Allen 'Bon Iver'son enjoys Grouplove

Well I am back from a three week hiatus folks.  Not to make any excuses but the last three weeks have been fairly hectic with work, and visitors.  Fortunately over the last three weeks I have had the chance to listen to some great music, as well as enjoy a handful of delectable IPAs.  I have been excited to finally sit back down and share some of the news tunes that I have been listening to.  I feel like over this lapse in blogs so many good bands have released new CDs like Bon Iver, Handsome Furs, and The Wooden Birds (2 of 3 will be featured in today's blog.)

First things first, I want to discuss this week's IPA.  It is Arcadia Ales IPA and it might just be the best IPA I have tasted to far.  The best thing about blogging about IPAs is the fact that most taste so money that I am hardly ever let down, and tonight is no exception.  This IPA is brewed in Battle Creek, MI.  Not only is it one of the best IPAs that I have had, it probably has one of the coolest bottles as well.  Check it out!  I think it is no surprise that this IPA gets:

2 EYEBROWS WAY UP!

Due to fact that I have missed the passed three weeks, I have decided to add three different songs this week to make up for missed time.  The first song comes in hot from Bon Iver's (some call him Bone Eve-air) newest self titled album.  Much like The Antlers I had trouble just picking one song from this album because it is so good, but I had to.  For some reason Bon Iver reminds me of Aaron Neville.  Far fetched? Maybe...The song I chose is called "Michicant."  Give it a listen!

Bon Iver - Michicant:

The second song I have chosen is from the band Grouplove.  I heard about the band from my friends Matt and Justin.  This band reminds me a lot of Brand New.  Matt requested that I add this song to my next blog and dedicate it to Justin.  So here you go Justin.

Grouplove - Colours:

The last song comes from the band Handsome Furs.  Handsome Furs is a Montreal-based band led by Dan Boeckner (Wolf Parade).  They have more of a techno feel, but doesn't stop me from wanting to sing and dance.  Without further adeau...

Handsome Furs - "Memories of the Future"

...and now David Hasselhoff eating and cheeseburger...

Mess with the bull, you get The Antlers!

Welcome back to another week of music and beer.  This week's blog is gonna be short, for one we have no new followers, and my cousins Kent and Audrey are coming in town and should be pulling in at any minute.  Should make for a great night of drinking and singing!

Tonight's IPA is called Nectar  IPA.  I was intrigued by this beer when I first saw it on the shelf because the only nectar that I had ever heard of was Early Times Whiskey and any diet drink.   Right before I cracked my first Nectar IPA I realized the it was brewed in Paso Robles, CA which is very interesting because the nectar (whiskey and diet) was born and raised in San Luis Obispo, CA which is right up the street.  I love the connection.  At any rate, it turns out this IPA is really really good.  It has great flavor and aroma.  I am very impressed!!! And for that, by no surprise:

TWO EYEBROWS UP!

This weeks pick comes off The Antlers newest album Burst Apart.  I really like the entire album so it made this difficult to pick just one song.  I decided on the song Parentheses because I love the guitar in between verses.  I think this whole CD is definitely worth the listen, so if you like this song, check it out.  Hope you like it.

The Antlers, "Parentheses:"

Until next week...

Destroy, or be Destroyer!

Hello all and welcome to the newest addition to my blog.  I must apologize for my one week hiatus and promise to make it up to all of you with this weeks latest post.  First business as usual...let's invite our newest members to the running crew: Uncle Mike, Mike (brother), Kenny (brother), Jamie (wife).  "Keep coming back it works."  I would also like to congratulate my cousin Duane on his recent baptism into the world of Midlake.  It feels right doesn't it.  In other news, last week (which is why I missed my blog) I attended my first ever NASCAR event at Kansas Speedway and I think that everyone should do it at least once.  The people watching is out of this world.  Let me fill you in with the rules of NASCAR events.  They are as follows:

Rule 1: Bring your own 14X14X14 cooler (FYI that size cooler can fit a 30 pack, 2 hoagies and a bag of chips)
Rule 2: You can come as go as you please
Rule 3: Bring your own food...kinda goes with rule 1
Rule 4: You don't have to wear a shirt! (and I am not sure that you have to wear pants either. Yes I'm serious Ryan Christensen)
Rule 5: People watch, because the people watching is better than the race!
Rule 6: FREE PARKING!

So as you can see, there is no reason to not go to a NASCAR event.  In fact, I think that it's something that everyone should experience at least once (I had a blast).

Now let's talk eyebrows.  This weeks IPA comes from Petaluma, CA and it is delicious.  Lagunitas Maximus IPA is everything the name says it is.  It has citrus, it has aroma, and best of all it has twice the hops folks.  It is the MAXIMUS!  They should change the name to Kangaroo IPA because it has so many hops!  I have had the Lagunitas IPA in the past, and as my sister-in-law Emily can attest, it is good!  So double the hops and the beer only gets better, and we are talking Maximus.  So by no surprise Dr. Steve Brule gives this IPA:

2 EYEBROWS UP!

Now lets get to the moment we have all been waiting for, the pick of the week.  Destroyer has been in my life for many years, and I just can't quit Dan Bejar.  The guy is from Vancouver and can rock your socks off.  Not only a member/lead singer of Destroyer, Dan Bejar shares his talents with the likes of New Pornographers and Swan Lake.  I must say the the best works of Dan Bejar are most appreciated when singing lead vocals for Destroyer.  All of his tracks are majestic journeys through poetic genius.  I prove this point by maybe the best lyric ever written in the song "Goddess of Drought,""I was looking good, on the day that you feel for the way I look."  Destroyer's catalog of music goes on for a lifetime.  Every time I play an album I fall in love with a new songs, and I could add 15 music videos to this blog to share.  But I won't.  That is your homework bloggers.  Tonight I will add one song from Destroyer's newest ablum Kaputt followed by my all time favorite off of Destroyer's Rubies.  First is Chinatown, which is the first song on Kaputt, but I just love it.  It sounds like Feist is featured in the song but it is actually Sibel Thrasher.  Before I go on I want to congratulate the Dallas Mavericks for just beating the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals!  I cannot express how pleased I am that Miami lost.  Congrats Dirk.  The second song is called "Painter in Your Pocket."  I love this song!  This is the song that turned me on to Destroyer, and like I said before, I could list 15 more videos on this blog but I don't want to bore you.  If you like these two song let me know and I will give you a list of songs you need to listen to.  For now...

Chinatown:

Painter in Your Pocket:

Week 5: The Faces of Midlake; Starting over with a rabbit, and an ox...

Happy Memorial Day!  Welcome to week 5.  I know I am late, but had a busy weekend back in Omaha attending a wedding, and spending a wonderful night at the local watering hole, Brownies.  Hug your new neighbor (if you were there, you know what I'm talking about! "I love inside jokes.  I hope to be a part of one someday." -Michael Scott).   As usual I would like to take this time to welcome the new followers: Ed, Bri, Darren, Kent and Audrey.  We are now 12 strong folks! I would also like to point out that my cousin Kent is currently on a three week journey across the western United States in his car.  Here is a link to his blog http://kntnt.blogspot.com/, check it out! You will like it!

Unfortunately, since I was out of town this weekend, I was not able to grab a new IPA and give a glorious review so for that I give myself:

Two eyebrows down...or are the up!?! Yo no se....(thanks for the senior pic Nezar!)

This week I have not been listening a lot of new music, but I have revisited Midlake, and am glad that I did.  I have decided this week to pick  a song from each of their 3 LPs: Bamnan & Slivercork (2004), Trials of Van Occupanther (2006), Courage of Others (2010).  The reason I love Midlake so much is that each of their songs are an epic adventure that feels to be set back in time.  I feel like The Trails of Van Occupanther is a trip through the 1800s in the hillsides of the Northeast, from building homes out of stones, to being robbed by bandits only to start over with a rabbit and an ox.  Then Courage of Others takes me to medieval times, sucking on a turkey leg at the town joust and stoning.  There are so many great songs on each of their albums, and they all include a uniquely different sound.  I had the pleasure of seeing Midlake at SXSW several years ago, and was captivated by their sound and stage presence.  I hope that you can appreciate their sound as I do, and look forward to hearing what you have think of this weeks' choice.  Have a fun short week, and I will see you next week.  For now...ENJOY!

From Bamnan & Slivercork, "Balloon Maker":

From Trials of Van Occupanter, "Roscoe":

From Courage of Others, "Rulers, Ruling all Things":

Week 4: A float down Okkervil River

Welcome to week four of my now universally renowned blog.  A few administrative notes before we get to the pick of the week.  First of all I would like to recognize and thank my newest followers Joe Crane, Ashley King, Adam, and my sister-in-law Amber Cutler.  I would also like to call attention to Amber's blog http://ambers365dayproject.blogspot.com/.  She takes a picture every day, so far for 470 days straight, and blogs about it.  High five Amber for 470 days strong! While we are on the topic of followers, I want to address why I did not include my dad and Bri Seipel in introducing my new followers.  Though they claim to be followers, Ed through text, and Bri through Facebook, it is evident by the column on the right that clearly reads FOLLOWERS, and does not include either of their names, that they are NOT followers of my blog!  For this Ed and Bri get:

FAKE EYEBROWS! You can't fool me!

In other news, I think I need to define the word "chook."  This was a word unintentionally invented by my father, Ed Cutler. Credit.

chook [ch-ook] -  hook + chain = chook
    -verb (used with object) This IPA is off the chook!

This weeks IPA comes to you all the way from Portland, ME.  It is called Shipyard IPA and it just does not float my ship.  I feel like there is a lack of the hops kick that makes an IPA an IPA.  I was not impressed by Shipyard's IPA, and must say that this ship has sank.  For this, I give Shipyard IPA:

NO EYEBROWS UP.

Now down to business.  This weeks pick of the week comes in hot from Austin, TX.  I have to admit I was unsure if I wanted to make this my pick of the week because in the past this band has not blown me away.  The band is Okkervil River, and their previous two CDs The Stand Ins and The Stage Names didn't really do it for me.  I felt like there was so much excitement for those two CDs, and resulted in a large let down for me, that I was skeptical about their newest release.  Luckily I fell for the Okkervil River trap again, and I must admit, I'm glad I did because their newest release I Am Very Far is really good!  My choice this week, and current favorite on the album, is "The Valley."  It is a gothic, drill like song, with a gunshot snare drum that keeps me coming back for more.  I especially love the strings that wrap up the song, "times ten."  Overall this song is very much a trip down the "valley of the rock 'n roll dead."  If you like this also listen to "Piratess," "We Need a Myth," and from The Stage Names "Our Life is Not a Movie or Maybe." (the video to that song is incredible)

This week I decided to throw in a bonus song!  On my way to work yesterday I revisited this song featuring Ben Gibbard (Death Cab for Cutie) and Feist.  It's off of the Dark Was the Night collaboration released in 2009.  I love this song.  It's a cover of Vashti Bunyan's 1966 "Train Song."  Give it a listen and tell me what you think!

See you next week!

Week 3: Wye Oak? Wye Not!

Welcome to week 3 of my now world famous blog.  Just a few announcements before I get to my pick of the week.  I have a new follower this week, bringing my total to 3 now.  I would like to thank my mother-in-law, Donna and the Silk Thumb (An incredible band name!?! I think so), for joining the team.  I am positive that you just listen to all of these new songs on your iPod...I am also adding a new element to my blog, because I have the power to, in which I will be drinking a new beer (mostly IPAs and Pale Ales, but I'm not scared to stray) while I blog.  I will be giving my own personal review on how it tastes and will be judging them on raised eyebrows as follows:

2 raised eyebrows = off the chook
1 raised eyebrow = Pretty good but still on the chook
No raised eyebrows = try a beer that I rated two raised eyebrows.

This weeks IPA comes all the way from Lakewood, NY.  It is Southern Tier's IPA and it is good.  I think it should be called Bunny IPA because it has so many hops!  It is brewed with 4 varieties of hops and 4 types of malts. I like it!  I give this IPA:

2 RAISED EYEBROWS!

Now down to business.  This week I have selected a song from the band Wye Oak.  Wye Oak is a two man band consisting of Andy Stack (drums, keyboards, backup vocals) and Jenn Wasner (vocals, guitars).  They are out of Baltimore, MD.  I really liked their last album The Knot, and have selected the song "Dogs' Eyes" off of their recently released album Civilian.  I debated all week with Jamie whether I should pick "Dogs' Eyes" or the title track "Civilian," and I have decided to choose against her better judgment.  Though I love both songs, I love "Dogs' Eyes" just a touch more.  The thing that throws her for a loop the most is the random guitar instrumental in the middle and again at the end of the song, but the more I listen to the song the more I learn to appreciate it , and really start to enjoy it.  I love the guitar and how the song picks up after the instrumental.  As you listen to Wye Oak more, you will see that in several songs Jenn will break it down with the guitar and I can respect that!  I will link both songs so you all can choose whether or not I made the right choice.  I hope you like it and look forward to next week!

If you like these, also check out "Siamese" and "For Prayer" from The Knot

Dogs' Eyes:

Civilian (Live from NPR's Tiny Desk):

Week 2! The Rural Alberta Advantage

Welcome back to my critically acclaimed blog about all things that are good.  As you can see from from 45 post visits last week, my blog is an instant hit...internet sensation.  I also want to direct everyone's attention to the right side of the computer screen and see that I have 2 followers (your friendship check is in the mail Ryan and Marcus)!  Alright, now to the important stuff.  Week 2 of my infamous blog is here and I am enjoying a Vinyl Lager, brewed by Magic Hat, a brewery out of South Burlington, Vermont.  I must admit, it is a perfect spring beer for a perfect spring day in Kansas City.  This weeks pick comes to you all the way from Toronto, Ontario.  The Rural Alberta Advantage is trio folk-rock band the signed to Saddle Creek Records (Omaha, NE) in 2009.  To me the band sounds like a mix between Clap Your Hands Say Yeah! and The Tallest Man on Earth, so definitely an acquired taste.  The song I picked comes off of their sophomore album Departing, and is called "Under the Knife."  It's a slower song, but I really like the mix of slow loud vocals and piano.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jl6V91FnSNU

If you like this song, also check out "Two Lovers" and "Music Relaxants"

BONUS PICK OF THE WEEK! Today is so nice in Kansas City (81 and sunny) I thought I would throw in a song that both Jamie and I really love!  It's called "West Coast" off of the album Nighttiming by Coconut Records.  To me it is a perfect song for a day like today.  It makes me want to be outside by the grill, and having a blast with my friends and family.   If you like this song, also check out "It's Not You It's Me" which is also a great song for this time of year.  Enjoy it by the grill!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTzEp4CeWT8