Time to return to something more, err, normal. I'll save the Chopin and Bach and Mozart for another time...
"Scars & Stories" by The Fray, 2012, Epic Records
I'm a big fan of these guys. "How To Save A Life" is one of my favorite songs...and is a song (and album) that tugs at me. But this particular album rises above for a few reasons: I think it is more balanced and complete, I think the production is outstanding, and it has some songs that...well...hit me. Hard.
I'll explain that in a moment...but first, calling out three songs. This one is easy(ish) for me: "The Fighter" has strength and meaning, and is a song that can be in the background, or can be your whole focus. "The Wind" is just plain good to listen to. It is also a song that comes into play when I think of the opening of Silence (while Connor is prison).
And now for the kicker...for what, to me, is EVERYTHING on this album: "Be Still". "Be Still" is the song I hear in my head when I envision the final scene of Wrath & Tears. "Be Still" is Oz's final wish to Connor as he slides into death...
I just took a relative on a beer-tour in my region (sorta). Of course, that means I have to use one of those breweries as my Drink of the Month!
"AK" by Hogshead Brwery
AK is a cask-conditioned, English-style bitter ale (often called an ESB). Now, I love bitters and browns...and very, very sadly there are not many craft breweries here in the states that can make one worth a damn. I can't even begin to count the number of shitty versions of bitters and browns that I've had...
These guys, however, get it. They know how to make beers and ales, and how to play to the strengths of the cask (vice the normal CO2 driven kegs).
Doing cask-conditioned ales makes a difference...a huge difference, for either good or evil. With Hogshead, it is most definitely good. They're not well known outside of the region, but if you ever get a chance...well, go all "Nike" and just fucking do it.
