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Guided by Voices
Half Smiles of the Decomposed
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Possibly the most prolific songwriter in rock, Robert Pollard (head GBV guy) has been writin' 'em down and puttin' 'em out in an outrageous amount for some 17 years now. Starting out as a decidedly lo-fi indie alt-rock band, GBV developed a large cult following, hitting as close to national prominence as they ever would with 1994's 'Bee Thousand' and 1997's 'Mag Earwhig'. But, like peers-at-the-time Pavement, GBV's lack of melodic structure and lyrical content (slackers, pretty much, if one can say that about a man who writes so incessantly) left this writer, in the end, wondering why and wherefore.
Then, in 2001, along came their masterpiece 'Isolation Drills', and, all of a sudden, Pollard revealed a hidden ability to write great songs with endless melodic hooks and introspective lyrics. Recalling the sound of early Pete Townshend and The Who, many a reviewer (including this one) thought it one of that year's best. Then came 'Earthquake Glue' in 2003, leaving no doubt as to Pollard's ability to do it yet again, so 'Isolation Drills' was no one-off after all. (The two discs, interrupted by 'Universal Truthes and Cycles' [2002], and its return to alt-rock's anti-melodic song structure, made this a valid wonderment.)
Guided By Voices' latest (and, very sadly, last) disc is 'Half Smiles of the Decomposed' (released 8/24/04) and, happily, follows the template of 'Isolation Drills' and 'Earthquake Glue' - melodic, jangly pop-rock with just a bit more lo-fi (let's say mid-fi) and angular alternative leanings. This reviewer thinks this disc, again, to be one of the year's best. We sincerely hope that Robert Pollard will continue to release his minor masterpieces, whether solo, as another band, or as a reconstituted Guided By Voices (Guided By More Voices?). While not quite as good as 'Isolation Drills' or 'Earthquake Glue', 'Half Smiles of the Decomposed' is highly recommended.
Release Date: August 24, 2004
Tracks: 14 - Time: 40:38
Produced by: Bob Pollard
Format: CD
Website: www.guidedbyvoices.com
Track Listing:
Everybody Thinks I'm a Raincloud (When I'm Not Looking) / Sleep Over Jack / Girls of Wild Strawberries / Gonna Never Have to Die / Window of My World / Closets of Henry / Tour Guide at the Winston Churchill Memorial / Asia Minor / Sons of Apollo / Sing For Your Meat / Asphyxiated Circle / Second Spurt of Growth / (S)mothering and Coaching / Huffman Prairie Flying Field.
Guided by Voices:
Bob Pollard - Vocals
Doug Gillard - Guitar / Backing Vocals
Kevin March - Drums
Nate Farley - Guitar / Backing Vocals
Chris Slusarenko - Bass
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