Emeli Sande's "Our Version of Events": A Review

When I picture the perfect 'yummy mummy' in my head she is always completely up to date with popular culture, including music.  She listens to the coolest singers and can happily converse with a 15 year old on the subject.

When I became a mum I began to neglect music, so when Mumsnet asked me if I'd be interested in reviewing a new album by Emeli Sande I jumped at the chance.  Let's be honest here; I'd never heard of her.  I know I know, that's really poor isn't it.  Some great artists have sung her songs including Tinie Tempah, Cheryl Cole and The Saturdays.  She was writing songs when she was 11 years old, and turned down a record deal in her teens, preferring instead to finish her exams and begin to study medicine.  This is not just an up and coming singer; this is a songwriter that means business.

The album, Our Version of Events, is a well written selection of songs.  I'd pop the CD in the machine and have those tunes happily rolling away whilst I got on with chores, not unpleasant, but not necessarily stopping me in my tracks or forcing my feet to tap.

"Where I Sleep" is my favourite.  In the interests of being useful I tried to understand why I prefer it to others.  I think because the chorus is a quick to learn, set of lyrics that resonated with me; "And I'm sure of nothing that I know. Except this is us, and this is love, and this is where I'm home".  It reminds me of how lucky I am. 

There were other tunes that I felt would be more suited to an angst-ridden teenager, or indeed anyone in the midst of trying to find their 'one true love'.  I can imagine that you could happily wallow with this album on.  Get the wine and ice cream out, chocolate aplenty.

Is it for me?  I don't think I would have bought this myself.  It's music to a stage of life that I've passed, and I personally prefer my tunes to be a little less serious, a little more fun, with a smile and a wink. 

But that's just my opinion.  And I'm not saying there isn't some catchy stuff on there that I keep finding myself singing ("Next to me-e-e-e-e, woo hoo ooo")

I'm really pleased to have been able to listen to some of 'todays' music.  And I'll be trying to turn on that radio more often.  If this is an example of the quality of music around today, then I have a lot of great music to discover! Maybe I'll be one step closer to my imagined idea of a yummy mummy!

Find out more about Emile at www.emelisande.com

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I am a member of the Mumsnet Bloggers Network, a group of parent bloggers picked by Mumsnet to review products, services, events and brands.  I have not paid for the product or to attend an event.  I have editorial control and retain full editorial integrity.

Joining Mumsnet and learning a lot!

Last week I became a member of the Mumsnet Bloggers Network (hence the shiny new badge appearing on this site!).  I am still excited and nervous.  Despite jotting down the odd thought on this blog at random intervals over the last couple of years, I have not really thought that much about being a 'blogger'.  I guess I didn't want to be defined by any particular stereotype;  I just wanted to share a little and hopefully bring about the odd smile or two.

So now that I'm officially a member of a larger blogging network, full of experienced (and famous) bloggers, I am feeling somewhat meek.  I am not sure if my words can stand up alongside blogs by the likes of David Miliband and I notice that all the bloggers in the network seem to know each other well, and have a raft of shorthand abbreviations that they use which require a dictionary to decipher.  I suppose that's the same in any organisation or occupation - jargon is used as part of the bonding of the group.  So it's not a problem; I just need to keep reading and work it out I guess.  Like any new girl.

Having said that, my first foray into the bloggers forums seems to have gone alright and people have been very nice to me.  Thankfully.  (Still feeling meek here - like the new child in the playground hiding in the corner, wanting to make friends but not sure how!)

One of the great things about the Bloggers Network is that it introduces you to other Blogs.  Much like learning how to paint requires a study of other painters, I think learning how to blog well requires a study of other blogs.  I have discovered a lovely blog by Emma Lee-Potter, who really does know how to write (and has published four books to prove it - I'm a little jealous, but in a good way!) And another by ATOMum called 'Attempting the Ordinary' which makes me smile.  Hopefully their good example will urge me to try harder!

I have noticed though, that some of the most appealing blogs to read using a computer (laptop/netbook/ipad etc) are those with good artwork and photography.  The eye likes the colour!  But, when surfing through blogs using a smart phone or ipod, the small screen means that it's preferable to see summaries.  I guess this is where the creation of Apps comes in.  (By the way Mumsnet - Keep working on that App for Androids won't you!)

So it's all given me a lot to think about, since I am a hopeless photographer!  Luckily, I can at least download some free photos off the web to Christmasify my blog this month.  You never know, maybe I'll get snapping away myself in the new year!

The downside of all this is that I am spending far too much time with my nose stuck to my phone reading the active conversations in Mumsnet Talk.  My hubby will just have to watch the footie instead of having a chat! (Hmmm - I don't think that's good relationship advice...!)

Keep voting in my 'How much will you spend on the Children this Christmas' poll.  (you'll need to switch from mobile web view to full screen to do this... sorry!)