CATSPAW

Catspaw by Matthew Sweet.

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Is it too soon to call album of the year? Perhaps. But this will definitely be in the top three, easily.

When Matthew Sweet's Girlfriend was released in 1991, I listened to it non-stop for weeks. Even once other albums captured my attention, I would find myself humming tunes from it. Thirty years later, it is still an album that I play on a frequent basis.

Now I have another album with which to do the same!

Catspaw was recorded prior to the start of the COVID-19 global pandemic, but it feels as though it was meant for right now. Matthew Sweet played all of the instruments except for the drums. For the first time, he is playing lead guitar on one of his albums and it sounds like he's enjoying himself. In fact, on the lyric sheet, on each song, at some point, there is the same word: solo.

In addition to the wonderful guitars, Sweet has recorded harmonies to accompany his melody lines, and it absolutely beautiful. In fact, it's how one really knows they are listening to a Matthew Sweet album. 

My favorite tracks are the instantly hummable "At a Loss" and "Parade of Lights." The latter has guitar that almost sings like another voice, as though it is harmonizing with the various Matthews.

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This is the rare album that I bought without having heard any of the tracks prior. And it is worth every penny I paid for it, since each track carries its weight as an individual and as part of the whole.

Brilliant!

REPORT from PLAGUELAND

Report from Plagueland.

For the first time in more than a year, I was allowed to get my own soft drink from the "beverage bar" of a restaurant.

It was such an ordinary moment. It was such an extraordinary moment.

WRIGLEY and BANJO

Wrigley gets a bath before visiting the vet. (Look at those "tiger stripes" formed by his wet fur and naked skin!)

We will discover that Wrigley is not fully blind, but "mostly" blind. He has one blood vessel for each of his optic nerves, so he may be able to see some shadows and shapes and outlines, especially if there is a high contrast between figure and background.

He was a "nervous wreck" according to the vet. I'm sure he remembers his time living in the rescue for a few months. No one seemed to want this blind chihuahua, which eventually worked out well for our family and household. And Wrigley!

He is wild and funny and always lives his best life. He is also an obnoxious "little" brother, who is always trying to get Banjo to play with him.

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Banjo gets a bath before vising the vet. (Doesn't he look thrilled?)

He is slowly working teeth out of his mouth as he runs around like he lives in a mosh pit. The most recent tooth he lost was when he misjudged a landing as he jumped out of a recliner. 

He tolerated the vet, but was so glad to leave. When I went to pick him up I think he thought I was vet tech and he tried to nip at me, until he realized it was me.

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These two guys were the biggest babies due to their vaccinations. You have never heard such yelping when I would pick them up to take them outside to go to the bathroom. We alleviated some of their injection site tenderness with canine CBD oil. They settled down for a long day of nap after nap after nap.

NOMADIC IPA

Nomadic IPA, a limited series India Pale Ale by 7 Seas Brewing.

12 ounce can served in a pint glass.

6.7% abv.

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The pour is a clear golden-yellow body with a thin white head.

The nose is pine resin, dankness, and orange.

The tongue is biscuits, pine, a hint of orange, and herb leaves.

The mouthfeel is medium.

Overall, it's piney bitterness that is oh so good. I could drink this every day.