The Wonderful World of Whisky

New music

It's common knowledge that I have been an REM fan for 30 years and was pretty cut up when they decided to call it a day in 2011.

But I'm a fickle beast, and 2012 is shaping up to be a monster music year. In March we've a new and outstanding Bruce Springsteen album to enjoy, and the new release from the mighty REM heirs apparent, The Decemberists.

But already this year there have been some stunning releases. Here are my favourites:

Alabama 3 - Shoplifting for Jesus

Even by Alabama 3's bizarre standards this is a strange release, cut and pasting gospel, blues, rock and dance music with readings from The Bible from the likes of Ray Winstone and Bez. Yep, that weird.

Craig Finn - Clear Heart Full Eyes

The wordy frontman of The Hold Steady chills out a bit, slows the pace down and tells bewitching stories to a less frantic musical accompaniment. Hold Steady fans will love it, and Finn will win new followers for this thoughtful Americana-tinged college rock.

Dodgy - Stand Upright in a Cool Place

Yep, that Dodgy. But this is a band grown up and growing old gracefully - country tinged adult pop with the odd nod to Ryan Adams, this is a lot better than it has any right to be.

Electric Mary - Part 3

Actually released late 2011 but this is bluesy Free style hard rock from Australia. Perhaps tries too hard to impress but it's well and truly in the right direction. A Saturday night guilty pleasure.

Gretchen Peters - Hello Cruel World

Where has she been all my life? This is stunning stuff. Somewhere between Gillian Welch and Lucinda Williams - pretty intense country folk, beautifully crafted songs sung with style and feeling.

Jim White - Where It Hits You

Jim White is white trash, feeding on the underbelly of the American South, mixing gospel, blues and folk and telling tales from the dispossessed. His first two albums were stunning and ground breaking. This is his best effort since those early days, a troubled collection of excellent songs and as diverse and intriguing as anything he's done.

Leonard Cohen - Old Ideas

Leonard being Leonard. You either get it or you don't. I do. Probably my most played album of the year so far.

Mark Lanegan Band - Blues Funeral

The former Screaming Trees frontman echoes his best work, Bubblegum, with this intense dark carnival of addict-fuelled rock. Like Nick Cave, Lanegan operates in his own dark spaces and sounds like he's suffered for his art. And we're the beneficiaries. Awesome and powerful.

Van Halen - A Different Kind of Truth

Diamond Dave is back on vocals, and this is Van Halen being Van Halen. I was never a fan but this fun outing is escapism at a time when we most need it. Eddie Van Halen is on fire, Diamond Dave metaphorically leers, winks and grins his way through 13 big hearted rock anthems.

I also liked...Fly Emirates

I went to Bangalore with Emirate Airlines - what a great way to fly. The stewardesses are the female equivalent of a box of Liquorice All Sorts, all beautifully attired, very friendly and efficient, and uniformly attractive. And should you not notice that each flight is United Nations convention, the pilot tells you just how many languages are spoken on board - about 10 on average.The cabins are spacious, the food is outstanding and the in-flight entertainment even in economy is as good as you'll find anywhere.

Great films…

Tintin

Whisky is a star in this screen version of the Herge animated adventure series. The film is far better than the reviews suggested.

The Ides of March..

In American election year this is a superb political thriller, produced by, and starring, George Clooney as the whiter than white Democrat senator seeking the presidential nomination and in bitter battle with his own party to be chosen.

Moneyball

Brad Pitt stars as the general manager of a baseball team chasing the World Series on a minuscule budget. Based on a true story.