Blue Point Brewing Company’s (Long Island, NY)’s Winter Ale pours with a dark, rich brown coloration and a small amount of tannish head that disappears quickly. The initial nose of this Winter Ale is sweet, heavy with dark fruits, and with just enough grain and malt to invite imbibers in. The first pull that one will take from the Winter Ale links together brown sugar and a bit of bitterness…
Andorra’s Landry Riba has released his Tales from behind the mirror, an effort that immediately draws listeners in with the introductory composition, What was left behind. This composition creates the environment which the rest of the album’s tracks are set. At a hair under two minutes, this arrangement is essential listening for anyone that wishes to understand the full story that this album tells.
Blown Away is the latest track from New York’s Dave Goddess Group, showcasing a wide array of influences. The band is immediately able to make a complex and deep track through the presence of inimitable vocals, splashy drums, a chunky bass and an overall sound that is timeless. Hints of INXS, U2, and even Genesis can be picked open during this introductory effort. One Man’s Passion succeeds with an immediate…
Brian’s Remorse is a barrel-aged stout (Saugatuck has placed it in oak bourbon barrels including those from Woodford Reserve, Heaven Hill, Wild Turkey and Buffalo Trace); the time spent ensconced in wood has imparted a distinct and unique flavor to this stout that typically is reserved to beers that are at the 9-12% ABV mark. The richness of this beer makes it eminently drinkable and complex as all get out;…
Pecker Wrecker is a seasonal offering from Texas’ Rahr & Sons’ brewery. The beer pours with a good amount of off-white head that sticks around for a good amount of time; Pecker Wrecker pours with a dark yellow to golden coloration. The nose showcases malt and sweeter elements, two tastes that come forth at various points during the body. Rahr & Sons’ latest is a downright dangerous effort, hiding the…
The Kiss That Took A Trip begins with Electroforest: entrance, a softly-spoken yet incredibly deep composition that is beautiful, haunting, and wholly unlike current radio acts. However, this does not mean that the tracks on Electroforest are hard to get into; the act is just able to create something stunning. The drone that begins Tidy up you pig is corralled into something much more cohesive and intense; the skill possessed…
Soul’d Out is the latest effort from DownTown Mystic, and this tremendously emotive track will be appreciated by anyone that has been hurt by love. The track builds off of the sound of Journey, Paul Stanley, and Foreigner; there is a timeless sound here that refreshes the rock of the eighties with a clarity and tautness that is unparalleled.
When one goes onto a news website or blog, what they will typically find is a very shallow treatment of the issues of the day. There is a lower limit that one needs to hit before properly being monitored by Google and Bing services, and after one hits that mark (typically 300 words), they stop. What results is an entire readership that only knows the skeleton of an issue rather…
COCOPIPES has released her latest single Vibrant. The track works well in a traditional pop sound while having a backing instrumentation that is innovative. Different styles, whether it be R&B, EDM, or even post-modern compositions can be discerned here.
Los Angeles’ Hipnotics have just released Preacher Man, a single that links together The Clash, The Psychedelic Furs, and early Cure into a swirling mass of guitars, drums, and bold vocals. Preacher Man has it all including an intricate bass line, echoing and authoritative guitar lines, and an on-point drum beat that are all given a highlight at points during this single.
MARSH. is from Auckland, New Zealand and is dropping his latest EP, Hieroglyph in December. Hands is the latest single from Hieroglyph and has a funky retro-dance vibe. The harmony that immediately comes forth will tattoo itself deep into the minds of listeners, while there is a sultry and passionate thread that is weaved through the track. The intricate arrangements presented to listeners in Hands touches upon the Miami sound of…
Where I Am is the latest effort from York’s Dark Optics. This composition is a track building off the trip-hop tradition, with hints of Stabbing Westward, Massive Attack, and Portishead that can be discerned. The ample inclusion of samples feels like an homage to The Avalanches, while the brooding a deep instrumentation that is weaved through the single will appease fans of hard rock and metal styles. What results with…
On her new EP, Transfixed, Seattle’s Shelita Burke lets listeners in. Transfixed is a tender track that firmly places Burke into the singer-songwriter style, while adding hints of alternative and indie into the mix. The production of this introductory effort is tender, establishing a cozy sound to Burke’s music that will immediately draw listeners in. Pour allows the instrumental side of things to shine, with percussive and emotive guitar work…
Bad Girl Good is the debut single from Amity Rae, and this track works on all levels. Fans of pop, EDM, or reggae will have more than enough to sink their teeth into. Breathy vocals and a male/female dynamic makes this into a fun and alluring introductory effort for listeners.
Mr. Showbiz’ Showbiz Christmas is a high-energy track that hits on a variety of Christmas tropes while forging forth in a bold new direction. The track’s bells, hooky chorus, and smart repetition makes this into an earworm that will stick with listeners long after the season has came and went.
Episodes present on Elmo the Musical include Prince Elmo, Mountain Climber, Sea Captain, President, and the titular Elmo the Musical. The youngest set will appreciate the action which takes place in these episodes, while fans of Elmo will still be able to appreciate what is going on. The video quality of Elmo the Musical is absolutely stellar, ensuring that viewers will have an experience that parallels watching the original airing…
16-Bit DPA is a double pale ale from Manhattan, Kansas’ Tallgrass Brewing Company. The beer pours with a hazy dark-yellow to orange coloration and a small amount of persistent white head; lacing is spotty. There is a great blend of hoppy and wheaty that plays out as one continues to quaff. Toastier elements are present as the 16-Bit DPA continues to warm, while the floral and citrus elements remain considerably…
Based on the successes of their initial efforts in the Wild Sour Series, Bloomington, Illinois’ Destihl Brewery has continued to expand the line. We were fortunate enough to receive samples of their Lynnbrook, a Raspberry Berliner Weisse. The beer pours with a vibrant pink color and a complex nose that showcases the sharp bite of raspberries; Lynnbrook’s head sits on top of the effort for a short time before dissipating…
The quality in which The Halloween Tree was transferred over to the DVD format is absolutely stunning, making sure that viewers will be provided with an experience that is as near to the first time they watched the film. VHS editions of this title just pale in comparison to the Warner Archive edition. For those that have not had the opportunity to watch the film yet, it is framed around…
Bennigan’s has been a part of the American cultural landscape since 1976, and the company has taken it upon themselves to refresh and revitalize their offerings while keeping the same sort of friendly ambiance and authentic Irish fare. Along the way, Bennigan’s has included healthier options and have retooled others. We stopped in for a dinner at the Mt. Pleasant, Michigan location of Bennigan’s and were impressed at the overall…