Earthmonkey is Peat Bog and Peat Bog is Earthmonkey, that much can be established from reading his Beta-lactam Ring Records bio which was included with the deluxe edition of his latest release called Be That Charge. That's really all you need to know before plunging headfirst into this 2 CD set of tripped out psychedelia, that of course and be prepared to get lost in Bog's half baked afterglow.
The songs themselves range from the quiet and sublime, some accompanied only with minimal instrumentation and quirky audio soundscapes while others rock harder and have a punk edge over a throbbing dance beat. On the first disc one definite highlight is the twenty minute plus sprawling epic "Scaccia Pensieri" and while the 2nd disc sports only 4 tracks, things definitely get more 'out there' and experimental on these lengthier cuts. "Be That Charge Again" and "E-Freeme Buzzbomb" take a more muscular approach as chunky stabs of guitar permeate the mix. "Sapphire Wave" is an eighteen minute blissful journey on its own which blends electronica with wah-wah infused guitar splashes, while "Sister Marble Gazer" relies more on it's jazzy saxophone work which soars overtop the funky back beat.
The music on Be That Charge will not be everyone's cup of tea and definitely will cater to people whose tastes lean more towards the eclectic. Not to mention at around 130 minutes it's a lot to digest and some tracks do tend to meander a bit. That being said though Be That Charge is an ambitious and challenging, albeit lengthy set of music which ultimately satisfies.
If you manage to survive Bog's psychedelic onslaught for over 2 CD's and were able to score a copy of the limited deluxe edition then you're treated to a 3rd disc called Discobalistic which runs an additional twenty three minutes. One again he throws everything including the kitchen sink into the mix for your added listening pleasure.
Track Listing
Disc 1
1) Be That Charge
2) Jokin' Joe
3) Hydraulic Bugger
4) Funhouse
5) Spinal Unwinda
6) When She Watches Television
7) Echo Base
8) Scaccia Pensieri
Disc 2
1) Be That Charge Again
2) E-Freeme Buzzbomb
3) Sapphire Wave
4) Sister Marble Gazer
Disc 3
1) Hand It All Over
2) Descent Into Basecloud
3) My Eye That Sighs
4) The Breeder Belt Tar Hogs
5) Unwound 'N' Unbound
6) Pea Pods Plasma Square
7) Spike Saw N'Gong
8) Hilarious Craterworm Mascot
a) Tempest
b) Grind
c) Center
d) Earth
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