Mogipbob’s “Anything but Me” is a sixteen-track release inspired by the everyday comedic, clunky and sometimes heart-wrenching experiences. The work is filled with both humor and a clever use of words, as well as moments of personal reflection, all demonstrating how mundane can be funny when seen in a different light.
I got hooked on the album from the first song, “Set-Back Out Back.” It’s funny, the groove is good, and the song really gets the ball rolling. “Walking Bass,” on the other hand, celebrates the often-unheralded rhythm section, while allowing the listener to hear the message their own way.
Another highlight is “As Is Where Is”, which escalates when a guy mistakenly buys a yard-sale truck with an unintended V8 and a mule-dragging muffler. In the interim, “Solid as Metal” is a mechanic shop tale with a punch line that makes the set up worth it. In “Umpire Vampire,” Mogipbob fully demonstrates his ability to twist words and crazy ideas into comedy highlights, and he does so with great skill. “Livery Delivery” provides a fun twist, featuring a businessman from the frontier days.
But “Anything but Me” isn’t all jokes. “Some Things Never Change” is a more emotional section, and “Impartial Marshal” is more of a soft rocker. “Sunday Drive” celebrates the minutiae of a normal jaunt (or jaunt), “The Old Me Was the Young Me” has a more personal examination of ageing, memories and who we were.
The concepts and lyrics are written by Mogipbob himself, while the musical arrangements and performances are developed with the help of AI-assisted tools. That is why the songwriting and storytelling are especially crucial to the album.
“Anything but Me” is an imaginative collection that combines humour with genuine feeling, proving that even the most ordinary experiences can inspire a memorable song.
