NME
By Hardeep Phul

Guided By Voices
Half Smiles of the Decomposed
Matador Records

8 out of 10

Hankies at the ready - It's the last GBV album...ever!

Robert Pollard always maintained that he would call time on his truly seminal American indie institution once they reached their peak. And here it is: the best Guided By Voices album yet. That's not an overly nostalgic judgement either, because Pollard's ear for fizzing guitar pop has never been more acute; the aptly-titled 'Never Gonna Have To Die' cross breeds Motown vibrancy with one of the best melodies that Lennon and McCartney never wrote, and the very thought that the world will never again hear such a beautifully tuneful sound as 'Everyone Thinks I'm A Raincloud (When 
I'm Not Looking)' is deeply distressing. Sure, the Bobster will be knocking out solo material faster than most people can count but there will never be another band like them.