El Supremo Columbia SC - 4/2001

Guided By Voices
Isolation Drills
TVT Records

I can see why people would be skeptical. I didn't care for Do the Collapse too much either. One could see a nasty habit of over polished studio engineering with less than dynamic material.

But I knew Bob ( Pollard ) wouldn't let us down. Isolation Drills is just what it should be. Turning GBV a loose in the studio with their amps and going from there. Nothing's wrong with focus. I hate to say it but the days of tidbits like Big Chief Chinese Restaurant, no matter how cool, may be gone forever. I don't think I'm alone, however in cheering for the decline of stagnation. Bob and his troops have suffered too long in obscurity not to come out with an "almost" straight ahead record to level the playing field. Even if it is to give every other rock band presently in existence a chance to catch up to them. Isolation Drills does include the 4-tracked song Frostman, which is a curious little nugget but at the same time shows you what redundancy would be like.

Many of the songs on Isolation Drills will be live classics. Run Wild: a two piece number that begins with a dark, chunky riff and morphs into ringing chords and shouts of "Leave your stuff in the street and run wild!". Very tempting while listening to this anywhere over half volume on your stereo! Pivotal Film will be another heavy crowd pleaser, just a little less anthematic with a bit of a freak out in the latter parts. The Brides Have Hit Glass is another classic on it's release date. This starts with an angular, repetitive arrangement that eventually comes to a sentimental, reflective chorus that works beautifully.

There are some charming songs on Isolation Drills that can't be ignored too. Chasing Heather Crazy is so melodic and rocking at the same time that high school kids should be all over this but probably won't. Glad Girls is the same way. The verses bring forth a natural urge to pump your fist in the air and sing along.

Pollard = pop.

Then for a third twist are songs like Fine To See You that are just left enough on the freak meter to perk the ears of a good GBV fan. Sister I Need Wine, which is bit too obvious of a lyric for Pollard, is an great dry acoustic piece with strings that remind myself a little of Crosby, Stills and Nash's Just a Song Before I Go. 

Then there's the first song, Fair Touching, that doesn't really fall into any category so far. This is an up beat driver that seems at first to be a weak composition but waits until the end to sink the hook. One of Pollard's best traits.

Isolation Drills is thick and the playing is tight. The wax buildup has been scrubbed away. One thing that does make me yearn for the "Old days" is the incidental background noise. No matter how good a studio or producer is they can't make trash like you can in a basement.

All right everybody; let's start the Isolation Drills!
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