Guided By Voices – Under the Bushes Under the Stars 2LP

Description

After firmly establishing themselves as America’s most original and interesting band of part-time, over-30 garage rockers,Under the Bushes Under the StarsfoundGuided by Voicesdipping their toes into something resembling professionalism. Leaving behind the homemade studio craft of their previous work, this album was recorded in a pair of actual recording studios, and the sessions boasted an outside producer (friend and temporary fellow OhioanKim Deal); while no one would mistake the results for the latestBob Rockproject, the set sounded more like a “real” record than anythingGBVhad attempted up to that time. The new edition of the band attempted to rise to the occasion, and though the performances lack the passion ofBee ThousandandAlien Lanes‘ finest moments, the stronger playing and cleaner production honors the pop sensibilities ofRobert Pollard‘s songwriting.Pollardwas also reaching for a better controlled style as a songwriter;Under the Bushes Under the Starsboats a mere 18 songs (as opposed to the 30 onAlien Lanes), and most sound like full fledged pop tunes, with fewer shards of musical fancy littering the way. WhilePollard‘s tighter reign over the band and new sense of self-control made this album a more solid and consistent album thanGBVhad made in the past, it’s also not as exciting asAlien Lanes;Pollard‘s songs lack a certain fire here (though “Man Called Aerodynamics,” “Your Name Is Wild,” and “The Official Ironmen Rally Song” sound just fine), and the band sounds more stifled than enthused by their new grasp of the material. There’s plenty to enjoy here, but it also appeared to have caughtGuided by Voicesin a transitional stage; just how much they were changing would be revealed on their next two albums. -All Music Guide