Lee Hammond reviews the mammoth new release from Guided by Voices
Rockathon
Released: 01.02.19
Despite Guided By Voices’ record possessing a mammoth thirty-two tracks, they are short, sharp and to the point. Musically the majority of songs follow a similar blueprint, which in many ways is to its merit. Allowing Robert Pollard’s brilliant lyrics to take the fore, the lo-fi indie rock tracks which back his words almost feel supplementary most of the time as they merely carry the sentiments of his words.
This is evident on the repetitive Blurring The Contacts, and the urgent Everything’s Thrilling. Even with the concise nature of Zeppelin Over China, it flows with a cohesion that isn’t often heard on albums anymore. This record is another perfect example of Guided By Voices remaining prolific whilst producing records of the highest order.