Music Review: Pixies EP1

Let me start off by saying there is Pixies music and there is Frank Black music. I love them both, but they are not the same thing (this could also be said about The Smiths music and Morrissey music.)

Pixies music is wild, weird, scary, off-beat, and usually hard to take in the first few listens. For the most part, Frank Black music is straight-ahead rock and roll, occasionally off-kilter, but much more 'normal' than Pixies stuff (a few notable exceptions: "Parry The Wind High Low" and the entire "Bluefinger" record.)

Which brings us to "EP1".

If this had been a Frank Black or even a Black Francis solo effort, I would have a very different opinion than I do.

But it's released as Pixies, my second-favorite band of all time (after the aforementioned Smiths.)

When I hit play on something called 'Pixies', I expect the elation and discomfort that I felt at my first listens of "Planet of Sound", "Tame", "The Happening", "River Euphrates" and all those masterpieces.

According to that measure, it's a mixed bag.

Since we're only talking about 4 songs, I'll break them down one by one.

"Andro Queen"

This is a really good Frank Black song. It would fit well on "Dog In The Sand". This does not seem like a Pixies song to me whatsoever. The singing is way too straight, there are no weird tempo changes, nothing really exciting. Just a Frank Black-style straightforward song. I would equate it to Frank's "The Swimmer".



"Another Toe In The Ocean"

Meh. This isn't even that good of a Frank Black song. Reminds me of the stuff from Frank Black and the Catholics (my least favorite Charles Thompson effort.) I hate to say it, but it's just kind of boring...and the lyrics are so-so.



"Indie Cindy"

This one definitely feels more Pixies-esque. Black Francis rattling off that Spanish and the weird changes definitely feels like old times. But where is the scream?



"What Goes Boom"

NOW we're talking. Pure, 100% awesome. This song makes sense as a natural follow-up to "Trompe Le Monde". If they put out an album of this stuff, I'd be there, there, there.



So, all-in-all not bad. It's great to have new Pixies stuff (and by the way, I loved "Bam Thwok"...one of my all-time favorite Pixies songs.) Hopefully they'll make more and hopefully it will be in the vein of "What Goes Boom".

And please bring back the scream. "TAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMMME!!!!!!"

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a tequila enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Tequila of the Day: El Tesoro de Don Felipe Añejo

El Tesoro de Don Felipe Añejo

DESCRIPTION:
All Anejo tequila must be aged for one year according to Mexican law. But they age El Tesoro Anejo for two to three years in oak barrels. Which is why its full and balanced flavor is known as one of the world’s best sipping tequilas.

Awards

• 2009 International Review of Spirits: Platinum
• San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2009: Double Gold
• San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2008: Silver
• 2007 Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition Gold
• San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2007: Gold
• San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2005: Double Gold
• San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2004: Double Gold
• San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2003: Gold

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a tequila enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Music And Whiskey To Decompress By

When that barking dog, crying baby, oppressive landlord or life in general has you completely stressed out, pour a glass of the following whiskeys and turn on the accompanying music and watch your tension melt away.

Artist: AIR Song: "Lost Message" Whiskey: Laphroaig

Artist: Big Star Song: "Lady Sweet" Whiskey: Tyrconnell Single Malt

Artist: Chris Difford Song: "The Other Man In My Life" Whiskey: Balcones Baby Blue

Artist: David Bowie Song: "Heroes" Whiskey: The Glenlivet XXV

Artist: Electric Light Orchestra Song: "Eldorado" Whiskey: Jameson Rarest Vintage

Artist: Grizzly Bear Song: "Two Weeks" Whiskey: Clontarf Single Malt

Artist: Joy Division Song: "Atmosphere" Whiskey: Michael Collins Single Malt

Artist: Matt Pond PA Song: "First Light" Whiskey: Bruichladdich 15 year

Artist: Morrissey Song: "Come Back To Camden" Whiskey: Old Pulteney 17 year

Artist: Radiohead Song: "Knives Out" Whiskey: The Glenrothes 1975

Artist: Roxy Music Song: "More Than This" Whiskey: Compass Box Peat Monster

Artist: Sufjan Stevens Song: "All Delighted People" Whiskey: Tomintoul Oloroso 12 year

Artist: The Doors Song: "Yes, The River Knows" Whiskey: Buchanan's 18 year

Artist: The Flaming Lips Song: "The Impulse" Whiskey: Chivas 18 year

Artist: The Innocence Mission Song: "Migration" Whiskey: The Antiquary 21 year

Artist: Wilco Song: "Wishful Thinking" Whiskey: Glendronach 12 year

Artist: Wire Song: "Kidney Bingos" Whiskey: Speyburn 10 year

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a whiskey enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Wine of the Day: 2004 Chateau Mouton-Rothschild, Pauillac

2004 Chateau Mouton-Rothschild, Pauillac


DESCRIPTION:
from Berry Bros. & Rudd - Often criticised for being somewhat exotic and 'new world' in style, the 2004 Mouton shows pure 'old world' charm. This is possibly because a new winemaker, from Ch. Branaire, has taken over this year. The nose is rich and spicy with lovely ripe Cabernet fruit - the blend comprises 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Cabernet Franc, 15% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot - which is a bit more subtle on the palate. Round and velvety with plenty of ripe tannins and great balance, this is more approachable than the other First Growths and is easily as good as Mouton's 2000 and 2002.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a wine enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

The Health Benefits of Vodka

Reprinted from MensXP.
We know how much you love your alcohol. We also know that nothing will make you happier than knowing your favourite drink has health benefits, too. And, if that happens to be vodka, then it’s time you have a guilt free night out.

Vodka is a colourless, odourless and flavourless drink, and therefore, blends smoothly with most other drinks without asserting itself. This makes Vodka extremely popular among men and women. It’s no pomegranate juice, but when taken in moderate amounts (35-40 ml), vodka can be healthy! If you have a slightest of doubt, we advise you to consult your doctor before drinking vodka. But always remember, moderation is the key!

Without further ado, here are the health benefits of vodka.

1) Helps you lose weight

Image Credit: Shutterstock

If losing weight is your intention, then vodka can be a reasonable alcohol choice. According to USDA Data Nutrient Laboratory, Vodka is carbohydrate-free and has only 64 calories per ounce. The trick is to use it neat or with sugar-free juices. Because of its usage as a cocktail mixer, people generally tend to mix vodka with high-calorie drinks, which actually negates the benefits of vodka.

2) Reduces stress

Image Credit: Thinkstock

Alcohol in general, tends to have a relaxing effect on you. However, according to a 1997 study in the ‘Journal of Psychopharmacology’, Vodka reduces stress more effectively than the alcohol-equivalent of red wine. Another advantage of having Vodka is that it won’t give you a hangover as opposed to Whisky, so have it in moderate amounts and say goodbye to stress.

3) Medicinal benefits

Image Credit: cjlotz (dot) blogspot (dot) com

It’s a known fact that Vodka is used in herbal medicine to make tinctures. Since Vodka is odourless and flavourless, it allows the tincture to take on the flavour of the herbs. These tinctures can be taken orally or can be used tropically as a mild anaesthetic.

4) Other benefits

Image Credit: luxuo (dot) com

Moderate alcohol consumption has a number of health benefits, which apply to Wine, Beer, Whisky and now, Vodka, too. Increased cardiovascular, health, lower mortality, decreased risk of stroke and Alzheimer’s are some of the benefits that are linked to Vodka. In fact, according to a study by Dr. Davod Hanson at the State University of New York, abstainers who started drinking moderate amounts of Vodka found many positive changes in their health.

We are concerned about our readers and thus will remind once again to consume Vodka moderately. Heavy drinking completely flips all the positive health benefits that you may have gotten previously.

Beer of the Day: Dorothy’s New World Lager

Dorothy’s New World Lager

DESCRIPTION:
California Common
5.5% ABV
11 IBUs

Toppling Goliath's flagship beer was named after their founder’s grandmother and crafted to please her purely classic tastes.

Mildly hopped, light in color and body, and clean to the taste, this California Common-style lager drinks easy. Each sip charms the senses with distinct flavor and refreshing simplicity, delivering a smooth finish. Dorothy is truly the “Classic Beauty.”

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a beer enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Travel Destination of the Day: Parc Monceau, Paris

Paris is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and certainly doesn't come immediately to mind when you think "I just need to get away from here!"

However, it is a city, and cities have a knack for working on our nerves- whether it's traffic, noise, or just plain claustrophobia.

Fortunately, Paris being the wonderful place that it is, there is gorgeous park tucked away in the middle of the city. Parc Monceau is a glorious oasis of flowers, trees, statues, ponds, etc that immediately soothes the savage breast. Hiding at the corners of Boulevard de Courcelles and Boulevard Malesherbes, the park is a favorite gem by local Parisians.

So whether you're in town for the weekend or staying for three months, be sure to stop by and discover this little slice of paradise.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a world traveler, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.