Sorry, friends, looks like Substack here didn’t save my most recent post, sending out instead a half-complete piece of trash… Not too pleased! Here’s what I’d hoped to send your way, friends.
Well, friends. Another year in the books eh?
If you find yourself looking for something to read as you ponder the time collectively trickling through the hour glass, or were at all wondered what kinda stuff kept the candle lit for me in 2021, well wonder no more.
What books did I dig this past year? Thanks for asking! Jon Lindsey’s Body High and Willy Vlautin’s The Night Always Comes were two novels released in 2021 that really got me going. I also dug back in time into the short stories of Larry Brown, Denis Johnson, and Barry Hannah, guys I’d never mucked about with, but have come to love.
Records? Oh baby, there were some gooders in 2021. Loved The Weather Station’s Ignorance, and had a chance to see the group perform in November. Not one but two volumes of American Aquarium’s Slappers, Bangers, & Certified Twangers? Aw hell yeah! Loving that new War on Drugs, big time too. Really dug archival releases from SNFU and Neil Young & Crazy Horse. Turnstile’s GLOW ON? Fuck yeah! But I think Matt Sweeney & Bonnie Prince Billy’s Superwolves takes the cake for most spins. The record is consistently in the mix over here, still, a half year since it came out.
Tweet of the year? This could be a tough one…
Runner up?
As for my own production, below you’ll find a list of publications you might want to peruse, if you haven’t already. Or not!
In 2022, I’ll be working to find a home for a collection of short stories while still plugging away at the old hockey novel. Assuming and hoping, of course, we all survive this baloney sandwich we call a stupid world. Happy new year, friends!