As has been mentioned before, Solitude will be undergoing some changes in the near future. Some are purely aesthetic, some are not.

First of all, there will be no more film reviews. I don’t think they are useful posts, and I don’t think many people like them (despite the moderate level of commentary they produce, and reasonable number of searches that they appear in). I only write them because I’m one of those digital hoarders that I mentioned yesterday. Without them, I can’t remember films I saw or most of what I thought of them. I’ll keep writing them, but they are unlikely to appear anywhere public online.

Next up, I rather like these vaguely connected posts. A chance to brain dump things that are semi-related in my head gives the site some consistency (in the weakest sense of that word). So, expect posts to be collected together as they make sense to me. This might mean a more bursty post rate (5 in 5 days, followed by a weeks silence).

Random links have recently moved to the sidebar. This change is working and will stay in effect. My concerns with this are the lack of credit for links (backlinks make the world go round) and comments. The former is unavoidable just now, but I think I can come up with some way of addressing the latter; it’s just not trivial.

Around six months ago, I came up with a plan to rebuild VKPS (the site for which Solitude is ostensibly a sidetrack). It never came to fruition due to time constraints. The plan was to bring Solitude and 3 new sites together under some framework. University has to come first, but the first of those 3 sites is set to drop within a fortnight. If I’m being honest, I haven’t done any concrete work for it yet (beyond a dozen scribbled ideas for content). It is likely the release date will falter due to University starting back. I will try though.

Final point: I’m not sticking by any of these. If you disagree (or agree) with anything here, or can think of any other changes, comment. I’m listening.

It’s a new year and I’m sure you’re all stuffed? Time to lose some dead weight.

One of the (many) problems with the digital age is the persistence of data. Put your hand up if you do any of the following:

• Store every email you have ever received (excluding spam),
• Never remove anything from your bookmarks,
• Never update your blogroll (whether adding or removing, displayed or otherwise).

That’s just a few things. Over the next week, be ruthless with your data. If you honestly haven’t used it in months, either delete it or archive it on physical media. No point in it stuffing up your computer.

Beyond the wasted space, you’ll be doing yourself a favour. The more useless data you have, the more noise it produces when trying to find something more useful. Lose those kilo(byte)s now.

Good new year, everyone? Excellent. Another year, another chance. You’ll (hopefully) be seeing a few changes around Solitude over the next few weeks, which I’ll dicuss slightly in the next post or two.

Let’s begin the new year with that most laughable of traditions, the list of resolutions:

• Keep my previous resolutions. Managed to keep half of last years.
• To tangibly make the world a better place. As should be somewhat apparent from my previous posts on apathy and changing the world, I’m not completely happy with the amount I give back to the world. I will try to do more.
• To release more software. There are several ideas waiting on my to-do list, some of which have been there for over a year. I will make time to start at least one of them.
• Improvements to Solitude. The Solitude to-do list is huge in itself. Doing anything on the list would be a step forward.
• Finish my degree. Really, really need to do this one.
• Private resolutions. I have a few private resolutions too.

More on changes to Solitude in the next part.

Apathy. Transmutation. Refraction. Consumerism. The things I choice to discuss for 2004.

2005 will be different. A new year. Enjoy it, and have a good celebration tonight.

Best wishes, and remember auld lang syne.

It has been a good year for music and film. Lots of new creativity.

Best Albums of 2004

1. Auf Der Maur – Auf Der Maur. A stunning debut album from the former Hole bassist, delivering chunky guitars against twisted lyrics. The sexiest and best album of the year.
2. Biffy Clyro – Infinity Land. The boys from Kilmarnock finally produce the rock album they have been threatening for years. While their first album, Blackened Sky, was all catchy hook filled sing alongs, and Vertigo Of Bliss took them into slightly stranger territory, it is with this third album that they finally nail their sound. A very close second. Just remember: There’s No Such Thing As A Jaggy Snake.
3. Probot – Probot. Dave Grohl’s metal side project comes to fruition after years of speculation. Songs sound like extensions of the main bands of the many guests, with “Shake Your Blood” spilling over with the influence of Motorhead. An easy choice for a drummer.
4. JetPlane Landing – There Is No Courage Unless There Is Real Danger. Not actually an album (or it would be higher), more of a 23 track single. Either way, fantastically good. The title track is the sort of rant produced by Rage when they were in their prime, followed by a mixture of live tracks and new acoustic songs. For 4, it’s excellent value (quality and quantity) and with proceeds going to International Red Cross you really should get a copy.
5. yourcodenameis:milo – All Roads To Fault. The first mini-album sounds great. A fairly odd guitar dynamic, switching tempos and strong lyrics make this a favourite. Worth it for the title track alone.

Honourable mentions for the above should go to Mclusky for the “The Difference Between Me And You Is That I’m Not On Fire“. Opens with two dark tracks, and progresses as a very proficient rock album. Only kept out of the top five by a whisker.

Top Five Bands To Watch In 2005 (we’ll assume that Chinese Democracy won’t make it out again):

• The Mars Volta – First album, Deloused In The Comatorium, was and still is a mind-expanding sonic adventure. Upcoming second album, Frances The Mute, has a lot to live up to but if anyone can do it Omar and Cedric can.
• Degrassi – Solid indie rock with perfectly posed lyrical riffs and cutting guitars. If this band get signed, they will be big.
• Fickle Public – A band who understand the intricacies of guitar dynamics better than most who have decade long careers. Funny titles, head bopping tunes and a hint of punk, the debut album is most definitely one to watch.
• Hell Is For Heroes – Two singles into the approach for their follow up to the fantastic Neon Handshake, Hell Is For Heroes prove that being dropped by a major label shouldn’t slow you down if you’ve got belief in your music.
• yourcodenameis:Milo – The first full-length will drop sometime early next year, preceeded by an EP. Buy them both. They shall be good.

Now, the next part is the best films of the year. Tricky business since it has been such a spectacular year for cinema. Because the selection process was so tricky (particularly cross-genre), I’m picking a top three and then listing another ten excellent films.

1. Bubba Hotep – A dark comedy about a retired Elvis, a black John F. Kennedy and a soul sucking mummy, opening with a spiel about warts in odd places. Hilarious. Bruce Campbell is spot on, as always.
2. I Heart Huckabees – Comedies about an existential crisis and the nature of human existence probably shouldn’t work. This one does and does it well.
3. Zatoichi – Samurai action done right: short battles, single swipe kills, and lots of blood. Takeshi Kitano is superb as the master swordsman turned blind masseur.

Other films (no further commentary, just read the review):

• Infernal Affairs
• Dawn Of The Dead (remake)
• Shaun Of The Dead
• Kill Bill, Volume 2
• The Bourne Supremacy
• Anchorman
• Collateral
• Hero
• Oldboy
• Garden State

That’s all. I would thoroughly recommend all the films and albums listed here. If you haven’t seen or heard any, give them a go.