Month: May 2015

Posted on: May 6, 2015 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 1

Sweet As Pacific Ale (GoodLife Brewing)

Sweet As Pacific Ale, GoodLife Brewing’s newest effort, is a beer that a wide swath of imbibers can appreciate. The beer pours with a maple syrup/cider coloration and a small amount of whitish head that laces its way down a beer glass. The beer has a nose that feels equally balanced between straw, grass, and hops, while an initial sip yields tangerine and orange flavors with hints of more tart…

Posted on: May 6, 2015 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Mercy Breath Review

There is a sultry and slinky sound to Mercy’s vocals on her latest track, Breath. There are hints present here of Shakira, Christina Aguilera, and Megan Trainor, but the cut succeeds on the unique twists and turns that Mercy does here.

Posted on: May 6, 2015 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 1

Only On Tuesdays Darling Dearest Single Review

Only On Tuesdays have released the Darling Dearest single from their Break Free EP. The track sits at the juncture of pop, country, and mid-nineties alternative rock, succeeding due to smart instrumentation, lush production, and a set of vocals that are awe-inspiring, strong while ageless.

Posted on: May 6, 2015 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

weareTheBigBang Smoke Single Review

There is a bouncy sound that works well for Smoke, which has weareTheBigBang blend together pop, EDM, emo and rock into something that is fresh, fun, and interesting from beginning to end. The production allows the rich bass, guitar, vocals, drums, and synth into something unitary without losing out the passion or the intricate arrangements that lead Smoke to the mountaintop.

Posted on: May 5, 2015 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Jason Griggs (MaxOut) Interview

We are speaking with Jason Griggs this morning. Hello, Jason. How has your week been? It has been a great week both personally and professionally.  My oldest daughter went to her senior prom and my company MaxOut Strength Studios began working with the U.S. Military to help provide a training solution for their elite forces – both very exciting!

Posted on: May 5, 2015 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 1

Prefunk American Pale Ale (Worthy Brewing)

Prefunk, Worthy Brewing’s latest beer possesses a nose that is fairly hop-heavy with a slightly sweet upside. The beer pours with a cider brown coloration and a creamy head that is fairly tenacious as it laces itself down the glass. There is a lightness to this beer that belies the heavier hop presence (Prefunk is pegged at 50 IBU) that makes the beer go down incredibly easy. In fact, the…

Posted on: May 4, 2015 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 2

Counter Clockweisse (Destihl)

Destihl Brewery (Bloomington, IL) has crafted another beer for their Wild Sour Series, a Berliner Weisse that they have dubbed Counter Clockweisse. This sour effort possesses a nose that is equal amounts tart and wheat and pours with a hazy light-brown coloration and nothing in the way of head. The delicate blend of sour and sweet makes for a refreshing experience, one that would pair perfectly with fish, chicken, and…

Posted on: May 4, 2015 Posted by: John B. Moore Comments: 0

Faith Healer – Cosmic Troubles Vinyl

It’s a little surprising to hear that Faith Healer is actually the alias for Canadian folkie Jessica Jalbert. Her first solo album, Cosmic Troubles is under this new moniker, while still having a softness thanks to Jalbert’s light as air vocals, is complimented nicely with a strong psychedelic pop vibe.

Posted on: May 4, 2015 Posted by: John B. Moore Comments: 0

Simple Minds – Sparkle in the Rain [Deluxe Edition]

Simple Minds’ sixth studio album, Sparkle in the Rain, was released in 1984, a full year before the band would permanently be wedded to The Breakfast Club movie, a feat that defines the band in the country to this day. But the album was still an impressive collection on its own.