Diary of a Melomaniac
Before 11/2020, grades range from 5 to 3.5 stars. After that, grade range is: 10 (A+), 9.5 (high A), 9 (A), 8.5 (high A-), 8 (A-), 7.5 (high B+), and 7 (B+). Ungraded albums are noted as liked :-) (honorable mention), neutral :-|, and disliked :-(. At least 4 listens per graded album and 3 listens per ungraded album. Search "Grade Post" for more info. I sold/shelved ~10,000 albums after at least 3 or 4 listens, respectively, before starting this blog and will add entries for those as they arise.
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Monday, February 16, 2026
The Manhattans - Super Hits [Sony/BMG, 2007]: 8.5 (high A-)
I don't know why I like this a couple notches better than Greatest Hits (1980). Could it be as simple as sound quality? Here are the only track differences (same number of tracks, but with two swapped songs):
Super Hits:
"Wish That You Were Mine"
"Am I Losing You"
Greatest Hits:
"I'll Never Find Another (Find Another Like You)"
"Do You Really Mean Goodbye?"
Sunday, February 15, 2026
Saturday, February 14, 2026
Al Green - The Definitive Greatest Hits [Capitol/Hi, 2007]: notation
This is the third edition of the man's Greatest Hits, from what I can tell. The first in 1975 with 10 tracks (vinyl-only), the second in 1995 with five additional tracks (CD-only), and this in 2007 with six additional tracks to the 15 in 1995. Here are the six:
"Take Me to the River"
"Keep Me Cryin'"
"Oh Me, Oh My (Dreams in My Arms)"
"Back Up Train" - from Back Up Train
"I Can't Stop" - from I Can't Stop
"Perfect to Me"- from Everything's OK
The last three are not on the two-disc The Absolute Best. I have noted above where those three are taken from. I have the latter two. I am evaluating the first album, Back Up Train, but will obviously not upgrade to this for that track alone, no matter where I come out on the album.
Friday, February 13, 2026
Saturday, February 7, 2026
The Delfonics - Platinum & Gold Collection [Arista/BMG Heritage, 2003]: 8.5 (high A-)
Aka The Very Best of the Delfonics [Arista/Legacy, 2005]. I like the cover of that one much better, but Gold & Platinum is the one I could find for the best price. The Very Best cover looks like this:
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Monday, February 2, 2026
Sunday, February 1, 2026
New York Dolls - New York Dolls [Mercury, 1977]: notation
Official UK, vinyl two-fer release of first two studio albums. As a Dolls semi-completist, I do have a copy.
Saturday, January 31, 2026
Special AKA [The Specials]: In the Studio: 7 (B+)
Normally this would be #ska/2tone, but I saw this beautiful box set, 2 Tone: The Albums, for a ridiculously low price and snagged a copy. It contains this.
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