Obligatory Late End Of Year Blog
Good grief it is December 31 and I have committed the cardinal sin and the greatest fear of bloggers everywhere – I have not posted for weeks. I have been busy but that is no excuse. I am sure we have all been working our way through year’s end, through the work, family, play, obligations and events.
I have also gotten a bit bogged down in a short story I am writing about a possessed electric toothbrush. I guess it is a homage to that great storyteller and horror writer Stephen King. You would think with horror being my favourite genre and my familiarity with the conventions that the devilish doings of a dental demon [sorry] would be, if not good or worthy, at least easy, but alas that is not the case. At times I have thought I might have bitten off more than I could chew.
But if you are still reading you will be pleased to know that I am feeling good about where the story is at and the end is near. So what to do on December 31 to get rid of the guilts and give you something to peruse? Well I am arrogant and lazy enough to believe that you might be interested in what books, music, TV and movies have worked for me this year. I know it’s been done to death; indeed you might be fed up to the back teeth with people assuming that their opinion is worthy.
Either way I don’t have anything else to give and you must be sick of dental puns so as Aussie country singer Dan Parsons sings on his excellent 2018 Sunday Evening Cinema album - here goes nothing.
Well let’s start with music. Dan is now one half of country folk duo Minor Gold with his partner Tracy McNeil who released a great album this year titled Way to The Sun. Featuring fantastic harmonies, sunny melodies and great songs with a 1967 laurel canyon vibe I seriously recommend it for lazy summer afternoons by a pool.
Dry Cleaning’s new album isn’t actually out until January 9 but releases from the album especially Cruise Ship Designer promise a lot. Worlds away from Minor Gold, this is Avant Garde no wave featuring soundscapes wrapped around Florence Shaw’s lyrics and half spoken half sung delivery. If you are a fan of Laurie Anderson, John Cooper Clarke, early Talking Heads, Lou Reed and Wire you should listen.
Geese also grabbed my ears over the last month. No nothing about them but their new album Getting Killed sounds like nobody else I know. Captain Beefheart meets Pavement if that helps, maybe. Thet are in Australia in February so check them out and get on board for they are hot right now. The singer’s voice will either win you or very definitely lose you from the get-go.
Lilly Allen’s new album West End Girl doesn’t need me to publicise it. I will just say I had a listen and loved it. If you haven’t then give it a run. Musically it sounds like you would expect which is fine, it’s the lyrics – biting, knowing, angry, funny, hurting, vengeful that really make it a must listen.
Finally Melbourne’s Belair Lip Bombs are the best young Aussie band going around right now. Their new album Again is out now. Touring in February so don’t miss them. They are fucking excellent. Really that good.
TV shows.
Here is a list of what rocked me in 2025, they’re in no real order. I try not to watch much TV so it has to be just right to really grab me.
Pluribus – great premise well executed
One Day series on Netflix – Easily the best and most moving Romcom I have ever seen. I acknowledge I haven’t seen many but this was perfect
The Bear Season 4 – return to form and then some, perfect performances from all
The Last of Us – tough, brave and human
The Residence – just good fun
Slow Horses – When the British get it right, it’s always a delight
Adolescence – As good as TV gets in every way
Movies
I watched a lot less than in previous years.
My faves were 28 Years Later but even better in the horror genre was Weapons.
Train Dreams on Netflix is bloody fantastic but One Battle After Another was my 2025 best.
Books
I read a lot so I have plenty to choose from. My Tough Guy Book Club reads are always interesting and good books but none this year blew my mind. I would recommend the following –
The Bee Sting by Paul Murray
What We Can Know by Ian Mc Ewan
The Continental Divide by Bob Johnson
The Ministry Of Time by Kaliane Bradley
Bunny by Mona Awad
And non-fiction
Technofeudalism by Yanis Varofakis is a must read.
That’s it dear readers. Thanks for your interest. Enjoy what’s left of the festive season and all the best in 2026.
Photo by Paul Morley on Unsplash
