27/05/2023
Over the last, say, four years, my work & family commitments have commanded time & energies such that my previous record-purchasing-and-listening activities took a serious backseat. So, even though The Choir are one of my all-time favourite bands, I just was not available when this album was released.
But, thanks to the kindness of my parents, I have this gorgeous vinyl ready-to-hand as I slowly re-incorporate vinyl back into my self-care/weekly rest/lifeblood. My Deep Cuts may be different in specifics from those of the band members, but I've surely got them, and anyone I've known or even heard of has them too. Definitely tears on "Aces Over Eights."
This is post-Flap Your Wings The Choir as you might expect, a bit less rocking than How The Mighty Have Fallen or Burning Like The Midnight Sun, more concise than Shadow Weaver, but every bit as rich as any of it. Tim is missed for sure, but Dan comes forward with extra texture and as I look out the window, yes, this is a perfect rainy-day record. If you need to set bearings, call it The Loudest Sound Ever Heard Part 2.
The Scarabus has become a favourite whisky—classic Islay in both island & peat character, affordable, no false scarcity or inflated pricing. The 10 Year expression softens the smokiness to a medium-level while emphasizing sea spray & underlying fruitiness. Very Ardbeggish in quality; rewarding of slow & longish sips.
Thrown into the world, projecting into a future through an effervescent present. Time is everything and nothing, so I take it however I can. I hope you do, too.
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