May 6th, 2025 - Where You Find Bikini Blondes, You Find Players

 

Good evening and happy Tuesday!  Your drinkin' buddy the Meista here today pairing the self-titled, debut album by yacht rock band Player and a tasty and easy-drinkin' Bikini Blonde Lager from Maui Brewing Company!

Album Info:

• Artist: Player
• Title: "Player"
• Recorded: 1977
  Release date: September 1st, 1977 (1st studio album by Player)
• Record company: RSO
• Production: Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter
• Album cover art: Susan Herr (art direction), Bernie Nagler (photography), and Tom Nikosey (design)
• Personnel: Peter Beckett (guitars and lead and backing vocals), J.C. Crowley (guitars, keyboards, synthesizers, and lead and backing vocals), John Friesen (drums and percussion), and Ronn Moss (bass and backing and lead vocals)
• Additional musicians: George Budd (sound effects), Gary Coleman (percussion), Wayne Cook (keyboards and synthesizers), Jim Horn (saxophone and flute), Reed Kailing (guitars), Jay Lewis (electric and steel guitars, and sound effects), Maria Newman (string arrangements), Michael Omartian (synthesizers), and Jack White (drums and percussion)
• Musical style: Soft rock, yacht rock, "blue eyed soul", pop
• Sound: Blending elements of soul, rock, and pop, the sound on Player's debut album is melodic, harmonious, and hearkens back to a simpler time.
• Major themes: Love, life, relationships, loss, passion, music, etc. 
• Tracks: 

1. "Come On Out"
2. "Baby Come Back"
3. "Goodbye (That's All I Ever Had)"
4. "Melanie"
5. "Every Which Way"
6. "This Time I'm In It For Love"
7. "Love Is Where You Find It"
8. "Movin' Up"
9. "Cancellation"
10. "Trying To Write A Hit Song"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Maui Brewing Company (Kihei, Hawaii)
• Website: www.mauibrewingco.com
• Brew: Bikini Blonde Lager
• Style: German-style Helles Lager
• Serving: 12 ounce can
• ABV: 4.8%
• IBUs: 21
• Pour: The Bikini Blond pours a clear golden yellow hue with a frothy white head that leaves a thin ring and soapy lacing.
• Nose: The nose is bready, malty, and slightly fruity.  There are aromas of freshly baked bread, crackery biscuit, light apple or pear, freshly cut hay, and sweet caramel.
• Taste: Following the nose, the taste of the Bikini Blonde is malty, bready, grassy, and slightly fruity.  There are notes of lightly toasted white bread, biscuit, grassy hops, a hint of apple, and soft caramel.
• Mouthfeel: Light-bodied and well carbonated, the mouthfeel of the Bikini Blonde is very crisp and very smooth with a clean and slightly sweet finish.

Overall pairing: The bright, malty flavors of Maui Brewing Company's Bikini Blonde Lager make for a nice companion to the soulful and thoughtful grooves and harmonies of Player's seminal debut album!   'Nuff said!

Cheers!!