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Creative Loafing Network
Stefanie Kalem
With their umpteenth
release, (they have nearly 20, but who's
counting?) Ohio's Guided By Voices complete this summer's holy trinity
of high profile indie-pop bombshells (the other two co-ordinates being
occupied by Pavement and Flaming Lips). Stirring up his usual mix of
power-pop, lo-fi, classic and prog-rock, this time with a new spoon
(producer Ric Ocasek), GBV's prolific leader Robert Pollard has created
a disc of perfect moments and incessant, irresistibly sparkling charm.
In keeping with their
string of releases, the songs are getting longer,
allowing Pollard to stretch out, usually effectively,
though often he just
gets repetitive. The opener, 'Teenage FBI,' really shows Ocasek's influence:
catchy, with squishy synth and fuzzy, jangly guitar; it's like the Cars covering
Cheap Trick's 'Dream Police.' 'Wrecking Now' is probably the prettiest tune on
the record,
with a finger-picked melody reminiscent of 'Carrie Anne' by the Hollies.
'Picture Me Big Time' is Pollard's arena rock valentine, with its
shouted Baby, I will deliver to you! and greasy, layered guitar.
- -S.K.****