December 2nd, 2022 - A Future Shock For The Space Camper

Good afternoon and happy Friday rockers and craft brew lovers!  The Meista here today rocking out with a pairing of a crisp and delicious Space Camper Cosmic IPA from Boulevard Brewing Company and "Future Shock", the wonderful 4th album by English rockers Gillan!

Album Info:

• Artist: Gillan
• Title: "Future Shock"
• Recorded: December 1980 through January 1981 at Kingsway Recorders in London, England
• Release date: April 17th, 1981 (4th studio album by Gillan)
• Record company: Virgin Records
• Production: K.R. and Gillan
• Album cover art: Alan Daniels 
• Personnel: Ian Gillan (lead vocals), John McCoy (bass), Bernie Tormé  (guitars), Colin Towns (keyboards), and Mick Underwood (drums)
• Musical style: Hard rock, heavy metal
• Sound: Fast-paced and fun as hell, the sound on "Future Shock" is straight-forward rockin' goodness!  Tormé's guitar work is angry and punchy, yet wonderfully rich and compelling, McCoy and Underwood lay down some heavy-duty rhythms, Towns' keys soar, and Gillan is at the top of his game here!  This album is such a joy!
• Major themes: Blending humor and rock and roll attitude, themes on the album include life, the future, rock and roll, rebellion, denial, etc.
• Tracks:  

1. "Future Shock"
2. "Night Ride Out Of Phoenix"
3. "(The Ballad Of) The Lucitania Express"
4. "No Laughing In Heaven"
5. "Sacre Bleu"
6. "New Orleans" (Gary U.S. Bonds cover)
7. "Bite The Bullet"
8. "If I Sing Softly"
9. "Don't Want The Truth"
10. "For Your Dreams"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Boulevard Brewing Company (Kansas City, Missouri)
• Website: https://www.boulevard.com/
• Brew: Space Camper Cosmic IPA
• Style: India Pale Ale (IPA)
• Serving: 12 ounce can
• ABV: 5.9% 
• IBUs: 40
• Ingredients: Ekuanot, El Dorado, and Galaxy hops
• Pour: The Space Camper Cosmic IPA pours a very hazy golden yellow hue with a billowy, 1+ finger, bright white head with great retention and lots of sticky, sudsy lacing.
• Nose: The nose is fruity (tropical and citrusy), floral, and malty.  There are aromas of freshly cut pineapple, juicy mango, peach, apricot, melon, sweet nectar, and caramel/toffee.
• Taste: The taste of the Space Camper Cosmic IPA follows the nose with tropical, citrusy, and slightly sweet flavors.  There are notes of sharp pineapple, tangerine, pink grapefruit, juicy mango, peach, watermelon, and more subtle caramel and toffee notes.
• Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel of the Space Camper Cosmic IPA is very crisp and juicy finish.

Overall pairing: The Boulevard Space Camper Cosmic IPA is a very complex and bold, yet very crushable brew with all sorts of amazing and compelling flavors and aromas!  With these bold flavors, the brew makes for the perfect companion to the rocking punch that was, is, and ever shall be the mighty Gillan!

Cheers!!  Rock on!!