Indie band's latest album
offers mainstream appeal
 By
Nate Cross
Staff Writer
Guided By Voices lead singer Bob Pollard has been
out in a musical sea for awhile, and although he's caught his fair share,
he still hasn't managed to land the big one yet.
"Isolation Drills," Guided By Voices' newest album,
is loaded with sharp hooks and nice timing that may finally put the
band on radio play lists.
Guided By Voices has been stellar for over a decade.
Many people in the indie circuit consider Pollard to be the godfather
of indie rock, but he still isn't a household name. With his new record,
however, he just may become one.
Guided By Voices came together in the early '80s
when then elementary school teacher Pollard — referred to as "Mr.
Rocker" by his students — left his job to pursue music full time.
During almost two decades, the band has had an
estimated 40-plus members, with Pollard being the only cornerstone in
the band to remain unearthed.
Trying to capture mainstream appeal, GBV brought
in ex-Car Ric Ocasek for their last album, "Do The Collapse," but the
finished product wasn't the winner the band hoped it would be. For "Isolation
Drills," the band hired Rob Schnapf, who has helped Elliott Smith and
Beck. With Schnapf's help, Guided By Voices has recorded its catchiest
rock record to date.
There are the sounds of influences like Cheap Trick,
REM and The Who and there are also still tracks that bring back the
lo-fi feeling of old GBV records.
Lyrically, Pollard remains true to the stream-of-consciousness
technique that has helped him churn out tune after tune in short amounts
of time. His lyrics are more introspective and emotional on "Isolation
Drills" than in the past, and he continues to sing with an "I wish I
was British" sound.
Sonically supporting members — lead guitarist
Doug Gillard, bassist Nate Farley and drummer Jim MacPherson —
make some of the best tunes in GBV's history; it's indie jangle and
power-chord heaven.
"Isolation Drills" is a dark record and this is
why the upbeat songs on the album pop out so much. "Chasing Heather
Crazy" is a definite plus on any college student's play list, while
"Glad Girls" is packed with hooks heavy enough to set listeners into
a pop high.
"Run Wild" gets close to capturing the fun of an
endless childhood summer evening: "Leave your things in the streets/And
run wild."
On the slower side, "How's My Drinking?" finds
Pollard sounding almost slurred and looking inside himself and his glass
as he sings, "I don't care about being sober" and later, "To hell with
my church bells/And leave me die/With you/I won't change." "Fine To
See You" benefits from some piano help from Elliott Smith, while "Sister
I Need Whine" has ghostly vocals which accompany a slow guitar and a
string section.
"Isolation Drills" is a great album and its 16
tracks never let the listener down. The "Old Man and the Sea" have met
a middle ground and Pollard has landed the "big one" he's been looking
for.
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