Now Magazine
Tim Perlich

Guided By Voices
Half Smiles of the Decomposed
Matador Records
 

The sticker on Half Smiles Of The Decomposed reads The Final Album, confirming main man Robert Pollard's recent statement that "this feels like the last album for Guided by Voices." If it actually turns out to be their parting shot, they're going out on a high note. It's not simply a matter of saving their best songs for last – although the bittersweet ballads here rank among Pollard's finest – but finally taking the time to put all the pieces into place and tightening up the loose ends to bring their deftly assembled tunes into sharp focus for the most accessible GBV album ever. A perfect capper.