GeekDad HipTrax #78

Typically Ken and I reserve our October shows for Halloween merriment. With all our recent scheduling and technical problems, however, we've elected to devote this episode to some unfinished business -- namely spotlighting three new releases that certainly warrant your attention. Suffice it to say you won't be disappointed with: "Critical Hit" by MC Frontalot Frontalots new album Solved promises to answer all of life's nagging questions, to unfurl those pesky enigmas in a manner most musical. Assuming, of course, that the bulk of said questions concern the undead and/or giant, multi-pilot robot. For most other issues you're pretty much on your own. Thankfully the album doubles as a more-than-serviceable soundtrack to your daily, dilemma-filled life. "Good Morning Tucson" by Jonathan Coulton JoCo's latest takes the geek rock troubadour into unfamiliar territory: in this case a real, professional studio with a big name producer. They Might Be Giants' John Flansburgh helped give Artificial Heart some obvious polish, but as always the charm comes compliments of Coulton's off-kilter (but still somehow relatable) story-songs. "MAL" by Adam WarRock and Mikal kHill Blending the country- and folk-flavored soundtracks of the Firefly series and the Serenity feature film with hip-hop lyricism, WarRock and The ThoughtCriminals' Mikal kHill craft the perfect nerdcore mixtape. At once a love letter to fans and a clever metaphor concerning the struggles of the independent artist, The Browncoats Mixtape leverages the strength of fandom into an unforgettable artistic achievement.