Another Year Over - Part 1

As December draws to a snowy close, TV and Newspapers reflect back on the highlights and lowlights of the last 12 months. I'm just sticking to my personal highlights and peccadilloes. Lowlights? There are too many to rant about. Ranting is for other bloggers.

As I'm writing this I'm finding that my choices may be skewed towards the latter months of this year due to an aging brain. Well, memory permitting, here are my some of my favourite things that helped recharge my batteries in 2005...

Music

Albums

Cold Roses - Ryan Adams & The Cardinals

My #1 pick of the year. This double CD was the first of three new albums that Ryan released in 2005. I prefer it to Jacksonville City Nights and 29. His standard of songwriting and performance on Cold Roses is above anything I've heard for a long time.

and in no particular order...

Demon Days - Gorillaz
Damon Albarn's cartoon pals smart indie/trip-hop/dance fusion.
If You'd Didn't Laugh, You'd Cry - Marah
Yet another strong album from the best band nobody knows.
As Is Now - Paul Weller
Nice to see the Modfather wake up and produce something with a bit of life.
EP - The Fiery Furnaces
Art pop at it's best.
Born To Run 30th Anniversary Edition - Bruce Springsteen
A great re-issue of possibly the best album of all time.
From Croydon To Cuba - Kirsty MacColl
A great 3CD anthology/monument to Kirsty's songwriting and beautiful voice.

Songs

I Predict A Riot - The Kaiser Chiefs
The most infectious, makes you want to leap about, song of the year.
Reno - Bruce Springsteen
The song 'banned' by Starbucks. A moving, graphic tale of a man's visit to a prostitute whilst he thinks about his lost love. Stunning.
Hey Man (Now You're Really Living) - Eels
One of those songs you can't get out of your head. From E's good but sprawling Blinking Lights and Other Revelations album.
Tin Sings Bones - Bill Nelson
A great catchy pop tune with super noodly guitar work. From the limited edition (sold out) album Orpheus In Ultraland.

Gigs


Bruce Springsteen @ Philadelphia and Atlantic City
I was lucky enough to see Bruce play 7 times on this solo tour. Were these best of those shows? Maybe not, but to hear extreme rarities Used Cars, Drive All Night, Santa Ana and Thundercrack played was, for me at any rate, a thrilling experience.
Wilco @ Hammersmith Apollo
Jeff Tweedy and the troops proved to me that their last two albums are better than I thought they were.
The Saw Doctors @ Shepherds Bush Empire
Joyus, life-affirming entertainment.
Chas and Dave @ The 100 Club
As good as I hoped they would be. It's great they are now getting the recognition they deserve.
The Wedding Present @ The Forum
I really enjoyed this, probably more than old Weddoes fans who wanted to hear more of their older material.
Marah @ The Barfly
An 'acoustic' show with just Dave, Serge and Kirk. Whilst still a loud and rocking performance, not having drums and an extra guitarist in the mix highlighted the musical and lyrical subtleties of their songs.
The Breeders @ Blackheath Halls
Reformed to celebrate an anniversary of 4AD records, they really seemed to enjoy themselves. A great focused show and much better than the last time I saw them when it seemed like they were on another planet.

Sport


England Cricket Team - Ashes Cricket victory over Australia
A titanic battle. We finally beat the Aussies! Nuff said.
Wigan Athletic - English Football Premiership
Newly promoted this year, their attitude and performance has been a breath of fresh air to a Chelski dominated league.
Tottenham Hostpur - English Football Premiership
Amazingly Spurs are still 4th as I type, despite playing worse than last year! IF they can get Ledley King fit again soon then they have got a good chance of qualifying for Europe.