| Home | Fading Captain Series | GBV News | The Band | The Music | The Critics & Fans | Merchandise | Other Stuff |
Skechers Catalog
Jennifer
Clay
Since Guided By Voices' 1994 emergence from
a decade of absolute obscurity in Dayton, Ohio to relative obscurity in the
indie rock world with the release of Bee Thousand, the group has received barely
a shrug from audio purchasers. While it's doubtful that the phenomenal Do the
Collapse will result in MTV-type success, with ex-Cars frontman Ric Ocasek
producing (meaning they have stepped away from the lo-fi sound) and some catchy
pop ditties, this is the band's best shot. In fact, on this, the band's 11th
album, GBV have assembled the most radio-friendly collection of 16 potential
hits to date - including the fiercely melodic "Teenage FBI" and
"Surgical Focus", and the sweet ballad "Hold On Hope". While
GBV musicians deserve recognition, it's bandleader/songwriter Robert Pollard's
voice and lyrics that are truly unique. The former fourth grade teacher has the
gift of word play-and can vocalize his phrases in a natural and moving tone.
Don't let the fact that he and his bandmates may be old enough to be your dad
turn you off; experience can be a turn on.