A Very Shuffled Xmas

Every other Wednesday either Matt or Alex C-Y share their love of music in an assortment of ways. Shuffled is a podcast whose format is as varied as their tastes in music, so hopefully you won't ever be bored and everyone can find something to enjoy.

I'm not really a Humbug, but I can relate if the holidays start to get to ya before they even arrive. If you are tired of hearing that same crappy *insert Christmas song name * for what seems like the 498th time, don't light your Xmas tree on fire in anger. Instead, rage out to some of these selected somewhat anti Xmas tunes and one New Years song (a lot of them are decidedly not safe for the grandparents or the kids).

Video Round-Up: Hobbit Edition

Video Round-Up is a (sometimes) 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.

"In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit..." So began the story of a very big adventure for a very small fellow. Tomorrow, Bilbo Baggins and company return to the silver screen for one of the most anticipated films of the year, Peter Jackson's The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. This is not the first time J. R. R. Tolkien's acclaimed novel has been adapted for film. Many people remember the Rankin/Bass made for TV movie, but did you know about the short that came before? What about hobbit rapping? Hit the jump to dive into some strange and insightful videos featuring those easy going, peaceful folk.

Unoriginal Soundtracks #54: Poker Night At The Inventory

Every other Wednesday, I share a playlist of songs tangentially related to a single game or series. Songs about alien sex for Mass Effect, world leaders for Civilization, and so on. Searching for relevant terms on Spotify is a great way to discover new music and uncover hidden gems. Make requests to @USPodcast on Twitter.

Two weeks after the Walking Dead, Unoriginal Soundtracks returns to Telltale for inspiration. But instead of mortality, this episode is all about cards. Poker Night At The Inventory inspires a playlist of metal, hip hop, and country.

Shuffled #46: I Heart the "80s"

Every other Wednesday either Matt or Alex C-Y share their love of music in an assortment of ways. Shuffled is a podcast whose format is as varied as their tastes in music, so hopefully you won't ever be bored and everyone can find something to enjoy.

I consider myself more of a "90s" kid, but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate the music of the decade I was born to. Of course, none of the songs in this week's show came out during the 80's (save for the very last one), but I think these selected tunes have some of that special spark that connects this decade to the one of mixtapes, multi colored spandex, and lifted hair.

Unoriginal Soundtracks #53: The Walking Dead

Every other Wednesday, I share a playlist of songs tangentially related to a single game or series. Songs about alien sex for Mass Effect, world leaders for Civilization, and so on. Searching for relevant terms on Spotify is a great way to discover new music and uncover hidden gems. Make requests to @USPodcast on Twitter.

Since April, The Walking Dead game has provided five phenomenal events for video games. Who would have thought that one of the most harrowing, emotional journeys so far in video games would be a licensed spin-off featuring zombies?

The adventure game provides themes of death, parenthood, and RVs to inspire this rootsy playlist of folk, soul, and blues.

Unoriginal Soundtracks #52: Analogue: A Hate Story

Every other Wednesday, I share a playlist of songs tangentially related to a single game or series. Songs about alien sex for Mass Effect, world leaders for Civilization, and so on. Searching for relevant terms on Spotify is a great way to discover new music and uncover hidden gems. Make requests to @USPodcast on Twitter.

This week's playlist is full of funk, prog, and hip hop about feminism, misogyny, and spaceships. It's inspire by the fantastic visual novel Analogue: A Hate Story, by Christine Love.

Shuffled #45: Sampler

Every other Wednesday either Matt or Alex C-Y share their love of music in an assortment of ways. Shuffled is a podcast whose format is as varied as their tastes in music, so hopefully you won't ever be bored and everyone can find something to enjoy.

I love trying to figure out what songs are used in sampling. There's a good chance you've heard the term -- using parts of one song to use in another. Maybe you even remember that one, very controversial time, so long ago? From DJs to producers, sampling is part of the music DNA these days. Check out this episode of Shuffled for songs using heavy to light samples (and yes, these are the true tracks this time).

Unoriginal Soundtracks #51: Costume Quest

Every other Wednesday, I share a playlist of songs tangentially related to a single game or series. Songs about alien sex for Mass Effect, world leaders for Civilization, and so on. Searching for relevant terms on Spotify is a great way to discover new music and uncover hidden gems. Make requests to @USPodcast on Twitter.

Cerebral Pop has you covered for both sweet and satanic songs this infernal season; Shuffled provides the trick, and Unoriginal Soundtracks brings a punk, soul, and rockabilly treat inspired by Costume Quest.

Shuffled #44: Spoooooky!

Every other Wednesday either Matt or Alex C-Y share their love of music in an assortment of ways. Shuffled is a podcast whose format is as varied as their tastes in music, so hopefully you won't ever be bored and everyone can find something to enjoy.

Can you feel it? That chill in the air. The wind sweeping through the branches of trees. The stillness of evening nights broken by a sudden and startling sound! Damn right, it's Halloween! While I wanted to do something new for this episode, well to be honest I couldn't get all the pieces together. Instead, enjoy this small sampling of spooky songs that I hope will make for a very creepy evening.

Sophist Radio Episode 62: Horny Bums and Generous Bums and the Difference Between the Two

James, Aaron, and Harold do not get a ton of chances to speak about video games as of late, so please enjoy this offering. In this episode you can expect some great bum stories and probably too much talk about Half-Life’s lore. Games are the main focus of the show as always, and the crew spends time talking about some of our recent favorites like 30 Flights of Loving and Asura's Wrath.

Unoriginal Soundtracks #50: Plague, Inc.

Every other Wednesday, I share a playlist of songs tangentially related to a single game or series. Songs about alien sex for Mass Effect, world leaders for Civilization, and so on. Searching for relevant terms on Spotify is a great way to discover new music and uncover hidden gems. Make requests to @USPodcast on Twitter.

Video games are diseased! This one has pneumonia, nauseau, paranoia, and worse. But it does inspire a sick playlist of heavy metal, boogie piano, and novelty rap. Take aurally.

Shuffled #43: Jammin'

Every other Wednesday either Matt or Alex C-Y share their love of music in an assortment of ways. Shuffled is a podcast whose format is as varied as their tastes in music, so hopefully you won't ever be bored and everyone can find something to enjoy.

Remember that song you played over and over again in the summer of 1998? Man, that was my Jam! The desire to share a certain song we keep listening to over and over again is so commonplace in our music culture today. Listener requested music radio built off of the idea, as did music television try accomplish the same idea not too long ago (though, honestly, it is all stuffed in the pant linings of  the bigger production companies).

Sharing your current Jam on the Internet has never been easier since the dawn of social media. This week on Shuffled, I look into one of the sites I use when listen to music online and from other people. Check out the site ThisIsMyJam.com to learn more about annoying friends and strangers with your music tastes. The whole track list this week is a bunch of random picks from some of the people I follow.

Game Review: To the Moon

The dying wish is a powerful tool in storytelling. Almost everyone has thought about something they would change about themselves before they die. What if you were given the power to control the memories of somebody on their deathbed in order to grant them this wish? And what if you disagreed with what they wished for?

In To the Moon you control Dr. Rosalene and Dr. Watts, two scientists who have been tasked with altering the memories of Johnny, a man who says he always wanted to go to the moon. Johnny doesn't know why he wants to go there, it's just something he feels he needs to do. In order to help Johnny fulfill his life-long dream, you jump into his mind and start working backwards through his memories in order to find the right point to insert the fabricated experience.

Unoriginal Soundtracks #49: Left 4 Dead 2

Every other Wednesday, I share a playlist of songs tangentially related to a single game or series. Songs about alien sex for Mass Effect, world leaders for Civilization, and so on. Searching for relevant terms on Spotify is a great way to discover new music and uncover hidden gems. Make requests to @USPodcast on Twitter.

Left 4 Dead 2 tightened the formula Left 4 Dead concocted: intense co-operative adventuring with much more character and atmosphere than one would expect from a multiplayer-only shooter. That character makes for an episode of Liverpudlian rock, St Louisan jazz, New York mariachi, and more.

Shuffled #42: Whatever

Every other Wednesday either Matt or Alex C-Y share their love of music in an assortment of ways. Shuffled is a podcast whose format is as varied as their tastes in music, so hopefully you won't ever be bored and everyone can find something to enjoy. 

I have some crazy plans for Shuffled, but that will have to wait till next episode. Right now, work is kicking my ass, which means longer hours of sitting at the desk job. For the time being, enjoy this randomly generated playlist of sorts, or whatever.

Netflix Minute: Jiro Dreams of Sushi

Master chef Jiro Ono has been making sushi for over 75 years. He started as an apprentice when he was only 10 years old -- one year after he left home for good and became responsible for his own survival. In the new documentary about his life and work, Jiro Dreams of Sushi, the 86-year-old Jiro lets us in on the secret of success. The chef smirks and says that children shouldn't be allowed home after they leave; they wouldn't be motivated to succeed otherwise. The harshness of those words is belied in Jiro's eyes, however - there is sadness there beyond his tough exterior. This is the true gift of "Jiro Dreams of Sushi": Beyond the food porn and voyeurism into a world many Westerners know nothing of this is a film about a man who turned to self discipline out of necessity and turned it into high art.

The documentary shows us the daily routine of Jiro and his team at his 3 Michelin-star restaurant, Sukiyabashi Jiro. Jiro is the only sushi chef to have ever received this honor and he's also the oldest Michelin recipient in the history of the guide. According to Jiro, his success is owed to a combination of endless repetition and innate talent. He makes no secret of his methods, which are well-known to all sushi chefs, and uses only traditional (although top-of-the-line) ingredients. As we watch Jiro and his staff cook each component (perfect rice, exquisitely sliced tuna, impeccably cooked octopus and eel) it becomes clear that this is more than just cooking for these men; this is ritual, lovingly and dutifully performed.

Game Review: Huebrix

Huebrix is a puzzle game that tasks you with using colors to create pathways inside of a grid. The hook is you're only allowed a pre-selected number of moves for each color. For instance, you have to create a L-shaped structure and on the screen the number four is placed inside the first box. That means you've got up to four moves to complete the 'L'.

With the fairly simple premise in place, Huebrix spends most of its levels introducing new elements and then testing you on what you just learned. Things such as blocks that add additional moves to the already provided allotment, and blocks that remove some of your moves. These -- along with restrictions like only allowing right turns or blocking your path with unmovable blocks -- adds a mind-twisting element to Huebrix. You are graded on how fast you complete each puzzle and are given medals ranging from gold to bronze. If you find yourself stumped you can use the in-game hint system. If you're still lost (don’t feel bad) then you can purchase additional hints via the in-app store.

Unoriginal Soundtracks #48: Rock Band Blitz

Every other Wednesday, I share a playlist of songs tangentially related to a single game or series. Songs about alien sex for Mass Effect, world leaders for Civilization, and so on. Searching for relevant terms on Spotify is a great way to discover new music and uncover hidden gems. Make requests to @USPodcast on Twitter.

Starting a score war in Rock Band Blitz -- short of driving around town with a loud soundsystem, or producing a music podcast -- is a great way to impose one's musical taste on others. Now put this hip-hop-heavy show on your car stereo and go for a cruise.

Shuffled #41: 10,000 Lakes, 8 Songs

Every other Wednesday either Matt or Alex C-Y share their love of music in an assortment of ways. Shuffled is a podcast whose format is as varied as their tastes in music, so hopefully you won't ever be bored and everyone can find something to enjoy. 

Minnesota. The land of lakes, one gigantic mall, and tons of musical talent. It's the place that gave us Bob Dylan, for crying out loud! Here's a small sample of contemporary music from artists who have ties to the North Star State. Early apologies for the horrible accent in the intro.

Unoriginal Soundtracks #47: Combat Flight Simulator

Every other Wednesday, I share a playlist of songs tangentially related to a single game or series. Songs about alien sex for Mass Effect, world leaders for Civilization, and so on. Searching for relevant terms on Spotify is a great way to discover new music and uncover hidden gems. Make requests to @USPodcast on Twitter.

Microsoft's Flight Simulator was inexplicably popular with me and my PC-gaming friends in the nineties. Its Combat Flight Simulator spin-off made much more sense for me and my ten-year-old friends to be playing, though, and it makes more sense as a topic for Unoriginal Soundtracks. This episode features, unsurprisingly, a lot of British rock and punk, and no German music.

Shuffled #40: Adam's Fav 5

Every other Wednesday either Matt or Alex C-Y share their love of music in an assortment of ways. Shuffled is a podcast whose format is as varied as their tastes in music, so hopefully you won't ever be bored and everyone can find something to enjoy. 

We are taking a step back this week to an older formula we haven't done in quite a while. Occasionally on Shuffled we invite a guest on to share their favorite songs - ones that might hold some significance to their music history or are just personal favorites. This week my good friend Adam Rodriguez (who's brother Tyler you might remember from a while back) shares his picks of favorite music.

Video Round-Up: New Music Video Edition

Video Round-Up is a recurring 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.

With the flood of awesome music coming out right now, there's also the inevitable influx of music videos to accompany the singles of all of those new albums. Rather than posting each of them individually, I figured I'd resurrect the most-likely forgotten Video Round-Up to feature them all at once. So hit the jump to check out new music videos from the likes of Sleigh Bells, Coheed and Cambria, Sigur Ros, Band of Horses, Riverboat Gamblers, and more.

Music Review: Minus the Bear - Infinity Overhead

After 2010's slickly produced and predominantly poppy OMNI, Minus the Bear's fifth full-length offering finds them getting back in touch with the rock edge of their earlier material in order to deliver their tightest record yet. It's the type of album that bands often choose to self-title.

Leading track, and first single, 'Steel and Blood' kicks things off with a mix of 'Nothing Left to Lose'-era Foo Fighters guitar rock and the Seatle quintet's signature, synth infused pop; and it's imediately followed by the driving funk beats of the equally kicking 'Lies and Eyes.'

The Madden Franchise Continuously Fails by Striving for Realism, Falling Short

I can’t remember the first football game I saw. I'd love to be able to tell you a story about a magical day when the skies opened up and I was touched by some other-worldly being, blessed with football-watching skills, but I can't. I just know that every Sunday from September through January isn't filled with Ikea trips or church, they're filled with wings, friends, and the heartbreak and/or joy of the NFL.

Now, my first football-related video game memory is easy: I went over to an older cousins’ house and for Christmas he had received a Nintendo Entertainment System. This was a great moment in my life, everything about this machine seemed futuristic. It’s safe to to say that for a 4-month period, until my birthday in April, my new favorite cousin and I spent hours shooting ducks and jumping onto goombas.

So, I love video games and football, and logic would dictate that the combination of my two favorite loves would produce the purest form of obsession, right? Sadly, this is untrue. I've avoided the Madden series of games like the plague upon its annual August releases. The lead up to every Madden is virtually the same: the developers and the PR videochat, blog, and press release me to death, saying things like, "This year is the most realistic ever. We've tried very hard to make the game you play at home identical to the game you watch on TV."

This is where, in my opinion, the amazingly-talented people at Tiburon get it wrong. Trying to accurately capture any sport played by real people is an impossible task. When I sit down to play a game of Madden and the players do anything out of the ordinary I am instantly taken out of the experience. Since my love for a game is based on believing in its fiction, once I'm ripped from that moment I can never get it back.

Streetlight Manifesto announce title and release date for new album, book tour to support it

Ska-punk legends Streetlight Manifesto are finally set to release their third proper album, following up 2007's Somewhere in the Between, and a slew of cover CDs and side projects. The Hands That Thieve is due to come out November 6th, and they've booked a North American tour to help support it.

It's worth mentioning that this is the last album they're contractually obligated to release on Victory Records, the label that they've been fighting with for years. This is also the album they've suggested fans should either pirate or buy directly from them at a show so as not to give money to the aforementioned label.

Hit the jump for their tour dates.

Cobra Skulls announce new single release, tour dates with Riverboat Gamblers

When I first heard of Cobra Skulls I was mostly ignoring new punk bands and hiding behind the safe, established groups I already knew and loved. But The Lawrence Arms vouched for them and I liked what I could find on YouTube, so I picked up their album. Now I eagerly follow their career, anticipating each new release.

So, while the announcement of a new single might not be much, it means a new LP is coming, and that's exciting. "Eagle Eyes" features two b-side tracks, and will be released October 9th, via Fat Wreck Chords. Hit the jump for the band's tour dates, both as the headliner and as support for The Riverboat Gamblers.

The Faint to release remastered version of Danse Macabre with bonus material, plan full support tour

It has been over a decade since The Faint put out Danse Macabre, what many believe to be their best album. Now they've announced a remastered, deluxe version of their classic release. The package will include six bonus tracks, a meaty-sized booklet, and DVD stuffed with footage from around that time. It's set for release on October 30th, and the band has scheduled a full tour to help support it.

Hit the jump for the tour dates and to listen to one of the bonus tracks from the album.

Unoriginal Soundtracks #46: From Dust

Every other Wednesday, I share a playlist of songs tangentially related to a single game or series. Songs about alien sex for Mass Effect, world leaders for Civilization, and so on. Searching for relevant terms on Spotify is a great way to discover new music and uncover hidden gems. Make requests to @USPodcast on Twitter.

Lots of games get the "sandbox" label slapped on them, but From Dust is more like playing with a bucket and spade at the beach; you pile up sand to divert flowing water, and you struggle to keep the ocean from washing your creation away. The game inspires an elemental playlist of rock, 2 Tone, and blues.

Listen: Morning Glory release another song from their upcoming album

Morning Glory have put out yet another song from Poets Were My Heroes, set to be released on August 28th via Fat Wreck Chords. "Life's a Long Revenge" joins two other tracks, "Patiently", and "Another Way" as awesome teases for their first proper album as a real, fully formed band. Hit the jump to give the new song a listen, as well as the other two sample tracks. You can preorder the album here.

Minus the Bear release video for "Steel and Blood", stream new album online today only

Indie rock outfit Minus the Bear have put out a music video for "Steel and Blood", off of their upcoming August 28th release, Infinity Overheard. While their last album, OMNI, didn't really do much for me, the two tracks they've released from this one so far are quite catchy and enjoyable. I'm certainly looking forward to hearing the whole thing.

Speaking of, fans should be able to hear the entire album very soon, as the band is set to stream it on their website, today only. Just keep refreshing their site until they put up the stream, and hit the jump to check out the video while you wait.

Morning Glory's Recent Tour Felt Like a Symbolic Farewell to Ezra Kire's Past, Invitation to his Future

Morning Glory has garnered a pretty sizable fan base for not technically having been a real band until just recently. Their earliest demos and first full length were done almost entirely by lead singer Ezra Kire, playing every one of the instruments into an 8-track recorder in his New York apartment, save for the drums which were handled via a cheap drum machine. After that, there was an EP with an actual band, but that all fell apart pretty quickly into years of heroin abuse and empty promises for a proper album.

Now, after nearly a decade of fighting his addictions, Ezra is ready to give his full attention to Morning Glory. The long-anticipated album is due out in just over a week via Fat Wreck Chords, and his newly-reformed band just finished an East Coast tour of the US.

I've longed to see them live for what seems like a lifetime, so, I of course caught the Detroit show a few weeks back. It meant taking a vacation day at work and driving 4 hours round trip, but I made those sacrifices. The thing is, after the show ended a mere half an hour later, I wasn't sure if it was all worth it. But the more I thought about it, the more it felt like the entire concert was a farewell to their fans who might not be so willing to go along with them on this new journey of musical experimentation and discovery. Which, if true, is like having witnessed the death of a band, and the rebirth of a brand new Morning Glory to come.

Listen: Animal Collective streaming their new album Centipede Hz

Last night on the final episode of their weekly radio show, Animal Collective played an early mix of their album that band member Geologist made to help convey the sound and vibe they wanted to their producer. Following that was the actual, finished album. Even if you missed the show you can still listen to both, as well as the past three episodes featuring music curated by the other members of the band, as well as a slew of other notable artists.

It's worth noting that despite my confusion over the Avey Tare-centric music video they posted on Friday, every member of the band is present on this album, including Deakin, who wasn't around for their past record, Merriweather Post Pavillion. Also, I'm enjoying the new music quite a bit. Give Centipede Hz a listen here, and check out all four episodes of their radio show here.

Source: Reddit

Watch: Animal Collective release video for "Today's Supernatural", off upcoming album

Animal Collective have put out a video for the single off their upcoming album, Centipede Hz, to be released on September 4th. It's...uh...interesting. Like everything Animal Collective, it's pretty weird. At first I was convinced I hated the song, because initially it sounded like some sort of reggaeton or other bad form of music, but it gets better as it goes on.

Still, I'm confused by the complete lack of any member besides Avey Tare. I know their last album had them as a three-piece, but I'm not really sure what's going on with the other members. Either way, I'll probably enjoy their new album to some extent, but I've always been more interested in what Panda Bear is putting out.

Hit the jump to check out the video, just be sure no one else is in the room with you. It might cause an awkward conversation about what the crap you are watching.

Shuffled #39: TPCS

Every other Wednesday either Matt or Alex C-Y share their love of music in an assortment of ways. Shuffled is a podcast whose format is as varied as their tastes in music, so hopefully you won't ever be bored and everyone can find something to enjoy. 

After a brief hiatus, we are back with more tunes and a special guest. This week, Evan Killham joins Matt as they look back on Evan's podcast, This Podcast Contains Spoilers - a show about, well many things, but mostly spoilers (not the ones that go with cars). What does music have to do with a show about discussing a movie, video game, book, board game, or fan fiction? Listen and find out!

Listen: Devo release song criticizing Mitt Romney for strapping family dog to roof of car

Back in 1983 Mitt Romney strapped a crate to the roof of his car and drove the family dog from Massachusetts to Ontario. Now, 80's subversive new-wavers Devo are dead set on making sure the American voting public doesn't forget about the situation. Band member Jerry Casale calls it a deal-breaker, calling into question the type of person Romney really is.

The band claims this isn't a partisan position, thought, it's worth noting that the band also plans to release an iOS game about the event called Crate Escape, so they obviously want to get the word out on this. It's also worth noting that strapping your dog to the roof of your car is an awful thing to do to an animal no matter what political party you belong to. Hit the jump to listen to the song.

News: MC Chris teases sequels to Apple Tummy and Marshmellow Playground, updates fans on cartoon

I saw MC Chris earlier this week, and apparently he is keeping very busy. At some point during the show he took some time to plug some upcoming projects. First off, a follow-up to the remix album Apple Tummy that he did in collaboration with Snobots. Apple Lung is slated for September 2nd, and just like the original it will be available for free download on his site. It remains to be seen if it will include any cover songs this time around.

Next up is something that will probably only excite fans with kids; a sequel to his children's album Marshmellow Playground, titled Marshmellow Campground. As a parent I am constantly looking for child-appropriate music that I can actually stand, so when bands or musicians I like put out kid's albums I pounce. Also, my kid showed a love of MC Chris at a very early age, and it was the go-to car trip music until she could understand the lyrics. I don't remember exactly when he said Campground was coming out, but I'm pretty sure it was sometime this fall.

Finally, he updated everyone on his Kickstarter-funded cartoon. After using the money from his backers to make a sample of the show he pitched it to AdultSwim...who turned it down. But he threw a teaser up on the Internet, and was miraculously contacted by another network who said they wanted to do ten 22-minute-episodes of his idea. He wouldn't say yet which network it was, but he listed a slew of contributors and their impressive past projects, so the end project seems to be in good hands.

All of this news, joining the announcement of his next album coming out October 31st of next year, is sure to make fans happy. Hit the jump to watch the teaser for his cartoon, listen to a track from Apply Tummy and Marshmellow Playground, and check out a skit from his last album, Race Wars, that reveals the subject matter of his next release, MC Chris Foreverrr.

Listen: Nuclear Rabbit share rough cut of a new song

The winners of the "Metal band that most makes you feel like you're on an acid trip" award for 23 years and running, Nuclear Rabbit, shared a rough cut of a new song on their Facebook. The track -- titled "A Series of Uncomfortable Thoughts and Feelings" -- was described as "still in progress" by lead singer Greg Parrish.

Its been since 2003's Mutopia that they've put out any new material, though a recent increase in touring certainly hinted at a revitalization of the band. It was noted that Greg and guitarist Jason Branyan are the ones that put together the track, but with everyone getting together for the recent performances I'm sure the whole crew is on board for working on it. It's likely just a matter of finding time among their various other projects and solo careers, including that of bassist Jean Baudin, whom I interviewed quite awhile back.

I don't know about you, but the prospect of a new Nuclear Rabbit release has me extremely excited. Though, I'll settle for an east coast tour with a stop somewhere in Michigan. Hit the jump to give the new song a listen and let us know what you think in the comments.

Listen: The Snake The Cross The Crown mysteriously drop what appear to be demos of new material

Indie rock/folk outfit The Snake The Cross The Crown haven't really been a band for a few years now. Following the release of On a Carousel of Sound, We Go Round (a documentary film that included a b-sides album with a few new songs) they took an indefinite hiatus from music. Now, they might be making a comeback, though, it's still hard to tell.

On the first of July the band unceremoniously linked to a never released song called Looper, on a SoundCloud page for the band that no one knew existed. They didn't provide any context for what the song was, but there's another one titled Beach Demo v2 so rampant speculation would point to demos for a new album.

While I'd certainly love more music from The Snake The Cross The Crown, I'm not going to get my hopes up too high. They haven't said a word since dropping these tracks over a month ago, so they could very well just be unloading old files or simply messing around with no grander plan for an album. For now, give them a listen and sound off in the comments with your thoughts.

Sophist Radio #61: This Podcast Contains Evan

A cross country move, an awesome guest, and a drunk host. All of these factors play a special part in making this episode of Sophist Radio happen. Join Aaron, James, Harold, and special guest, GamesBeat’s Evan Killham, as they discuss proper apple tree care, Seattle, and first date loving. The foursome also have a healthy share of games to praise and pick apart, including Playstation All-Stars Battle Royale, and Warhammer 40,000: Fire Warrior. All this, plus the delayed laughs, long awkward pauses, and poor audio quality you'll come to know and love from the first Sophist to happen over Skype!

Handling Hecklers with MC Chris: An Exploration in Putting Up With or Putting a Stop to Bullshit

In case you haven't heard, the Internet currently hates MC Chris. People that hadn't ever heard of him previously are forming virtual lynch mobs behind the rallying cries of angered former fans, their end goal being...I don't know, I guess they want him to either learn a lesson or kill himself. Well, having just gone to see him perform live for the second time (the first being back in 2005), I'm here to report that I will not be joining their ranks.

When you read the original Reddit submission and its subsequent comments -- as well as the following story from yet another fan -- it's easy to get yourself worked up a little. He seems like a real piece of crap, right? Even though I've been a pretty big fan since I was introduced to him over seven years ago, I scanned through the pages of hate and found myself questioning that a little bit.

Eventually logic worked its way back into my brain. I just recently saw Danzig on tour as well, despite knowing what an egotistical bundle of anger he is. Honestly, I really don't care what a performer thinks, says, or believes, as long as the work they put out is worthwhile (to a point, obviously). That's what I'd always told myself. So, armed with my inner debate over whether or not I still believed MC Chris was a good person, I decided to go see him again. It had been far too long, and he just happened to be coming through town.

Unoriginal Soundtracks #45: Crysis

Every other Wednesday, I share a playlist of songs tangentially related to a single game or series. Songs about alien sex for Mass Effect, world leaders for Civilization, and so on. Searching for relevant terms on Spotify is a great way to discover new music and uncover hidden gems. Make requests to @USPodcast on Twitter.

Mixing sandbox inconsequence from Grand Theft Auto, with the tactical approach to combat from Far Cry, Crysis is one of the premier power fantasies in games. It's generic in many ways, but it inspires a playlist of hip hop, spoken word, and noisy guitar-rock.

Game Review: Tony Hawk's Pro Skater HD

I played the original Tony Hawk's Pro Skater for hours on end when it came out in 1999, usually passing the controller between friends. That game introduced a brand new concept (a skating game) with such focus and tight controls that it seemed insane that no one had come up with it before. It was riveting. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater HD seeks to bring that old feeling back for the uninitiated and old pros alike.

THPS HD starts by letting you choose from a small collection of pro skaters with associated stats related to skills and abilities. Throughout the game you are able to earn money that can go towards purchasing increased stats and newer skateboards. While the boards are strictly cosmetic, the stats will increase your ability to jump higher, grind longer, and balance better. You earn money through building scores by performing tricks and completing level-based objectives.

Unoriginal Soundtracks #44: Ninja Gaiden

Every other Wednesday, I share a playlist of songs tangentially related to a single game or series. Songs about alien sex for Mass Effect, world leaders for Civilization, and so on. Searching for relevant terms on Spotify is a great way to discover new music and uncover hidden gems. Make requests to @USPodcast on Twitter.

For a playlist that tosses a few songs in the air, chops them up, then sends them crashing back down to your ears, listen to this episode of Unoriginal Soundtracks. Today's topic is Ninja Gaiden, so expect songs about demons, sneaky pajama-clad men, and female chests.

Shuffled #38: Interview with Sam Cohen

Every other Wednesday either Matt or Alex C-Y share their love of music in an assortment of ways. Shuffled is a podcast whose format is as varied as their tastes in music, so hopefully you won't ever be bored and everyone can find something to enjoy. 

A few weeks ago I got a few minutes to speak with Sam Cohen, singer songwriter from Brooklyn, New York and creator of the dream pop group Yellowbirds. Sam has been part of the music scene for sometime starting out in the Massachusetts based band Apollo Sunshine before starting his own project with Yellowbirds. His debut album, The Color, came out in 2011 and is easily one of my favorite releases from that year. Enjoy the interview!

Unoriginal Soundtracks #43: Forza Motorsport

Every other Wednesday, I share a playlist of songs tangentially related to a single game or series. Songs about alien sex for Mass Effect, world leaders for Civilization, and so on. Searching for relevant terms on Spotify is a great way to discover new music and uncover hidden gems. Make requests to @USPodcast on Twitter.

Put in that Forza disc, start a time trial on a relaxing track, and cruise with your favorite music/game podcast. This playlist is full of songs about the joys and difficulties of car ownership, racing, and car culture.

Listen: Civil Civic release new track titled 'New!'

Civil Civic remain the only reason I have an IndieGogo account (though Z World Detroit is a real contender for reason #2), and I liked the album they delivered using the funds from their successful campaign enough to put them on this list. So, news of a new song called "New!" was surely exciting for me! Sadly, it's not new new, just unreleased new (Alright, I'm banning the word 'new' from this post as of now). It didn't make the cut for their debut LP, Rules.

Still, it's a fun track and I'm slightly confused why it wasn't included in the first place. As there were many previously-released tracks on the album, this one would have helped sway the numbers toward having more fresh, unreleased songs.

Anyway, hit the jump to listen or name-your-price to download your very own copy of 'New!' (Shit!).

Listen: Propagandhi release 'Bullshit Politicians' remake that never made it to 'Rock Against Bush' compilation

Back in 2004 Propagandhi redid their song 'Bullshit Politicians' for the Rock Against Bush compilation, but due to disagreements between the band and the head of the label (Fat Mike of NOFX) the song never made it on the album. Fortunately, fans can now get it from Bandcamp for a name-your-price download. The song was renamed 'Free John Hinckley' (the attempted assassin of Ronald Reagan), and was released in honor of Stephen Harper's (Canadian Prime Minister) Bill C-38.

Singer Chris Hannah had this to say about it:

...in honour of the total handing over of the country’s keys to corporate interests by Stephen Harper’s Conservative Party (i wish they’d conserve something for once), also known as Bill C-38, we dug up said track from the deep within the Propagandhi archives and put it on that thing called “band camp”. you can take it for free (i think) or you can buy us a virtual beer and a smoke with a donation while you follow the link in the description to see what’s so bad about favouring multinational corporations over the people that actually live here. who knows? maybe one or both of us can actually get out from in front of our computers and join those already trying to do something about this dark day. crazier things have happened.

Hit the jump to give it a listen, and pitch them some beer money if you enjoy it.

Shuffled #37: Kickstarted Edition

Every other Wednesday either Matt or Alex C-Y share their love of music in an assortment of ways. Shuffled is a podcast whose format is as varied as their tastes in music, so hopefully you won't ever be bored and everyone can find something to enjoy.

Kickstarter, IndieGogo, and other crowd-funding sites are quickly becoming the new trend in helping bands get their music funded. They may be the start of a future where the people control what they want to hear, or simply a passing trend. Either way, there are plenty of deserving projects out there seeking your help to get off the ground. I happened to spend several hours one night going through every single music campaign on Kickstarter, so I thought I'd share some of the cooler ones with you. Hit the jump to listen, and for links to get in on the funding yourself if you like what you hear.

Unoriginal Soundtracks #42: Civilization 5 Gods and Kings

Every other Wednesday, I share a playlist of songs tangentially related to a single game or series. Songs about alien sex for Mass Effect, world leaders for Civilization, and so on. Searching for relevant terms on Spotify is a great way to discover new music and uncover hidden gems. Make requests to @USPodcast on Twitter.

Religion adds a surprising new incentive for war in Civilization 5. Newly founded religions grant the civilization of its origin perks worth defending from gentiles, heretics, and infidels. And espionage adds nuance to diplomacy with other leaders, with big risks and rewards for spying on them. All of that allows for a playlist of sneering post-punk, pious funk, and more great music.

Laura Jane Grace Isn't Going to Ruin Against Me, She's Going to Reinvigorate Them

My day job is that of a lowly bumper buffer in a factory located in my small, midwest town. Sometimes my (entirely male) coworkers and I will kill the monotony with unbelievably childish antics and games of "Would You Rather" or "What Would You Do?". One of the scenarios I presented once went as such: "You've been with your wife for 20+ years; Everything is perfect; You love her immensely and couldn't be happier. Then she admits she wants to become a man. Do you stay with her?"

For some reason I was kind of taken aback by the amount of coworkers who adamantly said no. That is, all of them. I was the only one who said I'd stay. And while I was pretty sure I meant my answer in the hypothetical situation I'd made up, I couldn't really be sure what I'd do unless it actually happened. Little did I know that at the same time I was justifying myself to my sexually insecure coworkers, the lead singer of one of my absolute favorite bands was making some changes that would become the closest I might ever get to a real-life test of my reaction to such a prospect.

Unbeknownst to me, Tom Gabel of Against Me had come out as transgender via a Rolling Stone interview and was beginning her journey toward becoming how she'd always felt. Tom was now Laura Jane Grace, and that revelation messed with my head a little bit more than I'd ever expected from something like that.