Firstly, I read a lot more this year than last (about 35 novels, and assorted graphic novels and novellas).  That was a conscious effort on my part, and I’m pleased it worked out, but next year I’d like to read more still.  As time ticks by – and I reach the big 40 next year – I realise how many books I have stacked on my shelves.

Book of the year (read this year, not necessarily published this year) – The Road, Cormac McCarthy. This is the first McCarthy I’ve read, and it was a staggering, shattering experience.  Horrible, challenging, beautiful.

Album of the year – State of Grace by Street Dogs.  A surprise winner – I’ve always like the Street Dogs, but this new album has classic written all over it.  Real punk challenging real issues, the songs are intelligent and catchy, the playing raw and honest.

Gig of the year.  No competition – Flogging Molly playing Bristol Carling Academy.  This band has more energy in one of its seven members’ little fingernails clippings than many of the bands I’ve seen over the years, and more enthusiasm and enjoyment than most.  The music’s loud and raucous, but always powerful and moving.  They’ve quickly become one of my favourite bands.  You can read more about the gig here.

Film of the year – it’s been a good year – The Dark Knight, The Orphanage -  but I think In Bruges just wins out for me.  Very funny, brilliantly acted and written, this one sticks in the memory for many reasons.

There’s plenty more ‘of the year’ choices I could make, but frankly I’m crap at keeping note of things, and my memory isn’t what it used to be (indeed, isn’t what it ever should have been).

It’s a busy time here right now (my beautiful daughter is ten years old today), so I doubt I’ll post again until the New Year. There’s news of two major book deals incoming soon, and lots of other exciting stuff going,  so I hope you’ll keep visiting me here in 2009.   If you like my writing, or simply enjoy the site, please spread the word.

A Happy New Year to you all.  See you soon.

Tim

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My mate Gary Greenwood and I spent a couple of hours in a pub first (I was driving … J20 is not my friend), then we went on to the gig, just in time to see Street Dogs‘ performance.  I’m a big fan of Fading American Dream, and I was looking forward to seeing them …. but I have to admit, I wasn’t quite prepared for how professional and polished these guys are, and what a fantastic perfromance they put on.  Lead singer Mike McColgan is a superb frontman, engaging the crowd from his first moment on stage to the last.  Their songs are fast, punchy and intelligent, and the audience were obviously heavily into them.  Gary and I stood about 20 feet from the stage, and from us forward was one big mosh pit.  They made some kid’s night by inviting him up on stage (it was his 18th birthday … he won’t forget this one in a while), then after the last song McColgan threw himself on the mercy of the audience.  Last I saw of him he was being carried away towards the bar, and maybe they’re still carrying him somewere down the M5 now …

I picked up their new album State of Grace after the gig, and it’s brilliant.  Go.  Buy it.  Back already?  Then let’s move on to ..

Skindred.  Again, the frontman was a true professional, having a real rapport with the audience from the start.  Didn’t realise that they’re from Newport, very close to where I live!  Their music is a merging of reggae, rap and thrash, and they put on a stunning show.  I was again struck by their professionalism – it’s unusual to go to a gig and see three such talented bands on the same line-up.  Good stuff: fast, powerful, brutal.

Now, then.  Flogging Molly.  I’ve been a fan for years.  Always wanted to see them, and now I’m kicking myself for not doing so sooner.  This is one of those gigs I’ll remember for a long, long time … and out of the hundreds I’ve seen, this is definitely one of the best.  They all have a great time on stage.  You really get the feeling that they’re enjoying themselves, and that can’t help but transfer to the audience.  And it did, big style.  The mosh pit grew, the jumping and singing was loud and exuberant, and the mix of songs they played – at least 6 songs from the first album Swagger, and just as many from the latest, Float – shows the consistent quality of the music this band’s putting out.  Dave King is a great frontman, chatty and funny, and he took that audience and made it his own.  They did such a slew of great songs that it’s difficult to pick out favourites: Within a Mile of Home, Drunken Lullabies, Float, Swagger, Salty Dig, Whistles the Wind, Seven Deadly Sins … fantastic.

Every album this band has produced is a classic, in my mind, from their first Swagger, then Drunken Lullabies, Within a Mile of Home, and the new album Float.  Then there’s the brilliant Whiskey on A Sunday, of course, which contains some fine acoustic and live versions of some of their best songs.

First encore?  Dave King on his own, acoustic guitar, couple of great songs … True class.

What more can I say?  Best gig in years.