What's going on with that left ear?As most of you have heard by now, the world has a new Pope. However, it looks like this one won't be a 'funky pope' as Bono recently described the late John Paul II. Mr Ratzinger in his own words:

"Rock"... is the expression of the elemental passions, and at rock festivals it assumes a sometimes cultic character, a form of worship, in fact, in opposition to Christian worship.

So there's been a lot speculation around the songs that would be stored on Benedict XVI's iPod if he ever had one. Some notable suggestions so far have been 'Munich Machine - Get on the Funk Train', 'Led Zeppelin - The Song Remains the Same' and 'Human League - Don't You Want Me'. You can follow the thread HERE.

Those little white things...you know?Following in the footsteps of EDM, the Playlist club night in London and Philadelphia allows you to bring in your own iPod and spin some tunes on the electronic wheels of steel. Submit the details of your own 15 minute set beforehand via e-mail and then turn up on the night to play it to the crowds. Some notably ecclectic sets have been played in the past and I'm definitely going to turn up to one of these very soon.

Give me some hardcore!The New York Times has a priceless article on Dubya's new iPod Mini and what he's got stored on it (don't have an NY Times account? Then visit Bugmenot to ease the pain). It appears Dubya likes to listen to The Knack's 'My Sharona', 'You're so square baby, I don't care' by Joni Mitchell amongst others to raise his heart rate during his hour and a half bike rides on his ranch. But don't be fooled by what seems to be an unorthodox play list. The NYT assures us and the bible belt that his iPod contains mostly traditional country fare such as George Jones, Alan Jackson and Kenny Chesney.

Apparently the President 'has a little bit of taste for hard-core' and doesn't mind listening to artists who oppose his political views so I've created a playlist which he won't object to and is sure to raise his heart-rate during his workout.

1. Public Enemy - 911 is a joke
2. Ice-T - Cop Killer
3. Rage Against The Machine - Evil Empire
4. Atari Teenage Riot - Into The Death
5. The Dead Kennedy's - Kill The Poor
6. People's Song's Chorus - The Ballad of F.D.R
7. The Smiths - This Charmless Man
8. Joe Glazer - The Giveaway Boys in Washington
9. John Handcox - There is mean things happening in this land
10. R.E.M - Its the End of the World as We Know It
11. Manhattan Chorus - Write Out My Union Card 
12. Almanac Singers - Dear Mr. President
13. Tom Glazer - When The Country is Broke
14. Morry Goodson &  Sonny Vale - Elephant and the Ass
15. Billy Bragg - Making the World Safe for Capitalism
    
16. The George W Bush Singers - Food On Your Family

What else do you think Dubya should be listening to on his iPod Mini? Let us all know by leaving a comment below.....

Losing touch with the world?The London times features an interesting article on the proliferation of iPods and it's effect on social interaction on the streets of major cities. Apart from the correct observation that New York night life is dead (there certainly isn't that buzz that exists in London on a Friday night), it discusses how people are shutting themselves out of their worldly surroundings when they put on those two white earbuds. I must admit, I'm guilty of this particularly when I cycle to work and back. I'm an automaton, lost in my own little digital world where I'm served up a random smorgasbord of tunes. There have been a few days where I too forgot to take my iPod to work and it was very nice to just take in the local sounds - street buskers, random shouts from the crowds etc. It's something I'm going to be more conscious of in the future......