Life, and Another explained

Life, and Another
Type:	studio
Artist:	Mega Bog
Cover:	Life, and Another.jpg
Studio:	The Unknown (Anacortes) Way Out (Woodinville) Tropico Beauty (Los Angeles)
Length:	44:10
Label:	Paradise of Bachelors
Prev Title:	Dolphine
Prev Year:	2019
Next Title:	End of Everything
Next Year:	2023

Life, and Another is the sixth record by the avant-pop musician Erin Birgy, under the moniker of Mega Bog. It was released by Paradise of Bachelors in July 2021. The record is produced by Birgy and James Krivchenia, the drummer for folk rock quartet Big Thief.^[1]

Background

Life, and Another was recorded at the Unknown studio in Anacortes, Washington, from 2019.^[2] The album is influenced in part by the artist David Wojnarowicz's audio journals, transcriptions of which were published as Weight of the Earth (2018).^[2]

Critical reception

Life, and Another has been welcomed with mostly positive reviews. On Metacritic, it has a score of 81 out of 100, indicating "universal acclaim", based on six reviews. Sophie Kemp for Pitchfork gave it a glowing review, calling it "delightfully freaky".

Personnel

Musicians

• Erin Birgy – lead vocals (tracks 1–8, 10, 12–14), nylon guitar (track 1), background vocals (2–4, 6, 7, 10, 12–14), electric guitar (3–7, 9–11, 13, 14), sound effects (4, 13), 12-string guitar (10)
• Zach Burba – bass guitar (tracks 1, 2, 4, 7, 10, 12, 14), background vocals (1, 3, 4), sampling (2), drum set (3, 5, 6, 10, 13), unplugged electric guitar (3), electric guitar (4), drum pad sampler (5); timpani, jam block (11)
• Aaron Otheim – synthesizers (tracks 1–3, 5–7, 9, 11–14), grand piano (1, 3–6, 9–11, 13), electric piano (8, 12), background vocals (12), organ (13)
• James Krivchenia – shaker (tracks 1, 3, 5, 6, 13), triangle (1, 3, 5, 13), snaps (1), drum set (2, 14), congas (3, 4, 6, 13); chimes, cowbell, background vocals (3); tambourine (4, 14), claps (4), orchestral percussion (10), bells (14)
• Will Segerstrom – electric guitar (tracks 1, 3–6, 10, 11, 13, 14), background vocals (3)
• Andrew Dorsett – drum set (tracks 1, 4, 7, 11), additional vocals (4), synthesizer (9, 12, 14); electric piano, background vocals (12); upright piano (14)
• Meg Duffy – electric guitar (tracks 1, 6, 13, 14), guitar (10)
• Matt Bachmann – synthesizer (tracks 2, 9), bass guitar (3, 6, 11), background vocals (3)
• Alex Liebman – saxophone (tracks 4–7)
• Jade Tcimpidis – bass guitar (track 5)

Technical

• Erin Birgy – production
• James Krivchenia – production, mixing, engineering
• Heba Kadry – mastering
• Geoff Traeger – additional engineering
• Phil Hartunian – additional engineering

Visuals

• Erin Birgy – photography
• Joel Gregory – design
• Zach Burba – artist photo

Notes and References

1. Web site: Mega Bog: Life, and Another. paradiseofbachelors.com. July 26, 2021.
2. Web site: Step Into the Inscrutable World of Mega Bog. August 2, 2021. August 10, 2021. Pitchfork. Quinn. Moreland.