Agree that this is a solid GBV single if not one of their best from a solid GBV album that's also not one of their best. But it's their 38th album (!!!) and Bob's 115th (or so), so I can't fathom how it's as good as it is. I'm jealous of "Songletter" who has never heard of GBV. Dude. Best American rock band ever. No joke. Start with "Human Amusements at Hourly Rates: The Best of Guided by Voices" if you want to get a sense of Robert Pollard's range as a songwriter, and then go from there if you like most of what you hear.
I'm jealous of them too! I hope they fall in love with GBV the same way some of us have.
When I started writing this, I thought about listing all of the side/adjacent projects, and mapping them out, and quickly realized that needed to be it's own long-form post--or a series of them.
Yeah! I've been digging this one. I love and revere GBV and Pollard, though I can't even say I'm a real fan compared to many. I haven't given any of the last 3 or 4 much of a listen for one reason or another, but this one caught my ear and this opening track is great. The album reminds me of "Universal Truths and Cycles" and maybe a little "Under the Bushes, Under the Stars" (which is prob my fav if I had to choose).
Ditto. There are as many GBV albums I haven't listened to as I have, so my faves are based on a limited sampling. It's also about where you are in life when you hear an album (age, place --both mental and physical.) Those two were in the mid 90s so, I would assume, a pivotal life stage for both of us.
So true! Mine might even be Boston Spaceships - 'Let It Beard' if we can include other Bob projects. I'll get on this new one as I'm a lot like Miter above that I often see a new GVB release and feel overwhelmed. I believe the last one I touched base with was Crystal Nuns Cathedral last year, which was solid (as always).
Great! Never heard of Guided By Voices before.
You are in for one heck of a fun ride.
The good news: you now know GBV!
The bad news: You have 38 albums to explore!
Enjoy! 😂
😂
I have no idea how he can continue to churn out these gems. Kneel at the altar of Bob and pray.
Right? I would love to have even 1/20 of this productivity.
Why *not* use the word “plectrum” in a song?
Indeed!
Agree that this is a solid GBV single if not one of their best from a solid GBV album that's also not one of their best. But it's their 38th album (!!!) and Bob's 115th (or so), so I can't fathom how it's as good as it is. I'm jealous of "Songletter" who has never heard of GBV. Dude. Best American rock band ever. No joke. Start with "Human Amusements at Hourly Rates: The Best of Guided by Voices" if you want to get a sense of Robert Pollard's range as a songwriter, and then go from there if you like most of what you hear.
Excellent suggestion! I might write a post about 5 bands I wish I could (re)discover for the first time.
Great idea! Maybe something for a few of us to do together?
Yes! I'm thinking maybe a live video chat that can be shared by all? Let's brainstorm offline.
Sounds good!
I'm jealous of them too! I hope they fall in love with GBV the same way some of us have.
When I started writing this, I thought about listing all of the side/adjacent projects, and mapping them out, and quickly realized that needed to be it's own long-form post--or a series of them.
Yeah! I've been digging this one. I love and revere GBV and Pollard, though I can't even say I'm a real fan compared to many. I haven't given any of the last 3 or 4 much of a listen for one reason or another, but this one caught my ear and this opening track is great. The album reminds me of "Universal Truths and Cycles" and maybe a little "Under the Bushes, Under the Stars" (which is prob my fav if I had to choose).
One thing I love about GBV, is that everyone has their favorite, and they're right. Not for nothing, mine is either "Alien Lanes," or "Bee Thousand."
Ditto. There are as many GBV albums I haven't listened to as I have, so my faves are based on a limited sampling. It's also about where you are in life when you hear an album (age, place --both mental and physical.) Those two were in the mid 90s so, I would assume, a pivotal life stage for both of us.
So true! Mine might even be Boston Spaceships - 'Let It Beard' if we can include other Bob projects. I'll get on this new one as I'm a lot like Miter above that I often see a new GVB release and feel overwhelmed. I believe the last one I touched base with was Crystal Nuns Cathedral last year, which was solid (as always).
I really like this record. At times this one reminds me of Bob Mould except that the vocals aren’t buried in the guitars like he always does.