February 27th, 2016 - 90125-219

Good evening!  The Meista here with one more pairing for ya tonight my friends... "90125" by Yes and a Premium 219 Pilsner from Laughing Dog Brewing!  This pairing goes out to my late friend Kyle Garret, who made his home in Sandpoint, Idaho until his death a few years ago.  Rest in peace Kyle... you are missed!  I raise my pint to you tonight my friend!

Album Info:

• Artist: Yes
• Title: "90125"
• Recorded: Spring/Summer 1983 at SARM Studios and AIR Studios in London, England
• Release date: November 7th, 1983 (11th studio album by Yes)
• Record company: Atco Records
• Production: Trevor Horn and Yes
• Album cover art: Garry Mouat at Assorted Images
• Personnel: Jon Anderson (vocals), Tony Kay (Hammond organ, piano, and chorus), Trevor Rabin (guitars, keyboards, and vocals), the late, great Chris Squire (bass guitar and vocals), and Alan White (drums, percussion, Fairlight CMI, and chours)
• Additional musicians: Trevor Horn (backing vocals), Dipak Khazanchi (sitar and tambura on "It Can Happen"), and Graham Preskett (violin on "Leave It")
• Musical style: Power pop, progressive rock
• Sound: Completely different from anything Yes had produced previously, the sound on "90125" is poppy, radio-friendly, yet completely engaging and wonderfully produced.  Rabin's guitar work is clean, rich in tone, and passionate.  And those vocal harmonies... perfection!
• Major themes: Relationships, love, loss, possibilities, touring,
• Notes: Interestingly enough, the music that would become "90125" and the band was initially a project called Cinema with Rabin, Squire and White.  As the writing progressed, ties with old band mates became present and the band morphed into a new and modern band, resulting in Cinema becoming the 7th line-up of Yes that would last until 1988.
• Tracks:   

1. "Owner Of A Lonely Heart"
2. "Hold On"
3. "It Can Happen"
4. "Changes"
5. "Cinema"
6. "Leave It"
7. "Our Song"
8. "City Of Love"
9. "Hearts"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Laughing Dog Brewing (Ponderay, Idaho)
• Website: www.laughingdogbrewing.com
• Brew: Premium 219 Pilsner
• Style: American Pilsner
• Serving: 16 ounce can
• ABV: 4.7%
• IBUs: 9.4
• Ingredients: Willamette hops and Pilsner malt
• Pour: Hazy straw-gold with a bright, white half-finger head that dissipates quickly, leaving a subtle ring and little lacing.
• Nose: The nose of the 219 is grainy, biscuity, and slightly tart.  There are aromas of cereal grain, hints of corn, crackery biscuit, lemon zest, lemon juice, and light honey.
• Taste: Incredibly smooth and refreshing, the taste of the 219 is very toasty, biscuity / crackery, clean, and slightly citrusy.  There are notes of cracked wheat, salty biscuit, light crackers, freshly baked sourdough bready, lemon, and very subtle honey.
• Mouthfeel: Light-bodied and moderately carbonated, the mouthfeel of the Premium 219 Pilsner is crisp, refreshing, and very smooth with a clean, light finish.
• Notes: This award-winning Pilsner is brewed specifically for the 219 Lounge in Sandpoint, Idaho, a 5-star dive bar.

Overall pairing: The very clean, light, but flavorful character of the Premium 219 Pilsner from Laughing Dog Brewing is perfect for the bright, poppy, completely engaging early '80s sound of Yes' "90125"!  Those biscuity flavors seem to have been specifically blended for the wonderful vocal harmonies and ethereal guitars!

Cheers!!