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.

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.

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.. 

The Lovecraft Covenant [Review]

I LIKE IT WHEN I'M WRONG!

(only in the case of doubting new podcast, though)

The Lovecraft Covenant popped up in my Who To Follow list in Twitter. I shrugged it off at first, I'm not a fan of H.P Lovecraft, I think I read one of his book, but it was pushed somewhere in the dusty corner of my brain. But a review mentioned that being a Lovecraftian is not a must to enjoy the story, so I decided to give it a try, even though still with a whole bucket of salt.
 

And I'm glad to say that my doubt was a mistake. 

The Lovecraft Covenant told a story of New England, where it had been stalked with a gory serial killer. Further investigation then showed a surprising connection between the serial killer works and the horror literature of H.P Lovecraft. The story were told from the point of view of an FBI Agent, Dolores Nayle, also alongside her team, and an investigative journalist, Jack Danforth.

And the review was right. You don't have to know H.P Lovecraft stories to get hooked to the podcast. (But, at least, just try to google Cthulhu, okay?)

My main pet peeves with most of new podcast is when they try to dump all the details (of the story, the plot, the characters, even the background setting) as many as possible in the first episode. It's crowding my ears and made my brain shut down and ignore the whole episode, whole podcast even.
But The Lovecraft Covenant pass this test (imagine my sigh of relief). 

The early introduction to the story and the characters went really smooth. No tonnes of characters, and a simple plot: serial killer, FBI agents, typical journalist.

Of course it also helps that the actors' voices were distinctive enough. The voices could easily switch and you'd still keep track on whose is who. I'd say that the voice talents were quite good. Well, some of it was a bit dodgy, but not really awful.

Sound engineering was not bad. The podcast didn't contain a lot of elaborate sound effect like in a space or fantasy podcast, so there wasn't any need to try to describe weird sounds. However though, the sound levels were a bit unstable, particularly in some of the conversation and also when it compared with the loud opening track.

The writings, I need to say no more, was pretty good. The story was concise and the jokes were spot on. It's only a six less-than-half-an-hour episodes podcast, but the fast pace wasn't overwhelming enough that it made you feel like watching the last episode of detective show. Then again, as the usual trouble with one-time podcast, the story sometimes felt kinda rushed, and for me, it left some tiny plot holes.

The Lovecraft Covenant was already over. But unlike EOS 10 (!!) or The Hyacinth Disaster that made you craving for more, this podcast ended neatly and the story was completed in a...pretty round circle.

But if you're like me, three or so hours of pods won't satisfy you, thus worry not, Haunted Jukebox Entertainment and Robert F. Mason, the brain behind this podcast, are on their way to make another podcast, The Allosauriad and Prince of Hell; one about Americans trapped in Dinosaur era, and the other about Prince Vlad III Dracula―no vampire included.

So the conclusion is, The Lovecraft Covenant: Highly Recommended!

⋯

Note:

• The Lovecraft Covenant Official Website
• The Lovecraft Covenant episodes in iTunes and Audioboom
• genre: performing arts, fantasy, mystery, thriller, sci-fi
• recommended if you like: dark monstrous entity that live under our feet, Prime Suspect serial, true crime stories, and a bit of The X-Files. 
• caution for: gory details of murder and violence

 

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.

It Makes A Sound [Review]

It Makes A Sound is a nine-episode fiction podcast from Night Vale Presents. Created, written, and acted by Jacquelyn Landgraf; co-directed with Anya Safir. It told a story from Deirdre Gardner and a finding of a cassette tape in her attic, and from that, she'd like to take you on the journey to rekindle on everything about Wim Faros, the sound of a generation, and the local musician that was--according to Deirdre at least--the best genius ever lived.

Anyway, a bit warning, there gonna be a (hidden) light spoiler ahead. Because, well, it's kinda hard to write my feeling about this podcast without sounding spoiler-ish/like leading you on.

So, coming from network of Night Vale Presents, the sound engineering level is of course really on the top-notch. No question about that. In this podcast, Deirdre Gardner is an amateur podcaster (mentioned as radio show), and the quality of the podcast does sounds amateur (professionally amateur), I very much enjoy listening the background sounds when Deirdre shuffling stuffs in her attic to make amateur sound effect, like chime or music box.  

The acting ability of Jacquelyn Landgraf as Deirdre is also amazing. Her voice is one of the rarest that could get me hooked just by the sound of it. The other supporting characters are also great, quite solid. But beside their acting talents, the most strikingly awesome is the original songs--brought by the cast themselves--in this podcast. I definitely would say it's the best podcast's soundtrack I ever listened.

As for the story.. well, it took a while to really get the feel of it.
My main mistake was to try to label the podcast to specific genre. Is it only about music? mystery? drama? comedy? or even dystopian sci-fi?? I really can't get my head around it.  

[highlight for spoiler]
Most of it was caused because I'm trying hard to formulate Deirdre. At first, her over-the-top adoration and worship to some local kid musician sounded completely ridiculous, laden by inane metaphors, awkward to almost everybody. She's basically the type of person everyone would laugh at while also feeling pity for her. 

...but is she? 

I kinda understand her feeling. Rare moments touch people in different way. And trying so hard to remember the details, and your old feeling when that happened, while no one around you feel the same--or even barely care about how important it is for you, it can be frustrating and heartbreaking. It can make you questioned about your own reality. And in the end, is finding out the 'real fact' is the better? what define 'reality' anyway? is it delusional to trust yourself and your own feeling about your own reality?

On third episode, I then finally realized my stupidity and stop wracking my brain on it, deciding to just go along with the story's flows. Because just like a sound, this story have so many layers and many facets, every of it could be the right ones. And just like a sound, although it's not heard anymore, doesn't mean it's lost forever.

 

Note:

• It Makes A Sound is on Libsyn RSS, iTunes, Spotify, and any other catchers of the pods
• also check Deirdre's website on www.itmakesasound.rocks for good bits around this show.
• recommended for: drama mystery, slow pace mystery, light stories, throwback Thursday, beautiful voice talents, great sound engineering, even greater soundtrack 
• caution for: light swearing, reminiscence, parent with Alzheimer's syndrome

Sight Unseen [Review]

Sight Unseen tells the story of Amanda Houston, a teenage girl who practically owns the world. A model and a surfing champion, Amanda enjoyed the life of a beautiful and popular girl, alongside her athlete boyfriend and her tight clique of best friends. But everything changed in just one night, when a car accident not only took all her best friends away, but also her sight and her modelling career. Not only Amanda has to deal with the trauma, but stranger things started to happen to her after the incident–an uncontrollable weird psychic power, and a strange voice in her head that claimed to be her guardian.

Sight Unseen is a part of Wondery, the famous network that also brought us Terms, Hollywood & Crime, Dirty John, and also Secret, Crimes & Audiotape (which was actually this podcast's house, before it decided to move into an independent feed); so it's practically easy to not doubt about the qualities of the sound engineering of this podcast. It's almost perfect, the only word I could use for a podcast that can even 'depict' voices inside the heads. 

The acting, well, it's not bad. I love how easily distinguished the voices are. And for podcast with fast jumping scenes and numerous characters like this, it really is a value added. But, I sort of wish the pace of the story is not this fast..

The story's lead, Amanda, is the character that clearly does not need any sympathy whatsoever from us. She's talented, beautiful, popular, loved and adored by almost everyone. Perfect, you could say that. Then an accident robbed all of this from her. And not just that, she's also burden with the guilt that she might be the one that actually cause the accident that kill all of her best friends.
So, will Amanda's helplessness and misfortune made her a more sympathetic and relatable character?

That's actually the one I wish to find out.
But the plot moves so fast, making far too little to none room for the characters to develop or even make a strong stand in the story. Even though there's average of 40 minutes on each episode, but the opening recap and post-episode discussion almost cut the total time into half. And not just that, as the story develops, it moved its center from Amanda and added another side stories–mostly on how other people that are close in Amanda's life deal with her changes.

The pace, and the numerous side stories then dangerously could created predictable one-dimensional characters on the podcast. Which is something that I really don't want to see, because I really enjoy this podcast.

But, I guess Sight Unseen did chose to be a plot-driven podcast. It is inevitable, actually–and perhaps not really a bad thing. With the theme of super teen with psychic power, I guessed it's only natural for the creator to make more room for mysteries and actions. Something that, according to the interviews, would be more explored in the next season.

It may be not much of a drama, but Sight Unseen is one of the podcast that is very engaging, to say the least. Definitely recommended.

Note:

• Sight Unseen in Wondery website, Stitcher, and iTunes
• recommended for: light mystery, fast pace drama, young adult turned super teen stories, great voice talents, equally great sound design.
• caution for: swear words (not for toddlers level)

Boom: A Serial Drama Podcast [Review]

Boom: A Serial Drama Podcast is made by Faith McQuinn of Observer Picture. This podcast tells a story of Porter, a computer technician who have to deal with the murder that he witness himself, of his own best friend and love of his life, Genevieve. And not only dealing with his grief and scars, he also only face the fact that he became the suspect of the tragedy.

The first thing I realized was that the pace of this audio drama is really fast. We find out the incident straight in the first episode, and most of the characters also showed up in third of the entire season. It also should be noted that the duration of the episodes are fairly short, almost not even 15 minutes.

So, with that short of time, are the details behind the mystery behind Gen's murder revealed soon? Surprisingly–and kinda weirdly–no. Apparently, I'm a bit mislead by the summary of the podcast, Boom is more of drama rather than investigative mystery.

The story focused mainly to Porter and how he handle the loss and trauma of losing his love and surviving a bomb blast. He has to face that alone, while his friends, family, and therapist are trying to help him.

To be honest, Porter is a many things for me. For most, he is an annoying brat. Screaming and shooting dagger to any hands that honestly try to help him, even his nurse. But then again, we heard him alone when his painful scars keeps re-opened with nightmares about Gen.
Porter is the proof that grief is relative. People handle it differently, and sometimes, spewing poison is a way of coping with it. The actor behind the character (Garrett DeLozier) is amazing enough to made me realize this.

I am actually really okay with character-driven, instead of plot-driven, podcast. Boom's writing is....adequately good in handling it. See, this podcast is trying to put the entire characters development and emotion in a too short of a time. This lead into where though we listen the character's struggle with his emotion, but we're not given any time to let our emotion to be put into his position. Plus, new main character and major development are also introduced just in half the way of episodes–in one and half hour total. Of course, the real story happens in more than a year time, but we doesn't really feel that time span, one moment we listen Porter getting cold sweat nightmare, and just in couple minutes he's happily hiking with his best friends and (spoiler alert) proposing his new girlfriend.

Yet, thankfully, Boom is not a one time podcast like Steal The Stars or LifeAfter. The season one has ended, but they will be back in March 2018. So, I dare say–without spoiling anything, that the fast story jump would just be a preparation for the actual mystery and drama to be revealed next. And I will most definitely hanging on to this podcast.

The other reason I love this podcast is the voice talents behind it. Not only the character Porter, but all of the characters in it, no matter how small they are, are portrayed nicely. Not over the top, and most definitely not a flat script-reader. The sound engineering is also good, they could portrayed nicely the various surroundings, and astonishingly, as well as the flashback, voice-inside-your-head, and the nightmares scenes.

So, though I'm a bit annoyed by its short episodes, but I still can't wait to listen what this podcast will bring next.

Oh, extra thought, this audio drama, even though it's short, is a heavy ones to binge into. Not because the intricate details, but all the emotions in it. We're dealing with some depiction of post traumatic stress in here, also a bit turbulent relationship with family members and close friends, so I just think it could be too unsettling for some people to listen to. Please be wise, okay?     

Other than that, enjoy.

Note:

• Observer Picture official website
• Boom on Stitcher and iTunes
• genre: performing arts, drama, mystery
• recommended if you like: podcast with short episodes, amazing acting, and heavily character-driven story like The Bright Sessions. 
• caution for: traumatic and stressful situation, description of bomb incident, kidnapping situation, mental and emotional abuse, discussion of sex.