This disc is appropriately titled. Densely packed, repetively patterned from some angles but bewilderingly diverse from others, the sounds BOB make might also be said to hedge - as in "to straddle boundaries." Perhaps, too, in that effort, they "hedge": refuse to commit thoroughly to any particular style. Most songs here structure themselves on a series of repeating and developing fragments. An almost sculptural quality results, as if we're viewing the same object in different aspects, noting both its continuity but also that new elements are continuously made visible. The band's basic format is bass, drums, and self-described "cheap ass keyboard," the last of which often strikes a dark, murky tone halfway between trombone and accordion. "Hep" opens with a fine, growling fuzz bass, "Doublewide" is decorated by some screeching guitars (an instrument rarely used on this album), and "Big" sports a nice array of processed sax noises. Even though its sound doesn't necessarily support the assumption, something about this disc makes me believe that the band members have a large collection of scratchy prog-rock records in their attics. A whiff of pomposity creeps out during some tracks, although it's counteracted by a sense of humor: the band members bill themselves as O.J. Pimple, Kat "T.T." Gass, and Butterfly McJones, and one song is called "If a Bear Shits on the Pope and a Tree Falls in the Woods, Which Would Be Louder? (The Harmony Song)." And "Doff"...well, it sounds like a fistfight arranged for ballet. The CD probably would have been stronger with different sequencing: both the last two tracks follow BOB's explorations of murkiness a bit too deeply and would work better sandwiching a livelier track for the sake of contrast.

Artist
Album Title
Song Title