GBV has got to be one of the most underrated, underappreciated bands out there. Check out their classic "Bee Thousand" for proof. Frontman, and only permanent member, Robert Pollard, is a genius.

I think if you divide the quality of their stuff by the unbelievable quantity, you are left with no choice but to conclude that they're one of the best alternative/indie acts ever.

I'd love to get into some friendly banter with hardcore GBV fans out there, but if you aren't familiar with them and you like good rock songs, do yourself a favor and pick up some of their stuff.

Though he's written loads and loads of songs I don't know that much of them. But I do know that Car Language of their previous album is magnificent! Those guitars... *gasps*

bee thousand was good, but i like vampire on titus and alien lanes better. i saw them live and they wer LAMe

Live, they are hit or miss, I'll admit. Pollard tends to be smashed onstage, and, the few times I've seen them, the quality of the performance has varied wildly. You should check 'em out again, though, if your first show didn't turn you off too much, because when they're on you'll have a blast. It also helps if you try to keep up with Bob in your beer consumption. Err...on second thought...if you're an ordinary person this could prove fatal. Maybe try 1 for his 3.

Vampire On Titus is a great album, too. I just think Bee Thousand is a good starting place for newcomers since it's a bit more pop oriented.

I heard that they're quitting after the next album...

Heard that yesterday on another forum.

yep, me too

Too bad. I really like Guided By Voices. Got Alien Lanes, Do The Collapse, Universal Truths & Cycles and Earthquake Glue by them - er, him, rather.

Any word on when the next album is due out?

I think they will eventually feature a GBV song in a movie or t.v. show, it will hit the public fancy and Bob will grab the first musicians he sees and ouila! Guided by Voices will be born again.

I think he's labored too long and hard to be "the next big thing" to be indifferent to such a turn of events.

On the other hand, I hope he has.
Personally, I think "commercial considerations" marred "Do the Collapse" an eensy weensy bit and "Isolation Drills" an eensier weensier bit.

Whatever he ends up doing, I bet it'll be tuney as hell

Impossible i thought to myself. GBV Robert Pollard the god of alternative music releasing his last album half smiles of the decomposed??? NOooooOOoooooOO! Hes not that old really and he could make more albums! what the hell!!! Let us pray and maybe he'll keep doing what he does best! (Robert Pollard i mean).