If one were cynical and hard-hearted (which, of course, aren’t terms we’d used to describe ourselves) the year 2006 might be eligible for the subtitle “Revenge of the Music Nerds.” (Also not a term we’d apply to ourselves.) First, Microsoft engages cerebral guitarist and soundscape archtect Robert Fripp to put the mojo into the sounds for Windows Vista; now, Finland’s Nokia is rolling out a phone with its own soundtrack composed by high-profile producer and ambient music pioneer Brian Eno. What’s next? Peter Gabriel contributing sounds to a Bluetooth alarm clock? Fairport Convention re-uniting to promote RFID-bearing jeans?
