 2 Heaven, Hunger Strike, Times of Trouble, Four Walled World

8/10

TEMPTATION BOX - SCANDAL

Peak idol-era Scandal; a whole bunch of harmless pop rock that is just upbeat and... there.

Highlights: 少女M, Hi-Hi-Hi, Hello!Hello!

6.5/10

Ten - Pearl Jam

It was not until my 20s that I realised how heavy the 70s rock vibe was on this album. And look, I am not the Pearl Jam fan I was 25 years ago, and this was never my favourite Pearl Jam album.... but maybe it actually is? Because it still rocks hard.

Highlights: Porch, Oceans, Release, Why Go

9/10

Terminal - YUKI

Like most 'modern' era YUKI albums, this covers all the genres - this time including some pretty big dance vibes. ご・く・ら・く terminal is like some hard K-pop hip-hop kind of thing, production-wise. A lot of fun to be had here!

Highlights: Baby it's you, ラスボス, Sunday Service, good girl

7.5/10

Thank You - Stone Temple Pilots

These are some random bonus songs from what I can only imagine was a greatest hits compilation. I like STP. A lot. But these are not important.

Highlights: Some random live version of Unglued that I found on the internet a million years ago

6/10

That's The Way It Is - Elvis Presley

The movie of the same name may well be the greatest concert film ever produced. And yet, this album is a lot of the things that movie is not; mostly super chilled out country-influenced pop. And I think I love it for all of those reasons. There are some live songs here - and some of them not from the movie - and they are just stellar.

Highlights: I Just Can't Help Believing, You've Lost That Loving Feeling, Just Pretend, How the Web Was Woven

8/10

That's The Way It Is: Live 12 August 1970 - Elvis Presley

Disc 2 of the set is a rare (at the time) concert performance recorded for the movie. And it rocks. It has been a while since I last had an Elvis concert going on here, so it is most welcome.

Highlights: Walk a Mile in My Shoes, You've Lost That Loving Feeling, Just Pretend, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Suspicious Minds

7.5/10

That's The Way It Is: Rehearsals - Elvis Presley

And disc 3 is, of course, a mix of rehearsals and other random live songs recorded for the movie. So why did they not just call it outtakes or something? 

Highlights: I Can't Stop Loving You, Stranger in the Crowd

6.5/10

The Best of del Tha Funkee Homosapien - The Elektra Years: B-Boy Handbook - Del the Funky Homosapien

So not only is this sorted by the T in The, but the way his name is spelled completely differs between the artist name and the extraordinarily long album title? To make it even more fun, this is simply the wonderful Mistadobalina. It is wonderful - did you not hear me the first time?

8/10

The Black Parade - My Chemical Romance

Another T for The?? Fuck you, Tim Apple! Mid-00s emo anthems and it starts off VERY strong... but then they get caught up in trying way more grandiose than MCR are actually capable of, and it just comes off as trying WAY too hard.

Highlights: Welcome to the Black Parade, The End., Dead!, Teenagers

7/10

Theatre of Pain - Mötley Crüe

This album gets a bit of a bad rap. Or maybe I am just too much of a fan? But I think it is quite the classic Crüe groove. Vince's voice is pretty average, but still not nearly as terrible as it is now. I am not going to post my long-winded nonsense from my COVID-era marathon, because I like the album more today!

Highlights: Home Sweet Home, Louder Than Hell, Save Our Souls, Tonight (We Need a Lover)

7.5/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1686

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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 168

Speak - Lindsay Lohan

Compared to A Little More Personal (Raw), this is much more of a teen pop album. Which is not a bad thing. Fun, mostly upbeat, basic lyrics and all easily singalongable.

Highlights: Disconnected, Over, First, Symptoms of You

7/10

Speak for Yourself - Imogen Heap

There was this six month period of 2005 where it seemed like everyone was on the Imogen Heap hype train. Which is crazy, because this album is just nothing!

Highlights: Hide and Seek, The Walk

6.5/10

Speakerboxxx - Outkast

Holy cow, this is so much better than I remember. Or at least much better than The Love Below. They really should have just made one great album instead, because this just straight-up hip-hop coolness. Big Boi is severely underrated and all the features here are rad, as well.

Highlights: Flip-Flop Rock, Last Call, The Way You Move, War

7.5/10

Spellbound - Split Enz

These dudes were the greatest musical act in New Zealand history and this marathon is only convincing me it is not close.

Highlights: Message to My Girl, History Never Repeats, Six Months in a Leaky Boat, I See Red

8/10

Spend the Night - The Donnas

Modern rock bands could learn a thing or two from The Donnas. This album, specifically, where every song is either 'this dude sucks' or 'this dude has a big dong so he should let me ride it'. Lessons learned!

Highlights: I Don't Care (So There), 5 O'Clock in the Morning, Too Bad About Your Girl, Take It Off

9/10

SPICE - SCANDAL

When my girls rock, they rock hard. This is almost the most typically Japanese rock song they have done in years.

8/10

Spice - Spice Girls

Is there a more perfect pop album? Sure, maybe. But these women will forever have my heart. I never really noticed before that there is some heavy UK funk influence in here - which explains why it registered so well with me? And god help the mister that comes between me and my sisters!

Highlights: Say You'll Be There, Who Do You Think You Are?, Love Thing, Wannabe

9/10

Spice: 25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition - Spice Girls

I have already complained about this and there certainly is a lot missing, but what is here is actually decent and it is great to have this much in one place.

Highlights: One of These Girls, Spice Chat 2, Say You'll Be There [7" Radio Edit], If You Can't Dance [Demo Version]

7/10

Spiceworld - Spice Girls

Definitely less funk influence and more of a throwback to 60s pop and soul, in my opinion. But still very awesome. Melvins B and C were the coolest.

Highlights: Do It, Move Over, Stop, Saturday Night Divas

9/10

Spiceworld: 25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition - Spice Girls

Similar to the Spice: 25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition, there is a lot missing here, and instead time is devoted to remixes and live versions. At least we got the other Pepsi song!

Highlights: Step to Me [7" Mix], Outer Space Girls, Spice Girls Party Mix

7/10

Spiceworld Tour Live At Wembley Stadium 20-09-1998 - Spice World

I had this on VHS, but missed out on getting the DVD - which now sells for more than the price of a locomotive. But I also did not watch my VHS all that much, back in the day. It is good, but Geri is missing and it is noticeable. Although they did play a recording of her singing in Spanish during If You Can't Dance. They also announce they are staying together and then broke up two years later...

Highlights: Who Do You Think You Are?, Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves, Say You'll Be There, We Are Family

7/10

Spike - Elvis Costello

This is only the single Veronica. I actually do not know much of Elvis Costello's works. I keep telling myself to one day do a bit of listen, but then forget and just listen to The Shit...

7.5/10

Spirit - Leona Lewis

I think I enjoyed her second album more? Like, the ballads are impressive... well, a couple are, but the rest is very forgettable.

Highlights: Whatever It Takes, I Will Be, The Best You Never Had, Bleeding Love

6.5/10

The Spirit Room - Michelle Branch

Why do I not have full albums by Michelle Branch? The songs I have by her are pop perfection, yet I have not heard anything else? I make no sense. Oh yeah, this is All You Wanted.

9/10

Spirit: Stallion Of The Cimerron - Bryan Adams & Hans Zimmer

Bryan Adams makes a lot songs for movies and has done since the 90s. This is the rare occasion he made a full album's worth. Well, almost; Hans Zimmer does provide a few songs of pure score. BA is pretty good at evoking emotion, so it makes sense.

Highlights: Here I Am (End Title), Sound the Bugle, Don't Let Go, This is Where I Belong

7/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1595

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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 148

Q Division Demos - Ryan Adams

Minimalist acoustic demos of songs that would later appear... on other demos? And better?

Highlights: Quick

5/10

Quaternary - Mötley Crüe
Back in 1994, we didn't have the internet to download everything we needed, so the only way to get this was some special fan club or something. It was very limited. Anyways, if I remember correctly it was just 4 songs written by each member: Tommy Lee does his best Linkin Park tribute before Linkin Park were even in High School, Mick Mars gets his blues guitar instrumental going, Nikki Sixx thinks he is NIN and Stabbing Westward attending deep therapy sessions, and John Corabi... mistakes himself for one of The Beatles? Dude - you are in Mötley Crüe. Oh wait; there is a 5th song that involves all of the band. It sounds like most of the songs found on Mötley Crüe. Which is good. Also, there is a whole bunch of studio banter between songs. Most of it makes me want to slap these guys. I play life on Expert level, so there are a bunch of bonus tracks here that are completely unnecessary and are actually longer than the original EP. 

Highlights: Planet Boom, Babykills, 10000 Miles Away, Livin' in the No [Demo]

6.5/10

Queen - Queen

Q is for Queen. Duh! Their debut album has some highlights, for sure, but it is very heavily reminiscent of Led Zepplin and other blues rock bands at the time that were considered heavy. And - controversial opinion - Mercury's voice on this album was kind of just above average.

Highlights: Keep Yourself Alive, Liar, Great King Rat, Son and Daughter

7.5/10

Queen Forever - Queen

This is a self-made compilation of all the b-sides and non-album songs - including the one song with Michael Jackson they were able to release. I kind of like that 30 years later they are still trickling out the occassional song they have decided to complete and suckering fools like me in to buying their albums again. 

Highlights: I Go Crazy, Soul Brother, I Can't Live With You (1997 Queen Rocks Version), There Must Be More to Life Than This (with Michael Jackson)

7/10

Queen I - Queen

Speaking of ways to sucker me in to buying things... the first Queen album remixed with modern sounding drums and autotune on the vocals! As someone that has spent most of his life listening to this album, it sure is jarring to hear it this way. But also interesting? Thanks to the use of alternate takes being added to the mix. I still would never have put Mad the Swine on the album, because that song is seriously lame.

Highlights: Modern Times Rock 'n' Roll, Great King Rat, Son and Daughter

7.5/10

Queen I At The BBC - Queen

Most of the album performed "live" on the BBC - somewhat live. Somewhat. And some of it is played twice, because this covers four different sessions. Kind of a jumble? Still leaves a lot of BBC stuff to be remixed/remastered - hopefully they get to that so I can feel justified not ever purchasing the Live On Air box set.

Highlights: "Son and Daughter" (BBC Session 2, July 1973), "Great King Rat" (BBC Session 3, December 1973), "Keep Yourself Alive" (BBC Session 1, February 1973)

7/10

Queen I: De Lane Lea Demos - Queen

The original demos also get the remix treatment. It makes them sound pretty epic, I have to admit. I dig all the acoustic guitar in Keep Yourself Alive. Jesus is a massive bluesy jam. 

Highlights: Liar, The Night Comes Down, Keep Yourself Alive

7/10

Queen I: Instrumentals - Queen

Quite fun to hear everything going on in the new mixes without the vocals getting in the way. Of course, Queen just can not help themselves and there are still a bunch of backing vocals in these. In fact, Great King Rat still features a few main vocal lines for fun. Mad the Swine is actually better as an instrumental! This all might be a good way for me to sit down and learn to play these songs properly? Haha yeah that will never happen. I am no Brian May!

Highlights: Liar, Great King Rat, Keep Yourself Alive, Mad the Swine

7/10

Queen I: Sessions - Queen

And we are still not done! Now we get the album in 'alternate take' form; some fully finished and unused versions, some test sessions with guide vocals, some acoustic jams with Mercury providing mouth guitar solos. Those are the best parts. Actually, my personal highlight was Brian May calling Freddie Mercury by his REAL name! And boy do they like telling someone they were the one that messed up a song. I would have HATED being in this band. I would have been getting called out every 45 seconds...

Highlights: See What a Fool I've Been (De Lane Lea Test Session), Liar (Trident Take 1), Keep Yourself Alive (Trident Take 13)

6/10

Queen II - Queen

Finally moving on to their second album and boy howdy, what a difference 6 months makes! This thing is epic and grand and everything that Queen is known for and I love them for it. Mercury's voice is already improved 200% and while the songs are still lyrically kind of Tolkien-esque and somewhat biblical, it actually works much better with all the guitar orchestras and layers upon layers of vocals.

Highlights: The March of the Black Queen/Funny How Love Is, Father to Son, White Queen (As it Began), Ogre Battle

9/10

Queens are Trumps -切り札はクイーン- - SCANDAL

Things start off like a damned Aerosmith album (a good one), then promptly gets in to Josie and the Pussycats territory, before giving us some disco rock? There is some full on electropop in here as well, but the pop punk is where these girls always shine brightest. Mami's voice has really grown on me and the songs she sings are becoming my favourites. 

Highlights: 声, Queens are trumps, Rock'n Roll, Bright

7/10

Queens of Noise - The Runaways

Much more of an attempt at something polished and made for the masses, or something. I always forget Joan Jett sings the title track, because live it was Cherie Currie.

Highlights: Neon Angels on the Road to Ruin, Queens of Noise, Take It or Leave It, I Love Playin' with Fire

7/10

Quizás - Enrique Iglesias

Enrique gets his Spanish crooning going. Big time; the first half is just full on ballads - some of them very slow and possibly romantic, while he kind of picks up the energy a bit in the second half. Sounds like a sports game. Maybe a lucha libre match? La Parka would smash everyone, but likely would not walk out to a song by Enrique.

Highlights: No Apagues La Luz, Para Qué La Vida, Quizás, Marta

7/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1348

There is no way I see myself finishing the remaining 677 in less than two months, but hey - Q is for Quitting is for Quitters!

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2025 in 2025: Day 125

mimosa - Ayumi Hamasaki

Ayu's most recent single. Nothing groundbreaking, but very good. Still Ayu.

8/10

Mind Games - John Lennon

This albums is very low key, but lyrically still very protesty and freedom for the people. Just less angsty than Sometime in New York City. Almost like Lennon is tired and his energy a bit drained since the last album flopped. And he was drinking and partying a lot. Probably that. 

Highlights: Mind Games, I Know (I Know), Meat City, Out of the Blue

7/10

Minor Earth Major Sky - a-ha

Interesting how these guys always seemed to grow and adapt their sound to be more in step with what was happening in pop music; this certainly sounds like something from around 2000, without sounding too terrible. 

Highlights: Velvet, The Sun Never Shone That Day, Barely Hanging On

6.5/10

Holy moly we are just following up yesterday hilariously well!

Minutes to Midnight - Linkin Park

Not a lot of Mike Shinoda on this one. And the album is boring. Coincidence? Musically, it does have good moments. It is just having it all rely on Chester Bennington do his thing just does not give the songs any dynamics. The proof is in the only two songs that feature Shinoda doing his thing, too, and they are easily the best songs on the album.

Highlights: Bleed It Out, Shadow of the Day, What I've Done

6/10

The Miracle - Queen

This album has it all; dance bops, simple pop, ballads, synth bass, computer drums... and in there are two of their biggest straight rock songs ever. Brian May's tone on this album is absolute perfection. I do have the box set and am looking forward to listening to the various outtakes and what not - I have already heard the version of Breakthru on there with the real drums and bass and it sounds awesome - but I still have like 900 albums in here to get through... so maybe in 2026...

Highlights: I Want It All, Was It All Worth It, Breakthru, The Miracle

8.5/10

Miracle Driving - JUDY AND MARY

Fairly standard JAM offering, though much less punk than usual. But still enjoyable.

Highlights: Miracle Night Driving, Kyoto, Platinum, ステレオぜんかい

7/10

A Mirage in the Sun - MONOEYES

I was going to say something about this being their weakest album, but it really is not. Or all their albums are great and I just sometimes pretend otherwise? The end three songs here are absolute perfection - like the ending of a PASSPO☆ album. These dudes actually released a new album a couple of weeks ago. Shame I will have to wait three more months to check it out...

Highlights: 明日公園で, Wish it Was Snowing Out, Remember Me, グラニート

8/10

MIRROR - SCANDAL

While I do miss the angsty punk vibes from their previous couple of albums, the newfound creativity on display throughout this album more than makes up for it. I should learn some of these riffs for the next time I get to demo Mami's signature strat. That thing is art!

Highlights: MIRROR, eternal, 彼女はWave, アイボリー

8/10

Mirrorball - Sarah McLachlan

For those keeping score at home, this makes THREE live albums from Sarah McLachlan in my collection. Insert a gif of Tim Robinson saying "What the hell?" from I Think You Should Leave here. In fairness, the previous two were EPs and this is a full on long album. And it is long. And it is very good. The songs generally have a bit of an extra kick going on, although I am not sure any of them needed shredding guitar solos.

Highlights: Sweet Surrender, Ice Cream, Wait, Do What You Have to Do

7/10

The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill - Lauryn Hill

Ms. Hill gets a lot of flack, but she also gets away with a lot. A LOT. People give her more leeway than she probably deserves, but the reason for that is this album is a gawdam masterpiece. Two parts hip-hop, two parts R&B, one part reggae, one part gospel, three parts soul. All parts brilliant.

Highlights: Ex-Factor, Zion, Doo Wop (That Thing), Can't Take My Eyes Off of You

9/10

Miss-E... So Addictive - Missy Elliott

Oooh yeah we are just hitting all my hip-hop bumps today! This may not be Missy's best work, but there are still some killer tracks. This is her and Timberland starting to find their groove between between making artsy creative hip-hop and getting some hooks. Missy's rhymes are badass, though. And she sure does not have patience for fools. 

Highlights: Get Ur Freak On, One Minute Man (Remix), Dog in Heat, Old School Joint, Step Off

7/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1099

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2025 in 2025: Day 117

Live: Medianrum Forumassago, Milan 03-11-2010 - Prince

This an example of a very listenable audience recording. It is not perfect by any stretch, but certainly gives a decent account of what the show was like. And this show is Prince tearing up the sky with his telecaster. The man is clearly in a groove, because it is not until song five that he actually plays one of his own tracks. And his playing has all the feel and funk you could imagine. 

Highlights:

8/10

Live: Omaha to Osaka - L7

Having a marching band perform a medley of L7 songs is definitely a way to start a live show. Not sure what their beef with Dave Mustaine and Megadeth was. Sure, Crush 'Em was not the best entrance theme for Goldberg, but that is no reason to keep ripping on the dude in Omaha. They sure did not have anything to say about him in Osaka. Instead they.. .bitch about people asking for Shitlist. Rude. You played that for the clowns in Omaha! I guess that was their prize for not going to see Megadeth!

Highlights: Deathwish, Drama, Non-Existent Patricia, Shitlist, Fast and Frightening

7/10

Live: Palalottomatica, Rome 02-11-2010 - Prince

Hilarious that this comes after the concert that happened the day after. Now I am confused! The sound quality is not as good as the Milan show, but the setlist is slightly different; much less covers, a couple of 90s cuts, and a bit less jamming. Purple Rain is not quite the guitar solo masterclass as it would be the next night, but it is still extremely awesome. 

Highlights: Purple Rain, Peach, Controversy/Le Freak/Sexy Dancer, Shhh!

7.5/10

The Living Dead - BUMP OF CHICKEN

My usual points about these dudes still remains, but this album is a little different in vibes; it is much less rocking and a bit more chill. The acoustic guitar is quite prominent, but without the album not feeling like an indie rock album. Actually, that is the vibe! Much more indie. 

Highlights: LAMP, K, 続・くだらない唄, リリィ

7/10

The Living End - The Living End

When I hear Green Day albums from the late 90s/early 00s like Nimrod and Warning, I think this is what they though they sounded like. But they did not. Because that stuff was weaksauce and this is ferocious skiffle rockabilly punk rock and it absolutely stomps hard. Awesome songs and VERY good musicians. Sure, the 2nd half is just kind of okay, but that first half is so amazing you forget you are listening to some young Aussie dudes. Apparently, the dude from this band is also in a rockabilly group with Jimmy Barnes. Holy moly!

Highlights: Growing Up (Falling Down), Monday, Save the Day, Second Solution, West End Riot, All Torn Down

8/10

Living in the city - SCANDAL

Their drummer must have slept in and missed the session? Because this is modern-era SCANDAL with a big beat behind those soundscape guitars. And it is great.

8/10

Living in the Material World - George Harrison

This is much of a straight up pop album, compared to his first solo effort. Lyrically, it is very focused on spirituality. And getting sued.

Highlights: Be Here Now, Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth), The Day The World Get's Round, Living in the Material World

7.5/10

Living Things - Linkin Park

This is pretty quick fire. But also lacking in any real substance or anything memorable. It follows a bit of the vibe of Ten Thousand Suns by having a whole lot of similar sounding songs. Except those were awesome and there were all those weird interludes to mix it.

Highlights: Burn it Down, Powerless

6/10

London Calling - The Clash

Not quite as diverse as some of their other albums, but the mindset and attitude remains the same. This marathon has definitely made me appreciate The Clash even more.

Highlights: London Calling, Death or Glory, Train in Vain, Rudie Can't Fail

7.5/10

Long Plays 83-87 - Pseudo Echo

This is purely Funky Town. The greatest cover song ever. I do not need to know if Pseudo Echo ever made any other music, because this song should fund them many houses for eternity.

10/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 125

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2025 in 2025: Day 108

Kiss - Dara [ft. CL]

Half of 2NE1 unite to thrown down some killer K-Pop. They should have done more together. Or just bring back 2NE1 forever?

8/10

Kiss - Kiss

I have written about this album. Twice. Kiss rock.

Highlights: Black Diamond, 100,000 Years, Deuce, Cold Gin, Strutter

8/10

Kiss (Deluxe Edition) - Carly Rae Jepsen

Girly bubblegum pop and it feels so good. If I gave my wife a guitar string to wrap around her finger instead of an actual wedding ring, I think the wedding would have been immediately cancelled. Also, that would be mighty uncomfortable. Honestly, if you are on a tight budget, there are always genuine ring options that are quite affordable. No need to settle for some hacked nickel wire.

Highlights: Call Me Maybe, Good Time, More Than a Memory, Almost Said It

7/10

Kiss from the Darkness - SCANDAL

The coolest ex-idol ladies continuing their growth with a very mature-sounding album. Exploring different soundscapes, but not abandoning their pop roots at all. And then kicking it up to 11 on a few songs. A.M.D.K.J. absolutely stomps harder than almost anything else they have ever done! 

Highlights: A.M.D.K.J., 最終兵器、君, 月, セラミックブルー

8/10

Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me - The Cure

The Cure doing what The Cure do best; a mix of 80s pop with long dark synth driven stuff as well. Except the album kinda drags a bit and the last half is definitely not as good as the first, but the pop songs here are immaculate. Shiver and Shake is the funnest diss track, where the person being dissed is performing on the recording. Very Fleetwood Mac of Robert Smith, there.

Highlights: Just Like Heaven, Hey You!, Why Can't I Be You?, The Kiss

8/10

That is enough kissing for today!

Knee Deep in the Hoopla - Starship

Naturally, this is purely We Built This City. Awesome song. So many internets losers call this the worst song ever or some bullshit. Clearly they need to listen to more music, because this is actually one of the best!

10/10

Know Your Enemy - Manic Street Preachers

How do you follow up an album that breaks you through to a worldwide number one by playing it incredibly safe? Why, make an album that sounds like an absolute mess, of course! Some of the songs rock really hard underneath all the noise and calamity. So it all gets a tick from me. Plus I have the special edition that tacks on one of their finest singles ever. I really should get the reissue of this and find out how it compares, because I believe it has all been remixed and re-sequenced - interesting to see what difference it makes.

Highlights: The Masses Against the Classes, Dead Martyrs, Found That Soul, Freedom of Speech Won't Feed My Children

6.5/10

Knowing Me, Knowing You with Alan Partridge - Alan Partridge

This is the radio show, which preceded the hilarious TV show. And like the TV show, the episode where he takes it on the road is top stuff. 

Highlights: Alan interviews Conrad Knight & Sally Hoff, Alan and Tony Hayers take calls live on air, Alan is tricked into snorting coke live on air by "France's second best F1 racing driver", Lord Morgan of Glossop 

9/10

Концерт - Billy Joel

Billy Joel live in Russia. I watched this concert a billion times on video when I was a child. I remember thinking it was super cool. Also remember the video ran out right near the end of Big Shot, so here I am almost 40 years later still wondering if Billy Joel jumped off his piano at the end...

Highlights: Goodnight Saigon, Allentown, Angry Young Man, Big Shot

7/10

KoЯn - KoЯn

This album is so much tighter and well-made than anything else these goofs ever attempted. 14 year-old LOGMAN thought it was kind of cool, which is probably why these guys are still in my library. There is a lot of latent homophobia going on here. And dumb shit that appeals to teenage boys, I guess.

Highlights: Need To, Divine, Ball Tongue, Helmet in the Bush

6.5/10

Kotten - Kotten

I do not even know where this fits, stylistically. It is kind of alt. country, but more standard and less country? So, more pop rock, without rocking and no hooks? Ryan Adam got better, but also simultaneously worse!

Highlights: Unknown 3, Unknown 4

6/10

Krystal Meyers - Krystal Meyers

Christian rock's answer to Avril Lavigne (this was released back when she was popular). In fact, I think the latter even co-wrote a song on this album. What does she know about Christian music? Or making good music, even? That coda in The Way to Begin is better than anything Avril could ever hope to write. Honestly, take out the cringe pockets of religious babble and this album would be an above average angsty teen girl bop.

Highlights: The Way to Begin, Fall to Pieces, My Savior

6/10

Kylie Minogue: Greatest Hits - Kylie Minogue

As much as she has some great tracks, this is purely a remix of I Should Be So Lucky. Which is crazy. I loved this song when it came out. She was popular as a pop star here before we even saw her on Neighbours!

8/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 941

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2025 in 2025: Day 96

Home Tapes - John Lennon

Outtakes and home recordings and demos. The outtakes are very similar to the final released tracks - except God here is just a ripper of an acoustic number. I Found Out has some pretty different vocal layers going on.

Highlights: God [Studio Outtake], Mother [Studio Outtake], Nobody Told Me [Home Recording]

6.5/10

Homework - Daft Punk

I like Daft Punk as much as anyone, but for the most part this album really does sound like the most typical European 90s techno-funk. It did not grab me in 1997 and it does not do much for me now. So maybe I do not like Daft Punk as much as anyone? That kick in Da Funk is all sorts of cowabunga.

Highlights: Da Funk, Rollin' & Scratchin', High Fidelity, Indo Silvery Club, Alive

6.5/10

HONEY - SCANDAL

Fun fact: this album was my introduction to SCANDAL. I saw pictures of Haruna's signature Telecaster and it looked so good I figured I should check out the artist related to it. Now I really want Mami's 'Omochi' Stratocaster. Not to be outdone, Tomomi's bass tone on this album is fire. If they do a third Fender collaboration, I hope they give her an awesome signature bass and then I would complete the lineup!

Highlights: Over, 窓を開けたら, 恋するユニバース, ふたり

8.5/10

Honeymoon - Lana Del Rey

I am going to write this before even making it through the first song: this album is long and boring. I will update at the end if listening to this full album again changes my mind. Nope; an hour later I found one very good song amongst a sea of nothingness.

Highlights: The Blackest Day

5/10

Honky Chateau - Elton John

I am often embarrassed at how much my Elton John collection is lacking. Well, the CD section of it; my vinyl section is pretty solid. Like this album; it is nothing special, but is pretty solid. What is Bernie Taupin's obsession with Americana?!?

Highlights: Susie (Dramas), Rocket Man, Mellow, I Think I'm Going to Kill Myself

7.5/10

Hooray for Boobies - The Bloodhound Gang

This is purely the song Mope, because I generally do not care for this band. But they managed to combine a whole bunch of 80s pop samples and this is the best Metallica have ever sounded.

8/10

Hopes and Fears - Keane

Someone please tell Apple what punk music is - because Keane sure ain't it. It is all fine and dandy, but some of these songs are sure repetitive. 

Highlights: Somewhere Only We Know, Bend and Break, Everybody's Changing, Bedshaped

6.5/10

Hot Fuss - The Killers

This was my album of the year in 2004. I still consider it one of the most awesome debut albums ever. And Jenny Was a Friend of Mine is the most awesome opener. Brandon Flowers had such a great voice on this album - screamed at just right the amount for me - and it just got worse with each subsequent album. But boy oh boy was this a great reminder that they did once live up to their name.

Highlights: Jenny Was a Friend of Mine, Mr. Brightside, Somebody Told Me, All These Things That I've Done, Glamorous Indie Rock & Roll, Believe Me Natalie

9/10

Hot in the Shade - Kiss

I'm running out of nonsense to say, so just read my Kissathon post about this one. I somewhat agree with it today...

Highlights: Hide Your Heart, Forever, Silver Spoon, Little Caesar

7/10

Hot Sauce Committee Part Two - Beastie Boys

I would like to hear the real part two one day, but obviously that will never happen and this will forever stand as the last release the Beastie Boys ever do. At least it was a banger of an album to go out on. Just so much badass rhymes over creative beats and then one old school hardcore punk jam. 

Highlights: Too Many Rappers, Lee Majors Come Again, The Lisa Lisa/Full Force Routine, Ok

8/10

Hot Space - Queen

The anomaly in the Queen discography. The live versions are definitely better, but it is not nearly as bad as some people would have you believe - there is still some charm to some of these songs. And good grooves.

Highlights: Dancer, Under Pressure, Staying Power, Action This Day

7/10

Hotel Paper - Michelle Branch

This is just the single Breathe. I seem to recall there being another big single from this album. I really should check out the whole thing one day.

10/10

Hotter Than Hell - Kiss

This album still sounds as terrible as ever. One day I am going to get the 2014 iTunes version, because it does sound marginally better. My how I wish I had already got that for this listen. Still surprised we did not get a massive super deluxe banana edition of this and first album for the 50th anniversaries.

Highlights: Got to Choose, Parasite, Hotter Than Hell, All the Way, Comin' Home

9/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 800

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2025 in 2025: Day 94

Hello Nasty - Beastie Boys

As much as I love Beastie Boys and their off-centre brand of music, this album is a bit long. However, it does start off with just killer hip-hop jam after hip-hop jam and it works so well. I have the remastered version so need to go back to my original CD and get the original version of The Grasshopper Unit, because the sample in the chorus is sorely missed here. 

Highlights: The Move, Just a Test, Intergalactic, The Grasshopper Unit (Keep Movin'), The Negotiation Limerick File

8/10

Hello Nasty (2009 Remastered Edition) - Beastie Boys

And this here is the bonus disc. The instrumentals are pretty rad, as are some of the remixes. I may be one of the few people that disagrees with the Beastie Boys themselves and still prefers the original version of Body Movin' to the Fatboy Slim remix (that is also pretty cool, though). 

Highlights: Dirty Dog, Switched On, Peanut Butter and Jelly, Piano Jam

7/10

HELLO WORLD - SCANDAL

This is a seriously solid album. Like, every song is the same amount of enjoyable pop punk fun. おやすみ is bordering on a taste of what is to come from them - slightly more adventurous. But yeah, just a great album.

Highlights: おやすみ, Place of life, Departure, Your song

8/10

Help! - The Beatles

This is The Beatles firing on all cylinders; Lennon writing some of the best pop songs of his life, Harrison finding his feet writing good songs, and McMarketing doing his thing, I guess. That cowbell in the chorus of I Need You is inspired and the volume pedal gives a great effect. Top stuff all around.

Highlights: Help!, You've Got to Hide Your Love Away, I Need You, Ticket to Ride, I've Just Seen a Face

9/10

Hexagonal - Lessang

Another random Korean hip-hop track in my collection - this one called 헤어지지 못하는 여자, 떠나가지 못하는 남자 (The Woman Who Can't Break Up, The Man Who Can't Leave). It is decidedly groovy. According to wikipedia, Lessang were successful despite being unattractive. As opposed to LOGMAN, who is unsuccessful despite being unattractive...

8/10

High Havoc - Corduroy

My favourite cool cats with their fake 60s spy thriller soundtrack. And honestly, it works on every level. Back in the day, I thought it would have been a great idea to actually complete the circle and write a heist movie with this album as the inspiration. But I think I only got as far as calling the movie High Havoc. Honestly, I would like to know which line they are wanting to catch at 10:28 from Shibuya. It may well be outdated information, so they are possibly going to confuse some tourists from the UK.

Highlights: High Havoc, London England, The Corduroy Orgasm Club, Something in My Eye, Very Yeah

9/10

High Times: Singles 1992-2006 - Jamiroquai

Let's keep the funk rolling! I had to buy this album when on a super discount so I could get these two new songs. Such is my completist attitude. Well worth it, because they are both super funky and super cool.

Highlights: Runaway, Radio

9/10

Hillbilly Joel - The Shit

The greatest punk band go country and still manage to keep almost every song under a minute, while also retaining the whistles and roosters crowing. Every song is about drinking and being drunk. Party with The Shit!

Highlights: Passed Out In AA - FUCK, Where's the Party?, Drunk and in Jail for Arson, Dear Burger King

7/10

Hip-Hop Lives - KRS-One & Marley Marl

The Teacher teaming up with an old rival to show the young rappers how it is done. Surprisingly solid album; KRS never stops evolving and delivers a pretty firm lyrical beatdown on the world. This album deserves way more love.

Highlights: I Was There, Rising to the Top, Kill a Rapper, This Is What It Is

8/10

Hip-Hop Breaker - DJ Reggie

I have had a fantastic day so far and then DJ Reggie comes along and just brings the whole day down. Well, except for his rapping about Robert Smith stealing someone's lipstick and Tina Turner being the "President of Party Town". Stepping on broken TV screens does not sound like a fun dance. Teen Wolf could have been a good song if he had kept the whole thing from being super loud and distorted. I need a break.

Highlights: Matlock Rock, TV Shows - The Movie

5/10

HIStory - Michael Jackson

MJ was clearly pretty angry on this album; a lot of frustration and sadness being vented about the way people and the environment are being treated. And that District Attorney that was out to get him - absolutely no one is buying you are not saying Tom Sneddon in the chorus, Michael. And we def lose points for having R. Kelly on here (very much removing this song after today). But there is so much other greatness going on that I will easily forgive MJ for that one. HIStory is still the most confusing song; the verses are so badass, but then that chorus is all glorious orchestration and choir of triumph. 

Highlights: They Don't Care About Us, Stranger in Moscow, Earth Song, 2 Bad, D.S.

7.5/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 775

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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 21

Best of Van Halen, Vol. 1 - Van Halen

Man, the David Lee Roth era flies by so quick on this compilation. I've never considered myself a huge fan of Van Halen, but when I listen to this I just dig it so much. Except for Dance The Night Away and And the Cradle - they're just kind of okay. The rest are absolute killer. The Sammy Hagar era is not represented entirely well, IMO; I feel like there were better songs that could have made the cut. However, Dreams is awesome and the guitar solo is one of my absolute fav Eddie Van Halen moments. And Right Now always gets me air-drumming. The return of David Lee Roth at the end is pretty awesome, too. Pretty sure we've been singing "Trampoline" in Me Wise Magic for 28 years now. This makes me regret not picking up the Van Halen box sets when I saw them cheap a while back, because clearly I need more Van Halen in my life. Or maybe this is the perfect amount, and that's why I like this CD so much?

Highlights: Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love, Runnin' with the Devil, Unchained, Jump, Panama, Dreams, Right Now, Me Wise Magic

9/10

The Best of WCW Vol. 1: Nitro - World Championship Wrestling

Well, I guess this makes up for me not watching WCW for the past few months. Oh you want to watch Bret Hart stick fools in the Sharpshooter? How about 90 minutes of playing 'guess the pro-wrestler's entrance music' instead? The Total Package theme almost sounds like a Chariots of Fire ripoff. And it's been 30 years and I still can't tell the difference between Rey Misterio and Dean Malenko's themes when I first hear them. Pro-wrestling themes with lyrics are always way funnier - especially when they talk about doing all the wrestling moves and what not. The Four Horsemen theme is legit badass. And after watching so much WCW and no Pearl Jam, I'm now convinced this Chris Jericho theme is how Even Flow actually sounds. La Parka's theme is so funk-rock it's awesome and makes me want to play air-guitar on a steel chair. Wait - The Four Horsemen have a second theme song? American Made is no Real American, but it still rocks hard. Luckily we save the best for last with Bret Hart's second WCW theme.

Highlights: Four Horsemen, Satan's Sister (Hollywood Blondes Theme), Parental Advisory Explicit Acts (La Parka Theme), Hart Attack Comeback (Bret Hart Theme)

7/10

The Best of WCW Vol. 2: Thunder - World Championship Wrestling

Oh, I still haven't learned my lesson? Voodoo Child would have been good right now, but those nWo quotes in it are mixed way too loud. At least I get some more disco music with Disco Inferno's theme song? I mean, I'd prefer Disco Inferno from The Trammps again, but sure. Buff Bagwell doesn't even seem to know what's going on with his theme song. 3 Count is just laughable - and purposely so, given their gimmick. Hitman in the House has grown on me, but still stands as his third best theme song. the nWo Midcard theme is super funky. Oh cool - Badstreet U.S.A. is on here! I will never tire of A Man Called Sting. Wolfpac in the house! Wait - almost three hours and no appearance of Brad Armstrong's theme song? I feel cheated.

Highlights: Disco Fever (Disco Inferno Theme), Hitman in the House (Bret Hart Theme), Tear It Up (nWo Midcard Theme), A Man Called Sting (Sting Theme), Billy Kidman (Kidman Theme)

6/10

Best Shots - Pat Benatar

I think we must be almost done with Best ofs! This is some serious 80s power ballad stuff. Hit Me with Your Best Shot really is so weak - needs to be rocked up a notch or two. 

Highlights: Love is a Battlefield, All Fired Up, Hell is for Children, We Belong

6.5/10

BEST★SCANDAL - SCANDAL

No, this is not a best of. This is SCANDAL's debut album. Maybe they called it BEST★SCANDAL because they think they are the best? They might not be, but they can come close some times. These days, anyway. Their early work is more in the vein of pop-punk idol music. Which is totally cool with me! In fact, some of this seriously great.

Highlights: DOLL, ひとつだけ, SAKURA グッバイ

7/10

Between the Black and Gray - MONOEYES

Ugh American spelling. Anyways, more 細美さん means more good times, even if this album is more of a darker vibe. Likely a product of the times, as this was released at the end of 2020, so in the midst of the pandemic and lockdowns and awesome stuff. This is overall probably the weakest MONOEYES album, but the highlights are SUPER highlights. And a weak MONOEYES album is still better than a lot of band's stronger efforts.

Highlights: Fall Out, Interstate 46, Outer Rim, 彼は誰の夢

8/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 174

2025 in 2025: Day 13

B-Sides & Rarities CD 8 - The Cure
How fitting the 13th day begins with The Cure. And a messed up collection; I found online some 10 disc collection of b-sides and rarities and Robert Smith collaborations, but when I looked through it all, I really only needed the last few discs. And even then, not all of it. AND THEN my plan was to listen through the songs a few times and decide what to keep - then organise it into a proper single album. Yet, here we are! One of the main reasons I grabbed these is for the vinyl-only tracks for the self-titled album (I do have the album on vinyl, so I don't feel like too much of a jerk downloading them - not my fault The Cure didn't find a way for me to listen to these at work). The dance collabs are kinda fun, too. 

Highlights: Truth Goodness and Beauty, Love

6.5/10

B-Sides & Rarities CD 9 - The Cure

The next disc features all the singles and remixes from the 4:13 Dream album. Outside of the b-sides, I don't think these are necessary in life. I sure as hell don't ever need to hear Jared Leto insert himself into a Cure song.

Highlights: Not In Love, Without You

5/10

B-Sides & Rarities CD 10 - The Cure

And the final CD is more collaborations and a couple of cover songs. Which makes sense, considering The Cure released NOTHING in the last 15 years - until finally dropping a new album at the end of last year. There is a weird re-recording of Taking Off called The Dragon Hunter's Song, which is just the same song with new lyrics about Dungeons and Dragons or something. The McCartney covers are kind of fun, admittedly.

Highlights: Hello Goodbye, J'aurai Tout Essaye

6/10

B-Sides: 1990-2000 - Pearl Jam

I'm not sure if I labelled this thinking I would continue collecting their work, or if I was pointedly drawing a line in the sand for where I stopped having an interest in Pearl Jam. Hilariously, I've never done anything with the track-numbering, so everything is just per being ripped from the original CD singles - which means everything is just in a jumble. Which is probably a good way to listen to this? The fun thing here is I can't even remember the last time I listened to some of these songs - I had even forgot Alone existed! Totally rocked out when that opening riff kicked in. I also forgot how awesome a song Oceans is - I mean, according my iTunes, I have never listened to it before, right? This version with the added drums is equally awesome. Funny story time: about 24 years-ago, I saw that douche-burger Eddie Vedder in concert and he fucked up Soon Forget, and then blamed it on me for clapping (called me "fucking annoying"). He's right - I am! But also, he fucks this song up live all the time and this version they released is the gawddam proof! Yellow Ledbetter is not as great as I remember - the guitaring in it, however, is. 

Highlights: I Got ID, Alone, Oceans [Remix], Yellow Ledbetter

6/10

BABY ACTION - SCANDAL

Early SCANDAL is fun, but so different to what they do now; a bit more idol nonsense mixed with happy pop-punk. It's mostly fun. Nothing Earth-shattering and nothing terrible.

Highlights: Pride, アップルたちの伝言, 東京スカイスクレイパー
6.5/10

Back From Hell - Run-DMC

This was one of those albums that took a while to grow on me. I can't really pin down why. But what's important is that I did come around. And boy have I! This album is a massive departure from anything they had done before; more of the New Jack Swing thing going on, more Jam Master Jay on the mic, and a LOT more aggression. Lyrically, they are taking no prisoners here. But there are also some seriously kickin' jams; Faces and Pause are just New Jack Swing in full effect. Sure there's some really odd stuff on here like P Upon a Tree, and the thug stuff gets a bit old - and its crazy considering Pause is like an anti-gangster anthem, and this may not be that real 'classic' Run-DMC. but when I am in the right mood, this album is 100% my jam.

Highlights: What's It All About, Pause, Word is Born, Not Just Another Groove

7.5/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 107