Shuffled #20: Halloween Edition

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.
It's Halloween time, so I've put together a Halloween-themed playlist for your listening pleasure. Hope you like punk, because this is a punk band's favorite holiday. Celebrate the witching hour with some appropriate music.

Music Review: Noah and the MegaFauna

As I shuffle past the huddled crowd clogging the bar I make my way into the stuffy lounge. Dimly lit tables stretch out to the walls as a persistent film of smoke forms tonight’s ceiling. Nestled against the far wall I see a small stage with an eccentric cast of musicians who stand at the ready. As the band begins to play, feelings of repose and nostalgia come over me. I take a seat at the nearest open table, light a cigarette, and embark on the journey that is Noah and the MegaFauna.

This is the scene the band's music paints for me. Anthems for a Stateless Nation, their debut effort is a genuine piece of storytelling that marries an indie, folk sound with a strong gypsy-jazz influence. Noah Lit and his MegaFauna have crafted some very unique, very picturesque landscapes with this record. The band is able to achieve this with their strong technical skills but also an ability to make each song its own unique adventure.

Unoriginal Soundtracks: Outtakes Special

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. Make requests to @USPodcast on Twitter.

Breaking from the usual themed-playlist format, this episode looks back at some songs that didn't quite make it into past episodes. Some weren't quite appropriate, were instrumentals, or were just not English. As usual, though, the half-hour playlist is a solid, eclectic selection of great music.

Eufloria and the Challenges of Zen Gaming

As games have become increasingly ubiquitous, they have naturally branched out to appeal to demographics that were previously ignored. One of these new—but rapidly expanding—markets consists of players who want games to provide an experience closer to meditation than escapism. Rather than taking out their frustrations in a night of deathmatches or horde mode, these gamers are more likely to chill out with titles like Flower or The Undergarden, that occupy your mind just enough that you can forget about the world and just zone out. While there's no agreed-upon label for this category, some have appropriately called it "zen" gaming.

Now I actually think that stress-reduction is a perfectly valid use for games, and have no problem with developers exploring low-engagement game designs. But they should realize that in doing so, they’re walking a fine line. Requiring too much of the player can kill the relaxed mood, but so can requiring too little. That was what I discovered while playing Eufloria, a PSN and PC release that takes its zen qualities to such an extreme that the best strategy for most levels is just to lay your controller down and go do something else for a while.

Review: Psychic Babble's My Brother's Ears/My Sister's Eyes

Last month, Colin Frangicetto (guitarist for the band Circa Survive), released a new solo project under the name Psychic Babble. The light psychedelic tunes of My Brother's Ears / My Sister's Eyes make for some nice easy listening that will surely stay on repeat once it infects your ear buds.

Many of the tracks have an almost dream pop inspired quality to them. While most of the effects are heavy compared to some of this year's other releases, the LP finds a good balance between the excremental and a more pop feel. The song “Follow Your Bliss” illustrates this very well, starting off with a light guitar track and building upon the momentum. None of it feels like it is trying to overbear the listener with too many weird sounds; the results being hypnotic but also quite peaceful, and ending with a somewhat fuzzy transmission coming from the far out reaches of space.

The September 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.
I know, I'm late again, but can you blame me? There was a ton of new music released this September! I dug through 26 albums and picked out a sample track from each. You won't find any long diatribes on a particular artist. You won't find any guests discussing a new release. Instead, it's jam packed with music from start to finish. 110 minutes long and only about 7 of them have my voice. Pack yourself in and turn the volume up, because September had a lot to offer.

Shuffled Podcast #19: Chiptune Edition

Every other Wednesday week 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.
This week, Matt Giguere joins Alex for the umpteenth time. Chiptune music is on the docket for discussion today, and discuss it they shall. Hear about the tech behind it, the stage show some of the artists put on, and some great samples. A love of video games is not required to appreciate this burgeoning genre, just an acceptance of creative new ways to create music.

Unoriginal Soundtracks Podcast: Rez/Child of Eden 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. Make requests to @USPodcast on Twitter.

Rez and Child of Eden are both, loosely, about the internet, the evolution of mankind, and pure joy. With that in mind, here's the Unoriginal Soundtracks Two-Dozenth Episode Spectacular, featuring songs on those very topics.

Shuffled #18: Marnie Stern Interview

Every other Wednesday week 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.

This week's episode of Shuffled, we are trying something a little different. For starters Alex has handed the reigns over to Cerebral Pop writer, Matt Giguere (don't worry, Alex will be back next episode). Also, this is the first episode of Shuffled where we have an actual musical guest. Matt was able to catch up with master guitar shredder Marnie Stern for a quick one on one interview at Boston's Middle East Upstairs. So please enjoy this departure from the norm and bask in the face-melting licks from one of music's craziest guitarists.