There’s an industrial churning that opens Bodega‘s fourth album Broken Equipment. It quickly disappears, but this fact in itself sets up the experimental nature of the New-York art-punks’ latest.
The catchy first single “Doers” with its chant of “it’s making me bitter, harder, fatter, stressed out” is a delightfully fun take on the culture of never-ending productivity we find ourselves fitfully living through. It’s this slightly sardonic take on the ‘philosophical’ issues of our time that unifies Bodega as a group of individuals and ties together the sound of Broken Equipment.
Nikki Belfiglio’s vocals on the bouncy Ramones-esque pop-rock of “Statuette on the Console” are full of energy and thoughtfulness and this quality of consideration is the perfect complement for the more abrasive almost spoken word style of Ben Hozie. They tend to take lead vocals on alternate tracks, but it’s when they come together, like on the churning “No Blade of Grass”, that Bodega are at their strongest. Having said that, “Territorial Call of the Female” is one of the best tracks here with Belfiglio ruminating on her approach to other women when around men.
The scuzz laden “NYC (Disambiguation)” with its repetitive call of “New York was founded by a corporation” breaks down the history of the state, charting the capitalist ideology behind the modern day city. It’s a gentle, almost lullaby-like track which is clearly full of love for the place they call home.
Finale “After Jane” is one of few times that Hozie sings – like, properly. It’s a lovely little crooner and makes a welcome change of pace from a record that does eventually tire itself out. It’s a nice note to end on, but also makes you wish it would have come a bit earlier in the proceedings. This feeling is as a result of the fact that this is an album that’s built around its lyrics and the well honed staccato delivery of Hozie (perfect on opening track “Thrown”), but the actual music is in thrall to this aspect.
Instrumentally the record feels like a flash in the pan; the first few bites are crunchy and moreish, but it does become a little dry after a while. At times this doesn’t matter because the lyrics hold you, but then again that’s like having half a slice of pizza; good, but not quite satiating.
