June 30th, 2013 - A-Live Curve Ball!

For me, summer is all about baseball, rock concerts, and of course, ice-cold craft beer!!  With that in mind on this 104° F Sunday here in Salt Lake City, I'm combining those elements into a pairing of the 1977 KISS concert album, "Alive II" and a Pyramid Curve Ball Blonde Ale!!  This pairing goes out to fellow KISS fan, lead singer of Victims Willing, and all-around cool guy, Brad Barker!!  Cheers my friend!!

The Curve Ball Blonde Ale from Pyramid Breweries, Inc.is thirst-quenching Kölsch-style, summer seasonal ale.  The Curve Ball pours a light, slightly hazy, brassy hue with a 1-finger foamy white head with good sustain that displays strong lacing.  The nose is characterized by light bready, pale malts and grassy hops.  An easy drinking ale, the Curve Ball has smooth, yet dry mouthfeel with soft carbonation, typical of a Kölsch.  Brewed with 2-Row Barley, Malted Wheat, and Vanguard and Perle hops, this cold lagered ale has a clean, crisp flavor with notes of malty biscuits, slightly bitter herbs, and hearty wheat bread.  Coming in at 18 IBUs and 5.0% ABV and with moderate carbonation, this is one drinkable ale.  The Curve Ball Blonde Ale is truly a very good, classic summer brew!

A classic beer needs a classic album from a classic (but sometimes classless, ha!) band!  "Alive II" was recorded during the Love Gun tour of '77. (Coincidentally, the "Love Gun" album was released on this very day back in June of 1977!)  Most of the tracks on "Alive II" come from the August 26–28 shows at the Los Angeles Forum, but there are a few recordings from shows in New Jersey and Japan.  Released as a double album, "Alive II" was most definitely the pinnacle of the band's musical prowess and creativity in the heyday of this original line-up.  Apart from "Beth" (which I could do without), each and every track kicks some major ass!  (No offense to any "Beth" fans out there!)  The energy of the band is powerful, honest, and pure, unadulterated American rock and roll!!  Songs like "Detroit Rock City," "King Of The Night Time World," "Love Gun," "Christine Sixteen," "Shock Me," "I Stole Your Love," "God Of Thunder," and "Shout It Out Loud" make you want to jump up, shake your (thinning) mane, and just completely rock out!!  The final 5 tracks of the album are actually studio "bonus" tracks and include a KISS favorite of mine, Ace Frehley's "Rocket Ride."  "Alive II" is definitely a great album for a long, hot summer day whilst sipping a cold Curve Ball!  Here's the blow-by-blow of the original vinyl release:

Side one

1. "Detroit Rock City" (Paul Stanley, Bob Ezrin) – 3:58
   • Recorded at The Forum, Los Angeles, CA, August 25–28, 1977
2. "King of the Night Time World" (Stanley, Ezrin, Kim Fowley, Mark Anthony) – 3:06
   • Recorded at The Forum, Los Angeles, CA August 25–28, 1977
3. "Ladies Room" (Gene Simmons) – 3:11
   • Recorded at The Forum, Los Angeles, CA, August 25–28, 1977
4. "Makin' Love" (Stanley, Sean Delaney) – 3:13
   • Recorded at The Forum, Los Angeles, CA, August 25–28, 1977
5. "Love Gun" (Stanley) – 3:34
   • Recorded at The Forum, Los Angeles, CA, August 25–28, 1977

Side two

6. "Calling Dr. Love" (Simmons) – 3:32
   • Recorded at The Forum, Los Angeles, CA, August 25–28, 1977
7. "Christine Sixteen" (Simmons) – 2:45
   • Recorded at The Forum, Los Angeles, CA, August 25–28, 1977
8. "Shock Me" (Ace Frehley) – 5:51
   • Recorded at The Forum, Los Angeles, CA, August 25–28, 1977
9. "Hard Luck Woman" (Stanley) – 3:06
   • Recorded at the Capital Theatre, Passaic, NJ and Electric Lady Studios, New York City, NY, September 1977
10. "Tomorrow and Tonight" (Stanley) – 3:20
    • Recorded at the Capital Theatre, Passaic, NJ and Electric Lady Studios, New York City, NY, September 1977

Side three

11. "I Stole Your Love" (Stanley) – 3:36
    • Recorded at soundcheck, The Forum, Los Angeles, CA, August 25–26, 1977
12. "Beth" (Peter Criss, Ezrin, Stan Penridge) – 2:24
    • Recorded at Budokan Hall, Tokyo, Japan, April 2, 1977
13. "God of Thunder" (Stanley) – 5:16
    • Recorded at The Forum, Los Angeles, CA August 25–28, 1977
14. "I Want You" (Stanley) – 4:14
    • Recorded at Budokan Hall, Tokyo, Japan, April 2, 1977
15. "Shout It Out Loud" (Stanley, Simmons, Ezrin) – 3:37
    • Recorded at The Forum, Los Angeles, CA, August 25–28, 1977

Side four
(studio tracks)

16. "All American Man" (Stanley, Delaney) – 3:13 (Lead vocals – Stanley)
17. "Rockin' in the U.S.A." (Simmons) – 2:44 (Lead vocals – Simmons)
18. "Larger Than Life" (Simmons) – 3:55 (Lead vocals – Simmons)
19. "Rocket Ride" (Frehley, Delaney) – 4:07 (Lead vocals – Frehley)
20. "Anyway You Want It" (Dave Clark) – 2:33 (Lead vocals – Stanley)

Cheers!!