Sunday, January 19, 2014

January 19th, 2014 - Double Agent Inertia



Hello!  The Meista here with his bro, Dain-o-mite pairing a Samuel Adams Hopology Double Agent India Pale Lager (IPL) from the Boston Brewing Company and my signed (by Steve Lukather and Simon Phillips) copy of Derek Sherinian's wonderful progressive rock/metal album "Inertia"!

Released in 2001, "Inertia" is the second full-length studio album by keyboard virtuoso Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater, Yngwie Malmsteen, Planet X, Black Label Society).  "Inertia" would mark the beginning of Sherinian's longtime work with drummer Simon Phillips (Toto) and guitarists Steve Lukather (Toto) and Zakk Wylde (Ozzy Osbourne, Black Label Society).  With his distinct metal guitar-like approach to writing and playing, with "Inertia," Sherinian delivers brilliantly rockin' album of 8 original instrumental tracks and 2 killer covers: the Edgar Winter Group's "Frankenstein" and "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat" by jazz legend, composer/bassist Charles Mingus.  Songs like the title track, "Evel Keneivel," "Astroglide," "What A Shame," and "Rhapsody In Black" really highlight the musical prowess of Sherinian as both a player and writer as well as the other musicians without coming across as pretentious or overly bombastic.  Personnel on "Inertia" include: Derek Sherinian (keyboard, engineering, production), Steve Lukather (guitar, electric sitar), Zakk Wylde (guitar on tracks 2, 4, 8), Simon Phillips (drums, engineering, mixing, production), Jerry Goodman (electric violin), Tom Kennedy (bass on tracks 1, 6, 10), Tony Franklin (fretless bass on tracks 2, 3, 4, 8), and Jimmy Johnson (bass on tracks 5, 7).

The Samuel Adams Hopology Double Agent IPL from Boston Brewing Company is an interesting hybrid of an India Pale Ale and a traditional Lager.  It pours a fairly clear golden amber with a thin white head that dissipates quickly leaving only trace lacing.  The nose is malty and sweet with a hint of hoppy sharpness.  There are notes of sweet bread, honey, and lemon.  Medium bodied, the mouthfeel is crisp and dry with sustained carbonation.  The flavor is as the nose suggests... a wonderful and refreshing blend of malty sweetness and hoppy crispness.  There are notes of tropical fruits (mango and pineapple), citrus (lemon and grapefruit), pine, mellow toffee, and toasted bread. The finish is clean, but there is an aftertaste that is slightly bitter with a hint of red grapefruit and juniper.  The crispness and sharpness of the Double Agent IPL really work well with the more aggressive musical approach of "Inertia". 

Cheers!! 

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