Features

Laura Jane Grace Isn't Going to Ruin Against Me, She's Going to Reinvigorate Them
Morning Glory's Recent Tour Felt Like a Symbolic Farewell to Ezra Kire's Past, Invitation to his Future
Handling Hecklers with MC Chris: An Exploration in Putting Up With or Putting a Stop to Bullshit

Recent Reviews:  To the Moon | Huebrix | Minus the Bear | Tony Hawk's Pro Skater HD | Awesomenauts | The Real McKenzies | Breton | Suzanne Ciani

Subscribe to our Podcasts: Sophist Radio | Unoriginal Soundtracks | Shuffled

July 31, 2011

Sophist Radio Episode 50: Gary the Triple Pimp


It’s a CELEBRATION!...kinda. After 49 episodes, many laughs, some sweat, and thousands of bottles of beers, The Spohist crew convenes again to mark a very important occasion...a pimp’s birthday. With the important things out of the way, talk of video games power the engine that is Sophist Radio, and this week’s show features such heavy hitters as; Octodad, Man vs. Wild, Kill Team and Resistance 2. Okay, maybe these games won't be burning up the sales charts anytime soon, but they provide the fodder for conversation this week. Lastly it wouldn't be a a proper show without talk of the one game that has been on the minds of the Sophists since even before it ever existed: Marvel vs. Capcom 3.

July 27, 2011

Unoriginal Soundtracks Podcast: The Sims Edition


Every other Wednesday I share a playlist of songs tangentially related to a single game or series. Songs about alien sex for Mass Effect, songs about world leaders for Civilization, and so on. Searching for random terms on Spotify is a great way to discover new music and rediscover old classics.

Simulate domestic bliss, or torture miniature, Simlish-speaking victims. Live a mundane life or shoot for the stars. Make friends and be succesful, or listen to this podcast of songs about Maxis' hit dollhouse-game The Sims.

July 20, 2011

Shuffled Podcast #14: The Rap Connection

Every other Wednesday I share my love of music in an assortment of ways. Shuffled is a podcast whose format is as varied as my tastes in music, so hopefully you won't ever be bored and everyone can find something to enjoy.

On this episode of Shuffled, I do my best to remedy a big gap in the music I feature by inviting on someone who grew up listening to rap. Brian Shirk joins me to discuss how he discovered rap, why he connected to it so much, and some of his favorite artists. It's an all rap edition of Shuffled! Which might never happen again, unless Brian wants to come on again. Because, frankly, I'm out of my element here. I think I said something about hoes. Oh god, that's embarrassing.

July 13, 2011

Unoriginal Soundtracks Podcast: Worms Edition


Every other Wednesday I share a playlist of songs tangentially related to a single game or series. Songs about alien sex for Mass Effect, songs about world leaders for Civilization, and so on. Searching for random terms on Spotify is a great way to discover new music and rediscover old classics.

This podcast contains no songs about concrete donkeys, or banana bombs, or aqua sheep. Now that your expectations are tempered, I present to you a mix of songs about the other weapons you'll find in the British classic of hotseat multiplayer.

July 11, 2011

Video Round-Up: Awesome Ads Edition

Video Round-Up is a weekly post collecting an assortment of videos from around the web. Whether they be music videos, creative viral marketing, just plain cool, or just plain ridiculous, they will all be found on Video Round-Up.

This week in the Video Round-Up we have a collection of awesome commercials. Whether they are great viral internet ads, awfully hilarious commercials for dumpy local stores, or ingenious send-ups of big company ads by the Davids of the world, we've got them here. So sit back and enjoy being sold to.

July 07, 2011

Shuffled Podcast #13: New Ways to Listen

Every other Wednesday I share my love of music in an assortment of ways. Shuffled is a podcast whose format is as varied as my tastes in music, so hopefully you won't ever be bored and everyone can find something to enjoy.


Not only do I have a guest this episode, but I have two guests! Evan Killham and Alex Martin both join me to discuss some new trends that are affecting the way we listen to our music. Evan brings turntable.fm to the discussion, or as he has dubbed it, anxiety.fm, and Alex joins us from across the ocean to talk about Spotify, the music streaming service that is all the rage in Europe and completely banned over here in the states. Could either of these services change the way mainstream music listeners consume their tunes down the road, or are they fads that are doomed to being sued into the ground? Find out what we think and then share your own thoughts in the comments below.

Sophist Radio Episode 49: 4th of the Itis


The Sophist gang celebrates America’s Birthday in the best way possible. Harold, James, and Aaron kick things off with a recent hit for Sony’s PS3: inFamous 2. Okay that may not be the most American of platforms, but it was developed by the fine people at Bellevue, Washington-based Sucker Punch studios. Spoilers abound as the crew shares their feelings about everything the inFamous universe has to offer. Shadows of the Damned, a Japanese yet American published title is next up on the Sophist Radio chopping block. The guys then close things out with the most American title in the bunch: LA Noire. Despite being developed by Austria -based Team Bondi, this game has all the things that make America great; sex, violence, and poor driving.

July 06, 2011

The June Music Wrap-Up Podcast

The Music Wrap-Up is a monthly summary of my favorite and other notable new releases. Having trouble keeping up with all the new music? Need some music suggestions? Then the Music Wrap-Up is for you. And please support these musicians as that's the reason I'm featuring them in the first place.

This month has given us a pretty interesting mix of new releases. We've got lo-fi rock, a hardcore punk rock opera, "digital hardcore", country-tinged singer songwriters, psychedelic indie folk rock, power metal, bubbly pop, and plenty more. This is the reason I make this podcast. Because of all the other music podcasts I listen to, none feature all of these types of music. Hopefully you enjoy each one.