Music Albums
This year it has been almost impossible for me to select the best album because there are 2 of them. Very hard pressed I have selected The Cure as the winner and Marilyn Manson takes second place:
- The Cure - "Songs Of A Lost World"
- Marilyn Manson - "One Assassination Under God (Chapter 1)"
The Cure's new album "Songs Of A Lost World" is a dark massive piece of perfection. There is not a single happy song on the album. There is nothing that sounds like a hit. Everyone eventually dies and becomes nothing in the end. This is everything I could have hoped for. It was almost worth the 16 years wait.
Marilyn Manson survived the Cancel Culture attacks and trials that followed and he is back stronger than ever as his brand new album "One Assassination Under God (Chapter 1)" is a testament to. There are no weak tracks and no fillers. The lyrics are biting and angry and it shows a man who is refusing to give up and has decided to fight back with full force. The new album is simply excellent.
The Rest of the Best - Music albums:
Wendy James has once again produced an album of high quality and she's taken the time to get things done right.
Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds are clearly trying hard to return to form and they manage to get most of the way there.
The Raveonettes' latest album "Sing..." is semi-acoustic, yes, but it is very enjoyable.
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Movies
There haven't really been any great new movies this year. The movies on my list are all fine but not great. I have picked a winner:
- "MaXXXine"
While "Pearl" [2022] remains the best movie in the "X" trilogy, the last chapter "Maxxxine" is a fine movie. The new movie is again a Mia Goth one-woman show and I love the trip back to the 1980s, my all-time favorite decade. "Maxxxine" has replay value and that is something I rate high in a movie.
The Rest of the Best - Movies:
I am a fan of Zack Snyder's new wanna-be Star-Wars epic "Rebel Moon" (director's cut). I think it is fucking awesome. Bring it on. Fuck the critics and the haters. I want more!
It is not a clever and outstanding movie, but I did enjoy watching "Civil War" on the big screen and on streaming later on. It is intense.
"Longlegs" is a solid movie with some good acting. It is a thriller and not a horror movie. I liked it.
"Gladiator II", yes, we were being entertained! Also, this movie was strictly never very necessary.
I wasn't blown away by "The Zone Of Interest", but it certainly makes an impact. Watch it with full focus on the sound.
After "Mad Max: Fury Road" I had given up on Mad Max. It sucked in my opinion. This new movie "Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga" rebuilt some of my love for this universe. Surprisingly good "prequel".
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TV-Series
I'm not really a big fan of TV-Series and I prefer movies. I loved "Game of Thrones" to death, but "House of the Dragon" is really beginning to bore me a lot. Out of the blue came a surprising winner:
- "Shōgun (Season 1)"
"Shōgun" is very character driven. If you expect constant action this won't be for you. If however, you can enjoy some very great acting and a view into a deeply fascinating and very strange world and culture that once were, there is a pretty good chance that you will love it a lot, like I did. Most of the dialogue is in Japanese, this only adds to the greatness of this show.
The Rest of the Best - TV-Series:
An adaption of the "Fallout" computer games and it looks really great. Most of the characters are however bloody annoying or stupid or both. It is a plebs-friendly TV-series and that can work well enough sometimes.
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Concerts
I saw a lot of great gigs in 2024, but I guess I'll have to pick a winner. Here goes:
- Alice Cooper @ Musikhuset, Aarhus, 2024-06-11
Alice Cooper is 76 years old and it is almost magical that he can still perform on this level. It helps that his tour band is absolutely awesome and that the venue offered great sound and vision. A seated rock concert doesn't suck if you are in the front rows and no one stays seated. I had a fantastic evening in Aarhus. I have many Alice Cooper memories but this evening is one I'll remember for a long time.
The Rest of the Best - Concerts:
Abbath wasn't quite as great as the mighty Immortal were back then, but we are closing in. Abbath was super focused and the band did really well and performed as a tight unit.
The Raveonettes is a fucking great live band. They are a loud and noisy rock-band and they don't play quiet gigs. The setlist was a tour through Rave-time.
Kate Clover is a pop-punk star and Denmark is a very sad 3rd world rock country. Kate and her band played a really great gig. I loved it.
Disneyland After Dark played their 40 years anniversary gig at Royal Arena. It was Majestic. A fantastic show and gig indeed.
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Updated: 2024-12-28 00:59
Created: 2024-12-26 20:08
