This a very edgy piece, but not in the "let's say a lot of rude things and hope for the best" way. I love it, it's eery and takes tough topic -- a journal of a woman caring for her young husband suffering from the withering effects of Lou Gehrig's disease.

There are moments where it is hard to listen to the piece, with overlapping voices. Lots of 90% stereo panning is used, so those without headphones might struggle to make sense out of portions. It sounded good to me, though.

The content is exceptional. The delivery is amazing. Of course, it's dramatized, but holy cow! This wasn't slapped together (or, if it was, these guys are even that much more talented). I tend to shy from things that are overly artsy, and this comes close, but it didn't cross my personal threshold. It's a tremendous listen and I was touched by the spirituality.

I don't know where this fits. It's a great piece, and belongs somewhere, but I don't hear this on ME or ATC. There is somewhere to put it, though.

I like audio fiction, and this piece is exactly the kind of stuff I like to hear. I listened to it three times to catch it all. Not that it wasn't there the first two times, but I'm a slow listener.

It is a great use of audio; disjointed but connected, dreamy and bedeviling. There is a lot of good stuff coming out of Blunt. These are pieces that are changing and pushing the edge a little farther out, and not just for the fun of it, but to take audio a little farther gives the rest of us room to operate in the comfortable confines of the accepted. This piece deserves the awards it has received.

This piece aired during the RNC in New York and because of a couple of non-absolute time frame references, a little creative editing might be necessary to be used at a later date (any time after the RNC has ended).

Otherwise, this is an excellent story on Bloomberg and a short history that any non-New Yorker might find interesting. It's a quick look at Bloomberg through his hosting of the RNC and his future political aspirations. Nicely done, a hard piece with jovial journalistic sound. I like the way the piece brought energy to the topic, through writing and editing, but didn't compromise quality.

"Banjo Pete" is a close, polished piece about a banjo player and maker from Baltimore. It goes deeper, into the history of the banjo and pays homage to other imported instruments. High quality piece, light, not too newsy, first person from Pete with a short introduction. Nicely done. This could find a home on any show dealing with music or any of the subjects brought up. Aaron's pieces are all worth a listen. I think nearly everyone will find something from him they really like.

This is a a good show from UC-Berkeley. The show is very Calicentric, and has the same "theme" as This American Life -- being a show based on a "theme." It doesn't sound exactly the same, much of it is more "reporting" and the pacing is definitely different. I'm a big TAL fan, but B-side has a fresher feel, in my opinion.

On Transom.org in mid-2004, TAL host Ira Glass talked about the stories on his show, how they had a "surprise" and a narrative arc. B-side doesn't utilize that strict criteria, which is why is seems so different from TAL, even though it would seem to be almost the same show. B-side does a wonderful job. Without a TAL-like insistence on the unanswered question, the stories move along and the show doesn't quite sound "public radio-ish." I know from exchanging emails with some of the B-side crew, they are aiming for a younger sound, and they definitely hit it (I'm not implying TAL is for old folks).

This specific show hit on a lot of emotions. I was touched by the Lost-a-Pet hotline -- not lost as in "can't find Spot" but "I loved Spot, he died and I'm distraught." I cherish my aging beagle in this way, and have loved many a pet. I know how three dogs made my grandmother's final decade bearable. And, the outtake at the end was funny, too.

I am definitely biased about this show, having appeared on it once, but I think it has a lot of potential. The age of the producers and contributors probably isn't too much younger than TAL's, but the sound is. I'd recommend it to any PD looking for that energy.

This piece hit on that controversy at the end, how the deaf community cherishes their language and cohesiveness. It is also packed with information about "learning to hear" after the implant and about how deaf people who come to hear have to grasp their newfound situation. This piece is well-written and produced. This is a good all-around informational piece for everyone.

This piece would fit on any station that caters to children. Younger children or peers of the sixth graders will be inspired. The length leaves just enough room for an introduction and closing remarks and still keep in in a 30 minute time slot.

As a recent Christian, I am also a sucker for talk about how some churches will go to great lengths to serve others with drive-ins or whatever.

This piece will capture your public radio audience perfectly. In an afternoon slot on the drive home from work, your listeners will be happy to find a piece with the classic public radio sound.

You probably will have to chop the end, "... for the Savvy Traveler."

But what Daniel wrote made me want to listen, so I did. And, I agree with him. I would love to hear this along with a story about another hard rock band, but maybe one that's on a mission to party.

Being a Christian rock band member is hard, we find out. Hard rock fans don't really want the message (lyrics), many Christians don't favor the music (but do the lyrics).

I can relate to this band and what they believe, and that's another reason I liked it. But, for non-Christians or those that don't know much about all that, it still can be an interesting piece. PD's, team it up with a piece about a local church running a rock band and contempory sermon -- there's one in every town. Or, contrast it with a party-band and let the two stand on their own together.

The piece explores Franco-Americans through a couple of close-ups, including an older woman who didn't learn English until she was over 50. The entire Maine town of Lewiston spoke French, mostly immigrants from not France, but Canada. They actually had a part of town called "Little Canada." The melting didn't occur until after WWII, when the area factories closed and the Franco-Americans left the neighborhoods around the factories and assimilated into non-French speaking areas.

This piece is surprised me. I don't know exactly what kind of show it works in. Maybe one about immigration, or maybe just an interesting piece to drop in whenever.

Oh, and how to improve your English? Play Scrabble.

I think the hard part isn't just the note, the singing of "glare" is easier than the long 'e' in free.

This reminds me of something I read once, that when people chant "Air Ball" at a basketball game, they always -- Always -- do it in the same key. F, I think.

See how these types of things stick in your head? This piece will stick with your listeners for awhile. Play it early Sunday morning.

As a series, I think this would do well for conversation starters. Stations that are aiming at replenishing their listeners, those ones that will be there in 30 years if you can get them now, will benefit from pre-packaged shows like this. The topics are wide-ranging and clear. I can see this as something your station can play, then have an in-studio group of 18-30 year olds discuss it for a few minutes, maybe take some calls, etc.

I just reviewed the Internal Combustion Engine piece from a different producer, and I liked that one for the reasons I like this one. An artful rendition of what most of consider "noise." Another piece to bring some spice to a PR station, something to talk about during a pledge-drive maybe. It's short enough to play anywhere, and is almost sure to grab some attention.

I was right.

What a symphony! It's like Rap thirty years ago. Will this be a modern form a music for the rural folks?

This will definitely spice up a day, for any PR station. It's short and would be fun to talk about. There is no excuse not to give this piece a shot.