Everyday I'm Shuffling

I will admit I am a Chris Moyles listener on Radio 1, and a while back they played the 'generic mp3 player shuffle game', it revealed some obvious choices - Aled's were usually pretty obvious.

So I thought I would play along and play ten songs on shuffle and see what comes up.

Here we go...
1. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Hysteric
2. Kylie Minogue - Step Back in Time
3. Kayne West ft. Jay Z - Diamonds from Sierra Leone
4. Lady Gaga - Bad Romance
5.  We Are Scientists - Central AC
6. The Courteeners - Bide your Time
7. Daft Punk - End of Line (Tron Legacy soundtrack)
8. Kasabian - Switchblade Smiles
9. The Black Keys - Next Girl
10. Madonna - Like A Prayer

Well I was surprised, I thought it was going to bring up a whole load of Kylie, Glee and Gaga but I think my shuffle ten shows the diversity of my iPod, which is why I love my iPod, there is a song for every occasion.

So take part and let me know your shuffle.

Also on another note Kasabian is amazing to run to.

Records, CDs or downloads? Which is best...

Many people probably don't remember vinyl and record players. I remember my dad, who was a DJ at parties and that, lugging his cases full of records and the hi-fi system we have in the early 90s with tape deck, CD player and record player all in one huge tower.

In the years since we have had mini discs (remember those? I never jumped on this particular band wagon), tapes, CDs and now of course the MP3 player and downloads.

Now I like music, I'm no big critic or anything like that, however, I must say one thing the sound quality of a record compared to a download or CD is far better and just sounds like they are there in the room.

My boyfriend is a massive music lover, he is always buying CDs and is obsessed with Bob Dylan, The Beatles and Joy Division. Last year he decided he wanted a record player, so me, his mum and dad clubbed together and bought him a Systemdek IIX from the 80s, he bought himself an amp and was donated a pair of speakers.

Then the search for records began, you will be surprised to learn that loads of charity shops have records for sale at quite good prices. He managed to get The Beatles 'Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Band' on vinyl for £2. Bargain! For Christmas he has got quite a few and I even bought Blondie 'Parallel Lines' from a place in Brighton.



Now the sound quality of albums like The Beatles, Blondie and Joy Division 'Unknown Pleasures' is just amazing. You can hear every note and chord played out in phenomenal surround sound. I can see why people become hooked and spend hundreds on systems and records, nothing really compares to vinyl.

I heard on the radio the other day that songs you download are actually compressed, as obviously high memory anyway they are compressed down to fit on your computer. However, a record has a limitless amount of space to some degree just as long as there is enough plastic to keep it on.

As I said I am no expert but believe me when I say vinyl maybe in the past but you should make it a part of the future. Even bands today like Kasabian and Noel Gallagher appreciate the quality by releasing their albums on vinyl as well as digital and CD, it is almost like seeing them live.

Try it and see for yourself.

Music makes the world go round

Music, you sing to it, you dance to it, you talk about it. No matter what type you like everyone likes some sort of music. You can go to a foreign country and a song will come on and you may not speak the same language but you can both sing and dance along to a Take That song.

I love music, songs can evoke such powerful feelings, the one you danced with on your girly holiday (Outkast Hey ya and Britney Toxic, Dublin '04) or the one your Mum danced to in the kitchen. They can help you through break ups or break downs. A song can make you smile or make you cry and there is nothing better than music while getting ready for a night out.

My boyfriend, I would say, has a very cool taste in music. He loves The Beatles, Bob Dylan, new indie bands and bands such as Deer Tick or The Rifles, as well as some bands you have never heard but are equally brilliant. If you flick through his iPod you get song after song of amazing tracks (although some are a little depression, I love Joy Division but can be a bit of a downer). I think he is a connoisseur of music and I don't think there is a dud song on his iPod, just don't tell him I said that.

My musical tastes are very varied. I was told by my mum who borrowed my iPod that if she didn't know me she would think I was a gay man, due to the amount of Kylie, Showtunes and Glee I had on there. My boyfriend can't understand how I can have songs like Bring the Light by Beady Eye, and bands such as Blondie and The Courteeners along songs by Katy Perry, Kylie and the Spice Girls. My iPod I know is very random, a bit like me. I love listening to Bonkers by Dizzee Rascal at the gym, or Kylie before a night out. If I am driving in the sun I whack on a bit of The Jacksons, or if I am in a bit of a mood Bloc Party.

I suppose I do have bands I like but sometimes I just like songs, if a song has a strong guitar I will probably like it. If a song sounds like a great dance track (LMFAO Party Rock Anthem), or just something I can sing my heart out to I will usually love it.

If you have read my blog before you will be able to tell I am a gig junkie, so if a song sounds amazing live or the song it self sounds like and has the vibe of being live, I will love it. I know it sounds strange but some songs I just love and I don't know why.

I will admit outright I am a very poppy girl, I love cheesy tunes and as you know Kylie is my icon but if a song has a strong guitar, emotional lyrics or a fit front man... I'm there!