Basic Juice - the wine blog for my generation

It's Not Big It's Large

The adjective 'big' as it relates to wine often carries a slightly negative connotation.  Well, if not a overtly negative, then at least, fairly rough.  A big red wine is more often lauded for its power than its beauty.  Perhaps those big wines that also maintain an air of nuance should be referred to as 'large' or 'grand'.

When it comes to large, grand wines, one of the world's up and coming regions is Canada's Okanagan Valley in BC.  In fact, one of Canada's biggest wine-glomerates, VinCor, has partnered with a band in Bordeaux (Groupe Taillan) to develop grand Bordeaux-style winery.  Osoyoos Larose produces complex, character-full grand/large wine.  The 2004 Petales d'Osoyoos (~$27)  may be a 2nd label wine, but it's also lovely and grand.  Petales is largely blackberry, earthy spice and plum preserves.  If you happen to live near the 49th Parallel, matriculate over the border and grab this wine for turkey day.  At a minimum, try it before the Loonie laps the Greenback on the exchange front and the wine costs you as much as a 'first label' vino.

If you're still having difficulty wrapping your brain around the whole Big v. Large concept, let Lyle teach you.  His band is most definitely large rather than big.  Listen here. 

Update:

Read a Canuck Wino perspective on big wine here.

Weekend Hits/Misses

iTunes Hits
The Long Blondes - Someone to drive you home: Edgy pop with a slightly gruff but bouncy alto lead singer.

Spoon - Ga ga ga (etc.):  Imagine if the Rolling Stones drank 100 pints from the Fountain of Youth, quit most mind altering substances and moved to Austin.

Wine Hits
Laurenz und Sophie Singing Gruner Veltliner 2005: I have yet to find inexpensive white wine that is consistently as good and character-full as cheerful chuggers from Austria.  Set aside Laurenz + Sophie's silly "singing" moniker for this wine, twist off the cap and be prepared for zip! sproing! and fresh!

iTunes Misses
Crowded House - Time on Earth:  "Don't Dream it's Over" is one of the greatest pop songs of all time.  Unfortunately, our gang of Kiwis squeezed for living space has graduated to the "Adult Alternative" category.  Zzzzzzzzzzzz.

Discover any iTunes/Wine hits recently?

New Music Tuesday: Sub-32F Juveniles

Any band*, which aspires to evoke DF Wallace & his E Unibus Pluram essay, is a shoe-in to occupy bytes/101010 on my iPod.  The fact that the Kids** sing about Red Wine*** makes them easy to enjoy (or, "leicht zum Geniessen," as my Teutonic friends might say [were my Teutonic friends applying English grammar rules to the rather different German grammatical lexicon]).

*Unless said musical group were named, "The Infinite Jesters," or recorded an album called, "12 Interviews with Hideous Men."

**You may already be unknowingly familiar with the Kids from the tune, Hang me up to dry.  A catchy ditty if I do say so myself.

**Ironically, I enjoyed a glass of Los Arcos Sherry while toe-tapping to this sticky (and by sticky I mean 'catchy') melody.

Pink 'n Meaty

As with most varietals, the difference between new world expression and old world character is enormous.  Take one of my favorite Rhone grapes, Mourvedre (aka Monastrell in Spain).  The old world character of this red grape is often the recipient of such non-fruit descriptions like, "butcher shop," meaty, gamey and wild.  Produced in Aussie, Cali, South Africa or even in some of the modern-styled wines of Spain, Mourvedre morphs into a mighty fruity wine with scents of blackberry jam, black cherry and stewed raspberry.  Yet, even in its tamest, fruitiest form, Mourvedre always slides in something unexpected.  Occasionally, you'll get a whiff of eucalyptus, clove, tobacco or dark chocolate...or even meat.

So how would Mourvedre perform as a Rosé?  Will it be all yummy strawberry followed by bacon?

Fortunately, Cline's 2006 Mourvedre Rosé ($15) doesn't finish off with any flavors that could be construed as meaty.  It does however offer a nifty flavor combo of fresh strawberry, red plum and a touch of clove.  While This pinkie is a bit big on the -OH side (13%), it rights itself with a spritz of acidity and a touch of textured tannin.  As with most rosé wines, Cline's pink Mourvedre will do its duty with nearly any unpretentious food.  Try it with a  turkey burger, cheese pizza or pasta.

Think of it as your very own bottle of buckie [itunes] [emusic, trk 6]

3 Musts

1. A rosé must not contain more than 13% abv

2. Your Friday audio rotation must contain Motorin' by the Saturday Knights

3. This photo must receive a caption

Fri. Random 5 + 1 Chewy Chilean

Friday Random Music 5

1. Holly Golightly - This Ship
2. Of Montreal - We Were Born The Mutants Again With Leafling (?)
3. Alexi Murdoch - Song For You
4. Miles Davis - I Could Write A Book
5. Pearl Jam - Sonic Reducer (listen .mp3)

1 Chewy Chilean

Erasmo Reserva di Caliboro 2005 (~$25) - To those who think there is no distinct terroir in Chile, I say, "thhppphhhttt!"  This is the the 3rd Chilean Bordeaux (60% Cab S., 30% Merlot, 10% Cab F.) blend I've sampled that has a unique something-something.  That something is a nifty scent compilation of cherry liqueur, charred cedar and orange peel.  I dig it.  While the wine's flavor is straightforward black cherry-blackberry, it possesses two types o' tannic textures: 1) slightly abbraisive & attention grabbing followed by 2)smooth and supple.  Quite a trick.  Give it a go with a standing beef rib roast and/or crock-potted root veggies.

Breathe.

Very rarely does a $10 wine change dramatically as it breathes.  But then Spanish Monastrell (aka Mourvedre) isn't your typical grape variety.

Senor Barahonda Monastrell Tinto 2005 + 5 mins: Scents of berry Hi-C, raspberry jam and a hint of pepper

Senor Barahonda Monastrell Tinto 2005 + 15 mins: Scents of fresh raspberry, leather and a bit o' bacon

Senor Barahonda Monastrell Tinto 2005 + 55 mins: Barnyard & butcher shop, baby.

The Details: Senor Barahonda Monastrell Tinto 2005 ($10-$12).  Red Spanish wine made from 100% Monastrell.  Produced in the Yecla region (Southeast) of Spain.  Imported by Ole imports.

"Breathe" that reminds me of a song..(Listen to it.  Read it.)..

"Run away my son. See it all. Oh see the world."

MT: 5 Random Folk + Pierre's Reserve

5 Random Folk Tunes for Music Tuesday

1. Tiny Idyll - Jolie Holland
2. Decatur, or, Round of Applause for Your Step-Mother! - Sufjan Stevens
3. Diamond Shoes - Tift Merritt
4. Rainsquall - Richard Buckner
5. One Life Away - M. Ward

+ Pierre's Reserve

For $11-$12 one can't expect too much.  However, when a winery displays sizable cajones and/or marketing hoo-ha, and adds, "Reserve," to the label - well, let's just say my expectations hath been raised.  Pierre Sparr Reserve Gewurztraminer 2004 (imported by WJ Deutsch & sons) met my slightly higher expectations via a rarely used device in modern winemaking - a little something called restraint.  Most bargain-bin Gewurztraminer (no 'ü' in Alsace)  is one dimensional.  Some low rent G'traminer offers only one big whiff of lychee (litchi/lychi).  Others simply steamroll the palate with XL-alcohol or copious quantities of residual sugar.  However, Pierre's reserve brought a little complexity and restraint to the table.  This wine is replete with scents of lychee, along with ripe peach and Mandarin orange.  In the mouth, Sparr's Gewurz is indeed hefty (as is almost always the case with Gewurztraminer).  Yet the wine didn't overpower any of the food paired to it - definitely a sign of alcohol & sugar restraint.  Try Pierre's reserve with salmon sashimi, Asian-spiced spare ribs, or even edamame.

MT: Random 10 + Dr. Pauly

Music Tuesday Random 10

1. Personal Jesus - Depeche Mode
2. Diario de Viaje - Federico Aubele
3. Random Celebrity Insult Generator - Mclusky
4. I'll Take the Woods - Mocean Worker
5. Alone - Ben Harper
6. Assessment - The Beta Band
7. Lonely in Love - Lyle Lovett
8. Lazer Beam - Super Furry Animals
9. Oslo Skyline - Jaga Jazzist
10. I Don't Want to Get Over You - Magnetic Fields

+ Dr. Pauly

Nothing says German winemaking like, "Dr. Pauly-Bergweiler."  Dr. Pauly is actually owned by Dr. agr. Peter Pauly.  While D.P.'s, "Noble House" may not be this winery's top offering, it does however make for a fine introduction to the racy-semi-sweet style typical of many good German Rieslings.  Noble House offers what many value-priced wine from Deutschland lack: Harmony and balance between acidity and sugar.  Sure this wine is slightly off-dry.  However, its bright acidity livens things up, and conveys fresh, rather than overripe peach & pear character.  Give the 2005 vintage of Pauly-Bergweiler Noble House a spin alongside tuna or chicken salad (we can still dream of picnic weather can't we?).  It's ten bucks well spent.

MT: Random 10 + 1 German Pinot

Music Tuesday: Random 10

1. I Gotta Move - Ben Kweller
2. North Hanging Rock - British Sea Power
3. Your Heart is an Empty Room - Death Cab for Cutie
4. Doxy - Miles Davis
5. Statecontrol - The Hives
6. My Petition - Jill Scott
7. From Which I Came/A Magic World - Eels
8. America's Most Blunted - Madvillain
9. The Other Side of This Life - David Byrne
10. Destination 24 - Wellwater Conspiracy

+ 1 German Pinot

Georg Breuer Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir), 2004 ($20) - imported by Classical Wines.  Surprise! An excellent quality red wine from Germany's Rheingau region.  In a region - nee a country - known for racy Riesling, good old Georg puts his teutonic touch on Burgundy's grape. And the result is one of the zestiest white-wine-in-red-wine-clothing you'll ever taste.  This Pinot is damn near coral in color - more a dark rose than a red wine.  It offers up scents of just-ripe strawberry, tart cherry and woody spice.  In the mouth, Breuer's Spätburgunder possesses nearly invisible tannins; making for a sheer, silky mouthfeel.  It imparts flavors of red raspberry and cherry, followed by a delicate finish.  This wine is definitely for the fragile wine lover.  Don't clobber it with food.  Try Breuer's Pinot with roasted chicken, fresh goat cheese or sashimi.

Music Tuesday: Random 10 + 1

Your music Tuesday random 10 from the Basic Juice iPod:

1. 3 Legged Animals - Califone
2. Smells Like Teen Spirit - The Bad Plus
3. I Cry Alone - The Black Keys
4. I Lied - Telefon Tel Aviv
5. Matt's Song - The Soviettes
6. Neighborhood #2 - The Arcade Fire
7. Strung Out Again - Elliot Smith
8. Bowl of Oranges - Bright Eyes
9. Le Jazz et Le Gin - Coralie Clement
10. Cropduster - Pearl Jam

+1 superfunky wine recommendation:

Clos Coutale Cahors 2003 ($14) - imported by Kermit Lynch through Winebow. Without knowing the grapes involved in this thick, indigo, mystery wine, one might guess it's made from Tannat as the wine is replete with burnt orange and licorice scents.  Would you believe this wine, from Cahors in France's southwest, is made from 80% Malbec and 20% Merlot?  If your experience with Malbec is confined to Argentina, you're in for one big, chewy surprise.  In addition to this wine's odd yet compelling orange-licorice scent-combo, I discovered scents of cedar, red cherry and hints of herbs.  Be warned, allow this badboy to air our for at least an hour before sipping, or your tongue will get locked into a tannic vice grip.  However, after it's had a chance to breathe, Clos Coutale is compelling with tangy, wild flavors and a seemingly eternal finish.  Serve it up with marbled beef or lamb chops and enjoy a downright memorable dining experience.

Tell us if you've had any superfunky wine experiences recently, and, what's randomly rotating on your iPod?  Happy Tuesday.

New Music Tuesday: 21st Century Disco

Imagine Disco had never suffered a much-scorned demise.  How might it sound today in ought-six?  Say hello to Ghostland Observatory:

Ghostland Observatory is the duo of front man Aaron Behrens and producer/drummer Thomas Turner. Behrens’ vocal style and stage performances are unique and uncompromising, and he has drawn early comparisons to Freddie Mercury and Prince. Turner is heavily influenced by electronic artists such as Daft Punk, Laurent Garnier and Green Velvet, as well as rockers such as The Animals, David Bowie, and The Clash. With their spectral blend of electronics, drums, guitar and vocals, they have emerged with a sound that is the culmination of past influence and present inspiration, and can only be described as BALLSY [emphasis not mine]

Think those are fairly lofty comparisons?  Have a listen to GO's Sad Sad City (track 1 on the menu).

Granted, I was only six years old when Travolta's hair and white suit made Disco mainstream.  I do however seem to remember around the same time a spate of ads for Asti Spumanti and Riunite on Ice..that's nice! (aka chilled Lambrusco from the Italian wine region, Emilia-Romagna).  So it seems Northern Italian vino had the corner on 70s Disco refreshment.  Perhaps we should give the Sicilians the opportunity to quench our 21st Century Disco thirst..

Get down with Tasca d'Almerita's Regaleali Bianco Sicilia IGT, 2005 (~$11).  Big Parks gives this white blend of 3 Sicilian varietals (Inzolia, Cataratto, Grecanico) the magic 90 point score (which means you best track it down now before it disappears).  I do have to agree with his observation that T.d'A.'s bianco is surprisingly crisp and fresh considering how far in Italy's steamy, sunny south the vines are.  Regaleali defies expectations with a zesty mouthfeel coupled to scents that can best be described as a vanilla-peach cream soda-pop minus HFCS.  This wine is indeed simple, but also unique and refreshing.  Give it a go while boogeying to Ghostland Observatory.

PS: Regaleali, imported by Winebow, also makes a fabulously funky rosato.

Do Something Next Tuesday

That 'something' would be vote.  If your congressperson has had an active role in turning the US congress into, "less-than-do-nothing," Or, if your representative is one of the  dubious 10 worst legislators, I suggest throwing the bum out.  Of course the only way to do this is by exercising your right to vote.  So don't forget, next Tuesday, November 7, is your chance to be heard.  Pull that lever!  Alternatively, if your polling place has been Diebolded, you may wish to sing this little ditty on your way to the black box:

"Suspect Device" (original by Stiff Little Fingers) cover by Ted Leo + the Pharmacists (listen via eMusic, or live version mp3).

"Don't believe them
Don't believe them
Don't be bitten twice
You gotta suss, suss, suss, suss, suss
Suss suspect device"

Celebrate your vote by cracking open a little bubbly.  You deserve it.

For the more politically active amongst us, you can also do more than vote, or call for change.

Technorati Tags: do nothing congress, ted leo, vote

Hot Topic

1. White wine doesn't necessarily need to be chilled.  In fact, over-chilling is all too common.  Discuss. (the Juice)
2. Great-tasting, value-priced wine-in-a-box is a splendid idea - and those smart Spanish vintners are just the senors/senoras to deliver squared wine.  Discuss. (dr. vino)
3. Wine blogs only write about obscure wines that most wine lovers have no hope of finding.  Thus, they are irrelevant.  Discuss (vinography; fermentation)
4. Grape Radio is the kickassingest podcast around as evidenced by its receipt of the 'Podcast of the Year' award at the Podcast & Portable Media Expo.  Discuss. (hat tip WW)
5. The song Obsession by Animotion is the perfect example of 80s pop music videos.  Discuss. (youtube)

Finally a T/F question:  I can neither dance nor rhyme, can I still make wine with the Juice Crew?  Answer: T, homey, T.

Noir

Noir - French for black.  A common suffix for dark-berried grape varietals (e.g. Pinot Noir, Grenache Noir)

Not to be confused with

Film Noir - A cinematic term used primarily to describe stylish Hollywood crime dramas that set their protagonists in a world perceived as inherently corrupt and unsympathetic

Nor to be confused with

Jim Noir - British singer/songwriter described thusly:

"Imagine a Wurlitzer jukebox stacked with the hits of ELO, Super Furry Animals, Pepper-era Beatles, The Beta Band, The Beach Boys, early Pink Floyd and Supertramp. Now imagine blowing that jukebox up with a cartoon-style dynamite stick and making a record from the exploded fragments of vinyl and luminescent tubing. That's a bit like what Tower Of Love [from Jim Noir] sounds like. "

Have a listen to Mr. Noir while sipping a P.Noir and watching The Stranger - a classic film noir.

Technorati Tags: film noir, jim noir, pinot noir, wine

The New Grunge

There seems to be a lot of discussion out there about how the Seattle hip-hop scene is similar to the Grunge scene of the early 90's (see this month's edition of Seattle Sound).  The apparent similarity lies in the fact that SEA's hip-hop just might alter the music scene, much as Grunge flipped pop and glam-metal on its ear back in the day.  Check out 2 up-and-coming Seattle hip-hop acts:

Common Market
Listen to track 4 'Connect for' (navigate to music -> audio/video)
Check out a live performance of Connect for in Bellingham WA (youtube)

Blue Scholars

Check out track 3 'Southside Revival
Watch 'Proletariat Blue' performed at Easy Street Records (youtube)

Get On The Bus

Words used to describe hiphop MC Busdriver:

auctioneer, multiple personality disorder, one-of-a-kind, musical genius

Do you reckon a rap song which samples a classic flute solo, intermixed with a sexy, smoky clarinet interlude; and paired to razor-sharp lyrics could be highly addictive - let alone listenable? 

Have a listen to 'Imaginary Places' at:
iTunes
eMusic

This is some of the most creative and energetic music I've ever heard.

Watch the video to Imaginary Places at Youtube.

Technorati Tags: busdriver, music

Friday Splash

A few interesting wine splashes from the Web for a Friday afternoon/evening.

• Luxe hotel in Oregon wine country.  Good idea or is this the first step in pricing people not named 'Hilton' out of the area?
• Global warming and the Aussie wine industry - adapt or..
• Stop thief! My question is, "what wine pairs well with drumsticks and chocolate milk?"
• That was fast.  China's first wine culture museum opened.
• Speaking of China...it seems the country doesn't take too kindly to over-sulphered wine.
• Uhh, attention Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the concept of barrique-ageing isn't exactly winemaking's hottest trend.
• El Bloggo Torcido - Twisted Oak Winery's blog.  Behold; a winery that gets blogging.

Bonus music video youtube madness: The Kaiser Chiefs predict a riot (which would be quite dangerous considering the band appears to be playing in front of a bunch of fans wielding pillows.  Duck!).

SOTD: Trance Manual

Song of the Day:
Trance Manual by John Vanderslice (download mp3 here)

"cross the palisade
at the holiday inn
see the mujahidin barricades
just walk right through"

A soothing ballad with two seemingly unrelated lyrical tails

"come to me now
you are warming weather
come to me now
the kind that comes with
sandbags along the river"

Try it with a subtle, complex wine, which reveals itself slowly over a few hours.  Charles Joguet's 'Les Petites Roches' Chinon (Cabernet Franc) is a good choice to join in your listening pleasure.

Technorati Tags: john vanderslice, music

Storm Addict

I'm a big fan of Storm Large.  However, I am not terribly fond of the pasteurized version presented on Rockstar.  I prefer my Storm unsanitized.

Click pic to youtube a raucous version of I want you to die.

Technorati Tags: music, rockstar, storm large, youtube

Nortec Collective

Nortec Collective (latest release: Tijuana Sessions Vol. 3) asks you to forget what you know about Tijuana before listening to their music.  In fact, the collective is more than a music group.  It's a group of musicians, architects, filmmakers, graphic designers, artists, and fashion stylistas.  But let's focus on the music side of things for a bit.

The Collective's genre-bending sounds blend electronica to Norteño, Ranchera, and Banda Sinaloense - Mexicanized hybrids of polka (!) and waltz (!!) brought to Mexico by German farmers (!!!).  The sound is like no other.  It's at once groovy, oompa-y, and latin.  One thing I can guarantee when you listen to the music, your feet/booty/hands will not remain still.  Yes, I know it's the holiday season, but nothing will make cookie-baking sessions as fun as listening to NC's music while you measure flour, sugar and salt.

My favorite tracks (listen to the album here):
El Fracaso - an oompa polka groove countered by blaring trumpets and a mean snare drum
Olvidela Compa - swingin clarinets and one sweet accordian
Autobanda - more tuba-driven polka sounds; but this time distorted and funked up with electronic beats
Funky Tamazula - had James Brown lived in Tijuana he would have made a song like this

Wine Pairing:  This music makes me immediately think of two wine styles: Spicy or Sparkly.

On the spicy tip, try a Cali Zin by Ridge (Pagani Ranch is a goodie)

If these tunes bring on a bout of the bubbly-joneses, groove with a sparkly Chardonnay by Charles de Fère or Argyle's sparkling Oregon Brut.

Nortec Collective (latest release: Tijuana Sessions Vol. 3) asks you to forget what you know about Tijuana before listening to their music.  In fact, the collective is more than a music group.  It's a group of musicians, architects, filmmakers, graphic designers, artists, and fashion stylistas.  But let's focus on the music side of things for a bit.

The Collective's genre-bending sounds blend electronica to Norteño, Ranchera, and Banda Sinaloense - Mexicanized hybrids of polka (!) and waltz (!!) brought to Mexico by German farmers (!!!).  The sound is like no other.  It's at once groovy, oompa-y, and latin.  One thing I can guarantee when you listen to the music, your feet/booty/hands will not remain still.  Yes, I know it's the holiday season, but nothing will make cookie-baking sessions as fun as listening to NC's music while you measure flour, sugar and salt.

My favorite tracks (listen to the album here):
El Fracaso - an oompa polka groove countered by blaring trumpets and a mean snare drum
Olvidela Compa - swingin clarinets and one sweet accordian
Autobanda - more tuba-driven polka sounds; but this time distorted and funked up with electronic beats
Funky Tamazula - had James Brown lived in Tijuana he would have made a song like this

Wine Pairing:  This music makes me immediately think of two wine styles: Spicy or Sparkly.

On the spicy tip, try a Cali Zin by Ridge (Pagani Ranch is a goodie)

If these tunes bring on a bout of the bubbly-joneses, groove with a sparkly Chardonnay by Charles de Fère or Argyle's sparkling Oregon Brut.

Embarrassing/Not Embarrassing

Embarrassing

(click pic to view this phat video)
In 1989, I purchased this 'band's' album.  The embarrassing thing is that I thought the music was dope.  Sideways-Gumby-fades, spandex, the running man, a bridge rap - what's not to like!?  Word to the U-Krew.

Not Embarrassing

There are few things in the world of wine more satisfying than a reasonably-priced, tasty red Burgundy.  Bernard Morey's Old Vines (Vieilles Vignes) Santenay 2002 ($20-$25) is a classic, slightly rustic expression of Pinot Noir.  I wouldn't be embarrassed to serve this wine to the Queen of England, the Pope, or a Rabbi (isn't this how that one joke begins?..).  This Santenay is a dusty ruby color with scents of red plum, tomato and strawberry.  In the mouth Morey's Burgundy is light and crisp.  It possesses flavors of red berries, a little bittersweet chocolate along with just a smidgeon of vanilla.  This wine makes the perfect accompaniment to herb-stuffed, roasted chicken.  Forget, just Tuesdays; I could spend nearly every day with Morey.  The wines of Bernard Morey are imported by Vineyard Brands.

Technorati Tags: burgundy, pinot noir, france, french wine, music, U-Krew

SSB Electrified

Happy Independence Day.  Start it off with Jimi's rendition of the SSB

click pic to play.

Things To Do in Vienna #742

Watching these two jam was a special, Viennese treat

Vienna is such a historic, culture-rich city, that I found myself a bit overwhelmed with Friday night options.  So I took a walk.  I wandered through the Stadtpark (city park) and noticed a blue neon sign with the words, "Two Siberians," on the placard.  The neo-jazz lover in me found these words familiar.  I walked towards the sign and entered Birdland, one of Vienna's famous jazz clubs.  After sitting down, I was duly blown away by the electric guitar - electric violin duo comprised of, well, two Siberians: Yuri Matveyev (guitar) and Artyom Yakushenko (violin).  Those two played a set of electrified music with influences ranging from jazz and blues to folk and hard rock.  Have a listen to these short sound clips I recorded with my handy-dandy digital recorder at the concert (mp3 format)

• Sample 1 (the crazy Hendrix-Van Halen-like distortion is actually the violin)
• Sample 2
• Sample 3

You can read more about them here.  The duo released an album in 2003, Out of Nowhere.  Tracks from the album can be purchased for download on AllOfMP3.  Check it out.
.

Technorati Tags: austria, live austrian wine adventure, music, travel

Album of the Day: Self Titled

Righteous rocking
If you thought Pearl Jam was a grunge band, you are mistaken.  Even though this band was born in the era of Nirvana, oversized shirts and gen-x angst; Pearl Jam has always been a rock-n-roll band in the vein of the Who and the Stones - with many of the punk sensibilities of the Ramones and the Clash.

The bands latest album, Pearl Jam, is exhibit A for big, brawny rock music performed with brains and soul.  PJ slices and dices neocons' nocturnal emissions with World Wide Suicide and Marker in the Sand.  Comatose is a brainsearing punk howlfest.  Big Wave is pure, hard rock fun.  The surprise song is Come Back - it's a bluesy tune done with New Orleans style.  The album standout is Severed Hand.  This song pulls together everything the band does well: hard-driving riffs, modern rock-influenced accents and octopus-like percussion.  Rediscover rock and roll, listen to Pearl Jam.

Preview a couple tracks from the album on iTunes.

Watch the band's Web concert after it tapes Letterman on Thursday, May 4 (5:55pm ET/2:55pm PT)

Listen to almost any live performance from the band's 15 year career at PearlJamLive.com

And for more righteous rocking in the free world, listen to Neil Young's latest.

Technorati Tags: music, pearl jam, protest music

Song of the Day: They Never Got You

What can you say about a song that makes your feet dance, hands clap and head bob - all before you realize you're gesticulating like a damn fool?  You can say it's a damn fine song. They Never Got You, by Austin band, Spoon, is one of those tunes that is immediately enjoyable. Got You begins with the thunderclap of an approaching storm and immediately breaks into a tightly strummed uptempo melody, which is soon joined by lead singer Britt Daniel's sandpapery tenor voice.  The thunderstorm theme continues throughout the song with jolts of jangled electric guitars and a very cool hand clap solo.  It makes me crave Prosecco and popcorn.

Listen to a preview of They Never Got You on eMusic or iTunes (track 10 on the album, "Gimme Fiction")

Plug in, pour some Prosecco (Casalnova or Zardetto) and dance, fool.

And if you really dig Spoon.  Check out the song Fitted Shirt off of "Girls Can Tell."  It reminds of the song AC/DC would have written, had they been Gen-Xers.

Technorati Tags: music, spoon

Song of the Day: My Angel Rocks Back and Forth

I have no idea how to describe the electronica outfit known as Four Tet.  The group makes music that lands somewhere in the amorphous ambient genre.  However, Four Tet's sound refuses to play the role of audio accouterment.  This music will distract you to no end.  Some have described it as "folktronica."  The song, My Angel Rocks Back And Forth merges a ventillator and Koto, or perhaps music box, to form its thematic arc.  Layers of sound are added - bass, cymbal and wood block.  The result is a surprisingly warm, very organic melody, which is, in many ways reminiscent of a lullaby.

Listen to My Angel on Four Tet's site (scroll down to the album, "rounds").

On listen #3, I felt like a white Bordeaux.  Something along the lines of Chateau Carbonnieux.

Technorati Tags: four tet, music, wine and music

Song of the Day: Sea Miner

Wellwater Conspiracy is a collaborative effort by Matt Cameron (Soundgarden, Pearl Jam) and John McBain (Monster Magnet).  Much of their music might be filed under "garage-psychedelia."  However, the song Sea Miner stands out on this self-titled album for its sheer originality and genre-bending.  Sea Miner is a mix of ethereal, almost dream-state like music with periodic cloudbursts of sound & distortion.  As you listen to the song, you may begin to relax just a little and feel as if the tune will gradually dissipate.  However, towards the end, it builds a cacophonous wall and then finishes with force.

Listen to a preview of Sea Miner on eMusic

This song calls for a deeply complex wine.  Barolo comes to mind, as it touches the mouth with subtlety and then evolves into a mouth-filling red wine with a strong, lingering finish.  If you're not up for Barolo, consider a chilled Smaragd Austrian Grüner Veltliner from the Wachau.  As the wine warms, you'll notice its surprising stature and complexity.

Tags: wellwater conspiracy, music, pearl jam

Song of the Day: Then drink to me, Babe

A.C Newman is best known as the front man for the popular and critically acclaimed band, The New Pornographers (relax, it's just the band's name).  A couple of years ago the prolific Newman cut an album titled The Slow Wonder.  It's a collection of songs, which displays his fine pop song-writing skills.  My favorite track from this record is, "Then drink to me, Babe."  This song is a bit more down tempo than much of the album.  It's a very listenable, acoustic-accented song, which conveys feelings of both hope and melancholia.  The perfect Song for a Monday.

Listen to Then drink to me, Babe here

Think of this song as a surprisingly complex California Rosé, a la Terre Rouge's Vin Gris d'Amador 2003 (~$12).

Tags: ac newman, music, new pornographers

Weekend Rotation

A playlist to get your weekend thumping (click song to hear an iTunes preview).

1. B-Side Wins Again (DJ Spooky + Public Enemy)
2. Random Celebrity Insult Generator (Mclusky)
3. Liberty Belle (Super Furry Animals)
4. Walk a Mile (Holly Golightly)
5. The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song (Flaming Lips)
6. Blue School (Blue Scholars)
7. In My Tree (Pearl Jam live @ MSG)
8. Apologies to Insect Life (British Sea Power)
9. Everything (Sleater-Kinney)
10. Revenge (Spoon)
11. Little Dawn (Ted Leo + Pharmacists)

And remember: If it's too loud, you're too....err..turn it down just a titch.

BJI: Special Monday Edition

Basic Juice Intelligencer
13.March.06

jam - The best Monday-Blues-Fighting song in the history of the universe: Chicken Payback (listen iTunes sample, non-iTunes sample) by A Band of Bees.  This tune is guaranteed to help you release your inner funky chicken.  See the video (DDR dance-off in a Tokyo arcade) [Stereogum, KEXP]

drink - Thanks to native grapes, Italian wine is stronger than ever [Mondosapore via Vinohound]

dish - Catalan-style White Bean and Green Garlic Tortilla Truita de Mongetes i All Tendre [In Praise of Sardines]

poli - Censuring the President [Sen. Russ Feingold]

science - Aquatic ants - not floating ants, but ants that actually swim [the Modulator]

Late Update: Tech - What is this guy?  A commie?  A socialist?  Or just Apple's CEO? [Appleinsider]

Basic Juice Intelligencer
13.March.06

jam - The best Monday-Blues-Fighting song in the history of the universe: Chicken Payback (listen iTunes sample, non-iTunes sample) by A Band of Bees.  This tune is guaranteed to help you release your inner funky chicken.  See the video (DDR dance-off in a Tokyo arcade) [Stereogum, KEXP]

drink - Thanks to native grapes, Italian wine is stronger than ever [Mondosapore via Vinohound]

dish - Catalan-style White Bean and Green Garlic Tortilla Truita de Mongetes i All Tendre [In Praise of Sardines]

poli - Censuring the President [Sen. Russ Feingold]

science - Aquatic ants - not floating ants, but ants that actually swim [the Modulator]

Late Update: Tech - What is this guy?  A commie?  A socialist?  Or just Apple's CEO? [Appleinsider]

Basic Juice Intelligencer
13.March.06

jam - The best Monday-Blues-Fighting song in the history of the universe: Chicken Payback (listen iTunes sample, non-iTunes sample) by A Band of Bees.  This tune is guaranteed to help you release your inner funky chicken.  See the video (DDR dance-off in a Tokyo arcade) [Stereogum, KEXP]

drink - Thanks to native grapes, Italian wine is stronger than ever [Mondosapore via Vinohound]

dish - Catalan-style White Bean and Green Garlic Tortilla Truita de Mongetes i All Tendre [In Praise of Sardines]

poli - Censuring the President [Sen. Russ Feingold]

science - Aquatic ants - not floating ants, but ants that actually swim [the Modulator]

Late Update: Tech - What is this guy?  A commie?  A socialist?  Or just Apple's CEO? [Appleinsider]

Spread the Jam

Having a prosaic day at the office?  Need something to jangle your senses?  I've got the just the thing for you: A new Pearl Jam tune.  The song is called, "World Wide Suicide" and it's from the band's upcoming self titled album.  You can download a 100% free, high-quality version of the song here (mp3 format).  If this song doesn't cause you to writhe in your seat just a little bit, then I would say that you're clinically - dead.

Methinks The Ramones, Joe Strummer, The Who and Neil Young all approve of this song.

Commence jamming.

tags pearl jam, world wide suicide

New Music Tuesday: Jukebox 45's

I ran across this album on emusic and downloaded it immediately.  Jukebox 45's is a compilation of abstract hip-hop, bizarre 70s funk, acid rock and breakbeat by DJ Peanut Butter Wolf.  The oddest and most enjoyable track is "My 2600" an old school Atari game cartridge shout-out (!!) laid over smoove groovy funk by 'Captain Funkaho.' Have a listen: Download 13824243.m3u.  Preview all the tracks here.

This album puts me in the mood for some solid bubbly.  Groove to it with a Cava by Can Feixes (imported into the US by Classical Wines): Huguet Gran Reserva Cava Brut Nature 2001 ($24).  This wine is more complex than most non-Champagne bubbly.  It's also Sahara-desert-in-a-bottle dry ('Brut Nature' indicates no dosage was added).  Huguet Cava will literally get your juices flowing (at least in your mouth anyway) while you let this PB Wolf album seep into your head.

Groovy.

Grooving on

Currently grooving on..

Dianne Reeves, Good Night and Good Luck (Soundtrack) - great, classy jazz vocals.  The song, "I've got my eye on you," holds special significance in light of recent events (a shout out to my dawgs at the NSA)

The Gossip, Standing in the Way of Control - Mix a little Aretha-soul, electronica & some attitude; and voila - the Gossip

Eagles of Death Metal, Peace. Love. Death Metal - Damnit Nissan, I had kicked my addiction to this band's music last summer.  Yet your stoopid X-terra commercial got me hooked again.

De La Soul, 3 Feet High and Rising - Yes, it's over 15 years old.  But solid hip-hop doesn't die, it just gets more funky.  And by the way, it takes talent to make a Hall & Oates sample sound groovy

#1 in tha Hood, G.

I love my wine peeps..

1. Blackberry band-aids
2. Miles as Burgundy
3. I hate anything banana, except bananas

And, yo, I know this dude - right.  He lives next door to a foodfight [watch A.T.H.F.!]

Bieau Hazard

This morning I stepped into a phone booth-sized room, donned a rubber glove in my left hand (yeah, I can go left), popped 100 μCi ("microCuries") of radioactive Iodine-131 and chased it with a cup of eau-de-hôpital.  Not so bad, right (backstory here)?  Well; yes and no.  At this moment I am radiating gamma rays.  Certainly there can't be enough to cause anyone else harm.  Not so fast.  I also received a list of things I must do over the next few days.  Some highlights from the list:

• Avoid prolonged contact with children and pregnant women (and I assume clingy pets) for 4 days
• Maintain a 'prudent' distance from others for 3 days