Watering Hole Wednesdays - Here Comes April

We've just completed our first month of Watering Hole Wednesdays, which has turned out to be a nice little break from the hustle and bustle of the week.  In March, we visited Agaves in Downtown
Long Beach, Ashley's on 4th, Dempsey's in the Plaza, and Tracy's in Los Altos.

 

 

 

Next week is the beginning of April, and on the 3rd, we'll be headed to the Bay Street Lounge in the Hyatt at the Pike (285 Bay St).  Come and join us at 6pm to unwind!

SoCal Photos: Day 81

 

This is How We Do Basketball in Playa Del Rey

 

My 20/20 Experience

Let me beging right away by stating that I did enjoy this album.  +Justin Timberlake 's new LP is by any objective standard a solid album, and probably the best released in 2013 so far.

That said, the title is deceptive, and not indicitive of the feel of the album.  Knowing that this is in fact an album from the veteran Mr. Timberlake, it feels highly calculated and carefully produced; a more apt name would be "Under the Microscope," or "Up Close Blues," something that captured the blusey Memphis feel of the album, yet notes the careful crafting of the music and lyrics.

The JT that we have all become familiar with, the upbeat dance/club hits, the "Winner," "Carryout," "Sexyback," "Summer Love," "Seniorita," "Rock Your Body," +Justin Timberlake is nowhere to be found on this album.  This can be viewed as growth, artistic liberty in creating a time piece (my personal theory), or too much worry over perfection, which I believe is the conclusion many will come to.

It seems that Justin was looking to do something new and different with this album; a buttoned-up ode to his roots.  The music clearly follows this theme with the Memphis blues undertones, and the lengthy, cinematic movement to each track.  My only complaint to this formula comes in the form of a "Futuresex/Lovesounds" Flashback.  Someone in the studio got nostalgic with "Mirrors," and borrowed the split-track theme; something I feel should have been left with the previous LP.

Overall, my 20/20 experience was a great one, but given that we waited 6 1/2 years for it, I can't help but wonder what Mr. Timberlake is holding back.  I'm sorry, but after that long of a hiatus, you can't tell me that the upbeat, funloving, grown-up kid that has continually taken us on a dancefloor tour with his pop-prowess doesn't have a set of tracks for the club packed away.  No way.  I'm calling it now; we've got a Nelly Suit/Sweat situation going on right here.  I'll let you infer which album this one is.

Watering Hole Wednesday Recap: Agaves

We kicked off the initial #WHW last week at Agaves on Pine in Downtown Long Beach.  And while the ambiance was great, decor was stellar, and the Maestro Margarita was aptly strong and tasty, I definitely noticed the lack of folk not only here at Agaves during Happy Hour on a Wednesday, but pretty much most places downtown had sparse patronage.  And it's not that downtown Long Beach has nothing going on, or is seedy, or is inconvenient in any way.  Bus, train, bike, car, walk; it's all viable for accessing multiple entertainment venues in Long Beach.

And there are plenty of jobs downtown.  Granted, there is plenty of square footage to be absorbed, but it's hard to believe that a certain percentage of the workforce in the downtown core's high rises doesn't feel like taking a load off for Happy Hour on a Wednesday.  Old habits must truly die hard.

So come on out to Downtown Long Beach, or just stay after work awhile one day, and enjoy all the new goodness that is going on.  Agaves has small plates, awesome appetizers (we had some wings...legit), and a full dinner menu if you feel like staying a while.  They even have music and dancing on the weekends, so get out of your bubble and check out something new!

...And be sure to join us for this week's edition of Watering Hole Wednesdays as we head over to Ashley's Bar and Grill on 4th.

SoCal Photos: Day 70

Century Theater, Main St. Ventura

SoCal Photos: Day 67

The Americana at Brand, Glendale

 

It's A Thing: Watering-Hole Wednesdays

In an effort to explore #LongBeach and have fun in the process, I've decided to start a "thing" which we're going to call Watering Hole Wednesdays.  Here's how it's gonna work...

Each Wednesday, we're going to pick a new "Watering Hole" to visit in Long Beach, which will be reviewed on the blog shortly after.  Cell phone photos of the most amateur quality will accompany said reviews, and we'll then disclose the next Wednesday's Watering Hole.  Sounds simple?  Sounds fun?  Feel free to join in.

This Wednesday, March 6, which is consequently a certain +Aaron Bucka's 21st birthday (and a most happy 21 run to you, cousin!), we'll be tipping off the tradition right next to the Gaucho Grill at Agaves.

Here's to Watering Hole Wednesdays!

SoCal Photos: Day 62

From the Backyard Files...our blueberry bush