You critics know nothing!

Sorry, did I say that aloud...?

In what will surely be the first of many non-music related posts, I think it's time that I took a stand. On Saturday, I received my new toy - a T-Mobile G1 (that's a "google-phone" to those who aren't sad enough to read techie blogs. 

Wait a minute...), and in short - I LOVE IT!!!

Except I have read far too many reviews which criticise frankly silly things such as lack of video recording (which is coming soon anyway), lack of headphone jack (let's face it - who doesnt own an ipod these days, anyway?) and - wait for it - "keyboard position." Pah. So it is for that reason that I took this opportunity to put in my shout for such a clever, exciting and, frankly, hi-tech device.

And what's more, it is built on a principal of "open architecture!!" Those non-techy minded amongst you may not get the significance of this, but it means that anyone can pick a bit of the phone's operating system that they don't like, learn the code, and fix it! Though so far, there haven't been many things I have wanted to fix.

Seriously, there has been no point throughout my G1 experience (so far... touch wood) during which I have thought "Oh that's annoying, why did they do that?" I may be biased seen as I have always been a big Google enthusiast, but I just love the synchronisation and the sheer usefulness of my new phone.

I'm afraid I can't really pinpoint any favourite features, since I love it all (though if I had to, the notifications, menu, home screen and general user interface is just perfect), but my whole experience with the G1 has been brilliant - I love the way it "just works."

So there you have it, my shout for the G1. Yeah!

What I listened to today...

So here is the place where I get to tell you all what I was listening to today, and why you should (or shouldn't...) all listen to it as well. As always, I would just love it if anyone wanted to comment and start a discussion.

So, let's crack on... Not that there was much to crack on with...

This morning, as a lazy Sunday wakeup ditty, I stuck on a bit of the Scott Matthews album "Passing Stranger." For those who haven't heard of him, he is an English singer-songwriter, but what makes him different from the rest of the players in that particular market is the fact that he has genuine skill as a guitarist. Although there is certainly space for the sensitive, acoustic, string ballads, most of his music is perhaps best likened to some sort of strange cross between Jeff Buckley, a bluesy, old-school, rootsy Led Zep and a sitar. Gotta love it.

• Key tracks: Dream Song, The Fool's Fooling Himself, Elusive
  
• Best moment: "The Fool's Fooling Himself," when the drums stop then re-enter after the eery instrumental section after the first chorus. If you have never before felt the urge to do a bit of air drumming, now's the time.
  

Then, in the car on the way to church, I plumped for what has pretty much become my favourite record of all time: the album "For Emma, Forever Ago" by Bon Iver. You've heard the hype, now buy the record. Really, just buy it.

• Key tracks: Erm... All of them.
  
• Best moment: The absolutely sublime bridge of "The Wolves (Acts I & II)," where raucous, clattering percussion serves as the backdrop to an epic musical conversation between two groups of Justin Vernon's layered vocals. In short- genius.

In the future, I will endeavour to list more than two albums per day... but that's all for now!!!

Welcome to the blog...

Hello there! Welcome to my little patch of cyberspace, I'm (extremely) glad that you found me, and I now feel obliged to tell you what exactly you are going to be reading here...

Im afraid there is no long story, no real reasoning behind this blog. It is literally like this - I like music and I like having an opinion, so I think you should all know what it is. I am a drummer/percussionist "by trade" and i am lucky enough to get opportunities to play in many different genres, so there will be a fair bit of my own musical experience (should you care...), but I also like the idea of telling you all what music I love (and hate) and why.

Ooh, I know what would also be fun - maybe we will do surveys! And have guest writers! Yes, that would be exciting. I'm sure I could find an expert in the Development of the Wagner Tuba to do a skit here, or even a theremin-player, just to add a bit of variety. Or you might have to settle for my alter-ego. Or my dog.

So, in short, don't come here if you are looking for a dramatic descriptions, poetic prose or amazing anecdotes... But what you will find is erm... Well - me, my opinions, my frustrations and my experiences. And who knows, you may even have a giggle.