In the 17 years since its auspicious start, plenty has happened to Spacehog—some of it not so great. And still, the group’s new release, As It Is On Earth (Hog Space), carries on almost as if there were no gaping 12 years of dead air since the 2001 release of the band’s last album, The Hogyssey. As It Is On Earth displays none of the derivative Bowie/T.Rex laziness of its predecessor, while harnessing manageable doses of the antsy experimental energy that fueled Resident Alien’s expansive 1998 follow-up, The Chinese Album. Spacehog frontman Royston Langdon will be guest editing magnetmagazine.com all week. Read our brand new feature on the band.
Royston Langdon: Having children is a wonderful, though often a paradoxical experience. There is struggle, and there is joy unbound. One of the greatest parts is getting to relive some of the better aspects of one’s own childhood. My son Milo is such a blessing in this most marvelous arena, which brings me to the re-reading of George’s Marvelous Medicine by Roald Dahl at bedtime. Seeing the expression on Milo’s face as we read through George’s mischievous antics reminds me of my own drive for individuation and lets me re-revel in the beauty of sheer anarchic thrill. As an adult, one doesn’t necessarily think about returning to childhood literature. If you have a child or not, there is no better way to get in touch with one’s own inner child than this book. Go on, you know you want to.
Video after the jump.
