The mandatory annual list, this year featuring almost nothing from this year.
I guess I was in retro mode this year. In some cases, I go back decades…
BEST IMMERSIVE STUDY: I was surprised and pleased when I came across two of Peter Hook’s books – “Substance: Inside New Order” and “Unknown Pleasures: Inside Joy Division” at my local library. They are both lengthy but entertaining and easy reads. A few details:
- Chapeau to Peter, who pulls no punches in telling stories about himself and others. Whether good, bad, or indifferent, he seems to lay it all out there.
- With that said, it kind of made me like all the members of New Order a little less that I did before reading these books; sometimes the less you know, the better. I’d say a lot of what I didn’t like was the often laddish and immature behaviors. On the other hand, global fame may be tough for anyone to deal with, so who knows what that brings out in people. Regardless, I’m sure I will behave perfectly when my time comes.
- In a fact perhaps interesting to no one but me, I learned that Martha Ladly of the band Martha and the Muffins was also a painter and one of her works was used on the sleeve of New Order EP “Factus 8 – 1981-1982.” Coincidentally, that EP is by far my favorite collection of NO songs.
- And just to bring the New Order/Martha and the Muffins link full circle, Hooky played bass on Martha’s solo song “Light Years from Love.“ It’s a poppy bit of new wave fluff, but you definitely notice Hook’s distinctive bass once you know it’s there.
BEST IRRELEVANT PERSONAL STORY RELATED TO NEW ORDER: A friend bought me the “Blue Monday” single for my birthday the week it came out. Prior to that, I was of course familiar with Joy Division, and then the early New Order efforts that were in the same musical vein. Expecting something somewhat dark, I opened the cool looking 12” single, set my turntable for 45rpm, and when the poppy, upbeat sounding songs started I thought “Oh, this must be a 33. It’s clearly too fast.” Well, I switched the speed but quickly figured out that was wrong, so went back to 45 and also reset my brain for what to expect from New Order going forward.
BEST RAW VIDEO: A friend from DC clued me in to Sohrab Habibion’s YouTube channel which features videos of various punk acts he filmed in the mid-late 1980’s. Sohrab was a teenager with admittedly limited filmmaking skills, and was often in venues not necessarily set up for a high-quality production. Nonetheless, they videos are great! Lots of DC hardcore shows, and some visiting acts. It will all make you want to get in the pit!
BEST WHATEVER THIS IS: A 5-Minute Hour is a delightful diversion. Each week there is a new, short (well, 5 minute long) “variety show” that is pieced together and, in any given week, can feature performance art, experimental film, music, noise, or just nice things to look at. And if you are a fan of folk dolls and/or tea, well my friend, this is definitely the place for you. Tell your dada, or your ma, and tune in to a 5-Minute Hour.
A recent example:
BEST MES DISCOVERY: I’m always on the lookout for Mark E. Smith stuff, but somehow this performance with Inspiral Carpets on “I Want You” had evaded me, until now. Rockin’ song, nice suits, and MES even gets his patented squeal in. And it only took me 18 years to find it. Dig it:
WORST ANNIVERSARY: December 22 marked 20 years since we lost Joe Strummer. At least we still have his music, so pour one out for the man, and continue to RIP Joe. I was reminded of this anniversary because…
BEST “BOOKS ARE MUSIC TOO”: I also found “Redemption Song: The Definitive Biography of Joe Strummer” by Chris Salewicz at the library this year. I thought this was a balanced and fair overview of Joe’s life, warts and all. It definitely filled in some of my knowledge gaps, especially of his “wilderness years” between the end of The Clash and his late period resurgence.
BEST OF BACK TO SCHOOL: College radio can be a really great listening experience when you combine a passionate DJ with a system that isn’t beholden to advertisers and ratings. While it’s not aways amazing, hit the right show and it can take you on a journey that entertains and introduce you to new things. I’ll also admit a soft spot in my heart for college radio since my direct experience back in the day was a blast. While there are various ways to pick up shows around the globe, I’ve been listening through Campus FM this year. If you’re not crazy about what you’re listening to, it’s easy to jump around until something grabs you.
On to 2023, which I understand will be the year of the water rabbit. It is supposed to be a lucky year for most people; here’s hoping it is for you!