2025 in 2025: Day 154

Red, White & Crüe - Mötley Crüe

Not the full compilation, because I have it all elsewhere, but instead just the songs not found elsewhere; a couple of songs recorded for their first greatest hits compilation (or second, if you count Decade of Decadence) and a few other songs recorded for this compilation. They are okay.

Highlights: Bitter Pill

6.5/10

Redbird - Heather Nova

There are some obvious attempts at 'hit making' on this album and that is not necessarily a bad thing. However, it still features a fair bit of Nova performing poetry and storytelling over some pretty chilled music. And my dude David Ayers is out here with his Ebow making everything more interesting...

Highlights: Redbird, I Miss My Sky (Amelia Earhart's Last Days), Done Drifting, Singing You Through

7/10

A Reginald Gangsta - DJ Reggie

Me: Oh this will at least be really quick. *checks running time* Where's my noose? 

Highlights: I am sure there were some funny lines in there somewhere

4/10

Regulate (Music From Above The Rim) [EP] - Various Artists

I have never seen this movie, so I do not know if all these songs are from the film, but this EP features possibly my favourite 2Pac song and the legendary title track. G-Funk was seriously so good.

Highlights: Regulate - Warren G & Nate Dogg, Pain - 2Pac, Loyal to the Game - 2Pac

8.5/10

Rehearsals/Demos - Ryan Adams

The Cardinals jamming. I think some of these riffs became actual songs? All very pointless.

Highlights: Good guitar tone?

6/10

Reina - Kinky

One of their most consistently funk releases; there is nothing super standout here, but it is generally very enjoyable throughout. Sounds like someone else is doing some rapping here and there instead of their usual singer?

Highlights: León, I Say Hey, Monday Killer, A Dónde Van Los Muertos?

7/10

Rejoice - The Emotions

This is only the disco jam Best of My Love. An absolutely perfect blend of disco, funk and sensational harmonies. And big high notes.

10/10

Reload - Tom Jones

The great Tom Jones performing duets with the happening Britpop kids, covering all manner of classic songs - from 80s pop to early Elvis rock'n roll to modern trip-hop and house. By modern, I mean 1998. A fun time for all involved.

Highlights: I'm Left You're Right She's Gone, Mama Told Me Not to Come, She Drives Me Crazy, Burning Down the House

7/10

Remapping the Human Soul [Part 1:THE BRAIN] - Epik High

Fancy some Korean hip-hop in place of some random K-Pop? Sure thing! These guys get quite hard-hitting in places.

Highlights: White Night, Still Life, Soul

7/10

Remapping the Human Soul [Part 2:THE HEART]

They kick this off getting political, so they immediately go up 10 points in my books. 

Highlights: Flow, Fan

6.5/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 1410

FREE PALESTINE

2025 in 2025: Day 110

The Lead and How to Swing It - Tom Jones

This is such a strange album; Tom Jones doing dance music is pretty normal, because he seems to really enjoy doing dance music (I saw him live a couple of times and I promise you he seemed to be having the time of his life singing songs like Sex Bomb), but at the same time, this is not totally dance but some kind of early-90s hybrid? Very R&B influenced, I feel. And that is actually where this album is at its best. His voice is as awesome as ever. Dude could belt out a tune like no other. And I would argue he probably still could.

Highlights: I Wanna Get Back With You, Lift Me Up, If I Only Knew, I Don't Think So

6.5/10

Lean Into It - Mr. Big

Sadly, this is only Green-Tinted Sixties Mind. Amazing song. Paul Gilbert has become one of my favourite guitarists to follow on social media - both skill-wise and personality - so I really need to check out more Mr. Big.

10/10

The Legend - Johnny Cash

A strange career-spanning compilation; instead of being completely in chronological order, it instead chooses themes for each disc and then going chronological. And completely skips all the "American" recordings. The first disc is just the "hits". As you can well imagine, these songs are all very good and is some of the most important country music. I, personally, enjoy it most when he is doing a bit of storytelling - songs like Folsom Prison Blues and One Piece at a Time. Disc 2 is like the 'singles that were not quite as big as the stuff on the first disc'. And I actually kind of prefer a lot of this; the 50s stuff is much more of the rockabilly variety, which I am a fan of. The third disc is "traditional" American songs or whatever. Everyone wants to sing a song about Frankie and Johnny, huh? This disc just reinforces his 50s work being his best, although it stops being chronological about halfway through. Disc 4 is collaborations. Just a random mix all over the show - mostly with his wife or other members of the Carter family. Not Beyoncé, thankfully. Shiiiz I ain't afraid of you mofos! I need to hear more Highwaymen, honestly. Kris Kristofferson was a real one. Johnny Cash did some pretty decent gospel at times. But this really needed tracks from the "American" recordings. Someone get me a box set of that nonsense, please.

Highlights: Folsom Prison Blues, Daddy Sang Bass, A Boy Named Sue, One Piece at a Time, Cry Cry Cry, Luther Played the Boogie, Dark as a Dungeon, Casey Jones, 

7/10

Lemon Parade - Tonic

I thought for sure this came out in like 98, because I remember having to hear If You Could Only See on the radio all the time around then. But then, it does kind of sound like typical mid-90s radio rock, so the 1996 release does kind of track. Also, I wanted to say mean things about that song, but it is actually better than I remember. These dudes have their moments (but only moments).

Highlights: Soldier's Daughter, Open Up Your Eyes, Casual Affair, If You Could Only See

6.5/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 955

FREE PALESTINE