2025 in 2025: Day 175

Their Greatest Hits: The Record - Bee Gees

I am not against the 60s hits at all - they are generally decent little pop numbers, and some of them are brilliant songs - but once this hits the latter end of disc one (the mid-70s), it is GAME ON! 

Highlights: Nights on Broadway, If I Can't Have You, You Should Be Dancing, More Than a Woman, Night Fever, You Win Again, Alone, For Whom the Bell Tolls

8/10

There's Only Now - Eskobar

This purely the song Someone New - a collaboration with Heather Nova. And this is peak Heather Nova awesomeness.

9/10

These Days - Bon Jovi

This is Richie Sambora at his most bluesiest - and the album peaks in places because of it. It also has fairly boring lows, but it is actually a better album than I remember. Or those great songs are greater than I remember...

Highlights: Something for the Pain, These Days, Something to Believe In, Hey God

7.5/10

These Days Tour '95 (Live) - Bon Jovi

JBJ giving a fairly average performance. Luckily this is only a short live EP; a few Slippery When Wet classics, their "current" single, and a bad cover.

Highlights: Wild in the Streets

6/10

Third Eye Blind - Third Eye Blind

An alt rock pop masterpiece. I think some people like to call this "Power Pop" or something, because there is some serious emotion in here that absolutely NO ONE can match. Kevin Cadogan's riffs and licks are what really elevated the songs - something that was seriously lacking on every album after (except for maybe Dopamine).

Highlights: Motorcycle Drive By, The Background, Graduate, God of Wine, Narcolepsy, Losing a Whole Year, Semi-Charmed Life

9/10

Thirty Three & 1/3 - George Harrison

Bah gawd that is some funkyass bass in Woman Don't You Cry For Me. This album always surprises me, because it is mostly very enjoyable and has a bit more soul to it.

Highlights: Woman Don't You Cry For Me, Beautiful Girl, This Song, It's What You Value

7/10

This Is Happening - LCD Soundsystem

Not quite as pretentious as Sound of Silver? Maybe actually more pretentious? Either way, the peaks are high, but not as consistent as their previous albums. A bit more cruising through the indie hipster electro vibes. Nancy Whang is still the winner - her "ONE TOUCH!" is a standout.

Highlights: Dance Yrself Clean, One Touch, Home, Drunk Girls

8/10

This is Not a Test! - Missy Elliott

Solid and consistent album; pretty straight-up no nonsense hip-hop all the way through, featuring some decent collabs and MASSIVE beats.

Highlights: Wake Up, Pass That Dutch, Is This Our Last Time, Pump It Up, Spelling Bee

8/10

This Is Shit - The Shit

A little less... insane than the usual offering from The Shit. But it is still great fun and fast-paced. I am not sure Chuck Norris genuinely endorsed this album...

Highlights: Us vs. Cops, WW3 is Suicide, Rats, Totally Speechless

6.5/10

This Is... - Icona Pop

I Love It is the sexy bitch jam of every summer. The Jay-Z references/homage is pretty darn hilarious, though. Has pop music really stopped evolving? Because this album sounds like it could have been released last year.

Highlights: I Love It, All Night, Just Another Night, Girlfriend

7/10

Those Weren't The Days - Whiskeytown

You know, today has been so upbeat and mostly fun... and then getting immediately hit with the downers on this album is just a bit jarring. Once things finally pick up a bit, it gets more enjoyable for sure. I feel like I have heard some of these songs in different forms numerous times throughout the marathon now...

Highlights: The Rain Won't Help You When It's Over, Believe, 10 Seconds Til the End of the World, Empty Baseball Park

6/10

A Thousand Suns - Linkin Park

Artistically speaking, this is LP's greatest achievement. Ironically, my computer started asking me questions about the Oppenheimer movie just as the quote from him was playing to start the album. Chester really brought it this album. Like, holy hell did he bring it. They all did, but that was the perfect ending. And even though half of these tracks are just interludes, it ties together perfectly (and the songs just kill). My day needed more people referencing Jay-Z's The Blueprint²!

Highlights: Waiting for the End, The Messenger, The Catalyst, When They Come for Me, Iridescent

9/10

Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge - My Chemical Romance

Was the concept on this album they are hitmen or something? Or just angry emo teenagers? Either way, it works; the heavier guitars and big screaming makes for a more fun musical experience. Legit an almost perfect album of pop punk hooks.

Highlights: Helena, Thank You For the Venom, I'm Not Okay (I Promise), I Never Told You What I Do For a Living

8/10

Three Dollar Bill, Y'all - Limp Bizkit

I do not have the full album, thankfully. I am not even sure how I ended up with half the album. It is all much more nu-metal and rough than anything that would follow.

Highlights: Counterfeit, Faith

6/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1700

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2025 in 2025: Day 164

Sinner - Joan Jett & The Blackhearts

I am not sure if it is just the production, but this album rocks and Jett's voice goes hard! Somewhat more consistent than some of her 80s album and a bit more solidly punk. Also opening with some mocking of George W. Bush is a great way to set the tone.

Highlights: A.C.D.C., Riddles, Tube Talkin', Everyone Knows, Bad Time

7.5/10

Sinner - Drowning Pool

Thankfully this is only the song Bodies. It is a key musical ingredient in one of the greatest scenes in cinema history.

8/10

Siren - Heather Nova

Heather Nova hitting some serious pop hooks. beautiful soaring ballads and even some kinda sexy grooves. And my man David Ayers makes his guitar sound like various animals and contraptions to help take some of the songs to another level. This may well be her chilled-out pop masterpiece.

Highlights: Winterblue, London Rain (Nothing Heals Me Like You Do), Heart and Shoulder, Ruby Red

9/10

Six60 - Six60

I can kind of understand why these guys are so popular; some pretty cool guitar riffs, basic vocals anyone can sing, and all pretty harmless. And New Zealander's love to celebrate mediocrity. But, yeah, it is not the worst album a New Zealand group has released.

Highlights: Only to Be, Run for It, Take it from Here

6/10

sixxxxxx - Ayumi Hamasaki

Fun cheesy bops, somber ballads, Ayu thinking she is Linkin Park. This EP covers everything and does not waste time with any pretentious nonsense. And this was only 4 months after the glorious A ONE album. Legends will be told of how amazing she was before the fall...

Highlights: Step by Step, Sorrows, Summer Diary, Sky High

10/10

Skin of a Stone - Dead Flowers

Early 90s New Zealand grunge? Hard rock? Metal? It has to be one of the earliest rock songs featuring Maori vocals, right? I remember the time when Wildside was the record label for all the alt rock acts - pretty sure most New Zealand albums I bought were on that label.

Highlights: Plastic, Underground, Someday, Mihi

7/10

Skull & Bones - Cypress Hill

I really need to track down Sen Dog's nu-metal band, because enlisting the drummer from Rage Against the Machine to help you get heavy is always a winner. The first disc is standard Cypress Hill; do not smoke all their weed, they are bad dudes, etc. When I listen to Cypress Hill, I know what I am signing up for. Except for this 'Bones' disc.

Highlights: Valley of Chrome, Can't Get the Best of Me, Certified Bomb, Dust

7/10

Sky is the Limit - Drunken Tiger

It is funny how much these dudes like to shout out American rappers and their songs like they know who they are, but I guess they are trying to help make sure Korean kids know that Wu-Tang Clan are not something to fuck with?

Highlights: Jam Skhool (U Need To Learn Tho), 8:45 Heaven, 행복의 조건 (희망승일), 내가 싫다

7/10

The Skylarks - The Skylarks

Ryan Adams doing early bad grunge or something. Sounds like it was recorded on a tape recorder in the middle of a practice space. Covering Madonna shows he was always abusive to women!

5/10

Slap-Happy - L7

L7 move to a more "modern" sound, so now as they approach the millenium they sound like they are in 1993? 

Highlights: Livin' Large, Stick to the Plan, Mantra Down

6.5/10

The Slaughterhouse - Prince

Prince releasing self-produced funky tunes on the internet for his fans ONLY was peak internet. And then fans spreading it online for free is what the internet was for...

Highlights: Northside, Peace, Props 'N' Pounds, Y Should Eye Do That When Eye Can Do This?

7/10

Slave to the Grind - Skid Row

This album came out at exactly the wrong time. It should have been massive. It certainly was popular with me and my friends in 1995 when we realised just how hard it rocked. Still kind of hair metal (which is a good thing) but with some serious edge. Sebastian Bach well have had the best voice in all of the genre.

Highlights: Wasted Time, In a Darkened Room, Monkey Business, Riot Act

9/10

Sleeping With Ghosts - Placebo

This album is actually more enjoyable than I expected. I had a fairly negative idea of this band, because I am not a fan of the singer's voice, but there are some genuinely great songs in here. Much more pop and a little grand.

Highlights: The Bitter End, This Picture, Sleeping With Ghosts, Bulletproof Cupid

6.5/10

Sleepless in Brooklyn - [Alexandros]

Fairly standard Japanese fake indie pop. Like, it is good, but there is very little outstanding. The vocalist totally reminds me of the dude from Grinspoon, sometimes. The music does not at all!

Highlights: 明日、また, LAST MINUTE, Mosquito Bite

6.5/10

Slef Portait - The Shit

This is quite the concept album; it tells the story of a disturbed individual that is plotting to kill someone, and then does, attempts to kill themselves also, and then ends up in prison. It is all a bit cryptic, but the artistic storytelling is very moving. Boyz II Men can sing awesome as hell.

Highlights: I'm Going to Kill You, You're Dead, Oops You're Dead, I'm Going to Kill Myself in the Face, I Can't Make Records Anymore Cause I'm In Prison

8/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1535

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2025 in 2025: Day 161

The Shady/Aftermath Sampler - Various Artists

The bonus disc that came with the 8 Mile soundtrack; like the title suggests, a bunch of artists yet to debut on Eminem's label. And Eminem himself. I would have preferred another D12 EP.

Highlights: Rap Name - Obie Trice, Stimulate - Eminem

6/10

Shamrocks and Shenanigans (Single) - House of Pain

Oh wow, I forgot what the album version of this song sounded like - I always listen to the Butch Vig remix.

Highlights: Shamrocks And Shenanigans (Butch Vig Mix), Put Your Head Out (Album Version), Shamrocks and Shenanigans (Salaam Main Pass)

7/10

Shangri-La Dee Da - Stone Temple Pilots

This is the album I always forget exists, but apparently it rocks hard? And I actually know the songs well, so have clearly listened to it a lot?

Highlights: Coma, Days of the Week, Wonderful, Too Cool Queenie

7/10

She's So Unusual - Cyndi Lauper

Peak Lauper; this would be around the time she was being awesome at WrestleMania as well. She is like a fantastic combination of 80s pop and punk aesthetics.

Highlights: All Through the Night, Girls Just Want to Have Fun, Time After Time, She Bop

8.5/10

Sheer Heart Attack - Queen

Such an inbetween album - as in, crammed between Queen II and A Night at the Opera. How does a band manage to record and release three albums like that in the space of 2 years? By being Queen, that is how! This is kind of the filling to the sandwich, and the more epic albums are the bread? Feels a bit more standard 70s UK glam rock - not entirely, just compared to those albums.

Highlights: In the Lap of the Gods... Revisted, Now I'm Here, Killer Queen, Stone Cold Crazy

8/10

Shenanigans - Green Day

Not an album based on the song by The Shit. I think it is a collection of random outtakes and rarities. It all just makes me miss the old version of Green Day, because this just all sounds like that weird period from Nimrod to before American Idiot where it all sounds the same. Huh, apparently there are some b-sides from Dookie and Insomniac as well? No wonder they were only b-sides.

Highlights: Ha Ha You're Dead, Sick of Me

6/10

Shift - ユアネス

Heartfelt virtuoso indie rock. Very much reminds me of RADWIMPS. 

Highlights: 日々、月を見る, 凩, 少年少女をやめてから

8/10

The Shit - The Shit

Quickfire country songs. Mostly about being dead? And we cannot forget the whistles and roosters!

Highlights: Breaking in to Houses (Just To Look), You're Dead and I'm Alone

7/10

Shoot From the Hip - Sophie Ellis-Bextor

Not the disco masterpiece that was Read My Lips, but more of an 80s influenced pop album. Which was kind of ahead of the curve, because the 80s new wave sound would not be back en vogue for another few years. Strangely enough, the songs that are more straight guitar driven pop are actually the best. 

Highlights: I Am Not Good at Not Getting What I Want, Party in My Head, I Won't Change You, Mixed Up World

7/10

Shout at the Devil - Mötley Crüe

We kick off with some spoken-word nonsense, because they are trying to make the heavy metal version of Thriller or something. Except this guy is not Vincent Price. And Mötley Crüe are not Michael Jackson. Though I could actually imagine Tommy Lee jamming with him. The rest of the album is pure dark badassery that invokes imagery of these dudes just murdering their instruments. While wearing black leather and makeup. 

Highlights: Knock 'Em Dead Kid, Shout at the Devil, Looks That Kill, Too Young to Fall in Love, Ten Seconds to Love

9.5/10

Show - The Cure

As much of a fan of The Cure as I am, I do not really have that much love for these live albums. The vocals are always lacking and songs are often very fast. That said, I am yet to hear a bad live version of Fascination Street.

Highlights: Fascination Street, Never Enough, Open, Pictures of You

7/10

Show Me the Right Way - Annabel Fay

Thankfully this is only one song - Already Home. I have zero interest in the rest of the album. I barely have any interest in this song.

7/10

SHOWCASE - Pile

Talk about big heavy guitars - some of these songs are borderline thrash, but then those dancey pop beats make it... something else. It is mostly fairly by the numbers, but Pile's vocals at least lift a few of the songs emotionally.

Highlights: Cliche, Brownie Kiss, Go My Way, Lost Paradise

6.5/10

Shred - Various Artists

I am not a snowboarder, so I do not know if this music would make for a good soundtrack while "shredding" a mountainside. However, I will say that these late 90s/early 00s dance jams and remixes of dance jams will provide you with some solid upbeat energy to do what you need to do; dancing, raving, gaming, doing the housework, taking ecstasy and going to the supermarket. Whatever you deem appropriate.

Highlights: What's On Your Mind (Milk & Sugar Remix) - Wackside, Reach Out - Midfield General (Featuring Linda Lewis), Theme From "Gutbuster" - Bentley Rhythm Ace

6.5/10

Siamese Dream - Smashing Pumpkins

You know, this is a really hard album to grade; musically it is an absolute tour de force and a testament to the production of Butch Vig, however vocally it is the sonic equivalent of having a frozen metal spoon forced up your nasal cavity.

Highlights: Cherub Rock, Mayonaise, Geek U.S.A., Luna

7/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1500

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2025 in 2025: Day 127

Mosaic - Wang Chung

Everybody have fun tonight! This is just peak 80s pop in all its glory. And there is a surprising amount of angry swearing at how our capitalist society is destroying our world!

Highlights: Everybody Have Fun Tonight, Let's Go, The World in Which We Live

7/10

Most of All: The Best of - Debbie Harry

Blondie were pretty cool. And Debbie Harry herself is cool. But... her solo work is pretty naff. Outside of a couple of songs, it is all very uninspired and only shows that her voice was pretty average. I am not saying someone like Mariah Carey could have made these songs more worthwhile... actually, her duetting with Iggy Pop would have been wild.

Highlights: I Want That Man, French Kissin' in the USA, Free to Fall, In Love With Love

6/10

Mother Love Bone - Mother Love Bone

These dudes had great riffs. A lot of great riffs. It is just that, in general, the rest of the song did not follow up on said great riff as well as you would want. BUT when they got it right, they really got it right. Despite the hype, I do not think they would have been any bigger had Andrew Wood lived.

Highlights: Stardog Champion, This is Shangrila, Chloe Dancer/Crown of Thorns, Gentle Groove

7/10

Mötley Crüe - Mötley Crüe

When this came out, I remember people using all sorts of weird genre terms to describe; thrash metal, death metal, grunge... none of them at all accurate. People just looked at images and decided that was the sound. What it DOES sound like, is awesomeness. This is still kinda Mötley Crüe - just with a different singer. And big balls. New (temporary?) singer John Corabi's voice is so different to Vince Neil's, that it always amazes me he was their first choice. It's really a good mix of the heavier/darker songs and a little more radio-friendly rock, plus Droppin' Like Flies is sort of prog? Maybe kinda not really. Smoke the Sky is some sort of ode to marijuana usage - which is odd coming from guys that were supposed to be completely free of alcohol and drugs at this point (I mean, I'm pretty sure I saw Tommy knocking back champagne when I went to his DJ gig a few years back, but whatever). Honestly, when this album came out, I know I bought in to all the negative press around it - being a big fan of the original line-up, it was hard not to. But within a few years, I was able to realise that this album is actually darn awesome. Really darn awesome.

Highlights: Misunderstood, Hooligan's Holiday, Power to the Music, Welcome to the Numb

8/10

Mountain Top [Single] - ELLEGARDEN

When this was first released, it was never going to live up to my expectations; the first single in 16 years, the first piece of recording since their reunion, and just something I never thought would happen in my lifetime. It has since grown on me and definitely appreciate it a lot more. Still sounds kind of generic rock, but at least the lyrics are great. And ELLEGARDEN are back, mofos!

8/10

The Movie - The Shit

This may well be Ryan Adams' best work ever. Certainly his greatest lyrics. A lot of Andy Fiddlesticks, Jo Jo the Parrot and punching in the nuts. KING FUCKING KONG!!!

Highlights: Honky Tonk Ba-Donkey Kong, Jimmy, Blue as a Zoo, Taco Bell in Bed, Problems

9/10

MPLSound - Prince

I only just discovered what the MPLS stands for. I am not American, okay? This is a total solo Prince album and it is just funky pop all the way. By Prince standards, it is... mediocre. Like, he probably just sat down at the computer and pumped this all out in like half a day.

Highlights: No More Candy 4 U, (There'll Never B) Another Like Me, Valentina, Ol' Skool Company

7/10

Mr. Bad Guy - Freddie Mercury

Hard to believe this was his only real solo album. It is almost what you would expect; lots of keyboards, synths and dance beats, but a lot less layered vocals than a Queen album. I get the feeling that is more of a Brian May thing. The songs reworked for Made in Heaven sound better there.

Highlights: Made in Heaven, I Was Born to Love You, Mr. Bad Guy

6.5/10

Mr. T's Commandments - Mr. T

The greatest man ever is here to tell you how to be better. The most important 30 minutes of your life, outside of watching Be Somebody or Be Somebody's Fool.

Highlights: The Toughest Man in the World, Mr. T Mr. T, You Got to Go Through It, The One and Only Mr. T

7.5/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1120

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2025 in 2025: Day 95

The Hit List - Joan Jett

A full on album of cover songs and for once she skipped over doing anything by The Runaways. Or herself. It is kind of fun hearing some of these rough as rock and punk songs now sound so big and polished. That baritone saxamophone in Dirty Deeds and Pretty Vacant makes the sound so much deeper. Also, Joan Jett in the Dirty Deeds video (and this album cover) with all her white leather was the hottest ever to 10 year-old LOGMAN.

Highlights: Dirty Deeds, Pretty Vacant, Celluloid Heroes, Love Stinks

8/10

HITnRUN Phase One - Prince

This has so much electronic-ness and sampling of previous Prince songs, this whole things feels a lot like a remix album. Maybe a remix album would have been more interesting?

Highlights: Million $ Show, Shut This Down

6/10

HITnRUN Phase Two - Prince

This is more in the funky rock'n roll vein that Prince schools fools in, just a little lighter in energy. I think this was the last album he released in his lifetime; it was given out free with attending his Piano & Microphone tour. Which I did. Even when cruising on jams like these, Prince was the best.

Highlights: Baltimore, Xtraloveable, Groovy Potential, Big City

7/10

Hits Anthology - Jimmy Barnes

This is just the 3 singles not on other Jimmy Barnes albums and then the whole bonus disc, which is a mix of rarities and other mixes. The rarities are decent.

Highlights: Good Times, (Simply) The Best, Lover Lover, Bad News

7/10

...Hits the Fans - The Shit

The sort of fun you expect from The Shit. Riot in the streets! Did you know that committing suicide results in you dying? Thought provoking.

Highlights: Nuclear War, Bob's Garage, Stop Committing Suicide, 1-800-WWW.COM

7/10

Hold Connection - Sleepwalk Skeleton

Local J-Rock band put together an independent album and LOGMAN is such a great supportive person that he was happy to purchase a copy. Actually pretty decent songs. I have seen them live with a few different lineups now, and I definitely think having a keyboardist is the right fit for their sound. Although they may have since replaced that with a super-shredder guitarist...

Highlights: Moon, Euphoria, We Are Here [Acoustic Version]

7/10

Holding onto Strings Better Left to Fray - Seether

How did I end up with all this random Seether in my library? Like, I actually do not recall ever hearing of them as a band. It is your standard heavy rock/light metal. It is not the worst thing in the world, just super generic rock music probably used as entrance music for some bland WWE "superstar". And why on Earth is this album so long?

Highlights: Whatever song a luchador feels is suitable as entrance music in Arena Nauculpan

5/10

Holla Dayz Inn - DJ Reggie

Oh dear Prime, who did I upset today? How does watching Armageddon get you in the mood to watch The Lord of the Rings?!? I'm sure passive aggressive text messaging is not all he would like to show Mariah Carey... 

Highlights: I would also like Mariah Carey to give me a call

5/10

Holy Shit! - The Shit

Watch your fingers when you go to bible school! Imagine being classmates with King Kong, Tim Robbins AND Jimmy Hackeysack - I would be learning so much about the bible in that class. Lyrically, this is possibly the best album Ryan Adams ever made.

Highlights: Fuckin' A God, Bible School Dropout, Baptized, King Kong

7/10

Holy Smoke - Gin Wigmore

This is purely the song Oh My. It is actually pretty good, despite her terrible voice, so I will credit all points to The Cardinals. RIP Neil Casal.

8/10

Home (Deluxe Edition) - Rudimental

Another album I have no idea how or why it is in my iTunes library. UK drum and bass. Popular(ish) UK singers over the beats singing about love and whatnot. That is basically all you need to know.

Highlights: Feel the Love, Right Here, Hide, Free, Alien Bashment

6.5/10

Home Invasion - Ice-T

Before becoming an actor, Ice-T was a very angry man who liked to say rude things and swear a lot. Actually, that may still be true to this day. And on this album, EVERYONE is getting it; the police, the government, other record labels, his record label, your parents... but, he does express a lot of love for other races. Ice-T wants to the bring the world together and shut down the man! 

Highlights: It's On, Home Invasion, Race War, Depths of Hell

6.5/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 787

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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 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

Random Thoughts from a Ryan Adams Marathon: Day 8

The Shit continued

* Slef Portrait seems to be a concept album around killing someone and needing to go to the hospital

* The Movie is the best. Like, I could listen to this a lot more. KING FUCKING KONG!!!

Back to Ryan Adams (and The Cardinals)
 

* Riffage is quite nice little instrumental tracks

* Easy Tiger is another album that gets a bad rap and I don't get. I really like the fact that it is a kind of diverse album instead of sticking to one style. But then I think most of the people complaining are people that just want Ryan Adams doing alt. country like Whiskeytown or Heartbreaker. I like other music so I'm fine. The Sun Also Sets is one of my favourite songs. LOVE the end harmonies.

* Easy Tiger Rarites are interesting and actually fit with the overall sound of Easy Tiger, but mostly because Easy Tiger is so diverse. Strange to have Lovely and Blue on here called France but be the exact same song found later on III

* Curtain of Light (Live at the Avatar Studios) is a live in-studio performance of the Easy Tiger album that was done as some sort of promo tool. And it is quite good. Mostly because I like Easy Tiger. And the random garbage Ryan Adams yells inbetween songs is hilarious (like "STAB ME IN THE FUCKIN EYE WITH THE... FUCKIN... EMPIRE STATE BUILDING". The version of These Girls on here is flat out insane. And I Taught Myself How To Grow Old contains one of the greatest guitar solos on the planet. Ending with 2 tracks from Cold Roses is certainly odd, but Magnolia Mountain is pretty darn awesome here so I'll let it slide.

* III/IV were recorded around this time, so I've put them here instead of later when they were actually released. Listening in this order they actually almost fit with the theme of earlier. Some of these tracks were used for the various internet artists, as well as the Elizabethtown/Darkbreaker sessions. I mostly prefer these versions. Wasteland is one of my most favourite songs these days. III is pretty good, but I actually really like IV. It rocks. Thinking about it now, this actually should have gone before Easy Tiger. Oops.

* Follow the Lights is a really nice chill out kind of EP. The versions of This Is It and Dear John are really awesome. I'd really like to write a song like Blue Hotel... Oh wow, I totally forgot there is an awesome version of If I Am A Stranger on here as well. Damn.

* Cardinology is great. Again, undeserved bad rap for this album. Some awesome songs, some kinda average, but not bad by any stretch.

* Cardinology Rarities are quite fun. Memory Lane is a very nice song... Asteroid is rockin'. I need to find out what this version of Fix It is, because it is crazy cool.

* Dear Impossible Foggy Mountain is just a bunch of meaningless demos. Nothing to see here...

* Class Mythology however, is very compelling. Your Name Is On Fire is a fantastic song. Neat acoustic numbers.

* Destroyers has a really cool bridge

* The Blue Canoe probably could have been good

* Fortress of the Spider God is a pleasant instrumental...

* The Pax-Am Singles are mostly great. A couple of re-recorded songs, some cool acoustic demos, and awesome songs like Disco Queen and People Need Sunlight. Is cool to see this series return (see end of marathon).

* Orion is a sci-fi metal concept album. I've been dying to hear this... and I am not disappointed - just as hilariously fun as I expected. Even includes a new mix of Fire & Ice, which will now get played more than the Warren Peace version.

* This Is 40 Soundtrack contains 2 live songs; Lucky Now, which seems to contain some pedal steel guitar that isn't in the studio version (which we'll get to next album, I think), and Shining Through the Dark which I don't think is available elsewhere - would love to hear a studio version of this. Great songs. And best parts of that movie by far.

* Ashes & Fire is sort of a return to that 'roots' sound, I guess. I think it was just his hearing problems forced him to strip back the sound. Mostly great songs like the title track and Lucky Now (which is just downright brilliant) except some songs I couldn't even tell you how they go 3 years later. That's not exactly a great thing.

* Ashes & Fire Extra Tracks are really good. Darkness is incredible.

* Empty Room/Nutshell are both very good, though I would take the original Alice In Chains recording of Nutshell over this any day

* Wasted Years is downright incredible. Still blows my mind.

* Vampire Weekend Covers are just kinda fun. I don't know the originals so don't really care too much.

* 1984 is the first in the renewed 7" series. And it kicks all kinds of ass all over the fucking world. 11 songs, 12 minutes long. Just so much motherfuckingawesomeness. Rats In The Wall is my number one song right fucking now. Yes I am excited by this THAT MUCH

* Ryan Adams is the latest album. This is my first listen. Really like the first and last songs. Couldn't tell you much more than that right now. Something about this reminds me of Pearl Jam when they started making albums like No Code and all their fans decided it was boring. I'm not complaining, because No Code still stands as my favourite Pearl Jam album. Not saying this is my new favourite album but you get what I'm saying. Or not. Talk to me about your problems...

And there we have it - the marathon is...

Wait, what?

* Jacksonville is the next 7" single released on iTunes. I JUST MADE NO SENSE BECAUSE THAT IS 3 DIGITAL COMPUTER FILES NOT A 7 INCH RECORD. Anyways, this is way more like classic alt country Ryan Adams, though still with the low voice. And then Mr. Walkedypants is just hilarious. Though is he actually insulting John Lennon? DON'T MAKE ME PICK A SIDE!!!

So there we go. 1034 songs listened to. And I didn't get bored, probably because it is mostly different songs and styles. That is why I enjoy the music of Ryan Adams so much. Not sure why these turned into mini reviews , but whatever. It's my job and I will waste time how I want.

I might do this again and compare my thoughts.
Until, I'll be sitting in the corner listening to Honky Tonk Ba-Donkey Kong very loudly on repeat.

Random Thoughts from a Ryan Adams Marathon: Day 7

Time for the insanity that is the website exclusive 'artists'...
(Feel free to ask for an explanation)

Sad Dracula

* Let It B-Minus is quite good. Very 'Replacements' style and decent quick little tracks.

* Fasterpiece is even better. Like, a really cool album

Ghetto Birds

* The Dunes is bizarre... like, I don't even know what this was supposed to be. Bizarre song titles, vocals I can barely hear or distinguish, lots of acoustic guitar. Kinda dreamy? But not in the Jason Priestley way.

Were Wolph

* The Meat Won't Listen is kind of metal. Metal mixed with hilarity. Like songs called Skeletons are Basically Awesome as Hell. I think that sums this up nicely.

* Feel the Lazer is even better. Evil Weekend is legit awesome and the great ballad Dead People Unite and Take Over is... great? Also of note is Ben & Matt - an ode to Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. Pink is Not Your Colour contains possibly the greatest metal lyrics of all time: "Just like Nostradamus/Only drunk and can't tell the future"

Rhoda Ro

* Khaki Time Portal is what you expect from a muppet and a cat making music on Garageband and being processed through a 15 watt guitar amp

Warren Peace

* War & Peace is another really good album. Fire & Ice is actually one of my most played songs in iTunes. Possibly due to the fact that my iTunes library now only dates back to late last year... but whatever.

DJ Reggie

* A Reginald Gangster is a fine collection of world-class hip-hop tracks. And by world-class, I mean incredibly ridiculous. I think instead of picking out songs I may just single out great lyrics, like "I'm the best motherfucker to talk about rabies"

* Holla Dayz Inn is more of the same. Except more songs end with "DJ Reggie 2006" and we get some philosophical discussion on the holiday experiences of a robot (who is then chased by a bongo player)?

* Song Destroyer has a great song about Moonlighting. Yes, 80s TV show Moonlighting.

* 4:20/20 is... well... almost exactly the same as the previous albums. Except I am yet to find a single track that interests me at all. Seriously, there is only so much entertainment the same strings samples and beats loops can provide when mixed with distorted vocals. Though at least there is a song about Star Wars on this one. Called Autumn in New York. Yup, that is how much sense this all makes.

* East Side Story is admittedly quite enjoyable. Mainly for great tracks like Return of the Ninja, which is just a quick half-review of a movie called Return of the Ninja. Plus Shake Your Dictionary and Kick Em in the Dungeon. Line of the album = "Last time it was thesaurus time I fell off my Brontosaurus tryin' to rhyme"

* Snapz the Clown brings back the unlistenable noises. By Prime, I think my ears are going to hate me forever for this.

* 1980 x 1000 is better. Again, fun songs about dinosaurs, Dracula and wooden underwear. I Am Alone is probably the most hilarious DJ Reggie song of them all - I can't even begin to list the humorous lyrics. Though I was particularly fond of the following from Bugs:"I had a bad day part 2, which means I had a bad day tomorrow"

* Hip-Hop Breaker - wait, this isn't over yet??? By Prime, DJ Reggie just won't leave me alone!

The Shit

* The Shit was super quick. And just silly hillbilly songs that lasted like a minute each.

* This Is Shit is the first just straight up punk album. It is reletively fun. The Chuck Norris intros make for a bit of interestingness. Oh wait, HERE COME THE ROOSTER CALLS! Rats is damn fucking cool. YAY THE SHIT!

* Hillbilly Joel is more hillbilly nonsense and introduces us to David Livingstone. MORE ROOSTERS!!! Good times

* General Ulysses S. Hospital is a nice mix of weird noises and punk rock and insanity. GRIM REAPER SANDWICH SHOP!!! Buddah VS Jesus is one of the most important songs in rock'n roll history...

* Holy Shit is a good mix of religious music... laced with references to King Kong and Tim Robbins. Makes me want to go to Bible School with my big gun. Oh shit - JIMMY HACKEYSACK!!!

* Christmas Apocalypse part 2 is possibly the most nuts of them all. From Trent Reznor's xmas tale, to Jacque Cousteau battling Jimmy Hackeysack, this is just mayhem and hilarity in a big xmas ball. WHISTLES!!! "Can I borrow a millionty bucks?" A lot of punching in the nuts going on at xmas time... Something tells me his math is quite off in this album as well.

* ...Hits The Fan is back to hard out crazy punk rock with crazy lyrics, lots of whistles and roosters. Probably some punching in the nuts as well I may have missed.

843 songs down