GUIDED BY VOICES: Earthquake Glue
August 2003
Guided by Voices returned to Matador for last year's Universal Truths and Cycles, marking a conscious move away from the slicker sound and production of their TVT releases, (‘99's Do the Collapse, ‘01's Isolation Drills). That alone was cause for long-time fans to celebrate, but main man Robert Pollard seemed temporarily confused by the shift, delivering the sound but not the songs that would have marked a true return to form. It's a shortcoming he corrects on GBV's new album, making Earthquake Glue a minor triumph. Glue manages to channel the amateur-genius spirit of the mid-'90's Matador releases without being the sprawling mess that marred the likes of Alien Lanes, making it possibly the best GBV album since Bee Thousand. Opener "My Kind of Soldier" sets the tone, with Pollard comfortable in his indie-rock shoes, offering a sublime snatch of melody. GBV also comes across as a real band, sounding tight without sacrificing a sense of spontaneity or coming across too polished, rocking unpretentiously, and adding the subtle flourishes that show they understand Pollard's world and know how to enhance it. In short, this is the album Guided by Voices has been needing to make, and should be welcomed by frustrated fans and curious newcomers alike.
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Page Last Modified on: April 30, 2004