Full disclosure to reader: Erin, the band-leader of Mega Bog is my friend.
Full disclosure to Erin: Erin, I think your band is weird. Weird in a really good way!
I recently saw Mega Bog play a show. I feel like I can generally categorize my reaction to live bands performances as one of the following: normal (the worst), amazing (the best), or confusing (rarest and a close second best). Given that I hadn’t listened to much Mega Bog before this show I was in a good position to really get the idea.
I haven’t seen as many shows as a lot of people I know, but I’ve seen what seems like a lot to me. Enough at least to generally know what to expect so that I can efficiently use my thimble sized reservoir of attention and good hearing on the things that might be most worth scoping out, and it’s always a real treat when groups can give me something to think about or remember instead of just something to deal with. Mega Bog is worth scoping out because the songs are unique, and a lot of effort has clearly been put into trying to do something meaningful and also…confusing! All of my favorite music began as something I couldn’t immediately understand or like. I’m one of those people that likes stuff to be at least a little bit difficult so I can be a snob about it.
Freaky Dawn, a more or less new release from Erin and crew is similar to the live show vibe-wise. After several listens I still find myself working to the bottom of what I think is really going on. I think that to some degree a voice is being looked for on this record (and found I might add), but I think it’s being done with such a cool spirit and explorative intent that I can’t help but be into it theoretically and spiritually. Sax lines are a real highlight for me, and the album generally peaks during the song “ROCKS”, which is just about halfway through. That is the song that has the most to hold on to for me with regards to a kind of hook, before and after which are thoroughly enjoyable meandering borderline jams that go in and out of focus with bizarre lyrical exploration from Erin.
When it’s all said and done I saw them play, bought the album, like it a lot, and am friends with them. Why don’t you do the same?
http://wizardsoftheghost.bandcamp.com/album/freaky-dawn
