10/26/09

McGwire to Cardinals in 2010

Mark McGwire's return to the St. Louis Cardinals, as hitting coach, in 2010 is worth a line. I met him at a Texas Rangers game in 1990. A class act and the reason I do forearm curls. Major League Baseball will never see a dime from me unless he is voted into the Hall of Fame. I'm glad he's coming back to coach but his 583 home runs deserve a proper recognition.

Is having dainty wrists a prerequisite to becoming a sports journalist?

10/24/09

Dover Sole Fish Tacos

Fish tacos have been a favorite of mine since discovering them in San Clemente, CA. There are tons of different ways to do them as well. For these I used dover sole. A white fish that works well and which is relatively cheap compared to halibut.


INGREDIENTS
3/4 Pound Dover Sole
1/2 Lemon
1/2 Mashed Avocado
1/2 Chopped Heirloom Tomato
1/2 Cup Bread Crumbs and White Flour Mixed
1/4 Cup Black Beans
1/4 Chopped Red Pepper
1/4 Cup Chopped Cabbage
1/4 Cup Chopped Cilantro
1/4 Cup Spanish Olives
3 White Corn Tortillas

1) Wash and pat dry dover sole
2) Coat in bread crumbs & flour
3) Place in heated pan with oil
4) Cook 3-4 minutes each side
5) Heat black beans
6) Combine fish & beans
7) Pan heat tortillas
9) Rub mashed avocado on each tortilla and dress with fish/bean mixture, red peppers, tomatoes, cilantro, cabbage, lemon juice, and olive juice

Mono - Hymn to the Immortal Wind (2009)

Fifth studio release from Japan's Mono. Produced by Steve Albini who once again proves why he rules. The album comes with a twenty page booklet complete with illustrations and trippy prose-like linear notes.

An orchestra of roughly thirty musicians is credited. Seven instrumentals, averaging ten minutes a piece.  Sweeping multi dimensional cinematic sonic narration. Each song beginning, building, and ending in colossal layers.  Seesawing between haunting ambiance and ecstatic heaviness.

Tracks:
1. Ashes In the Snow
2. Burial At Sea
3. Silent Flight, Sleeping Dawn
4. Pure As Snow (Trails of the Winter Storm
5. Follow the Map
6. The Battle to Heaven
7. Everlasting Light

Made my two brain cells collide.

10/22/09

10/20/09

Shrinebuilder - Shrinebuilder (2009)

Shrinebuilder are like Tyson, Louis, Frazier, and Ali but leaving your consciousness on the canvas with another kind of pummeling.

Composed of doom heavyweights Scott Kelly (Neurosis, Tribes of Neurot), Al Cisneros (Sleep, OM), Dale Crover (Melvins, Porn, Nirvana), and Scott Weinrich (Saint Vitus, Wino, The Obsessed, Spirit Caravan, The Hidden Hand). The previous mentioned bands should be medically required anesthesia and this debut is equally prescription worthy.

A seamless drift between tectonic plate shifting grooves and ashen soaked astral planes.  Psychotropic merchants bringing concussions.  A cohesive blend equal parts hypnotic and narcotic.

Tracks:
1. Solar Benediction
2. Pyramid Of The Moon
3. Blind For All To See
4. The Architect
5. Science Of Anger

Riffs like meteors filled with boiling chili showering down on the Salem witch trials.

10/17/09

Lingcod

Forget piranha, the lingcod looks like it should be headlining an underwater horror movie.

I like beer battering and frying fish but this fillet is fresh and simple.


INGREDIENTS: 1/2 Pound Lingcod Fillet, Lemon, Olive Oil, Sea Salt, Pepper, Thyme

1) Preheat oven to 350
2) Rinse and pat dry fillet
3) Lightly smear olive oil and fresh squeezed lemon juice on both sides
4) Lightly season with salt, pepper, and thyme
5) Place in dutch oven (or oven safe dish) and bake for 22 minutes

Served With:
5 small boiled red potatoes
5 pan seared white shrimp chilled in a bowl of cucumbers, tomatoes, red and green peppers

10/16/09

Vanishing Point (1971)

Made six years before I entered this world, Vanishing Point is an achievement in cinematic anti-establishment greatness. It's loosely based on a true story and a testament to living on the fringe of Orwellian society.

Set against the badlands of Western America this is "the maximum trip at maximum speed." Barry Newman plays Kowalski, a former cop and vet, who is Polish and therefore bad ass. A pilled up Viking chalk full of integrity and navigating a 1970 Dodge Challenger from Denver to the City by the Bay.

Having to pull this journey off in under fifteen hours can only mean super charged mayhem lies ahead. One adrenaline spiked car chase after another with epic desert landscapes and counterculture heroics. A movie that defines tune in and drop out.

Destruction is the only road you're headed for.

Baroness - Blue Record (2009)

Second full length from Baroness.

Retaining an atmosphere of textured heaviness but with more complexity and wild dual leads. They sling a panorama of swirling sonic intricacies fully cooked in progressive rock flavors. Engaging melodies with a galloping Southern tinge.

Psychedelic and cryptic. Vocals that remind me of a hoarse Torche. Bruising drums and impenetrable production.

Disc 1 Tracks:
1. Bullhead's Psalm
2. The Sweetest Curse
3. Jake Leg
4. Steel That Sleeps the Eye
5. Swollen and Halo
6. Ogeechee Hymnal
7. A Horse Called Golgotha
8. O'er Hell and Hide
9. War, Wisdom and Rhyme
10. Blackpowder Orchard
11. The Gnashing
12. Bullhead's Lament

Disc 2 Tracks (Live at Roadburn Festival 2009):
1. The Birthing
2. Isak
3. Rays on Pinion
4. Wanderlust
5. Grad

Mastodon on dianabol.

10/15/09

Between Bach & Zoroaster

Brothers of the Sonic Cloth / Mico de Noche – Split 10” (2009)

Leading off are Seattle based Brothers of the Sonic Cloth. At the helm of this glacier splitting vessel is Tad Doyle. Known for his stellar work in the early 90's grunge band TAD. He also recently took vocal duties when Soundgarden (minus Cornell) did a one off gig earlier this year. "Fires Burn Dim in the Shadows of the Mountain" has smokey distant vocals but is primarily a crushing instrumental. An eerie discordant start before the rumbling tidal wave of quaking amplitude crashes down. A turbulent riff voyage with titanic drumming, burgeoning bass, and a band that gets locked into rhythmic flow. A calm sailing violin thrown in before the surging groove engulfs. 

Side two comes brings us two rupturing tunes from Mico de Noche.  "Misanthrope" begins with a maniacal dual guitar explosion coupled with a gruffed vocal barage before settling into a concussion inducing groove. "Ganges" has a boozy and bluesy Southern style riff mixed with their own potent brand of boiling evergreen swag.  A feral thrashing bender towards the close.

Tracks:
1. Fires Burn Dim in the Shadows of the Mountain
2. Misanthrope
3. Ganges

Ear candy and one of the best of 2009.

10/14/09

5th Annual Great Pumpkin Beer Festival - Elysian Brewing Oct. 10th - 11th 2009


30 PUMPKIN THEMED BEERS FROM 15 BREWERIES.
1) 8472 Dark Sour Pumpkin Ale (Elysian Brewing Co.): Wheat, oats, rye, corn and pumpkin in the mash and kettle. 6.6%. Notes: If Jolly Rancher made a Halloween candy.

2) Dark O' The Moon Pumpkin Stout (Elysian Brewing Co.): Brewed with Great Western Pale, Crisp 77° Crystal, Cara-Vienne, roasted chocolate and special B malts with roasted pumpkin seeds in the mash. Pumpkin in the mash, kettle, and fermentor. Bittered with Magnum and finished with Saaz and crushed cinnamon. 6.5%. Notes: Reminded me of the Abyss both in flavor and appearance. Not as much pumpkin in the taste as I had hoped.

3) Ichabod Imperial Belgian Pumpkin Ale (Iron Hill Brewery): Over 6 pounds of pumpkin per barrel. Clove, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Allspice. 9.5%. Notes: Delicious aromas. Great color and strong on pumpkin flavor.

4) Jackobite Barrel-Aged Scottish Pumpkin Ale (Elysian Brewing Co.): Brewed with Pale, 77° Crystal, Munich, and Cara-Hell malts. Bittered with Glacier hops. Pumpkin in mash, kettle, and fermentor. Aged in Jack Daniels and wine barrels for 6 weeks. 6.4%. Notes: First beer I tried this was rich in toffee pumpkin tastes and both grape and scotch finish.

5) Mr. Yuck Sour Pumpkin Ale (Elysian Brewing Co.): Brewed with Pale, Munich, Cara-Hell and 150° Crystal malts and malted and unmalted wheat. Lightly hopped with UK Fuggles and aged in fermentation for 10 months with second generation sour Belgian yeast blend (culture kept alive for seven years). Pumpkin in mash and kettle. 5.1%. Notes: Lighter take on the 8472.

6) Pie Hole Pumpkin Ale (Ram Northgate): Brewed with Munich, wheat, light crystal, brown, and Kiln Amber malts. Classic pumpkin spices and 150 pounds of sugar pumpkin. 6.5%. Notes: Poured from a pumpkin this was one the richest and most pronounced pumpkin tasting beers I have had.

7) La Parcela No.1 2008 (Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales): Brewed with Pilsner, Munich, Vienna, wheat, and crystal malts. Hopped with Aurora and Mt. Rainier and spiced with cocoa, nutmeg, and ginger. Keg conditioned and aged in oak. 6.1%. Notes: Nice spices and underlying hops. Woody toasted pumpkin undertones.

8) Bruce Camp-Ale (Iron Hill Brewery): Ichabod Imperial Belgian Pumpkin Ale aged in Heaven Hill bourbon barrels. 9.5%. Notes: Best of the day. Subtle spiced bourbon undertones with vanilla and pumpkin complimenting.

9) Organic Mashing Pumpkin (Elliott Bay Brewing): Brewed with organic pumpkin in mash. Bittered with Magnum and finished with organic cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. Served from cask with toasted oak soaked in Maker's Mark bourbon. 7.6%. Notes: Second best of the day. Light appearance with massive pumpkin tastes. The smoothness of the cask conditioning with the bourbon flavor made this truly unique.

10) Ich Bin Ein Pumpkiner (Nodding Head Brewery): Berliner sour wheat served with Elysian made pumpkin syrup. 3.75%. Notes: Last beer of the day and my least favorite. I was probably soured out at this point but I did like how they coated the glass with the syrup before

11) The Great Pumpkin Imperial Pumpkin Ale (Elysian Brewing Co.)
12) Hansel & Gretel Ginger Pumpkin Pilsner (Elysian Brewing Co.)
13) Pumking (Southern Tier)
14) Punkin (Dogfish Head Brewing)
15) Night Owl Pumpkin Ale (Elysian Brewing Co.)
16) Abbey Squashington (Stewart's Brewing)
17) Bete N' Owl Dark Belgian Spiced Pumpkin Ale (Elysian Brewing Co.)
18) Biere de Gourde (Cambridge Brewing)
19) Boom Sticke Pumpkin Ale (Iron Hill Brewery)
20) Cerveza Calabaza (Rock Bottom)
21) Ghouleschip (Allagash Brewing)
22) Great Pumpkin Ale (Cambridge Brewing)
23) Hop Goblin (Big Time Brewery)
24) Kaiser Kurbis Pumpkin Hefeweizen (Elysian Brewing Co.)
25) Mischief Night Pumpkin Ale (Stewart's Brewing)
26) Olde Pumpkin Porter (Cambridge Brewing)
27) Punk Rauchin' Smoked Pumpkin Lager (Silver City Brewing)
28) Punktoberfest (Iron Hill Brewery)
29) Sasquatch (Big Time Brewery)
30) Snoqualmie Extra Special Butternut (Snoqualmie Brewing)

10/13/09

Robin Trower - In City Dreams (1977) - 99¢ Record #4

Fifth solo album from underrated English guitar legend Robin Trower. The first track and songs like "Falling Star" and "Farther up the Road" spill out impressive bluesy guitar funkiness. The second side continues with spiraling guitar elegance. "Smile" even has a bit of a disco vibe going on. One thing common in each tune is that both guitar and vocals share center stage with surging proficiency and emotion. From dreamy to spectral.

Tracks:
1. Somebody Calling
2. Sweet Wine of Love
3. Bluebird
4. Falling Star
5. Farther on up the Road
6. Smile
7. Little Girl
8. Love's Gonna Bring You Round
9. In City Dreams

I wonder how many kids were conceived because of this album.

Sourvein / Blood Island Raiders - Split 7” (2009)

This offering from Calculon seemed to fly under the radar.

Up first are North Carolina sludge werewolves Sourvein who have a couple full lengths and strings of EP's, splits, and broken beer bottles in their wake. "Black Cloud Revelations" starts out like a slow moving tar covered thunderstorm and maintains sluggish crushing half speed till the bulldozing end. Formidable Sabbath inspired riffs with vocals laced in downers and moonshine. Captures their primal live sound.

Blood Island Raiders, from the other side of the pond, help round out this barbaric split with "The Phobia." They up the tempo with a boozehounding anthem complete with back shattering riffs and a vortex splitting solo. Colossal classic metal influenced vocals. I imagine they tear English pubs to shreds.

Tracks:
1. Black Cloud Revelations
2. The Phobia

Two sides of the same metal coin.

10/12/09

Buds


Weedeater - God Luck and Good Speed (2007)

Third full length from the road warriors who put Mad Max to shame: Weedeater. Gatefold packaging and gold vinyl. Produced by Steve Albini. The album wrangles in their live earth shattering tone and energy perfectly. They could end up knocking the planet off its axis.

Opening riff oozes distorted bluesiness and sets the pace for the crushing haze of grooves ahead. Vocals sounding like a gargling of cough syrup, gravel, and bourbon as the lyrics "Mankind is unkind, man" are barked out. A perfect opening for the whisky battered hymns to follow.

The first side has two instrumental tracks that rumble and roll with thrashy, gravy covered, grooves. A murky bluegrass banjo track to help regain your vision. But the monstrous-deep fried-swinging-rhythms continue into the second half and include a blistering cover of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Gimme Back My Bullets." Drumming that registers on the Richter Scale, a guitar that could floor a herd of hippos, and a bass denser than a black hole.

Best live touring band today. And what better way to wrap up one of the heaviest albums of the decade than a piano track.

*Live Shot Above Courtesy Of: C. Graczyk

Tracks:
1. God Luck and Good Speed
2. Wizard Fight
3. For Evans' Sake
4. Alone
5. 20 Dollar Peanut
6. Dirt Merchant
7. Gimme Back My Bullets
8. Weedmonkey
9. Willow

Weedeater are the real deal, real talk.

The Bad Seed (1956)

A couple of years ago my girlfriend insisted that I watch The Bad Seed as it is one of her favorite movies. It stars, Oscar nominated, Patty McCormack as the adorable and vicious Rhoda Penmark.

On the surface Rhoda is the ideal young girl with her impeccably clean dress, perfect curtsies, and penurious nature. She likes presents and tap dancing.

However, there is a sense that her overly proper disposition is masking a sinister side. We learn Rhoda did not win the penmanship award in her class and that side rears its ugly pigtails. And when her classmate that won the award is mysteriously drowned, Rhoda goes about without a care or feeling.

Her mother begins to struggle as evidence about her daughters guilt surfaces while Rhoda's wickedness amplifies.

I can see how this film would have been considered controversial during its time. McCormack carves out one of the most cute, compelling, and creepy characters in cinema.

An absolutely fine film for the Halloween month. While the subject matter is heavy there is no reason that this can't be enjoyed by the whole family.

10/11/09

Dark O' The Moon - Elysian Brewing Company (2009)

Rounding out the triple Elysian pumpkin threat (along with Night Owl and The Great Pumpkin) is their pumpkin stout. This one is definitely different in both taste and appearance from the other two. Elysian clearly enjoys experimenting with pumpkin. It had its first limited bottled release in the Seattle area this year.

Per the brochure at the their Great Pumpkin Festival this was brewed at the Capitol Hill location with Great Western Pale, Crisp 77° Crystal, Cara-Vienne, roasted chocolate, and Special B malts with roasted pumpkin seeds in the mash. Pumpkin in the mash, kettle, and fermentor. Bittered with Magnum and finished with Saaz and crushed cinnamon. 0G 19.35° Plato (1.080), alcohol 6.5% by volume.

Roasted chocolate and bready malts. Toasted cinnamon and nutty caramel smoothness. Cocoa and cloves. Pumpkin flavors are subdued by the richness but still add a nice compliment. Chocolate covered pumpkin seeds.

Henry Mancini - The Blues and the Beat (1960) - 99¢ Record #3

Henry Mancini was an American composer known for his film and TV scores as well as recording over ninety albums. The songs here are upbeat with lots of low bass and swinging horns. When the album started I felt I was drinking martinis in a detective movie and this makes some sense since I read Mancini composed the theme to The Pink Panther. The Blues side songs (first 6 songs) all have a light fresh air about them with bass flutes and french horns creating unusally mellow sounds. The Beat side songs (the last six songs) made me think of a big band playing jazz. An interesting and relaxing combination making this easy for repeat listens. There is not a lot of information about this album. The LP has held up for the last fifty years and for 99¢ it is a much better deal than the seventy dollar CD at Amazon.

Tracks:
1. Blues
2. Smoke Rings
3. Misty
4. Blue Flame
5. After Hours
6. Mood Indigo
7. Beat
8. Big Noise from Winnetka
9. Alright, Okay, You Win
10. Tippin' In
11. How Could You Do a Thing Like That to Me
12. Sing, Sing, Sing

Better than a Sunday morning sermon.

10/10/09

Sam n' Sid

Rogue Ales Public House - Astoria, OR

The gal and I hit the road to check out the scenic drive down the Columbia River and into the peninsula area of southwest WA and northwest OR. Essentially, Lewis and Clark style but they didn't have the luck to stumble onto Rogue Ales Public House.

Astoria is an interesting and quiet town that is also the oldest American settlement west of the Rockies.

This Rogue location is off Pier 39 and surrounded by singing sea lions. I imagine that during the summer everything looks completely different.

The service was quick and friendly and we were immediately served two chalices of their northwest hops blast IIPA.

They offered about a dozen and a half taps and we tried others recommended by their accommodating staff: Imperial Pilsner, Imperial Porter, 200 Meter IPA, Mocha Porter, Hazelnut Brown Nectar. All were fresh and flavorful.

The food was reasonably priced pub fare. Portland is the craft beer city but this is a great location surrounded by serenity and history.

10/9/09

John Denver - Rocky Mountain High (1972) - 99¢ Record #2

Sixth and most recognized release from the iconic John Denver. Includes lyrics and a picture of a back turned Denver sporting a shirt reading "Be Kind to Animals - Kiss a Beaver." Drips with organic folk soul and hemp twined hymns.

John Denver delivers his own poignant sermon. An echoing voice complimented with sorrow, sentimentality, and celebration.  These songs are not only timeless but show a man that is both conscious of his existence and part of everything he sees. Highlights include a cover of John Prine's "Paradise" and the five part, season encapsulating epic, "Season Suite."

Tracks:
1. Rocky Mountain High
2. Mother Nature's Son
3. Paradise
4. For Baby (For Bobbie)
5. Darcy Farrow
6. Prisoners
7. Goodbye Again
8. Season Suite/Summer
9. Season Suite/Fall
10. Season Suite/Winter
11. Season Suite/Late Winter, Early Spring (When Everybody Goes To Mexico)
12. Season Suite/Spring

Maybe to hippie for modern audiences but not me.

Son o' Sam

Pumking - Southern Tier Brewing Company (2009 Pumpkin Ale)

Pours copper coloring coupled with a darkish pumpkin orange hues. A small white head. Carve some eyes in it, drop a candle in the glass, and you have a jack-o-lantern.

Buttery vanilla and deep dish pumpkin pie. They must have thrown in an entire pumpkin with stems and seeds since the smell has an earthy undertone. Nutmeg, clove, and cinnamon with a thick graham cracker quality.

Hearty and rich gingerbread, whip cream, and marshmallow tastes. Generous helpings of nutmeg and pecan. Hints of candy corn dipped in caramel. Rich malt and doughy roundness. 9%.

Bonnie Prince Billy - Beware (2009)

Will Oldham's seventh studio album under Bonnie "Prince" Billy. This album includes about a dozen contributing artists playing, softly and harmoniously, everything from the banjo to the mandolin. All songs have a full lush sound with several having ascending female backing. The offerings conjure up images of old broken glass Coke bottles, dilapidated barns, pastoral fields, and porch swings. Rustic mellow folk. When the mood and twang kick in the authentic feel resonates. Modern music rooted in Americana and insightful inspired lyrics.

Tracks:
1. Beware Your Only Friend
2. You Can't Hurt Me Now
3. My Life's Work
4. Death Final
5. Heart's Arms
6. You Don't Love Me
7. You Are Lost
8. I Won't Ask Again
9. I Don't Belong To Anyone
10. There Is Something I Have To Say
11. I Am Goodbye
12. Without Work, You Have Nothing
13. Afraid Ain't Me

Haunting (in an empty church way not a Deliverance way).

10/8/09

Consecration - Russian River Brewing Company (2009 American Wild Ale)

Scorched mahogany with iced scarlet tinting. Bronzed amaranth highlighting. Toffee coloring head that quickly fizzed out like a sparkling wine.

Raspberry and pungent flavored tipped fangs pierce the nostrils. Wild fruits and oak toasted sultanas. Earth soaked berries drenched in a vanilla and cinnamon cranberry wine. Soured orange peels that are cedar smoked over prunes and figs.

Acidic fruit and sour spiked punch. Cherries steeped in raisin mash and dipped in melted sour apple candies. Sugared lime licorice with berries and resin. Vinegar laced grapes. 10%.

Dipping your taste buds into the third eye of the universe.

Mussels


INGREDIENTS:
1/4 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 Yellow Onion Chopped Fine
1 Green Pepper Chopped Fine
1 Tomato Chopped Fine
4 Cloves Garlic Minced
Cilantro Chopped Fine
1 Cup Dry White Wine
3/4 Cup IPA Beer
1/4 Cup Whole Milk
Half Stick Butter
Half Squeezed Lemon
Sea Salt & Pepper

OM - God is Good (2009)

Fourth studio album from OM with top notch packaging.

Nineteen minute "Thebes" leads off with droning middle eastern vibes and prayer like singing "Visitant Guides and the Breath Cedes Grant Release. Hayya Ala Salah. From the Minaret See." Once the thunderous trance inducing riff kicks in and "Lebanon Screen - Damascus Road Traveller" echoes out, their trademark atmosphere booms and vibrates.

"Meditation is the Practice of Death" jumps in with a chanting bass, textured drumming, and lyrics you need a Theology degree to decipher. A turn at the end with a mesmerizing flute solo.














"Cremation Ghat I" and "Cremation Ghat II" close the album and are personal highlights. Steady grooves with a tamboura thrown in.

Tracks:
1. Thebes
2. Meditation Is The Practice Of Death
3. Cremation Ghat I
4. Cremation Ghat II

Elixir shots, hookah smoke, and psychedelic carpet rides over the Himalayas.

Sid

Black Cobra - Chronomega (2009)

Third full length from Black Cobra. Artwork inside the booklet is nicer than the cover with each song having a corresponding graphic. Impressive two musicians can create such mammoth tone and thrashing force. The forking, simmering riffs are tornadoes of slicing chainsaws and ploughing bulldozers. A few stick out of the head after the slanted debris settles.

Drums stampede along like the Kentucky Derby run on landmine laced concrete. Vocals are scorching metallic which could be a drawback for some but fit perfectly for the calculated chaos.

Tracks:
1. Negative Reversal
2. Machine
3. Catalyst
4. Chronosphere
5. Zero Point Field
6. Lightning In His Hand
7. Storm Shadow
8. Glacies En Spiritu
9. Nefarian Triangle

10/7/09

The Stöned Age (1994)

Produced by some dude who produced those lame Harry Potter movies and released a year after the more popular Dazed and Confused, The Stöned Age, is not only a superior film (to all above mentioned) but includes a clever take on two 70's burnouts and the cast of characters they encounter throughout one radically hellacious night.

Joe and Hubbs are two longhairs with a pinch of schwag and a jug of peppermint schnapps between them but will stop at nothing in their quest for hot chicks. Relying on the Blue Torpedo and the word of some pud named Tack (played by the talented Clifton Collins Jr.) they head out near the old Frankie Avalon place in hopes of putting a little insanity on their potatoes.

However, they'll quickly realize that Tack is the least of their problems and outwitting other worms like Muldoon, Officer Dean, Crump's brother, the Guzzlers, and Lanie's dad are more pressing concerns. Even behind the hilarity of classic one liners, the disco dancing liquor store clerk, and the crushed talls of OX 45 lies an intriguing interaction between two friends. The ginger, Joe, is the quiet good natured type while Hubbs is the jumping on the grenade alpha-male. In the end our two heroes manage to score the chicks and Joe, with his glowing third eye, achieves some redemption.

 
If it's B.O.C. how can it be pussy?

Dinosaur Jr. - Farm (2009)

Ninth album from Dinosaur Jr. Psychedelic artwork calls to one's inner hippie. Songs are catchy, inspired, and melodic with a splash of melancholy. Lots of syrupy glazed riffs to sweeten the ears and to get the head into a nodding, soaring haze.

Guitar is warm lava with fuzzy magma soaked solos that pour from the speakers. Vocals are neatly nestled in the back of rhythmical eruptions. Songs like "I Want You to Know" and "Over It" carry early 90's nostalgia. Only drawback is a couple take a little long to wrap up. Great rock album.

Tracks:
1. Pieces
2. I Want You To Know
3. Ocean In The Way
4. Plans
5. Your Weather
6. Over It
7. Friends
8. Said The People
9. There's No Here
10. See You
11. I Don't Wanna Go There
12. Imagination Blind

Night Owl Pumpkin Ale - Elysian Brewing Company (2009 Pumpkin Ale)

Burnt orange with a shady ruby hue. Medium off white misty head that has a slight orange creamsicle haze.

According to Elysian Brewery this beer is brewed with 150 pounds of pumpkin in each batch. From the outset of the pour the baked pumpkin pie aromas are hefty. Nutmeg and clove rise from the bottle. Cinnamon and brown sugar are present giving a spicy and sweet balance.

Peppered ginger and allspice add nice warmth. Malty with subtle sugary sweetness. Creamy vanilla on top of pumpkin pie crust. 6.1%.