August 4th, 2018 - I Can't Fathom These Deceptive Bends

Hello and happy Saturday!  The Meista here today pairing "Deceptive Bends" by the 10cc and a Fathom IPA from Ballast Point Brewing Company!  So I realize this isn't heavy metal or even hard rock, but I really dig this album!  :)

Album Info:

• Artist: 10cc
• Title: "Deceptive Bends"
• Recorded: 1976 through early 1977
• Release date: April 1977 (5th studio album by 10cc)
• Record company: Mercury Records
• Production: 10cc
• Album cover art: Hipgnosis
• Personnel: Graham Gouldman (bass guitar, rhythm guitars, organ, autoharp, percussion, and lead and backing vocals) and Eric Stewart (lead and rhythm guitars, keyboards, percussion, and lead and backing vocals)
• Additional musicians: Paul Burgess (drums and percussion), Del Newman (string arrangements), Jean Alain Roussel (keyboards),  and Tony Spath (piano and oboe)
• Musical style: Pop rock, art rock, soft rock
• Sound: Cathy, poppy, Beatles-esque, the sound on "Deceptive Bends" is characterized by wonderful hooks, riffs, harmonies, and melodies!
• Major themes: At times humorous and beautifully sarcastic, themes on the include, love, lust, dating services, illness, independence, etc.
• Notes: The name of the album, "Deceptive Bends" was taken from a warning sign for dangerous curves on the southbound A24 located between Leatherhead and Dorking in Surrey, England.  Sadly, the sign is no longer there.  Of the album Stewart said: "I had a big challenge ahead of me to prove to the record world that we were not just 5cc, as some of the British media had graciously called us. The music was simpler than some of the previous 10cc albums, it was far more direct, streamlined and positive. The whole album was recorded very (in our terms) quickly. I was on a mission, and flying higher and faster than I had ever been before, and I knew by then that we had a very strong album. The new songs played a big part in the equation of course, I was out to prove also that we could write a hit album without Kevin and Lol ... we did!"
• Tracks:   

1. "Good Morning Judge"
2. "The Things We Do For Love"
3. "Marriage Bureau Rendezvous"
4. "People In Love"
5. "Modern Man Blues"
6. "Honeymoon With B Troop"
7. "I Bought A Flat Guitar Tutor"
8. "You've Got A Cold"
9. "Feel The Benefits" Part 1-3
10. "Hot To Trot"
11. "Don't Squeeze Me Like Toothpaste"
12. "I'm So Laid Back, I'm Laid Out"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Ballast Point Brewing Company (San Diego, California)
• Website: https://www.ballastpoint.com/
• Brew: Fathom IPA
• Style: American India Pale Ale (IPA)
• Serving: 12 ounce bottle
• ABV: 6.0%
• IBUs: 50
• Pour: The Fathom pours a clear orange-gold with an off-white, 1+ finger, frothy head with good retention and light lacing.
• Nose: The nose is citrusy, earthy, floral, dank, and slightly malty.  There are aromas of orange zest, grapefruit rind, wild flowers, wet pine needles, light caramel, and light bread.
• Taste: The taste of the Fathom follows the nose with flavors of earthy pine, orange zest, pink grapefruit juice, tangerine, and soft caramel.
• Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied with moderate carbonation, the Fathom IPA is crisp, refreshing, and easy going with a dry, slightly sweet finish.

Overall pairing: The  Fathom IPA is a lighter and refreshing IPA, perfect for a mellow Saturday with the pop brilliance of 10cc's "Deceptive Bends"!

Cheers!!