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 Mike Park puts out fantastic music, either with music that he's physically making or albums that he puts out through Asian Man Records he rarely puts out something that I'm not into. I think it's because he puts out music that he believes in. One of the bands that falls into the 'puts out through Asian Man' category is Sarchasm. I got their first couple LPs that Mr. Park put out (Beach Blanket Bummer Pop [2019] and S/T [2020]) and quite enjoyed them but when Conditional Love came out at the end of 2022 I for some reason didn't check it out and therefore never purchased the album....that is until the pre-order for the new Abruptors album popped up. I was trying to find an album or two to fill out my order and put on Conditional Love and was suddenly disappointed in myself for missing out on 2 months of listening to Conditional Love. This album hits so hard, which is somewhat bitter sweet as it's Sarchasm's swan song..to quote Homer Simpson, "And what a [swan song]!". The music is indie rock punk...or indie punk rock..there's some early 2000s indie rock with punk rock energy throughout..there's also something slightly folky lurking in the background, maybe not necessarily in most of the sound but it's just sort of there, you know what I mean (you can't know what I mean because it doesn't make sense, but like, you know?). The lyrics are pissed off, yet have an amazing sense of (sometimes sardonic) optimism that things can get better, they acknowledge the shit that is life these days but I don't feel they dwell in it. At the end of it all (if you like physical media and purchased the LP) you're surprised by an absolutely amazing cover (but studio recorded) of The Mountain Goats' This Year (not listed on the jacket or digitally) which summarizes the tone of Conditional Love perfectly...or does Conditional Love expand on the tone of This Year perfectly. Does it matter, does any of this matter. Go listen to Conditional Love, you won't regret it. Heck, even purchase the LP and don't listen to this album until it comes in the mail, if my description of it sounds good to you you're not likely to be disappointed.

Whenever I go to post a new chip review on the blog I have to search to see if I've already posted my take on the bag du jour because like, flavours aren't brand specific. Tonight I found that to date I don't appear to have reviewed President's Choice World of Flavours Korean Barbecue Flavour. I believe I've had Korean BBQ from other brands in the past and enjoyed them so taking that into consideration and PCs track record I had high hopes for this bag, which were fully met. Medium crunch ridged chips (Wavy Lays style ridges, couple mm's deep) but that's just the crunchy conduit for flavour, I don't F with PC for the base chip (which are perfectly adequate), I'm here for the flavour baby! Bit of sweet, some soy sauce with a bit of smoke followed by a mild heat...less than jalap, but enough to make you go, "now that's a mild heat". There's the slightest "meat" flavour, I don't know how to describe it better than that, it's just like, "meat" but in the background enough so it doesn't wreck the chips...or maybe the "meat" flavour that I'm tasting is a mix of green onion the soy sauce. I'm staying for the sweetness and the mild heat, the rest of the flavour adds to the complexity but it's above my head. These chips are good, go try them.

Stay hydrated,

Marc

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