It's been two years since the last proper Guided By Voices album, 'Mag
Earwhig', was released on Matador Records. By music industry standards,
this is a relatively short time. Big name acts like REM, Radiohead, and the
Beastie Boys spend at least that much time between records working up new
material. But two years is an eternity for GBV leader Robert Pollard, a man
who jokingly named his publishing company Needmore Songs long before his
band was making records. The name was a take-off on Needmore Road, the
bustling auto tributary clearly visible from Pollard's back yard. Since
those days in the early 80's, the singer, songwriter, and former elementary
school teacher has proven himself to be one of the most prolific songwriters
of the post-punk era. In that light, Needmore Songs takes on a highly
ironic tone.

Fans of Blink-182, Matchbox 20 and other groups of their ilk may be
satisfied with a new record every two or three years, but serious music
fanatics want new releases from their favorite band as often as they can get
them. This year alone, Pollard has treated his fans with his third solo
album, 'Kid Marine' (Rockathan/Recordhead), and a pair of side excursions
back into the world of lo-fi rock: 'Ask Them' by Lexo & the Leepers and
Nightwalker's 'In Shop We Build Electric Chairs: Professional Music by
Nightwalker 1984-93'. Before heading out on GBV's recent mini-tour, Pollard
put the finishing touches on another solo album at Cro-Mag Studio.

The long-awaited 'Do The Collapse' (TVT Records) was recorded more than a
year ago at Electric Lady Studios and sat in limbo while Pollard severed
ties with Matador and inked a deal with TVT. Produced by Ric Ocasek of the
Cars, the 16-song disc is definitely the most cohesive LP of GBV's long
career. The duo are to be commended for focusing on GBV's strong points and
bolstering them for maximum impact rather than trying to remake the band for
alternative radio. By doing this, Pollard may have made the record that
will break him on the airwaves. The record is big, but not without the
quirks and obtuse songwriting that fans have come to love.

The first single, "Surgical Focus", is a classic slice of GBV
stadium-ready rock--the only difference is that Pollard and Ocasek have
stretched the song out to allow for more repeated choruses. This method is
utilized throughout 'Do The Collapse' with great effect. "Things That I
Will Keep", "Hold On Hope", and "Teenage FBI"--already receiving airplay on
the X (WXEG) and 97X (WOXY)--are also strong radio contenders.

Doug Gillard's classic guitar riffs are the perfect foil to Pollard's
anthemic tales of love, life, confusion, alienation and aldulthood. 'Do The
Collapse' is a rock album, so Gillard and Pollard's guitars are featured
prominently, but bassist Greg Demos and former Breeders drummer Jim
Macpherson prove themselves to be among the most muscular rhythm sections in
rock.

'Do The Collapse' is GBV's first LP for TVT Records, following a string
of releases for New York-based indie label matador. TVT has been promoting
the record extensively and appears determined to help push Guided By Voices
to the next level. Pollard, for his part, has agreed to support the record
with some fairly heavy touring. Expect to be hearing songs from this record
well into the next millennium.