I get why publications need to proclaim what the best new things released in the last 365 days are. They’re supposed to have their fingers on the pulse of everything that’s happened prior. It should’ve already been covered.
I, on the other hand, am but a single man, born in 1994, not really sentient until 1998 and not really living in my own taste and not my parents until 2014.
So, to put it lightly, I’ve missed a lot of things that have existed for decades. They could be movies, could be music, could be foods that looked gross.
So with a 2023 that I would describe as “a year” rounding out. Here are some of my top first-time experiences of the year.
MUSIC
Free Cake For Every Creature - The Bluest Star/ Katie Bejsiuk- The Woman On The Moon: Not much to say beyond it being a breeze. ASMR Waxahatchee seems diminishing but my pea brain can’t think of a better way to describe it. Also, she covered Lightning Crashes, so another W.
Sidney Gish - Ed Buys Houses: I had listened to her previously but really loved this record, something that just feels singular in hitting a very specific wavelength of irreverence.
Nickelback’s cover of Mistake by Big Wreck: I’ve chilled out on my Nickelbombing propensity since college. But I promise you, this cover of some band I’ve never heard of from 18 years ago is legitimately great.
Bruce Springsteen - The Wild, The Innocent, The E Street Shuffle: This is my mom’s favorite Bruce album. She likes Rosalita. I love New York City Serenade.
John Denver - Rocky Mountain High: I bought a John Denver live album vinyl at Goodwill and got really into this record by virtue of that.
Liz Phair - Liz Phair: Everyone seems to prefer Exile In Guyville but the big hit is still the big hit for a reason
Charles Mingus - Mingus Mingus Mingus Mingus Mingus: Mingus
Tiger’s Jaw - Tiger’s Jaw: Now That’s What I Call Emo. Saw these guys destroy an acoustic set in Harrisburg, and saw them eating beforehand. We’re basically best friends.
Feist - The Reminder: Just good stuff that I missed besides the counting song.
Curtis Mayfield - Curtis!: Just a perfect album
MOVIES
Vision Quest (1985): Definitely not a perfect movie by any means. But I wrestled. I had nose bleeds. I would’ve let Linda Fiorentino live in my bedroom when I was in high school if she needed to. I think I’ve written on here too how much I love the corny-ass soundtrack.
Sexy Beast (2001): I’m going to think about Ben Kingsley’s performance in this forever.
Rachel Getting Married (2008): This is honestly on par with watching a Cronenberg movie in how viscerally uncomfortable it is. Hathaway puts together just an all-time great showing.
Fail Safe (1964): I think this should be remade but with Trump.
What’s Up Doc? (1972): RIP Ryan O’Neal. Had no opinion on Streisand before watching this now want her frozen in carbonite.
Reversal of Fortune (1990): Did not think The Alan Dershowitz Movie would be so entertaining.
To Die For (1995): Proper depiction of making it in journalism.
No Way Out (1987): Best/stupidest/funniest twist I’ve seen in a movie in years.
Crimson Tide (1995): Tony Scott was better than Quentin Tarantino, probably.
Freddy Got Fingered (2001): I have truly never seen anything like this in my life, and never will.
TELEVISION
Old seasons of The Ultimate Fighter: Maybe the stupidest show that has ever existed. Turning an actual sports promotion into The Real World led to some hilarious results. Let them bang, bro.
BOOKS
Don DeLillo: I didn’t do much reading this year, but I did read Underworld. I want to learn to write like DeLillo, to eat like Delillo, copy how he breathes, copy how he runs on sentences, how he runs on adjectives, commas. There is no present, no past, no verbs, only systems. This was a very bad bit.
FOOD
Progresso soups: They clear Campbell’s, sadly.
Lamb saag: I received an order of saag by accident due to an Uber Eats mix-up, and realized this is my favorite Indian dish.
Nothing Bundt Cake: I like birthday cake. I like birthday cakes that make me feel like I’m being multicultural.
Oatmeal: I think I’ve finally accepted it’s a decent breakfast.
VIDEO GAMES
Skyrim: Finally played it. Very fun! My guy is an orc. I just swing a blade wildly.
PLACES
Harper’s Ferry: Camping here was fun, except for the train that ran for 40 minutes every 5 hours.
Dell Center in Strawberry Mansion: My mom saw Santana there, I saw Alex G and Alvvays there. I wonder if the beer line stretched out in front of her view too?
MISCELLANEOUS
Whiteboards: I own like three of them now.
AI covers: Yep.
Happy New Year! May we all fill more cultural blind spots in 2024.