Crosstawk

On August 31st, DC Comics is going to be enacting a "soft reboot" on their entire line of comic books. While a handful of series will be retaining a modicum of their established continuity and the bigger characters likely won't lose much of their core character, everything else is being wiped clean in the hopes that this lower barrier to entry will attract new readers. There's been a lot of discussion on whether or not this move is a good thing, but that's not what today's Crosstawk Comics is about. Taking a more positive approach, Gus and I decided to take what we know so far about the 52 new #1s being released across September and pick out our five favorites. So give it a listen as we talk about exciting new books like Swamp Thing, Demon Knights and Stormwatch as well as stand-bys like Batman, Action Comics and Aquaman. Have something to contribute to the discussion? Let us know via email (crosstawk@gmail.com), Twitter (@crosstawk) or in the comments section on the site. And give us an iTunes review, damnit

Karl returns to DMP, this time with his own selection - The Reigning Sound. This Memphis-based group led by singer/guitarist Greg Cartwright mixes punk, rockabilly, and even blues, all infused with the unmistakable sounds of the organ. There's a lot of variety showcased despite the band's relatively short career. Here's the track list: 1. I'm Holding Out - Time Bomb High School - 2002 2. I'd Much Rather Be With The Boys - Time Bomb High School - 2002 3. You're So Strange - Time Bomb High School - 2002 4. You Got Me Hummin' - Too Much Guitar - 2004 5. When You Touch Me - Too Much Guitar - 2004 6. Uptight Tonight - Too Much Guitar - 2004 7. If You Can't Give Me Everything - Home For Orphans - 2005 8. Medication Blues #1 - Home For Orphans - 2005 9. Pretty Girl - Home For Orphans - 2005 10. If I Can't Come Back - Love and Curses - 2009 11. Is It True? - Love and Curses - 2009 12. Stick Up For Me - Love and Curses - 2009   Encore: The Oblivians Final Stretch - Play 9 Songs with Mr. Quintron - 1997 As always, we

Because you demanded it! Rough Draught's been away for a bit, but it's back, and it's drunk as ever! This episode, Jon and Karl had to record without a third chair, and boy did the booze flow. With so much catching up to do, some surprise revalations, and a coupe embarrassing Tales of Drunkenness, it's a packed show. Not even Jon's iPhone could destroy its power. This episode, the boys'll be drinking: Dogfish Head Festina Peche (4.5% ABV), Unibroue Ephemere Apple (5.5% ABV), Brooklyn Sorachi Ace (7.5% ABV) and Dogfish Head Burton Baton (10% ABV). For all that is good and holy in the world, people, you've GOT to write an iTunes review. If you don't, I just don't know how this Israel/Palestine thing's gonna work out. Do you want that on your hands? I don't think you do. So I'll trust you to do what's right. You can also get in touch with us via email (crosstawk@gmail.com), Twitter (@crosstawk) or in the comments section on the website. And you should actually do it, because again, if you don't, you're a bastard

Hot off the presses, it's a brand new episode of Hardcore Nerdography! Mike Sklens is on his way out for a weekend of adventure and intrigue, and as such, he left it to me to upload and publish this episode. And since he JUST gave it to me, I have absolutely no idea what's discussed in this episode. Do they discuss the relative merits of Marxism? Possibly. Will Mike stab somebody? It's unlikely, BUT I JUST DON'T KNOW. My guess is that Dante will, at some point, say something offensive about women. Seriously, this episode could be anything. It could be an hour of interpretive spoon-drumming. It could be a five minute turkey-call lesson. The stunning horrors or delights held within are a total mystery, even to me, your humble presenter. So listen. Because I'm at work and I can't, and I probably won't until tomorrow. So you'll know more about this than me. It's your only chance to get a leg up on me when it comes to this shit. Also, and I rarely say this, but you should really write us a review on iTunes. Every

Hey there, folks, and welcome to a brand new episode of the podcast that's all about movies and movie things, Box Office Poison! This month, Jon Rind hops back into the guest chair to join the crew in talking about Harry Potter, Midnight in Paris, Horrible Bosses, Insidious, Doc Hollywood and a whole lot more. Then, in our second segment, we discuss our Movie of the Month. It was Mike's pick, and we all watched 2003's The Cooler. Next month is Jonny's pick, so if you're interested in watching along with the rest of us, it'll be Return to Oz. Thanks for listening, folks, and remember, if you have any thoughts, questions or concerns, let us know via email (crosstawk@gmail.com), Twitter (@crosstawk) or in the comments section on the site.

Karl returns to DMP for another listener request show! He and Jonny take a broad look at the career of Neil Young, the highly influential singer, songwriter, and guitar player. Young earned fame in bands such as Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, but this episode is all about his enduring solo career. We've also got a few songs from his collaborations with Crazy Horse and even Pearl Jam. As with many of the musicians featured on DMP, Neil Young has a diverse catalogue with music spanning and blending several genres, so be sure to listen to the whole episode! 1. After The Gold Rush (After the Gold Rush) 2. Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere (Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere) 3. Old Man (Harvest) 4. Alabama (Harvest) 5. Tonight's the Night (Tonight's the Night) 6. Cortez the Killer (Zuma) 7. Human Highway (Comes a Time) 8. Union Man (Hawks & Doves) 9. Song X (Mirror Ball) 10. Harvest Moon (Harvest Moon) 11. Cowgirl in the Sand (Live) Encore: Widespread Panic - Don't Be Denied (Ten Mile H

Hello and welcome back to Crosstawk Comics! This week, Gus and Karl take a breather before the eventual Secret Wars blowout with Jonny Metts to answer some fan mail! One of our faithful listeners was wondering what we thought about the Big Blue Boyscout himself, Superman, so we gave our favorite stories featuring or centering on the Man of Steel. Have some favorite Supes stories of your own? Let us know via email (crosstawk@gmail.com), Twitter (@crosstawk) or in the comments section on the site. Thanks for listening, guys!

Hey, folks, and welcome to a brand new episode of DMP. This week, Jonny's discussing Stevie Wonder with none other than the silky-smooth Jon Lindemann and his lovely wife Amy. You might know Lindy as one of the mighty men at Radio Free Nintendo, so this is a rare opportunity for the man to drop knowledge on something that isn't game-related. It's also Amy's podcast debut. So there's a lot of special floating around here. Unfortunately, Jonny's in Portland on business at the moment, but when he has a spare chance, he'll update the description with the usual set list. If you have any questions, comments, concerns or recommendations, send them to us via email (crosstawk@gmail.com), Twitter (@crosstawk) or in the comment section on the site. Thanks for listening, guys!

Welcome one and all, to the wonderful world of internet podcasting. This episode of Hardcore Nerdography is jam-packed with stupidity! You'll get love advice, a wonderful essay on America, dog voices, anti/pro-semitism, a reading of Crosstawk iTunes reviews, and all manner of hilarity. If you enjoy the show, why not send us an email at crosstawk@gmail.com? Or you could follow us on Twitter at @supinternets (Amanda), @StrikerObi (Mike), and @TheOtherNorbit (Dante). 

Hey there, folks. So despite some really awful delays (the fault is entirely mine, believe me), the new episode of Box Office Poison is here and ready to be devoured by a trusting an uncynical public (i.e. you). This month there was plenty to discuss from X-Men: First Class, Tree of Life and Pirates 4 all the over to Hercules Against Karate. In our second segment, we talk about my pick for Movie of the Month: Man Bites Dog. Did the crew love this sadistic look at a serial killer, or did it leave them cold (and dead) in the water? You'll have to listen to find out. If you have any comments of your own, let us know via email (crosstawk@gmail.com), Twitter (@crosstawk) or in the comments section. Thanks for listening, everyone! Next month, Mike's having us all watch The Cooler. See you then!

Jonny and Jason are back to explore yet another guitar rock band, and this one's a real classic: The Grateful Dead. You may just be surprised at how accessible and diverse this band's music can be! With 30 years of history, there's a lot to explore, so consider this a mere introduction to one of rock and roll's most influential groups. Here's the setlist: 1. Franklin's Tower (Blues for Allah) 2. Brokedown Palace (American Beauty) 3. Shakedown Street (Shakedown Street) 4. Uncle John's Band (Workingman's Dead) 5. Johnny B. Goode (Grateful Dead - "Skull & Roses") 6. Wharf Rat (Grateful Dead - "Skull & Roses") 7. Turn On Your Lovelight (Live - Feb. 28, 1969) Encore: Jerry Garcia & David Grisman: "Guitar Space - Summertime" (The Pizza Tapes) As always, we'd love to get your thoughts and suggestions for the show! Just email crosstawk@gmail.com.

It's time to discover more music with DMP! Jonny brings back his friend Jason to showcase the Derek Trucks Band, featuring a mix of rock, blues, jazz, soul, and even world music. It's all channeled through the incredible slide guitar playing of Trucks himself, a direct successor to legends like Duane Allman and Eric Clapton. If you enjoyed the Robert Randolph episode, you'll probably like this one too! Here's the setlist: 1. Joyful Noise (Joyful Noise) 2. Like Anyone Else (Joyful Noise) 3. Bock to Bock (Soul Serenade) 4. Anyday (Songlines Live) 5. Mahjoun / Greensleves (Songlines Live) 6. Feel So Bad (Live at the Georgia Theater) 7. Sweet Inspiration (Already Free) 8. Come See About Me (Revelator) Encore: King Curtis - Soul Serenade (Live at the Fillmore West) We'd love to hear your thoughts on this show -- just drop an email to crosstawk@gmail.com and let us know what you think! Be sure to check back in a couple of weeks when Jonny introduces Jason to a truly legendary rock band.

In this episode of Hardcore Nerdography, we go back to our old format and talk about comics, movies, and Amanda's mother. I'd like to give you more detail but we recorded this a week and a half ago and I just can't remember it all. Hopefully, this episode is a bit more memorable to you. Send us some emails at crosstawk@gmail.com. And follow us on Twitter - @StrikerObi (Mike), @supinternets (Amanda), and @theothernorbit (Dante).

Hey, folks, and welcome to a brand new episode of Discover Music Project. This week, Jonny's going back to the well to do another show on one of his favorite musicians: Bob Dylan. And, as always, we've got the track list right here: Freight Train Blues (Bob Dylan) When the Ship Comes In (The Times They Are A-Changin') It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding) (Bringing It All Back Home) 4th Time Around (Blonde on Blonde) I Shall Be Released (Greatest Hits, Vol. 2) The Mighty Quinn (Self Portrait) Forever Young (Biograph) Buckets of Rain (Blood on the Tracks) One More Cup of Coffee (Desire) Every Grain of Sand (Shot of Love) John Brown (MTV Unplugged) Not Dark Yet (Time Out of Mind) Mississippi (The Bootleg Series, Vol. 8) Summer Days (Love and Theft) My Back Pages (Another Side of Bob Dylan) Got a musician you want to hear on DMP? Let us know via email (crosstawk@gmail.com), Twitter (@crosstawk) or via the comments section on the site. Thanks for listening, everyone, and be sure to come back on Tuesday for

After an all-too-long hiatus, Crosstawk Comics is back with some great comics commentary. This time, we've got Jonny Metts joining us to talk about Spider-Man 2099. Jonny's been lobbying for us to talk about a certain comic for a while now, and so we finally gave in to talk about... Spider-Man 2099! Taking place in the future of the Marvel Universe with a new Spider-Man named Miguel O'Hara, this version was a huge departure from the usual lore, and was definitely an interesting choice to discuss. Did we like it? Hate it? You'll have to listen in to find out, but if you have any comments, questions or concerns of your own, you can let us know via email (crosstawk@gmail.com), Twitter (@crosstawk) or on the website. Thanks for listening, and come back later for a new episode of Discover Music Project!

Hey folks, and welcome to a brand new episode of Discover Music Project! This week, Jonny's joined by his fellow Boulder-Buds Audrey DeBroux, as well as her father, Jon, to discuss the quasi-hip-hop sound of Michael Franti & Spearhead. And as always, here's the track list: 1. Oh My God (Stay Human) 2. Stay Human (Stay Human) 3. Bomb the World - Armageddon Version (Everyone Deserves Music) 4. Time To Go Home (Yell Fire) 5. Yell Fire (Yell Fire) 6. I Know I'm Not Alone (Yell Fire) 7. Say Hey (I Love You) (All Rebel Rockers) 8. Sound System (All Rebel Rockers) 9. I'll Be Waiting (The Sound of Sunshine) 10. The Sound of Sunshine Going Down (The Sound of Sunshine) 11. Everyone Deserves Music (Everyone Deserves Music) Encore 12. Ben Harper - Steal My Kisses (Burn to Shine) If you've got a band you'd like to suggest, feel free to let us know via email (crosstawk@gmail.com), Twitter (@crosstawk) or in the comment section on Crosstawk.com.

Hey, folks! Hope you're ready for a fresh dose of movie action, because Box Office Poison's got a brand new episode. I'm back this month after taking April off, and there's tons to talk about, from Thor to Cave of Forgotten Dreams to Stand By Me to American: The Bill Hicks Story. In the second half, it was Stan's Movie of the Month, so we all watched John Carpenter's They Live. With stars like Rowdy Roddy Piper and Keith David, did we all think it kicked ass, or were we all out of bubblegum? You'll have to listen to find out. Next month is my pick: Man Bites Dog. Have an opinion about something we watched/said? Send 'em on over via email (crosstawk@gmail.com), Twitter (@crosstawk) or in the comments section on the website.

We're back with a brand new episode of Rough Draught: The Beer Appreciation Show! This month, Jon and I are joined by our good buddy Antonio (Episodes 2 and 4) to try out five new brews. There was some good, some bad, and more than enough drunk talk to go around, with tastings of Smuttynose Old Brown Dog Ale (9.1% ABV), Rochefort Trapistes 10 (11.3% ABV), Dogfish Head Indian Brown Ale (7.2% ABV), Brother David's Triple Abbey-Style Ale (10% ABV) and Unibroue's Blanche de Chambly (5% ABV). Have a beer you want us to try? Let us know via email (crosstawk@gmail.com), Twitter (@crosstawk) or in the comments section on the website. And if you ARE on the website, you'll get to enjoy a very special video to go along with this episode. Enjoy!

Discover Music Project returns with a brand new episode! This week, Jonny's joined by Grant Buell in talking about one of my personal favorite bands, The Flaming Lips. For my money, I think War of the Mystics is HUGELY underrated, but you'll have to listen in to see if the boys agree with that sentiment. On today's show, the track list will be: 1. Bad Days (Batman Forever soundtrack, 1995) 4:39 One of my favorites, Beach Boys-esque.  2. She Don't Use Jelly (Transmissions from the Satellite Heart, 1993) 3:40 First hit, featured on Beverly Hills 90210, got them on MTV etc.  3. Hari-Krishna Stomp Wagon (Fuck Led Zeppelin) (Telepathic Surgery, 1989) 3:42  Earlier track, indicative of their early, rougher sound.  4. Buggin' (The Soft Bulletin, 1999) 3:16 Soft Bulletin was their first really successful album, very critically acclaimed, heavy synths and production tricks, compared to Pet Sounds.  5. Thirty-Five Thousand Feet of Despair (part one) (Zaireeka, 1997) +- 1:00 6. Thirty-Five Thousand Feet of Despair (

Hey, folks! Hope you're ready for some Hardcore, because the sixth episode is a whopper. Instead of going with the usual format, Mike, Amanda and Dante decided to make this one an ultra-special extravaganza spectacular. Now, I'm not one for definitions, but I'm pretty sure Webster defines ultra-special extravaganza spectacular as the thoroughly great product of excellence. Blah blah blah and now here's the show. If you have thoughts on this thoroughly absurd episode, send 'em on over via email (crosstawk@gmail.com), Twitter (@crosstawk) and in the comments section on the website. Thanks for listening, folks!