Record of the year.

It has been an odd year this year music wise. I have been to a lo of gigs, the highlight being Retribution Gospel Choir at London's Water Rats but musically I think it has been a bit barren. It maybe that I wasn't taking a great deal of notice, a fact that has certainly been true over the last 2 months or so when my mind has been elsewhere. However if I had to choose a record of the year I think it would be "French Navy" by Camera Obscura which is a delicious slice of Northern Soul tinged pop.

Vic Chestnutt RIP

American singer-song writer Vic Chestnutt died on Christmas day following a suspected overdose. He was 45. His body was discovered at his home by REM lead singer Michael Stipe. He recently told National Public Radio in the US that he had attempted suicide on three or four times. Long time friend and collaborator Kirstin Hersch left a message on Twitter that Chestnutt had told her he had left a suicide note so the speculation is that Vic took his own life.

Chestnutt was a master of the melancholy and his songs were dark and rather beautiful. He recorded 17 albums including two that were released in 2009. Acts such as Madonna and Sparklehorse have covered his work. He will be sorely missed.