Unoriginal Soundtracks #82: GRID 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. Make requests to @USPodcast on Twitter.

This successor to the TOCA games is perhaps the best way to virtually TOur the world with a CAr. GRID 2 inspires this globetrotting playlist of blues, jazz, and rock.

Unoriginal Soundtracks #69: Grand Theft Auto 5 trailer

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.

Cynical statement on the inevitability of sequels or an admission that I haven't played any new games recently? Decide while enjoying this playlist of punk, 60s pop, and dancehall all about the Grand Theft Auto 5 trailer.

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.

Unoriginal Soundtracks Podcast: Fable 2 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.

You only have room in your head for about 10 great podcasts; I want this to be one of them. Plant a podcast in your childhood and it'll grow into this punk-infused podcast.

Mentioned in this episode: Abstract Japan.

The Monthly Music Wrap-Up: May 2011

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 is easily the biggest Wrap-Up I've done since it became a podcast. This month's episode if stuffed full of great music from a lot of big names and several not-so-big names as well. Everything from big indie acts to often-thought-dead punk legends. Sit back and enjoy, it's the Monthly Music Wrap-Up.

Shuffled Podcast: 4 out of 10 Edition

Every other Wednesday I hit the shuffle button on my 90 gigabytes of music and post the results. I might have to justify some of the stuff in my library, but hopefully it will help inform you of new music -- or at least be entertaining.
This weeks episode of Shuffled turned up some of my favorite artists ever. Of course, the Gods of Shuffle didn't exactly pick the best songs to represent them, but we'll just have to roll with the punches. Inside you'll find songs from amazing artists like Faith No More, Against Me, and mc chris, plus, the music should sound much less tinny and be free of skipping this time! Sorry about that.

Music Review: Fake Problems - Real Ghosts Caught on Tape

When I first heard of Fake Problems, the comparisons to Against Me were inevitable. They had a similar, folksy/punk sound, and just happened to also come from Florida. It might have been a shallow attempt at describing them, but it was a fairly accurate way of doing so. Still, I knew right from the start that they had promise and would become something great in a couple of albums. As far as I am concerned, this album is it.

July Music Wrap-Up: Catch-Up Edition

The Music Wrap-Up is a monthly summary of my favorite and other notable new releases. The songs are for sampling purposes only. Artists or labels notify me with any complaints and I will remove the song as soon as possible. Please support these musicians as that's the reason I'm featuring them in the first place.

There were only a couple of new releases this month that piqued my interest, so a majority of this Wrap-Up is the catch-up edition. Armed with All Songs Considered's list of the best albums of the year (so far), recommendations from friends, and releases I remembered skipping by in past months, I compiled a normal-sized Wrap-Up for you to enjoy.

Music Review: Against Me - White Crosses

Against Me divided a lot of their fan base when they moved to a major label and left behind anyone who wasn't willing to accept that bands mature and evolve their music. They probably caught a lot more slack for it because of their staunch denial that they would ever go that route, despite major label types buzzing around them like bees. Just go watch their DVD, We're Never Going Home, to see numerous scenes of them wining and dining on record company recruiters dimes, only to turn them down afterwards.

Still, all of this "sold out" crap is stupid. The simple fact of the matter is, that Against Me always played a variation of punk that had twinges of influence from plenty of more mainstream genres of music. And as they've grown and matured as a band, some of those influences have emerged a little bit more than they were before. They can still write some of the most creative lyrics, and catchiest hooks I've ever heard from a punk band.