An Album a day for 2025, selected at random. My way of rediscovering my record collection. Come along as I give my brief thoughts along the way!
Council Skies
Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds
Day 1. The first album of the challenge and a lovely Blood Records release to boot. Let's see where this goes!
Comment by Mark Francos
★ (Blackstar)
David Bowie
Day 2 takes us to the last record of David Bowie, released only 2 days before his death. Not quite him at his peak but an eccentric look at morality filled to the brim with saxophone.
Fav Song - Lazarus
Rating 8/10
Comment by Mark Francos
X
Ed Sheeran
Day 3 is a great album from an artist I have been lucky to see on several occasions. This album as is appropriate to someone who lives in NI is written at least in half by NI based musicians.
Fav Song - Bloodstream
Rating 8/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Fate Of Nations
Robert Plant
Day 4 took us back to the 90's for a classic from Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin. Our very first record store day pick of the year.
Fav song - If I were a Carpenter
Rating - 7/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Bright Green Field
Squid
Day 5. A completely different direction for today and an outlier in my collection is this great Math Rock album. Probably my partners least favourite album I own.
Plus first signed album of the year.
Fav Song - G.S.K
Rating 7.5/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Absolution
Muse
Day 6, is the best form of Muse, early Muse where alternative rock was arguably at it's mid 2000's best!
Fav song - Sing for Absolution
Rating - 9/10
Comment by Mark Francos
World Wide Rebel Songs
Tom Morello
Day 7 is a change for sure, this being the first time we really embrace true political music from one of my favourite ever guitarists in Tom Morello of RATM. His solo work is well worth a listen!
Fav Song - Save the Hammer for the man (ft Ben Ben Harper)
Rating 9/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Ma Fleur
The Cinematic Orchestra
Day 8. The words on each record label sum up my feelings on music!
A. Build
B. Music
C. Into
D. Home
10/10 Artwork
Fav Song - To Build a Home
Rating 7.5/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Heat
Knut Reiersrud Band
Day 9. I don't shy away from the magic of modern day music discovery, sometimes Spotify can come up with gems and this really was one of them!
A great Norweigan record.
Fav Song - Wood (Very appropriate, if you know you know!)
Rating 7/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Farm To Table
Bartees Strange
Day 10. A fantastic atmospheric indie rock album that goes everywhere! Synths and guitar galore with hints of sax. What more do you need?
Fav Song - Daily News
Rating 8.5/10
Comment by Mark Francos
On The Border
Eagles
Day 11, an early 70s press of one of my dad's favorite bands. A band that has really grown on me the more I listen to them.
Fav Song - On the Border
Rating 8.5/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Prismism
Keuning
Day 12, familiar yet an album that goes to new places in this solo work from one of the members of my favourite live band in the Killers.
Fav Song - The Queen's Finest
Rating 8/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Palomino
First Aid Kit
Day 13. Great soothing album from a band I remember going to see as part of a festival years ago and wondering who the hell they were. They were good!
Possibly the nicest record splatter of the year so far.
Fav Song - Angels
Rating - 7.5/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Human After All
Daft Punk
Day 14. Improv and media oppression in this Daft Punk record, that for me is probably my least favourite of theirs.
Fav Song - Technologic
Rating 6.5/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Demon Days
Gorillaz
Day 15. What more can you say apart from it being "Feel Good"
Fav Song - Feel Good Inc
Rating 9/10
Comment by Mark Francos
No Frontiers
Mary Black
Day 16 Nominee as the album that featured my favourite song from the Mary Black concert at the Ulster Hall that day.
Comment by Mark Francos
Human
Rag'n'Bone Man
Day 17. An album that is just made for Vinyl and one of my favourite debut albums of the last decade. Signed which is definitely a perkl.
Fav Song - Skin
Rating 9.5/10
Comment by Mark Francos
÷ (Divide)
Ed Sheeran
Day 18, a second Sheeran album and its a cracker! No real filler and so easy to listen to.
Fav Song - How would you feel
Rating 8/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Mama Said
Lenny Kravitz
Day 19, someone I wasn't too familiar with till introduced by a friend but something that needs far more exploring!
Fav Song - Always on the run
Rating 8/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Sound Ancestors
Madlib
Day 20, Definetly one of my favourite physical records I have picked up in recent years, again from Blood Records.
Fav Song - Hopprock
Rating 7/10
Comment by Mark Francos
You Belong There
Daniel Rossen
Day 21, an album I don't remember buying! Or why! But good none the less!
Fav Song - Celia
Rating 7/10
Comment by Mark Francos
As You Were
Liam Gallagher
Day 22. Second Gallagher record of the year ahead of seeing him again later this year reunited as Oasis! A really solid debut album that has Oasis familiarity with something else still!
Fav Song - Come Back to Me
Rating 7.5/10
Comment by Mark Francos
xx
The xx
Day 23. As I went through putting these records up on Instagram I had friends very confused at my music taste as we can see some real variance in this and day 24.
This has one of my favourite opening tracks off any album and an album that is minimalist yet a great example of late 00's indie rock and pop!
Fav Song - Crystalised
Rating 8/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Pet Sounds
The Beach Boys
Day 24 is a 60s classic and one of the most influential albums of all time without doubt. It's a great early concept album that explores some varied themes, that is matched with its eccentric use of instruments and arrangements you would ever hear on a rock album.
Fav Song - God Only Knows
Rating 8.75/10
Comment by Mark Francos
A Night At The Opera
Queen
Day 25 sees me break the record collecting world with my controversial take that Bohemian Rhapsody doesn't belong on this album! But is probably the closest song to perfection ever.
That aside it is one of my absolute favourite albums of all time and is always what I give as my introduction to Queen. Quite appropriately this is also our very first 10/10 of the year.
Fav Song - The Prophet's Song
Rating 10/10
Comment by Mark Francos
In The Court Of The Crimson King
King Crimson
Day 26. Red Screamy Man anyone?
A truly iconic album cover, but also one of the best examples of 60's prog rock. A masterpiece!
Fav Song - Epitaph
Rating 9.5/10
Comment by Mark Francos
London Calling
The Clash
Day 27, sometimes less is more when describing. Also a masterpiece and a staple of any record collection.
Fav Song - London Calling
Rating 9/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Dire Straits
Dire Straits
Day 28, this week has been the best for this challenge. Have I used masterpiece yet?
This album takes me back to the North East for where it all began for one of our most legendary musicians. And what an album it is led by Mark Knopfler with some of the best guitar playing you can ever hear. It's why I spent so much buying my fav song off this album as a signed soundwave print. Thanks Mark!
Fav Song - Sultans of Swing
Rating 9.5/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Appeal To Reason
Rise Against
Day 29, was another live day, this time seeing Rise Against for the first time live at the Telegraph Building in Belfast. What a night and this album represents that night so well!
Fav Song - Savior
Comment by Mark Francos
A Celebration Of Endings: Live From The Barrowland Ballroom Glasgow
Biffy Clyro
Day 30, carries on with our live theme in the form of one of Scotlands best loved bands. I can't wait to see them live again, For now I can rest with this album and their MTV unplugged set. I wonder if that will make an appearance this year...
Fav Song - Space
Rating 9/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Jagged Little Pill
Alanis Morissette
Day 31 continues with a record I received almost in outrage from my sister for Christmas, appalled that I didn't have it in my collection. I have no defence, it is a 90's staple!
Fav Song - Hand in my Pocket
Rating 8.5/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Revolution Come...Revolution Go
Gov't Mule
Day 32, an Allman Brothers spinoff, and in my eyes better! Is that bad to say! This album is excellent and shows they can still do it all these years on!
Fav Song - Stone Cold Rage / Pressure Under Fire
Rating 8.5/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Mickey Mouse Disco
Various
Day 33, some people on Instagram have thought this challenge is fixed and only highlights the cool parts of the collection. This will do nothing to alleviate those thoughts I'm well aware! A Record Store Day staple in the collection for sure!
Fav Song - Macho Duck
Rating 1000/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Simon And Garfunkel's Greatest Hits
Simon & Garfunkel
Day 34, the first record I physically ever bought in person as I first started collecting records back in 2016. Yes it's beat up and clicks to high heaven, but what a record and still holds some real sentiments!
Plus Paul Simon is a genius! Enough Said. Well apart from Art doesn't get enough credit sometimes!
Fav Song - The Boxer
Rating 9/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Endless Summer Vacation
Miley Cyrus
Day 35, An album I struggled with a little for the cohesiveness. It switches genres a little too much for me, though does have some great tracks and her voice holds up well.
Fav Song - Flowers
Rating 5.5/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Different Class
Pulp
Day 36, a 90's staple from the band fronted by everyone's favourite English teacher.
Its a must listen from the era with a few of the best songs of that decade easily found here.
Now to go and watch their 2011 Reading finale...
Fav Song - Common People
Rating 8.5/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Will Of The People
Muse
Day 37 features the latest release from one of the UK's most beloved live acts. Thier 9th studio album is varied to say the least from a genre perspective and goes back in many ways to what made them who they are. A solid solid effort.
Fav Song - You make me feel like it's Halloween.
Rating 7/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Freedom Child
The Script
Day 38 takes us to 2017 to an Irish band I saw only again recently. Dare I say it the last good stuff they put out. Satellites for me just doesn't quite hit it. Maybe I'm being influenced from the poor sound engineer they had at their SSE gig.
Fav Song - Rain
Rating 7/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Loveless
My Bloody Valentine
Day 39
Comment by Mark Francos
Headsoup
Goat
Day 40
Comment by Mark Francos
Live For The Moment
The Sherlocks
Day 41 is one of my favourite debut albums of the last decade, was really hyped to see them late last years as they supported Keane in Dublin, if they had only had a better sound engineer it would have been brilliant!
Fav Song - Last Night
Rating - 8.5/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Back To Bedlam
James Blunt
Day 42 was another live gig day with James Blunt my guilty pleasure as I always say launching his Back to Bedlam 20th Anniversary tour in Belfast. In advance I listened to the album, with the favourite song being High, but as this is a live day the rules do change and the rating goes for the gig!
Fav Song - Monsters
Rating 10/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Cryosleep
Matthew Bellamy
Day 43 is probably one of my favourite picture discs, and it is a shame this is a picture disc, its a RSD release which has some of Bellamy's and Muse's best versions of songs, almost hauntingly good versions at times!
Fav Song - Unintended (Piano Lullaby)
Rating 8/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Believe
Jonathan Antoine
Day 44, does show how random a record collection can get, with a BGT contestant of several years ago. It is a beautiful album that is without a doubt, but not the best pressing!
Fav Song - Un Giorno Per Noi
Rating 7/10 (A generous 7)
Comment by Mark Francos
Imploding The Mirage
The Killers
Day 45, ah back to collection normality! A cracker from my favourite live band who I will never see enough of! This album I will always remember as it launched at the same time as Covid-19 in the UK was unfortunately taking hold. It's a throw back to those times but a positive amongst the lost years!
Fav Song - Dying Breed
Rating 9/10
Comment by Mark Francos
The Ghost Note Symphonies, Vol. 1
Rise Against
Day 46 is an primarily acoustic record covering so many of Rise Against's best songs, I really hope this isn't a one off and we see a second volume and more of this!
Fav Song - Like the Angel
Rating - 8/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Unwanted
Pale Waves
Day 47 is such a uniquely designed record and a great flurry of indie pop!
Fav song - The Hard Way
Rating 7/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Curtain Call - The Hits
Eminem
Day 48, is a masterpiece full of all the hits, for someone like me who isn't a big Rap fan, Eminem really does have something special.
Fav Song - Like Toy Soldiers
Rating 9/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Stand!
Sly & The Family Stone
Day 49, takes us a very different direction to day 48 and that is what I have loved about this challenge so far. Did we expect to go from Lose Yourself to 1969 soulful, funkiness, no! That is what this challenge is all about!
Fav Song - Somebody's Watching You
Rating 7/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Saltburn (Music From The Motion Picture)
Various
Day 50 marks our first major milestone of the year and appropriately we have something a bit different with our first liquid filled record of the year, and an absolutely cracking soundtrack which even has the unofficial UK national anthem! But despite that, doesn't make it as the fav song!
Fav Song - Murder on the dancefloor
Rating -10/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Disney Ultimate Hits
Various
Day 51 is another compilation and one of those silly yet great records you should have in a shared collection. Let's just say I had a really hard time choosing my favorite song! All I can say is it didn't come from Frozen, good song but god overplayed to high heaven!
Fav Song - Under the Sea
Rating - 100m/10 (According to my partner)
Comment by Mark Francos
Steve McQueen
Prefab Sprout
Day 52, takes us back to the North East of England to my home of County Durham and arguably its biggest musical export! Indie Pop wouldn't have been the same without them!
Fav Song -
Rating - 9/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Deluxe Tracks
Nothing But Thieves
Day 53 pushes the rules for sure, as this is an EP, but what do they say, rules are made to be broken!
Fav Song - Neon Brother
Rating 8/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Ride On
Christy Moore
Day 54 is my favourite album from probably Ireland's greatest ever musician? It's a beautiful folk record that truly embraces the island, with a full collection of songs both from Moore and other famous contributors such as Bobby Sands and Jimmy McCarthy. It's a must listen if you like Irish Folk and if you don't this will make you realise you were wrong!
Fav Song - Lisdoonvarna
Rating 9.5/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Love Over Gold
Dire Straits
Day 55, carries on this incredible run of amazing records with a further visit to the North East for a true local hero...
Fav Song - Telegraph Road
Rating - 9/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Money Jungle
Duke Ellington • Charles Mingus • Max Roach
Day 56, Is a tumultious album full of tension but great moments in the only album collaboration of Mingus, Ellington and Roach. I'm not a crazy big jazz fan but I love some of the almost soulful playing and the melodic elements.
Fav Song - Very Special
Rating 8/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Paper Mâché Dream Balloon
King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard
Day 57 is the 7th out of 500 studio album from KGLW who crazily still haven't released an album in 2025. Get your finger out!!!!
A nice acoustic based album and a nice introduction to their extensive varied work.
Fav Song - The Bitter Boogie
Rating 7/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Eyes Open
Snow Patrol
Day 58 was another live trip (and accordingly we allocate an album to it), this time to see Northern Ireland's own in Snow Patrol on their penultimate night of their tour back home in Belfast.
Fav Song - Open Your Eyes
Rating 10/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Gumboot Soup
King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard
Day 59, It's like buses you wait for one and then two come along at once, is how it feels for the appearance of King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizzard on this list. This album is self described as being the compilation of whatever didn't make it onto the multitude of albums they released in 2017 and to me it shows a little.
Fav Song - Beginner's Luck
Rating - 6.5/10
Comment by Mark Francos
The Lockdown Sessions
Elton John
Day 60 takes us back to one of my favourite records of 2021 in Elton's compilation of work with such a great variety of artists across so many genres. For me Elton is someone despite seeing live that I haven't explored his whole catalogue and would count me as a casual listener. What I love though about him is his promotion of the next generation. It really is special!
Fav Song - Chosen Family
Rating 8/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions
Taylor Swift
Day 61, to probably my most common yet desirable record for one of the greatest songwriters of this generation. She may not be the most talented singer we have ever heard, but she evokes emotion, and this album is full of it, performed best here in these Long Pond Studio Sessions.
Fav Song - Exile (ft Bon Iver)
Rating - 9/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Avenged Sevenfold
Avenged Sevenfold
Day 62 is taking me back to my teenage years, with this US pressing I picked up years ago. Even after all these years it still hits hard.
Fav Song - Dear God
Rating 8/10
Comment by Mark Francos
My Baby Just Cares For Me
Nina Simone
Day 63 of this year will arguably be the hardest I will have to face, and with a crazy hint of fate, our randomiser matched me with the song of the day that we laid our family member to rest to.
Fav Song - You'll Never Walk Alone
Rating 8.5/10
Comment by Mark Francos
It Won’t Always Be Like This
Inhaler
Day 64 sees us on the up, with Inhaler a band I swear I see support just about every other artist I see! This is a great album though without a doubt.
Fav Song - Cheer Up Baby
Rating 8.5/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Bitches Brew
Miles Davis
Day 65 brings me to probably my favourite Miles Davis album where we see more of that fusion edge coming through. It's obviously heralded as one of the greatest jazz albums of all time and for very good reason.
Fav Song - Bitches Brew
Rating 8.5 /10
Comment by Mark Francos
Sleep Well Beast
The National
Day 66, and we come back to the National, at least it feels like coming back. I think this was the first National album I ever bought and it's really solid, with a punchy drum track and an upbeat tempo mixed with the typical sombreness that is unmissible.
Fav Song - Day I Die
Rating - 8 /10
Comment by Mark Francos
Gypsy Punks (Underdog World Strike)
Gogol Bordello
This is one of the albums that I think most fondly of my childhood whenever I listen to it. Is it technically the greatest album ever... No, but somehow this album that my dad discovered really does just hit home. I will always have time for Gogol Bordello. Plus it's IWD, so start wearing purple is appropriate!
Fav Song - Start Wearing Purple
Rating 9.5 /10
Comment by Mark Francos
Continuum
John Mayer
Day 68 takes us to one of the last 20 years, most rated guitarists. Is it justified is questionable? But there is no doubt the man has talent! This record contributes some of the best songs that can be found on one of my favourite live albums and for that reason will always be a solid feature of my collection.
Fav Song - Vultures
Rating - 8/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Politics Of Living
Kodaline
Day 69... Yep insert your filthy mind here! This is an album I had almost forgotten about in my collection, and a random signed record I picked up in the North East of England despite it being an album that went to N1 in Ireland. I always have a soft spot for them having seen them a couple of time live over the last few years including during Covid.
Fav Song - Follow Your Fire
Rating 7/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Becoming
Mammal Hands
Day 70 features possibly the favourite EP I own and my favourite piece of contemporary jazz for sure. A genre I have admitted that I don't claim to be knowledgable about to one iota!
This EP just has spirit from the start and unlike so many jazz pieces is simplistic and uses great progressive building throughout the small number of tracks.
Fav Song - Becoming
Rating 8.5 /10
Comment by Mark Francos
Reworked
Snow Patrol
Day 71 is without doubt one of my favourite albums in my collection. It's one of those that I have a play copy and a pristine reserve copy just in case.
This album as the title suggests revisits their tracks and primarily provides an acoustic review of them. It does however introduce some amazing tracks that have a real personal touch to Northern Ireland including my fav track...
Fav Song - I Think of Home
Rating - 9/10
Comment by Mark Francos
A Woman's Heart 2
Various
This takes me back to my youth unlike very little else in my collection, taking me back to listening to Irish folk with my parents, and in particular the first edition of this compilation.
Fav Song - Talk to me while I'm Listening
Rating 8/10
Comment by Mark Francos
The Alternate Rumours
Fleetwood Mac
People sometimes ask why collect records when you can stream. Use this as an example, this has some incredible renditions, demos and versions that you can't stream easily and yet are better in my eyes than possibly the final take. Songs like the Chain or my absolute favourite that has a funk edge to it in Never going back again.
Fav Song - Never Going Back Again
Rating 10/10
Comment by Mark Francos
The Dark Side Of The Moon
Pink Floyd
I don't think I know this album... Only kidding its probably one of the most iconic covers and albums ever produced. This is some of the first Pink Floyd I have listened to this year and this makes me want to just dive in more! It makes me realise how lucky I was to see David Gilmour last year at the Royal Albert Hall while I still could.
Fav Song - Money
Rating 9.5/10 (Only because it's not my favourite Pink Floyd record)
Comment by Mark Francos
Only Revolutions
Biffy Clyro
This has got me excited for hopefully a live album from Biffy Clyro that will come out of the mixer soon. This album has some great songs on it, but it has just made me want the live stuff even more. That to me is the sign of a good studio album.
Fav Song - Many of Horror
Rating 8/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Quarters!
King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard seem to be a constant of this marathon so far. Only being as constent as death and taxes at this point! This album is very unique in that all four songs and sides of this record are, 10 mins and 10 seconds in length.
Fav Song - Lonely Steel Sheet Flyer
Rating 7/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Getz / Gilberto
Stan Getz / João Gilberto Featuring Antonio Carlos Jobim
A beautiful album with a wonderful blend of innovation and that feeling of Spanish flair, or should I say Portuguese flair of Brazil. A wonderfully varied album with some great vocals from Astrud Gilberto. A perfect dinner party album!
Fav Song - Corvocado
Rating - 8/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Welcome To The Beautiful South
The Beautiful South
A solid debut album from a band hailing from Ull! Its not my personal favourite, that would probably go to Blue is the Colour (unfortunately not in the collection). but set the scene for one of the best bands in my eyes of the 90's. Also a real throwback to childhood which is a real bonus!
Fav Song - You Keep It All In
Rating - 7/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Led Zeppelin II
Led Zeppelin
What can I say about an album that sits in so many must have lists! Its great... but you knew that already.
Fav Song - Heartbreaker
Rating - 9/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Notes For A Maiden Warrior
Dani Larkin
Possibly out of the list so far, my first true recommendation and hidden gem! I remember seeing her opening for Snow Patrol in the Waterfront a few years ago and being captivated by her within 30 secs. The only time I have ordered an album while being in the gig itself. Hence this and the signed copy in the collection.
Fav Song - Samson and Goliath (Though very difficult to choose)
Rating - 8.5/10 or 10/10 depending on how I'm feeling!
Comment by Mark Francos
Genius from Georgia
Ray Charles
This compilation was actually my first real exposure to Ray Charles, an artist I knew, but only on the surface, and he's brilliant. It's made me want to explore more for sure.
Fav Song - Hit The Road Jack
Rating 8/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Being Waves
Kinkajous
Whimsical, atmospheric, but maybe a bit lacking in direction at times. I find with albums like these they need to grasp you and apart from a couple of drum elements it can very easily slide into background music.
Fav Song - The Eyes
Rating 6/10
Comment by Mark Francos
The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars
David Bowie
Is this the best Bowie album, I'm not sure, but its definitely up there for sure! Though I do have a real soft spot for Let's Dance!
Fav Song - Moonage Daydream
Rating 9.5/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Euphoric
Calva Louise
This was a great rediscovery in my collection. I had it in my head that it was some pop album. But instead its an album full of hooks, incredible drumming and an all around real sense of power!
Fav Song - Tiranito
Rating 8/10
Comment by Mark Francos
I Can't Tell You How Much It Hurts
Moow
No its not an album of cow music! Remarkably my copy plays really well despite being probably the most warped out of my entire collection.
Fav Song - Youre in my head
Rating 7/10
Comment by Mark Francos
For The First Time
Black Country, New Road
One of the best bands I have came across in reasonably recent times. Thanks again to my good friend Eddie!
Fav Song - Opus
Rating 7.5/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace
Foo Fighters
The best Foo Fighters album! This is my list I'm allowed to have my opinion! Though I do feel like the singles have been overplayed on the radio over the years.
Fav Song - Home
Rating - 9/10
Comment by Mark Francos
I've Been Expecting You
Robbie Williams
I actually hadn't been expecting this! I have always enjoyed Robbie's solo work and have a guilty pleasure of Take That for sure!
Fav Song - Millenium
Rating 7/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Cuts & Bruises
Inhaler
What a stunning cover is usually my reaction whenever I pull out an Inhaler record and this is no exception. Check out my Eye Catching Covers list to see the Inhaler record that did make the grade.
Fav Song - If Your'e Gonna Break my Heart
Rating 7.5/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Live & Rare
Rage Against The Machine
A great RSD pickup from a few years ago. Even after all these years Tom Morello still remains as one of my favourite guitarists.
Fav Song - Bombtrack
Rating - 8/10
Comment by Mark Francos
The Studio Albums 1978 - 1991
Dire Straits
This one was a shock, I was browsing spotify in work and up popped On Every Street, after listening to Calling Elvis I thought this has to be my record of the day, to then find I didn't actually own a regular LP of the album! Luckily this boxset came to the rescue!
Fav Song - Heavy Fuel
Rating 7.5/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Rushmere
Mumford & Sons
I think this is the first 2025 record to make the cut! And to make it doubly special it's also a liquid filled record. I was really excited to see Mumford and Sons come back this year and had to resist pulling the trigger on buying tickets! All the same I don't think this hits as well as things like Delta or their earlier work. Still delighted that I get to make that comparison.
Fav Song - Truth
Rating 7/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Are We There Yet?
Rick Astley
I have a real soft spot for Rick Astley and the way he has managed to pull himself from obscurity to the peaks of popular culture! Who can't say they didn't enjoy seeing him performing with Foo Fighters for instance.
This isn't quite on that level but a really solid release.
Fav Song - Never Gonna Stop (nope it's not quite that one)
Rating 7/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Atom Heart Mother
Pink Floyd
I have to start this off with I'm not a crazy fan of this earlymid point of Pink Floyd, with the first side being one of those I struggle to distinguish and identify with, yet has elements I really enjoy. I'm personally a Gilmour fan so no big surprise that my favourite song on this...
Fav Song - Fat Old Sun
Rating 7/10
Comment by Mark Francos
MTV Unplugged: Live At Roundhouse London
Biffy Clyro
Probably in my top 5 favourite live albums! I absolutely love an MTV Unplugged set and this is no exception. I really feel like the acoustic nature of this lets some of their best songs shine through that you don't quite get on their regular studio equivalents. I can't wait to hopefully see them live again in the next couple of years.
Fav Song - God Only Knows
Rating 9/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Are You Listening?
Dolores O'Riordan
Dolores just has one of those incredible punchy voices that is so instantly recognisable! Her debut album is familiar to anyone who has listened to the Cranberries before, yet takes it a slightly different direction that is very welcome!
Fav Song - When we were young
Rating 8/10
Comment by Mark Francos
The Atlas Underground
Tom Morello
It's hardly a shock that Tom Morello is one of my favourite musicians and I love what he has adopted in recent years with his move to incorporate more electronic sounds in his music.
Fav Song - How Long
Rating 8/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Running Under Water
Kovic
A fifa classic features on this album and it's a way into Kovic that I think is very typical!
He's an artist who I don't think has ever had that cut through moment, but this album would be one I do find myself coming back to more than you would expect!
Fav Song - Drown
Rating 7/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Avalon
Roxy Music
Bryan Ferry is a true hometown hero of where I come from and despite this, Avalon is actually the only piece of his work I own... That may have to change!
Fav Song - More Than This Day
Rating 7.5/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Rina
Rina Sawayama
It's day 100, which is incredible. I'm not going to lie, I thought this might last a few weeks max. I didn't anticipate it going on so long! But it really has been a wonderful experience. Listening away each day and taking the time to reflect every few days through Waxlog. Thanks for taking the chance to follow along. I hope this inspires you to go delve deep into your own collection!
Fav Song - 10-20-40
Rating 7/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Real Life
Emeli Sandé
And all of a sudden we are back in the North East again (in a way) with Emeli Sande from my hometown of Sunderland. She is someone who undoubably has an incredible voice but unfortunately has never quite held onto that early fame she achieved in and around 2012 where it appeared she was on top of the world.
Fav Song- You Are Not Alone
Rating 7/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Brothers In Arms
Dire Straits
Is this album a 10/10... Obviously! It's Dire Straits with soaring guitars, lyracism that is simply brilliant and features one of the best openings to a song that you can ever hear. If you don't risk blowing your sound system playing it... well you are doing it wrong!
Also what a great week of North East music!
Fav Song - Money for Nothing / Brothers in Arms
Rating 10/10
Comment by Mark Francos
A Momentary Lapse Of Reason
Pink Floyd
Outsider
Roger Taylor
I won't ever forget this album after attending the opening night of the tour in Newcastle, masked during the CovId Pandemic. It sparked a slight return to normality and the chance to see an an absolute legend in small venue with two of my best friends, a few months If I recall before seeing Queen + Adam Lambert in Belfast.
Fav Song - Gangsters Are Running This World
Rating 8/10
Comment by Mark Francos
No One Sings Like You Anymore
Chris Cornell
What a great hearty voice that makes you feel, there's some power and brilliance that I also hear whenever I come across Chris and he always manages to stand out. In this volume, its a Sinead O'Connor classic that really stands out for me in...
Fav Song - Nothing Compares 2 U
Rating 8/10
Comment by Mark Francos
Grace
Jeff Buckley
People Watching
Sam Fender