Tales of the Salty Bag

 Near the end of 2019 Rational Anthem put out It's Only Permanent , I didn't initially blog about it because it's a pop punk masterpiece and I didn't want to do it a disservice. That should be enough to get you to go check it out. If you require a bit more of a breakdown here you go.   I've been listening to Rational Anthem since I found them through Traffic Street in 2009...I want to say it was the Apocalypse Meow split (or was it through Troublemake? Doesn't really matter) and have thoroughly enjoyed them since day one, but there was something about It's Only Permanent that really hit me in the Blink 182 void. To me this feels like what should have been Blink's follow up to Dude Ranch, it's a sound adjacent to the best parts of Blink's TOYPAJ but without the contrivedness..contrivity? (I don't know, Blink 182 after Dude Ranch felt a little too contrived at times [though I celebrate their catalogue through Self Titled]) or immature lyrics. I...

The album Lucky by Fifteen is amazing. Yes, this album came out in 1999 so this may or may not be new news to you. I had never paid much attention to Fifteen until I heard My Congressman as the intro song to Murf Meyer is Self-Medicated - Weekly Dose podcast. This lead to me checking out Lucky and I'm so happy that I did. Jeff Ott has a unique singing voice which may take a while to really sink it's hooks into you (I know it did for me), but once it's hooks are sunk you can just sit back and enjoy. Jeff's cadence phrasing add to the depth of the lyrical content perfectly. The darkness present in the lyrics is offset by the optimism that the subject matter is delivered in in addition to the sarcastic sense of humor. The music is primarily rooted in east bay pop punk with hints of grunge. Lucky makes me angry that 24 years later the exact same conversations are happening while simultaneously provides me with motivation to be a better person.  When I saw tha...

 Compliments EXTRAAA! Flavour (ridged potato chips) Buffalo Wing & Blue Cheese aren't terribly fragrant. They have those mini ridges, you know, the ones that are like a couple millimeters deep (Ruffles style, if you've ever had Ruffles [if not then my description better be sufficient]). The crunch is average (for non-kettle cooked). The seasoning is middleish for coverage, I wouldn't describe these as extra flavour, let alone extraaa! but that's marketing, putting ADEQUATE! Flavour probably doesn't have the same selling power. There's a mild sweetness combined with a mix of medium hot buffalo sauce and fake blue cheese flavour (I'm not quite sure how to describe the blue cheese flavour, it doesn't taste like I just chunked off a piece of cheese and ate it, but it tastes like blue cheese that is some sort of gelatinous spread where you're not super turned off by it, but it's also not something to write home about...I don't know, I'm so...

 Slide Cinnamon and Sugar chips. I shouldn't have to say more, but just in case you're closed minded, these chips bang. Thiiiiick cut potato chips with cinnamon and sugar distributed perfectly. The potatoes and oil provide a buttery goodness that the cinnamon and sugar is destined to pair with. These are simple yet genius and taste like you just buttered a piece of toast and sprinkled cinnamon and (white) sugar on top. Did I mention these were cinnamon and sugar flavoured. If you're able to get your hands on these Wisconsin gems, do so. If you're not able to get your hands on these, I don't know, cut your hands off because what use are they then?  When I had previously thought about writing about Slide's C and S chips I came up with the perfect musical pairing in my mind, but I can't for the life of me remember what it was. I really should have written it down. Maybe it was Cadence Weapon as a whole, and not just a specific album (because his music isn't...

As was said in a movie that I don't believe I've ever watched, these are a few of my favourite things...at least, a few of my favourite things that I consumed in 2022. Chip/Snack Division - I said it in 2018, repeated in 2019, 2020, 2021 and now 2022 (and will be repeated annually until they pull the line) Co-op Gold PURE chips. They're premium chips for like $2.70/180g bag. Covered Bridge partnerships for the win. (this year they seem to have either cut or reduced the availability of salty & vinegar, which is quite disappointing, but still..) - co-op Gold Pure vegan cheese Protein Twists. I only had them once, but they were surprisingly good. - Slide gourmet potato chips . Thick cut and independent, bangers. -Miss Vickies Sweet and Spicy Ketchup and also Sweet Southern BBQ - Great Value, Caribbean BBQ. Low price point and taste like jerk chicken. Nom. Music Division (with a dash of podcast) Albums (in no particular order) Pip Skid - A Really Nice Day  D-Sisive - Kno...

This is just a rundown of my postings in 2021 including: the blog title, chip and music reference for anyone that doesn't want to read all them (I've done this each previous year for 2015 , 2016 , 2017 , 2018, 2019, 2020 , and 2021 ) January 2022: Out of Touch - Music (for title): Shad [TAO album]. This was a rundown of good things from 2021. Also included is a brief review of co-op Gold Pure kettlecooked popcorn, Jalapeno White Cheddar flavour February 2022:   Cut & Run - Music: Carly Dow - Comet     Chip: Lay's Flavours from China Cucumber Confrontation - Music: Get Dead - Dancing with the Curse     Chip: Doritos Flamin' Hot Cool Ranch March 2022 : Radio - Music: Lawrence Arms - Guided Tour of Chicago, Alkaline Trio - Goddamnit, Maybe I'll Catch Fire     Chip: Paqui Mucho Nacho Cheese, Cheetos puffs White Cheddar Jalapeno Time to Buy a Futon - Music: SNFU - Better than a Stick in the Eye     Chip : ...

About a month ago a buddy gave me a bag of Great Value Caribbean BBQ flavoured potato chips. "Inspired by Island Life". I've been pretty excited to try these and I'm not quite sure why it took me so long to do so. When I cracked the bag I was met with a very strong chili powder smell. The chips have medium ridges (Wavy Lays style) and a slight green hue with flecks of red and black. As soon as it hit my mouth I was stoked, these chips did not disappoint and gave me exactly what I wanted, jerk chicken baby! The heat is a very nice hot pepper based in the medium spice range (maybe like a 6 or so, it gets the forehead sweats going pretty quickly for me). There is soo much flavour to this heat though. There's a hint of sweetness, some citrus. Weeyow, these are a nice treat. The crunch is typical midweight.    I got into ska the way that most 80's babies did. Knee deep into the third wave. I eventually got around to 2 Tone but for years didn't go back any furth...