Little Talks

I'm here and I'm queer!  I know what you're thinking...another week of music...finally!  It has been a busy February, and I have not taken the time to sit and talk about music.

Don't think that I didn't take time to sit down and drink some beers, because I definitely did that.  I have had the pleasure of drinking several IPAs over the past month.  Some new and some old but all very very good.  This weeks comes from Deschutes Brewery in wonderful Bend, Oregon.  I have never been but according to this beer I would love to visit.  The name is Inversion IPA and it is quiet tasty.  Strong bitter bop flavor, and great citrus aroma.  All that I could ask for in an IPA.  For that Inversion IPA, my Unlce Mike graces thee with:

This week, for the first time in years, I heard a song that I really like on the radio of all places.  The song is by the band Of Monsters and Men.  At first I thought it was Kate Nash, but it turns out this band is from Iceland.  Rolling Stones calls them a mix of The Arcade Fire and Mumford and Sons, but I feel more of a mix of Kate Nash, Mumford, and the Head and the Heart.  Regardless, the song is really really good.  As usual, I hope that you like it as much as I do.  Until next time America...

Of Monsters and Men - "Little Talks"

Dead Man's Bones

Welcome back for another day of booze and tunes.  There has still been a slow period in new releases that I have been excited about to I have had to pull from songs that are new to me, but not new to the world.  I have been listening to a ton of Pandora at work lately (Broken Social Scene Radio), so most of my current favorite songs are from years past.  That doesn't mean that the quality of the songs are bad, and I have still found new IPAs to try, so don't sweat the small stuff!

This week's IPA comes from Founders Brewing in Grand Rapids, MI.  I actually had this a couple weeks ago with my brother and liked it so much I thought I would add it to the blog to let the world know how good it is.  I just want to scream it from the top of a mountain.  The Centennial IPA is delicious, and well worth a try for all you beer lovers out there.  For the Nezars of the world...stick to Bud Light...losers.  At any rate, Centennial IPA has great hop flavor, and has an excellent finish.  For that, Centennial IPA, I give you:

Like I said before, not a lot of new music is coming out hot off the press, so I have picked songs that I have recently heard and liked.  The song is called "Pa Pa Power" and is from the 2009 release Dead Man's Bones, by the band Dead Man's Bones.  That means it's a self titled album, for all of you that were slow to catch on.  You know who you are.  Let's all get on the same page...After some research I found out that Dead Man's Bones is actually a band started by Ryan Gosling (the actor) and Zach Shields (not an actor).  The entire CD is done in collaboration with Silverlake Conservatory Children's Choir (which was started by the Red Hot Chili Pepper's bassist Flea).  I think this is a very good listen and I hope you enjoy it.

 Dead Man's Bones - "Pa Pa Power"

Yuck

Go ahead and take a deep breath in through your nose.  Smell that?  That's 1000 views folks!  Well done.  I also need to take this time and welcome our newest follower to the blog Alex.  Welcome aboard good sir.  I hope you like good beer and music, because that's all I know!  I would also like to take this time to wish my brother Mike and sister-in-law Amber good luck on their recent move to Los Angeles, CA. 

This week I picked a Pale Ale instead of an IPA.  This comes from Left Hand Brewing Co. and is called Stranger Pale Ale, and it is delicious.  Nothing like and ice cold pale ale and some really good music.  I'm actually enjoying this pale ale tonight while I watch one of my favorite moves, Blades of Glory.  Chazz Michael Michaels is my hero.  I wear Chazz underwear....and for that Stranger Pale Ale gets:

There hasn't been much new music out these days, so I have resorted to a song that I recently heard on Pandora and really like.  It is from the band Yuck and their self-titled 2011 debut album.  Yuck is from London, England, and the name of this week's pick is "Soothe Me."

Yuck - "Soothe Me"

This Charming Man

Bringing it back for another week of music and beer.  I have been spending much of the evening watching what might be the world BCS title game of all time.  Luckily I was entertained enough by my dog and Coors Light I was able to stick it out to see a touchdown.  I would have much rather seen an Oklahoma State-LSU match up.

For dessert I am having a very very nice IPA from Feral Brewing Company called Hop Hog India Pale Ale.  This also was a part of my Christmas gift this year from my sister-in-law Emily and her boyfriend Marcus.  I think Christmas should come once a week because I am getting some really nice IPAs.  This beer, like last week, comes from Australia and it is very good.  Great hops, and very smooth citrus flavors.  I am thinking a trip is in store to Australia to try all of their IPAs!

I am having trouble finding new music to listen to so far for the blog because it is early and the year and there are very few CDs being released in the month of January.  This morning on my way to work I was rifling through my iPod and came across a song I really like by Stars called "This Charming Man."  This song is actually a cover originally sang by The Smiths (Morrissey) who were indie way before indie was cool.  I also came to find out that Death Cab for Cutie has covered the song as well, and it makes since because the song is very good.  All three versions are very different, which is fun and interesting to me.  My favorite rendition is by Stars though, but I have added all versions this week so you can compare and contrast.  I hope you like it, and look forward to next week.  Happy times!

Stars-

Death Cab for Cutie -

The Smiths -