2025 in 2025: Day 68

Exit The Dragon - Urge Overkill

This album has the weird vibe of being super low-fi and indie sounding, while simultaneously being wholly overproduced. It was the end of grunge, so it all makes sense. It was also probably the last album I bought on cassette! These might not be their best work, but there are some seriously glorious moments of awesome riffs in otherwise average songs - that kind of bridge part in This Is No Place being a prime example. And who else could make a compelling song about playing Monopoly?

Highlights: The Break, Take Me, Last Night/Tomorrow, And You'll Say

8/10

Experience Hendrix: The Best of Jimi Hendrix - Jimi Hendrix

Where is Hollywood Hogan and his WCW belt-strumming? Legit never get tired of hearing that. But I would probably say All Along the Watchtower features some of the coolest guitaring of the 60s.

Highlights: All Along the Watchtower, Little Wing, Voodoo Child (Slight Return), Purple Haze, Fire

7/10

Exposed - Vince Neil

I actually dig this album a lot; it is Vince Neil just doing the stereotypical 80s hair metal - because that is all he knows - and Steve Stevens is just the absolute greatest. He is all over this album, writing cool riffs and shredding up a storm and making crazy sounds that lazer noises with his guitar. Despite that, I still prefer the Encino Man version of You're Invited (But You're Friend Can't Come), but otherwise this a very cool album. If you dig 80s hair metal... which people in 1993 did not, so much.

Highlights: Look in Her Eyes, The Edge, You're Invited (But You're Friend Can't Come), Forever

8/10

Extra Texture - George Harrison

Since the great disbanding of The Beatles, this was Harrison's most... average album. I think the critiscm and failure of Dark Horse left him going very middle of the road on this one. There are still some great moments, but that is just my assumption. Might even just be the production, because the 'Platinum Weird' version of This Guitar (Can't Keep From Crying) is a bit of an improvement over the original.

Highlights: You, The Answer's at the End, A Bit More of You, This Guitar (Can't Keep From Crying) [Platinum Weird Version]

7/10

Extraordinary Machine - Fiona Apple

I don't really have much to say about this album. As good as Fiona Apple can be, this album is mostly songs that don't quite reach the heights they possibly could have. Lyrically, she is still top tier - as evidenced in songs like Red Red Red.

Highlights: Oh Well, Please Please Please, Red Red Red

6.5/10

Extreme - Extreme

One of the interesting things in the rock/metal world over the last few years is seeing people finally give Nuno Bettencort the respect he deserves - but only because he threw away what made him so awesome and just decided to shred the universe to pieces on a guitar solo. What I love about him is how awesome he clearly is, while still playing super tastefully on tracks. And then melting faces on songs like Play With Me. This album is good fun cheese. I kind of miss using the Kid Ego moniker for music and everything, but I am not a kid anymore...

Highlights: Kid Ego, Watching Waiting, Mutha (Don't Wanna Go to School Today), Play With Me

8/10

Extremely Live - Vanilla Ice

So you are the biggest star in pop/rap with a few number one singles, a number one album, a successful tour, and what do you do to follow up? A bad live album! I guess this probably came after Cool As Ice, but that was also far from a raving success. In fairness, there are a few "new" songs on here, but why not record them properly and release a new album? Or even an E.P.? And then throw on your 10-minute version of Ice Ice Baby as a bonus track or something. 

Highlights: Ice Ice Baby [Miami Drop Mix], Road to My Riches, Satisfaction [Studio Version]

6/10

Eyes Open - Snow Patrol

I had a thing for Snow Patrol after Final Straw and this album was some sort of worldwide smash because of that sad song being in Grey's Anatomy. That kind of killed them for me. Also my iTunes has labelled this album as "Alternative & Punk" and I find that personally offensive.

Highlights: Hands Open, Chasing Cars, It's Beginning to Get to Me, Open Your Eyes

6/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 544

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 34

CARROTS and STiCKS - BiSH

Releasing CARROTS and STiCKS as two separate EPs before releasing this album was also probably their biggest scam until the whole 'we are disbanding... one day'. This was the biggest switch to being a straight up pop band, in my opinion; there's still full on punk stuff going on here and some badass riffs and whatnot, but also some very catchy radio-friendly pop rock sort of things. MORE THAN LiKE may well be their best pop song ever and Glasses' delivery on that one line is awesome. It's a pity the mastering on that one song is really messed up. STiCKS in general, as an EP, was the most chill pop stuff they had released up to that point. It also features some serious great bass playing, particularly on I am me. And then CARROTS was mostly crazy. So needless to say, this album is all over the place and totally schizophrenic. 

Highlights: MORE THAN LiKE, FiNALLY, I am me., GRUNGE WORLD

7/10

CARROTS and STiCKS [Bonus Disc] - BiSH

Of course I purchased the deluxe version of this album, because the bonus disc was a collection of all the singles released between their previous album and this one. Well, before the CARROTS and STiCKS EPs. Sure, another disc totally obsolete thanks to the pizza box that I am yet to import to my iTunes library, but I have no regrets. This disc is awesome and there is not a bad song on it. 

Highlights: HiDE the BLUE, NON TiE-UP, 二人なら

9/10

Carved in Stone - Vince Neil

Remember when I was going to do my Mötley Crüe Marathon, but had to quit halfway through because of another lockdown, which meant I watched every episode of UWF instead? What a time to be alive... Anyways, I actually listened to this album for the first time ever during that time and even wrote a mini-review that is still sitting in draft:

I remember seeing this album on sale, but never actually picking it up. I was too busy spending all my money on Pearl Jam bootlegs like a clown. Anways... what the actual fuck?!? Vince doing rap/rock?? One Way has a funky R&B saxophone solo. In fact, it sounds like new-jack-era Michael Jackson. Now that I've realised that, this album is getting high marks! Black Promises is more in that standard 1995 rock sound. And then we get a ballad about his dead daughter. I'd criticise a lot of aspects, but I'm sure it wasn't easy to do, considering the timing. Still doesn't excuse it from being a bad song, though. Can we go back to rap/rock new-jack swing? Instead I get more Alice In Chains meets Audioslave inspired angry music. Which Vince sounds surprisingly good singing. But, dammit, you started this album with weird genre-mashing stupid music and I want more of that!!! Liar.

Highlights: One Way, Find A Dream

6/10

Catching Tales - Jamie Cullum

I am so familiar with this artist that I couldn't even spell his surname properly... he would seem to be kind of like Amy Winehouse, except not nearly as interesting. 

Highlights: Hopefully this CD was cheap?

5/10

Ceremonials - Florence + the Machine

This is all very melodramatic and theatrical. But I'm not saying that is a bad thing - I quite enjoy the drums from 1412 and the overall epic nature of almost every song. Only issue is it all really sounds the same; like I feel like this was just one big 95 minute song, with varying bits of quality. 95 minutes. That is just ridiculous. That is longer than Blazing Saddles. And there were much less fart jokes.

Highlights: Shake It Out, Breaking Down, Remain Nameless, No Light No Light

7/10 album 6/10 deluxe version

Challenge 4Da Change - Kinetic Flow

This is probably the first time I'm listening to this album; I don't know a whole lot, other than this is another Korean hip-hop group. It is mostly chill and pretty groovy. Also, one of these dudes has the weirdest voice - almost Muppet-like - so it makes it almost impossible to take them seriously. And considering I do not understand Korean and therefore have no idea what they are rapping about, that probably doesn't matter too much.

Highlights: The Night We Separated, Comics 2006, Peace 4da Kidz

6.5/10

Charango - Morcheeba

Definitely not as strong an album as Big Calm, but similar in vibes; chill out groovy London alternative pop with a side of electronic trip and other buzz words.

Highlights: Aqualung, Way Beyond

6/10

"Albums" listened to so far: 282