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Columbus Dispatch

Guided By Voices
Do The Collapse   
TVT

Thanks to Chris Wales for transcribing

Robert Pollard has finally finished a thought.
On the 11th Guided by Voices album, the
singer-songwriter has done away with the song
fragments that have been a key part of his band's
signature. Do the Collapse clearly states what
previous albums have only hinted: that the group has
pop potential.

That's a thought that sends shudders through many
fans, but a promising prospect for those disturbed
by the fare on the radio. Do the Collapse, though
given a studio sheen by ex-Cars leader Ric Ocasek,
bears all the band's important trademarks: strong
melodies, obscure -- and sometimes bizarre -- lyrics
and songs that range from the stuff of sing-alongs
(Teenage FBI) to weird-out vamps (In Stitches).

Pollard has said he wanted Do the Collapse to be the
band's arena album. If that's the case, the ballad
Hold on Hope will bring out the Bics. "Everybody's got
a hold on hope / It's the last thing that's holding
me,'' Pollard sings in a fragile confession.