No Man’s Blog

There’s something infectious in these top of the year lists/chart innit?

So here’s my riff. I compiled a random list of the things and stuff that made my 2007 a wonderful year. (Note that some of the items weren’t created in 2007 but I came across them this year so that what counts):

1. Music: There were so many great albums this year but the one that I couldn’t stop playing is Hallam Foe’s soundtrack – an awkward selection, I know, but this is a brilliant eclectic collection of indies that feels so complete even if you haven’t seen the movie. Runners up: Guy Gerber’s Late Bloomer and (We Are) Performance.

2. Film: Unfortunately I’ve been bad with the cinema this year but of the fairly few I’ve seen, The Lives of Others was the strongest.

3. Book: Human Traces by Sebastian Faulks. A meticulously detailed novel that sets out to illustrate the advances in psychiatry and psychoanalysis during the late Victorian era.

4. Blog: Crackunit by the Tait is a proof that great blogs don’t have to be focused – they just have to be constantly brilliant. Runner up: John’s Greenormal.

5. Party: Francois K at the Bestival. Oh my god.

6. Brand/retailer: M&S food. Fantastic food. Environmental leadership. Food-porn advertising. They took the UK culinary experience to a different place.

7. Gig: Gossip at the Forum.

8. Design piece: Plumen’s energy efficient light-bulbs. Another border genius Hulger thing.

9. Agency of the year: Poke. If I were an American I’d say something with the words honored and talent or inspiring but I’m not so I’ll just say I fuckin’ love you Pokers!!!

10. Most memorable meal (restaurant): Yauatcha. minimal. overpriced. yammmm.