My Favourite Albums Of 2012

I had a really difficult time this year whittling down my favourite albums of the year to just 10, there were so many I really loved: so I decided to make it 11. There are others I really loved too like Ryan Bingham's brilliant hard rock meets traditional country Tomorrowland, The Mars Volta's underrated Noctourniquet and Kathleen Edwards' lovely follow-up to Asking For Flowers, Voyageur, but these are the records that ultimately made the cut.

My Favourite Movies Of 2012

Overall I thought 2012 was a pretty good year for film: there were a few nice surprises, a few films I was stupidly excited to see that lived up to expectations and some nice indie movies. Although the reviews were mixed I adored Ridley Scott's Alien prequel Prometheus and Wes Anderson charmed me yet again with his latest film Moonrise Kingdom, while Skyfall was without a doubt the best Bond yet and of course The Hobbit was a wonderful visual feast. There were also a few films that despite the acclaim I found hugely disappointing, in particular The Avengers Assemble, The Cabin In The Woods and Looper but thankfully there weren't too many I really hated. Again, as in 2011, there are a few acclaimed movies that came out recently that I've yet to see so this list may well change but for now these are my favourite movies of 2012.

1. Prometheus
2. Moonrise Kingdom
3. Skyfall
4. Amour
5. Delicacy
6. Shame
7. Lawless
8. Rust And Bone
9. Dredd
10. Killer Joe

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Best gigs of 2012

This year I seem to have been revisiting my youth as I saw more reunited bands than ever and my summer was like a big flashback to the early 90s. But it wasn't all nostalgia as I got to experience some great new bands too as well as a few legends I had never experienced before, like Mike Nesmith, who was back on these shores for a solo show for the first time in 38 years! I feel pretty lucky to have seen him, as different and quirky as his show was.  I also spent two days standing in the rain and mud in order to see Soundgarden and Bruce Springsteen, both of which were worth it but I don't know if I have it in me to do again. Still there's part of me that is sad that the Hard Rock Calling concerts will longer be taking place in Hyde Park, I definitely had some good times at those events over the years. Also sad was Cat Power cancelling her December show at the Roundhouse due to illness. I was really looking forward to that one but hopefully she'll be back next year to make up the dates. So anyway, with all that said, here's my list of my favourite shows this year:

10. Eddie Vedder at Hammersmith Apollo

9. Bat For Lashes at The Forum

8. Anaïs Mitchell at Camden Dingwalls

7. Bruce Springsteen at Hyde Park

6. Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers at Royal Albert Hall

5. First Aid Kit at Shepherd's Bush Empire

4. Sharon Van Etten at the Scala

3. Wild Flag at the Electric Ballroom

2. Soundgarden at Hyde Park

1. Afghan Whigs at Koko

Mark Lanegan at The Forum

Mark Lanegan Band
Creature With The Atom Brain
Duke Garwood
The Forum, 4 December 2012

I feel like I've said all I can say about Duke Garwood. Love him or loathe him he's pretty much a given at any Mark Lanegan gig these days. A couple of years ago his droning, feedback-fueled gothic blues really divided opinions but I think since he's now joined by a drummer to help drive the songs along and added quite a few more upbeat and shorter songs to his repertoire, for those more interested in melody over atmospherics, he's certainly easier to love. The audience tonight definitely seem appreciative for once, which is nice to see.