Well would you look at the time? It's January 2019 AD. How did that happen? Nobody knows. Join me once again for the annual album of the year awards. Last year was a strange one for me, both personally and musically. But all years are like that, aren't they? I didn’t listen to nearly as … Continue reading Best of 2018: Top Five Albums
I managed to not publish anything to this blog in 2017. That's an odd achievement that I'm not proud of. The truth is that within the past 12 months I've written literally thousands upon thousands of words that I didn't publish. There are many reasons, but primarily, I lost faith in the idea that my writing was really reaching out to anyone. Why publish something effectively no-one will read? In today's dissolving world, what use are my words? They're buried in noise, subsumed in an endless sea of arbitrary distractions.
Okay, so that's not really a great way to start of a post about my favourite music from 2017. But a little context goes a long way, and on that front it's worth mentioning that in 2017, podcasts have squeezed music out of my everyday life. And I was catching up on a lot of music from 2016 (ATCQ, RTJ, De La, etc.)
For those reasons, and others, I've opted to keep this list to six albums I enjoyed this year. No rankings - although Oxbow would take the top spot for sure. So join me, won't you?
I don't always do one of these lists at the end of the year, because I'm old and lazy and I don't think anybody really cares what I think, and all this needless self-deprecation is no-doubt making you sick. The main thing you need to know is that I did one of these this year, and … Continue reading Best of 2016: Top Ten Albums
It was a bit of an odd year for music - and in general. Mind you, I feel like I say that every year. I ended up digging through a lot of old favourites, expanding collections, and showing up late to a lot of old parties. 2015 saw me chewing through classic Beastie Boys, Pogues, clipping., Cave In, Beck's Odelay, … Continue reading Best of 2015: Music
So, it's the end of 2014. Boy, what a nothing year that was for me. Oh well, onward and downward I suppose. It wasn't all bad, there was a ton of cool music to enjoy, so that's something. I took a while working on this list, and there were a couple of late entries. There are a few … Continue reading Best of 2014: Top Ten Albums
Learned to snowboard and "conquered" (hah!) my first black diamond runs. Moved from the ass-end of Vancouver to the beautiful North Vancouver. Lots of sunsets on top of Mount Strachan. Saw lots of classic Studio Ghibli films at the Cinematheque. Met several incredibly inspirational people (and did not stay in contact with any of them because I … Continue reading Best of 2013: Some Cool Stuff That Happened to Me
I'm surprised to find this year that most of my favourite new video games have been games I've appreciated for storytelling more than gameplay. And many of those have in some way subverted narrative conventions in interesting ways only possible in an interactive medium. And I say HOORAY to that. I don't really play video … Continue reading Best of 2013: Six Great Games
People of the internet, behold! It is the end of Saturnalia for another year, so cease your gambling, take your Phrygian caps outside and burn them, and then get back to work slaves, for it is time for the best albums of 2013 AD. Last year I opted out of writing a top 10 album list which … Continue reading Best of 2013: Six Great Albums
Tanuki balls, flying pigs and lovely warm nostalgia.
In which I fold too many paper cranes.
