POLITICS | BYE BYE BUSH
Thank God, it’s nearly over. After two years of frustration, hilarity and often-overwrought histrionics, we can finally kick the Shrub to the curb. In a way, ol’ Jr. is a bit of a minor folk hero; I think history will look back kindly on his presidency, marking him as the silver bullet responsible for the destruction of the corrupt and morally bankrupt GOP. This will be published two days behind the election, so I don’t yet know who won; however, we should all be glad that our eight-year nightmare is drawing to a merciful close. Now, can we proceed with the war crimes hearing against this prick and his staff, and at least get some closure out of this mess?

BOOK | 2666
Roberto Bolaño / Farrar, Straus and Giroux
I’ve raved about the late, great Bolaño before; his brilliant love-letter to Borges (Nazi Literature in the Americas) was one of the first great novels of the year. It seems fitting then that his name marks the last great novel of the year. This massive, riveting book traces a horrifyingly beautiful story across nearly 1,000 pages, exploring the full extent of human cruelty and banality across its blood-splashed pages. It’s tiring and brutal, but deeply satisfying nonetheless.

CD | SEASON OF POISON
Shiny Toy Guns / Universal Motown
Instructions for enjoying album: 1). Hold the disc in front of your face. 2). Apply firm pressure on either side of the disc away from your body until disc splinters. 3). Pray to God that the ensuing plastic shrapnel has hit vital veins and nerves; 4). Die. BEST ALBUM OF THE YEAR!

CD | THE POWER OF NEGATIVE THINKING:
B-SIDES AND RARITIES
The Jesus and Mary Chain / Rhino Records
Shee-it Rhino, I actually had to go out and spend my own ill-gotten gains on this. Don’t you know I would have happily given out blow jobs to the PR folks responsible if I could have gotten my grubby little hands on this treasure for free? This brilliant retrospective is a must-have for both fans and newcomers alike, serving as solid proof that the Chain is better than all your favorite bands combined.

DVD | THE KILLING OF A CHINESE BOOKIE /
A WOMAN UNDER THE INFLUENCE
John Cassavetes / Criterion
Cassavetes is probably one of the most underrated directors in American cinema, and I absolutely love Criterion for taking steps to alleviate this egregious situation. These two classic films are classic, nearly perfect examples of beautifully gritty neo-noir, reveling in darkness and shadows and moral ambiguity. The transfer is absolutely stunning, and they’re must-sees for fans of classic director-led ’70s cinema.