I’m currently sitting in the livingroom with the xfactor final about to start. So I thought it would be a good opportunity to get my usual end of year post done.

I present to you my favourite things of 2011

Top 3 Movies

Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Attack the Block
Melancholia

Top 3 TV Shows

Community
Modern Family
House

Top 3 Books

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke

Top 3 Albums

Um, Uh Oh by Say Hi
No Witch by The Cave Singers
Tron Legacy by Daft Punk

Top 3 Songs

Someone Like You by Adele
Devils by Say Hi
Paradise by Coldplay

Top 3 Podcasts

Skeptics Guide to the Universe
Books You Should Read
TEDTalks

Top 3 Games

Bejewelled Blitz (iPhone)
Football Manager (mac)
Words With Friends (iPhone)

Top 3 iPhone Apps

IMDB
Eurosport LIVE Scores
Momento

Top 3 Real Life Moments

Finding out I was to become a dad!
Weeks holiday in Cape Verde
Being an Usher at my mate Duncan’s Wedding

This year has probably been the biggest of my life. Married, in a new house, St Lucia, business being busier than ever. Along the way I’ve managed also to take in some time with the worlds media. Here is my favourites!

Movies

1. Inception
2. The Social Network
3. Scott Pilgrim Vs The World

Books

1. Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
2. Atonement by Ian McEwan
3. The Average American Male by Chad Kultgen

iPhone Apps

1. Twitter
2. Reeder
3. iPicasso

TV Shows

1. Community
2. House
3. Lost

Most Visited Internet Sites

1. Torrentleech.org
2. Facebook
3. Goodreads

Songs

1. The Sunshine Underground – Coming To Save You
2. Richard Ashcroft – C’mon People (We’re Making It Now)
3. Foo Fighters – Wheels

Bands

1. The Sunshine Underground
2. Codeine Velvet Club
3. Radiohead

Podcasts

1. The Skeptics Guide to the Universe
2. Slash Film
3. Astronomy Cast

Games

1. Bejewelled 2 (iphone)
2. Call of Duty – Modern Warfare 2 (PC)
3. Mario Kart (Wii)

Favourite YouTube Video’s

Hiya! This post is an continuation from this one in case you are wondering about the weird numbers.

I look down this list and I’m like “woah!” what an amazing couple of months in the house that would be. Really brilliant. In my opinion of course.

Some people might say that The Godfather is too low. For having a name like Mario, you be surprised to hear that I’m not really one for Gangster movies. Goodfellas isn’t in my top 250. Or even The Departed. I’m happy enough with the final place that he old Don has been given.

Stay tuned for the top 100!

199 to 101

A few years ago I went to King Tuts in Glasgow to see a mates band, Luma. Honestly. In all the gigs I’ve ever seen this one is probably my favourite ever. Purely for the fact I was only expecting to enjoy the band I came to see. Too many times I’ve been to King Tuts and disappointed with ‘Volume Up To 11′ bands that have little interest in anything close to a melody.

Luma were on first that night. I had obviously seen them a few times before but was even chuffed at their performance that night. They played a brand new song, that I consider to be their best. Blue Peter Garden.

Luma – Blue Peter Garden:

Fortune Drive

Another band played that night that blew my socks off. They were called Fortune Drive. The voice of the singer was unreal. I remember them ripping into a song I know now as ‘My Girlfriend’s an Arsonist’. It was one of they moments that I was not really concentrating on the band just drinking my pint being sociable; my head doth turn after hearing the little guy on stage absolutely fucking belting out the tunes. Been following them ever since.

Fortune Drive – My Girlfriend’s an Arsonist:

But, the biggest surprise to me, and the subject of this here post, was a band called Blackbud. I remember being intrigued by them initially cause Ryan from Luma said something along the lines of “These guys are proper musicians.”

I don’t think it would be an understatement to describe the next few songs that went into my lugs as ‘life changing’. Imagine, if you will, being in King Tuts. The band comes on, they don’t say much, and go straight into playing this tune:

Blackbud – Cold Haroundan:

Joe Taylor is the lead guitar of Blackbud and does all the vocals. He reminds me of Hendrix the way he plays. Effortless. Emotionally attached to every note. Eyes closed, shoulders reacting to the wail of his electric.

Joe Taylor

The other guys, Adam and Sam clearly know what they’re about too. I’ve read some amazing critical acclaim for their work. They just, and I’m sure they would admit this, lay an immaculate floor for Joe to do his stuff.

They are signed to Independiente and are now on their second album.

Their first album is immense. Every song is absolute genius, from the Stone -Roses-esc, Days Passing Away to the haunting track Alone.

Second album is more of the same. But I do get the feeling that some of the tracks were a bit forced. Highlights include Golden Girl, Left Your Arms Empty and Came Down Easy.

OK. So you get that I’m a fan. I’ve seen them every time they have been in Scotland since that night.

What really irritates me. Nay, fucks me off: Is that if you are reading this and don’t know me in person, then chances are this is the first time you have heard of these guys. 3 or 4 years I’ve been expecting them to kick off. Remember that video of the Britney’s fan crying under the covers? Well thats me right now, only I’m in despair of the coverage these guys deserve.

Sure, Zane Low had them on his show and their song ‘Heartbeat’ was Hottest Record In the World for a Week, but that ain’t good enough.

Have a watch, have a listen.

Blackbud – Came Down Easy:
Blackbud – Heartbeat:

Buy their albums here (iTunes Link)

Yet another song created entirely on my iPhone using the FourTrack app. This time I’ve covered a Beatles song. I’ve always loved this song cause it was John Lennon’s confessed attempt at copying Bob Dylan.

There is something paradoxical about a guy the stature of John Lennon sitting playing the guitar copying another artist. Some say resulting in a song better then any of Bob Dylan’s.

There are, of course, other Beatles songs that are attempts at plagiarism (Back in the USSR comes to mind) but this is my favourite.

Listen here:

You can here my other iPhone album tracks here

After your done with me. Listen to the master:

iPhone Album is in the making

I recently received a voucher that I could use in various shops and, being the geek that I am, I went to WHSMITH and got myself an iTunes top-up card. There are tones of apps out there that I’d love to have so thought that, if I got a wee bit of credit to play with, I could have some fun.

Last night I bought this fancy app. It’s a four track for your iPhone. I’ve been playing the guitar since I was 16 (I watched this show and became determined to learn). I’m not that great, but I give it a bash. I wish I was a better singer.

Anyway, when I got this app last night I went straight into recording. Here is the result of 15 minutes messing about:

I’m going to do more and post them on here, eventually having an iPhone Album. Who knows, they might be on iTunes themselves one day. haha

I’m going to see them at King Tuts on the 31st of May. Can’t wait!