Goodbye 2021
Sadly, if I were to list the things which had made life a lot more unbearable, it would be a longer list, and one that was much easier to write. Didn’t go anywhere, didn’t go to movies, live concerts, Fan Expo or any of that. So, here’s the annual list of things that made life a little more bearable…
- The Toronto Public Library
I don’t buy as many books as I once did. Part of it is that I still have many books unread, but also space is becoming a premium in my house. The TPL is one of the busiest libraries in North America, and has allowed me to indulge in old habits despite the above restrictions. It was so nice when you were allowed to go back inside. - The MCU on television
I haven’t been to the movies in two years (Last film seen in a theatre: Knives Out), so I haven’t seen any of the MCU films there. But the TV stuff is a worthy substitute. WandaVision, Loki, Falcon and Winter Soldier, What If and Hawkeye have filled that gap. Looking forward to Moon Knight, She-Hulk, Ms. Marvel, and I hope, a Kate Bishop and Yelena Belova series. - The Beguiling
Still the greatest comic book shop round these parts. - Ancient Egypt
I’ve become absolutely fascinated by ancient Egypt (and the ancient word in general). Look at the life of Ptolemy VIII, a murderous pharaoh, but thought to be a very shrewd ruler. Toby Wilkinson’s The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt is a good introduction. - Lester the Dog
I love this dog. Daily moments of Zen walking the dog and a constant source of love and entertainment, Earlier this year, Lester got sick, and I thought he might die. I went to work in the morning, but couldn’t make it through the day. I was so upset (yes, I wept in front of co-workers). He was fine. We absolutely do not deserve dogs. - Work (or maybe community)
I’ve mentioned that I worked from home for most of the year, but returned to the job site for the final quarter. Sure there are advantages (not having to drive to work was nice), but I did miss people. I have a job I like (surrounded by people who also love dogs), but it’s the co-workers who got me through the pandemic. - World History Encyclopedia
Every Tuesday, you get a newsletter full of interesting articles about the ancient world along with a video from WHE presenter Kelly Macquire on something interesting from the ancient world. - Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips – Reckless
Ed Brubaker is one of those authors of whom I’ll read anything by them. Longtime collaborator Sean Phillips’ artwork is kinetic and marvellous in its storytelling. This year, they’ve come up with a new series Reckless, a pulp crime thriller with a sometimes private eye set in 1980s Los Angeles. I’m hooked. - Griff – “Black Hole”
I read about Griff in the British music paper the New Musical Express, and this remains my favourite song this year. The lyrics, the pacing, the music, just something that pulls me back each time. - Hope for the Future
I usually end the list with an inspiring socialist quotation, but not this year. Instead a reflection. For nearly two years we’ve lived with covid. And there’s a bit of totalitarianism about it. Unlike Trump whom you could avoid, (now even easier to ignore), covid was everywhere. (“Is that person too close to me, Why aren’t they wearing their masks properly?”) Now I’ll take as many booster shots as I need, but I’m hoping, just hoping that this year will be different.
Oh, OK, this inspiring song by the late Roy Bailey
Roy Bailey – “Rolling Home”
Happy New Year…
Music Notes: December 2021
The final list of the year. As usual in December, a little earlier than the last day of the month (which will be the annual “Goodbye…”)
1 Urge Overkill – “How Sweet the Light”
Can’t believe it’s been ten years since the last Urge Overkill release (2011’s Rock & Roll Submarine). “How Sweet the Light” is the first single from Oui out in January.
2. Peter Gabriel – Peter Gabriel (III)
By the time I began to be seriously interested in music, Peter Gabriel had already left Genesis. The band was reviled by the punk generation, so when Gabriel started releasing solo albums which were, um, quite good, it was a shock. The third self-titled one is my favourite. “Games without Frontiers”, “II can’t remember”, “No self-control”, and “Biko.” Brilliant.
3. JJ Wilde – “Off the Rails”
This song gets played a lot on Indie 88, my radio station of choice on the drive to work. Super catchy, and I love the kiss-off message of the song: Do whatever you want.
4. Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats – “S.O.B.”
From 2015, this too gets a lot of play on Indie 88. Half gospel callback, half blues stomper; a tale of the DTs set to music. Sing along!
5. This is Spinal Tap!
No matter how many times you see this movie, a mockumentary about the music business it still seems fresh. If you haven’t seen it, stop reading and go and watch it now.
6. The Linda Lindas – “Nino”
Great new single by the Linda Lindas about “Nino the savage cat / killer of mice and rats.” 1:49 minutes of fun. I wish Covid were over so great punk bands could tour again (and I wouldn’t be too scared to go to see them)
7. Wilco – Being There
Actually saw Wilco on this tour in Calgary. One of those really great shows where the band is great, and the audience is so into it that the band plays better. Anyway, a band that releases a double album as their second is either over-confident or at the top of their game; for Wilco, it was the latter. A fantastic record that saw them spread beyond the alt-country of A.M. while not abandoning those elements. Still sounds great two decades later.
8. The Velvet Underground – VU
Ooh, I remember when this came out in 1985. My second year at university, and there was a hush of excitement at the campus radio station when this arrived. I mean, Velvets demos! Great to dig out after you watch the film.
9. Monowhales – Daytona Bleach
Worth a listen for the title alone. Daytona Bleach is the Toronto indie-band’s second record. Catchy alt-pop. Especially like the single “Out with the Old”
10. Angelic Upstarts – Teenage Warning
The first and probably better blast from the band. The link between Sham 69 and the later Oi! bands, the Upstarts distinguished themselves with “The Murder of Liddle Towers” (earning them the eternal ire of the Northumbria Police Department), but the album’s title track, “I’m an Upstart,” and the cover of Cliff Richard’s “The Young Ones are standouts too. Sadly, I was reminded of how great this record was when on December 10, Upstarts singer Mensi died from Covid. Give it a listen in his memory.
Happy holidays.
PS: I can’t wait until next month to plug this: Margo Cilker’s Pohorylle. Country? Rock? Folk? Yes to all, but songs with great hooks, brutal honesty, and such a voice. Give it a listen.
CLR James Videos?
Wondering if anyone knows of CLR James videos. There are a couple of documentaries on YouTube and some audio recordings, but I’d really like to see older material if it exists.
Red And Black Notes (the other one)
If you’ve followed this blog for any period of time, you’re probably bored to tears by my repeated mentions of a former project of mine called Red & Black Notes. From 1997 to 2005, I self-published the newsletter, ending it when I joined Internationalist Perspective. For most of its run, R&BN was a council communist newsletter with an interest in anarchism. (today most of it is archived at Libcom, though I think some of it has ended up at Marxists Internet Archive as well. The interview I did with Marty Glaberman in 2000, Revolutionary Optimist is posted in various places around the net.
Anyway, last week, in an ultra-left equivalent of googling myself, I searched for the name of the publication and discovered an Australian anarcho-communist project of the same name. (I always thought it was a great name). I seem to be late to this party as the project has posted dating back to 2016, but better later than never.
Notes from Underground 