Everybody Knows

Best New Music

The Jayhawks | Back Roads & Abandoned Motels | "Everybody Knows"

Tell me now, if you came sneaking up behind
Would you know me and see behind the smile?
I can change like colors on a wall
Hoping no one else will find what lies beneath it all
I think I hide it all so well
     -Gary Louris

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Brew Detective: Gigantic Brewing Co. | Hop Bot

New to me, so here you go. Gigantic has some nice branding and I dig their single bottle offerings. The Hop Bot is a fresh-hopped, Citra IPA. Tasting notes: resembled flowers, dandelion greens, a strong presence of white grape juice, and maybe even escarole. Quite the cornucopia of produce. It pours with a nice head, glowing orange-gold underneath. Hops for the Bot were farmed locally by Sodbuster. Enjoy local beer responsibly.

Hop Bot | 6%

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Having Been is No Way to Be

Best New Music

Jeff Tweedy | Warm | Having Been is No Way to Be

I'm reaching out to you
I'm writing all the time
I don't see deep but I see far and wide
I see dead trees
But the roots have leaves
Just because I can't describe it doesn't mean I shouldn't try
To untwist the knife
To unwind the mind
Having been is no way to be alive

And I'm alive
When I watch you sleep
I wonder how much freedom we need
And I'm here when you wake up to me
And I'm still here when you wake up to me
   - Jeff Tweedy


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Brew Detective: Vertical Lift | Ascendant Beer Co.

Ascendant's Vertical Lift hazy IPA presents fruit forward characteristics derived from hops; those same fruity notes are not overwhelming, which is nice. It's pure haze in the pint glass, you cannot see through it. The carbonation is a big plus, presenting a foamy top, not always the case with Hazy's. I'll be looking for more of Ascendant's libations. Shout out to Bridgetown Beerhouse. Enjoy responsibly.

Vertical Lift | 7% | 77 IBU

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So Good, So Far...2018

Time flies, even though it has also fallen back, as our seasonal tendencies settle in. One of my daily rituals is music. So Good So Far is the second installment of my favorite albums from the calendar year. I posted a quick-hitter back in summer of my then go-to records. Now it's time to complete the list of the dozen or so "best" releases of 2018. Hopefully everyone's had a nice transition into autumn and with a little luck, or preemptive planning, we'll all have a good holiday season too. So Good, So Far...so long 2018.

Yolanda | What Vision
unsigned, talented, mood, must hear... Drivver_New Waltz &  Following Me

The Jayhawks | Back Roads & Abandoned Motels
OG's, can't go wrong, the way i want these songs to sound, thank you jayhawks... Gonna Be a Darkness & Carry You to Safety

Jeff Tweedy | Warm *
tell it like it is, warm, cold, observant, pain, felt, no bull shit, jeff... Some Birds & Having Been is No Way to Be

Michael Nau & The Mighty Thread | Self Titled
timely, honest, makes the real more real, voice, sounds, construction, a favorite song of the year... Less Than Positive

Lydia | Liquor
stripped, soft, strong, rare, mystifying and direct, want more, my other favorite song... Way Out

Cat Power | Wanderer
nothing changed, everything changed, smokey, what i want, more please, cover of the year... Stay 

Khruangbin | Con Todo El Mundo *
no one else is doing this, original, rooted, futuristic, texas gone psychedelia international, the next level, get down... Maria También & August 10

This, coupled to that, equals a baker's dozen! Happy holidays!

eightychoices.

**

Brew Detective: Hazy Rock | Pelican Brewing

Oregon has a plethora of tasty breweries to indulge in. One that's held my attention is Pelican Brewing. I recently grabbed a six pack of their latest juicy IPA. Hazy Rock pours a deep golden straw, not quite as hazy as others in this category. The carbonation is an A-plus, bubbles move upward, recharging the smooth foam atop. Even with the greater transparency, you still notice particulates. 

Nosing out early are reminders of pineapple and guava. Hop bitterness arrives up front, unfolding into super balanced flavors as the ale dissipates. Hazy Rock is both nuanced and overly drinkable. The color, mouthfeel and finish make this an approachable juicy IPA. Enjoy fine ales responsibly.

Hazy Rock | 6.2% | 35 IBU

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