BOOK REVIEW: Highway to Hell: The Life and Times of "AC/DC" Legend Bon Scott - Clinton Walker

If you're any sort of AC/DC fan at all I'm sure you'll know that Bon Scott was the first singer in the band. Before Brian Johnson who sings for them now. He's also the guy who most fans would most identify with, I think, although that is not to detract from Brian Johnson's efforts to front the band which are excellent also.

Clinton Walker who is the writer of this book is an Australian music journalist who has been writing since the late seventies. He has done a remarkable job in this history of AC/DC by achieving an enjoyable read with obvious skill in extracting information from what appears to be the VERY close-knit world of AC/DC.

Bon Scott died in London in February 1980 and this work covers AC/DC up until that time. Bon appears to have been loved by everyone who knew him. He also appears to have been a bit of a mystery too. Even after reading this one is still left with missing gaps in his story..mostly down to the whole band being slightly disfunctional owing to age differences (Bon was really a lot older than his peers...Angus Young was 17 when he started playing for AC/DC!) plus the fact that Bon was always disappearing to do his own thing often turning up only minutes before the gigs were due to start! This book certainly changed my perception of the band..I assumed they would always have been very close and very one tight unit. The reality was certainly a different case!

Although a little dry at times, perhaps owing to the fact that Mr Walker is Australian and naturally a lot of the references are to Australian culture which will be alien to the average English reader, the book is definitely worth reading for a valuable insight into the hard life of a band constantly "on the road".

"It's a long way to the top if you want to rock and roll!!"


Review by Mark Woods, 2008. LordBeanpod@GMail.com

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Film Review - La Haine (Hatred).

Boy....Paris ain't all it's cracked up to be! Not if this film shows anything of the truth which I strongly suspect it does. Filmed in black and white documentary style director Mathieu Kassovitz captures the seething tensions of the rioting we have experienced several times around Paris on the news in recent years.

Three characters, the young and excitable Sayid, the hot-headed Jew Vinz and the level-headed but cynical black boxer Hubert, are followed during 24 hours of riots in Paris. A young man Abdel has been beaten so badly whilst in police custody that his life hangs by a thread.

Feelings of pure hatred now exist between the poor inhabitants of the Parisian projects and the tough and racist police. Following the previous nights riots an officer has lost his handgun. Vinz finds it and now feels empowered - he boasts that should Abdel die he will in turn shoot a policeman.

What follows is 24 hours in the lives of the three who have very little to lose.

Hubert tries to keep things in check using his superior intellect and muscle - he realises that fear leads to anger, anger leads to hatred, hatred leads to suffering...sorry, I've gone all Yoda on your asses. Ultimately the gang are bonded by their misfortune in being involved in the whole scenario. None of them asked for it and all try to take any opportunity to lighten the burden of their lives. They smoke dope, gatecrash parties, steal cars..all to relieve their boredom. What can they lose?

The final scene provides a great and shocking end to what is a hard hitting and fast paced film.

Even if you weren't interested in the violent plot I'd wager that lovers of cinematography would enjoy what is a fantastic looking movie. Each frame cries out to be framed and hung on a wall.

Highly recommended. 8/10.

Review by Mark Woods, LordBeanpod@GMail.com, 2008.

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Above photo reproduced thanks to Olivier Laban-Mattei/AFP/Getty and The Times Online,UK.

Film Review: In the Mouth of Madness.

Director: John Carpenter

Earlier in the week I watched "Quatermass and the Pit" (see my previous review) and the name "Hobbs' End" stuck in my head. I was sure I'd heard it before. A quick google later and I realised I'd heard it mentioned in "In the Mouth of Madness" by John Carpenter. It's been ages since I'd seen it - about 15 years - so time for a revisit.

"Hob", with or without the second "b" is an old folk name for the Devil. He who casts no shadow. The one who walks backwards. Old Nick. You get the picture..this guy's got many names. He also appears in quite a few films which may explain why Hobb's End does too. This is the fictional location for this film.

Sutter Cane is a fictional worldwide miracle in the world of horror publishing. His books are read by EVERYONE. It's becoming a problem..fights are breaking out at bookstores if demand cannot be met. Those who read his work are oddly affected...they seem to be losing grip with reality.

Sam Neill plays an insurance investigator who is hired by Charleton Heston no less to find out what really happened to Cane who has gone missing. The publishing house has loose ends that need tying one way or another.

Beginning with Mr Neill's incarceration in a lunatic asylum (not actually named Arkham but anyone who knows Lovecraft who is the inspiration for Sutter Cane will make the natural assumption themselves) we see his story told in flashback. Sam Neil's comedic performance is excellent as the deranged inmate but somehow looses it's impact. I felt it was all to do with the "nameless horrors" and "unspeakable evil" of Lovecraft's Cthulu mythos which is the main theme of the plot. It doesn't really give an actor much to go on....horrified gaping mouths and wild eyes only go so far! When the effects do involve "creatures" they vary from pretty decent to plain silly. Not up to standard of Carpenter's "The Thing" but perhaps the budget didn't allow.

A linear script provides some genuinely creepy moments..the guy on the push-bike. Doesn't sound creepy now but watch the film. You'll know it when you see it!

As for the scene with Mrs Picket....well...that came back to me instantly as I watched it. You know how a really good bit will stick in your mind but you can't remember which film it was in? This did that for me. Perhaps I watch too many films or can't google well enough. It's a great clip anyways.

Without spoiling too much Sam Neill thinks he's sussed the whole shebang. But there's a twist. A real big twist. You'll just have to get a copy!

In conclusion..not the best horror ever but if you like your 90s thrills with a spattering of dodgy animatronics and John Carpenter's distinctive soundtrack (composed and played by the man himself, you know!) you'll enjoy 90 minutes of this.

6/10

Review: Mark Woods, LordBeanpod@GMail.com, November 2008.

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Film Review: Righteous Kill.

A film with both Robert De Niro and Al Pacino, two of my favourite actors, in the old-school style of cop movies....what's not to like?!!

I found this film to be a classic blend of not too complex plot, atmospheric direction and grittiness which, along with obviously fine performances from the lead actors, which satisfied me. There's a clever twist at the end which I was leaning towards but is still enough of a shock to please.

It's nice to see a script which doesn't rely overly on shoot outs and car chases but rest assured there are enough scenes of firefights to keep lovers of the style grinning. The atmosphere of paranoia is well built and keeps the suspense high.

To summarise without giving too much away De Niro and Pacino are two long serving members of the New York Police Department who have 30 years service each under their belts. Fed up with watching the guilty walk from courtrooms on technicalities and finding the injustices too much to bear finally they decide to embark on a vigilante plan of their own to bring their own flavour of justice to the streets. All is not plain sailing however as suspicion descends and defensive shields go up. Fiery personalities and tension give rise to flare ups which are constantly on the verge of blowing the whole show wide open.

You'll have to watch the thing for the ending. I won't spoil it here...Recommended viewing. 7/10

Memorable stakeout quote of the day; "Is it killing time or is he just killing time?".

Reviewed by: Mark Woods, 2008, LordBeanpod@GMail.com

cops,corrupt,corruption,investigation,stakeout,donuts,coffee,crime,guns,law enforcer,law enforcement,badge,de niro,righteous kill trailer,killer,guns,shooters

Film Review: Quatermass and the Pit.

This film was made in 1967...it's now 2008 and so I thought it about time I watched the darned thing!

To be honest I wasn't expecting much. I have read and heard much praise but being a lover of all things horror and science fiction I tend to be a little disappointed when lead by other people's opinions. However in this case I was pleasantly surprised.

The story revolves around the discovery of a mysterious object during renovations of the London Underground at the fictional station "Hobb's End". Without spoiling the plot this necessitates the arrival of the Army Bomb Disposal Squad along with a pacifist professor, his assistants and an army of press reporters.

This area of London has a reputation for strange events dating back hundreds of years in the film. What impressed me most about this seeming deviation for Hammer Horror Films into science-fiction was their ability to use their horror expertise to achieve a truly unsettling mood with a very limited budget. This movie really does begin to get under your skin as the atmosphere builds and the identity of the discovered object is discovered.

Performances are above par for Hammer Horror. Professor Quatermass himself (Andrew Keir) and the very easy-on-the-eye Barbara Judd (Barbara Shelley) stand out and provide very believable performances. This is impressive in a plot which requires a very healthy dose of "suspension of disbelief".

Even with special effects limited by the age of the filming and an obviously tiny budget this manages to be worth a watch at least once by lovers of the two genres. Give it a go. It really is a classic.

Review: Mark Woods, 2008 (LordBeanpod@GMail.com)

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Film Review - The Bucket List.

This film left me laughing and my missus crying!

A long-time fan of both Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman I went into this film expecting to entertained somehow at least. I also expected it to be bittersweet.

I didn't expect a film about two men with cancer to somehow leave me feeling I'd just watched a "feelgood" film. But that's exactly what this is..

The two lead characters are polarised in their attitudes to life, their success in life thus far and their outlook on their shared news that they have been diagnosed with terminal cancer.

What follows is their decision to enjoy their last few months on the Earth attaining as many of their ambitions on their newly devised "Bucket List" before they pop off to join the Choir Invisible.

It's as simple as that but with two fine actors, a great script and an excellent director (Rob Reiner) we are treated to what is simply a magical cinema experience.

Highly recommended. 8/10

Reviewed by Mark Woods, 2008. LordBeanpod@GMail.com

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Jumper - Film Review.

***WARNING - MAY CONTAIN INFORMATION WHICH COULD SPOIL SURPRISES IN THE FILM***

Hmmm...nice idea but sadly let down by a very linear story line. Set in America, a breed of people called "Jumpers" are relentlessly pursued by a breed of humans called "Paladins". I say humans but it's never really explained where any of these figures are from.

Jumpers have the ability to teleport at will around the globe and create a crewneck from whatever is lying about. I made that last bit up but they DO have the ability to leap around the world by the power of thought alone.

This makes them the perfect bank-vault thief and our main character, David Rice, a cocky teenager who clearly loves his newly discovered skill, takes advantage of this and amasses a huge store of wealth.

He's also in possession of a skill which may enable him to ensnare his childhood sweetheart. Millie longs to see Rome...Dave can now wisk her off without even having to cash any of his ill-gotten gains!

Needless to say he is pursued by government forces lead by Samuel L Jackson who sports a head of snow white hair here! We are led through fight scene after fight scene until the director gets bored and the film ends at 1 hour and 20 minutes.

I was left feeling that I had simply watched a short, but admittedly mildly amusing, pilot for an imminent TV series. We will see.

6/10.

Review by Mark Woods, LordBeanpod@GMail.com

globe,teenager,Rome,Italy,adventure,testosterone,macho,fight,punch,kick,aggression,kids,jumper trailer,teleportation,telekenesis

Film Review - Mongol.

What a brilliant film! If you like stunning locations, great photography and awesome fight sequences then this is a film for you! From the get-go you know you're in for a treat. The opening shot pans through a spectacular set to the lead character who you instantly know is going to be a tough nut to crack...well, the guy IS Ghengis Khan!

No previous knowledge of the life of Ghengis is required...you will be harshly educated. You'll learn about yurts! You'll see offal enjoyed as a breakfast! See Mongolian forms of punishment!

The film moves at great pace through his eventful and grim life and, frankly, I'd watch this sort of film just for the photography. It really is a stunning piece of cinema to look at. You may have to do this if you mistakenly buy the DVD in the original Mongolian dialogue! Make sure it has English subtitles!

If you like action and drama I recommend this film. 8/10.

Review by Mark Woods, 2008. LordBeanpod@GMail.com

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Fujifilm 256mb SD card review.

Erm.....what to say?! This 256 megabyte SD (Secure Digital) memory card does what you would expect! It has a fast write speed - a 40 minute podcast is transferred over a USB 2.0 connection in about 30 seconds. It has never let me down...all data is 100 percent accurate.

There is a TINY lock slider on the left hand side of the unit which prevents accidental overwriting.

One corner of the card is missing to allow easy identification of which way to place the card into your device. The well printed label with arrow will allow you to get this right also.

Size is approximately about the size of a stamp...perhaps slightly bigger.

The copper contacts on the underside of the card are still in pristine condition after 6 months of use on my own example.

Overall a well built and reliable item. I would recommend this card without hesitation.

Reviewed by Mark Woods, 2008. LordBeanpod@GMail.com

sd,card,memory,storage,camera,music,mp3,media,small,compact,fuji,256mb,256 megabyte,lockable,contacts

Technics RP-F290 headphones review.

A great set of cans!

I've had mine for about 8 years now...I paid around GBP 20 for them in 2000. They still sound good although the fake leather around the earpieces has fallen to bits. This can end up on the tips of your ears so be careful you don't look foolish after you've had them for a while!

The style is a full enclosure of the ear so this helps keep other noises out. These are not noise cancelling headphones however. They are wired and the cord is a good 4 metres long which I have always found ample with a TV at the foot of the bed for example.

The bass is good as is the volume. There is no seperate volume control on the 'phones which would be nice but these are a budget model. Treble is clear and I have always found movie and music to be audible with no problems to report.

The headband is adjustable so comfort is not a problem. The earpieces swivel also so they really are not too noticable when on.

These are a standard black plastic headphone which is a good choice for an entry level purchase. I would not hesitate to recommend these to most casual listeners.

Reviewed by Mark Woods, 2008. LordBeanpod@GMail.com

headphones,listening,music,film,soundtrack,bass,treble,foam,comfort,headset,audio,audiophile,tone,vocal

Toshiba 14N21B2 portable television review.

This was a cheap television which I purchased for GBP 70 in 2002 from Argos, Derby. I've had it for 6 years now and it is still going strong.

Build quality is good as you would expect from Toshiba. The screen is not flat and the glass cathode ray tube inside the set makes the whole unit very heavy for a 14 inch "portable" television.

Picture quality is good. The handset has a button which allows you to cyclethrough 4 presets to get a good image depending on ambient light conditions and your own preferance. Colours are bright and contrast is good.

Audio is average. The speakers are fine - no distortion at loud volume - but not very bassy. I was surprised to find that the audio headphone socket only allows you to listen in mono! In this day and age it is surely illegal not to have stereo output?

The unit has one scart input at the rear and video and single audio input at the front.

The handset is rather long but comfortably narrow with rubberised buttons. All the usual functions are available with nothing exceptional to mention.

Overall a decent budget TV but nowadays a few pounds more will get you a flatscreen LCD set.

Reviewed by Mark Woods, 2008. LordBeanpod@GMail.com

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Sony Fontopia MDR-ED21LP in-ear headphones review.

Brilliant headphones!


I must have freakishly-shaped ears as I cannot get along with any others...the flat type just fall out of my left ear...don't ask why. I think I have handsome, perfectly formed ears (small, but beautifully formed...I DID play second row in the school rugby team for 9 years...BUT I DIGRESS!) but for some reason these are the only set I've ever used that will stay in...even when walking or running.


I've had the same pair for 9 years now! Don't worry-I do clean them, which, incidentally, is very easy to do.


They are a nice smooth shape which feels unnoticable in the ear.


If you ever lose sound in an ear you might try pulling off the cover and soldering (or getting someone to solder) the two contacts. The flexible cover simply clips back on. Mine did go in one earpiece but that was after 8 YEARS! Reliability isn't an issue, then.


Sound is bassy and with mp3 players' equalizers you can tweak away anyhow.


I use mine to listen to DVD films also. Better than the full ear Technics I was using....GET SOME!

Reviewed by Mark Woods, 2008. LordBeanpod@GMail.com

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Philips DVP-5160 DVD DivX player review.

Firstly, to give you some idea of how impressed I am with this product, if you exclude my SLR camera, I would say this is my most prized possession! Not bad for something which cost £40 including delivery!


I was after a DVD player which could handle DivX format files (widely used on the internet) which was my only real criteria. I've had a couple of Philips' products before and they've been well-built, functional and attractive so I shelled out £ 40 including delivery from Amazon.co.uk. What I received is a player which has both DVD tray and USB input. This means you can write to a temporary medium such a re-writable DVD or memory stick and not have to permanently use a DVD up. This saves on cost if you're only going to watch, say, a program once. It's also convenient meaning you only have to write what you wish to watch which saves on time too.


This player has a very easy to use interface operated through a small remote control which is comfortable to use with one hand.
It has played all the formats I can throw at it so far. DivX, AVI,WMA,MP3,Audio CD,DVD, you name it, this plays it! I would say the playback from DVD seems more reliable than from a USB device...a couple of "choppy" viewings have occurred from the USB input. This has never happened from DVD so I just use that now. Pictures have never been a problem with USB, just video.


Fast forward is up to 32X and playback can be resumed from where you turned off. Zoom is up to 200% (handy for reading text if you have a 14 inch telly like myself!)


The Audio Menu is terrific. 3D simulation is possible with options ranging from living room to arena! Tone can be adjusted with Sci-fi/Drama/Action settings etc.

For the price I would have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending this DVD player.

Reviewed by Mark Woods, 2008. LordBeanpod@GMail.com

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LG KG290 "Rhino" mobile phone review.

I was looking for a new phone...as long as it worked "as a phone" I'd be happy! Tesco online had an offer one weekend and I could get the LG KG290 with £10 airtime on "Pay as you go" for £16 with free delivery! Seemed a bargain and without going into details I managed to get further discounts which means that in the end I only paid £1 for the phone! A one-off and I was lucky with timing. A cracking start..........


What's the phone like, then? Well, I was upgrading from a bog-standard phone and this was my first mobile with a colour screen! You can tell I was going to be easily impressed!


However, this truly is a great little unit. It has a camera and video function, it plays MP3 music/podcast files, it has a radio! It comes with headphones, a charger and an instruction booklet.


The memory is expandable using a "microSD" card...I bought a 1gig version on eBay for around £2! Twice the cost of the phone, I know.......These cards are minute - about the size of a, er, stamp corner. This means more photos/video/songs can be stored. The phone has a "voice record" function so I imagine with a large memory card you could dictate War and Peace on the train should you wish to! You might get a few odd looks...

I've left the phone recording the uninspiring view from my lounge window while I write this to see how much video you can store on a 1gig card..we're up to 11 minutes so far.


Files can be transferred to and from a PC using the Bluetooth function but I find it easier to remove the card from the phone and use a card adaptor which means you can put music onto the phone using the PCs USB port. We're getting technical...


But I digress, this is a phone..how does it fare? Well, I'm on Tesco's network and signal strength has always been good in England and Southern Ireland. Sound is clear and I haven't had problems being heard. Battery life is excellent with a charge once a week sufficing for my low usage needs. The phone arrived with the battery fully charged, incidentally.


Functions are more than sufficient - it's all there. Address book (with pictures if you wish), Calendar,Alarm Clock,Stopwatch,Memo facility,web browser,texting of every conceivable format.


The unit is a "slide to open" design which means you can answer the phone in one movement and also means when not in use this is a compact item in your pocket. Most functions can be operated without even opening the phone if you just want a quick check to see if you've got messages etc. There's the useful option of adding your most used functions into a short list which is accessed in one press of the cursor joystick on the front which saves you hunting through menus. I like that.


We're up to 20 minutes on video record now...


The design looks modern. Mine's silver and no paint has been lost after 6 months of use. The screen remains remarkably unscratched too. There are three buttons on the side for volume control (call volume and when using the speaker for MP3 playback) and camera operation without needing to go through the menu.


There are games built in if you want to fritter away some time...


Right, we've recorded half an hour of pointlessness now so I'm calling it a day. You get the point.


This is a great little phone which, even at full price (!) of around £20 is a bargain. I don't get excited by mobile phones but I'd have another, no problem..

Reviewed by Mark Woods, 2008. LordBeanpod@GMail.com

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Sony NWD-B103 1 gigabyte MP3 player review.

This is a great little MP3 player...it's my first "proper" player and the quality shows...the colour display is readable, the build quality is good and the sound, with the aid of my Sony "Fontopia" earphones (see my other review) and the on-board graphic equaliser is ace!
The capacity on mine is 1 gig which is fine for about 7 albums or so....hours of podcasts or hours of voice recording if you use the built-in microphone which has a selection of 3 different sampling rates. The player recognises WMA and MP3 formats.
Drag and drop using windows (or linux as I do myself) is simple. No iTunes style messing about!
Battery life is good with about 12 hours being the most I've used it for continuosly. All on a 2 hour charge. 3 minutes charge gives about 3 hours playback I've read. The interface is USB 2.0 which also draws charge for the battery - much better than faffing with a seperate lead.
Rgarding your comment about boot-up time, Supermetroid, it's short enough that if you turn the player on, sort out your headphones and plug in, it's on and ready which I find fine in my experience. It could be considered a bit slow if you want "instant-on"!
This cost £20 from HMV in 2006 and I've seen them on eBay for around £4 now in 2008! I'm buying another for the missus.
Highly recommended and easy to use with a good interface; select by artist, album or simply "play all". This really is one of my favourite pieces of gadgetry.

Reviewed by Mark Woods, 2008. LordBeanpod@GMail.com

mp3,music,personal,player,audio,playlist,track listing,bass,treble,sony,rewind,fast forward,wma,display,rock,classical

Iron Maiden CD - Edward the Great review.

The cash cow that is Iron Maiden must almost be dry. I frown upon "Best Of" albums anyway..if you are a fan of the band then buy their albums..don't be told which are the tracks you'll like..find out for yourself!


These ARE great songs and not too far off the mark but unless you order Carling at the bar because you can't be bothered to think about what else is available then do yourself a favour and have a look round the albums yourself. You might actually LIKE Carling in which case you have my condolences.


I mean....where's "Killers"?! I know it varies from person to person but this is what I mean about making your own choices. This is my personal fave (with Dianno, not Brucey-boy) and it's missing. The track listing is;
1.The Ides Of March
2.Wrathchild
3.Murders In The Rue Morgue
4.Another Life
5.Genghis Khan
6.Innocent Exile
7.Killers
8.Prodigal Son
9.Purgatory
10.Twilight Zone
11.Drifters


Oh, acually, it IS there! Soz about that! But still..the point is valid. If EMI had decided to omit it I might not even know about the track.


A good compilation but make up your own mind!

Reviewed by Mark Woods, 2008. LordBeanpod@GMail.com

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Jeremy Clarkson Hardback - "Don't Stop Me Now!" review.

Firstly, this is more than a book about cars. It is Mr Clarkson's dry, witty and always cynical outlook on the world. If, like me, you find relief in discovering someone who is still politically incorrect, chauvanistic and doesn't care who knows it you will love the book. I found a lot of myself reflected in reading this.

I have not enjoyed reading a book as much as this in a long time. The format of the reviews makes this an easy read to pick up and put down. Reviews are about 4 pages on average with great photography. The first 3 pages of a review are devoted to a humorous commentary on something seemingly unconnected with a car. This is always rectified in the last page with a surprisingly insightful description of the car itself. I believe all the reviews have previously been published in The Times.

Many car types are covered; supercars to the lowliest of runabouts....they're all here. Genuinely useful information can be found within the covers....not just the eye-watering performance figures of Veyrons and Diablos.

I would have no hesitation in recommending this book for both entertainment and basic information on the cars reviewed. Someone who was only a fan of humour would probably be best advised to steer clear (amusing pun intended) as this is a serious work of car journalism too.

At the time of writing (October 2008) Jeremy has been involved in a head on crash but early reports indicate that he is pretty much unscathed; "My right index finger looked like a burst sausage, my left shin was fatter than my thigh and my back felt like someone had driven over it with a pile-driver."

Good luck with the recovery, Jeremy, and lets hope another book as good as this appears soon.

Reviewed by Mark Woods, 2008. LordBeanpod@GMail.com

driving,cars,review,fast,sports car,porsche,mercedes,ferrari,tyres,squeal,racetrack,tourer,petrol,diesel,engine,accelerate,0-60,mpg

TFT MONITOR - ACER AL1714MS

A cheap monitor that will do..


A dead pixel was my first complaint..not enough to motivate me to take the £ 150 item back to Comet, Mansfield, England, but slightly annoying in a brand new product. 4 years later the monitor's still going though so I'd long forgotten about it. Just reminded myself...ho-hum.


The picture is average..I've calibrated the image several times but still find I get a slight "cross-eyed" feeling which I've not had with other monitors. I've used PCs a lot through work and only felt this with the Acer.


The sound from the speakers in-built into the monitor is acceptable. Obviously the bass is not large but it's not appalling. The treble is clear and audio is audible.


Controls are easy to use, the on-screen time is adjustable and the the buttons are responsive.


Build quality is good and adjustability of viewing angle is fine. 4 years on no paint has rubbed off the surround.


A fair monitor which reflects its price.

Reviewed by Mark Woods, 2008. LordBeanpod@GMail.com

monitor,flat screen,flatscreen,display,video,computing,gaming,speakers,pixels,screensaver

i-TECH DAB RADIO, MP3 PLAYER, KARAOKE!

This is a fantastic radio...Well, it's more than a radio. It's DAB (Digital Audio Broadcast) which means the following; you don't have to tune it, the stations are listed on screen - to select one just use the cursor buttons on the front and you instantl;y have yor chosen station. DAB stations are crystal clear - CD quality...no crackles or hiss.


The choice of stations is wide...I bought this after buying the missus a DAB radio a couple of years back. When I turned it on it tuned itself to "Planet Rock". I was amazed...here was this station which played classic rock in CD quality all day! It was like having my own DJ sitting in the corner of the room who knew all my favourite songs! As we don't live together yet I raced down to Currys and bought a decent looking DAB radio myself. This was my choice...primarily because it was DAB, had a line in and SD card (as used in digital cameras) slot too. For £30. In 2006.


The two features I've just mentioned mean that this is more than a radio.


The SD card slot behind the radio means that you can download a file from the internet or your PC music collection and carry it into the kitchen or wherever your radio is situated and listen to it while you wash up/tinker on the motorbike/do whatever it is other people do while listening to music! Personally I listen to a podcast while I wash up..my listening is tailored..just the right length, no adverts and something I actually want to listen to!


The speakers all of this is delivered to you through are excellent..there's a basic graphic equaliser menu built in so you can have HUGE bass (for my Rock/Punk/Blues fixation) or more treble for speech broadcasts.


The unit can be mains powered but also battery powered so I imagine this would be ideal for a weekend away or a picnic although I've only used the mains myself. The unit is fairly heavy owing to the good quality speakers used, I imagine, and with FIVE "D" size batteries it would be prudent to have a quick warm-up before lifting the unit. However, the effort will result in some good listening wherever you are!


There is a "line in" point (a 3.5mm jack point) behind the unit so the speakers can be used with any audio source you wish to use..for example an MP3 player. Maybe even a microphone as the radio even has a "Karaoke" sound setting if you wish to "Sing-a-longa-Max". Which I do not..my love of Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin would probably irritate the neighbours.


The overall build quality is good with "wipe down" smooth, plastic surfaces so it's easy to keep clean. If you're using this in portable mode with batteries in your late night chip van there's no longer conflict between good background music and grease.


The display is basic but functional displaying signal strength, station information (wonder what the track playing is? A quick look at the display reveals it's "Touch Too Much" by AC/DC....


A rarely used but interesting function is the ability to press a button and delay the broadcast by up to ten minutes..it works with a memory buffer (or something equally technical)..this means if you get a phonecall you can get rid of the interrupting person and get back to your broadcast without missing anything!


Lastly there's the headphone socket on the end of the radio too. Everything is covered.


In conclusion, after owning this little beaut for 2 years I'd have no hesitation in recommending it and wouldn't want to be without it.

Reviewed by Mark Woods, 2008. LordBeanpod@GMail.com

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PS2 game:Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell.

My first PS2 game.


Having finally upgraded to a PS2 (it IS 2008!) this is my first foray back into the gaming world. I remember enjoying Metal Gear Solid on the PS1 (PSX) ages ago and this looked similar. I also enjoyed Tench:Stealth Assassin (ninja sneakiness) and I would say this is along those lines if you are familiar with that game.


The point is to use your brain a bit and not just "have at em" and blast away. This will only result in more of the guy's mates appearing. They'll probably be better armed too.


Your own arsenal is wide ranging. Rappelling equipment for scaling buildings from the roof, knock out bullets for your pistol, full radio communications throughout the game..very James Bond (Quantum of Solace looks like it will be great, by the way!).


I am finding the game a little too hard to be perfectly enjoyable. I'm a fairly advanced player but I think if the challenge is too hard it detracts from my enjoyment. I won't use cheats you see.


The environment and back story are interesting - a Russian megalomaniac in Georgia kicks it all off. I'm currently in FBI headquarters, Virginia, so you'll see the world!


Atmospherically and graphically great I'd recommend this to experienced players. Not one for a quick blast...a cross between chess and being a Ninja...

Reviewed by Mark Woods, 2008. LordBeanpod@GMail.com

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