Ben Davis' name may not be familiar, but the guy is no stranger to indie rock. Davis has done time with bands like Milemarker, Sleepytime Trio and Bats & Mice, while also dropping three solo releases in the past decade. And while Davis' solo output may never reach the blustery abandon of Sleepytime Trio's hardcore or Milemarker's post-punk, it shares the same sense of experimentation. Charge It Up! is a diverse, detailed album that shows Davis' eclectic tastes. The title track is a sultry strut through no-wave, while "I Want U to Want 2" reveals that Davis was paying attention when dance-punk blew up. "Rawls Around the Fountain" is a haunting track built on interwoven guitars and melodies. Maybe it's because Davis has been at this for more than 15 years, but the only complaint you could lob at Charge It Up! is that it's too relaxed. The youthful immediacy of his former projects is almost gone here, and that's a disappointment. — Matt Whelihan
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