Album 51 Episode Titles!

Okay, so if you haven't seen the latest video podcast on the Official Site, definitely check it out! At about 8:45 of the podcast, they unveil the album artwork for Album 51: Take It From the Top! I thought they might keep the episode titles a secret until closer to the actual release date, but I guess they decided it was okay to reveal them. In fact, you can see all twelve episode titles!



Some of the words are a little unclear, but here's what I've deduced so far:

1. The Inspiration Station I
2. The Inspiration Station II
3. Clutter
4. Game for a Mystery
5. Target of the Week
6. For the Birds
7. When You're Right, You're Right
8. Grandma's Visit
9. Finish What You...
10. The Jubilee Singers I
11. The Jubilee Singers II
12. The Jubilee Singers III

I also noticed there will be a few bonus features included in the album. Glad they've decide to keep this up!



As far as the aesthetic changes go, it's worth mentioning that the characters have been completely redesigned, and so far I'm liking it! I think it'll be slightly weird seeing Eugene's eyes (presuming he retains the new hairstyle), but not nearly as strange as it will be seeing a different looking Whit! Is it just me, or does he remind you of some earlier illustrations? I'm definitely getting flashbacks to Paul McCusker's The Stranger's Message, as depicted below.



My only complaint about this new album (and future albums) is the fact that they've decided to change up the logo. I'm not a fan of the way the word, "in," is no longer in-between "Adventures" and "Odyssey." It somehow makes the logo appear less symmetrical. But I'm sure I'll get used to it. Haha.

The Ultimate Odyssey IQ Challenge

With the arrival of the New Year, we are now only two months away from the release of the fifty-first album, Take It From the Top. As we await the new episodes from this highly anticipated album, the Odyssey Scoop and the Unofficial Podcast have teamed up to give you the opportunity to win a free copy to add to your collection! Focus on the Family has graciously offered to provide copies of this album, so enter now to win!

How do I enter?

Test your Odyssey knowledge by answering 100 questions from the past fifty albums of "Adventures in Odyssey."

When is the deadline?

We must receive all entries no later than January 11 at 11:59pm eastern time. Winners will be announced January 13 at the Odyssey Scoop.

What if I don't know the answer to a certain question?

You may want to listen to past episodes to find the answers. Research is encouraged!

Get started and test your Odyssey IQ!

More Album 51 Details!

After months of speculation and anticipation, we finally have new information on the upcoming album! Today, the Official Podcast released its latest episode... a video podcast, in fact. It reveals a plethora of exciting details about Album 51. So what are you waiting for?! Check it out and let us know what you think!

Album 51 Details!

Well, I know a lot of the focus lately has been on Passages, but I couldn't pass up on this bit of news. In their product page for Album 51, Tyndale now includes a brief description of what we can expect for this March 2010 release.

It’s back to the basics in Take It from the Top, the long-anticipated 51st album of Adventures in Odyssey! Enter Whit’s new invention, the Inspiration Station, and find out why Connie wants to spend so much time in it. Solve mysteries with local sleuth Emily Jones, and learn why 10-year-old Matthew Parker doesn’t think being “target of the week” is such a good thing. Catch up with Whit, Connie, Eugene, and Wooton, and meet two new families, as they learn lessons about responsibility, revenge, and God-given inspiration. Whether on a baseball field, at home, or at Whit’s End, there’s never a dull moment in the town of Odyssey!

We've known for a while about the Parker family, which includes the brother-sister tandem in Matthew and Camilla. I'm always intrigued whenever new kids are introduced, so it'll be interesting to see what kind of personalities they'll bring to the show. After the first hiatus ended in 1997, there was a complete turnover for their kid actors, and listeners were introduced to characters like Jared DeWhite, Sarah Pratchett, Dwayne Oswald, and Lisa Mulligan. With the presumed departure of Tamika, Marvin, Mandy, and Trent, it seems like the end of this hiatus will see a whole host of of new kids brought to Odyssey. I'm hoping that Matthew, Camilla, and Emily will be able to interact with existing kids, such as Grady or Kelly, but we'll see what happens. Only six months to go until the new season begins!

For those of you keeping track, Darien's Rise airs in only nine days. To celebrate the release of this highly anticipated radio drama, we'll be announcing a very special surprise sometime tomorrow. Stay tuned!

More Album Artwork!

Over the last couple weeks, a lot of new and exciting stuff has been coming out, the most significant of which was the first episode of Darien's Rise. If you haven't had the opportunity to have a listen, be sure to check it out soon! I'd love to hear your thoughts on Andre Stojka, Shane Baumel, and Rachel Fox.

Also making headlines this past week was the release of the album artwork for Album 51: Take It From the Top. It features a very stylish, green-sweater-deprived Connie with Eugene getting what appears to be a buzz cut. I'm thinking Eugene loses a bet, or maybe does this to raise money for Hand Up. I like how the album title has both a literal interpretation - as seen in the illustration - as well as a figurative meaning, which will probably be made more clear once we hear the episodes. I get the feeling that Odyssey is returning to the style of the more "classic" shows from its earlier years. In many ways, Odyssey will be going back to the beginning... or taking it from the top. ;)



The repackaging project continues its gradual march towards completion, as Album 43: Along for the Ride recently received its re-framed cover. Once again, as is the case with much of Gary Locke's designs, the colors are fresh and vibrant. I probably sound like a broke record by now, but it's true - this new cover is a definite improvement over the original cover.



Many thanks to all of you who participated in the Ultimate Passages Fan Scavenger Hunt. We received an overwhelming number of responses, with lots of great story ideas. Judging is currently underway, so stay tuned to the Odyssey Scoop to see if you're our grand prize winner!

Last, but not least, Sarah and I will be making our return to the podcast airwaves! There's certainly no lack of news to discuss, so be prepared for an onslaught of Odyssey discussion this weekend. As always, feel free to send us your comments or questions to aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com.