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.

Never Prepared For: We Fix Space Junk

We Fix Space Junk is a weekly sci-fi female-led podcast created by Beth Crane, for the Battle Bird Productions, an independent podcast company based in London. It told the story of Kilner the smuggler, and her life while working the dubious odd jobs from the equally dubious company of Automnicon. Then, due to some "situation", a former socialite turned reluctant fugitive, Samantha Trapp, ended up as her companion through out the adventure crossing the galaxy.

This audio drama pod is a character-driven one, and although each episode told a different story, it's not really an anthology. As for the plot, I can't say much because it still new, but so far so good, no over-exposition or dumping too many details, yet enough hints here and there to keep listeners super excited.

Being a slice of life podcast, there isn't much elaborated sound effects on it, but it's more than enough to tell each scenes perfectly. About the acting, it's pretty solid, I fell in love instantly to the character Kilner, voiced by the creator Beth Crane, and she's definitely the fictional character I'd like to hang out with—no matter how the atmosphere of the planet is. Rebecca Evans, which voices Samantha Trapp, greatly managed to provide an interesting balance to the logical and laid back personality of Kilner. And of course, because there would be no such thing as too much Sassy A.I: DACHSHUND a.k.a DAX, voiced perfectly by Jack Carmichael.

I have been listening to this podcast for almost a month now, and I love their light dark humour as well as their light-hearted story, but to be honest, it was their latest episode, An Unsubtle Utopia, that really hooked me. The bittersweet story was delightfully written, and really made me think that this audio drama is perhaps more than the usual adventure comedy sci-fi. Also, the tone kinda reminded me to Kino no Tabi—much less depressing, but that kind of tale that made you stop and ponder.

The We Fix Space Junk has only been going for four episodes, so I still could not see what kind of genre they would really go—although they do listed as comedy. From their post-credit scenes though, things are getting interesting. I'd sense some bigger plot, perhaps a backstory too, about Samantha and also the Automnicon. 

And just like some unexpected journey, I'd love to see where their story would flourish into. 

Note: 

• We Fix Space Junk is currently on Libsyn, iTunes, Sticher, Spotify, their website, as well as your usual podcatchers. I also suggest you to check out their Twitter and Facebook accounts, for updates and some "message" from Automnicon.
• recommended for: light-hearted space adventure, dark humour, slice of life story, strong female character, Sassy A.I character, awesome cyborg, dubious capitalistic company, bit of Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy tone.
• caution for: claustrophobic scene, violence, stressful situation, family situation, financial debt situation.

Never Prepared For: Joseph

Joseph is a new series made by Ear Epic, an audio drama production company founded by Mark Brooks, and seeing the website, I think it's a fairly new one. 

I came pass this audio drama from Matt Durkin's tweet. And since I haven't got any new pod subscription for the last 2 weeks (no thanks to adulting), I decided to give this a try. It's still only a pilot episode, with two story parts combined into one episode, titled The Requisition of Opus & Joseph's Hunt.

And it's....

GOOD BLEEPITY BLEEP! 

It's INSANE.

When listening to this, I jump numerous time, and I have to hold myself from cursing aloud, and I definitely put my derp-with-headphone face, and I got goosebumps, and I got in so much awe, I even abandoned my muffin!

I've come on one of those podcasts that claim as 'movie for your ears'. Some are fine. But this one is.. practically raised the bar for sound engineering in audio drama production. 

Okay, I'm not really a good reviewer, especially when it comes to sound tech. But listening to Joseph, I feel like sitting in a theater, practically engulfed in the sounds coming from everywhere, without any distraction. You could easily differentiate all the characters' voice, and not just because of good acting--which this one has--but also a great sound mixing where you can tell each character's physical positions. Also also, without an over exposition, you can know what exactly going on the situations.
 

The story, well, it's not much to say from just one episodes. But I can tell it's going to be apocalyptic sci-fi dystopia, with a hint of humor, and probably a lot of emotional drama. So far we got the main characters of Opus and Sarah, a couple that forced to leave everything they have; and Joseph, a charming-bastard type of bounty hunter that adventuring with Vivi, his loyal bike bot.

What is these character's connection? Enemy? Friend? Relative?
and what is happening the world they're living on?

I have some idea going on in my head, but I don't want to lead you on.
So, we still have to wait for next episodes (probably not so patiently though). Meanwhile, you could visit the website (http://earepic.com/joseph/) for a bit material, checking the cast and crews info, or for great artwork, like the picture above. Although, I kinda advise you to see it after you listen to the first episode, just to maximize the raw sensation when enjoying the podcast.

I cannot recommend more of this new audio drama. Even if sci-fi is not your type of story, the sound engineering alone worth all the time on your ear and in your head.

Note:

• Joseph is on iTunes, Libsyn, Ear Epic website, and any other podcatchers. 
• recommended for: amazing adventure for your ears, drama, light comedy, sci-fi, dystopia, robot apocalyptic, and (assumingly) a bit of Star Wars/Firefly touches
• caution for: violence, stressful situation, separated family, loud noise, explosive, guns,
  future probability of when technology finally triumph over humanity, abandoned muffin