The Van [Review]

Somewhere on the desert of America, a lonely van is traveling around. Nova-Scotia is the driver, and inside the van are the gifted kids that has been living under her mercy. Cola is the girl that could sense almost all about the human around her, yet constantly keep trying to escape her surroundings by reciting poems inside her mind. But she couldn't stay ignorant anymore when her older "sister", Rosaline, went missing. Cola is accompanied by Scotch, who has the ability to make people unconscious just by a hand touch, and Junebug, a 14 year old who, unlike Scotch, is more than happy to use her ability to scramble people's mind.

The Van is an audio drama produced by the podcast network Whale Bus, which also made the series Looking Back at Tomorrow, and Story Blocks. The voice of Cola is Leslie Gideon, Scotch is voiced by Jeff Ebner, Nova-Scotia is voiced by Dina Laura, and the voice of Junebug is Julia Rose Herman. 

From what I have read, these actors are fairly new, but their job is quite amazing, especially Junebug's and Nova's. The sound editing is passable. Well, almost. There's no problem with the environment/surrounding (sorry, don't know the technical term. don't bash me, o' lord sound editor); we can clearly know when the van is moving and or when the character is outside. But when it comes to narration, it's pretty messy. The audio drama is narrated from Cola's point-of-view, however some of the times there aren't a clear distinction between her narration and the actual dialogue. This then lead to some confusion, like when Scott asked a question and Cola's narration suddenly popped in. This is probably not just a technical stuff, a little bit neater dialogue editing could maybe also help a lot. However, the good thing is, this problem get significantly less worse, particularly near the later episodes.

Now let's talk about the writing, more specifically, the characters. They are definitely not the usual type you would find in audio drama. Not many of them are sympathetic, Junebug is an insufferable girl, and Nova, the only adult, is manipulative, enabling misconduct, and exploiting these children for her own sake. 

They are flawed. 
But they are flawed like a human being. 

All of the characters are written organically. There's no character that only acts as a token. 

Cola seems like the usual introvert-with-inexplicable-power tropes, but as the story goes, we would begin to notice some very troubling issues of her. But the story never blatantly points it out, not because of some oversight in the writing — but because these issues are never her identifier.

Another example is Junebug. She might be a girl with attitude that is enough to tax the patience of a saint, but remember that with her condition, is there anything that could make her knows better? Snatched from a very young age, constantly living on the road, and the only adult she knows never show or teach her any affection. And to add to that, she always been reminded that she is only good for her ability in hurting people. To say the least, her insufferability is the only way for surviving. 

This less than politically correct writing is actually what makes me fall in love with this audio drama. It's not something you find everyday, especially in this medium. For me, the boldness in it is promising something even more in their next seasons, which I hope will be many to come. 

Note:

• The Van could be found in the Whale Bus website, Apple Podcast, Stitcher, and your rolling podcatchers
• recommended if you like: strong and complex characters, simple sci-fi, great voice acting, good world-building, bloody good mystery, The Far Meridian, ArsParadoxica, Still Lives
• seriously caution for: strong words, violence, mention of death, domestic abuse, domestic violence, emotional and psychological abuse, mental illness, eating disorder, child abuse, child exploitation, disturbing voice.

Never Prepared For: How i Died

How i Died — it's stylized like that by the way — is an audio drama that focus on the life of a newly chosen forensic pathologist of Springfield, Jon Spacer. Appropriately enough with his profession, Jon has the ability of talking with the ghost of the cadavers — a gift that either makes his job easier, or worse. To make matters tougher, he has to deal daily with Sheriff Crowley, whose attitude to Jon couldn't be less trusting.

The fictional podcast is made by AudiOhm Media. Vincent Dajani is the writer as well as the voice of dubious Jon Spacer, and Shaina Waring acted as the no-nonsense Sheriff Crowley.

In the beginning, I thought the story is close to a slice-of-life type, like the television serial Pushing Daisies — only with less pie and more emotional baggage. But in the end of episode one, I found out that it is implied the story would be a piece in a bigger story line.

As an addition to the pleasant surprise, the criminal cases depicted in the podcast are actually based on true events, with details on information are changed to protect the victims. It is a nice touch, I think (in a creative sense, of course. crime is bad, kids); some kind of a delve into the premise of the "what-if" or the otherside-ness of a story. Although sometimes, a hundred percent of truth might not be the only purpose of telling and hearing the story.  

At time this first-sound review is made, How i Died is just started. But even though with only two episodes being released, it is an audio drama that absolutely worth more attention. It is well produced, with great voice actors, exemplary sound design and editing, and a clearly nifty writing. It's more than highly recommended, and I'm excited of what comes next from the story idea.

Note:

• How i Died is in the AudiOhm Media website, Apple Podcast, Libsyn, and your existing podcatchers.
• recommended for: great voice acting, non-imposing drama, great horror mystery with enough thrill
• caution for: death, accidents, violence, abuse, mental illness, graphic depiction of crime victims.

Indian Noir Podcast [Review]

In an ancient society with complex social and cultural problems, noir genre has more than a natural place in Indian story telling. This podcast would perfectly prove my point. 

Indian Noir Podcast is a semi-anthology audio drama with currently two sets of stories: His Night Begins and Fear. His Night Begins is a disturbing avenge story of a hit man, set in the midst of a sex-trafficking industry. While Fear is heavier on the horror side, the story of an Indian demon and a tale involving a tired software engineer and his inevitable fight with his past.

  

Episodes on each story are fairly short, most of it are only under 10 minutes and the longest are barely 20 minutes. The episode release is scheduled weekly, but in the beginning, earlier episodes for different stories was a little bit dispersed. Therefore, for new listeners that want to catch up, I highly recommend a custom playlist for a better listening experience. 

Indian Noir is one man show, with the creator Nikesh Murali multi-tasking as the main narrator, as well as voicing every other characters on the story. And dear lord...he is impeccable. He is the scornful man, laden with guilt and devoid of hope, and a couple minutes later, he is the 14 year old girl chained and trapped, he is the hitman's mistress, he is the ex-wife, the corrupt police, the crook, the mad priest.

There to be said, Indian Noir is really not an easy story to listen. I binged the entire His Story Begins in one day, and oh how I wish I didn't do it, I need hours of cat videos therapy after that. It is dark, gritty, and the depiction of violence and abuse can be something that is not all people could handle. For me personally, as a woman living in a country that has similar socio-cultural issue, it is a really tough story to listen. 

Still, I have to say that it is an amazing experience. 

It is hard not to get sucked into this podcast when you have someone like Nikesh Murali as your storyteller. He proves that sometimes you don't really need a high-tech sound engineering to be an immersive podcast.


Note:

• Indian Noir Podcast could be found in their official website, Apple Podcast, Audioboom, and your usual buddy podcatcher.
• Caution for: boy this be a lot... rape, kidnapping, domestic abuse, emotional abuse, sexual assault, sexual violence, non-sexual violence, hotdamnsomany violence, very strong language, sexual contents, drugging, incest, torture, hostage situation, presence of weapons, guns and explosions, alcoholism, drugs addiction, depression, divorce, religion issue, corrupt police, stressful situations, adulthood crisis, suicidal thoughts, blood, body horror

Still Lives [Review]

"the future is now!"

Still Lives is a post-apocalyptic one-time drama series made by Studio Knox. It sets in an isolated farm, where five nameless survivors are living a relatively normal life, until one day, a sixth survivor comes knocking one night.

The podcast is very well acted, some part of audio design might be sounded a bit off, but it's nothing you can't forget a second later. The writing is good, there is no plot drag even in the middle of the series.

Dystopian story, especially post-apocalyptic is so easily fall into territory of either being too dark or too explanatory. Still Lives survived (heh) from this. Unlike some audio drama, I was not overwhelmed with details about scientific backstory in the first episode. It's just life as (almost) usual.

Strongest underlying theme of post apocalyptic stories is hope. The fact that the survivors are using labels as their go-to name mirrored the hesitancy of any attachment, fear of they might become more than just five strangers with a common basic motivation. There's no need to talk about the time-before or the time-that-might-be, surviving doesn't need a what-if. Yet when the sixth survivor came knocking on their door, the possibility of hope became something that rattles the cage of these survivors. It probably won't be a good thing, but it sure does become a proof that there is something more beyond their boundaries.

Note:

• Still Lives could be found in their official website, iTunes, tapeable, Libsyn, and or any podcatchers of your choice
• recommended if you like dystopia, post-apocalyptic story, strong acting
• caution for mild language, presence of gun, stressful situations, the usual post-apocalyptic package: death, illness, war and trauma; and the usual dystopia package: abandon-all-hope-ye-who-want-to-live.

[insert] generic "I'm Back!" title

It's been almost a year, and honestly I thought this blog is going to be another entry on my "dead blogs" list — as well as I thought podcast is going to be another entry on my "used to be hobby" list. 

But maybe it won't? I sure do hope it won't.

Things have been not very good a couple of months. The usual adulthood came kicking in, and some not so usual, like deaths and depressions. 

It became too much, it even made me entirely stopped listening to podcast for months.
(Sorry, podcasters.)

But apparently, podcasts, and mostly audio drama, still have that healing function for me. Won't solve all my problems, of course, but still become a rock for me. 

Thank you people.

And even better! lately there has been so. friggin. a lot. of new great audio dramas. The themes and ideas are getting more diverse, and audio designs are getting better, even the newbies. 

I'm getting excited for the first time in months!

I'm so back! 

The Diarist [Review]

Set in 1950 New York City, Andrea Davies started her life as the new secretary and personal assistant for Richard Hayes, the head of a large advertising firm in the City. Andrea got it all, the look, the manner, the wealth, all just in the right amount to find a future husband and a secure life, just like any other girl wants. Everything worked out as it should be for a lady of a class, until Andrea find herself being pulled closer into Mr. Hayes' personal life, and all the mysteries that entrail him.. 

The Diarist is an audio drama podcast created by Donna Barrow-Green. Staying true to its time and place setting, it is one in the neo noir-thriller genre. As we follow the scenes of the rolling plot, the story is narrated by the main character, Andrea Davies, who put herself as the diarist who are reading her past tales to us, the readers. 

Andrea Davies is implied to be placed in one of the usual female trope in noir story, the "good woman" type—a usual 1950s Hollywood's ideal depiction of what a lady should be. A bright eyed, and somewhat naive, kind-hearted woman with a strong moral compass. 

However, Andrea, and us, find herself steering away from this cliché, after she got into too deep with her own feeling to Richard Hayes. 

The voice acting held one of strongest point in this podcast. Beth Ricketson is amazing as Andrea Davies, the timid girl that is surrounded by shark, and my favorite is Corrine Elena, as Margaret Hayes, the questionably disturbed wife of Richard. Sound engineering is quite good, to say, the smooth difference between outdoor and indoor surroundings is probably one of the best I've ever heard. However, in some episodes, it seems like there's a technical glitch when the actors' voices suddenly sounded like it's cut out and recorded in a different time, and kinda like being rammed in the final edit. It is a noticeable flaw, but it's not something of a hindrance for the entire story.

The Diarist is the podcast that keep you aching for answers on practically everything, not just the plot of next episode, but also the motives of each character and the consequences of their action. The writing is amazingly concise, as we switched back and forth between being the listeners while Andrea contemplates her choices and in the third point of view, helplessly watching Andrea stumbles in her own desperate desires. 

Note: 

• The Diarist could be found in their official website, their feed, iTunes, and as always, any podcatcher of your choice.
• recommended if you like: neo-noir genre, psychological thriller, mystery, dark romance.
• This podcast may be not suitable for all listeners, so caution for: archaic gender roles, overtly imposing mother, mental health issues, restraint situation, potential gaslighting, exploitation, dominance, violence, sexual situations, being too in love.. 

Adulting | The Guardian Original Audio Drama [Review]

the podcast's actual casts

Adulting is an original, first, The Guardian-produced audio drama. It's a part of The Guardian new feature series called The New Normal, and was sponsored by Lloyd Bank—which is still not as odd as General Electric producing the LifeAfter.

The story told of five best friends who are meeting again in a wedding after ten years leaving the university. Things were not going good back then, and apparently some things still are. 

Adulting is told in six short episodes, easy to finish in one hour or so. And coming from big brands, you can tell that the cast are quite the big names. If you're loyal to Game of Thrones and Doctor Who, you'd be familiar with Joe Dempsie (Daniel), Hannah Murray (Becky) and Pearl Mackie (Charlotte). If you're more of a Misfits type, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett (Theo) must be your guy. The last name though, Kathryn Wilder (Ashley), is mostly known for her role as Ophelia in Kenneth Branagh's Hamlet (the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art production, not the film).

I've had some past issue with short episodes in audio drama, although of course, it's still better than that long episodes with all filler, no thriller type of story—but (too) short episodes tend to focused on the plot development, yet neglecting the needed time phase for the listener to connect with the characters and their reaction in the developing story.

This was what I kinda feel after finished Adulting. The story is fast, but when the expectation was high in the mid episodes, the ending turned out pretty anti-climatic. 

There's some moments when Adulting seem to be more than a romance drama, life at university in this era could be disheartening, financial problems, family problems, or something as simple as holding on to your dream. Sadly, these moments are no more than just a side view in the old drama that the best friends been re-living.

I'm not saying Adulting is awful. Yes, I'm a bit disappointed, but it is still an enjoyable story; and with a great voice actors and interesting writing (the time-jumping plot and various narrator are really good), it's a nice drama. It's a light one, and I actually have been searching for some kind of break from horror sci-fi psychologically exhausting stories—in podcast and in real life; so this podcast came in a perfect time.

It's not as memorable as I expected to be, The Guardian was one of my earliest and main source when trying to understand the podcast world, so I a bit naively thought of a more complex idea from them.

But like I said, it's not bad, and for the sake of sound engineering and voice actors alone, Adulting is still a worth listening.

Note:

• Adulting could be found in iTunes, as part of feed in The Guardian UK: Culture podcast; or in The Guardian's website 
• read the writer and creator, Eddie Robson, interview in the Blogtor Who 
• genre: performing arts, drama, mystery, social and cultural issue
• recommended if you like: some quick listening, light drama, great talents in voice acting, well-structured mystery
• caution for: relationship tension between old friends, when real life finally kicks you in your thirty-something head, discussion on financial and family situations