Toronto Star
December 4, 2003
Vit Wagner

Guided By Voices
Human Amusements at Hourly Rates
Matador Records

With aficionados hailing 2003's Earthquake Glue as one of best yet from Guided By Voices, what could be more timely that a retrospective spanning the 17-year recording career of beloved but commercially marginal Dayton, Ohio indie stalwarts? As befits a band whose output has been prolific, the compilation is not skimpy: 32 songs packed into a single CD clocking in at nearly 78 minutes. Frontman Robert Pollard, whose influences range from R.E.M. to Quadrophenia-era Who, is a master at writing catchy, hook-filled songs that haven't been smoothed of all their edges. Studded with gems.